When I look at images of today’s momentous occasion, I do feel like I am watching a movie. This is a fairy tale come true. The heroes are shiny and flawless and the country and the world are rejoicing at the dawn of a new era of hope, prosperity, love, brotherhood, humanity and the promise that finally we will be getting out of this very dark time, that we as a human collective have been suffering for way too long. I will probably again be criticized for saying how wonderful Obama is, that it is ‘none of my business’, that I have no say in it as a non-American, but I speak personally and as a citizen of the Global Village, that today has been one of the most magical days I have ever witnessed, and one that I will tell my children and grand-children that I was here in America, in New York, when Barack Obama became President of the USA, and in effect became the leader of the free world. To hear him speak, to see him with his family, the way he looks at his wife, the way he speaks to his angelic children, the way he danced at the Ball, the way he always takes the high road, with integrity, grace and elegance, I have never been so inspired by one man in my life. He moves me, he inspires me, and he motivates me to be all I can be. But it is not just him. His gorgeous First Lady, his impossibly perfect girls, his charismatic #2 Joe Biden, and his entire team are like stars in a cast of mega-stars. How amazing and exciting to see this all come to fruition. This is a true-life fairy tale, that is greater than any fiction. The optimism of promise at probably the lowest point of despair in living memory can only be one thing: A miracle.

I am not American. I am not pretending to be. I am an Australian – Filipino living in the USA. It’s not my country, but I am so proud to be here at this time. I feel the mood of the people in the streets, in the subway, everywhere has lifted. People are smiling, people are talking to people, people are helping each other cross the street, people are being people again, united in their knowledge that this is the beginning of a truly miraculous time. I have never witnessed anything like this.

Thank you for letting me share this with you. May we all be united with getting the world right, and turning the dark into light.

Always love,

MiG
x

Made it! Another year and still here! I am quietly blowing out the candles on my birthday cake and am grateful for all the blessings that have been given to me.

I am feeling very loved by the incredible messages of love, well-wishes and support. It really helps me not to feel bad about getting older. The number is scaring me, but I feel younger than ever! I sometimes think someone got my birthday wrong somehow…

I have to give a HUGE thank you for all the Christmas gifts I got over the Holiday Season. From incredibly cute home-made cookies, a wonderful composition book with messages of love, to Tim Tams and Vegemite, I am so spoiled to have such wonderful fans who give me so much joy. You are very naughty to send me presents, but your support keeps me going and makes me feel like I am doing something very worthwhile. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!

A very wise person I sat next to on the plane from Florida yesterday reminded me how important it was to live in the moment, to live in ‘NOW’. Right now, I am writing this to you and then going out for dinner with my wife in New York City. How much more can I ask for?

Always love,

MiG
Xxx


 

Dear Everyone,

As I was rushing around yesterday, frantically trying to get everything done for the impending celebrations that is Christmas, I found myself getting flustered and harassed by the hoards of people who themselves were getting flustered and harassed. I thought to myself,"Why do we bother? Why the torture?" Then, as I was walking past my building, I saw a familiar face and was in almost shock when I realised it was John Lithgow (WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP, FOOTLOOSE, SHREK, 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN, etc, etc.) and he realised that I recognised him as we were crossing paths and he started to smile. As I greeted him with a very loud and unexpectedly enthusiastic "Merry Christmas, Sir!" He turned around and with an equally broad smile replied, "And a Merry Christmas to you!"

Ok. This may seem sad that I was so star-struck but my point is this: We are all on this earth together. All just trying to make our way through our life. We go through our days so busily, we don't really take time out to celebrate our humanity, our brother/sisterhood. Yet at Christmas, we are all united in our wanting to be with family, to reflect on the year past and the year ahead, to find truth and goodness in everyone. Whether you are John Lithgow or John Doe, Christmas will touch your spirit.

I hope Christmas this year will touch you all in a very special way. It's not about how extravagant the gifts you exchange. These hard economic times just means that we should be more careful yet creative about what we give this year. The spirit of Christmas and the love it generates should be even more evident this year as we concern ourselves more on the real issues, what really matters in this life.

Love.

Merry Christmas to everyone, to you and yours and to all those who aren't. Whatever your religion, whatever your beliefs, whatever your race, whatever you do... Love.

Always love,

MiG
xx
 
PS: To get you in the mood, click HERE! or even click HERE!
PPS: And Elf Yourself a Merry Little Christmas now...


 

Greetings from Sydney, Australia! I just got off a 20 hour flight from New York to Sydney via Los Angeles. Am kind of delirious but am home. So great to be at home with the parents. My Mum is the cutest thing on Earth! So crazy to be on the other side of the earth…again! It is so important to touch base with home. It is our touchstone, our grounding force.


I have not been in touch for a while. Since I wrote last I have been to Beijing, China and back to New York. Beijing was an amazing experience. I was involved with a Mont Blanc launch of their new range of chronograph watches. The production was as big as any show you’d see anywhere, if not bigger. Such a wonderful group of people from all over the world. I was very blessed to be joined by Rachael Wooding with whom I did the Queen Symphonic Spectacular concerts in England over the summer. She is a true star, an awesome talent.

Beijing was a very special place to visit. The grandeur of the Olympic stadiums like the Bird’s Nest and the Aquatic Centre and the Indoor Stadium was very impressive. Despite our language barrier, we were able to get around, even visiting the more traditional sites like The Forbidden City, Tianenmen Square and the breathtaking Great Wall of China. I think I overdosed on dumplings though. Need to lay low on the dim sums.


I was lucky to get a chance to see SHREK The Musical last week and as a SHREK fan, I was sceptical to see how they could portray the story on stage. I was so wonderfully surprised to be blown away. It was so much fun. Such an incredible production with amazing performances. Enough said, if you get the chance and you’re in New York, see this show!

On a personal note, PLEASE! Brooke Burke has to win DANCING WITH THE STARS. She is so perfect in every way. She is not only gorgeous, a fantastic mother, she is also one of the most beautiful and warm human beings I’ve ever met. She deserves to win in so many ways! Go Brooke!!!

Also, still in Reality TV Land, McKey has to win AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL! I worked with her when I did those Wella/Sebastian gigs and she is just awesome. Such a down to earth and funny and warm girl who has no idea how beautiful she is. I am so gunning for her anyway,

So on that note, I must sleep now. Food coma has hit, and combined with jet-lag and over excitement, I am shagged!

Hope all is well in your world.

Always love,

MiG
xx




 

At last we have a leader we can believe in. At last America can be proud again. This is the dawning of a new era of hope. We need Obama now more than we have ever needed anybody before. He and his team have a hell of a job to do. America needs him. The world needs him. This is such a momentous historical moment that will ring throughout eternity. This is the beginning of a new age of positivity and forward thinking. We are heading in the right direction.

Thank you America. Your decision will bring you so much good will throughout the world.

May we give him all the support and encouragement. With him at the wheel, I now feel again that maybe this world has a chance to survive.

I pray that it is not too late. I do not envy the task ahead of him. He did not inherit a golden world. The mess is huge, the situation is grossly chaotic. Yet I have faith. He gives me faith in America. He gives me faith in the world. He gives me faith in humanity.

Always,

MiG
xx


 

Just came back from watching my first American Football game: New York Jets versus the Kansas City Chiefs. The Jets fans are CRAZY!! It was a real education for me. I actually started to understand what the hoo-has is all about. It’s not rugby, but the basic elements are the same. DOG EAT DOG! 2 TRIBES GO TO WAR!! I’ve got to say I found it quite disconcerting that people would “boo!” their own team if they made a mistake! Wow. What happened to sportsmanship? But I guess I still have much to understand with that kind of thing. I am glad the Jets came through in the end. It would have been a blood-bath if they didn’t!

I have been busy ever since coming back from New Zealand. We are moving apartments again, so as you can imagine, CHAOS! However we are looking forward to a better place. A new beginning, new possibilities, new life.

New Zealand was great. The North Shore of Auckland is beautifully spectacular. Walking on the beach there was so good for the soul. Despite it being cold as, it was sweet as! I loved playing with my little band of amazingly talented musicians. They blew me away. I have to congratulate all those involved with the Health Industry Awards with such a great event.

I have been seeing a lot of Broadway shows, EQUUS (brilliant), MARY POPPINS (my good friend Adam Fiorentino has just taken over the lead of ‘Burt’…onya mate!), ROCK OF AGES (with Constantine Maroulis….awesome fun!) and am seeing WICKED (another friend Kerry Ellis is playing the lead) later next week. It inspires me to see people do their thing and the quality of work on Broadway is incredible. Makes me think that I would like to do that some time…

Just wanted to say hi. Am off to Beijing, China next week. Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Halloween. And for those who are voting in the upcoming US elections, I hope you are at peace with your decision and are well informed about your candidate of choice. The world depends on your decision.

On that note,

Until next time,

MiG
x
 

IT’S A LONG WAY TO TAKAPUNA…
(sung to the tune of ‘IT’S A LONG WAY TO TIPPERARY’)

About to board yet another flight. This time to Auckland New Zealand, via San Francisco. I must admit, I am not looking forward to the hours in captivity, but am looking forward to the destination. New Zealand, I’m coming over!! Crazy how life gives you these things. Must board the flight soon, so this is just a quickie.

New York is just showing off now. The weather has started to turn and the colours of the leaves are changing. Such an awesome time to be here. I shall be back in a week.

I am still working on the business of putting the new album together. I have been speaking with producers, writers, investors, managers, lawyers and slowly the pieces are coming together. The art of making art is putting it together, as they say. I just am impatient about actually getting creative!

My wife has flown to Abu Dhabi today, and I am going to New Zealand. We are like ships in the night, travelling to furthest corners of the world. Life is like that sometimes. Exciting, daring, scary and unstoppable!

Love to all,

HERE I GO AGAIN!!

Always,

MiG
x
 

On Sunday, 21 September we premiered the new work JOYFUL NOISE: HANDEL’S MESSIAH ROCKS at Boston’s Cutler Majestic Theatre for a rapturous full house and the cameras of PBS. I believe they are going to air it at Christmas time. It is a wonderful piece of work, and I believe it has a big future. This is only the beginning of the work, and there is so much that can be done with it. I hope it’s full potential will be realised. I am in awe of the talent that I found myself surrounded by. LeChanze has a voice and presence that will continue to ring in my heart and my soul. She is an inspiration to me on and off the stage. I have become her HUGEST fan. J. Robert Spencer is probably one of the funniest guys I have ever met, yet when he goes on stage, his voice sends me whizzing. I am so honoured to be among them, performing this wonderful new work. Let’s not forget the incredible band and this little group called the Boston Pops Orchestra, I am sure Handel would have been proud.

I find myself back in New York, and in Fall (Autumn). This is the best time of the year to be in this city and as the temperature starts to drop, and the colours of the trees start to change, I see a world of possibilities open up. A new beginning, a new start; time to be creative, time to spend with loved ones; a time to look towards the future and to see the beauty in the world and appreciate what is really important in this life.

I have all I need and am truly blessed.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who sent me well wishes for my Tito Ramon's recovery after his massive operation. He is recovering quickly and remarkably and I am sure he will be 110% in no time at all. Thank you for your emails, cards, prayers and thoughts. You have forever been so thoughtful and kind to me. Thank you, thank you.

I am looking forward to seeing the MiG AMP Feature on Channel V Asia that will air on 28 September. I will be able to guide you on how you can see it, no matter where in the world you are. Just stay tuned to mig-music.com.

Love to you and yours,

Always,

MiG
xx
 

Yet again I find myself flying into (or out of) New York on September 11. Last year on this day I flew out of NY to Johannesburg to start rehearsals for WE WILL ROCK YOU. Can’t believe it’s already a year since then. So much has happened in that time. But again, on September 11, I find myself en route to New York, sitting on the floor of the departure transit lounge of some airport. In fact I have been flying in or out of NY on this day for the last 4 years! I cannot help but to think about how it must have been to lose someone on this day, seven years ago. It was a day that will always live in infamy and a day that will echo through the halls of history.

Today holds a heavy weight for me, for not only do I remember those who lost their lives on that fateful day, but we buried our good friend Georges today in a beautiful service in Minneapolis. Surrounded by his beloved family and a zillion friends, it became so apparent that this man was universally loved by everyone. He was an expert on how to succeed with financial wealth, but his true lesson to us all was the way he valued his family above all and how every day was a beautiful day for him. He saw the beauty in every thing he saw. He has been an inspiration to me and those who had the honour to meet him. His children (Ally and Joey) and his step-children (Stephanie, Matt and Ryan) vowed that their family would be ok. They all stepped up to the plate and took on the responsibility of continuing Georges’ legacy, with Joey promising her Mum Cindy, “Don’t worry Mom. I got your back!”

Also today, my dear dear sweet Uncle Dr. Ramon Legarda underwent open heart surgery today in New York. The operation was a success, and I know he will be ok. I just wish that if you read this you can just send your prayers and thoughts to him and his family as they are all quite in a state at the moment. I trust my Tito Ramon will be fine in no time, but this day has been very strange. This whole week has been strange.

Wake me up when September ends…

MiG
x