A Father’s love for his son

Gian performs in "The Golden Mickey's" Show as Capt. Li Shang of Mulan

SINGER and actor Gian Magdangal was climbing the ladder of fame in showbiz when the spotlight suddenly turned away. Gian, once described as the next Christian Bautista and a runner-up in Philippine Idol, built up his showbiz career for eight years, performing in popular Sunday TV variety shows and starring in avidly-watched teleseryes back home.

But in 2013, fate took a turn when his network decided not to renew his contract. “Well, I did not want to leave SOP or Party Pilipinas when it became Sunday All Stars. It’s actually something that just happened  that they had to remove probably some talents and I was one of those talents whose contracts they did not renew,” Gian said in a candid interview with reporters on February 12.

“I mean, that happens. I asked the network (but) they did not want to renew my contract anymore.” This setback did not stop Gian, a cousin of fellow Jolina Magdangal, from getting back on his feet, especially since he has to take care of his six-year-old son, Gian Hailey. So as the door appeared to close on his showbiz career, opportunity came knocking when he was offered a major role in Hong Kong Disneyland. He accepted the offer.

“As a father, because my main priority, I’m a dad, I have one son. He’s six years old—I needed to find work immediately because I send him to school. That’s my main priority,” said Gian. “It’s really more like a father’s decision to really provide for my son. I saw this as a really good opportunity.  And true enough,  when I got here, I saw that every body was happy. Masaya dito. Talagang trabaho na maganda. May kontrata,” he added. Gian performs as a vocalist, playing one of the major roles in The Golden Mickeys  show at the theme park’s Storybook Theater. He said he was glad to take the offer because it gave him the opportunity to do what he loves doing.

“What I think I do best is singing and performing, which is what I love to do. Yung natanggal sa akin yung opportunity na yun, yun pa rin ang gusto kong gawin,” Gian said. “I’d like to think that only a handful of people get to do what they love doing and make it an occupation. That is really something that I’m very grateful and thankful for,” he said. When he got the role, Gian was told that he had to decide quickly if he really wanted it.

“When I auditioned and I got the role, I was told I have to decide within a week if  I wanted to accept the job or not. So, that’s what happened,” he said. “Kesa sa Manila na minsan na ‘Ano ang next project?’ at kung ayaw kang bigyan ng kontrata ng network, nganga,” he said. “Kailangan may abilidad talaga.  The pay here is very good. I’m very happy,” he added. And making children smile is also a challenge for Disney artists like Gian. It helps that he has a six-year-old son whose favorite Disney character is Woody, from Toy Story.

“We keep it real every time. We have to genuine. There’s a saying that kids can see if you’re lying or not,” said Gian. “As someone who has a six-year-old son, I know how it feels like to share with them the stories of Disney because my son is also, like me, a Disney fan. I think that’s the magic of Disney—being genuinely engaged,” he said.

“And when you perform every day and you see all these children—you see the theater full and all smiles—it’s really a fulfilling experience,” he added. Gian said that he was also proud that there are many Filipino Disney performers, having major roles in a range of shows “both behind the scenes and on stage.”
“Kahit na ibang nationality ang kinkantahan mo, iba pa rin yung my pride ka na Pinoy. Maraming Pilipino dito. In a way, kahit na mag-Tagalog ka buong araw, you’ll get by,” he said.

“Yung feeling na kahit sa canteen (you can say,)`Oh pare…’ Parang nag-Tatagalog lang naman ako dito,” he added. Gian said being with other Filipinos and the “simple things” about working in Hong Kong keeps him motivated. He joined a dragon boat team and they paddle on the theme park’s Inspirational Lake on
Monday mornings.

“We have all these Pinoy cast members and we talk what we want to do after the show o ano na bang nangyari sa teleserye na yan? Hanggang dito pinag-uusapan. And I get to sleep early. Typical OFW,”
Gian said. “All those simple things put together and I’m still able to provide for my son. Kahit na sabihin natin na cheesy naman na para sa anak pero totoo e,” he said. “Hindi mo marerealize yun hanggang sa  wala ka na dun sa bansa at hindi mo katabi yung anak mo kapag gusto mong kayakap pag natutulog,” he added.

Gian said he was also impressed by the “convenience” and “efficiency” of living in hong Kong. “Walang car pero napaka-convenient ng MTR. You feel very secure walking here. Naiisip mo sana ganito MTR natin,” he said. “It also makes you think, are we doing what we need to be doing (back in the Philippines)? The best part of working here is being able to wake up and I’m not stressed about many things and that life is simple,” he added. But despite all the conveniences of Hong Kong life, Gian still tries to fly home every month to see his son. “Akala ko mamumulubi ako sa flight. Meron palang piso fare. When I see a piso fare, I take it right away because I don’t want to miss a moment with my son,” Gian said.

“He says he’s happy for me but I have to say that he’s sad because he said he wants me to work in a Disney that’s “closer to school. I used to bring him to school every day. So I told him that really,  Hong Kong Disneyland, is the closest to his school,” he said.

This coming March 13, it will be his son’s turn to visit him in Disney. “He has not seen me perform here but I booked a flight and he’ll come here on March 13 with my parents. I’m already excited. He’s going watch me perform,” Gian said.