Mula pagkanta hanggang pag-arte, talaga naman pinaninindigan ni Zephanie ang pagiging isa sa promising at talented Sparkle artists ng GMA! MAKA-kasama natin siya ngayon sa Surprise Guest with Pia Arcangel!
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00:00Hi everyone and welcome to a new episode of Surprise Guest with Pia Arcangel, where every episode turns out to be one giant huge surprise because we don't know who will be joining us and we'll get to know and guess at the same time.
00:17And that begins right now because I'm going to be receiving a set of clues so we can all guess together.
00:23First clue, she'll be joining us at the School of Arts and Performance and she'll be singing beautiful songs.
00:32They'll be having fun with Dylan Minoru Maka.
00:37She's part of the Maka cast and we'll be chatting this morning with no other than Zephanie.
00:43Hi Zephanie!
00:44Hello, I'm so surprised to be here with Pia.
00:47I was wondering why Maka is wearing all caps.
00:51There she is, Maka.
00:53Hi Zephanie, it's nice to finally meet you.
00:56I always see you on the news.
00:58We always have news items about you on Chika Minute and Showbiz Saksi.
01:03So nice to finally meet you.
01:05How are you, Zephanie?
01:06I'm good.
01:07Lately, I've been busy taping for Maka and other things.
01:13But I'm so grateful and so happy.
01:15And finally, we're able to meet even via Zoom.
01:20Yes, via Zoom.
01:21Next time, we'll be in person.
01:23Yes.
01:24Hey, Zephanie.
01:25Well, first of all, congratulations on the show.
01:27Maka has just started but it's really doing well.
01:30And we can see that your stories are very interesting.
01:34I remember, I saw it on my blog or on the news.
01:37Is it right?
01:38That's why Dylan, right?
01:39It's like you're facing each other.
01:41Did the teacher scold you or were you acting or something?
01:46Actually, that's what Sir Romnick Sarmienta was teaching us.
01:50To do diaphragmatic breathing.
01:52So, technique to help with singing.
01:56So, the two of us put it in.
01:58Even if Dylan didn't scold us.
02:01But that's only on the show.
02:03Yes.
02:04Sometimes in real life.
02:06Like a carryover.
02:08Yes.
02:10Okay, tell us the story of Maka.
02:14So, it's about a group of students in the School of Performing Arts, right?
02:18And what's that?
02:19Are you dorming there?
02:21Or are you just living on campus?
02:23What's the dynamics of the relationship of the students there?
02:27So, Douglas MacArthur School for the Arts is the full name of our school.
02:32So, it was one of the well-known art schools before in our area.
02:37But then, eventually, it kind of faded over time.
02:41And the school didn't have a spark.
02:43And it was about to close.
02:45But then, us students, we're not staying in the school.
02:49But most of the time, we're in the school.
02:51Because maybe that's one of the places where my friends and I can bond.
02:57So, just for context.
02:59I'm with Ashlee Sarmiento, Marco Maza, Olive May, John Clifford, Sean Lucas, Shanti, and May Ann.
03:09And also, Dylan.
03:10We're the classmates.
03:11Though, for some of them, we don't fight.
03:13Because they have different grade levels.
03:15And I think it's normal that there's competition in school.
03:20So, us friends, we really love the arts.
03:24We really love each other's passion.
03:28And we support each other.
03:30So, we're together in defending ourselves against the bullies in school.
03:35Since we're classmates, we've both experienced the pressure of being taught by Sir V, which is Sir Romnick.
03:42But we'll see.
03:44What will happen in the next episodes.
03:46Yes, it's hard.
03:48Your teacher is Sir Romnick.
03:51Yes, that's right.
03:53You get a bit nervous when you're in front of him.
03:57And it's an acting class.
03:59But you said that Dylan, in the show, sometimes you fight, sometimes you don't.
04:05Why? Is this a love-hate relationship?
04:07I think so far, it's just hate.
04:10It's a hate relationship.
04:12Because our first meet-up wasn't good.
04:15We both came from a bad day.
04:19So, we met.
04:21We got heated up.
04:23Because Dylan, in his character, as Dylan de la Paz,
04:28he's a bit of a bully.
04:30But there's a reason why he's like that.
04:33As for Dylan, in real life, he's actually similar.
04:37He's a bit of a bully in real life.
04:39So, I said it's a hate relationship.
04:41But in real life, we're friends.
04:43So, is this the first time you've worked together?
04:46Yes. I think all of us.
04:48Ah, all of you.
04:49Okay.
04:50But you, Zephanie, you have more experience in showbiz as compared to Dylan, right?
04:56Because you, since 2019.
05:01Yes. I started in 2019.
05:04But as a singer.
05:06As a singer.
05:07Yes.
05:08Before that, you were already acting, right?
05:10Not yet. I just started acting last year.
05:14At Sparkle University.
05:16Ah, okay. That's great.
05:19All this time, I thought you've been doing singing and acting together for a long time.
05:23It's just recent.
05:25Also, is acting more challenging for you because it's the newer craft?
05:29Yes. I think anything that's new to our system would be challenging at first.
05:35But maybe for this project, I felt the improvement in my love for craft.
05:43Before, I see it as very challenging and I feel like I might have a hard time
05:50or there's a long way for me to improve.
05:54I think it's a big factor who you're working with and where you are now in your career.
06:02For me, I'm more willing to take risks now.
06:07I'm ready. I'm excited every time I go to our set.
06:12I look forward to every moment that will happen.
06:17You mentioned that you did that at Sparkle University.
06:20Was it last year?
06:22Last year, yes.
06:24What other shows did you do at Sparkle University?
06:28I was able to experience my grandmother's daig.
06:31I was also with Marco and Sean.
06:34But I think so far, that's all.
06:37Before that, when you were in ABS, were you just singing or were you also acting?
06:44I was just singing.
06:46Ah, so it really is your first love.
06:49Yes. Ever since I was a kid, this is my passion and my dream.
06:59There's a lot more that I can explore.
07:02You have more experience in terms of being part of the showbiz industry than Dylan, right?
07:08Were you the one who coached him?
07:12How did this affect your dynamics in the show?
07:16I think for all of us.
07:18Maybe I'll include everyone.
07:20Because I really feel that...
07:22I don't feel like I've been in the industry for a long time.
07:26That somehow, I'll be able to impart something to them that has a huge impact.
07:32But we really try to help each other.
07:34For Dylan and me, when we have scenes together,
07:37I think so far, I'm the one who initiates or starts the questions.
07:42Like, how do you feel about rehearsing?
07:46So if I feel like the idea will work, I'll ask him if he's okay with it.
07:51We also consult our director, Direk Rod Marmol.
07:55Because I feel like teamwork is really important.
08:00Then, we're all open to what each of us can impart.
08:05But would you say that your characters on the show are somehow similar to your personalities in real life?
08:13Or are they too different?
08:15I think it's pretty similar.
08:17Of course, the story is different, but each of us has our own personality.
08:22And our names are the same on the show.
08:26Our first names.
08:27Yes, that's harder.
08:29Because for the audience, it's hard to distinguish your personality in real life and on the show.
08:35So if they're mad at you on the show, maybe they're also mad at you in real life.
08:39Yes.
08:41But let's say, when it comes to your on-screen chemistry,
08:47how would you compare it to your off-cam relationships?
08:50Is it the same?
08:52I think on-cam, there's a bit of calmness.
08:59Because Maka's story is also a bit of a drama.
09:04So our situations on the show are a bit serious.
09:09More on crying, comforting each other.
09:13In real life, that's where it's really O.A., Miss Pia.
09:17We try to just have fun whenever we're on standby.
09:21We play Pogs.
09:23Do you know Pogs?
09:25Filipino games.
09:26We really try to make the situation lighter.
09:29Because once we're on standby, we're focused on the work.
09:34So it's different, I think.
09:36But you can see it when there are happy moments on the show.
09:39It's there.
09:41That's nice.
09:43Can you tell us, because you said that
09:45you first started singing before you started acting.
09:48But have you been a performer for a long time?
09:51As in, when you were very young, did you want to become a performer?
09:54Of course.
09:55I can see myself doing it.
09:59When I was young, the people around me were very supportive,
10:04especially my family.
10:06That was my dream.
10:08It boosted my vision of seeing myself on stage.
10:14So being able to do it now,
10:16it's a privilege to be able to share that to a lot of people.
10:21So how did you start?
10:22Did you do it the classic way,
10:24joining the contest,
10:26or did someone discover you?
10:28How was that?
10:29I'm kind of known as a contestant.
10:32Because I think before I achieved the first step to my dream,
10:38I really joined contests in barangays and malls.
10:42And I experienced joining other competitions on national television.
10:48So when I achieved it,
10:50I was known as a contestant.
10:53But now, I don't know if they still think that way.
10:56But a lot of people followed my journey when I was young.
10:59I started when I was 12,
11:01on TV, to join.
11:03So I'm 21 now.
11:05Wow, you're already 21!
11:07Yes.
11:09Do you remember the first contest you joined?
11:13On TV.
11:14Or in a mall?
11:16Or where did you join before?
11:18I started in school.
11:20Yes.
11:21It was just one time,
11:22because they knew that I was singing.
11:24So they said,
11:26Because you're already a singer.
11:29So it just became an intermission number.
11:31Until I joined barangay competitions.
11:35So I don't remember.
11:36But usually,
11:37what was the name of the place?
11:38For example,
11:39in Santo Tomas.
11:40Just like that.
11:42And then mall.
11:43What was the first place I joined?
11:45I think somewhere in the South.
11:49Do you have a go-to song when it comes to contests?
11:53I think it varies.
11:55But one of them is called,
11:57Go The Distance.
11:59Oh, that's really for beat-it.
12:02Yes.
12:03Yes.
12:04It's hard to sing.
12:06Because it's all about fighting.
12:09And usually,
12:10they change the arrangement of the songs
12:12to make it louder.
12:14Do you remember the first time
12:15you won a prize?
12:17Yes.
12:18The Grand Champion
12:20in Tinig Bolilit,
12:23in Star Mall, Alabang.
12:24So what happened was,
12:26all the Star Malls all over the Philippines,
12:29I know,
12:30they fought per city.
12:33And then everyone will fight
12:35for one champion.
12:37So that's when I won.
12:40Wow.
12:41Overall,
12:42that was the biggest fight.
12:44In Alabang,
12:45I won twice.
12:46So all the Star Malls all over the Philippines,
12:49they're already there.
12:50That's a nationwide competition.
12:52Yes.
12:53Nice.
12:54Do you remember what you did with your prize?
12:56How did you reward yourself?
12:58Because for me,
12:59I think one of the reasons why I'm doing this
13:02is also for my family.
13:03Because we're a big family.
13:05So, of course, part of it is
13:07to treat them.
13:08And there's a celebration going on.
13:11And for the others,
13:12it's really for my studies.
13:16And for the others,
13:18maybe at that time,
13:19I was still fond of toys like dollhouse
13:22or stock toys.
13:24So,
13:25the prizes were very, very young.
13:29Cute.
13:30So you said,
13:31Zephanie, you come from a big family.
13:33How many siblings do you have?
13:34We're five.
13:35Oh.
13:36Are you the eldest?
13:38I'm the middle child.
13:40So there are four of us girls.
13:42I'm the youngest.
13:43Oh no.
13:45Maybe his future girlfriends will be pitiful.
13:50How many years has your brother been single?
13:53He just turned 17 last October.
13:57Oh, he's already 17.
13:58Wow.
13:59Okay.
14:00And you're the oldest.
14:01Are you the only one who sings in the family?
14:03No.
14:04Actually,
14:05I think it's on our dad's side.
14:08So all of us know how to sing.
14:10But I'm the one who pursued this industry
14:13because I think they're more focused on their private life
14:18or studies, academics, or sports.
14:21Oh.
14:22Did you grow up in Manila?
14:24No.
14:25We're from Laguna.
14:26Binan, Laguna.
14:28So we all grew up there.
14:30Wow.
14:31Do you still go home to Binan?
14:33Yes.
14:34Because I still have friends there from elementary days.
14:38And our family is still there.
14:40It's different when you go back to where you really came from.
14:44That's right.
14:45That's so fun.
14:46So for example, if it's Holy Week, you go home to Laguna.
14:50Or if it's a holiday, you can go home to Laguna.
14:54Yes.
14:55If there's a free day and there's no work, I go home.
14:59But your parents are also here in Manila.
15:02Most of the time, I'm with my mom.
15:05Maybe that's what I'm used to.
15:08Ever since I was a kid, she's the one I'm always with to help me out with my stuff.
15:13Or when I leave.
15:15You said earlier that you've been blessed with a very supportive family.
15:19Whenever you join a contest, for sure, more than one family member is there to watch.
15:25Of course.
15:26My aunts, grandmothers, they're also there.
15:29Even the barangay is there to watch.
15:32Yes.
15:33That's so fun.
15:35Stephanie, speaking of contests, you're the first winner of Idol Philippines, right?
15:40Yes.
15:41Wow.
15:42Imagine that.
15:44The first winner ever of Idol Philippines.
15:46Of course, that's a big deal because it's a big franchise.
15:50And here in the Philippines, you're the first winner.
15:53Is there a reason for that pressure?
16:00Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?
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30:04This has been Shorly Paghiligan with the amazing people of GMA Integrated News.
30:08Don't forget to like and subscribe for the next surprise!