From savoring local delights, bonding with fans, to connecting with artists like Moira Dela Torre and Stell from SB19, Jamie Miller shares his very first visit to the Philippines in this MEGA Man exclusive
Touching down on the shores of the Philippines for the first time, Jamie Miller, the man behind such hits as “Here Is Your Perfect” and “It Is What It Is,”’ found himself immersed in a whirlwind of Filipino warmth and energy, describing it as a spirit unlike any other.
In anticipation of his solo meet-and-greet with his Filipino fans on September 30, the singer-songwriter sat down exclusively with MEGA Man to reflect on his first impressions of the country and his thrilling experience of collaborating with some of our homegrown musical talents.
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Melodies of excitement
As we sat down with the young singer, we followed the well-trodden path of questioning artists visiting the Philippines for the first time: What thoughts raced through your mind when you learned of your upcoming trip? In a heartwarming display of pure enthusiasm, the 25-year-old responded with an ear-to-ear grin, leaving no doubt that his excitement was absolutely genuine.
“I’ve always wanted to come here since ‘Here is Your Perfect’ started taking off on TikTok. But with the pandemic, I just couldn’t make it over here [just yet].”
Preparing for Manila
As we talked about the preparations leading up to his visit, Jamie was quick to shine a spotlight on the heroes behind the scenes—his extraordinary team. He also didn’t forget to acknowledge the invaluable insights provided by his close friend, Patrick Starrr, whose firsthand knowledge about the country further amplified his excitement.
The rhythm of fans and flavors
No international adventure is truly fulfilled without embracing the vibrant tapestry of the local culture—a mantra that the Los Angeles-based artist clearly holds dear. From sharing snapshots of his jeepney rides to surprising the bustling streets of BGC with his busking talents, Jamie is proving to be a true explorer. He also didn’t shy away from diving into Filipino flavors, relishing kare-kare with bagoong and tortang talong. And with an anticipatory smile, he confessed that sinigang is next on his must-try list.
Supportive sounds
Pausing to ponder on his recent busking experience, the artist revealed his initial impressions of the Filipino fans, which left him with an exciting taste of what to expect during his fan meet. “I would say that Filipinos are more passionate [and] I feel like they’re very excited. And it makes me excited to perform when everybody else is excited,” he described.
On working with Moira
In a tale that underscores the power of social media, Jamie’s collaboration with Moira Dela Torre emerged from a flood of tags and shares by his friends and devoted followers, all captivated by the Filipina singer’s musical prowess. He went on to say that it was his manager who took the initiative to reach out to Moira. With a smile, Jamie recounted the joy he felt when the artist accepted the opportunity with open arms. “So then we start to Zoom and FaceTime and stuff like that, and she’s just so nice. She just seems like a very special human being, and it’s weird because I feel like I know her already.”
Singing among the stars
@stellajero16 big room + nice echo 🔥🤟🏻 #heresyourperfect @jamiemillmusic @officialsb19 #ppoprise ♬ original sound – Vester Ajero
In a moment that showcased Stell’s vocal strength, the SB19 member wowed the world with a rendition of Jamie’s hit track, a performance that immediately caught the American singer’s attention. This connection led to a series of engaging exchanges between the two artists, resulting in an invitation extended to Jamie when the P-Pop group hit the stage in Los Angeles. When asked about the likelihood of a forthcoming collaboration with the Filipino artist, he playfully replied, “You got to stay tuned!” Furthermore, he shared his deep admiration for Ben&Ben and Zack Tabudlo, affirming his eagerness to explore musical partnerships with these Filipino talents.
Echoes of a lifetime
“I would say thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. I would say you’ve changed my life in ways that I didn’t ever think was possible to come to the other side of the world and hear people sing back to you and say that I’ve saved lives.”
As our interview gracefully reached its conclusion, Jamie seized the opportunity to express his gratitude to his loyal Filipino fan base. In a candid moment, he confessed that the experience had temporarily left him without words, but he made it clear that it was a chapter he would passionately share for the entirety of his life.
Photos and Video: JAMIE MILLER (via Instagram)
