We can safely assume that you already know one or two of the people on this list. Probably you even have a crush on them; that's why you're reading this. But in case your radar hasn't picked up the new cutie alert yet, well, we assure you that after reading this, you will have new names to add to your heartthrob list!
Not to worry if you're a little late to the party. We've prepared a crash course on the subject just for you, and we're happy to introduce you to Kimson Tan, Luis Hontiveros, and Migs Villasis, the newest heartthrobs from Sparkle GMA Artist Center.
This Love season, PARCINQ had the opportunity to be candid with the boys about their perception of modern-day love and even shared their first-date experiences!
Kimson Tan
Despite being a solely new face in the industry, Kimson Tan is already making his name. Before becoming an actor, the 23-year-old actor played basketball for Growling Tiger of the University of Santo Tomas, where he is currently taking up a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Marketing Management degree. In 2020, Kimson became part of the boys' love series 'In Between,' starring fellow Sparkle GMA Artist Migs Villasis.
What qualities do you find attractive in a person of the opposite sex?
The very quality na tinitignan ko talaga when it comes to the opposite sex is their ‘God fearing’ quality. Kasi for me, if god-fearing yung isang tao everything will follow. And of course, family-oriented. [ The one quality I really look for in the opposite sex is their "God-fearing" quality. For me, if they're god-fearing, everything else will follow. And of course, family-oriented. ]
Do you have a "love language"?
Yes! I think it's pretty normal to have a love language. And for me, my love language is quality time.
Describe your first Valentine's Day?
My very first Valentine date, I think, the most formal would be back in 2018. It was pretty romantic as I remember. I was young back then pa eh, I was 18. We went out to eat and it was very romantic.
Blazer, Ryan Chris (@_ryanchris)
How do you know love is real?
For me, love is real when you are willing to sacrifice everything for the name of love. Yung willing kang ibigay yung oras mo, yung effort mo, and yung sarili mo kasi when you are loving someone, unfair if hindi mo kayang ibigay yung hundrend percent commitment mo sa other half mo. [For me, love is real when you are willing to sacrifice everything for the name of love. It's giving time, effort and yourself because when you love someone, it's unfair if you can't give 100% of your commitment to that person.]
Who was the first person you loved?
It would be my mom. And up until now, I am proud to say na kaya kong ibigay lahat when it comes to my mom and to my younger sister. [ It would be my mom. And up until now, I am proud to say that I can give it my all for her and for my younger sister. ]
Do you think our generation has a different attitude towards love than our parents?
Yes. Lalo na ako, I came from a very traditional family so it's far different compared before. Syempre, before may stigma na if you’re a Chinese you cant have a girlfriend who isn't Chinese. But for me, I don't believe in that. Kasi if you love someone, you will choose them every time. Ako willing akong ipag-laban basta mahal ko.
[ Yes. Especially for me, I came from a very traditional family, so it's far different compared to before. Of course, before, there was the stigma that if you're Chinese, you can't have a girlfriend who isn't Chinese. But for me, I don't believe in that. Because if you love someone, you will choose them every time.I am willing to fight for someone as long as I love them. ]
Is love overrated?
No. Love is not overrated kasi iba pag naramdaman mo yung pagmamahal hindi mo siya iisipin na overrated siya. Kasi the moment na nag-mahal ka yung emotions mo iba-iba. Minsan masaya, minsan malungkot ka, minsan it makes you overthink on stuff. Moreover, it is a choice. [No. Love is not overrated because it's different when you feel love; you won't think he's overrated. When you fall in love, you experience many emotions at once. It can make you feel happy, sad, or sometimes it makes you overthink stuff. Moreover, it is a choice. ]
What does love mean to you?
Love for me is happiness. Kahit na alam mong magiging mahirap yung proseso at maraming obstacles along the way, love for me is happiness and naniniwala kasi ako na, meeting someone is by faith and by chance. But staying in love and loving someone is a choice. [ Love for me is happiness. Though I know the process will be difficult, and there will be many obstacles along the way, love for me is happiness. I believe that meeting someone is a matter of faith and chance. But staying in love and loving someone is a choice.]
Luis Hontiveros
Luis Hontiveros, a Filipino actor and model, is no stranger to the limelight. The now 28-years-old heartthrob first tried show business when he joined GMA-7’s reality program StarStruck in 2009. However, he did not make it to the batch’s final 14. Later, in 2016, he joined Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7 as one of the adult housemates and became known as a fan favorite and finalist. He officially became part of Sparkle GMA Artist Center on July 7, 2020.
What qualities do you find attractive in a person of the opposite sex?
I like women who are caring, thoughtful, and intelligent especially when they can carry out intellectual conversations yet can converse on the very mundane, shallow, and humorous things.
Ring, Cold Gold (@coldgold.co)
Do you have a "love language"?
My love language towards my partner? I would say would probably be an act of service and spending quality time.
Describe your first Valentine's Day?
I can't really remember the exact year but I think it's probably in grade school. I wrote a letter to my crush. May malaki pang heart. I was shaking when I gave it to her buti nalang she was kind enough to accept it. [ I can't really remember the exact year but I think it's probably in grade school. I wrote a letter to my crush with a big heart on it. I was shaking when I gave it to her. Thankfully, she was kind enough to accept it. ]
Suit, Ryan Chris (@_ryanchris)
How do you know love is real?
Love is real when you are willing to stay with the person not just on the good days but even on the bad. And even on those bad days, you’re willing to put on the work and rebuild through the struggle.
Who was the first person you loved?
I’d say, my Mom. My Mom will always be my first love. That’s one thing that will never change.
Do you think our generation has a different attitude towards love than our parents?
Oh yes! I think our generation handles relationships quite differently nowadays. Women tend to be less submissive to men and I think that’s empowering. I think during our parent's generation, toxic masculinity was very rampant, but now it's slowly getting neutralized. It changes the whole dynamic of the relationship and I'm happy that change is happening.
Is love overrated?
I wouldn't say that love is overrated. But for some other people love isn't everything either.
What does love mean to you?
Love is when you can accept the person no matter what. Like actually and unconditional love. I believe love isn't always rainbows and butterflies. It's not always just good days and sunshine. There is a lot of work to be done, including adjustments, and finding the middle ground. Equal rights, always equal rights.
Migs Villasis
Migs Villasis is a charmer. One look at this 26-years-old actor and your heart might melt. Migs became part of Sparkle GMA Artist Center last September 2021. He graduated with a degree in Business Management from Trinity University of Asia, Quezon City. He also has multiple projects under his belt such as Fuccbois, In Between, and Stigma.
What qualities do you find attractive in a person of the opposite sex?
Gustong gusto ko yung pag caring at maintindihin ang isang tao. Kasi diba, pag minsan may mga araw na pagod ka or stress, yung maiintindihan ka nila at aalagaan ka. [ I like it when someone is caring and understanding. Sometimes the days can be so tough that you might need some help. It would be great if they could just understand and care for you. ]
Do you have a "love language"?
Ako kasi mahiyain ako. Hindi ko kayang mag tapat sa isang tao kahit gustong-gusto ko siya. Torpe ako kumbaga. Kaya ang ginagawa ko para ipakita na may gusto ako isang tao, hinahatid sundo ko siya, niyaya kumain ganon. [ I'm a shy type. It's hard for me to express my feeling honestly to someone that I like. Sometimes I think it's a sign of stupidity. So to show someone that I like them, I offer to pick them up and take them out to eat.]
Describe your first Valentine's Day?
Memorable siya kasi nag away kami! Nasa lock in taping ako non eh tapos yung mga scenes ko dun hindi niya nagustuhan. Nag-away kami, yun pa naman yung first valentine’s day ko with her. [It was a pretty memorable experience because we had a fight. I was locked in taping and she didn’t like some of my scenes; that was my first Valentine’s day with her so it was kind of sad that we fought.]
How do you know love is real?
Siguro ano, kapag napapasaya ka ng taong gusto mong kasama. Kasi alam ko yun eh, ramdam mo pag totoo siya sayo. Hindi ka naman sasaya kung nararamdaman mo pinipilit lang yung mga bagay-bagay sayo.
[I think I can tell when love is real when the person you want to be with makes you happy. It's easy to tell when they are being sincere, and you can feel it. If someone is forcing themselves on you, and you don't know if they're genuine, then you won't be happy.]
Who was the first person you loved?
Syempre yung nanay ko. Kahit wala pa akong kalamay-malay noon. Alam mo minahal ka ng nanay mo eh. Yung pinangnak ka palang niya iba na yung pinag daanan niya sayo. [Of course, it's my mom. She's been there since I was born and through a lot of tough times to raise me. ]
Do you think our generation has a different attitude towards love than our parents?
I think hindi. Kasi ang pag-mamahal hindi naman nag babago yan eh. Kasi sa akin. Kung mahal mo talaga yung isang tao, ganun parin eh. Gagawin mo parin ang lahat para sakanya. [I think not. Love is everlasting, and it's always the same. If you love someone, you will still do everything for them.]
Is love overrated?
Love will never be overrated. Tulad nga ng lagi kong sinasabi, ang pag-mamahal pag tinamaan ka niyan, nako hahamakin mo talaga ang lahat. [ Love will never be overrated. As I always say, when you find love, you will stop at nothing to protect it.]
What does love mean to you?
Para sakin, love is happiness. Kaya mo minamahal ang isang tao dahil masaya kayo sa isat-isa, kaya ka rin niya minamahal dahil napapasaya mo siya. Hindi ko sinasabi na pagmalungkot kayo eh hindi niya na mahal ang isat-isa. Pero yun parin talaga yung susi sa relasyon, na dapat masaya kayo sa isat-isa. [ For me, love is about happiness. So when you love someone, it's because you are happy with them. And when they love you, it's because you make them happy. I'm not saying that if you're not both happy, you don't love each other anymore. But I also want to say this: happiness is the key to a healthy relationship. ]
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Produced by Philip Vargas
Cover Story by Mark Baccay
Photography by Rxandy Capinpin
Art direction and videography by Joe Andy
Styling by Bryan Laroza & Joaquin Rodrigo of #TeamRyujiShiomitsu
Grooming by Janica Cleto
Hair by Mycke Arcano
Special Thanks to Chester Jan Singian, Sparkle GMA Artist Center