Thoughts

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

Let’s just get that out of the way. Because when I walk into certain rooms, especially rooms filled with performers, that might be the quiet thought in the back of someone’s mind. Who is she? Is she a performer? Is she a booker? Is she an event planner? Why is she teaching this? Fair questions. Here’s the answer. I’ve been in this industry from more angles than most people realize. Since 2012, I’ve owned and operated my own event planning company. I don’t just plan events — I

There are moments in this career that feel like little winks from God. Stepping onto the stage at The Comedy Store in La Jolla was one of them. If you know anything about comedy, you know The Comedy Store isn’t just a venue — it’s sacred ground. Founded in 1972 by Sammy Shore (and later stewarded by the legendary Mitzi Shore), the original Sunset Strip location became a proving ground for comics like Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, David Letterman, and Jay Leno — artists who

Once upon a backyard birthday—back when I was a fresh-faced “I guess I’m a professional now?” magician—I had a beautiful grand finale planned. The kind with meaning. I shared a heartfelt story about my three sons. Each one was represented by a piece of string, all tied to a balloon that had been patiently waiting off to the side, attached to one of my props. The idea was simple and sweet: family, legacy, and why I do magic in the first place. It was emotional. It was sincere

Dear Friends, In a world where divisions often take center stage—political, religious, social—it’s easy to forget the simple truth: kindness transcends all of it. This isn’t about politics, and it isn’t about religion. It’s about recognizing that, despite differing views, we share a common humanity. Our differences aren’t barriers; they’re the beautiful colors that make us whole. As an entertainer, I create moments of magic—but magic isn’t just a show. Magic is when we choose

This past weekend, I had the joy of performing at Camp Ronald McDonald, and let me tell you—it was more than just a show. It was a reminder of something truly magical. I met over 80 incredible kids and the amazing camp staff who all brought such a genuine energy that it lit up the entire place. But here's the real magic: these kids inspired me by being completely, unapologetically themselves. They didn’t try to fit into any “cool kids club” mold. Each of them was wonderfully

Eighteen years ago today—January 12th, in Vancouver, Washington—my world quietly changed forever. That day, my son Sebastian (Sebby) entered my life and unknowingly became one of the three greatest reasons my world is filled with magic … and one of the biggest reasons I am who I am today. As a toddler, Sebby was pure joy. Always smiling. Always happy. The kind of kid who could light up a room without trying. And then there was that day. Sebby was about two years old, down f

Look, I know what you’re thinking: “Another magician saying it’s about the audience? We’ve heard that before.” But hang tight, because this isn’t just a reminder—it’s a friendly challenge. We all know how easy it is for magic to turn into a one-man show. The magician becomes the superhero, the audience applauds, and everyone goes home impressed. But what if we flipped that script? What if the audience walked away feeling like they were part of the magic—not just watching it

We have closed the curtain on 2025 and have officially stepped into the magic of 2026, I wanted to share a few standout moments that made this year truly special. Not just a highlight reel, but a reflection on what made the journey magical. 1. Taking the Leap Into Full-Time Magic This year, I took a giant leap and went full-time as a magician. It was a bit like jumping off a cliff and learning to fly on the way down—exhilarating and a little nerve-wracking, but absolutely wor

December has been an absolute whirlwind. In just one month, I performed 47 shows — everything from corporate holiday parties, Hanukkah celebrations, birthday parties, and intimate private events — all leading up to a moment I’ve been working toward for years: my debut week in the Parlour of Prestidigitation at the world-famous Magic Castle . Last night wasn’t just another show. It was a milestone. A Second Home, A New Peak I’ve been incredibly fortunate to call the Magic Ca