Oversized denim shirt, skinny jeans, Calvin Klein
Richard Juan, who has been making waves even before the term “influencer” was coined, has always had a knack for reinventing himself beyond the influencer-stereotype. One milestone he has achieved recently was establishing his own production company called 28 Squad Studios.
“It’s really about combining my first love, which is business, with my newfound passion, which is entertainment,” Juan said.
This University of the Philippines Diliman graduate has always shown an entrepreneurial streak, “Establishing 28 Squared Studios was basically embarking on an uncharted adventure as this is technically my first major business,” Juan said. He added that setting up a business was supposedly a few more years down the road, in his plan, but got hastened up because of the pandemic.
“This whole journey’s been a whirlwind, transitioning from what was supposed to be a distant goal into my present reality, and I’m embracing every moment of it.”
Graphic jacket, Tommy Hilfiger; loose fit jeans, Calvin Klein
Things didn’t stop there, however. His very first movie production, a herculean one, a romantic-comedy entitled, Under Parallel Skies, will premiere this April 17, with a presscon April 1. It’s a story of a man struggling with a painful past who tries to move on, only to discover that the woman in his present life has an uncanny connection to his past.
Richard Juan, Win Metawin, Janella Salvador and Director Sigrid Bernardo during the Asian Film Awards.
The film was entirely shot in Hong Kong, thanks to his close ties to the Hong Kong Tourism Board. It stars Filipino actress Janella Salvador and Thai superstar Win Metawin, who is popularly known as “Tine” in the Thai BL series, 2gether, which grew very popular during the pandemic. This is Metawin’s first international film role.
“Win showed remarkable dedication to his role. Despite this being his first international project, he went above and beyond, even doing daily Zoom with a tutor to perfect his English scenes,” Juan said.
Under Parallel Skies movie poster
“Janella brought layers to her character that enriched the storyline beyond our expectations,” Juan said.
“The duo’s professionalism and commitment were not just inspiring but also contributed to a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere on the set.”
Thanks to Juan’s natural way of connecting to people, he was able to put together the right cast, crew, and even set the location, to put everything in place. He has a way of making it seem easy—even during our shoot, he was busy (to put it mildly) planning the logistics of the movie launch.
Dark denim dress shirt, skinny jeans, Calvin Klein
The last two to three years, each challenge he and his team faced, from the tight budget to the unforeseen logistical hurdles, became a stepping stone towards innovation and resilience. “The journey prepped us for the unexpectedly fast-tracked dream of producing a film. We didn’t anticipate this so soon, yet, here we are. I’m grateful that I was able to find a strong and remarkable team, that shared the vision and that believed in what we could achieve together.”
Selecting Hong Kong as the film’s setting was deliberate—Juan grew up and studied there until high school. He remained enamored with Hong Kong’s fascinating blend of the old and the new, as well as its niche as a melting pot of cultures.
“It’s a city that’s close to my heart,” Juan told TheDiarist.ph, “and being able to feature its unique blend of the old and the new has been incredibly special.” Cathay Pacific also came on board, allowing them to shoot crucial airplane scenes.
Asked what his favorite places in Hong Kong are, to guide Filipino tourists who are flocking anew to Hong Kong, Juan said: “My bed—always most comfy at home!
Basic black tee with floral detail, Boss
“Local traditional noodle stalls—honestly the best places to eat in HK are always the hole-in-the-wall places, which you do not expect to be good but which tend to be the most authentic
“(The view) From Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) overlooking Victoria Harbour, because this, for me, is the most iconic scene of Hong Kong. It makes you feel like it’s Hong Kong whenever you see it.
“Peng Chau—a place where there no cars, houses are only two stories high, a place that’s a contrast to TST as this is the different side to Hong Kong that people don’t know about
“Causeway Bay—where it makes you feel like you’re in a concrete jungle, also part of what makes Hong Kong Hong Kong.”
However, Juan reiterates that Under Parallel Skies is more than just its setting; it’s a story that intertwines the lives of characters in unexpected ways, much like the city itself, much like real life itself. The plot weaves the complexities of human connections, cross cultures, set against a vibrant Hong Kong.
Juan, who is already in talks with people interested in new projects of his production company, is in the thick of preparations for the Philippine premiere of Under Parallel Skies on April 17 in Metro Manila cinemas.
One thing is certain, Juan won’t be slowing down because this manner of storytelling is something he has fallen in love with. “We strive to create content that not only entertains but also bridges cultures. We want to be part of the movements to bring Filipino and South East Asian, content out to the world.”
Photography Lem Atienza
Styling Luis Carlo San Juan
Videography Julian Reantaso
Grooming Arvee Yadao
Shot on location City of Dreams Manila
Special thanks to Charisse Chuidian and Romina Garvacio
