DAO WITH LOVE
November 9, 2003 | 12:00am
Who is this young guy in jeans with a meteoric star appeal who stopped the hustle and bustle of work and politics in Malacañang Palace for two hours on November 6? Why did this young Taiwanese actor, singer and now Bench image model Jerry Yan surpass even the news on the Davide impeachment scandal, the Pidal controversy, the possible FPJ candidacy and other news of bitter political conflicts?
Although he has no political power and none of the phalanx of burly security men of US President Dubya Bush, the newest VIP guest to Malacañang, 26-year-old Taiwanese pop star Jerry Yan (who played the role of Dao Ming Xi in the Meteor Garden TV series) seemed more popular during his courtesy call on President Gloria M. Arroyo. Among the hundreds of mostly female fans who literally mobbed the soft-spoken 5 feet 11 inches tall young actor for photo-ops included the Speaker’s wife Gina de Venecia, presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye who even carried a big photo of the actor hoping for an autograph (which he claimed was for his secretary!), beauty parlor entrepreneur Ricky Reyes, various cancer-stricken kids and orphan children from the Asilo, Caritas and Silong Tanglaw foundations.
The Taiwanese pop star was smiling but puzzled by our loud laughter, when he commented on GMA’s shyness and being a person of few words. Did President GMA suddenly become speechless at the sight of the ruggedly handsome Jerry Yan, turning this leader famed for her choleric temper into a blushing shy girl? Due to the Taiwanese assistants and security men hovering around the hotel suite during the interview, this writer restrained himself from asking more provocative questions – If he were a Filipino, would he vote for GMA next year? What is your reaction to news leaks from Malacañang spin doctors claiming that he might endorse GMA in the 2004 presidential election? What are his views about showbiz people entering politics, like the rumored possible candidacy of FPJ? What are his feelings on having been welcomed by our President in the palace, where the top diplomats and government leaders of his native Taiwan province are not officially welcome due to our prevailing One China policy? Finally, is he related to the late popular young actor Rico Yan?
The Philippine STAR was invited to the rare interview session with Jerry Yan in the 11th floor suite of the Manila Peninsula Hotel on November 7. On the car radio this morning, there were speculations as to why Kris Aquino was not the one interviewing Jerry Yan but rather Tin Tin Bersola.
Just before noon, Bench owner Ben Chan’s nephew Oszen Chan of Liwayway Marketing/Oishi snack foods texted that Jerry Yan’s Bench event at Manila Pavilion Hotel had just finished and that the young actor-singer was soon flying to our Makati interview via helicopter. Not long after, Ben Chan entered the hotel suite. Tin Tin Bersola was busy rehearsing her lines with her microphone: "Hi Jerry...Gwa ay di" (Hokkien for "I love you.") which Yan can understand, because the dialect known as Taiwanese is exactly the same as the Hokkien/Fookien dialect of south Fujian province of China where the forebears of most Taiwanese and many Southeast Asians originally are from.
To illustrate his being a shy guy in real life, Jerry Yan pointed out that he is very similar to the character of his new film for early next year Magic Kitchen, where he plays a shy cook who has a crush on the beautiful head cook in a restaurant. He said: "In this exciting film which might show in January or February next year, I’m the assistant of the head cook. It’s a great love story. I have this crush on our head cook. This role is very similar to my true personality, because as a student, whenever I had a crush on a girl or a classmate, I didn’t have the courage to tell her or to express my true feelings. I didn’t know how to tell her."
Before the start of the interview, a Taiwanese woman and another Taiwanese guy briefed us that we should refrain from asking any personal or romantic questions, or else it might prematurely end the interview. Tin Tin Bersola groaned, telling this writer that she had wanted to ask Jerry Yan a question about his ideal girl. This writer whispered to her to keep that question for the last, and hopefully the actor-singer might oblige and not be upset. When Tin Tin really followed this advice and asked this final question, Jerry Yan smiled and replied in Mandarin: "My ideal girl is someone who exemplifies the traditional Chinese virtue of xiao-sun or filial piety. I want to find a girl who can take good care of my mother, a woman who will share my great love for my mother." Tin Tin shouted in excitement: "Oh my God, you’re such an ideal man and so sweet! Narinig ninyo sinabi niya?"
Excerpts from the interview with Jerry Yan who considers Dirty Dancing his favorite Hollywood film, and whose nickname "xiao bai thu" in Mandarin means "Small White Rabbit":
How do you feel about being chosen as an image model for Bench, the top apparel brand here in Manila? What qualities of Bench do you like the most?
Jerry Yan: I’m very happy to be an image model for Bench, because I like their clothes very much. I hope that we will have good cooperation. Look at this Bench shirt I’m wearing, this is my type of apparel, it’s soft, comfortable to wear and simple, not too much flowery designs or logos.
How does Bench reflect your lifestyle as Asia’s hottest celebrity?
In real life, I prefer to lead a simple life. I eat simply and prefer the simple beautiful things in life. Bench the brand is the same. I’m a simple person. Bench is my ideal apparel, because it is so easy to wear and I’m not very choosy with what I wear. Bench is elegant, very comfortable and very affordable.
How do you explain the phenomenal popularity of Meteor Garden all over Asia?
I feel that the basic reason behind its success is the good script and storyline of Meteor Garden. I like its story.
How similar or different are you from your Meteor Garden character Dao Ming Xi?
Actually, I’m very similar to Dao Ming Xi, because I’m often very childish. However, I’m also really different from Dao Ming Xi because he is very rich, while I’m an ordinary citizen from a simple family background.
What is your favorite scene in the Meteor Garden TV series?
My favorite was that last scene, with my girlfriend San Cai outside the door, and I’m inside and sick.
How would you describe the other members of your F4 band?
Vaness is a lively person, like a child, very friendly. Vic is very cute, that’s why everyone likes him, because he is so lovable like a kid. Ken is the more mature guy in our group, and he often teaches us how to act during our tapings.
Are you guys going to do another project together in the future?
The company is still choosing and studying a good script for a possible project for all of us. With the right script, this is possible. Nowadays, the four of us have our own busy schedules. For example, I’m busy with my acting and singing. Vic has his own singing career too.
How does it feel to be Jerry Yan the young superstar with thousands of girls with a crush on you?
(Laughs). It’s OK, because I don’t think of myself as a big star. I like to consider myself a young ordinary citizen. To have this privilege and opportunity to entertain others, I feel very fulfilled and happy. I really don’t feel that I’m a big star. Of course, I’m grateful that I’m so lucky to be so famous, this is an experience that I treasure.
What is the greatest or craziest thing that a fan had done for you anywhere in Asia?
(Laughs). I don’t really remember. I’m always grateful for the support of my fans. As long as I can make my fans happy, I’m also very happy. I think I’m the one who is so crazy.
If you were not in showbiz as actor, singer and model, what career would you want for yourself?
If I were not in showbiz, I would like to have a farm and raise small animals, because I love small animals. It is unfortunate that due to my very hectic schedules now, I don’t have the luxury of time to care for a dog or other pets.
Which Chinese heroes do you admire the most and why?
Jerry Yan thinks for a couple of minutes, smiles and says: "There are so many that I have studied and read about, it’s difficult for me to choose my favorite. There are so many of them."
What was your impression of the Philippines before your first visit, and what is now your impression of the country after arriving in Manila?
My impression of the Philippines is that it is a fun place, a great place to enjoy the good life. I noticed that there are many trees, that there’s more nature here in your cities, less tall buildings and skyscrapers than other Asian cities.
When are you coming back to the Philippines, apart from your F4 big concert at The Fort?
I hope to someday return here to do a small concert to promote my new single album. I love the Philippines, and I would love to return here for a visit.
BrandSpace Articles
<
>