Tsismis: Latest gossip from the Pinoy world

Mike's head start

After winning the popular celebrity search Starstruck in 2005, Mike Tan (born Jan Michael Tan) was expected to be the next matinee idol.

But his rise to stardom has been slow, and admits he almost quit show business. Last year, things turned rosy once more after he was cast in the lead role of Kung Aagawin Mo ang Langit, where he proved he could really act and become an actor to reckon with.

You almost quit show business three or four years ago. What was going through your mind then?

I was frustrated. Nothing was happening to my career, and I felt I was being left out. I was playing bit roles and was hoping I could do more than that.

The big break eventually came last year. How did you feel?

Happy, excited. I waited for the moment for so long, but was also a bit embarrassed.

Why?

Because I felt I was expecting too much when I wasn't doing enough. I had to make so many changes to get noticed, and perhaps that eventually worked. I needed to take some initiative and it worked. I got buffed, trained myself in theatre, did some voice lessons. The hard work paid off.

You're appearing in back-to-back soaps as one of the lead stars. Do you feel the pace picking up?

It's funny, because now I don't want to rush things. I want to take things slowly, but surely. I realised during the so-called downtime that it's really talent more than anything that will make you succeed in this business. The flash-in-the-pan success works for some people, but the long-term success that I want comes from honest-to-goodness talent.

You were the winner of second season of Starstruck, but latter winners have become bigger stars, so to speak, such as Rocco Nacino. How do you feel?

If you had asked me several years ago, I would have expressed some disappointment. But another thing I have realised is that timing is also important in this business. Not everyone will shine, but those who work hard enough — this is a profession after all — will have a chance to shine at some point. You wait for the right moment, and you grab the opportunity when you spot it.

Other young stars have gone the route of love teams to be successful. That doesn't seem to be the case for you. Was it a conscious decision not be paired with anyone?

I guess it was; or I guess they couldn't find the right match for me that clicked with the audience. But I'm happy being on my own... Love teams eventually lead to solo careers, so for once I have a head start (laughs).

**************

Picking up the pieces

Rhian Ramos knows she's got a lot to make up for, after the devastating allegations made by her ex-boyfriend, radio jock and TV personality DJ Mo Twister, about her getting an abortion in Singapore.

Ramos hasn't categorically denied it, except to say that her former lover, who has said quite a mouthful about the relationship, has been peddling lies. She has made a quiet comeback, though, and quite successfully with the showing of My Kontrabida Girl last month, which did quite well, given the backlash of the bad PR against her.

Next month, she is set to go to Jakarta, Indonesia, to shoot a movie with Skylar Pictures, reportedly with a Hollywood actress as the lead star.

Rayver and Cristine Still together

Young actor Rayver Cruz quickly denied rumours that he and his actress girlfriend Cristine Reyes have broken up.

There were stories circulating last week alleging the lovebirds have called it quits. Reyes was said to be dating dramatic actor Piolo Pascual.

Cruz admitted he got a bit anxious when he heard the news, so he called up Reyes, who just laughed off the rumours. It's apparently just a spin for Pascual and Reyes' new soap, Nang Dahil Sa Pag-Ibig.

Shaina enjoyed Doha and Dubai

At the press launch of Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo, lead star Shaina Magdayao admitted the series is her most challenging yet.

Magdayao recalled how they had some difficulty shooting some scenes in Doha and Dubai, because they had to squeeze in as many sequences as possible and they had to be careful with how they acted in public. The actress was warned there were a number of taboos, and in deference to the culture of both cities, she and the crew had to be really careful.

Other than that, Magdayao said she had a good time enjoying visiting tourist spots and doing some shopping.

Playing catch up?

Upcoming teen star Kathryn Bernardo defended gal pal Julia Montes from nasty reports saying she's become big-headed because of her success in the prime time hit Walang Hanggan.

Bernardo said she's known Montes long because of their TV and movie projects together, and assured fans and critics her "rival" is still the same.

Bernardo also doesn't believe she's playing catch up to Montes, because she will soon have a follow-up series, The Princess and I, and from the looks of it, the new soap seems to be very promising and big-budgeted and was shot in Bhutan.

Bernardo says the only catching up she's doing is when she calls Montes to exchange gossip.