Mikael Daez & Megan Young: The Beautiful Becoming of a Family

Megan Young and Mikael Daez navigate this new season in their lives with an approach to parenting anchored on presence, partnership, and a love that keeps growing

There are couples who enter parenthood as though crossing an invisible threshold—quietly, hesitantly, cautiously, as though saying goodbye to everything they’ve held onto pre-parenthood with a firm grip. And then there are partners, like Megan Young and Mikael Daez, who meet the unknown with honesty, teamwork, and a surprising amount of humor and ease. 

The actors and content creators have looked to each milestone in their story together as eras, each chapter revealing a new version of who they are becoming—work partners, adventurers, teammates, girlfriend-boyfriend, wife and husband—and now, six months fresh into their newest chapter, as mom and dad to Leon.

“Feeling ko nga, I’m really not thinking about [just] myself anymore. It’s like, what do I do for Leon? I’m always looking out for the good things I can do for my baby. What can I do for myself that can help him?” Megan continues.

Mikael reflects on his own journey to love: “For me, real love, deep love, yung malaman talaga, that’s not instant. Love grows, and then when it’s grown, that’s when it feels so deep and overwhelming. When Leon was born, on the day of, true enough. I said to Boneezy (his nickname for Megan), the way I love you is so different from how I love and relate to Leon. There was a different connection, and I was trying to figure out what it was.. It took me a couple of days.”

Looking at his newborn son, Mikael felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility. “That realization was felt when Leon was newly born, just a few minutes of him being wheeled into that incubator and everything,” he shares. “It’s just that overwhelming responsibility that, without me and without her, [Leon] has no chance. I really felt that.” And now, love has expanded with each passing day. “The love keeps growing, especially now that I can communicate and relate to him a bit more. There’s more of that sense of love, but that sense of responsibility is still there,” he shares. 

Presence, play, and rhythm of parenthood

The arrival of Leon has shaped daily life at the Daez household in ways both tangible and subtle. The couple has blended instincts honed over years of partnership, observing each other, and reflecting on their own upbringing—blending the best things they’ve learned into their philosophy as parents.”

“[Our routine] has changed so much from month to month. In the first month, we had a night nurse—and that was immensely helpful because for us, in some ways, that was our ‘tuition fee,’” Mikael shares. “She gave us structure. It’s so different when there’s someone there being hands-on with your child. Every hour, we would check his temperature. Every hour, we would check his diapers. Every two hours, we would feed him. Every day, she would measure [Leon’s] weight. We recorded everything. And so, we had something to hold onto.” 

For Megan, what mattered in the early days was that she and Mikael were never robbed of the experience, they were supported through it, in fact. “The good thing about it was, she let us do our thing and assisted us on the side. She was there to really help and guide us, but still let us be parents and make mistakes a little bit, here and there. And then, pag nakikita niya na we were struggling, that’s when she would step in and offer suggestions.” 

Mikael has also had so much fun witnessing his wife geek out over breastfeeding, affectionately calling her a ‘breast milk scientist’—approaching supply tracking and experimentation with the curiosity and obsession she’s brought to every other hobby and interest, whether gaming, BTS, or mechanical keyboards.

In the succeeding months, as Leon grew older and stronger—“and more durable,” Mikael playfully adds—the couple found a rhythm that’s equal parts flexibility and community. “Megan wakes up way earlier because she has to pump. She’ll sleep four hours, get up and pump, and sleep another four. If Leon is up already, then she’ll be with him,” Mikael shares. “When I wake up, 8 a.m. or 9 a.m, there are times [Megan] is asleep because she’s resting from her pump, then I’ll be the one with Leon.”

They’re fortunate to have a strong support system at home; the secret ingredient to their calm and ease, despite being new parents. “Sel and Beth both help us out. When I need to work, [and Bonez is still resting], I’ll ask them to help take care of Leon—they’ll do that. Then eventually, Boneezy will wake up and then we’ll sort of all synergize already.” 

“It’s really great that we have a full team to take care of Leon. We’re all just in rotation taking turns taking care of him. It’s refreshing because none of us are burnt out taking care of him, and at the end of the day, we all get a chance to eat well, work out, have a good sleep, and be with Leon,” she adds.

“I think that’s the beauty of that setup: when everyone’s up already throughout the day all the way until dinner time, we’re like clockwork. It’s like plug-and-play,” Mikael shares. 

It’s this effective structure—flexible in nature, compassionate at heart—that allows Megan and Mikael to not just survive, but thrive, in the early stages.

Partnership and modern challenges

In its overwhelming intensity, parenthood is one of life’s greatest teachers. Even amid shifting identities, Megan and Mikael remain anchored to themselves and each other.

“I was messaging a friend last night, going back and forth, reflecting how we’re so lucky that we have our partners,” Megan smiles. “Kasi, they’re so understanding and they really help us navigate our emotions, the hormones we’re feeling—and I don’t think I could have done [motherhood] with anyone else.” She turns to Mikael, “I’m just so lucky that I have you both.” 

Megan shares how Mikael has been a steady presence through all the highs and lows, especially as she navigates the postpartum blues, which sometimes leave her feeling at her limit. His patience, understanding, and unending support have become a lifeline, not only helping her regain balance but also reinforcing the sense that this journey, though challenging, is one they are meeting together.

These limits, gentle but intentional, mirror the boundaries they’ve set over time—balancing visibility with authenticity. Now, with a newborn, that instinct has sharpened into a form of parental accountability. 

Lessons in empathy

Parenthood has naturally amplified their empathy—for Leon, for their families, and for other parents. 

Coming from large families, they share how each families’ dynamic has informed and altered their own approach to raising Leon. “What’s really cool about our families is that they’re so different. We wanted to get bits and pieces of what we like from each, and merge that into our own,” Megan offers. “For example, my siblings and I are very emotional, while Mik’s family is more outspoken. A good mix of that is something that we want for our family: maybe being a bit more open to show emotions, being able to say how we really feel and not holding that in.”

Megan notes how advice and wisdom from their parents and peers are filtered through their shared parenting philosophy. “Something that’s always at the back of my mind is how they say: let the baby adjust to your lifestyle. Example, if you are somebody that loves the outdoors, continue doing that, with your baby. So we are just exposing him to the things we love—coffee shops, art, working, even just us talking. [As he grows older] he can see, ‘Oh, this is what my mom and dad love.’ If he likes it, then great. If he wants to do something else, at least we’ve exposed him and encouraged him to discover different things.”

Parenthood has also deepened their empathy for mothers. “After having a baby, I realized, I wish I saw my mom friends more in the past, and that I was more aware of their situation,” Megan shares. “Now that I’ve been through it, and I know the change, I really empathize with moms—no matter what situation they’re in. I wish I was there for you before. And now, moving forward, I really want to be there for my mom friends and my future mom friends. I’m like, ‘I’m going to look out for you, girl. I got your back. Babawi ako!’”

Through these reflections, they model a balanced, empathetic approach to life and parenting—one that honors the lessons of the past while building an environment of care, understanding, and thoughtfulness for their son and for other parents around them.

A glimpse into the future 

Looking back, parenthood has expanded the boundaries of their hearts and minds. Megan and Mikael have been challenged, humbled, and able to experience joy in ways they could never have imagined. 

Armed with purpose and love, they are deliberate about the values they wish to instill in their son—and, by extension, the future of their family. A quote that resonated with them both as new parents, and one they hope to teach Leon, is: “Never let a loss go to your heart, nor a win to your head.”

Together, they hope Leon grows rooted in love, empathy, and curiosity, ready to navigate a world that is increasingly complex yet full of possibility. With a heart full of love, they see every parenting decision and every shared moment with Leon as an opportunity to teach, to nurture, and to grow—a true reflection and example of the evolving family in the modern world. 

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In partnership with Uniqlo and Anko

Words JUSTIN CONVENTO
Photography KIM MONTES
Make-up CARISSA CIELO MEDVED
Hairstyling CARLA QUIOGUE
Sitting Editor MARGA TUPAZ
Art Direction OWEN MADDELA
Styling ROSHNI MIRPURI of THE CLOSET CULTURE
Shoot Coordination TONI MENDOZA

Shot on Location DAEZ STUDIO

Special thanks to VCM THE CELEBRITY SOURCE

VCM has served as a steady guiding force for Mikael Daez and Megan Young, supporting them through every milestone, from their early beginnings to navigating married life and now parenthood. VCM has remained a trusted presence, offering direction, stability, and genuine care—becoming a true second home to Mikael, Megan, and all its artists for 25 years.

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