Power is usually associated with people who already have it. In a much more closer setup, politicians, CEOs, and even creators and celebrities have power. 

Young people, on the other hand, are often told they’re still finding their place in the world. 

When asked about the cost if their characters were to remain silent and the genuine cost of power, what came out of the conversation between ZEEN and the cast of the iWant series Miss Behave was entirely something else. 

But speaking with the cast of Miss Behave, it became clear that their understanding of power looks very different. It isn’t about status or influence. It’s about the ability to make a choice, stand by it, and live with the consequences.

That idea surfaced repeatedly while discussing one of the series’ central themes: silence.

For Alexa Ilacad, reclaiming power starts with something deeply personal. 

“Personally, reclaiming power means being able to take control of a situation and letting my voice be heard,” she tells ZEEN.   

She adds that it also means standing her ground, setting boundaries, and protecting herself from negativity, a definition rooted more in self-respect. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is not speaking to a crowd. It’s choosing yourself when everyone else seems to have an opinion about who you should be.

To many young people, the sentiment feels way too familiar. There is constant pressure to express yourself, but there is also pressure to stay agreeable, avoid conflict, and keep certain thoughts to yourself. 

For BGYO’s Akira, the consequences of silence often show up after the moment has passed. Reflecting on what happens when people choose not to act, he points to what he calls an “everyday burden”—the lingering feeling that you should have done something, but didn’t.

A conversation replayed in your head. A missed opportunity to say what you really meant. A moment you wish you handled differently.

Zach Guerrero takes a more straightforward view. “Kapag nanahimik ka, walang magbabago.” Problems rarely solve themselves. Ignoring them may buy time, but it rarely changes the outcome. Andy Abaya echoes the sentiment. “Silence stops the possibility of resolving an issue,” she says.

Whether it’s a misunderstanding between friends or a larger problem affecting a community, nothing moves forward if nobody is willing to start the conversation.

For Reign Parani, speaking up is also tied to responsibility. “We advocate for certain issues,” she says. “We all serve a purpose. We all represent people.” It’s a reminder that finding your voice isn’t always about speaking for yourself. Sometimes it’s about making space for others, too. 

What makes the cast’s answers interesting is how different they are from one another. Some talk about boundaries. Others talk about accountability, honesty, or representation. 

Yet they all arrive at a similar conclusion: silence is never as neutral as it seems.

That idea sits at the heart of Miss Behave, a series built around secrets, consequences, and the fallout of actions that can’t be taken back. Beneath the mystery and drama is a question many people face long before adulthood. 

What do you do when something needs to be said? There is no easy answer. But as the cast suggests, choosing silence is an answer that is much heavier than speaking up and pushing back.

THE ZEEN TEAM

Editor-In-Chief | Real Florido
Creative Director and Content Producer | Murielle Tanchanco
Contributing Photographers | Mike Villamor, Justine Alegre, RJ Taningco
Editorial Writer | Francesca Bacordo
Co-Content Producer | Currie Cator
Production Manager | Allen Castro
Multimedia Artist | Phoenix Cabuay
Production Intern | Carlos Sunga
Senior IT Officer | Franz Dela Cruz

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

iWant Promo:
Vaughn Hautea
Daryl Simone
Kiarra Santos
Justine Galang

STAR MAGIC

GLAM TEAM
Reniel Cruz
Pocholo Ribaya
Dominador Dominguez Jr.
Raguel J. Torda
Angeline Tan
Juliet Villarubia
Bryan Eusebio
Alyssa Bugna

WARDROBE
Jay Lorenz Conanan
Wences Rovi Ermitanio
Criscel Noble
Arlen Pandaan
Cecilia Deguit
Ma. Estrella Ermitanio
Lorena Conanan
Lyza Seguin