Veteran band vocalist Mitoy Yonting is still reeling from his victory
Sunday night after he was named the first-ever winner of “The Voice of
the Philippines.”
In an interview with ABS-CBN News immediately after the show, Yonting said he feels blessed that a lot of people voted for him.
“Masayang masaya po ako. Pinagpala ako ngayong araw na ito. Maraming salamat sa Diyos at sa mga gumastos ng load nila,” he said.
Yonting said he is clueless as to how he got a massive support but added that he would like to believe that those who voted for him really believed in his talent.
“Siguro 'yung mga nakakapanood ng gigs ko, baka doon ko nahuli ang loob nila. Siguro 'yun ang nagtulak sa kanila para suportahan ako,” he said unsurely.
Asked what he is planning to do with the P2-million cash prize, Yonting said in jest: “Pag-iisipan muna. Itatago ko muna, siguro after 40 years saka ko gagalawin. Magkano ang interes no’n?”
Speaking on a serious note, the 42-year-old member of Team Lea said he would definitely think about how to spend the money considering what he went through to clinch the victory.
“Pag-iisipan ko muna, mahirap 'yung bigla kasi malaking pera. Kung alam niyo lang ang hriap niyan, talagang mahirap kaya sisiguraduhin ko na maayos ang paggagamitan ko,” he said.
Aside from Yonting, his coach, Tony winner Lea Salonga, was equally elated that her bet won.
“It’s been interesting. It’s been amazing. It’s been wonderful. It’s been a learning experience for me because this is the first time I’ve coached like this. I’m hoping that he actually got something from it,” she said.
According to Salonga, she and Yonting did not expect the victory and that they were already content with the top 2 spot.
“For me kasi, we were also talking about it na okay na, we are in the top 2, we are fine. Whatever is God’s will, that’s what will happen. The kaba was gone because at that point, it was beyond us,” she said.
“I think it’s God’s will that we got the second spot to sing which made me happy that he got to sing last. He picked a song that he knew, he’s comfortable with, that he didn’t have to learn,” she added.
Saying Yonting is deserving of the win, Salonga is hoping the world will get to know his talent and good heart.
As the first-ever winner of “The Voice of the Philippines,” Yonting won a P2 million, a new car, an Asian tour package for two and a four-year recording contract with MCA Universal.
