An Angeleña’s Homecoming

Saturday, September 24, 2011

BEFORE making it to the American Idol, Thia Megia has already proven her singing talent.

Born Thialorei Lising Megia in Hayward, California, she had won singing competitions in San Jose and Saratoga and has sung the national anthem at San Jose Giants, Stanford football and San Francisco 49ers games.
Since then, Thia has gained popularity in the US.

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And when she made it to the Top 24 of the American Idol Season 10, she became more popular not just in the US but also in the Philippines.

Thia is a Filipino and more importantly, a full-blooded Kapampangan.

Sixteen-year-old Thia Megia’s parents left the country in 1968 and since then lived in California, USA.

Her Angelenean parents Loreto and Cynthia later changed their family name from Mejia to Megia.

On Friday, Thia went back home.

The Angeles City Government prepared a grandiose welcome for the young singer.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan’s wife Herminia along with Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, staged a motorcade around the city for Thia.

Thia was also the guest of honor during the opening of the Fiestang Kuliat at the Marquee Mall.

“Coming back and being welcomed like this is amazing and am always inspired to be a Filipino,” Thia said.

Thia came down to Angeles City with her mother and her older sister.
“Pampanga is so beautiful,” she exclaimed. “I had a lot of wonderful memories here.”

Focused on her singing career, Thia said she wants to build a career both in the US and in the Philippines.
 
Thia’s Career

Before making it to the popular singing show American Idol, Thia has appeared in an American TV show in 2008.

She was best known for her appearance on the fourth season of America’s Got Talent in 2009 when she made it to the quarterfinals.

Thia was also part of the YouTube edition of the “We are the World 25 for Haiti” which sought charity for the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
Then, she had her debut concert at the Le Petit Trianon Theatre in San Jose, California in March 2010.

This November, Thia will sing the American anthem “Star-Spangled Banner” during the fight of boxing champion Manny Pacquaio against Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas.