Every time Michael Sager would step into the spotlight, he looks as though he’s the quintessential entertainer. He’s always poised and rarely loses confidence, despite the thousands of eyes fixed on him analyzing his every little movement, whether he’s performing on stage, acting in front of the cameras, or being interviewed on national TV.

With his captivating smile and trademark dimples, Michael was born for TV. What everyone didn’t know was he was a bundle of nerves several days before the big Sparkada launch. In fact, Michael came to a point where he was no longer sure if he would push through knowing that he still lacked so many of the things needed to become a legit artista.

How did Michael handle the intense training session that Sparkle GMA Artist Center put him through before the grand launch?

“`Yung training namin was all online. So with the help of Miss Ana Feleo our acting training was mga three to five times a week, so it was intense training.” he noted. “There was also dance, there was singing involved at the same time preparing for our launch. So, we only had I think a couple of months unitl our launch so, we really had to be prepared and grabe ‘yung acting workshop.”

Michael was candid enough to admit that his Achilles’ heel was acting.

“Dun ako nanibago kasi, I never acted in my life. I was part of school play lang but itong acting workshop hindi puwedeng mahiyain, you can’t be shy because sayang ‘yung opportunities. So, that’s when I really learned na ito na, like I have to give my best every time, kasi sayang ’yung ’pag nawala na siya sa’yo. So, that’s when I learned na I have to be braver, I have to take bigger steps. And, I shouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes. And Miss Ana was very generous with us and she really taught us many things considering nga that we were getting launched in a few months. Siguro with that training din, that intense training it helped me grow as an actor, as an artist. Para later on in my first few shows I was able to apply it.”

Initially, Michael thought that being part of Sparkada would be a huge adjustment, especially since he and Roxie Smith were the last additions to the group. With most of his family and all of his friends back in Canada, it looked as if life in the Philippines would be lonely, but Michael soon found a home and a family in his fellow Sparkadas.

“Sparkada at that time buo na sila, so kami, me and Roxie [Smith] were one of the last few people to join. They already had a camaraderie, like ‘yung grupo na ‘yun. So, kumbaga me entering it’s kinda nerve wracking for me, kasi I had no friends in the Philippines. Wala akong masyadong family, so sabi ko, ‘Hala! Kumusta kaya ‘to?’ But, luckily when I first met them in person naku napaka-warm pala ng Sparkada, sila ‘yung naging totoo kong friends at that time. And sila ’yung first people that helped me adjust to the culture here, to adjust to the environment.”