Just the right amount of fame was all they wanted, but these cool VJs are getting more than what they had wished for…
For many young people, being a VJ is the next best thing to being an actor.
Why so? ‘Veejaying’ supposedly gives them the freedom to be creative, the opportunity to mingle with showbiz celebs, and the exposure to achieve just the right amount of fame. But there is a lot more to this job than acting cool on TV, and the glamorous lifestyle they supposedly live.
Though boning up on music and pop-culture trivia is a must for any job applicant, it is also important to come up with ideas that will get the young viewer’s attention.
“You really have to know your music and how to connect with people,” says 25-year-old MYX VJ Drei Felix. “Being articulate will help a lot but the backbone is if you’re comfortable with yourself and your knowledge in music. You should know what you’re talking about.’’
Being a VJ is something that Drei feels strongly for. “I hold the record for the most number of auditions on MYX. I auditioned five or six times, and this was even long before they had a VJ search,” he admits.
A graduate of AB Interdisciplinary studies from Ateneo de Manila University, Drei started appearing on TV commercials before venturing into acting on TV and movies. His father would have wanted Drei to follow in his footsteps and join the corporate world but he says he enjoyed the art of communicating more. He eventually shifted from acting to hosting, landing a stint as an ABS-CBN sports reporter and a radio DJ for Jam 88.3.
Today, Drei considers this the best job in the world – that is after two years of interviewing local and international artists, covering countless music events including the most memorable one for him, watching the Queen of Pop, Madonna live in her “Sticky and Sweet” concert tour.
“The main thrust of MYX is to promote music, particularly local music, 24 hours a day and seven days a week,” explains Drei. “That sets MYX apart from the others. We have so many shows that a lot of young people can relate to. And if you’re a music lover, you’ll definitely love the music channel. Every Filipino kasi may music inclination yan eh. That’s why all the KTV and karaoke bars work here in the Philippines. Mahilig kumanta ang Pilipino. With MYX pa it has the lyrics,” he ends.
BECOMING A VJ
A fresh new batch of talents, wit and charm, new MYX VJs Bianca Roque, Monica Yncierto, Chino Lui Pio and
Robi Domingo admit that becoming a VJ is a dream come true.
Robi is no stranger to TV being a former Pinoy Big Brother Teen housemate and has appeared in a number of TV shows. Juggling school, acting and his new job as a VJ, he explains that they actually all complement each other.
A freshman at the Ateneo taking up Health Sciences, Robi plans to pursue medical school in the future. “But to be honest it’s hard to balance it with my studies because sometimes I don’t sleep at all. Sometimes taping ends at 5 a.m. and I have to go school at 7 a.m. My parents want me to be Superman,” he relates.
Chino Lui Pio is a familiar face to music video fans as he has already appeared in Hale’s music video “Kahit Pa.” Although growing up in a musically-inclined family, (his father is composer Nonoy Tan and his brother is no less than Hale’s lead vocalist Champ), Chino cannot see himself in a band or performing. He would rather be a ‘’messenger of music, ’’ a VJ in short!
“I can’t sing, but I can distinguish good music from bad ones. That’s why sometimes ako pa nga ang nagbibigay kay Champ ng new stuff, new bands to listen to,” says this 22-year old Business Management graduate from De La Salle University who also recently opened a clothing line business with his friends.
Self-confessed fashion addict Bianca is busy putting together a new line of street wear with her friends, aside from “VJ-ing” on the side. “Eversince I was a kid I really love fashion. My mom would tell me when I was five years old, I would go out to her parties wearing her heels, her accessories, her lipstick,” says the 23-year-old Fashion Design graduate from College of St. Benilde.
Bianca was shocked when her name was called as one of the winners of the MYX VJ Search late last year. “Because I have a super bad case of stage fright. Anything that involves public speaking make me shiver like crazy. So, I didn’t really expect to win,” she says.
On her first taping day she got so nervous that she seriously considered quitting. “I really made a big fool out of myself. Right there and then I just wanna quit. My colleagues even had to talk me out of it,” reveals the former flight attendant. But she figured that she should just face her fears, and good thing that she did. Bianca is now enjoying every moment of it. “It’s part of being young,” she says.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Monica brings a wealth of experience, education, and enthusiasm to her new role as a VJ. This Psychology graduate from University of San Carlos in Cebu is an events host and a radio DJ. Equally passionate about analyzing people and pop culture, Monica is ready to offer a well-informed perspective on everything, from her fascination about people and issues to the latest music trends.
Monica has this advice to those who want to follow in her footsteps: “Especially for those who think that it is too big a dream, that it’s not for me. I felt that way before. Just go for it. You’ll never know until you try it.”
