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]

In this Philippine name, the family name is Yonting.
Mitoy Yonting
Birth nameMichael Yonting[1]
Born (1970-01-05) January 5, 1970[1]
Calasiao, Pangasinan, Philippines[1]
OriginSampaloc, Manila City, Philippines[1]
GenresPop, rock, OPM
Occupation(s)Singer, comedian, actor
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1996–present
LabelsMCA Music
Star Magic (2013–present)

Background

Yonting was born on January 5, 1970, and was raised in Calasiao, Pangasinan Province.[1] His passion for music started at the early age of 13 when he often listened to the radio 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 when he joined a band. He eventually gave up his education to focus on his singing career.[3]

Personal life

He is married to a 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 1996, 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 then decided to reunite with his band.

Later on, his band toured several countries including 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
For more information about Mitoy Yonting's stint on The Voice of the Philippines, see The Voice of the Philippines (season 1).

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" 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.[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" by 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] On the first night of the semi-finals, he was paired up against Radha where both performed "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins as an à la battle song.[13] 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.[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] 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.[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]

Performances
  – Studio version of performance reached the top 10 on iTunes

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]

Acting

Mitoy was part of the sitcom "Home Sweetie Home" from 2018 to 2020. In 2021, Mitoy was cast as a guest member in his first drama teleserye, the long-running action drama teleserye series "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano", with co-stars Coco Martin, John Prats, Tirso Cruz III, Jane De Leon, Ara Mina, Basillyo, CJ Ramos, Michael De Mesa, and Geoff Eigenmann. In 2022, Mitoy returned in his second action drama teleserye, "The Iron Heart", with former child star and "Ang Probinsyano" villain Richard Gutierrez, also featuring Sue Ramirez, Albert Martinez, Pepe Herrera, Jake Cuenca, Roi Vinzon, Manuel Chua, Kyle Echarri, Karina Bautista, and special guest Maja Salvador.

Discography

Albums
  • The Voice of the Philippines – The Final 16 (MCA Music, 2013)[25][26]
  • The Voice of the Philippines – The Final 4 (MCA Music, 2013)[26]
  • The Voice of the Philippines: The Complete Season 1 Collection (MCA Music, 2013)[27]
  • Hanggang Wakas (Until Forever) (2014)[28]

Singles
  • "Bulag" (2013)[29]
  • "Pinaikot-Ikot" (2014)[28]

Filmography

Film
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
Year Title Role
2007 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
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[lower-alpha 1]
2016–present It's Showtime Judge in Tawag ng Tanghalan
2021 Popinoy Guest Judge
Notes
  1. with Jovit Baldivino in December 2013 & August 2014 (with Jason Dy), 3-day defending champion in December 2014

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
  1. "Michael "Mitoy" Yonting Bio Information". The Voice of the Philippines. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  2. Sulat, Bert B. Jr. (September 29, 2013). "Mitoy Yonting is 'The Voice of the Philippines'". Rappler. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  3. "Mitoy Yonting says Arnel Pineda inspires him". ABS-CBN News. October 4, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  4. Smith, Nick (September 30, 2013). "'The Voice PH' winner Mitoy Yonting's 'Eat Bulaga' past". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  5. Espina-Varona, Inday (June 30, 2013). "Typhoon Mitoy hits town: 5th round, The Voice of the Philippines". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  6. Delizo, Michael Joe T. (November 8, 2013). "'The Voice' coaches' varied emotions". Bulletin Entertainment. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  7. Dumaual, Miguel (June 30, 2013). "Lea curses, Bamboo puts up fight over 'Voice PH' artist Mitoy". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  8. "'The Voice PH' battle: Mitoy vs Chien". ABS-CBN News. July 28, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  9. "Emotional cuts on 'Voice PH' as faves sail through". ABS-CBN News. September 2, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  10. Agting, Ira (September 2, 2013). "Mitoy, Janice dominate 'The Voice' live". Rappler. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  11. Sulat, Bert B. Jr. (September 10, 2013). "The Voice of the Philippines: 4 more bite the dust". Rappler. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  12. "2 early favorites eliminated on 'Voice PH'". ABS-CBN News. September 9, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  13. Dumaual, Miguel (September 22, 2013). "WATCH: 'Voice' faves Mitoy, Radha battle in semis". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  14. "Who's out? 'Voice PH' reveals Top 4". ABS-CBN News. September 23, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  15. "Klarisse vs. Myk vs. Janice vs. Mitoy". Malaya. September 24, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  16. Salonga, Lea (September 25, 2013). "This is it!". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  17. "'Voice PH' top 4 in epic showdown". ABS-CBN News. September 28, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  18. "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.
  19. Sulat, Bert B. Jr. (September 29, 2013). "[The Voice PHL] And the winner will be..." Rappler. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  20. "Mitoy wins 'Voice PH'". ABS-CBN News. September 29, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  21. Ramirez, Patty (September 30, 2013). "Mitoy Yonting is the 'Voice of the Philippines'". Push. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  22. Yanoria, Luigene (November 4, 2013). "'The Voice' winner Mitoy Yonting to join 'Showtime'". Yahoo! OMG! Philippines. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  23. 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.
  24. "Lea Salonga's 'Playlist' guests daughter Nicole Chien, Martin Nievera". 18 January 2014. Inquirer Net. January 18, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  25. "The Voice of the Philippines the Final 16". iTunes Store. January 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  26. "MCA Music releases two albums from 'The Voice of the Philippines". Malaya. November 16, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  27. "Mitoy Yonting debuts album". Tempo. December 9, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  28. "MITOY YONTING – "PINAIKOT-IKOT" NEW SINGLE AVAILABLE ON SPINNR". Get Music Asia. July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  29. "Mitoy entertains commuters in 'Bulag' music video". ABS-CBN News. November 26, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  30. "Mitoy on a roll, wins at 26th Aliw Awards". ABS-CBN News. October 9, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
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