Megan Young (left) and Mikael Daez
“I’m not sure—baka biglaan na lang ‘yun!” Mikael Daez quipped, when asked if having a baby and starting their own family is something he and his wife, Megan Young, are now considering.
In their past interviews and podcasts, Mikael and Megan said it was a conscious decision not to try for a baby immediately after their wedding in 2020, because they wanted to enjoy their relationship as a married couple first, and make the most out of their respective career opportunities.
But things seem to be starting to change. “Before, we used to say, ‘Not yet.’ But now, perhaps one of these days, baka magulat na lang tayong lahat,” Mikael said in a recent virtual conference for GMA 7’s new comedy infotainment program, “The Best Ka!” which airs Sundays, 3:50 p.m., starting Feb. 20.
“And don’t worry, baka ako rin magulat!” the 34-year-old actor-host said, laughing.
But no rush, no pressure. Right now, Mikael and Megan are simply enjoying life in their new home in Subic, Zambales.
“I’m in love with Subic. Now that we have spent a couple of months there I can say that life is good there—maluwag, maaliwalas, there are so much to do,” he said.
And so far, shuttling between Subic and Manila for their work-related commitments hasn’t really been a problem.
“We realized that we can go back and forth. We take turns driving, one hour each. We feel reassured,” he said.
The couple bought an old house in the province after tying the knot, but couldn’t move in right away because they had to do a lot of renovation work. And then the COVID-19 pandemic caused further delays. But it was all worth the wait.
“I feel like this will be permanent. Well, you know Megan and I, we travel often … we travel everywhere. But I would like to call Subic our main home,” he said.
Two years into their marriage and nothing has really changed.
“Sobrang chill kami … We do the same things together. And I love her just as much,” he said.
Well, so chill, in fact, that they forgot about Valentine’s Day. And that’s fine.
“We both woke up late. It was only until we went on Instagram that we realized it was Valentine’s Day! So we just greeted each other,” Mikael said. “I was planning on building a gaming PC for her that day anyway, so that was my gift for her.”
Spotlight
As the host of “The Best Ka!,” Mikael will be featuring Guinness world record holders, intriguing anecdotes and trivia, and out-of-this-world wonders. The show will also shine a spotlight on Filipinos with remarkable feats and achievements. Megan will be the special guest for the premiere episode.
“I will be injecting comedy, creativity and good vibes as we feature stories about the best of the best. The awe factor, excitement will be there … The viewers will see my different quirks. While some of them may have already seen that side of me on TikTok or Instagram Reels, it’s my first time showing those on television. I’m coming in as myself,” he said.
Mikael has been hosting live events and television and online shows since 2013 (when he became a segment anchor for the late-night newscast “Saksi.” But this is the first time he was given his own.
“I didn’t even realize it until someone mentioned that to me,” he related. “But every project is a blessing. The network trusts me, so I just want to make the most out of this opportunity and enjoy myself.”
There’s pressure, he admitted. But what’s important, he said, is to focus on the things he can control and let the rest unfold.
“I will have to prepare well, understand my objectives and just enjoy myself … Sometimes, you do your best, but you don’t end up meeting your expectations. But the only thing you can control is the ability to give your all. Then be thankful for the blessings that come after,” he said. “I’m also blessed with a very supportive team. It’s a team effort. So I don’t feel like it’s all on me.”
The last time Mikael did a soap opera was in 2020 with “Love of My Life.” There were talks about doing one with Megan, but that has yet to materialize. He misses acting; he loves it just as much as hosting. But he understands that there are a lot of external factors at play.
“I really enjoy acting. The last one I was in was very memorable … But I never wondered why [it’s taking some time for me to do another]. Of course, there are protocols to be followed and some shows had to be postponed because of other external factors,” he said. “There was something lined up, but maybe there was a delay, maybe there will be a change in the concept.”
“We’re just waiting for the call,” Mikael said. “It’s about understanding the situation. We just have to look forward. Right now, I’m just thankful for what I have.”