Jessa and Ayesa. Two high-powered artists whose pairing is not actually made in heaven but rather is made to culminate in New Jersey on June 29. We’re now talking about Jessa Zaragoza, popularly known in Philippine showbiz as the “Phenomenal Diva” and the talented MiG Ayesa, who became a household name in the 2005 reality TV show Rock Star when he landed 3rd place in the global search to replace Michael Hutchence, vocalist for the top Australian INXS rock band. His fame triggered Decca/Universal Music Group to produce his self-titled debut CD which was released in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

MiG Ayesa was born in Manila, until his family moved to Australia when he was just 2. In college, he was offered the role of Ritchie Valens in the theater production of the “Buddy Holly Story”. MiG has since performed in theater, commercials, TV series and films. MiG moved from Sydney to London and found himself in demand for more theatrical works due to his versatility, powerful vocals and commanding stage presence. He had the distinct honor of performing as one of the Royal Variety Performers for Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Princess Diana and her two boy princes. His big break came when he was offered the lead role as Galileo in Queen’s “We Will Rock You” which he recently reprised in a new production that opened in Auckland, and this year toured Seoul, Singapore and Hong Kong, where he became an overnight sensation as Galileo. According to Lito Zulueta of the Daily Inquirer, “Queen is Queen, MiG is King”. He is currently in Hong Kong and will wrap up the Queen’s musical this month, in time for his appearance at the PAFCOM festival in New Jersey that also features Jessa.

Jessa Zaragoza, a popular Filipino singer and actress who was once the “Jukebox Queen” before moving to the US with her family is better known for the success of her song “Bakit Pa?” from her debut album “Just Can’t Help Feelin’,” which reached sextuple platinum in 1996. The hit song also spawned a movie of the same title starring herself, Diether Ocampo, and Troy Montero, and directed by noted Filipino director Jose Javier Reyes. She is married to singer Dingdong Avanzado and the couple has a daughter named Jayda. From being a sophisticated singer/actress, she made a career change as a producer with the release of her album “Ibigay Mo Na”. The album also features the revival of the Dingdong’s hit “Maghihintay Sa’yo” and the classic “If You Remember Me”. The husband and wife team collaborated on the much talked about duet “Glory of Love” wiping out all the controversial issues that intrigued the couple.

If you are a fan of Jessa and Ayesa, head down to Exchange Place Plaza in Jersey City on June 29 celebrating the Philippine-American Friendship Day featuring a Grand Parade in the morning and a Musical Extravaganza in the afternoon that will also showcase the Grand Finals of the 2008 Filipino Idol, …. offered with pride by PAFCOM (Philippine-American Friendship Committee, Inc.). For information, call PAFCOM office: 201 332-4711.

The Philippine-American Friendship Committee, Inc. (PAFCOM), a Jersey City-based non-profit organization conducted an audition for this year's "2008 Filipino Idol" on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at the Five Corners Jersey City Public Library, located at the corner of Newark Avenue and Summit Avenue, Jersey City, NJ. Chairing the event is Hector Magno, assisted by Helen Castillo, overall Vice Chair for this year's Festival committee. Finalists will compete for the top $$$ prize at the Grand Finals to be held on Sunday, June 29 at Philippine-American Friendship Day, Exchange Place, Jersey City.

By Archie Dairocas

The song, "110th" was the song I demoed "live" at Cafe 81 last Saturday May 31, 2008 prior to the Philippine Independence day. I never expected Charice to be present at the dinner meeting but I saw her with my 2 big eyes, then it went bigger, lol!

Vivian Velasco insisted that I'd play the music soundtrack for everybody to hear, I had no choice but to lay my cards right on their faces. So I started jamming the chorus as the song started with the "in your face" type of recall. Everybody started to nod their heads down and up jiving to this infectious beat.

Beat by beat I pounded them with the verse and then back to chorus until I finished the song with a long sustain........there were more or less 15 people inside the Cafe 81 and I broke the house down.......but the most special about the moment was not my "attention deficit dysfunctional" display of talent but the applause of my IDOL, CHARICE PEMPENGCO.

I never expected her to be this easily tickled by clowns like me, lol. I experienced a lot of "snobby" moments from artists who sang my songs before. They were big names in the biz but in person, they really disappointed me so much that I flunked them in my book of great people. But not Charice, I told her that I came that night with a slight expectation to see her, have a picture with her hopefully, and the awaited "autograph" that I placed first in my priority. She wrote me her autograph saying "THANKS, YOU ROCK then slightly below a heart shape proceeded by a big CHARICE WITH A SMILE.

Now I realized that my illusions of her singing my songs are quite impenetrable and close to impossible since I felt that from her management but there are three things that I treasure from her being a true great FAN: 1st: the time when I met her and the instant friendship 2nd: the priceless autograph 3rd: I drove her to the airport on June 2, 2008 at 1:30 pm and basically spent time with her and her mom the whole day. Now, I rest my case on my journey to work with her and I'm movin' on to my next big thing.

"Opportunity knocks on your door randomly...make sure you have the heart to open it"-

Click here to listen to Archie's song "110th"

(Archie Dairocas is judging the Filipino Idol at the Exchange Place, Jersey City on June 29, 2008. The public is invited to watch the competition which is brought by PAFCOM under the chair of Mrs. Linda Rupel.)