Jobless in Manila, Pinoy actor-singer finds light at HK Disneyland

LANTAU ISLAND, Hong Kong - What is life telling you when you lost shows, finished a talent contract and were left picking odd jobs just to raise a child?

For actor-singer Gian Magdangal, it meant forcing his luck elsewhere, entertaining thousands of guests every day away from his 6-year-old son.

“It’s more of a father’s decision to provide for my son,” the 33-year-old single dad spoke to Filipino media at Hong Kong Disneyland recently. “Masaya dito may trabaho na maganda, may kontrata. Kesa naman sa Manila, kung ayaw ka bigyan ng kontrata ng network, nganga ka.”
 
But if his son, Gian Haley, were to ask he wishes his dad’s work is just near the school--close enough so he could fetch and pick up the little boy just like before.

“He’s sad only by the fact that, in his words he says, ‘Daddy, I hope Disneyland is near school. Can you transfer to a Disneyland near school?’” he related.

Life at the earth’s happiest place

But it's been four months now since he went away from home and got the part as one of Disneyland cast members.

The trade-off of is worth it, Gian implied. He said he's "very happy" when asked how the global company pays. Besides, he enjoys both the Mickey Mouse currency that sends his son to school, and the joys of entertaining people day in, day out.

“Only a handful of people get to do what they love doing and make it as an occupation,” he noted.

Not to mention working at the park that’s just a 2-hour flight away from home makes homesickness less for the actor-singer who gets to fly once a month during his two days off. He comes home more frequent when airline seat sales are available.

Wearing Pinoy pride badge

The former "Philippine Idol" runner-up and GMA variety show mainstay is just one of probably hundreds of Filipinos working at Hong Kong's 10-year-old family attraction.

At the park, Gian could be Captain Shang (Mulan character) in one scene, giving life to another character the next. He does it multiple times a day, five times a week.

While his relationship with local showbiz is cold at the moment, Gian carries with him the mission of touching other people’s lives through entertainment, something he learned the past 8 years as a performer.

“Kahit hindi Pilipino o ibang nationality ang kinakantahan mo, iba pa rin ‘yung may pride ka na Pinoy. It’s a pride na you wear your nationality and your heart on your sleeve," he said.

Gian is looking forward to the day, on March 13 to be exact, when his son would be among the audience in Golden Mickeys--watching his dad sing and dance with famous Disney characters, and hopefully proud enough.

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