Cornerstone’s Michael Sager, Zephanie look back on journey to becoming Kapuso

Michael Sager and Zephanie, who are co-managed by Cornerstone with Sparkle GMA, are taking a break from their onscreen team-up amid individual projects.

We say “break” because who knows? They showed great potential as a love team when they worked together in the “Sparkle U” seasons “Frenemies” and “Soundtrip.” In the latter, they were the leading pair and all four episodes of the show became a top-rater. They can still be seen doing productions together in the Sunday variety show, “All Out Sundays.”

Michael and Zephanie, who both turned 21 last month, said that they are game and willing to work in more acting projects in the future.

Zephanie said, “I believe that the experience we had during ‘Sparkle U’ made me realize that working with people you have a genuine connection with is really different. It’s more comfortable and you can learn from each other and support each other in scenes. So, yes, definitely, and I can’t wait po kung ano man ang maging next project namin together.”

Added Michael, “Yes, if given the opportunity, I’m willing. Masaya lang naman talaga ‘pag magtrabaho kasama si Zeph and of course, at the same time, I also want to explore. If exploring means, I get to work with her in a different genre or anything that will be nice.”

Zephanie and Michael, who first worked together in a music video, dismissed any romantic links, stressing they’re “good friends and special people in each other’s lives.”

“I’m happy with what we have right now. And I’m really happy that I’m able to work with him,” said Zephanie.

Added Michael, “Yeah, of course, I can say that’s (she’s) a blessing in my life, and in my career as well. So I really like to take things slow, especially when it comes to relationships.

“Just because, with my work here, I sacrificed a lot moving here from Canada. If there’s one reason, it is for work. And for me, I have to put career first and I mean, I’m not complaining that she’s in my life, that she’s helping me.

“Because it’s been a delight that we’re able to work together, so I don’t know, we’re good friends, yeah. We’re special people in each other’s life.”

Meanwhile, the Cornerstone talents also got to look back on the journey to become Kapuso stars. We learned that Michael is about to unveil his biggest break yet, the upcoming series “Shining Inheritance,” the latest Filipino adaptation of the hit Korean drama of the same title airing this April. Watch out for Michael, talk has it that he’s being groomed as the next Kapuso leading man.

“Hindi po ako makapaniwala. It’s just such a big phrase but of course, I always thank the Lord for guiding me to where I am now because I’ve only started in showbiz last 2022. Now, that’s it 2024, sana I continue lang po and I’m willing to give it my all every time para someday, maabot ko yung ‘Next Big Thing.’”

The Fil-Canadian Michael’s first attempt at showbiz was auditioning for the ABS-CBN reality show “Pinoy Big Brother” in 2021. “The online (edition), it was still pandemic, and sa Kumu (at that time). My dad said, mag-audition ka because before he also auditioned when he was younger. He personally knows the winner of Season 1 (2005), si Nene Tamayo, since they’re both from Romblon.

“He almost got in that’s why he said, ‘Michael, try it! Try mo naman para may isa sa atin makapasok.’ So, I did try. But I did it for fun only. Then I received a call back. I said, ‘Hala Pa, may callback sila.’ So that’s it. Muntikan talaga. My requirements were then being processed but something happened and that didn’t push through.

“Then I was supposed to audition for ‘PBB Teens,’ but at the same time, Sparkada came with Mr. M (Johnny Manahan). So maybe, it’s not just meant to be.”

He got discovered for Sparkada — or the GMA talent management arm’s new batch of talents — through Cornerstone. “Because during Kumu, that’s when Cornerstone discovered me, while I was in Canada.”

But he’s not entirely a stranger to acting. Back in Canada, he became an extra or did “background acting” for films produced by Netflix, Disney and Nickelodeon.

“Naaliw lang ako that I could be seen on TV kahit palakad-lakad lang. My experience there, yung mga sets, grabe! High budgets, especially Disney. It was a cool experience and at least, I learned something.”

Now that he’s getting breaks in showbiz, he is grateful for the all-out support of his parents, especially his dad.

“My dad now is very happy for me because he sings and he’s the one who taught me how to sing… Of course, I’m very thankful to my parents who are very supportive, kasi kahit ang layo nila lahat ng requests ko, binibigay pa rin nila sa akin, especially when it’s needed for the work.”

When asked if he had always dreamt of becoming an actor or singer, Michael said, “Growing up, I feel like hindi. Yung dream maging sikat, or you know, parang mga bata mahilig mag-isa, yes I’ve always dreamt of that.”

During high school, he was set on becoming a pilot or architect. “But the pandemic hit, I wasn’t able to apply for the aviation school and architecture (studies). But when I was doing Kumu live, I think I developed a passion for entertaining people so I told my parents, give me one year in the Philippines, a gap year (before college), to try it out.

“Malaki nga din po sugal kasi going home, there was no assurance, no network, nothing. Try ko lang. I didn’t have any expectations, just hope. Thank you God, that I’m here right now.”

For her part, Zephanie, the former “Idol Philippines” winner, made the switch from ABS-CBN to GMA in 2022 and the transition wasn’t as difficult as other people probably imagined.

“I’m super happy and grateful and blessed to be part of GMA,” she said. “I think the biggest change that (happened since) is yung parang nakabalik po ulit ako sa industry and I was able to continue performing. At the same time, marami din dumating na bagong opportunities for my career as an actress this time,” said Zephanie, who will make a guest appearance in the Alden Richards primetime series “Pulang Araw.”

For her, the most challenging part during her network transfer was the period right before her launch as a GMA artist.

“Kasi nandun yung worries mo na, what will be the people’s reactions? But in the end, it didn’t really matter because it’s a new chapter for me and I’m really happy that naging brave din ako and my management to take that risk and to take another step,” she reflected.

While her career move came without its share of negative comments, Zephanie said, “I guess when it comes to bashers and comments, I really try my best not to get affected because at the end of the day, I always tell myself that I know myself, and I know why I’m like this or why I’m doing this thing.”

“I think that’s really how it is in the industry, people will always have something to say, so you should really stand firm dun sa katotohanan mo, sa values mo. And okay lang din, balanced lang din, it keeps me grounded. Time will tell kung ano yung mga totoong mangyayari.

“And whatever happens, I know I’m still gonna learn from it. So kung mali man ako sa naging decision, it’s part of my journey also. And I value the journey more. It may not be perfect or it’s not always happy, but that’s where you grow and develop yung who you really are, what you are made of.”

Besides acting, Zephanie is also being built up as an official OST (original soundtrack) singer. She has done at least three OSTs for GMA teleseryes.

She’s also working on her second album and giving songwriting a shot.

“I’m really inspired by artists like Moira, VXON — recently I became part of their album, I also co-wrote (a song there Luv Is). I was able to write a few songs already but maybe I just haven’t given (songwriter side) much time and effort so as to produce songs better. But in my next album this year, I think we will really push for (original songs) because I want (fans) to hear something new from me.”

Zephanie will be releasing her next single, Sabihin Mo Na, under Republic Records of Universal Music Group Philippines.

She's also part of “All-Out Sundays” with Patrick Quiroz as singing partner.