Multi-hyphenated Filipino-born American MJ Racadio has fallen in love with things like blogging, reporting, interviewing, singing, or anything that results in some output.
Meeting celebrities has gotten him that far, sometimes literally. At one point he had to fly to another continent to meet his favorite American TV host who for him is the star of all stars: Steve Harvey.
In 2018, MJ flew to Bangkok, Thailand to meet his idol who was hosting that year’s Miss Universe coronation night when the Philippines’ very own Catriona Gray eventually took home the title. MJ’s own crowning glory came during his conversation with Harvey who, at least to most Filipinos, became a name to remember after his blunder in a separate Miss Universe moment of truth, won incidentally by once-again Philippines’ bet Pia Wurtzbach.
So what’s with Steve who may have become the most hated man in Colombia after he informed the world that Ariadna Gutierrez wasn’t the winner?
MJ said of Steve, “He is the epitome of tenacity and hard work. He never gave up with his dream to be on television despite the odds.”
Before the meet-up, MJ was selected to be part of a press junket, a spot he earned. Often it’s the case when he accomplishes something like establishing his own Blogtalk with MJ Racadio or becoming a segment producer for Net 25.
He recalled that day in Bangkok, “I woke up super early and was so excited that I arrived an hour before the 7:00 a.m. call time.”
Meeting the versatile Harvey, MJ said, “He just arrived from the airport with jet lag, yet he was very gracious and met the press. He was very humble in spite of his success.”
Asked to think of other big-time celebrities whom he felt were special encounters, he singled out rapper Flo Rida and businesswoman-writer Martha Stewart. He met Stewart during the after-party of the Golden Globe Awards 2020 in Beverly Hills.
He shared, “I had a five-minute conversation with her and I asked why her brands are all over the place. She smiled and told me to ‘reach out to the right person so your brand can be placed in the market.’”
MJ’s own brand is a work in progress, glimmering and glittering. The Fil-Am community has somewhat acknowledged his Blogtalk’s 75 Most Influential Filipino-Americans, which he does for youngsters in need of role models.
Vocally proud of his Pinoy roots, the Southern California local expressed, “You have to embrace who you are. Empower the people around you so our community wil be stronger. Helping one another makes us unique. Let love for the country prevails.”
Speaking of patriotism, he convinced executive producer Francis Lara Ho to gather some Fil-Am singers for the soundtrack of the movie 1521. MJ, who has sung on competently produced recordings, contributed to it with his version of Rodel Naval’s classic “Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin.” The compilation will be uploaded to digital platforms on October 19 under Starlink Music.
If Naval were alive, MJ would have probably flown in somewhere to meet him.