Pinoy-Aussie in CBS'
rock star search finals
By Ruben V. Nepales
Inquirer News Service

LOS ANGELES--Miguel "Mig" Ayesa, a singer-actor-musician born in the Philippines, is one of 15 finalists competing in "Rock Star: INXS," a worldwide search created by "Survivor" and "The Apprentice" producer Mark Burnett.

The "American Idol"-like competition launched in search of a new lead singer for the Australian band INXS premieres July 11 on CBS.

Inquirer Entertainment learned about Ayesa's inclusion in the contest from Zen Lopez, the first Filipino-American to be appointed Arts and Culture Commissioner of Glendale, California. Lopez shared an e-mail sent to her by Australia-based artist-writer Alfredo "Ding" Roces.

Roces' e-mail carried a news story by AAP (Australian Associated Press) about Ayesa making it as one of the finalists after intensive auditions in 20 cities spread over six continents. He wrote Lopez: "Miguel Ayesa in this [AAP] story is the son of my niece, Carmen (Uko) Legarda Ayesa. His grandfather (Dr. Alejandro Legarda) is a first cousin and his great grandmother (Filomena Roces) was my father's sister. We would chance upon him with his mother when he lived in Sydney before he moved to London last year to pursue his career on stage there."

When asked by this writer to give more details about Ayesa, Roces wrote via e-mail: "Miguel was born in the Philippines but he came to Australia as a young boy with his parents and brother. I have seen him perform on television as he was often asked to perform during Sydney's annual Christmas carols program where top entertainers and singers are invited to perform for charity. Yes, he sings and plays the guitar. In Sydney, he has appeared in 'Buddy Holly' (as the guy who sings 'La Bamba') and 'Rent.' In London, he has appeared in musical shows, too. "

Roces is getting ready to publish a book on the ilustrados of the 19th century titled "Adios Patria Adorada (The Filipino as Ilustrado, the Ilustrado as Filipino)." He told Inquirer Entertainment that he spoke to Miguel's mother in London. The prolific painter and author has another book, this one on the painter Anita Magsaysay-Ho, to be published late this year. He joked in his e-mail to Lopez, "I am related to a famous rock star!"

A press released issued by CBS on "Rock Star: INXS" described Ayesa as "a married 35-year-old musician/actor born in Manila, raised in Sydney, Australia, and currently resides in London, England."

Tapped as co-hosts of the reality show series are E! Entertainment personality Brooke Burke and rock guitarist Dave Navarro.

CBS' press release also announced that while "Rock Star" will include a performance and elimination format similar to Fox's "American Idol," it will also feature "the contestants' behind-the-scenes interpersonal relationships as well as their weekly onstage performances. Unlike 'Idol,' 'Rock Star' will not rely entirely on viewer voting for the weekly eliminations, opting instead for a combination of viewer participation, the show's as-of-yet undisclosed judges, and INXS' current members."

Ayesa has a chance to become INXS' new lead singer, participate in a world concert tour with the band and sing on the band's new album. INXS' lead vocalist, Michael Hutchence, died in 1997. He visited Manila in the 1980s.

CBS also reported that the new series will include taped 'Big Brother'-like scenes "focusing on the contestants' activities in the Hollywood Hills house in which they will reside."