Mitoy Yonting
Michael Yonting (born January 5, 1970), more popularly known by his screen name Mitoy Yonting, is a Filipino singer, comedian, actor, and lead vocalist for his band, The Draybers. Yonting rose to fame after winning the first season of The Voice of the Philippines in 2013.[2]
Mitoy Yonting | |
---|---|
Birth name | Michael Yonting[1] |
Born | [1] Calasiao, Pangasinan, Philippines[1] | January 5, 1970
Origin | Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines[1] |
Genres | Pop, rock, OPM |
Occupation(s) | Singer, comedian, actor |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2005–present |
Labels | MCA Music Star Magic (2013–present) |
Associated acts | The Draybers, Lea Salonga, Vic Sotto |
Background
Yonting was born on January 5, 1970 and was raised in Calasiao, Pangasinan.[1] His passion with music started at the early age of 13, where he often listened to radios and made his own singing routines. During high school, he began joining several local competitions. During college, he took up Criminology at the Philippine College of Criminology. During this time, his singing career took off where he joined a band. He eventually gave up his education to focus in his singing career.[3]
Personal life
He is married by non-showbiz wife, Merlita Runas.
Career
Beginnings
He was discovered after competing in the 1990s televised singing competition "Ikaw at Echo", a segment of the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga! on GMA Network where he competed as a voice-a-like of Air Supply's Russell Hitchcock. Though he did not win the title, he gained popularity. In 1997, he and his brother, Mylo Yonting, formed a band called 'The Draybers' and joined Rockstar: Bakit?, a sing-alike television show.[4]
Through his television appearances, Yonting pursued a career as a comedian in GMA Network's sitcom called the Ful Haus, and the comedy sketch show H3O: Ha Ha Ha Over aired on QTV (now GMA News TV). He later on became a regular host in Eat Bulaga!.[4] This stint, however, was short-lived and he decided to go back in his band.
Later on he travelled abroad with his band. They travelled around several countries around the world, such Japan where he met his wife,[3] to play for various Filipino communities. By late 2011, the band came back to Manila and performed in Resorts World Manila.[1]
The Voice of the Philippines
In 2013, Mitoy was invited to join the first season of The Voice of the Philippines. During the blind auditions, he sang "Bakit Ako Mahihiya" of Didith Reyes. His audition piece made Bamboo Mañalac and Lea Salonga, who got excited after hearing his voice, turn their chairs for him.[5][6] After he finished his audition piece, Salonga requested that he sing a non-English song, and he responded by singing a Japanese song.[7] Yonting then picked Salonga as his coach.[5][6] During the Battles, he was paired with Chien Berbana and performed "Alone" of the American rock band Heart, a performance which was widely commended by both the judges and the show's followers. At the end of the round, Salonga picked Yonting citing his experience and prowess.[8]
During the Live shows, Yonting continued to make waves in the competition. During his first appearance in the Live Shows, he performed "Don't Stop Me Now" of the English rock band Queen. During that particular episode, he was saved after garnering 82.29% of the public's vote.[9][10] During the third Live show, Yonting performed Dulce's "Paano" against Darryl Shy who sang Asin's Balita. Yonting lost to Shy for the public's vote but won after he got the highest points of the accumulated coach's and public's scores.[11][12] In the first night of the semi-finals, he was paired up against Radha where both performed "Against All Odds" of Phil Collins as an à la battle song.[13] In the second night, he performed "The Power of Love" by Jennifer Rush. At the end of the show, Yonting was proclaimed as the Salonga's representative to the Finals.[14][15] After the results, he performed his original song, "Bulag."[16]
During the first night of the finals, he performed Freddie Aguilar's "Anak" and his original song "Bulag."[17][18] At the second night of the finals, Yonting made a trio performance with Salonga and Vice Ganda where they performed "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler.[19] After the end of the round of votes, Yonting along with Sarah Geronimo's Klarisse de Guzman made it to the top two. In his last performance, he sang The Beatles' "Help!".[20] At the end of the voting, Yonting received 57.65% of the votes proclaiming him the winner of the reality competition.[21] With his title, he also won two million pesos, a brand new car, and a four-year contract with MCA Music.[22]
Post The Voice of the Philippines
After winning The Voice of the Philippines, Yonting became part of the Philippine Ballet Theatre's two night concert called Sayaw at Serye on November 15 and 16, 2013. Yonting was one of the cast of Home Sweetie Home, ABS-CBN's newest sitcom, which premiered in January 2014.[23] He was also a supporting act for Lea Salonga's concert series titled 'Playlist', which ran from December 2013 to January 2014. Yonting and Salonga performed a medley together during the concert.[24]
Discography
Albums
Filmography
Films
Year | Title | Role | Studio |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Love on Line (LOL) | Jonathan / Driver | APT Entertainment, M - Zet Productions and OctoArts Films |
2011 | Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! | Security Guard | Star Cinema, APT Entertainment, M - Zet Productions and OctoArts Films |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Network |
---|---|---|---|
2005 | H30: Ha Ha Ha Over | Co-host | QTV (now GMA News TV) |
2007 | Ful Haus | Buboy | GMA Network |
2007 | Eat Bulaga! | Himself/Performer | |
2013 | The Voice of the Philippines | Contestant/Grand Winner | ABS-CBN |
2014–present | Home Sweetie Home | L.A. | |
2016–present | It's Showtime | Judge in Tawag ng Tanghalan | |
Concert tours
Supporting act
- Playlist: A Celebration of 35 Years (2013–2014) (supporting Lea Salonga)
Awards and recognitions
- Best Male Performer in Hotels, Music Lounges, Bars (26th Aliw Awards, 2013)[30]
References
- "Michael "Mitoy" Yonting Bio Information". The Voice of the Philippines. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- Sulat, Bert B. Jr. (September 29, 2013). "Mitoy Yonting is 'The Voice of the Philippines'". Rappler. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- "Mitoy Yonting says Arnel Pineda inspires him". ABS-CBN News. October 4, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- Smith, Nick (September 30, 2013). "'The Voice PH' winner Mitoy Yonting's 'Eat Bulaga' past". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- Espina-Varona, Inday (June 30, 2013). "Typhoon Mitoy hits town: 5th round, The Voice of the Philippines". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- Delizo, Michael Joe T. (November 8, 2013). "'The Voice' coaches' varied emotions". Bulletin Entertainment. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- Dumaual, Miguel (June 30, 2013). "Lea curses, Bamboo puts up fight over 'Voice PH' artist Mitoy". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- "'The Voice PH' battle: Mitoy vs Chien". ABS-CBN News. July 28, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- "Emotional cuts on 'Voice PH' as faves sail through". ABS-CBN News. September 2, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- Agting, Ira (September 2, 2013). "Mitoy, Janice dominate 'The Voice' live". Rappler. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- Sulat, Bert B. Jr. (September 10, 2013). "The Voice of the Philippines: 4 more bite the dust". Rappler. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- "2 early favorites eliminated on 'Voice PH'". ABS-CBN News. September 9, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- Dumaual, Miguel (September 22, 2013). "WATCH: 'Voice' faves Mitoy, Radha battle in semis". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- "Who's out? 'Voice PH' reveals Top 4". ABS-CBN News. September 23, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- "Klarisse vs. Myk vs. Janice vs. Mitoy". Malaya. September 24, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- Salonga, Lea (September 25, 2013). "This is it!". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- "'Voice PH' top 4 in epic showdown". ABS-CBN News. September 28, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- "Original Songs Medley by the Top 4 Artists". The Voice of the Philippines. September 28, 2013. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- Sulat, Bert B. Jr. (September 29, 2013). "[The Voice PHL] And the winner will be..." Rappler. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- "Mitoy wins 'Voice PH'". ABS-CBN News. September 29, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- Ramirez, Patty (September 30, 2013). "Mitoy Yonting is the 'Voice of the Philippines'". Push. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- Yanoria, Luigene (November 4, 2013). "'The Voice' winner Mitoy Yonting to join 'Showtime'". Yahoo! OMG! Philippines. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- Denny, Christine (November 7, 2013). "Mitoy Yonting will be part of John Lloyd Cruz and Toni Gonzaga's sitcom Home Sweetie Home". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- "Lea Salonga's 'Playlist' guests daughter Nicole Chien, Martin Nievera". 18 January 2014. Inquirer Net. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
- "The Voice of the Philippines the Final 16". iTunes Store. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- "MCA Music releases two albums from 'The Voice of the Philippines". Malaya. November 16, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- "Mitoy Yonting debuts album". Tempo. December 9, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- "MITOY YONTING – "PINAIKOT-IKOT" NEW SINGLE AVAILABLE ON SPINNR". Get Music Asia. July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
- "Mitoy entertains commuters in 'Bulag' music video". ABS-CBN News. November 26, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- "Mitoy on a roll, wins at 26th Aliw Awards". ABS-CBN News. October 9, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
External links
- Mitoy Yonting on Twitter
Preceded by First |
The Voice of the Philippines Winner 2013 |
Succeeded by Lyca Gairanod |
Preceded by First |
The Voice of the Philippines Regular Winner 2013 |
Succeeded by Jason Dy |