There’s no exact translation for the word kilig. It’s one of those uniquely Filipino terms that can’t be perfectly captured in another language. Sure, phrases like butterflies in your stomach or heart flutters come close, but they obviously don’t hold the same emotional weight. Kilig is a layered mix of joy, excitement, nervousness, and delight—all wrapped into one feeling that’s instantly familiar yet impossible to fully define.
And sometimes, life feels the same way. We know what we’re feeling, but we can’t quite find the right words for it. While there’s comfort in putting a name to our emotions, defining them too soon can also flatten something far more nuanced. Because some feelings aren’t meant to fit neatly into a box. They unfold over time, revealing new meanings as we grow with them.
In this feature, Born to Shine stars Michael Sager and Zephanie Dimaranan open up about embracing the beauty of the unknown. As rising stars of this generation, they share what it’s like to navigate the complexities of the industry, discover who they are beyond expectations, and learn more about love, authenticity, and self-identity. Together, they explore what it truly means to grow beyond labels and allow their story to unfold.
‘Follow Your Heart, Follow Your Mind, and Speak About It’: Michael Sager on Growing Through What You Go Through
Some may know him as the “Ang Diligent Wonder Son ng Marinduque” from Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition. Others may recognize him from his lead roles in My Ilonggo Girl, Shining Inheritance, Sparkle U, and Born to Shine. And for OG fans, he’s still remembered for his role in a Disney production. Whatever first introduced audiences to Michael Sager, one thing remains certain: his boy-next-door charm, warm smile, and genuine personality have a way of bringing instant kilig. As the young star continues to discover new sides of himself and his craft, he also continues to draw people who are eager to witness and grow alongside his journey.
At 23, Michael has already worked across different formats and explored various facets of the entertainment industry. If there’s one thing he has learned, it’s that there is always more to discover about what he is capable of. From taking on major roles in teleseryes to his recent stint inside the PBB house, every experience has helped him understand himself beyond being an actor, host, or performer. It allowed him to become more comfortable in his own skin. In an industry that constantly demands growth and resilience, Michael believes the first step is staying grounded. “Know your core foundations first.” Through every challenge that has come his way, he has learned to see each experience as an opportunity to improve. “I’m just happy because I always see it as a constant work in progress.”
Equally fulfilling for Michael is seeing the people around him grow. Reuniting with Zephanie in Born to Shine gave him the opportunity to witness not only their chemistry on screen but also how much they have both evolved as artists.
“I think the number one thing that I noticed from her is the maturity that she developed. Sharing scenes together, nakita ko how she became more independent. She has her own different technique that I didn’t see before, which is amazing to see. It’s really nice seeing a person grow, especially someone close to me in the showbiz industry.”
Working in an industry where audiences naturally become invested in on-screen pairings, Michael understands why viewers often fall in love with the characters actors portray. For him, that only reflects how successfully they have brought their roles to life. “And that’s the beauty of it because we’re conveying characters. We’re sharing a story that would potentially make them fall in love with the story. Maramdaman nila ‘yung authentic na kilig.” Whether he is portraying a dramatic role, starring in horror, or simply navigating everyday life, authenticity remains at the center of everything he does. “It is important to be clear with yourself. What you really feel is what you should really follow. Follow your heart, follow your mind, and speak about it.” For Michael, honest communication allows people to understand one another beyond the labels often placed upon them and the relationships they build. “Label [has] always been a controversial topic in some senses.”
As a public figure, Michael understands that life in the spotlight often invites assumptions. Social media, the characters he plays, and public appearances can easily shape narratives that people choose to believe. But behind every headline and every post is simply a person trying to navigate life like everyone else.
“There are so many things that we can share, but there are also many things that we want to keep private.”
He remains deeply grateful to the supporters who continue to follow his journey with genuine curiosity and respect. “That’s something I really adore about them.” At the same time, he acknowledges how easily stories can be taken out of context in today’s digital world. “People will judge you for who they think you are. You can’t please everybody. That’s really a lesson I learned recently in the showbiz industry: you don’t have to please everybody to make yourself happy.” For Michael, what matters most is staying true to his values. As long as he knows he is doing good, treating people with kindness, and choosing positivity, everything else becomes secondary. “Kung may negativity man yan, sagutin mo lang with positivity.” It’s a refreshing perspective, especially coming from someone so young.
The years he has spent in the industry have also shaped Michael’s perspective on relationships, particularly in today’s digital generation. Often described as progressive in the way they express themselves, Gen Z values openness, authenticity, and emotional honesty. These qualities, he believes, also influence how his generation approaches love. Compared to more traditional ways of dating, Michael sees Gen Z as more willing to communicate what they truly want. “They know what they really feel. And if it means let’s take more time, let’s take things slow, [they] go for it. Open sila. And I like that about my generation because when it comes to relationships, it really progresses, no?” While every generation has its own language of love, he believes each one simply reflects the realities of its time.
“At the end of the day, love is love.”
Unlike the grand romances often told in classic love stories, dating today is shaped by changing lifestyles, shifting priorities, and a world that moves much faster than before. As many Gen Zs transition from school to careers while balancing friendships, family, personal goals, and the ever-present influence of social media, relationships naturally become more nuanced. “The way we make ligaw, it’s just different. And it’s cool and more challenging. More situational and more creative in a sense.” Rather than replacing traditional ideas of romance, these changes simply show how every generation finds new ways to express care, commitment, and connection. Love continues to evolve with the times, and perhaps that’s what makes every generation’s story worth telling.
And in between navigating careers and personal growth, sometimes finding love also comes down to timing. Fans may admire the effortless chemistry between Michael and Zephanie, but for him, everything happened exactly when it was supposed to. “I never expected that we would have a teleserye together. We started with Sparkle U, which was a weekly show, and we said, ‘I hope it will be a series’.” Then, almost like a manifestation coming to life, Born to Shine became the project that brought them back together.
“I realized that God has His perfect timing. You just keep doing what you are doing. Show up on the days that you feel lazy, you feel tired. Because those are the important days. Those add up to make it to the big day. Because good things take time.”
‘Clarity is Peace’: Zephanie on Owning Who You Are
With her impressive vocal range, standout performances, and chart-topping songs, it’s easy to see why Zephanie has earned the title of “This Generation’s Pop Princess.” Beyond dominating reality singing competitions and receiving recognition from prestigious award-giving bodies, she has also proven that, like many Gen Zs, she is more than one label. Through projects like Mga Batang Riles, Sparkle U, and Born to Shine, she continues to showcase her growth as an actress.
From her powerful vocals and expressive eyes to her charming smile and youthful grace, Zephanie continues to draw audiences in. But more than her talent, what has truly endeared her to fans is her humility—the willingness to admit that no matter how much she has achieved, there is always more to learn. “I think ngayong mas matanda na ako, mas na-sha-share ko na ‘yung mas personal na part of adult life. Like, ‘yung growing up. Parang adulting 101 parts of my life. Something na may deeper connection sa akin.” As she grows older, she has also become more intentional with the gift she believes God has entrusted to her. For Zephanie, singing has gone beyond performing and has become a means to inspiring others, sharing hope, and creating genuine connections through stories and music that come from the heart.
That maturity is also reflected in the relationships she continues to build. As people grow, relationships naturally evolve, and for Zephanie, that has become especially evident in the friendship she shares with Michael. “Mas nag-mature talaga kaming dalawa. Parang nandoon pa rin ‘yung kulit pero alam mo na mas buo na kaming dalawa ngayon.” Like many young artists who grew up in front of the camera, both have experienced different seasons of growth together. Through every project and every challenge, she has watched Michael step closer to the person she always believed he could become.
“Parang ‘yung mga nakikita kong potential sa kanya, I see now more. Na parang, ‘Ah, ito na ’yon!’ I used to see that this was possible, and now it’s happening!” the young actress shares with a smile, genuinely celebrating not only his achievements but also the person he has become.
In an age where the lines between relationships, friendships, and interactions can easily become blurred, Zephanie believes clarity is one of the greatest forms of respect people can give each other.
“For me, clarity is kindness. Clarity is peace. Feelings can sometimes be deceiving. So, if may label, if sure na kung ano talaga, mas okay.”
For her, clarity begins with honesty—not only toward others but also toward yourself. To be able to offer that kind of assurance to someone else, she believes a person must first be secure in who they are.
Essentially, in an era shaped by social media and constant public scrutiny, she also acknowledges that people will always have opinions about who you are supposed to be. “And if you are not secure with yourself, that’s when it gets hard. Kasi, parang you’ll lose it. Sometimes, may tendency na magbe-base ka sa how people think of you.” When identity becomes dependent on outside validation, people slowly lose ownership of themselves. That is why, for Zephanie, knowing your values and standing firm in your truth will always matter more than fitting someone else’s narrative.
These same values have also shaped how Zephanie views love. For her, authenticity remains one of the biggest non-negotiables in relationships. “It’s really staying true to where we are. Or how we are sa isa’t isa.” She believes love should never be rushed into becoming something it is not. There should be no pressure to define things before both people are ready, and no need to perform affection for the sake of appearances. “Because we know kung ano kami talaga. Where we are.” In a generation where stories can easily be misunderstood, edited, or amplified online, choosing honesty becomes even more meaningful. Every relationship unfolds differently, and every love story deserves the space to grow at its own pace.
“Iba-iba ‘yung timing. And iba-iba tayo ng preferences.”
Looking back on the journey she and Michael have shared, Zephanie hopes people recognize that growth itself can be an expression of love. The kind that patiently evolves through time, challenges, victories, and every season in between. As she beautifully puts it, “Love doesn’t have to be romantic. Love doesn’t have to be forced. Love can be in different forms.” For her, the relationship she shares with Michael is rooted in genuine friendship that continues to mature over time. “With our friendship, parang it’s still love. Love can be from a distance. Love can be from up close.” Ultimately, she hopes people realize that love is not measured by labels or proximity but by the kindness, respect, growth, and positive impact we leave in each other’s lives.
The Real Score of Michael Sager and Zephanie
Perhaps there is beauty in not knowing the exact definition of everything we feel. There is beauty in growing through what we are going through, in allowing experiences to shape us before we try to explain them. After all, some of life’s most meaningful moments are not meant to be rushed into labels but discovered one day at a time. As the saying goes, the journey is often more meaningful than the destination.
Michael and Zephanie remind us that growth is rarely linear. It is built through patience, trust, difficult conversations, unexpected opportunities, and the courage to remain authentic despite the noise around us. Whether in friendship, career, love, or self-discovery, perhaps the real score is not about arriving at the perfect ending but becoming the person you are meant to be along the way.
As both young artists continue writing their own stories, one truth remains: good things take time, and the most meaningful relationships—whether with others or with ourselves—are the ones that continue to grow with it.
Creative Direction & Photographed by Emerson Baun
Assisted by: Stephen Singson
Shot on location: The Villa Studio
Floral Styling by Makati Flower Atelier
Special Acknowledgement: Cornerstone Entertainment
Michael Sager:
Grooming: Joan Garcia
Stylist: David Milan
Associate Stylist: Darwin Escamillas
Zephanie:
Hair & Makeup: Jia Enciso Catu
Zephanie’s Styling Team by Foremost Philippines, Vandro Casiwan assisted by Bren Aquino, Marc Mendoza
Ensembles from Vandro Casiwan & Bren Aquino,
Shoot Assisted by: Justine Ramos, Rafael Angelo Berza, Lem Naromor
Overall Coordination: Mj Manglicmot | Niccole Mendoza
