Mikael Daez: Leading man status

The perennial, inescapable showbiz love teams are all fine and dandy until that time comes when you’ve squeezed out all the cheesiness and it’s appropriate to look for new partners. When Marian Rivera needed a new leading man by her side, network producers scoured every nook and cranny, held auditions for weeks until Mikael Daez entered the room. It’s his chiseled Pinoy features that made him stand out from the long list of applicants trying to make it big.

Coming from a family of business people and graduating with a business administration degree from the Ateneo, Mikael never thought he’d take this detour into acting. “I’m still amazed whenever I think about where I am now. When I graduated, I always thought I’d enter the corporate world,” he says. Luck must be on his side because what started out as a summer job doing model castings and fashion shows, has now turned into the leading man status many only dream of. He has since joined the showbiz grind, taping in far-off locations, donning elaborate costumes for a primetime show of huge proportions. In a couple of months, you’ll be hearing a lot more of Mikael and it’s our pleasure to introduce to you television’s newest face.

YOUNG STAR: You graduated with a business administration degree from Ateneo, a far cry from showbiz. How can you utilize your education in this new field?

MIKAEL DAEZ: I can most definitely put it to use. The work ethic and discipline that I learned in school is the same that can be applied to prepare myself for acting. In a more practical and tangible sense, I would want to eventually have my own businesses on the side with the money that I will be making. I’ve heard of actors and actresses who have already done it and I hope to imitate them.

You also have a travel show called World Premiere on GMA News TV. What sets it apart from other travel shows?

I absolutely love that I’m able to be a part of the show. We get to travel, of course, but instead of focusing on just the country and its culture, we follow Filipino films that compete in international film festivals all over the world. In essence, it is more of a film festival documentary featuring Filipino work. We are such a talented people, especially when it comes to the arts. I’m really proud and happy to finally give more exposure to the Filipino filmmakers, actors and actresses that have made their mark on a global scale. Since I get to see their work premiered internationally, there’s a huge sense of Pinoy pride that I feel which I hope can be relayed to our audience.

You’ll be working with Marian Rivera. A lot has been said about her. How is it working with such a big star?

From the first time I got to meet and actually talk to Marian, which was during the Amaya story conference, she has been amazing. For one, she has been extremely supportive and helpful from the get-go. As I recall, the first few things she told me was to not be nervous and just enjoy. She’s extremely talkative and has a strong personality, which is why some people may confuse that for something negative. However, from my experience, she’s been really nice and has helped a lot with my adjustment to the whole work environment of the television industry. I definitely feel privileged to be working with her because I’m sure that I will learn a lot.

Are you ready to give up your personal life for a more public one?

I try not to think about this particular issue too much. My main focus nowadays is trying to be the best actor I can be. I keep myself preoccupied with thinking about how I can improve myself as I watch how other actors/actresses work and look for other ways to enhance my skills. I do try to be more aware of how I am in public but then again, I’m usually just at home so it isn’t much of an issue for me.

You come from a family of business people. How did they take it when you said you’d now be working on television?

Ladies, listen: ‘I love a girl who can talk to me and listen to what I have to say as well.’

They had the same reaction I had — shocked! (Laughs) Back in college, nobody would have thought — not even myself — that I would enter this line of work. Of course, they had their concerns and reservations, which is normal because we were all not aware of how the industry worked. Eventually, I got more acquainted with the people and how everything works and they also slowly got more comfortable with the idea of me getting into acting. Right now, my family and relatives are extremely supportive of me. They constantly remind me to be thankful and keep my values intact. Basically, they keep me grounded and I feel really lucky to have them around me all the time.

I’m sure the change has been overwhelming. What’s the biggest shift in terms of your lifestyle?

It has been overwhelming in some ways, but fortunately, going through fashion shows and commercials shoots softened the transition phase. Adjusting to the long work hours and hectic pace of events was not that bad because I had gone through that in some of the fashion shows and shoots I did in the previous year. In terms of my lifestyle, it’s really just the hours that have made the biggest difference. I am so used to seeing all my brothers, sisters and friends everyday but now there are times when I do not see them for days at a time. I love being around people I care about so that has been my biggest adjustment so far.

What’s one thing you learned about the industry that a lot of people don’t know?

One thing that most people do not realize is that this business is hard work. Even before, I thought that actors simply had to sit and look pretty while money finds its way to their pockets. It is the exact opposite. A lot of work, effort and discipline are required to succeed in this industry. The biggest stars are working almost 24/7 and are extremely committed to their work. I’ve heard stories wherein they rarely get to sleep in a bed and barely get any sleep in a week. It’s a rewarding job but you definitely have to work hard to succeed.

What other hobbies do you have that people don’t know about?

Well, just like any other Filipino, I’m in love with basketball! (Laughs) My love for that sport is built into my bones. In terms of hobbies, I’m a super geek. I love video games! Right now, I’m just hooked on my iPod touch. The games are just crazy addicting! I end up playing for hours and admittedly have had numerous sleepless nights because of the games. Other than that, I really want to learn how to cook and bake. As of now, I can make a mean homemade white chocolate ice cream. That and scrambled eggs are my specialties (they’re the only ones I know how to make). I also like writing from time to time so maybe I can pursue that sometime in the future as well.

What attracts you to a girl?

Good conversation! I love a girl who can talk to me and listen to what I have to say as well. It’s that connection where you end up talking and talking then, the next thing you know, half a day has already gone by! You just never run out of things to say and during the times that you are both quiet, it’s still just fun being around her. It’s an awesome feeling and it’s a huge turn-on for me.

What’s your dream role?

Haven’t really thought about this one, but I love movies like Ocean’s 11, The Italian Job and the like, the kind with very witty humor and sharp lines with a spy-like theme. I’d love to be part of a project similar to those.

If you could change any part of your body what would it be?

My hands! I have small hands, I can’t even grip a basketball! (Laughs) I do believe in being happy with whatever I have, however. So right now, I’m chill with who I am and what I have. Just roll with the punches, right?

What thought goes through your mind when you look at yourself in the mirror?

“To shave or not to shave?” I have one really ugly beard/mustache. I look like Hitler when it’s growing but I’ve always wanted that rugged look. My brother and titos all have mean-looking beards and mustaches so I got the short end of the gene pool. I always wonder if I should just grow it out and look weird (pero feeling ko rugged) or stay clean looking.

If you could sit front row at any concert whose would it be?

I have a long list of concerts I’d love to watch but at this moment, I really want to see Kings of Leon. I loved their first album and I’m really feeling the new one they came out with. Runners up on my list would be The xx and The Temper Trap.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

There was this beautiful quote that I came across back in high school and, ever since, it’s been my favorite. “Life isn’t measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away.”

It just sums up how I feel I should approach life. Just seize the day and live each one like it’s your last. There are so many things to be happy about so why waste your day dwelling on the negative. Life can come and go in the blink of an eye so I choose to make the most of every second that is given to me by living a life of giving it my all every single time. I also try to surround myself with people I care about because at the end of the day, they will make you happier than anything you can ever buy.