Mitoy gets advice from Arnel

MANILA, Philippines - The Voice of the Philippines grand winner Mitoy Yonting may be “late to the party,” but he’s more than happy to be where he’s at.

Before The Voice, Mitoy has long pounded the live band circuit here (and even spent some years as an OFW entertainer) — gaining a following with his band The Draybers largely through word of mouth. But nobody expected he could still score this kind of break in the music industry.

“People are telling me I’m so fortunate, na nakadisgrasya pa ako ng swerte,” the 43-year-old singer told The STAR.   

Mitoy has always said in media interviews that his inspiration is Arnel Pineda, who worked long and hard in the band scene and was already in his 40s before getting discovered via YouTube to become the lead singer of the US rock band Journey. Mitoy even tried following his idol’s footsteps by posting performances on YouTube as well. 

“The drive came back because of the story of Arnel Pineda. He’s also a latebloomer. He’s become an inspiration for people (my age) who are still dreaming and wanting to achieve success. That’s what drove not just me but my entire group,” Mitoy said.

He recalled that right after he won The Voice of the Philippines under the team of coach Lea Salonga, he got an unsolicited but very much welcome advice from Arnel. It was at the ASAP 18 celebration of ABS-CBN’s 60th anniversary in Marikina — still feeling overwhelmed and going about in a daze — when during the closing production, seeing all the stars and big-name singers gathered, Mitoy couldn’t help but feel intimidated. He backtracked from the stage, accidentally stepping on the foot of the person next to him. It was Arnel.

He told Arnel that he couldn’t believe that he was actually there, on stage with some of the brightest and biggest network stars.

Mitoy couldn’t forget his short but sweet advice: “Just enjoy it brod!”

“So, that’s what I’m doing now, trying to enjoy every minute of the ride,” Mitoy added.  

Actually, Mitoy said, he never got that much time to sit down and reflect on all that had happened because it’s been a whirlwind of gigs and work commitments after his victory. He just came from a US tour wherein kababayan traveled for two hours just to watch Filipinos from back home perform.

It’s only now that his win is “slowly sinking in” because, according to him, it is his schedule that’s telling him that he is indeed the winner of The Voice.

He’s ready for showbiz controversies because he’s not exactly clueless as to how things work in this industry. “I’ve had a little TV and movie experience,” he explained. He appeared in Eat, Bulaga then had bit parts in sitcoms with Vic Sotto. “And I’m very observant. I know there are people who don’t like me and my style, but meron naman nagkakagusto sa akin. If you sum them up, I think it’s a balance.”

One criticism that went viral was the Noise of the Philippines tag during the contest.

“Natuwa ako dun kasi pinapansin nila ako (laughs). Okay lang yun. I wasn’t offended.”

Meanwhile, Mitoy will be more than just singing in the days to come as he will be part of Home Sweetie Home, a sitcom topbilled by John Lloyd Cruz and Toni Gonzaga. His gigs at Resorts World Manila, where his band has been regularly playing and already impressing crowds before he joined The Voice, will continue not because he has a contract to fulfill but because it’s a commitment to his bandmates.

He is set to release an album featuring originals and OPM covers in January. During the contest, Mitoy showed off soaring and wide-range vocals, easily hitting the high notes usually pulled off by the divas. The record, however, will be a slight departure from what people had seen from him in The Voice.

“Not more on birit. I have nothing to prove anymore in that (area) so ibang attack naman. Because even myself I’m tired of hearing myself do that. How much more the others?”

Mitoy, who is currently being managed by ABS-CBN, MCA (wherein he has a recording contract as a prize), Resorts World, and Talpa (owner of The Voice franchise), will also co-headline (together with the Philippine Ballet Theater) Sayaw & Serye, a two-night “teleserye ballet show” that begins tonight. The dance-musical is a collaboration with ABS-CBN, with the libretto by Concepcion Camacho based on the popular theme songs of the network’s well-loved soap operas, as rearranged by ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Maestro Gerard Salonga. PBT, which was formed in the mid-’80s, has been presenting classical repertoire along with contemporary cutting-edge artistry at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Meralco Theater.

PBT president Camacho said that Mitoy’s presence will surely help generate more interest in the beauty of ballet.