Miguel Tanfelix hopes to tap rebellious side

CEBU, Philippines — Despite growing up in the public eye and working as an actor since he was six years old, Miguel Tanfelix, like the rest of us, is not immune to getting starstruck.

The “Kambal, Karibal” star opened up on how surprised he and screen partner Bianca Umali were when they found out they were working with veteran actors Gloria Romero, Christopher De Leon, Jean Garcia, Carmina Villarroel, Marvin Agustin and Alfred Vargas in their on-going GMA-7 primetime series.

Only two months after wrapping up “Mulawin Vs. Ravena,” the BiGuel tandem once again graced the Kapuso channel’s Telebabad lineup for “Kambal, Karibal” which also stars Pauline Mendoza, Kyline Alcantara, and Jeric Gonzales.

The series shows the relationship of twins Crisanta and Criselda Bautista, portrayed by Bianca and Pauline, respectively. Criselda dies from a rare disease known as Severe Combined Immunodeficiency but remains as a spirit that appears only to Crisanta. The close bond between the twins crumbles when they both fall in love with Diego Ocampo (Miguel). The rivalry between the sisters escalates when their mother’s affections are focused on Crisanta. Criselda’s emotions eventually consume her and her soul finds another person’s body to inhabit. Now that Criselda is “alive” in Cheska De Villa (Kyline Alcantara), she will stop at nothing to take both her mother’s affection and Diego’s love from her twin.

 “Una po, siyempre nakaka-tense kasi batikang artista talaga sila. Nung una ko pong ka-eksena si Tito Christopher, hindi po ako mapalagay. But once nakasalamuha mo na sila ng mabuti, okay naman po pala. Ang cool niya,” the 19-year-old actor said during an interview at Golden Cowrie Lahug alongside Bianca and other Kapuso stars.

Bianca chimes in that Miguel and Christopher often share fist bumps and talk about basketball.

The “StarStruck Kids” First Prince finisher describes Jean Garcia as cool, and Carmina Villaroel as “kalog,” adding that he didn’t expect the veteran actresses to fool around on set with the rest of the cast and crew.

Bianca adds that it’s been so much fun working with the said actors because of the energy brought by their varying personalities.

Apparently, the teen stars didn’t know who they were working with until the story conference. The two admit that they were indeed starstruck. They were also unsure what to do with themselves, unable to wrap around the thought of working with such established names.

“Naililang po kami sa simula. But once nakatrabaho na po namin sila, ang gaan po pala. Hindi mo feel na veteran sila because they make you feel easy. Gusto nila komportable ka,” Miguel says.

Sharing a scene with these experts must be nerve-wracking, so when asked how he channels his emotions during say, a heavy confrontational scene, Miguel says it’s all about relating to a certain emotion. In “Kambal, Karibal”, Miguel plays Diego, the son of Marvin Augustin’s character Raymond De Villa. Although loved and accepted by his grandfather (Christopher De Leon), Diego’s relationship with his father is not as warm.

“Ang hirap po sagutin,” Miguel starts. “Siguro kailangan mo i-relate ang feelings mo sa feelings ng character. Pag-aaralan mo kung ano yung hugot ng character mo. Once you find the answer to that, you look for something in real life that’s similar to what the character feels. Kahit maliit na bagay, papalakihin mo para makapunta ka sa emotion.”

Identified with boy-next-door roles, Miguel also wishes to get in touch with his rebellious side.

 “Gusto ko po yung action, yung may baril and weapons. Hindi ko pa po kasi na-try yung ganun. Gusto ko ma-try yung baril. Para maiba naman, yung wala sa image ko,” Miguel confesses. Even his partner Bianca says the same thing (she would like to portray a rebel)—so perhaps an action project for BiGuel after “Kambal, Karibal”?

This year, like every other year, Miguel just wants to do better at the things that he does. Aside from taking more mature roles, Miguel’s plans for the BiGuel tandem include travelling together. He looks back on how in October of last year, he had vlogged about his and Bianca’s North Cebu trip. The two, who both have maternal Cebuano roots, says they would like to do something like that again.

 “Siguro try to travel together. Self-improvement lang talaga every year. I want to improve sa mga bagay-bagay, like reading books. But still, give love pa rin as always,” he quips.