Miguel Tanfelix and Ysabel Ortega: In the Moment

There's a palpable energy that seems to surround Miguel Tanfelix and Ysabel Ortega, most especially when they're together. Is it tension? Is it romance? Or is it just the positive aura that emanates naturally from people who live a good, content life?

That same energy is present at their Kapuso Profiles shoot for GMANetwork.com.

Ysabel is just beaming with delight, like a ray of sunshine brightening up everybody's day. Miguel carries this quiet confidence and self-awareness, the mark of an experienced celebrity.

Their grace, their excitement, and their happiness are just so raw and real, they fill up the spacious Palazzo Verde. Their chemistry is undeniable that anyone would think that they are a couple.

“In-e-enjoy lang namin. Walang pressure na porke’t magkasama kami sa show, kailangan sweet kami, kailangan maging kami, parang gano’n,” Miguel says.

Miguel, a seasoned actor who’s been in the industry since he was 6, earned a new onscreen partner in Ysabel. The two were introduced as part of the main cast of one of GMA’s biggest projects, Voltes V: Legacy, which is supposedly Ysabel’s launching series with GMA. It is expected to air in 2023.

Their pairing could not have come at a better time.

From sci-fi, Miguel and Ysabel were also offered to play each other’s love interests in GMA and Quantum Films series called What We Could Be which they simultaneously shot with Voltes V: Legacy.

“Ang ganda lang din nagkasama kami sa What We Could Be kasi nadi-discuss namin kung ano ‘yung na-apply namin, kung ano 'yung natutunan namin sa Voltes V: Legacy dito sa isa naming show. Super laking advantage s’ya kasi kahit magkaiba kami ng show, my kind of continuity pa rin kasi, at least, may nakikita kang familiar face,” Ysabel says.

“As an actor, I look up to Miguel [Tanfelix] talaga. We all know naman na he’s an amazing actor. He’s a well-respected actor sa industry natin." - Ysabel Ortega

Ysabel started acting at the age of 15. She landed her first lead role when she was already in her 20s, after making the big move to GMA.

For Ysabel, Miguel is involved in her growth as an artist.

The daughter of action star-turned-politician Lito Lapid and singer Michelle Ortega shares, “As an actor, I look up to Miguel talaga. We all know naman na he’s an amazing actor. He’s a well-respected actor sa industry natin. Considered veteran na rin s’ya e sa years of experience n’ya. Acting-wise ang dami ko ring natutunan sa kanya, aside from our acting coach.

“Ang ganda rin na may insights ako from someone with that much experience and, at the same time, ‘yung nagpu-push din sa 'kin sa mga scenes na talagang nag-e-experiment kami. Super dami. For example, may nakita s’yang magandang choice for a scene, isa-suggest n’ya sa 'kin. Gano'n din naman ako sa kanya na kapag may gusto s’yang gawin, kapag nahihiya s’ya, pinu-push ko s’ya, ‘Go i-suggest mo na’ kasi minsan nahihiya pa s’ya.”

Ysabel emphasizes, “We’re just encouraging each other talaga and I’m learning a lot from him as I’m working with him.”

Shooting two completely different series at the same time is exhausting but, thanks to Miguel, Ysabel has found a dependable shoulder to lean on.

“Sobrang laking tulong na ando’n kami for each other. Nababantayan namin 'yung isa’t isa like, for example, 'pag may pagod, inaalagaan din namin 'yung isa’t isa. Miguel is super caring so malaking tulong din 'yun sa 'kin na may nag-aalaga sa 'kin sa set so very grateful ako do’n.”

While Ysabel gives so much credit to Miguel, he, in return, thinks she is giving him the same kind of treatment.

Miguel says, “Actually, 'di ko naman nakikita na mentor n’ya ko sa showbiz. I see it as more of a partnership. Hindi s’ya one way na ako ‘yung nagtuturo sa kanya. I learn from Ysabel also. Kapag may dini-discuss kaming scene, may mga perspective s’yang nakikita na ‘di ko nakikita. Kapag na-discuss namin, mapapaisp ako, ‘Uy pwede nga natin gawin sa scene na 'to.’ So ang dami niyang insights na nabibigay din sa 'kin.”

“Actually, 'di ko naman nakikita na mentor n’ya ko sa showbiz. I see it as more of a partnership. Hindi s’ya one way na ako ‘yung nagtuturo sa kanya. I learn from Ysabel also." - Miguel Tanfelix

He goes on, “Kapag nagdi-discuss kasi kami parang tinatanggal kasi namin 'yung judgment and 'yung confidence sa sarili namin na parang ito 'yung tama. Parang open kami sa opinion ng isa’t isa. Parang collaboration s’ya. So in a way, tinuturuan n’ya 'ko na maging team player.”

Miguel believes that this is the result of the good relationship they have built, and safeguarded, for years.

He continues, “Kung iba ‘yung kapareha ko sa What We Could Be o Voltes V: Legacy, 'di namin magagawa 'yung mga bagay na ginagawa namin ni Ysabel like discussing kung ano 'yung nangyari sa scene kasi iba na rin ‘yung pinagsamahan namin, ang tagal na rin. Pre-pandemic pa magkakilala na kami ni Ysabel so years na rin 'yun. So 'di na 'ko nape-pressure kapag ka-eksena ko s’ya. 'Di na ko nape-pressure kapag i-a-approach ko s’ya, wala nang ilangan masyado.”

Miguel also says, “Second, sa personal life, kung anong meron kami, in-e-enjoy lang namin and hindi kami nape-pressure sa kung ano man ang sabihin ng iba. 'Di ako nape-pressure sa sarili kong expectation and sa expectation niya. And basta clear sa amin kung ano 'yung focus namin ngayon.”

“We’re just encouraging each other talaga and I’m learning a lot from him as I’m working with him.” - Ysabel Ortega

Going with the flow

As ‘YsaGuel,’ as fans would fondly and collectively call them, Miguel and Ysabel make a promising partnership. Their millions of views on TikTok alone are testament to their growing popularity.

Asked if they want their team-up to go even further, Ysabel has no ready answer. She says she will not force it. Instead, she will let it run its course.

“We’re not forcing anything so ngayon magka-partner kami sa isang show, magkasama kami sa Voltes V: Legacy, but it does not necessarily mean na love team na kami. Nothing’s official yet. 'Yung focus namin is not para maging love team kami or para maging partner kami sa next series namin. But, at the same time, if mas destined sa amin na mag-individual careers kami then it’s also really good. Walang halong personal in that decision kasi personal and work are two different things. Ang focus namin is kung ano ang mas makakabuti sa career namin, 'yung mas mag-go-grow kami as actors or whether that’s a love team someday or as individual actors.”

“Sobrang laking tulong na ando’n kami for each other. Nababantayan namin 'yung isa’t isa like, for example, 'pag may pagod, inaalagaan din namin 'yung isa’t isa.” - Ysabel Ortega

Ysabel also notes that it has nothing to do with her personal relationship with Miguel.

She points out, “’Di naman nagma-matter sa professional aspect kung ano 'yung pinagsamahan namin ni Miguel kasi no matter what, we’re always going to support each other so ‘yun ‘yung focus namin. ‘Yung gusto namin for each other and for ourselves is to do what will make us grow the most.”

Miguel, as well, wants to go with flow.

He says, “Kung gusto nilang mas mag-invest sa pinapakita namin sa What We Could Be at sa Voltes V: Legacy in the future, then I’d be happy na mag-stay sa partnership na 'to. But kapag may opportunity silang nakikita para sa 'min individually then walang problema.”

While both of them are on the same page about their growth as actors, Miguel doesn't mind being paired again with Ysabel in his future projects, because he loves being around her.

He adds, “Pero kung ako ang papipiliin, masaya rin naman ako sa piling ni Ysabel. Masaya rin naman ako kay Ysabel, masaya ako sa kung anong ginagawa namin ngayon. 'Di lang naman siya dahil close kami ni Ysabel, dahil lumalabas kami araw-araw pero kung paano kami magtrabaho on and off screen, 'yun 'yung gusto ko sa pagsasama namin. Iba 'yung nagagawa ng partnership namin ni Ysabel, iba 'yung energy na nabibigay niya sa ‘kin.”

"Kung anong meron kami, in-e-enjoy lang namin and hindi kami nape-pressure sa kung ano man ang sabihin ng iba. 'Di ako nape-pressure sa sarili kong expectation and sa expectation niya. And basta clear sa amin kung ano 'yung focus namin ngayon.”
- Miguel Tanfelix

And just like a sweet poem, Ysabel evokes joy, according to Miguel.

“Eto rin napansin ko sa relationship namin, it’s very light. May relationship kasi na ramdam mo na medyo mabigat kahit 'di naman siya romantic relationship. Puwedeng kamag-anak o kaibigan. Hindi nagma-match 'yung energy n’yo. Sa amin, sobrang light n’ya na kaya naming i-enjoy 'yung maliliit na bagay like kunwari maglakad-lakad lang kami. 'Yung feeling na naglalakad lang dahil swak 'yung energy namin sa isa’t isa parang nagiging magaan lang. So everything na may gagawin kaming maliit man o malaki, parang ang gaan sa pakiramdam. So maturity and lightness kapag pinagsama mo, perfect match.”

Growing together

At this stage in Miguel and Ysabel’s career, they are happy that they could consider each other their ‘person.’ Not particularly a romantic partner, but someone who encourages each other to do things at their own pace and allows them to be their own beings.

Ysabel shares, “I feel like it’s very mature. I feel like we’re growing as people individually but, at the same time, we’re there for each other. And kasi feeling ko ang laking difference no’n na we’re growing individually together or trying to grow as one and I feel like sobrang important kasi ‘yun in any relationship even with your friends, with your family na dapat may sarili kang identity, may sarili kang investment sa sariling personal growth mo.

“And minsan kasi, ‘di ba, nagiging priority ng isang tao ‘yung happiness ng iba or kung ano ‘yung gusto ng ibang tao instead of themselves. So feeling ko ang special sa relationship namin is we’re focusing on ourselves and, at the same time, we’re focusing on the growth of the other person so times two growth."

Wherever the road leads for these two talented actors, whether they end up as lovers or friends or simply colleagues, Miguel and Ysabel will continue being there for each other. That's how they started their "relationship" and they intend to keep it that way for many years.

"Iba 'yung nagagawa ng partnership namin ni Ysabel, iba 'yung energy na nabibigay niya sa ‘kin.” - Miguel Tanfelix

Additional Credits:

Shoot producer: Gabby Reyes Libarios | Styist: Macky Combe (for Miguel); Jingx Cruz (for Ysabel) | Makeup artists: Inang Gomez (for Miguel) and Thea Dionisio (for Ysabel) | Hairstylist: Michael O. Mesalucha | Shoot assistants: Andrea Gadaza, Abbygael Hilario | Special thanks to Ome Itum of Palazzo Verde

Miguel Tanfelix andYsabel Ortega:

In the Moment

Going with the flow

Growing together

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Miguel Tanfelix and Ysabel Ortega: In the Moment