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Batanes, no doubt, is beautiful, but not exactly a popular tourist spot. Yet having been there, Mike Tan swears its beauty is worth anyone's while.
Located at the northernmost part of the Philippines, there was not much buzz about Batanes until Taiwanese heartthrob Ken Chu and Filipina beauty Iza Calzado were cast in a movie with the same title. After its premier, everyone is talking about the transcendent film that proved true love knows no borders. Text by Jessa Ericka C. Bien. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. “Kakaiba 'yung story nito,” observes StarStruck 2’s Male Ultimate Survivor and The Studs member Mike Tan, who is also one of the stars of the said movie. “Naguluhan [nga] din ako, kasi papano mo iispin na 'yung dalawang tao magkaka-in love-an nang hindi sila nagkakaintindihan?” As the fisherman Noel in the film, Mike is witness to the love story between two individuals from different countries and cultures--and how they found comfort in each other’s company despite their differences. “Ito rin 'yung istorya na literal na nagyayari sa tunay na buhay sa Batanes,” the young actor says. “'Yung mga fishermen, nakakahuli talaga sila ng mga Taiwanese tapos dadalhin nila [dito].” Experiencing Paradise But more than just another project for the big screen, Mike considers Batanes an experience worth remembering for a lifetime. For one, the place itself is like paradise. “Feeling ko nasa ibang lugar ako,” he recalls, still with an air of longing in his voice. “Iba 'yung ganda. Hindi ako nakaramdam ng boredom. Naka-upo lang ako dun, wala akong ginagawa, tumitingin-tingin lang ako, okay na ako. “Tapos kapag gabi, 'yung pinuntahan naming island sa Sabtang, pagdating ng 12 midnight wala nang kuryente. Kapag wala nang kuryente, tumingala ka. Iba 'yung liwanag ng stars dun! Ibang klase, sobrang liwanag. Walang ulap, stars lang talaga. Nakakamangha,” he continues. And, according to Mike, the locals are for him a different breed. “Sobrang accommodating nila, sobrang hinahon nilang makipag-usap,” he says. Working for the first time with Asian superstar Ken Chu and great homegrown talents like Iza Calzado and Bembol Roco, Mike says he cannot help but get star-struck. “Cool [si Ken], sa totoo lang. One time nagpi-PSP ako tapos alam niya…updated siya sa mga games. Minsan nagkukwentuhan kami kaya lang minsan dinudugo ilong ko,” he quips, laughing. “Nakakatuwa lang. Sabi nga niya eh, kapag sa Taiwan daw ako nagtrabaho, sisikat ako.” The Studs member also had nothing but words of admiration for Iza. “Sobrang bait [at] sobrang sweet,” Mike aptly describes her. “Talagang lahat ng gagawin mo ma-aapreciate nya. Ewan ko kung pano sya pinalaki ng mga magulang nya pero bilib ako. The actor confesses he accepted the project because of his co-stars. Amazed As Mike adds a successful movie and loads of beautiful experiences in his list of accomplishments, he remembers the good times he spent in Batanes. Ten days in a provincial paradise were enough to convince him the place is woth anyone’s while. “Sana makapunta kayo sa Batanes,” Mike urges. “Sobrang ganda.” What’s up with Mike? Keep posted to iGMA for more updates on him! You can also tell other people what you think about Mike in the iGMA forums. Catch Mike and the rest of The Studs in their various concerts in and out of town! They’re at Klownz Angeles on December 22 and Zirkoh Timog on January 4. Watch out for their fitness video that will be released early 2008. Makipagkwentuhan with Mike through Fanatxt! Just send MIKE to 4627 for all telcos. Each message costs P2.50 for Smart, Talk 'N Text, Globe and Touch Mobile subscribers and P2.00 for Sun subscribers. This service is available only in the Philippines.