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Born to Shine: Zephanie and Michael Sager's glowing reunion
Born to Shine: Zephanie and Michael Sager's glowing reunion
Kapuso stars Zephanie and Michael Sager are reuniting for a light, heartwarming story that will air on GMA Afternoon Prime beginning March 23, to make people feel good and inspire them to reach for their dreams regardless of time, self-doubt, or other life challenges.
During a media conference at GMA Network, Zephanie and Michael admitted that they missed working together.
"Super na excite ako noong nalaman ko na I will be working with Michael again. Then Michael and I went our separate ways, and we grew as artists. Now I am excited to see how much we have grown. Nakaka-miss working again with your friends. I am really happy. (I was super excited when I found out that I would be working with Michael again. Then Michael and I went our separate ways, and we grew as artists. Now I am excited to see how much we have grown. I miss working again with your friends)," said Zephanie when asked about working together again with Michael.
Responding, Michael said, "Miss you, too!"
Michael continued, "It's been a while. It's been like two years na hindi tayo nag-work together. We had a good run in Sparkle U, and I appreciate the network for trusting us with the new project, 'Born to Shine.' You can see from the AVP that the story is about dreaming. Dito makikita ninyo yung story tungkol sa pangarap ni Jenny. (It's been a while. It's been like two years since we last worked together. We had a good run in Sparkle U, and I appreciate the network for trusting us with the new project, 'Born to Shine.' You can see from the AVP that the story is about dreaming. Here you can see the story about Jennie's dream.)"
"Natutuwa ako sa reunion project namin because Zephanie is one of the few people I've met when I came to the Philippines. So unang na-notice ko sa kanya is hinahabol niya ang pangarap niya. (I'm excited about our reunion project because Zephanie is one of the few people I've met when I came to the Philippines. So the first thing I noticed about her is that she's pursuing her dream.)
"So this show feeling ko is meant for Zephanie to run because she is born to shine as well. I am happy to be here to support her in a special project. She really gave it all. So please, suportahan ninyo ang reunion project namin," Michael also said.
In the early 2000s, Minchie (Manilyn) had to let go of her ultimate dream to perform onstage and leave their iconic group, Rosabellas, after being heartbroken by a member of another band. As she disappears into an urban fishport town, Minchie keeps with her the secret of bearing a child from her past failed relationship. Her child is Jennie (Zephanie), who grows up to be a loving, cheerful, and talented lady.
Just like her mother, Jennie is into singing and performing. But her dream to become a P-Pop idol is going to be far from easy. Jennie has to make many sacrifices, especially without her mother’s support, who endured painful experiences in show business.
How will her journey towards her aspirations turn out? In the dazzling world of music and stardom, brilliance comes with a price. The story of Jennie is not just about proving her talent, but also about facing the truth behind her fiercest rival.
From dreams to reality
Alongside Zephanie and Michael, the afternoon series also features Tessie Tomas, Vina Morales, Manilyn Reynes, Tina Paner, and Roselle Nava. During the event, the cast shared their thoughts on what it means to see their dreams come to life.
"Seeing the young cast, I feel their passion and desire. It's a competitive world. Iba na ngayon. Kailangan sing and dance kayo. (It's different now. You need to sing and dance). I just give my best shot, and I know there's a high ladder. So I just go up one step at a time until I reach the top. Yun ang aking naging inspiration. We are all born to shine," said Tessie.
Vina said, "For so many years in the industry, I've been blessed to do movies, albums, teleseryes and theme songs, concerts abroad and here. So sabi ko, ano pa ba ang kulang ko sa industry? Then sabi ko, ang kulang ko pa ay teatro. (So I said, 'What else do I lack in the industry?' Then I said, 'It's theater.' So for me, there's no way I will be doing theater.
"So para sa akin, there's no way this could happen na I will be doing theater. For me, from Broadway Centrum Philippines to Broadway in New York. So, for me, the biggest is longevity, because I am still here in the business. I am grateful and thankful that they still believe in me and that I still get quality projects," Vina also said.
Manilyn said, "For me, every achievement ninanamnam ko. Imposible kasi itong mangyari sa akin, lalo na noong bata pa ako sa Cebu. So remember, noong pumasok ako sa Anna Liza, which was aired on GMA. Noon kasi, nanonood lang ako kay Julie Vega. Umiiyak ako kapag umiiyak siya. (For me, I savor every achievement. It was impossible for me to do this, especially when I was a kid in Cebu. So remember, when I was in Anna Liza, which was aired on GMA. Back then, I was just watching Julie Vega. I cried when she cried.)”
"So one time, I remember, umiiyak si Julie Vega and umiiyak din ako. So sabi nila, 'Bakit ka umiiyak? Artista ka ba?' Sabi ko, 'One time makikita ninyo ako riyan.' And then it happened. And another one was my concert at the Araneta Coliseum. Nanonood lang ako noon, pero now ako na ang pinapanood. (So one time, I remember, Julie Vega was crying, and I was crying, too. So they asked me, 'Why are you crying? Are you an artist?' I said, 'You'll see me there one day.' And then it happened. And another one was my concert at the Araneta Coliseum. I was just watching then, but now I'm the one being watched)," she said.
Roselle said, "I started singing at seven. Yung dream ko na yun, never ko na-imagine na magkakatotoo. It was a surreal moment when I first heard my song being played on the radio. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, 'Ako ba talaga yan?' So I am really blessed na nagkaroon ako ng mga songs na up to now, kinakanta pa rin. Parte pa rin sila ng bawat Pilipino. (To be a singer was my dream. I never imagined it would come true. It was a surreal moment when I first heard my song being played on the radio. I said to myself, 'Is that really me?' So I am really blessed to have songs that are still being sung today. They are still part of every Filipino.) I am grateful for that."
For Tina, "I started in showbiz when I was nine. My first single, 'Sana,' was produced by Florante. After several years, I made some movies. And then came my hit song, 'Tamis ng Unang Halik.' Natutuwa ako dahil ang dami pa ring nakakaalala sa dalawang kantang nagpasikat sa akin. Thank you so much to GMA dahil I started in That's Entertainment and hanggang ngayon andito na rin ako. (I'm glad that many still remember the two songs that made me famous. Thank you so much to GMA because I started in That's Entertainment and I'm still here.)"
Some of the brightest idols of this generation and the icons of television and music come together in "Born to Shine," bannered by Sparkle’s very own Zephanie and Michael Sager, together with Olive May.
Completing the powerhouse cast are young, promising stars who have what it takes in both acting and performance: Smokey Manaloto, Naya Ambi, Gaea Mischa, Mitzi Josh, Chloe Redondo, Angelika Santiago, Aaliyah de Gracia, and Miggs Cuaderno.
Under the helm of Rod Marmol, GMA Entertainment Group offers a show where passion, destiny, music, and love intertwine, reminding viewers that everyone is born to shine.
Catch Born to Shine from Mondays to Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. on GMA Afternoon Prime and Kapuso Stream. Global Pinoys can also watch the program via GMA Pinoy TV.