‘The Voice’ winner Mitoy Yonting to join ‘Showtime’

To those asking what’s next for “The Voice of the Philippines” winner Mitoy Yonting, the man with the big voice already has the answer.

The grand champion shared that ABS-CBN is cooking up three TV projects for him —including a sitcom, a Sunday show and a daily gig on “It’s Showtime.”

The Kapamilya noontime show is the archrival of “Eat Bulaga,” the show that gave Mitoy his first TV exposure.

But as far as the 43-year-old singer is concerned, there’s nothing wrong with accepting the noontime show offer—especially since he has “Eat Bulaga” host Vic Sotto’s blessings.

“Personally kinausap ko si Vic Sotto. Nilapitan ko si Bossing. Nagpaalam ako. Siyempre respeto naman ‘yun e ang laki naman ng naitulong sa’kin [ng Eat Bulaga] noong simula e,” he told the media during the launch of SMART Music’s SPINNR.

Mitoy added, “E sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Bossing medyo magkakaroon daw ako ng Showtime.’ Sabi niya, ‘Ok ‘yun!’ Tsaka sitcom, ‘E ‘di ayos!’”

Because the first three of his past TV appearances are on GMA, Mitoy is in effect a Kapuso who has become a Kapamilya.

It will be recalled that after congratulating the former Dabarkads for winning in “The Voice,” veteran host Joey De Leon shared via Twitter that Mitoy appeared with Vic in other  comedy shows, including “Ful Haus” on GMA-7 and “H3O: Ha Ha Ha Over!” on QTV Channel 11 (now GMA News TV).


Although he’s not yet sure whether he’s going to be a co-host or a resident “hurado” (judge) on “It’s Showtime,” Mitoy announced that he’s about to go onboard next month.

“Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin sa’kin e. Pero ‘yun ang sabi [na makakasama ko.] Kahit na propsman siguro pwede na. (laughs) Malaki naman ang katawan ko e!”

Once a Dabarkad, always a Dabarkad?

The former Draybers band member appreciates the “silent” support he’s getting from “Eat Bulaga.”

“Wala naman kaming masamang tinapay e. Kaya alam kong sinusuportahan nila ko kahit hindi ko nakikita.”

Mitoy shared that he personally thanked Joey at the Aliw Awards ceremony where he (Mitoy) was named Best Male Performer in Hotels, Music Lounges and Bars.

“Napatunayan ko lang na sinusuportahan nila ko nang ipagtanggol na ako ni Sir Joey sa tweets ng mga kumakalaban o mga kumekwestyon. Kaya napatunayan ko nang hindi ako pinabayaan ng dabarkads.”

Meanwhile, apart from P2 million cash, an Asian tour and a brand-new car, Mitoy’s “The Voice” victory entitles him to a four-year recording contract with MCA Music.

And although his first single has yet to be released,  Mitoy’s winning pieces in “The Voice” are now available to the public via MCA Music-SMART Music deal.

By Luigene Yanoria | Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom

Paulo Avelino admits dating KC Concepcion

Now that he and LJ Reyes have broken up, Kapamilya actor Paulo Avelino is giving love another chance.

In an interview with “Buzz ng Bayan” on Sunday, November 3, Paulo revealed that he is dating KC Concepcion, whom he has worked with in the drama anthology "MMK" two years ago.

“Yes, we are dating. (But) I just want to keep things private,” Paulo said.

He assures everyone that he still keeps in touch with his son by LJ.

“Sinisiguro ko na meron akong oras para sa bata. Kapag wala akong ginagawa, I try as much as possible to spend it with him,” Paulo previously told reporters.

KC herself recently made news following her dinner with NBA player Chandler Parsons and some friends during the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers pre-season game last October. While KC and Chandler were romantically linked, Paulo wasn’t jealous at all because KC and Chandler are just friends.

“Hindi rin talaga ako seloso. I try to think about things first before I really say anything or bring it out. Nasabi naman niya yung totoo, so wala naman (problema),” the actor said.

KC has been promoting Paulo's teleserye "Honesto" on Twitter.

By Karen Valeza | Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom

Rico Blanco: ‘I don’t monopolize the microphone’

An Ati-Atihan in Singapore come November 16? Anything’s possible, especially with Rico Blano channeling his Fiesto Bandido persona when he headlines the Sundown Festival there, along with other acts from 8 Asian countries.

And with Singapore being a melting pot of ethnicities, expect the international music festival to celebrate Asia’s diversity and culture.

When he carries the Philippine flag in this 8-hour, nonstop festival, Rico intends to introduce his latest alter ego for the first time outside of the country.


Designated cheerleader

But it won’t be just about him, even if the former Rivermaya frontman has been called upon to be the designated “cheerleader” of the fiesta. 

“When I do a show, a concert, it’s one big fiesta, one big party with everyone in the venue—whether it’s the technician on stage or it’s the audience or it’s the security manning the doors… it’s one big party with them and I want everybody to enjoy. It just happens that I’m the one holding the mic,” he told Yahoo Philippines OMG!.

To cater to non-Filipino audience, Rico turns to his longstanding performance mantra: “I don’t monopolize the microphone. I always enjoy it when I hear the audience singing along. I don’t monopolize the dancing either.”

A mostly Pinoy repertoire

For the last two decades, the 40-year-old musician has churned out hit after great hit including, among others, "Ulan,” "Awit ng Kabataan" Kisapmata” and “Panahon na Naman” with Rivermaya  and “Yugto” and “Your Universe” as a solo artist.

As he pledged to sing more Filipino songs in the festival, the audience can probably expect those classics in his set list.

“We would play mostly English songs and infuse a couple of Filipino songs. But this time around it's a festival to celebrate music from different countries in the region so I will probably (be doing) mostly Filipino songs.”

‘You better be good’

Rico recalls a moment a couple of years back which made him realize why Filipino musicians are among the best in the world.

“I remember being asked by a Thai journalist after playing MTV Asia Awards in Thailand in 2006. I was still with Rivermaya and we performed ‘You'll Be Safe Here.’ Pagbaba ng stage in-interview niya ko; he said he liked the performance. And I said, ‘There's more from where I came from. Visit the Philippines.’”

But for the solo artist, being consistent is a lot of work.

“We try to do our best to uphold that perception. Huwag mapahiya. Pilipino 'to e. Baka nga mas mataas ang expectations nila sa atin. 'Philippines? You better be good!'”

On Asian neighbors

Rico is set to perform with other bands from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, the lineup composed of Rocksteddy, Screw, D=OUT, AOA, Bosco Wong, Shao Yu Han, Yoga Lin, Nidji and No More Tear.

Rico is particularly looking forward to meeting Indonesia’s Nidji.

“When we toured Indonesia years back, they were massively popular. And we already did a show in one of the huge universities there. We did a show back-to-back with them. I never met them but they were phenomenal. Everyone was dressed the way they were dressed,” he said.

“I'd like to see how they're doing now. I'm excited to see how their music has matured.”

Lessons from K-Pop

As for the invasion of K-Pop, which some have dismissed as hype, the musician reminds its fellow artists to learn from its success.

“I think we shouldn't hate Korea because their music is immensely popular. They really invested a lot in their music. They have a certain boldness in their beat. It's a nice lesson for the rest of the world how a certain country can support their industry for it to become a strong player in the global scale. Which Korea has done not just in music but in other industries as well, like Samsung, Hyundai. So it's a good example of foresight and planning.”

The fifth staging of the music festival happens on November 16 at the at the F1 Pit Building, Marina Promenade in Singapore.

By Luigene Yanoria | Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom