Face of Allure: Joanna Marie Tan

MANILA, Philippines - Somewhere, an HRM student wishes to have her own restaurant and bar. In another place, an SK Federation official takes pride in changing her town through social responsibility and youth leadership. Then a girl on TV comes crying and laughing at the same time, digging up and gathering all kinds of emotion to enliven the script. Finally, in a simple, warm abode, a loving daughter and sister firmly believes that she can be in different places at the same time, and that she can do more if she tries.

These and more are the “roles” Joanna Marie Tan portrays in real life. She is also called Joan.

“The only real failure in life is not trying. We won’t know if we can do something if we are afraid to try,” gushes 18-year-old Joan, a bubbly Jane of trades in high-waist shorts and pink lipstick. When she was only five, Joan won a place in Eat Bulaga’s Little Miss Philippines in 1999.

Joan remembers being a tomboyish kid because she grew up surrounded by an older brother and cousins who were all boys. She’d play marbles outside their house and go home soiled with boyish fun.

She wanted to become a doctor. She adds, “I think every child dreams to be a doctor or police at one point in his or her life.” When Joan no longer wanted to be a doctor, she fantasized of being a great actress someday. It hasn’t changed since then. She even shares a funny anecdote that she thinks developed her present acting skill. As a child, she would make-believe she was a poor mother with a sick baby in her arms. She would cry out loud until her mother and Lola rush downstairs to check if she was all right, only for young Joan’s remarks: “Wala naman po, nagpapraktis lang.” (It’s nothing, I’m just practicing.)

Child wonder Joan started modeling and acting when she was turning seven years old. She also has appeared in commercials for Jollibee, Lucky Me, Max’s, Sundance and Particles. It sounds cliché but she believes that life is too short. “We don’t really know when our time is so we have to do everything we can while we still can,” she says.

At present, 34-27-35 Joan carefully juggles her demanding schedule at GMA 7, her studies and extracurricular activities, not to mention that she is the SK Federation vice president for external affairs in Caloocan. This girl may be an overly cheerful Pollyanna but she also knows when to be stern. “I’m responsible for my actions. There are no excuses, only eternal consequences,” she adds, with a hint of authority.

On the lighter side, Joanna is a busy bee who finds sweetness in simple joys such as spending quality time with the most important people in her life — her family. Her mom, Melanie Tan, taught her to be independent at an early age and to put God in the center of her life.

She smiles and says, “Let Him guide you always and He will never let you down.” Joan finds glee in wearing several hats — and to God who blesses her with wondrous skills and talents, she is, beyond words, truly grateful.                                      

Photography by Mau Aguasin • Styling by Reg Rodriguez and Donna Gonzales-Lim • Makeup by Ria Aquino • Hairstyling by Donald Lapez • Clothes by ZOO and DETAILS