There's no role too small for Mike Tan

It doesn’t bother Mike Tan at all when, after playing male lead in the recently-concluded GMA afternoon soap Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Langit, he is tasked to play a supporting character in the primetime drama Legacy that topbills Lovi Poe, Heart Evangelista and Alessandra de Rossi. What matters more to him is to be able to plunge and lose himself into the character the best way he knows how.

“I don’t see any problem whether the role is big or small,” begins Mike. “As long as there is work that will keep me busy and at the same time prove my worth as an actor, then it’s not a big deal. I’m more than thankful to GMA for trusting me with roles.”

Besides, Mike adds, it is not every day that actors are given the chance to work on one project after the other. That’s why, he readily accepts the Third San Jose role without second thoughts. The privilege of working with veteran stars like Eddie Garcia is enough reason to give in to the project.

“I’m honored yet at the same time nervous because it’s really different when you’re acting alongside veterans. I don’t know pero kabado talaga ko. So I study the script before going to the set.”

His role as a young professional working in the corporate world calls for Mike to be in a formal suit all the time. No problem, Mike says, what he finds tough are his dialogues that seem to be riddled with business terms.

“I don’t know but there are words which are hard for me to memorize but I’m glad because with every taping day I get to learn new things. I also enjoy being with them. We’re like a family on the set.”

In the coming days, televiewers will see how Mike transforms from a loyal employee of Don Romualdo (Eddie) to a scheming guy who deserves to be punished for his evil ways.

“It’s (contravida) a new thing for me, another challenge. ‘Pag bida kasi madalas iyak lang pero dito ibang atake naman.”

Asked if he’s also willing to do gay roles, Mike replies, “It’s fine with me but if there’s a kissing scene with my male co-star, I guess, I’m not yet ready for it.”

Aside from acting, the GMA Artist Center talent is also busy with out-of-town shows. Recently, he was in Davao to join other Kapuso stars to perform in various events for the 75th Araw ng Dabaw celebration.

Is there still enough time left for him to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends? Below, Mike shares how he gets through with his day-to-day activities:

Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays are taping days for Legacy so Mike usually starts his day early.

6 a.m. — I wake up when my call time is 8 a.m. I fix my bed, prepare my things, take a bath and dress up. It only took me 30 minutes to do that, mabilis ako kumilos.

6:30 a.m. — I’m out of the house and then drive straight to our location set in Binondo. Travel time is about one hour and a half from our place in Angono, Rizal. I’ll just eat saging na saba while driving.

8 a.m. — I arrive on the set then take a little rest while the make-up artist is busy putting make-up on my face.

By 9 or 10 a.m. — Taping starts and ends the following day. We have breaks in-between. That’s the time we eat, take some nap or relax a little. Then work, work, work again. So, usually we are done by five in the morning and that’s already Tuesday.

5 a.m. of Tuesday — I head back to Angono.

6 a.m. — I’m home. I’ll just wash my face, change clothes then I hop on my bed and read my Manga until my eyes gets heavy and then I’m dead to the world.

11 a.m. — I wake up, eat cereals and prepare to leave for my 1 p.m. meeting at GMA.

3 p.m. — The meeting ends at this time. After, I’ll have a snack with my handler, kwentuhan while eating until 5 p.m.

5 p.m. —  I normally go to my friend’s house in Mandaluyong to relax, watch movies or play video games. There are times that I also go out on a date with my non-showbiz girlfriend. Her name is Cris and we’ve been together for six years already.

12 midnight — I’m back home. I go straight to my room then open my computer to play some more or I chat with my friends. Or, if I get home early, I spend time with my mom, kwentuhan lang.

1 a.m. — I’m flat on bed.

When call time is 6 a.m., he’s wide awake at 4:30 a.m. They also have location shoots in Quezon City and Pampanga.