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 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 | January 5, 1970[1] Calasiao, Pangasinan, Philippines[1] |
| Origin | Sampaloc, Manila City, Philippines[1] |
| Genres | Pop, rock, OPM |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, comedian, actor |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | MCA Music Star Magic (2013–present) |
Background
editYonting was born on January 5, 1970,[1] and is from Calasiao, Pangasinan.[3] His interest in music started at age 13 when he would listen to the radio and make his own singing routines. In high school, he competed in several local singing competitions. In college, he studied criminology at the Philippine College of Criminology. During this time he joined a band, and eventually left college to focus on his singing career.[4]
Personal life
editYonting married Merlita Runas in 1996.[5]
Career
editBeginnings
editYonting 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, his performance was well regarded. In 1996, he and his brother, Mylo Yonting, formed a band called "The Draybers" and joined Rockstar: Bakit? a sing-alike television show.[6]
Through his television appearances, Yonting pursued a career as a comedian in the GMA Network sitcom Ful Haus, and the comedy sketch show H3O: Ha Ha Ha Over aired on QTV (now GMA News TV). Yonting later became a regular host on Eat Bulaga! for a brief time, before deciding to reunite with The Drayber's.[6]
The Drayber's toured several countries including Japan, where Yonting met his wife,[4] In late 2011, the band returned to Manila and performed at Resorts World Manila.[1]
The Voice of the Philippines
editIn 2013, Yonting was invited to participate in 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.[7][8] After he finished his audition piece, Salonga requested that he sing a non-English song, and he responded by singing a Japanese song.[9] Yonting then picked Salonga as his coach.[7][8] During the Battles, he was paired with Chien Berbana and performed "Alone" by 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.[10]
During the Live shows, Yonting continued to do well in the competition. During his first appearance in the Live Shows, he performed "Don't Stop Me Now" by the English rock band Queen. During that particular episode, he was saved after garnering 82.29% of the public's vote.[11][12] 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.[13][14] On the first night of the semi-finals, he was paired up against Radha where both performed "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins as a Battle song.[15] On 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.[16][17] After the results, he performed his original song, "Bulag."[18]
During the first night of the finals, he performed Freddie Aguilar's "Anak" and his original song "Bulag."[19][20] On 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.[21] 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!".[22] At the end of the voting, Yonting received 57.65% of the votes proclaiming him the winner of the reality competition.[23] With his title, he also won two million pesos, a brand-new car, and a four-year contract with MCA Music.[24]
Performances
edit- – Studio version of performance reached the top 10 on iTunes
| Stage | Song | Original artist | Date | Order | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Audition | "Bakit Ako Mahihiya?" | Jessa Zaragoza | June 29, 2013 | 5.7 | Lea Salonga and Bamboo Mañalac turned (Joined Team Lea) |
| Battle Rounds | "Alone" (vs. Chien Berbana) |
Heart | July 28, 2013 | 14.4 | Saved by Lea |
| Live Top 24 | "Don't Stop Me Now" | Queen | September 1, 2013 | 24.12 | Saved by Public Vote |
| Live Top 16 | "Paano" | Dulce | September 8, 2013 | 26.4 | Saved by Lea (104.11 points) |
| Live Top 8 | "Against All Odds" (vs. Radha) |
Phil Collins | September 21, 2013 | 29.3 | Safe |
| Live (Semifinals) | "The Power of Love" | Jennifer Rush | September 22, 2013 | 30.1 | Safe |
| Live (Finals) | "Anak" | Freddie Aguilar | September 28, 2013 | 31.2 | Winner |
| "Bulag" (original song) |
Mitoy Yonting | September 28, 2013 | 31.7 | ||
| "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (with Lea Salonga and Vice Ganda) |
Bonnie Tyler | September 29, 2013 | 32.4 | ||
| "Help!" | The Beatles | September 29, 2013 | 32.6 |
Post The Voice of the Philippines
editAfter 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.[25] 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.[26]
Acting
editFrom 2018 to 2020, Mitoy was in the sitcom "Home Sweetie Home". In 2021, Mitoy was cast as a guest member in his first drama, the long-running action drama series "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano". In 2022, Mitoy returned in his second action drama series, "The Iron Heart", with former child star and "Ang Probinsyano" villain Richard Gutierrez, also featuring Sue Ramirez, Albert Martinez, and others.
Discography
editAlbums
edit- The Voice of the Philippines – The Final 16 (MCA Music, 2013)[27][28]
- The Voice of the Philippines – The Final 4 (MCA Music, 2013)[28]
- The Voice of the Philippines: The Complete Season 1 Collection (MCA Music, 2013)[29]
- Hanggang Wakas (Until Forever) (2014)[30]
Singles
editFilmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Love on Line (LOL) | Jonathan / Driver |
| 2011 | Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! | Security Guard |
| 2017 | Our Mighty Yaya | Oscar "Oca" Redoble |
| 2021 | Momshies! Ang Soul Mo'y Akin! | Luke |
Television series
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–2007 | Lagot Ka, Isusumbong Kita | Jose |
| 2007–2009 | Ful Haus | Buboy |
| 2014–2019 | Home Sweetie Home | L.A. |
| 2021 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Teban |
| 2022–2023 | The Iron Heart | Diony "Bungo" Zamora |
Television shows
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | H30: Ha Ha Ha Over | Co-host |
| 2007 | Eat Bulaga! | Himself/Performer |
| 2013 | The Voice of the Philippines | Contestant/Grand Winner |
| 2013, 2014 | The Singing Bee | Contestant[a] |
| 2016–present | It's Showtime | Judge in Tawag ng Tanghalan |
| 2021 | Popinoy | Guest Judge |
- Notes
- ^ with Jovit Baldivino in December 2013 & August 2014 (with Jason Dy), 3-day defending champion in December 2014
Concert tours
editSupporting act
- Playlist: A Celebration of 35 Years (2013–2014) (supporting Lea Salonga)
Awards and recognitions
edit- Best Male Performer in Hotels, Music Lounges, Bars (26th Aliw Awards, 2013)[32]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "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 worried before 'Voice PH' top 4 reveal". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ a b "Mitoy Yonting says Arnel Pineda inspires him". ABS-CBN News. October 4, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- ^ Cardinoza, Gabriel (October 8, 2013). "Mitoy returns home to Pangasinan". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ a b Smith, Nick (September 30, 2013). "'The Voice PH' winner Mitoy Yonting's 'Eat Bulaga' past". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- ^ a b Espina-Varona, Inday (June 30, 2013). "Typhoon Mitoy hits town: 5th round, The Voice of the Philippines". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- ^ a b 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. January 18, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
- ^ "The Voice of the Philippines the Final 16". iTunes Store. January 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ a b "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
edit- Mitoy Yonting on Twitter