Mommy’s little Thia

‘SHY AND QUIET’. American Idol finalist Thia Megia, a Fil-American, hasn’t changed and remains shy and quiet, says her mother, Cynthia. Thia is in the Philippines to appear in a concert with other AI finalists on September 20 and 21, 2011. AN INQUIRER PHOTO

Cynthia Megia, mother of Fil-Am “American Idol” finalist Thia Megia, says her daughter hasn’t changed a bit even after landing in the Top 11 finalists of the popular reality talent search.

A former nurse/midwife, Cynthia insists that Thia, 16, remains “shy and quiet and still gets nervous before a show.”

However, when no one else is around, mom notes, “Thia makes me laugh. She [speaks English with] different accents—Indian, Vietnamese, British and Filipino.”

It’s plain to see that she has a good ear, not just for inflections but, quite naturally, for music. Cynthia recalls, “An uncle gave her a guitar one Christmas. At first, she wasn’t interested. But when Jason Mraz ‘I’m Yours’ became a hit, she learned to play the guitar on her own.”

Mom admits she herself doesn’t sing. “Not even her dad, but her uncles do. Thia is a blessing from heaven. I had her when I was 39, after a 15-year gap.” (Thia’s oldest sister is 32; her brother, 31.)

Chaperones

The underage Idols (Thia, second runner-up Lauren Alaina and champ Scotty McCreery) had their moms as chaperones throughout the earlier 47-city, three-month “Idol” tour across the United States and Canada.

“During the tour, I often felt tired, but Thia remained energetic all throughout,” Cynthia remarks.

Thia promised that she would take mom to the Philippines one day.

“I never thought I’d get to do it so soon,” Thia quips. She was told that the tour would take them to Manila during the show’s finale last May.

“I had always wanted to visit my relatives, but I couldn’t afford the airfare,” says Cynthia, who left the country 34 years ago. Mother and daughter are staying for a week longer after the two-night concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tomorrow and on Wednesday.

“I’ve never been inside the Big Dome,” mom gushes. “Now, I’ll get to watch my daughter perform there.”

Reunions galore

Relatives have lined up a series of parties and reunions (dad is from Paco, Manila; mom, from Angeles, Pampanga). Even back in California, Thia often sings at family gatherings. “I sing ‘Dahil Sa Iyo’ at videoke parties,” Thia says.

Her relatives have grown tired of the song and are pleading with her to learn a new one, she adds. Now, she can perform Martin Nievera’s “Kahit Isang Saglit.” She hopes to sing it during the wake of her cousin, Rio Lising, who just passed away.

Does Thia see herself pursuing a show-biz career in the Philippines?

“I want to explore all opportunities that may come my way,” says Thia. Cynthia says offers will have to go through the US handlers, though. “Like the other finalists, Thia is currently under contract with CAA [Creative Artists Agency].”

Thia met boxer Manny Pacquiao on Saturday, but is also hoping to see actor Aga Muhlach in person while in Manila. She first met Aga when she was 7 years old.

“We are all big Aga fans,” says Cynthia. “One of my four apos is named Aga.”

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