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Time flies for Tyrone Tan and Yza Thalia Uy because this coming October, they will be celebrating their anniversary of winning one of the top local pageants in the Philippines, Mr. and Ms. Chinatown.

GMANetwork.com caught up with Tyrone and Yza at the Philippine premiere of Dear You, held at SM Mall of Asia IMAX Theater on July 30.

They shared some tips and pieces of advice to help beauty pageant aspirants to achieve their goals.

According to Yza, who was hailed as the Miss Teen International 3rd runner-up in 2019, you have to be brave enough when you join any pageants.

She also reiterated that “fear” of joining must not hold you back, instead use it as a fuel to give your best in the competition.

“Ito 'yung naging mindset ko when I first step into Mr. and Ms. Chinatown. First, it's okay to lose to an opponent, but it's never okay to lose in fear. You know fear holds me back for years in my life, but surprisingly it was fear that also pushed me,” Yza told GMANetwork.com.

She continued, “It's really about your perspective, so don't let that fear of failing, fear of not winning hold you back. Instead use that as an advantage. Use that as strength to push you further. And siguro second is to not be the best, but be the bravest in the room that you walk into. When I entered Mr. and Ms. Chinatown. I was overweight and we had to wear a swimsuit. As someone who doesn't do swimsuits at all, was insecure of herself, I didn't wait for the perfect time, I just did it.”

Meanwhile, reigning Mr. Chinatown PH Tyrone Tan firmly believes that a pageant contestant should not lose his or her authenticity.

“Ako what I did in the pageant was like I was just being myself. Ipakita mo talaga kung sino ka talaga and makihalubilo ka. Enjoyin mo 'yung process, enjoyin mo 'yung journey mo,” Tyrone shared.

The chinito heartthrob added, “My motto in life is you go through, what you go through. Everything that is happening, everything that you are doing, that is going on with your life eventually may turo 'yun sa'yo. So, just embrace everything happening.”

Since signing their contract with Sparkle GMA Artist Center in December 2025, there have been a lot of doors that opened for the both of them.

Tyrone has been busy with his modeling gigs and he was recently part of the Asia World Fashion Week. Still, he is determined to fulfill his dream of becoming an actor. “'Yung mga doors na nag-o-open recently and honestly every opportunity that I get I just embrace it. Thankful na meron ako modeling gigs, modeling ramps. Nung nag-start din naman ako sa industry, I started with modeling as well. And it is something that I enjoy, aside from acting. Pero pinaka-dream ko talaga is acting.”

For the articulate and confident Yza, she said that the workshop being offered by Sparkle has been fruitful, especially when it comes to hosting, which she feels is the path for her.

“Hindi ko nakikita 'yun sa sarili ko noong una. Kasi nung una gusto ko talaga maging artista, when you think of artista, naiisip mo agad - acting, singing, dancing. E ako, among those three gusto ko acting and then when I joined my second pageant, which was Miss Teen International, nakitaan ako nung president dun ng potential, when it comes to hosting,” Yza said. “And then my mom kept on pushing me with hosting and then eventually nagamit ko siya sa GMA Sparkle. And from then on, my handler really wanted me to pursue hosting. I feel like my communication skills are good, so I really hope that I get to hone that further.”

Tyrone Tan and Yza Thalia Uy attend the 'Dear You' movie premiere at the SM Mall of Asia IMAX Theater | Source: GMANetwork.com

Tyrone and Yza were among the special guests invited at the Dear You movie premiere. Also in attendance were SM Supermalls president, Steven Tan and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of the Philippines, Jing Quan

Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan | Source: GMANetwork.com

Ambassador Quan said in his speech that through this film, he hopes that everyone will better understand his country. “It is my hope that this film will evoke in you a sense of shared emotion. Afford you a deep glimpse into the Chinese soul and ultimately enable you to better understand our country.”

Directed by Lan Hongchun, Dear You follows the journey of a debt-ridden man, played by Zheng Runqi, who traveled from China to Bangkok to search for his long-lost grandfather.

The blockbuster Chinese indie film has reportedly earned at least RMB 1.5 billion in the local box office in China.

Dear You will hit all SM Supermalls Cinemas beginning August 12.

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