After being adjudged the Ultimate Male Survivor in the second season of GMA7′s popular reality search, “Starstruck”, Mike Tan has made a miniscule but noticeable mark in Philippine showbiz. Immediately after the run of the said reality show, Mike has been given several, albeit, mediocre roles by his home network. He appeared as support for GMA7′s drama and fantasy programs. However, none of these exposures really made a notable impression in the minds of the Filipino viewing public.

Sometime last year he was repackaged with a sexier image as part of the male group, the Studs. The producers of Climax magazine even came up with a calendar to show that he, along with other wholesome young actors, are willing to go a bit risque, but with limitations. Apparently, this move didn’t work and “The Studs” was dissolved soon after. During those trying times in Mike’s career, GMA7 continuously gave him less-than juicy roles but gave him projects nonetheless. Last year, he appeared in three soap operas (“Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita”, “Marimar” and “Maging Akin Ka Lamang”) and two movies (“Batanes” and “Manay Po 2:Overload”).

Late last year, it has become apparent that Mike was not being utilized by his home network for any project. This led to speculations that he is transferring to rival station, ABS-CBN, in an attempt to salvage whatever is left of his career. According to sources from the internet, he is set to appear in a primetime teleserye entitled “Nagai-aida” in the Kapamilya network with Maricel Soriano, Cesar Montano, Ai Ai delas Alas, Sunshine Cruz and fellow Starstruck transferee Megan Young. Well, if there’s any truth to this rumor, Mike is really lucky to have been given such an opportunity.

However, while waiting for that project to materialize, the chinito-moreno actor is busy honing his thespian skills for a Tanghalang Pilipino production entitled “Kutsilyo, Pamaypay at Yantok” which will run from January 13-15, 2009 at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute, Cultural Center of the Philippines.