"The truth," Mike told Funfare, "is that I’m not homophobic. I have several gay friends and they’re all nice. Many people who have helped me and who are helping me are gay. I’m glad that that issue is over. I apologized to IC and his mom (Dolly Ann Carvajal) and I even gave him a bouquet of flowers when we guested together on Startalk to settle the matter. I’ll be more careful next time."
On the plus side, that little incident helped make the name Mike Tan sound familiar. Winner (with Ryza Cenon) of the 2004 batch of GMA’s talent search StarStruck, Mike started with an original 100 applicants, with the number winnowed down to 60, then 30 and the final 14.
"I was happy being with the top 14," said Mike. "I thought that when you make it to the top 14, puede ka nang mag-artista."
Jan Michael Tan (named after actor Jan Michael Vincent), who’s part-Chinese, joined the search because he wanted to bag the P1-M contract at stake (among other prizes) so he could help with the medical expenses of his mom, Aurora, who’s suffering from ovarian cancer.
After finishing elementary grades at the Bonifacio Javier Elementary School in Mandaluyong City (where he grew up with his paternal grandparents) and high school at the Mandaluyong East High School, Mike enrolled in a Business Management course (later shifted to Industrial Psychology) at the Rizal Technological University (also in Mandaluyong).
But fate diverted him to showbiz. No regrets, said Mike who is introduced in GMA Films’ Lovestruck (now showing in Metro Manila) in which he co-stars with other StarStruck winners (among them Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado, winners of the first batch), directed by Louie Ignacio. He’s also in the cast of two GMA shows, Sugo and Love to Love.
A Capricornian (born on Dec. 31, 1986), Mike stands 5’10.5", weighs 165 lbs., wears size 33 (medium briefs) and size 11 shoes.
With your busy schedule, how much sleep do you get per night?
"An average of five hours."
What’s the last thing that you do before you sleep?
"I pray. If I don’t, I can’t sleep."
And the first thing you do when you wake up?
"I do stretching exercises."
What kind of diet do you follow?
"I eat anything but in small amounts. But I don’t like vegetables na mapapait (like ampalaya). I’ve been eating less and less rice. I have to watch my weight because my directors say I look big on screen."
Favorite food?
"Sinigang and kare-kare."
Snacks?
"V-Cut potato chips."
Drinks?
"I don’t take soda, only juices and lots of water."
Fruits?
" Pineapple and banana but not fruits with seeds except atis."
Do you take any vitamins (and/or minerals)?
"Centrum and Poten-C."
What workout do you do?
"I go to Fitness First (Greenhills) but not as often as I used to."
What part of your body do you think needs improvement?
"My tummy. I do sit-ups to trim it down."
How do you cope with stress?
"With computer games. Okay lang kulang sa tulog basta makapaglaro ako ng computer games."
How do you pamper yourself?
"The same – playing computer games until I’m ready to drop to bed."
What’s your favorite hideaway?
"My room. It’s a small room with only my computer as accessory. Happy na ako doon. When I can afford it, I hope to have a bigger room complete with a TV set, a DVD player, a stereo, etc."
How’s your lovelife?
"Zero. I have no girlfriend."
Nightlife?
"None. I’m not a gimik person. If ever I go out, kasama ko sina Mark (Herras). We go to Greenbelt or to Eastwood."
Who’s your crush?
"LJ Reyes. I’m courting her. Medyo mahirap ligawan."
Who are your role models?
"Christopher de Leon and Russell Crowe."
What’s your outlook in life? Are you an optimist or a worrier?
"Before I joined StarStruck, I was a pessimist. If I wanted to do something, the first things that came to my mind were the negative ones so I ended up not doing it at all. Now, I’m more positive."
What’s your biggest fear?
"Losing my mom. I don’t want to lose her."
Are you vain just like most good-looking guys?
"Is looking at yourself while brushing your teeth in front of the mirror being vain?"
What part of your body is your favorite?
"I haven’t thought of that. I guess, my whole body."
What part of a girl’s body do you look at first?
"I look at her totality and then concentrate on her face."
What’s your type of girl?
"Okay na sa akin basta totoong tao, mabait at marunong makisama
Name three guys you think have beautiful bodies.
"Diether Ocampo. Borgy Manotoc. Keannu Reeves."
And three women...
"Angel Locsin. Anne Curtis. Angelina Jolie."
Using body language, how would you make a girl know that you like/admire her.
"I’m shy when it comes to girls. Usually, I try not to look baka mahalata ako. Sometimes, I gather guts to talk to her."