| = who is mike tan anyway | oleg cassini [17.Aug.05 15:21] |
| Write the editor View other stories Design comments Dollywood : Mike Tan shouldn’t forget how he started First posted 10:38pm (Mla time) Aug 10, 2005 By Dolly Anne Carvajal Inquirer News Service Editor's Note: Published on page A23 of the August 11, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. I THOUGHT long and hard before writing this piece. I know some people may say it’s better for me to leave it to other writers to come to the defense of IC, my gay son. But I feel that I ought to expose how young actor Mike Tan insulted IC, if only to warn others not to be like him, and for gays to steer clear of this “Starstruck” survivor. Over and beyond the mother-son angle, this is about the basic courtesy that all gays like IC deserve just as much as straight people do. IC had a shooting for the movie “Lovestruck” last Sunday. Even if he just had a few scenes in the film, IC was all agog getting dolled up for the shoot. He was looking forward to meet one of his many crushes, Mark Herras, who topbills the movie. Too bad for him, Mark was not around. Rainier Castillo and Mike Tan were the ones IC would have scenes with. While IC was dressing up, Mike snapped, “Saan n’yo ba napulot ‘yang bading na ‘yan?” Kind-hearted souls like Direk Louie Ignacio and make-up artist Jay Feliciano shot back, “IC has made more movies than you ’cause he was a child star. He even won Best Child Actor. This is just your first movie.” Even if IC knew what Mike had said, he just licked his wounds and went about his job. (He unburdened himself to me when he got home.) As if the arrogant remark was not enough, Mike continued with his IC-bashing. Before a scene at the badminton court was shot, Mike yakked, “Hey IC! Di ka naman babae eh. Ayan o may nakaumbok!” IC was seething at this point, but still he kept quiet. He did not walk out, which would have been the easy thing to do. During the break, Mike tried to be chummy with IC. They were watching “All Star K,” where IC was a guest that night. In a condescending tone Mike again said “O! Ikaw pala ’yang nasa TV! Parang nakita na nga pala kita noon!” IC just played along so as not to ruin the shoot. Actually, he could no longer stand Mike’s braggadocio. I saw how Mike and the other “Starstruck” contestants slugged it out to make it to the Final 4. Mike has come a long way but he should remember that he still has a lot to learn in the business. I grew up in show biz. I have seen stars come and go. My mom showed me the ropes. Sad to say, there will always be Mike Tans in the biz, stars who believe in their own hype. Stars who look down on other actors. Stars who discriminate against gays. Stars who feel like they’re God’s gift to women. Stars who suddenly have amnesia and forget their humble beginnings. Stars who drown in their newfound (often short-lived) fame. Mike Tan should remember the “Starstruck” motto “Dream. Believe. Survive.” His dream has come true, but it can turn into a nightmare if he keeps throwing his weight around. Yup, he believes, but it looks like he believes in himself too much. Survival in show biz is not just survival of the fittest. It’s survival of the humblest. Dubbing not needed I GOT tons of e-mail from Cebu asking why GMA 7’s shows are dubbed in Cebuano when they are aired there. One reader says, “We understand Tagalog—no need for Cebuano dubbing. It makes the actors look silly ’cause we know that they don’t speak our dialect. Hope that GMA stops it already.” We already have an overkill of Korean telenovelas dubbed in Tagalog. Now it’s Tagalog sitcoms dubbed in Cebuano! Shades of what President Macapagal-Arroyo calls Two Philippines, huh? Hopefully even just via TV shows, all Pinoys will speak the same language ABS-CBN news HEARD Erwin Tulfo may soon be back on “Magandang Umaga Pilipinas.” Perhaps the morning show needs the punch of Erwin’s trademark fiery comments. Another development in ABS-CBN’s news department is Julius Babao’s new show. His baby with Tin-Tin (Bersola) is truly a lucky charm. More and more good breaks are coming his way ever since he became a proud daddy to Antonia. (For feedback, e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]) View previous columns and related stories, video clips, and sites. Print this story | Send this story | Write the editor | |