ISSUE 2: KEVIN MARTINEZ, SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE

“I am Kevin Martinez and I am daring.” says this California native, 24 year old Filipino American, and one of our latest additions to the growing group of #TEAMSUPER.

That’s actually the answer for the last question that Kevin gave us for this interview. And we feel that it is an apt way to start this feature.

Daring and Bold. Kevin is, when you get to see the bigger picture. From the way he conducts himself, to the way he arrives with important decisions and the way he sees his life lived.

A quick check on the dictionary and the word “daring” gives you a list of words with similar meanings, from “adventurous”, “audacious”, “courageous”, “risk taker”, “brave”, and guess what, Kevin is all of these and more.

A graduate of BS Psychology in California, he opted to fly thousands of miles to Manila to pursue his dreams. Kevin has always been in love with acting. And before heading here, he has already done several works on theatre and film projects back home.

“Once I graduated, I jumped into acting right away. My first gig out of college was in a Shakespeare company in Sta. Cruz” says Kevin.

Born Kevin Anthony Martinez to Filipino American parents, this artist has always been the unconventional, the sensitive and the independent one in the family. When asked if he was the introvert type when he was growing up, Kevin gamely answers “I fluctuated throughout my life. When I found my ardor in acting, I explored myself inwardly… a scary yet rewarding thing. So at that time, I was introverted, but now, if you ask me, I find myself more of an extrovert.”

Kevin did several jobs to make ends meet, from waiting tables, bartending, to being a research assistant at the Psychology Department of his school, but his love for the arts and acting has always been there etched in his heart, longing to be fulfilled. So after saving enough to last him a year or two, he packed his bags and tried his luck here in Manila.

“I wanted to go back to my roots and learn more about the country. I moved here last year just before my 24th Birthday. I only knew some Titos and cousins.” says Kevin.

It was difficult at first but he had to stick to his guns and believe that everything will eventually work its way. He went to an acting workshop here and dabbled in a little of modeling, did a few commercials to pay the bills. He also tried his hands in the academe.

“I got a job here as an English Teacher and a public speaking coach. I never had the chance to act in any projects here yet but I was fortunate enough to be the subject for talented local photographers. If you think about it, modeling for photography includes a lot of projection and acting. That’s how I get my acting fix.”

And after almost a year in the country Kevin believes that he’s able to muster enough experience needed to face the bigger leagues back home.

He’s excited to go back to California. When asked what is his best takeaway from his Manila Experience, Kevin answers “Most significantly it taught me the importance of family and honest human communication. My uncle would always say to me to roll your shoulders back and walk down the middle. Basically what it means is that we need to be daring enough to take full responsibility of our lives and our circumstances.”

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the bigger picture of Kevin Martinez.

THE PROUST QUESTIONAIRRE

TS:

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

KEVIN:

No such thing. There is always a level of balance that is needed, so I consider contentment the goal— the perfect balance between madness and stability.

TS:

What is your greatest fear?

KEVIN:

The death of a romantic partner.

TS:

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

KEVIN:

My impatience.

TS:

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

KEVIN:

Lack of attentiveness when you’re speaking to someone. Especially, when they’re on their phones.

TS:

Which living person do you most admire?

KEVIN:

My mother.

TS:

What is your greatest extravagance?

KEVIN:

You can find me at the movie theatre or at a coffeeshop.

TS:

What is your current state of mind?

KEVIN:

Hungry for social interaction… Been in lockdown.

TS:

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

KEVIN:

All virtues are underrated these days, especially kindness.

TS:

On what occasion do you lie?

KEVIN:

Never. I would say I embellish the truth many times. It’s an art haha.

TS:

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

KEVIN:

My face. I’m working on changing that mindset.

TS:

Which living person do you most despise?

KEVIN:

I don’t know.

TS:

What is the quality you most like in a man?

KEVIN:

Every man is different.

TS:

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

KEVIN:

Every woman is different… but certainly the innate feeling to want to nurture in most.

TS:

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

KEVIN:

“You know?” or “pucha” haha.

TS:

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

KEVIN:

My mother and or my Great Aunt (Lola)

TS:

When and where were you happiest?

KEVIN:

Summer of 2013.

TS:

Which talent would you most like to have?

KEVIN:

Crying on command within seconds

TS:

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

KEVIN:

I love my hands, but they are rough and ugly as hell.

TS:

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

KEVIN:

The first play I auditioned for I got the role of Marquez in Marquez, a modern rendition of Macbeth. It was a surprising blessing.

TS:

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

KEVIN:

As myself, but with all the past knowledge learned in this lifetime.

TS:

Where would you most like to live?

KEVIN:

San Francisco.

TS:

What is your most treasured possession?

KEVIN:

A book— “The Little Prince”

TS:

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

KEVIN:

Living with a guilt or a regret and being unable to accept such a fate.

TS:

What is your favorite occupation?

KEVIN:

Film and a television actor

TS:

What is your most marked characteristic?

KEVIN:

Courage

TS:

What do you most value in your friends?

KEVIN:

Loyalty

TS:

Who are your favorite writers?

KEVIN:

Lord Byron, Charles Bukowski, Robert Greene, Jordan Peterson, etc.

TS:

Who is your hero of fiction?

KEVIN:

Jim Stark from the film “Rebel without a Cause”

TS:

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

KEVIN:

John Lennon

TS:

Who are your heroes in real life?

KEVIN:

Ryan Gosling, Johnny Depp, Carl Jung, Freud, Jesus and my Uncle Bill, etc.

TS:

What are your favorite names?

KEVIN:

Aubrey and Isabelle

TS:

What is it that you most dislike?

KEVIN:

When one expresses indecency and an air of entitlement

TS:

What is your greatest regret?

KEVIN:

Nothing.

TS:

How would you like to die?

KEVIN:

In my sleep

TS:

What is your motto?

KEVIN:

A quote by Charles Bukowski— “Any asshole can chase a skirt, art takes discipline."

CREDITS:

Photography by Visuals MNL

IG: visualsmnl

Follow Kevin Martinez

IG: Kevinanthonymartinez

FB: Kevin Martinez