Introduction
Ken Steven Angeles Chan (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈtʃan]; born January 17, 1993) is a Filipino-Chinese actor, singer, model, television presenter, host, vlogger, restaurateur and entrepreneur. Chan's showbiz career was established as a co-host and performer of German Moreno's Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman. He rose to fame through his role as Joey Vergara, Jr. and Destiny Rose Flores-Antonioni in the award-winning TV-series Destiny Rose. In 2017, he again experienced a peak in his career as he starred in Meant to Be alongside Barbie Forteza, together with Jak Roberto, Ivan Dorschner, and Addy Raj. Chan is widely known for the portrayal of his character Boyet Villaroman, a young man with mild intellectual disability, alongside his loveteam partner Rita Daniela in the romantic-drama series My Special Tatay. He is also dubbed as "The Kapuso Ultimate Actor".
Life and career
1993–2010: Early life and career beginnings
Chan started having interest in theatre during his time in high school at Colegio San Agustin – Biñan.
He was taking up tourism at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde when he joined show business in the first quarter of 2011. Chan's former manager (Rams David) discovered him. Prior to joining show business, Chan already did some television commercials and appeared in a youth magazine. He also took the Hotel and Restaurant Management course as he explicitly admit in Sarap Diva when he guested. He also mostly got his villain roles.
2011–2016: Breakthrough
Chan was a host of the late night show, Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman with his colleagues Jake Vargas, Sanya Lopez, and Teejay Marquez. He already appeared in several shows of GMA Network in a span of one year. Chan appeared as part of the love triangle between Barbie Forteza and Joshua Dionisio's tandem in Tween Hearts.
Chan also portrayed a villain in Time of My Life as part of LJ Reyes group. he continues to share his talent in acting. He is paired with Yassi Pressman and sometimes, to Joyce Ching. Chan has a physical resemblance to his GMA namesake contract artist Steven Silva, who also has Chinese blood.
Chan gained fame in 2015 for playing the titular role of the novelist trans woman, Destiny Rose.
In 2017, he became the host of Day Off together with Janine Gutierrez.
2017–present: Career resurgence
Chan's fame has skyrocketed when he portrayed Yuan Lee in Meant to Be, Joshua Lazaro, a doctor in The Cure and Robert "Boyet" Mariano, a young man with mild intellectual disability in My Special Tatay.
On January 8, 2019, he signed a recording contract with GMA Music.
He later reunites with his My Special Tatay leading lady, Rita Daniela in rom-com One of the Baes (2019), and Ang Dalawang Ikaw (2021), where he portrayed a man living with dissociative identity disorder named Nelson Sarmiento.
Chan also became the co-host of the singing competition The Clash from its second season until its fourth season, and is currently serving as one of the main hosts and performers in variety show All-Out Sundays.
In 2022, Chan portrayed the role of Richard Lim in Her Big Boss, the second installment of Mano Po Legacy. Later in 2023, Chan is reunited with My Special Tatay co-star Jillian Ward, as he joined Abot-Kamay na Pangarap, with portraying the role of Dr. Lyndon Javier.
Business
Chan opened a first ever all-year-round Christmas-themed café called Café Claus in Tandang Sora, Quezon City on December 27, 2021, two days after the Christmas day. The second branch at Promenade Greenhills opened in March 2022 with his business partners with Ryan Kolton and his brother Mark Chan as CEO and COO, respectively. It has several outlets in Luzon.
In July 2024, Chan opened his 7th restaurant, "Deer Claus Steakhouse and Restaurant", on Timog Avenue, Quezon City, the second branch, while the first, in Balanga, and in Lipa, Batangas soon.
Legal issues
Chan, along with seven others, is facing a syndicated estafa complaint in connection with an alleged investment dispute involving a restaurant business. The complaint was filed by a businessman, who claims to have invested ₱14 million in the venture. Authorities attempted to serve a second arrest warrant related to the case in November 2024, following the first warrant which was reportedly executed in September. The actor remains at large.
Filmography
Television dramas
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Time of My Life | Rudolf | GMA Network |
| 2011–12 | Tween Hearts | Mackenzie "Mac" Santos | |
| 2012 | Biritera | Popoy | |
| 2012–13 | Yesterday's Bride | Joel Ramirez | |
| 2013 | Home Sweet Home | Dane | |
| 2014 | Rhodora X | Ryan Ledesma | |
| 2015 | The Rich Man's Daughter | young Angkong | |
| Healing Hearts | Anton | ||
| 2015–16 | Destiny Rose | Joselito "Joey" Vergara, Jr. / Destiny Rose Flores-Antonioni | |
| 2017 | Voltes V | Prince Zardoz (Voice Only) | |
| Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's | Crow Hogan (Voice Only) | ||
| Meant to Be | Yuan Lee | ||
| 2018 | The Cure | Joshua Lazaro | |
| 2018–19 | My Special Tatay | Roberto "Boyet" M. Villaroman | |
| My Golden Life | Dion (Voice Only) | ||
| 2019–20 | One of the Baes | Grant Altamirano | |
| Daddy's Gurl | Kuracho (Guest) | ||
| 2021 | Ang Dalawang Ikaw | Nelson Sarmiento / Tyler Franco / Maj. Dominiano "Major A" Alberto | |
| Regal Studio Presents | Jarvis Episode: "That Thin Line Between" | ||
| Julius Episode: "Your House, My Home" | |||
| 2022 | Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss | Richard Lim | |
| 2023–24 | Abot-Kamay na Pangarap | Dr. Lyndon Javier |
Television shows
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2016 | Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman | Co-Host / Performer | GMA Network |
| 2015 | Maynila: Heart of Trust | Riel | |
| Maynila: Open Your Heart | Lance | ||
| Magpakailanman: The Louise Delos Reyes Story | Jack | ||
| Maynila: My Bespren, My Love | Beaver | ||
| Maynila: Bad Boy Good Heart | Owen | ||
| Maynila: Forget Me Not | Brent | ||
| Maynila: Finding Mr.Right | Charles | ||
| Maynila: Nobody's Princess | Jerry | ||
| Maynila: Bilanggo ng Kahapon | |||
| 2016 | Imbestigador: Nick Russel Oniot Murder Case | Nick Russel Oniot | |
| Maynila: Single Dad | Dale | ||
| 2017 | Imbestigador: Nurse Darrel Love Story, and Murder Case | Nurse Darrel de Claro | |
| Magpakailanman: Our Viral Love – Th Lance Fernandez and Ella Layer Story | Lance Fernandez | ||
| 2018 | Maynila: Magkapatid, Magkaribal | Blue | |
| 2019–2021 | The Clash | Journey Host | |
| 2019 | Magpakailanman: Never Give Up – The Ken Chan and Rita Daniela Story | Himself | |
| Studio 7 | Co-host / Performer | ||
| 2020–present | All-Out Sundays | Main host / Performer | |
| 2020 | Wowowin | Special guest / Performer | |
| 2022 | Family Feud | Contestant | |
| TiktoClock | Guest / Player | ||
| 2023 | Magpakailanman: My 3rd Life – The Kim Atienza Story | Kim Atienza | |
| Magpakailanman: A Song For Daddy - The Anthony Rosaldo Story | Anthony Rosaldo | ||
| 2024 | It's Showtime | Guest / Performer | Kapamilya Channel A2Z All TV GMA Network GTV |
Movies
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Tween Academy: Class of 2012 | Justin | ||
| 2012 | Just One Summer | Keith | ||
| My Kontrabida Girl | JC | |||
| 2016 | Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers | Allan/A1 | ||
| Imagine You and Me | Bryan | Cameo role | ||
| 2017 | This Time I'll Be Sweeter | Tristan | ||
| 2019 | Kiko en Lala | Boyet | Special appearance (crossover character from My Special Tatay) | |
| 2021 | Huling Ulan sa Tag-Araw | Luis | Entry to Metro Manila Film Festival 2021 | |
| 2023 | Papa Mascot | Nico | First solo role |
Discography
Singles
| Year | Title | Featured artist | Composer | Label | Note | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Almusal | Rita Daniela | Dessirie Joy P. Cabalquinto (words) Noel Cabalquinto (music) | GMA Records | ||
| 1 Like | N/A | Jimmy Borja (music) Eymard Altoveros (words) | GMA Music | |||
| Tayo ay Forever | Rita Daniela | Papa Obet | Barangay LS 97.1 theme song / jingle | |||
| 2022 | Quaranfiing | N/A | Lolito Go Jr. | Comeback single |
Albums
| Year | Title | Tracks | Featured artists | Composer | Label | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Self-titled | Dahil Ikaw | N/A | Marlon Silva | PolyEast Records | Originally performed by True Faith / Local theme song of I Hear Your Voice | |
| Born for You | David Pomeranz | Originally performed by David Pomeranz | |||||
| Paikot-Ikot | Kiko Salazar | His only original song in the album | |||||
| Tulog Na | Ebe Dancel | Originally performed by Sugarfree | |||||
| Nais Kong Malaman Mo | Joey Abando | Originally performed by Boyfriends / Local theme song of Fall in Love with Me | |||||
| Sumayaw, Sumunod | Norman Caraan | Originally performed by Boyfriends | |||||
| 2017 | Meant to Be (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | Kahit Sino Pa Man | Barbie Forteza, Jak Roberto, Ivan Dorschner, and Addy Raj | Len Calvo | GMA Records | Main theme from Meant to Be | |
| 2019 | BoBrey (Live) | 1 Like | N/A | Jimmy Borja (music) Eymard Altoveros (words) | GMA Music | Live tracks taken from My Special Love: #BoBreyinConcert | |
| Almusal | Rita Daniela | Dessirie Joy P. Cabalquinto (words) Noel Cabalquinto (music) | |||||
| Kahit Anong Swerte Ko / Kahit Man Lang Sa Pangarap | Len Calvo (Kahit Anong Swerte Ko) / Vehnee Saturno (Kahit Man Lang Sa Pangarap) | ||||||
| 2021 | Ang Dalawang Ikaw (Original Soundtrack) | Makikinig Ako | N/A | Simon L. Tan | GMA Music / GMA Playlist | Secondary theme | |
| Nandiyan Ka Pa Ba | Rita Daniela | Rina L. Mercado | Main theme (duet version) |
Concerts
- My Destiny: Ken Chan Live in Concert (2016)
- My Special Love: #BoBreyinConcert (2019)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 62nd FAMAS Awards | German Moreno Youth Achievement Award | N/A | Won | |
| 2016 | 2016 GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Most Promising Male Star | Destiny Rose | Won | |
| 30th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Actor | Nominated | |||
| 3rd PEPList Awards | Editor's Choice: Teleserye Actor of the Year | Won | |||
| 2018 | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Male Face of the Night | N/A | Won | |
| 2019 | 1st Inside Showbiz Awards | Inside Showbiz Choice Performance | My Special Tatay | Won | |
| 17th Gawad Tanglaw | Best Lead Performance in a TV Series (with Rita Daniela) | Won | |||
| 50th Box Office Entertainment Awards | TV Actor of the Year in a Daytime Drama Series | Won | |||
| 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Television | German Moreno Power Tandem of the Year (with Rita Daniela) | Won | |||
| 2020 | VP Choice Awards 2019 | TV Actor of the Year | One of the Baes | Won | |
| 2024 | Philippine Finest Business Awards and Outstanding Achievers 2024 | Outstanding Entrepreneur and Actor | Won |