Mitoy Yonting
It’s been more than a month since Mitoy Yonting won “The Voice of the Philippines,” but the enormity of his triumph hasn’t fully sunk in.
It’s only when Mitoy sees his schedule, packed with gigs and sundry engagements, does he realize that some big things are starting to happen.
And he’s taking his time adjusting to celebrity. “When I do mall shows, four guards walk behind me,” he told a small group of reporters recently.
Late bloomer
Journey frontman Arnel Pineda, whom he considers an inspiration, has given him a simple yet precious piece of advice: “Just enjoy.”
Mitoy feels he’s a late bloomer at 44. But, he mused, his life would be a lot different, had he achieved fame at a younger age. “At this age, I know how to conduct myself and better use my skills,” he said.
He has been performing in network events, most recently the “One Kapamilya Go 2013” series in New Jersey and California. Prior to “The Voice,” he worked as a singer around Asia, but it was his first trip to the United States.
Mitoy related, “Getting there was brutal, but the feeling went away once we landed in the US: Another dream fulfilled. It was touching to see all the Filipinos who came from different states just to watch the shows.”
Despite these, Mitoy vowed never to leave his band, Draybers, which plays regularly at Resorts World Manila. “I told my band mates that I’d be in and out of the country, but that I’d always come back and play with them,” he said, adding that more people had been watching Draybers at Resorts since his win.
Mitoy will be part of ABS-CBN’s coming sitcom, “Home Sweetie Home,” which will top-bill John Lloyd Cruz and Toni Gonzaga. “I’ll play a videoke owner,” Mitoy said. “I [used to] just see John Lloyd and Toni on television, so it’s an honor to work with them.”
Tonight and tomorrow, Mitoy is joining fellow “The Voice” alum Morissette Amon in Philippine Ballet Theater’s staging of the dance musical “Serye at Sayaw” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater.
Toning it down
He will soon start work on his album under MCA Universal. “Mas kaunti na ’yung birit,” he described the material for the collection. This wasn’t because of critics labeling him “The Noise of the Philippines,” he said. “I just wanted to try a new approach. As far as belting is concerned, I have nothing more to prove.”
Getting snide remarks about his singing style wasn’t new, he said. “I just let it slide. It wouldn’t kill me if some people don’t like how I sing. I respect their opinion. There are others who do like me. It’s a good balance.”
(E-mail apolicarpio@inquirer.com.ph)