I first interviewed Euwenn Mikaell when he starred in the multi-awarded film Firefly. At that time, he was only nine years old and he already exhibited the qualities of a person built to be in front of the cameras.
Euwenn communicates straightforwardly—his words are succinct yet with a punch. People often questioned whether he was truly that young because of his precocious nature.
During a recent press conference, I spoke with the now 11-year-old actor about how he feels when others comment on his maturity. “It’s like a normal thing for me; I’m used to it,” he said in the vernacular, expressing himself as any typical child might. “They always say that to me, but I don’t think there’s any difference because I’m always surrounded by older people, especially when I’m doing a project.”
Euwenn’s ability to engage with adults makes him well-suited for his latest role in Forever Young, GMA’s new series premiering today.
The program centers on Rambo, a 25-year-old man whose growth hormone-related uncommon disease panhypopituitarism has left him imprisoned in the body of a 10-year-old.
Rambo is a loving brother and son who manages family relationships and aspires to be a public servant, despite his physical constraints. The show delves into the intricacies he encounters, encompassing the difficulties of pursuing a career in politics while handling personal and familial disputes.
Talking about his experience taping for Forever Young, the child star noted the advantages of being the only child on set.
“Since I’m the only kid on set, they make it fun for me, so working on this series was easy for me,” he shared. “My only problem was with the deep Tagalog words; some of them I heard for the first time.”
This supportive environment, combined with guidance from adult mentors, has likely contributed to his growth as an actor. Best of all, he said he gained more friends.
“For me, it’s fun working with my co-stars, and I think they enjoyed my company, too,” he said.
When asked whether it was okay for him to stay forever young, the child jokingly said that he wouldn’t do anything if he stayed young forever.
“If I’m forever young, I can’t do anything. I have a curfew, I can’t even go to the mall alone, so I want the right age like 20s,” he responded.
Forever Young, directed by Gil Tejada Jr. with associate director Rechie Del Carmen, features a strong cast including Alfred Vargas, Nadine Samonte, Rafael Rosell, and James Blanco, along with veteran actors Michael De Mesa and Eula Valdes.
Forever Young airs weekdays at 4:00 p.m. on GMA Afternoon Prime and is available to global audiences via GMA Pinoy TV.
