Stand and deliver

MANILA, Philippines - Meet three of MYX’s newest VJs set on saving the local music industry… and their jobs.

Mighty, Meaty Ton

If not for an extra X chromosome and a glaringly obvious difference in human anatomy, Antonio Vergel de Dios, or, as he is more popularly known, “Ton,” may just pass for Taylor Swift.

1) He has curly hair, 2) “owns a good number of ladies’ jeans” (his words, not mine), 3) plays the piano, guitar and ukulele. Not to mention, 4) he’s also the vocalist of the fairly young and popular band, Hansom, which has that Swift-like ability of making young (and sometimes old) girls scream. 5) Oh and in case you didn’t notice, his name also begins with T.

But apart from these mind-blowing, little facts I’ve cleverly put together (take that Dan Brown!), another trait that the twittering pop-tart and the talented VJ share is their love for music.

Ever since he memorized the words to Sinatra’s New York, New York at the very young age of four, Ton knew that whatever it was he’ll be doing in the future, has to do with music.

Joining MYX’s newest roster of VJs, Ton offers a fresh take on being a host with his revolutionary approach to the industry. He says, “Hopefully, [as a VJ] I will be able to help the local music industry shine just as much, if not more, than all the foreign artists that we hear. I especially want to get the youth back into, not just with the new Filipino but also into classics like Juan De La Cruz or Aegis!”

Save the DJ Mission: My way or the highway

 “Today anyone can be a VJ and introduce music in Youtube. I don’t plan to be the only VJ, I just want to be the best VJ that I can be.”

Rockin’ Robin

There’s something admirable about someone who’s genetically engineered to be great at something, but still takes the time and effort to pull their own weight. One of them is Robin Nievera.

A cut above the rest

As the son of two of the county’s most celebrated artists (that’s Pops and Martin, by the way, just in case you didn’t know) it would’ve been easy for the 24-year-old newly-knighted VJ to solely rely on his God-given genes, walk up to the MYX organizers and say, “Why should you get me? Uh, (points to his face) DUH.” Instead, Robin went through the auditions and challenges like everybody else, and of all in the bunch, he’s actually the one with the most technological know-how when it comes to the industry.

Graduating with a degree in music production from De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, Robin says he chose the course because he “wanted to learn how to record music” and produce his own, while helping out other people who have the talent but don’t have the means. He says, “Now that I am a VJ, I want to help bring back good Pinoy music.  We have a lot of great musicians, singers, and composers [but] are just not as popular as other artists.  I really believe we Filipinos have amazing talent. And the best thing I can do as a VJ is show everyone that.”

Save the DJ Strategy: If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em

“The Internet is KILLING the music world.  And I don’t think there is any way around it.  So I’m thinking of trying to use the Internet to help me as a VJ and promote more music, upcoming gigs for singers and bands on all my accounts.”

Ruby in the Rough

Approximately two percent of the human population has red hair. Of this small percentage, very few can pull it off (sorry, Carrot Top) and have the bright personality to go with it. Joining the ranks of the rare few who can actually rock a red do’, is Julian AKA “Julz” Savard.

Move over, Florence

Matching her fiery frock is her feisty young, no holds barred attitude when it comes to getting what she wants. Being an avid viewer of MYX, Julz decided to join the competition because it’s always been her advocacy “to support local OPM” and to give unsigned bands an equal chance to get discovered. The creative writing major is also dead set on giving credit where credit is due. She says, “It’s so easy to log on and just download music. But what people fail to understand is the years it took for people behind the scenes to make that happen, that those are artists who pour their hearts out into their music, just so we can enjoy it for three minutes. As a musician, I know what it takes. And as much a possible I want to be an advocate of that, and that’s what the viewers will see in me, a true lover of music.”

Save the DJ Strategy: Shine a Light

I can help the local music industry by building it up and by shining light on all those indie bands who have yet to be given a chance. I want to preserve the culture of music shows by being an example of someone who appreciates what it took for our culture and generation to get where it is now.”