Janeena Chan Is The Multihyphenate Doll Come To Life

Janeena: I guess I also had to make sure I balanced everything. Parang wala akong karapatang rumaket [if I didn't prioritize my studies]. You have to have the basics down first and make sure that you're focused on your education.

Janeena: It's so important as a freelancer or as an artist to find or establish structure in their days, because there's not much structure. That's why you really need your own discipline and you have to give yourself your own structure and balance.

There are a lot of pros and cons, siyempre, but I always look at the pros. For example, madalas walang cut-off. At the same time, kasi ine-enjoy ko rin siya. Not a lot of people know this, but I edit my own videos because I feel like I have my own vision. So sometimes, instead of watching Netflix, I would edit my videos para alam ko nakasalang na siya or ready for posting.

Of course, there was one point when it really felt like work. That's what I love about going on influencer trips, for example. I see other POVs of other content creators and artists. And nakikita ko na ine-enjoy lang nila, so dun ako na-awaken, that this is supposed to be fun. Because of that, it reignited that love for creating, posting.

Janeena: For hosting, I really need the script as soon as possible and I make sure that I understand it. That's really the most important—understanding it by heart. Because then I know that whatever happens, masasalo ko. Especially for live events, biglang gulat ka na lang may changes on the spot.

I also take cues from my other host friends. Yung iba, nagre-reserve ng energy—ayaw magpakita, nagtatago. Ako baliktad, maybe because I'm an extrovert. For example, if it's a beauty event, I mingle with the people so I get the vibe of the place. Although sometimes, kaya rin naman na hindi super mingling, but I need to ensure that I'm energetically present.

Janeena: I love movies. I love watching series. I really notice what differentiates a B movie from A movie. It's obvious that they're acting. So for me, more so when I'm the one acting, I have to make sure that hindi siya mukhang pilit, especially when delivering the lines. I have to remind myself that this is not hosting. Acting is actually, you're just literally another human being. Parang sinasapian ka ng character. So how would this character say this?

Janeena: Content creators really need more credit, because they—or we—really do so much. You're essentially a one-stop shop: ikaw na yung magka-copyright, ikaw yung maglalatag ng scenes mo. You have to have a shot list. This job has artistry, but you really have to put structure to it so you don’t overshoot.

Whenever I script my voiceovers and storytelling, I make sure it’s still my own voice. Kaya minsan kapag nasulat ko na, tapos pag sinabi ko, o kaya binasa ko na siya, ay bakit parang hindi natural? And then I would edit it to make it sound more conversational. Even the delivery of the voiceover, I want it to be more natural. Since I come from hosting, sometimes it sounds so much like an announcer that it sounds too much like an ad. So I have to think: How do I normally talk to a friend? Things like that.

Janeena: You really need to have leadership skills. You have to think of your freelance life like a corporation and take it seriously. And you need discipline and know when to set deadlines. My work involves a lot of scheduling and making sure that you're not getting burnt out. Kailangan may diskarte and common sense ka rin. Being in the content creation and entertainment industries can be overwhelming, but it can be super fun and rewarding.

Janeena: Marami, but I guess Park Hyungsik and Chris Hemsworth.

Janeena: My fashion icon and inspo, Elsa Hosk. She's just so chic and stylish. I love her sense of style, not just for fashion, but for her home too. I'm in my lipat-bahay era.

Janeena: Maybe more of the people I look up to when it comes to hosting events: Joey Mead-King and Tim Yap. Because, they're just so natural at it. Because what is a host ba? A host is there to make sure everyone's comfy. You're welcoming everyone. What I've noticed with these people, who are my friends too, they are friends with the people. So that’s what I end up doing also, and that's why it's fun, because I feel like everyone's my friend.

Janeena: It would have to be, of course, my always-mentioned MVP mother. Siya yung pinaka-tough crowd eh. So alam ko, kung pasado kay mother, okay na yun. When I was still starting out, I would really get her feedback, not to get external validation, but it's literally for me to improve. Her role is mag-nitpick at magbigay ng feedback because you really need feedback. She's there to ground me and make sure that I improve, so I'm not complacent and I always do my best.

And of course, my hubs (husband). He's also always such a go-getter. I feel like that's what attracted me and him to each other because we're both go-getters. I love that he has that drive to really go for his goals, which makes me want to also make sure I do my best for this job.

Janeena: I love that. And honestly, I think I attribute that to social media because if it weren't for us showing the behind the scenes and the craft that it takes, baka hindi pa masyadong mas ma-appreciate. But now, it's so interesting that a lot of people wanna be hosts, because before, maybe 20 years ago, 'pag sabi mong entertainment industry, it's just artista. Pero ngayon, pag Mass Comm graduate ka, parang marami nang may gustong maging host. Which is really amazing because there are more opportunities now as well. Now that there are more events, there are more shows, and you know, content creation where you're the host of your own online show. So yeah, I'm happy for for us—mass comm represent. [laughs]

Janeena:  I'm really such a soft girl, to be honest. Of course, kailangan ko mag-ingay kasi ako nga yung host. Pero may quiet side talaga ako. And I do love just having my me time in isolation with my Pinterest board and my thoughts. I'm very introspective actually. I love learning. I love self-development. I like learning about biohacking, optimizing myself holistically, and discovering the neuroscience behind it.

Janeena: I'm an Aries Sun. I can be headstrong, leader type. Ako yung initiator most of the time, yung team leader sa school. But I'm a Libra Moon, so that softens my Aries' fiery energy. I'm very diplomatic, I just want everyone to get along. And I guess, that’s why ganun yung aesthetic ko and why gusto ko lahat maganda. Finally I'm a Capricorn Rising. That's why parang puro work, work, work, and why I sometimes come off as prim and proper.

Janeena: Just having more structure. My dream is really to have like a content factory na may system na talaga. Hopefully, I get to upscale and have my own assistants helping me with all this. Maybe it would be nice to have a talk show or a travel show, like Somebody Feed Phil.

Janeena: My sense of humor and my wit. Lumalabas lang siya when I'm with you na. And I love it when people also get my humor.