Mike Tan: Hiking for adventure, fulfillment
Published On: October 14, 2013, 12:13 PM
Updated On: October 26, 2020, 12:15 PM
Kapuso actor Mike Tan sat down with GMANetwork.com on its set visit last October 9, 2013 for an exclusive interview. Find out more about the Ultimate Winner of Starstruck 2 as he shares the other things he does besides acting.
“Hiking, swimming, marami. Iba-iba. Seasonal eh. Cooking. Kung ano (ang) magustuhan, pero ngayon mas hiking kasi takot ako sa tubig, kaya doon ako sa bundok,” he reveals, on what his life is like behind the camera.
The Kapuso actor enthusiastically talks about his adventures on hiking, which he has been doing for two years now.
He says among the mountains he has climbed are Mt. Mariveles in Bataan, Mt. Ugo in Benguet, and even Mt. Pulag, the third highest mountain in the Philippines. He likes hiking up North. “Mas malamig, mas madali.”
Next year, he says he intends to scale Mt. Apo, the Philippines’ highest mountain, or Mt. Mayon.
To prepare for the trip, he will climb Mt. Pulag again in November but using a different route. “Doon kami sa killer trail,” he says excitedly.
For those who think that mountain climbing and hiking are easy, Mike says, think again.
“Di kami nagpapalit ng damit. Noong papanhik kami, inulan na kami at nabasa ‘yung sapatos namin. Lahat nabasa na. Hindi ka makapagpahinga kasi, kapag nagpahinga ka, after three minutes manginginig ka. So, kailangan mo ulit maglakad,” he shares.
He adds, “You’ll bring your own bag, 50 liters of bag. Siguro nagre-range siya ng 30 to 40 kilos. Dala mo hanggang camp site or summit, at bibitbitin mo ‘yun hanggang pagbaba mo. Mahirap siya pero nag-e-enjoy ako.”
After hurdling the challenges, Mike says the view at the top is priceless.
According to Mike, “Doon mo makikita kung gaano kaganda ‘yong gawa ng Diyos. Doon mo makikita na andoon ‘yong peace. ‘Yon ‘yong lugar na malayo sa trabaho mo. At doon ‘yong lugar na… doon ka lang magiging ikaw, ‘yong sarili mo, (at) lahat puwede mong gawin.”
He adds, “Doon ka makakapagluto ng sarili mong pagkain, doon ka makakapag-set up ng sarili mong tent na walang mag-aasikaso sa iyo.”
For those who would like to try hiking, Mike advises the following preps: “Mag-squats kayo everyday; palakasin nyo ‘yong tuhod nyo. Sa mga gustong maging adventurous or gustong mag-hiking, just do it.”
The Kapuso actor shares why he has decided to keep hiking for the rest of his life:
“Mare-realize natin kung gaano kaganda ‘yong nature at kung paano natin maaalagaan ‘yong city. Tapos makikita nyo rin ‘yong mga taong simple lang ang buhay, na mapapansin mo sa sarili mo na, ‘Ang luho ko pala’. Itong mga taong ito nagtatanim lang, ‘yon ‘yong kakainin nila. Papasok sila ng school na nasa taas ng bundok, at kailangan nilang bumaba ng bundok na 5 kilometers then uuwi ulit sila, 5 kilometers pabalik naman. Doon mo makikita kung gaano ka-simple ‘yong buhay at kung gaano pala kaluho na mamuhay dito sa Maynila.”
“Kaya sobrang saya, sobrang ganda!” he exclaims.
Don’t miss the last few episodes of ‘Mga Basang Sisiw’ after Eat Bulaga, only on GMA! For more updates of Mike Tan and your favorite Kapuso shows and stars, keep on visiting www.gmanetwork.com. -- Text by Eunicia Mediodia, Photo by Bochic Estrada, GMANetwork.com.