Thoughts

Sometimes, the most magical moments in life have absolutely nothing to do with magic tricks. On October 19, 2026, I had the incredible honor of appearing on Food Network’s Sweet Deceit, alongside two wonderful friends and fellow magicians, Julia Dryas and Jack Murdock. And as if being on national television wasn’t exciting enough, we got to film our episode at a place that’s very special to all three of us: the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood! What an experience! But l

Yesterday, I had the incredible honor of sharing the stage with some truly amazing magicians at Conjuring for the Cure, a sold-out charity event raising funds in the fight against Parkinson’s disease. First, I want to thank David and Robyn for their dedication, generosity, and heart. For seven years, they’ve continued bringing people together through magic for a cause that is deeply personal to them. What an incredible accomplishment! But yesterday also reminded me of somethi

One of the things we really love is getting to bring magic to people who might not normally have the opportunity to go out and see a show. Over the years, we’ve had the chance to perform at convalescent homes, assisted living communities, senior living facilities, veteran care facilities. Of course, the residents and patients (and staff) get an afternoon of entertainment. They get to laugh, participate in the magic and spend some time doing something completely different

A magician recently said something to me that I haven’t been able to shake: “We aren’t in the magic business. We’re in the people business.” Now, I can already hear some magicians saying: “Yeah, yeah. I know that.” But do we? Because knowing it and building your entire show around it are two very different things. As magicians, we can obsess over the method, the newest trick, the perfect sleight, the strongest reaction. How do I fool them? How do I impress them? How do I make

Lately, I’ve had friends in magic open up to me about their struggles. Trying to build a career. Feeling overlooked. Wondering when their opportunity will come. Feeling like it’s them against the world. I understand because I’ve been there. I’ve spent nearly a decade building Molo Magic, but the hardest thing I had to build wasn’t the business. It was me. I was the quiet Asian kid. Shy, timid and unsure of myself. Life knocked me down, and for a long time I carried anger and

Recently, I had the joy of being hired as a surprise for a bride-to-be at her bachelorette party. It was an intimate group at an Airbnb, fresh from the pool, a few piña coladas in, and ready to have fun. We laughed, made some memories, and shared some impossible moments. But what stuck with me afterward was the review. She talked about the magic, but she also mentioned something I believe matters just as much: warmth, kindness, and professionalism. Bachelor and bachelorette p

Some shows are memorable because of the audience. Others because of the venue. And every once in a while, everything comes together perfectly. We recently had the privilege of performing at Junkyard Magic in Simi Valley, a truly one-of-a-kind destination celebrating 13 years of bringing magic, laughter, and unforgettable memories to its guests. From the moment we walked through the doors, it felt like stepping into a place where magic truly belongs. The restaurant itself is a

Every event starts with a checklist. Venue? Check. Food? Check. Music? Check. Decorations? Check. But here’s a funny question… Has anyone ever gone home saying, “You know what I’ll remember forever? That chicken.” Probably not. What people do remember is the moment everyone laughed together. The impossible thing they still can’t explain. The moment Grandma, your teenager, and your boss were all smiling at the exact same time. Those are the moments that become family stories a

There are some shows you remember because of the tricks, and then there are shows you remember because of the people. Our evening at The Falconer in Redlands was one of those nights. The room was completely sold out. The drinks were flowing, conversations filled every corner of the restaurant, and before Jonathan even performed a single illusion, you could tell it was going to be something special. One of my favorite things about close-up magic is watching complete strangers

A young student once asked me, “Did you ever want to give up?” My answer: many times. Early on, I woke up with anxiety, unsure if I could pay the bills. But what I’ve learned is this: failure is not the opposite of success—it’s the foundation. Without failure, there’s no growth, no lessons, no progress. I’ve come to embrace it because each stumble taught me how to stand taller. Success isn’t about never failing; it’s about never giving up. So take the next step, trust the pro

I hear it all the time: “I can’t.” “I don’t like that.” “I’m not comfortable with it.” Whether it’s about learning a new skill, trying something unfamiliar, or just pushing ourselves, we all come up with reasons. But the truth is, the only real limitation is the one we place on ourselves. I get it—familiar territory feels safe. But life, like magic, thrives when we embrace discomfort. When I fail, I don’t stop at “That’s why I don’t do this.” I ask, “How can I grow from this?

Last Friday, before our late show at the Ice House, Jamie and I met a gentleman in his 90s carrying groceries. What caught our attention wasn’t the bags. It was the fact that he had walked nearly half a mile from the grocery store to get them. I had to head inside to prepare for the show, but Jamie immediately offered to help. Together, they walked two blocks to his apartment, carrying his groceries and sharing conversation along the way. When she came back, she was emotional

I am not the magician. I don’t stand on stage. I don’t vanish coins. I don’t have a rabbit (although, we might consider that… Honey!). At Molo Magic, I’m the stagehand, the co-producer, the co-writer, the logistics coordinator, the Uber driver, the content creator, the prop security team, and often the person asking: “What if we tried it this way?” In other words, I’m involved in almost everything except the actual performance. Because of that, I get a unique perspective. I s

Last week, we celebrated my son Sebastian graduating high school with a trip to New York. Somewhere between debating pizza vs. bagels, we ended up talking about AI. Sebastian is a musician, and for him, creativity is sacred — no robots allowed. Honestly? I get it. In magic, we’re seeing a very similar debate happening right now. AI is everywhere. From “instant promo flyers” to questionable face-swaps that look like… well… AI. Some people call it “AI slop.” Others see it as th

I was ten years old when I watched a magician vanish the Statue of Liberty on TV. As a shy Filipino kid, that moment cracked something open in me. I started with simple card tricks, but what I was really learning was confidence, connection, and the feeling that wonder is something you can share. Today, I still chase that feeling, but from the other side. I see kids discovering magic on YouTube and TV, and I recognize that spark. It reminded me: I want to be someone’s reason.

There’s something every entertainer notices almost immediately when they walk on stage: The energy of the room. You can feel it within seconds. You know when an audience is leaning in, ready to laugh, clap and play along. And you know when a room is just sitting there…emotionless…without excitement…or wonderment…crickets. Here’s the thing though… Being a great audience member has absolutely nothing to do with being fooled. Most magicians watching another magician already

There was a time when a standing ovation meant something, it held weight. It wasn’t automatic or expected…it was earned! Audiences didn’t rise to their feet because the lights came up or because the person next to them stood first. They stood because something had just happened—something amazing. A performance that moved them, surprised them, or left them momentarily speechless. Today, standing ovations are everywhere. And because of that, they’re quietly disappearing. What a

Years ago, my friend and fellow magician, Michael Kaminskas, sneakily added a “100% Money-Back Guarantee” to my website—without me knowing! Imagine my surprise a few months later when I discovered I had been guaranteeing my magic shows, no questions asked! But here’s the plot twist: I kept it. Why? Because I realized how much I believed in the magic I bring—from close-up, strolling astonishment to full-scale stage wonder. Now, dear clients, rest easy: You’re covered. If you a

You know the saying—people want what you have, but not how you got it. Well, here’s how I got it. At 10, I sat mesmerized as Copperfield vanished the Statue of Liberty. Magic became my obsession—but as an Army brat, it wasn’t easy. We moved constantly. No magic buddies, just library books and me practicing card tricks solo. I fell in and out of magic as I grew up—other hobbies, girls, life. Then, in 2000, I saw David Blaine’s street magic. It was raw and real. I grabbed Rober

Tonight, I return to where one of my proudest dreams came true: the Magic Castle Strolling Showdown. Last year, I stood among 26 of the finest close-up magicians from across the country—Chicago, Vegas, California, New York—each bringing their A-game to every table. It was 90 minutes of magic, sweat, chaos, and unforgettable energy. I didn’t think I’d win. The competition was so fierce. But when Randy Pitchford called my name—by a margin of just one point—it wasn’t just a vict