It has been almost twenty years since Miguel Tanfelix entered showbiz via the reality talent competition show Starstruck Kids in 2004. Out of the final 7 among the boy contenders, he was the first prince or the first runner up in the competition. But out of all the 14 kids that made it into the final cut, it’s safe to say that Miguel is the biggest of them all.
While we’ve seen a lot of celebrities grow in front of our eyes, Miguel, as he described his journey, “slow but steady.” And it’s true. We’ve seen him in successful TV shows from Starstruck Kids, Mulawin, Kambal Karibal and the megaserye Voltes V: Legacy but his humility and passion for work is always evident in all his works. That’s what is important anyway.
Behind the scenes photos from Miguel Tanfelix’s 25th birthday shoot revealing his new hair
ON VOLTES V: LEGACY ENDING
“Honestly, nakakabitin. Kasi imagine,’yung show na kinunan ninyo for four (4) years, ipapalabas lang ng four (4) months. Medyo nakakabitin and nakakalungkot din dahil mami-miss ko ‘yung mapanood ‘yung sarili ko bilang Steve Armstrong. Privilege ‘yun eh, na mag-portray ka ng isang character na iconic nung 90s, nung 80s, sobrang privilege na mapanood ko sarili ko bilang Steve Armstrong, maging parte ng Voltes V: Legacy. Malungkot ako pero at the same time, happy ako sa na-achieve ng show. Nagpunta kami ng San Diego for Comic Con and ultimately, ang greatest achievement ng Voltes V is nabalik niya ‘yung ginagawa ng isang pamilya na nagtitipon-tipon sila para manood ng TV. ‘Yung Voltes V, sobrang happy ako sa project na ‘yan,” Miguel shares during our intimate interview.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR MIGUEL?
“Yung movie na tini-tease natin ngayon, ‘yung Firefly, under Public Affairs, directed by direk Zig. Kasama namin si Euwell, si Ms. Cherry Pie (Picache), Ms. Yayo (Aguila), Ms. Alessandra de Rossi, Mr. Epy Quizon, it’s about sa adventure ng kid, kung ano ‘yung mga matutuklasan niya, sino mga makikilala niya along his journey. Very interesting ang mga mangyayari.”
MIGUEL ON HAVING A 25th BIRTHDAY SHOOT
“Wala namang theme kumbaga bilang twenty-five years old na ako, quarter life, crisis? Hindi naman crisis. Parang sinasabi mong silver anniversary ng buhay ko. Gusto kong mas maging mature ‘yung mga layouts na gagawin, hindi na siya puro playful lang. And ‘yung hair ko. After four years, nagpagupit ako.”
Check out photos from his shoot below:
HOW WILL MIGUEL CELEBRATE HIS 25th BIRTHDAY?
“Ako kasi, hindi ako ‘yung tao na nagse-celebrate with a party. Ang balak ko ngayon, magout of town with my family. Mag-wakeboarding kami, ‘yung ang trip ko ngayon. Para ma-feel ko naman na bakasyon ako after Voltes V Legacy. Gusto ko lang pumunta kung saan man, away from work, walang iniisip. Just me and my family,” answers Miguel.
But will his special someone also be there?
“Definitely pupunta si Ysabel. Hindi pwedeng wala siya sa birthday ko. Pero kung ang question ay nagwe-wakeboarding ba siya, tinry niya, sumakit ‘yung katawan niya,” he continues.
IS MIGUEL REBRANDING HIMSELF?
“Kapag sinabi kasing rebranding parang mag-iiba ka ng brand completely. For me, hindi ko naman kailangang ibahin ang brand, kung feeling ko na ikagaganda, ‘yun pa din naman ako. It’s just that, 25 years old na ako ngayon and ‘eto na ‘yung buhay ko ngayon. Wala namang re-branding, siguro mas mature lang ‘yung concept ng photoshoot.
MIGUEL FROM STARSTRUCK KIDS TO NOW
How will Miguel describe his journey in the entertainment industry since he joined the artista search in 2004?
“Slow but steady. May mga careers kasi na, natatakot kasi ako, for example, ‘yung biglaan na sumisikat and then sobrang daming nangyayari sa paligid nila, hindi nila alam paano iha-handle ‘yung fame, yung power na binibigay sa kanila. So, parang hindi nila naaalagaan masyado. Ako, I’m very thankful nagsimula ako sa pinakababa. Slowly but surely paangat nang paangat and then, Voltes V Legacy. At least mas naging careful ako. Mas alam ko ‘yung worth ng mga natatanggap ko dahil nanggaling ako sa kung saan ako nanggaling before.”
FUTURE DIRECTOR MIGUEL?
On his impressive social media videos, Miguel was asked if he had help with his videos.
“Ako lang. Hobby ko lang din mag-edit ng videos or clips kasi dun ko nare-release ‘yung creative juices ko. Nag-enroll ako sa film school para at least meron akong outlet.”
What is his preferred job behind the camera?
“Director. Si direk Zig, kapag nasa taping ako, siguro mga 60% mas dun ako tumatambay sa monitor ni direk Zig. Tapos ‘yung videographer kanina (his 25th birthday shoot), classmate ko ‘yun. Sinasama ko din siya sa mga tapings para at least ma-expose siya and may matutunan siya.”
A lot of projects are in the pipeline for Miguel Tanfelix that his fans and followers can wait for. And we wish all the best for Miguel, career-wise and personal-wise.
Watch our intimate interview with Miguel below: