MiG IN MANILA
Now that MiG has completed the first part of his run with THRILLER LIVE, he returns to the Philippines to reprise his role as 'Stacee Jaxx' in ROCK OF AGES. In the upcoming weeks this new page on mig-music will be updated with pictures, video, mini-diary entries, contests, as well as other 'MiG in Manila' mig-music exclusives. In the meantime, click here to visit the MiG: LIVIN' IN THE WILD WEST END page for a look back on MiG's time on the West End...
MiG IN MANILA VIDEOS
MiG IN MANILA CONTESTS
Contest #1
Want to win an official ROCK OF AGES - Manila poster signed by MIG? Follow MiG on Twitter @MiGAyesa and RT for your chance to win! #migofficialcontest
*Per Twitter guidelines/rules, please no creating multiple accounts to enter, nor re-tweeting of contest repeatedly.
*Winner to be announced 14 June, 2012 (PHT).
Want to win an official ROCK OF AGES - Manila poster signed by MIG? Follow MiG on Twitter @MiGAyesa and RT for your chance to win! #migofficialcontest
*Per Twitter guidelines/rules, please no creating multiple accounts to enter, nor re-tweeting of contest repeatedly.
*Winner to be announced 14 June, 2012 (PHT).
Contest #2
Want to win an official ROCK OF AGES - Manila programme/flyer signed by MIG? Follow MiG on Twitter @MiGAyesa and RT for your chance to win! #migofficialcontest
*Per Twitter guidelines/rules, please no creating multiple accounts to enter, nor re-tweeting of contest repeatedly.
*Winner to be announced 21 June, 2012 (PHT).
Want to win an official ROCK OF AGES - Manila programme/flyer signed by MIG? Follow MiG on Twitter @MiGAyesa and RT for your chance to win! #migofficialcontest
*Per Twitter guidelines/rules, please no creating multiple accounts to enter, nor re-tweeting of contest repeatedly.
*Winner to be announced 21 June, 2012 (PHT).
Contest #3
Want to win an official ROCK OF AGES - Manila signed by entire cast poster? Follow MiG on Twitter @MiGAyesa and RT for your chance to win! #migofficialcontest
*Per Twitter guidelines/rules, please no creating multiple accounts to enter, nor re-tweeting of contest repeatedly.
*Winner to be announced 28 June, 2012 (PHT).
Want to win an official ROCK OF AGES - Manila signed by entire cast poster? Follow MiG on Twitter @MiGAyesa and RT for your chance to win! #migofficialcontest
*Per Twitter guidelines/rules, please no creating multiple accounts to enter, nor re-tweeting of contest repeatedly.
*Winner to be announced 28 June, 2012 (PHT).
Contest #4
Want to win an official ROCK OF AGES - Manila signed poster? 4 will win! Follow MiG on Twitter @MiGAyesa and RT for your chance to win! #migofficialcontest
*Per Twitter guidelines/rules, please no creating multiple accounts to enter, nor re-tweeting of contest repeatedly.
*Winners to be announced 9 July, 2012 (PHT).
Want to win an official ROCK OF AGES - Manila signed poster? 4 will win! Follow MiG on Twitter @MiGAyesa and RT for your chance to win! #migofficialcontest
*Per Twitter guidelines/rules, please no creating multiple accounts to enter, nor re-tweeting of contest repeatedly.
*Winners to be announced 9 July, 2012 (PHT).
14 July 2012 We had our cast party at my ancestral home in San Miguel, lovingly restored as an acclaimed restaurant museum called LA COCINA DE TITA MONING. My cousin Suzette has turned the home into an amazing dining experience, so that you can sample the ancient recipes of my Gigi (grandmother) amidst the romantic setting of an elegant era long gone. My grandfather was not only a skilled doctor, but was an avid photographer and an amateur radio enthusiast (HAM operator). Seeing his rig and call sign DU1-AL brought back so many wonderful memories of my grandparents who had a regular schedule with us in Australia (my father also became a HAM operator). This was in the days before the internet, and Skype was nothing but a fanciful imagination of science fiction.
DU1-AL central headquarters. My Lolo (grandfather)'s amateur radio rigs. Lovingly restored at "La Cocina De Tita Moning"
8 July 2012 My very special family. I will miss you all. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly with open arms. I will never forget this time with you. It was truly awesome. Please take care, stay in touch and hope we will meet again. I suck at goodbyes... so this is my way of saying I love you all.xxx
7 July 2012 It's the final countdown! The last day of ROCK OF AGES - Manila. I am so grateful for the opportunity of a lifetime to share this amazing experience with my incredible new family. I will miss you all. Let's not say goodbye...see you again. But in the meantime...I WANNA ROCK!!!
5 July 2012 The PogiBoyz (with a 'Z'...Manila's answer to THE MOST HANDSOME MEN IN THE WORLD) rocked Radio Republic last night!!
29 June 2012 I spent yesterday at the amazing MINT (Meridian International College). The students organized such a wonderful event and I had a ball being grilled by the awesome Pinky Amador. To all those who made me feel so welcome, I thank you and congratulate you. This school is already creating industry leaders of tomorrow. I was so honoured and so touched by your warmth and awesomeness!!
MiG, Pinky Amador with some of the MiNT Students
21 June 2012 Well, we have opened in Manila and the response has been so amazing, we have completely sold out the original season! They have had to add two more shows to the season to keep up with the demand for tickets. You can't argue with that! I had a great time at Radio Republic last week and am looking forward to doing more with this amazing group, who do everything they can to support local musicians and their craft.
MiG & Jamie Wilson with the gang at Radio Republic
20 June 2012 A special thanks and debt of gratitude and appreciation to all the doctors, nurses and staff at Makati Medical Center for taking such good care of me the past couple of days. Your kindness, expertise and professionalism will always be remembered. THANK YOU!!xxx
14 June 2012 Our preview performance in front of our first audience was truly a blast. The response was amazing and we are so glad to finally be in show shape! I am so proud of our Manila team. We are all set for opening night tonight. CHOOKAS to you all. Let’s DO THIS!!
Vina Morales, Nyoy Volante and MiG try to replicate the ROCK OF AGES poster, after the first preview performance
11 June 2012 Everyone's getting into the spirit of ROCK OF AGES! With our impending opening night this weekend and the premiere of the movie just moments away, Manila is rocking OUT! Walking into the new (and truly awesome!) POWER MAC CENTER, I was welcomed like a rockstar. For me being a MAC-O-PHILE, I may as well have been receiving a Grammy!! xxxx
The people at POWER MAC CENTER at THE PODIUM, Ortigas wanna ROCK!
11 June 2012 The Manila company of ROCK OF AGES on our last day at the rehearsal studio. Into The RCBC tomorrow, and we're moving into the Bourbon Room. Can't wait!!!
10 June 2012 I spent the day with my cousin Suzette, doing the amazing Intramuros Tour by Carlos Celrdan. Carlos takes you on a historic journey of Old Manila, that will amaze you, inspire you, move you, uplift you and above all, entertain you. Complete with a kalesa ride and finished off with your own halo-halo, this tour is a MUST DO for any visitor to Manila. His passion for the city is contagious and it will change the way you view Manila forever.
MiG at the gates of Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines
8 June 2012 Posing for a shot with Boy Abunda and the whole 'BANDILA" team on the set at ABS-CBN, Manila after being interviewed. Such a fun interview...but I think I gave Boy Abunda a lap-dance...SOMEBODY STOP ME!!
3 June 2012 We are getting the picture of how this show is going to go, and it's going to be AWESOME! The cast never cease to amaze me with their talent and enthusiasm. Only 11 days now until our first show, and we are steam-rolling into oblivion, taking no prisoners. We just gave people a taste of what's to come on the popular TV show "ASAP", and by all accounts the appetites are whet!
The amazing Filipino cast of ROCK OF AGES, backstage at ASAP TV show, ABS-CBN. All dressed up and ready to ROCK!!!!
29 May 2012 It sucks to be me. Me with some of my ROCK OF AGES - Manila cast-mates. Oh well, at least it's a gig...x
28 May 2012 Rehearsal Day 1: Met my new cast. They are all so incredibly talented and welcoming. The memories of performing this show came flooding back. It felt good to be 'Stacee' again. It feels amazing to be in Manila with these people. Jet-lagging....must sleep! Looking forward to Day 2.
Some of the ROA - Manila Company on my 1st day of rehearsals
Flying HIGH.....!!!
27 May 2012 I've just become a man in Manila... (Sung to the tune of MAN IN THE MIRROR) Manila, Philippines. Landed. Exhausted. Excited! Goodnight...xxx
27 May 2012 Just landed in Tokyo. Off to Manila in an hour. Sayonara Japan, Mabuhay Philippines!!xxx
25 May 2012 I'm in a New York State of mind... Xxx
"MiG Ayesa, who plays the rocker Stacee Jaxx, has a killer voice and delicious sense of humor."
Doug George - Chicago Tribune
"...Stacee Jaxx (a very chiseled MiG Ayesa) arrives to turn Sherrie's head."
Scott C. Morgan - Daily Herald
"...MiG Ayesa plays Stacee Jaxx. He is terrific and just as talented as Maroulis... He has a big voice, washboard abs and great stage presence."
Connie Wilson - Associated Content
"...the wonderfully madcap MiG Ayesa..."
Alissa Norby - Hollywood Chicago
"The supporting cast is rendered in perfect two-dimensial charm, from MiG Ayesa as Stacee Jaxx, the embodiment of Axl Rose..."
Brian Hieggelke - New City Stage
"Sherrie is drawn to a user named Stacee Jaxx (heartthrob MiG Ayesa)..."
Lawrence Bloomer - Steadstyle Chicago
"MiG Ayesa gives plenty of vocal power in his portrayal of Stacie Jaxx..."
Scotty Zacher - Chicago Theatre Blog
"...MiG Ayesa, a talented actor who plays a spoiled and wanna-be rock star Stacee Jaxx. He's funny in the role and tempers silliness with a bit of flair that's amusing."
Phillip Potempa - NWI Times
"MiG Ayesa as the debauched rock god “Stacee Jaxx” is the ace up the sleeve...Ayesa is money."
Mike Cole - The Mike Stand, WCVB TV
"Stacee (played by MiG Ayesa, who hilariously incarnates the quintessentially egomaniacal rock star)..."
Don Aucoin - The Boston Globe
"...MiG Ayesa (Stacee Jaxx, the rock star who plays the Bourbon Room... ) also give standout performances...Ayesa’s Jaxx swaggers, postures, and seduces with hilarious arrogance and self-absorption."
Alyssa Machado - The Arts Fuse
"MiG Ayesa plays the self-absorbed Stacee Jacks with wonderfully comic rock brio."
Robert Nesti - EDGE
"As Stacee Jaxx, the burnt out rocker who got his start at Bourbon Club and agrees to play his farewell concert there, MiG Ayesa is a pro with an incredible sound."
R.J. Donovan - OnStage Boston
"...remember MiG Ayesa, who came in 3rd on Rock Star INXS? He was absolutely hilarious as the drugged-out rock star who steals Sherrie away from Drew. I didn’t recognize him at first, he’s that good."
MJ - MJ's Big Blog
"It was all a good deal of campy fun, to be sure, but it fell to a supporting character, “Stacy Jaxx,” played flawlessly by MiG Ayesa, to take the show to “Let’s rock!” From fronting the seriously good on-stage band, to hustling the waitresses, to puking off the stage, Ayesa didn’t miss a single nuance available to him."
Janet Preus - How Was The Show
"...recording artist MiG Ayesa scores as rock star Stacee Jaxx..."
Gary Graff - Oakland Press
"...lead singer of Arsenal, Stacy Jacks (MiG Ayesa). He’s got Jon Bon Jovi’s voice, David Lee Roth’s swagger, Axl Rose’s moves and Bret Michael’s makeup."
Stephanie Casola - The Urban Life
"...narcissistic rock star, Stacee Jaxx (the delightfully outrageous MiG Ayesa)."
Andrea Blum - The News Herald
"MiG Ayesa is delightfully amusing in his broad but just-right portrayal of Stacee Jaxx...""MiG Ayesa plays the self-absorbed Stacee Jacks with wonderfully comic rock brio."
Robert Nesti - EDGE
"As Stacee Jaxx, the burnt out rocker who got his start at Bourbon Club and agrees to play his farewell concert there, MiG Ayesa is a pro with an incredible sound."
R.J. Donovan - OnStage Boston
"...remember MiG Ayesa, who came in 3rd on Rock Star INXS? He was absolutely hilarious as the drugged-out rock star who steals Sherrie away from Drew. I didn’t recognize him at first, he’s that good."
MJ - MJ's Big Blog
"It was all a good deal of campy fun, to be sure, but it fell to a supporting character, “Stacy Jaxx,” played flawlessly by MiG Ayesa, to take the show to “Let’s rock!” From fronting the seriously good on-stage band, to hustling the waitresses, to puking off the stage, Ayesa didn’t miss a single nuance available to him."
Janet Preus - How Was The Show
"...recording artist MiG Ayesa scores as rock star Stacee Jaxx..."
Gary Graff - Oakland Press
"...lead singer of Arsenal, Stacy Jacks (MiG Ayesa). He’s got Jon Bon Jovi’s voice, David Lee Roth’s swagger, Axl Rose’s moves and Bret Michael’s makeup."
Stephanie Casola - The Urban Life
"...narcissistic rock star, Stacee Jaxx (the delightfully outrageous MiG Ayesa)."
Andrea Blum - The News Herald
Alice T. Carter - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"MiG Ayesa has the Axl Rose physique and clarion vocal cords to flesh out the crude character of Stacee Jaxx."
Tim Smith - The Baltimore Sun
"...MiG Ayesa goes deliciously over the top as a prima donna, sex-crazed rock star."
Michael Grossberg - The Columbus Dispatch
"Australian recording artist MiG Ayesa also turns in a hysterically over-the-top turn as Stacee Jaxx, creating that elusive animal known as the “lovable villain.” He practically steals every scene he’s in."
Craig Nolan Highley - The Arts Louisville
"MiG Ayesa as the sleazy rock star Stacee Jaxx, a perfect composite of Nikki Sixx, David Lee Roth, Dee Snyder and every long haired, kohl eyed lead singer of the era. Mr Ayesa is a fine comedic performer and a power belter and he has an amazing set of abs...which are constantly on display in this show."
Michael Strangeways - Seattle Gay Scene
"Stacee Jaxx (MiG Ayesa), ...is called upon to save the day – and the bar – by performing Arsenal’s final show on the Bourbon stage. His big, blond hair, skin-tight pants and rock-hard abs are the requisite sexy for the era."
Maia Jannele - Seattle Post Intelligencer
"Ayesa is deliciously nasty as the hard bodied head banger, Stacee Jaxx, with ego and attitude for days."
Jay Irwin - Broadway World Seattle
Maia Jannele - Seattle Post Intelligencer
"Ayesa is deliciously nasty as the hard bodied head banger, Stacee Jaxx, with ego and attitude for days."
Jay Irwin - Broadway World Seattle
"The addition of the explosive, heroin-fabulous MiG Ayesa is a welcome shot of cheap liquor after a day’s work. And no, that’s no typo. Ayesa first made his big-M, little-i, big-G name famous as a finalist on the short-lived reality show Rockstar: INXS. Don’t write him off as C-list fodder just yet. Although he paints his eyebrows on his face, the man can absolutely carry tight jeans, a circle scarf and glittery tank tops with the swagger of a young Bret Michaels and can screech like Gene Simmons in his heydey. Ayesa takes command of the character’s raw sexuality and eerie eccentricity like no other actor before him."
Clare Sayas - Daily Trojan
"Another standout performer is MiG Ayesa as Stacee Jaxx. His parody of an empty-headed pretty-boy rock star living the classic rock star life made for some great moments of fun theater."
Michele E. Buttelman - The Santa Clarita Valley Signal
"...MiG Ayesa, who stole the show with his comic performance as Stacee Jaxx..."
Jenny Peters - DailyNews Los Angeles
Jenny Peters - DailyNews Los Angeles
"...MiG Ayesa, who played an over-the-top rocker and was able to duplicate the high falsetto that characterizes these songs."
Robert Machray - Blogcritics Culture
Robert Machray - Blogcritics Culture
"...Stacee Jaxx, (played with brilliant theatrical glam by Aussie MiG Ayesa)..."
Zevon Odelberg - Rock World Magazine
"The entire cast excels, with standout work from... and Ayesa, whose Stacee is an egocentric drama queen with a randy nature and Roger Daltrey-esque persona."
Eric Marchese - Orange County Register
"...MiG Ayesa, who plays the lecherous Stacee Jaxx. Even though his character is primarily responsible for “effing” up things between the two romantic leads, you can’t help but love him because his performance is nothing short of comedic gold. It pays to keep an eye on him every second that he’s onstage (or on the video monitor or wandering through the aisles in the darkness) or else you might miss some of the best laughs the show has to offer."
Review - World Of Stage
"...MiG Ayesa an almost impossibly chiseled, sexy Stacee Jaxx."
Steven Stanley - Stage Scene LA
Zevon Odelberg - Rock World Magazine
"The entire cast excels, with standout work from... and Ayesa, whose Stacee is an egocentric drama queen with a randy nature and Roger Daltrey-esque persona."
Eric Marchese - Orange County Register
"...MiG Ayesa, who plays the lecherous Stacee Jaxx. Even though his character is primarily responsible for “effing” up things between the two romantic leads, you can’t help but love him because his performance is nothing short of comedic gold. It pays to keep an eye on him every second that he’s onstage (or on the video monitor or wandering through the aisles in the darkness) or else you might miss some of the best laughs the show has to offer."
Review - World Of Stage
"...MiG Ayesa an almost impossibly chiseled, sexy Stacee Jaxx."
Steven Stanley - Stage Scene LA
"Bringing to Great White Way his critically-acclaimed version of the hilariously impossible rock star Stacee Jaxx following his celebrated stint at the Rock of Ages’ US tour, MiG continued to draw raves, leaving the crowd of the packed theater on 44th Street in Manhattan transfixed by his killer voice, knockout comic performance and, well, washboard abs."
Edmund Silvestre - The Filipino Reporter
Edmund Silvestre - The Filipino Reporter
"Filipino Australian rock star MiG Ayesa (Stacee Jaxx) showed everybody on that stage and the audience how to truly rock it out. Ayesa’s singing was just incredible."
Oliver Oliveros - BroadwayWorld.com Philippines
Oliver Oliveros - BroadwayWorld.com Philippines
"MiG was amazing in his role as the front man of metal band ‘Arsenal’. His performance especially of Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive” showcases not only his singing prowess but also high level of fitness and energy on stage. His sexual appeal was very apparent as his character gets to flash his six pack in a number of scenes, much to the delight of both women and men in the audience."
Violi Calvert - The Filipino Australian
Violi Calvert - The Filipino Australian
"The icing on the cake is MiG Ayesa who plays StaceeJaxx..."
Karen Kunawicz - The Manila Times
"Ayesa, for his part, had the presence worthy of a Broadway star. His vocals were simply effortless, while shamelessly embracing the ridiculous fate of his character."
Karen Kunawicz - The Manila Times
"Ayesa, for his part, had the presence worthy of a Broadway star. His vocals were simply effortless, while shamelessly embracing the ridiculous fate of his character."
Vladimir Bunoan - ABS-CBNnews.com
"But it was MiG Ayesa, who played rock star Stacy Jaxx, who really commanded attention from the second he appeared. Ayesa oozed with sleazy sex appeal and magnetic confidence from his first to his final appearance, even if he didn't have as much time on stage as the others."
Editor - SPOT.ph
Vives Anunciacion - Inquirer Libre
"MiG Ayesa is spot-on as Staycee Jaxx..."
Jet Valle - BusinessMirror.com
"Ayesa whose Stacee exudes the quintessential rock star who can charm everyone to his begging, on and off-stage. MiG’s vocals are beyond description, from “Wanted Dead or Alive” to “Renegade”, and even that funny Spanish thing in the end."
Vives Anunciacion - Philippine Daily Inquirer
"MiG Ayesa (“Rock of Ages”). What a voice, and what a presence. When that ultra-lean rockstar frame swaggered into the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium stage—despite the fact that the role was in fact a minor one (puffed up in the movie version only to accommodate Tom Cruise)—Ayesa’s romp of a performance, spiky yet hilarious, showed his Filipino compatriots why he thoroughly owned this part on Broadway: Stacee Jaxx seemed like second skin to the man."
Gibbs Cadiz - Philippine Daily Inquirer