THE RESURRECTION OF MITOY YONTING: FROM THE SONG THAT LOST ITS SOUND TO THE HOPE OF VICE GANDA

A construction site in Quezon City was quiet that afternoon. The sound of hammers, the laughter of workers, and the smell of cement filled the air. But in one corner, wiping the sweat from his forehead, there was a man with a familiar face—Mitoy Yonting, the voice that once made millions stand on the stage of The Voice of the Philippines.

Yes, that’s him. The once-admired performer at sold-out concerts, now wearing an old t-shirt, carrying a sandbag, and barely recognizable to passersby. In an instant, the fame he once embraced vanished.

A Voice That Was Silenced

After winning The Voice , Mitoy was flooded with projects—guestings, mall shows, concert tours, and TV appearances. But like many artist stories, a time of silence came. The music changed, the generation changed, and the calls gradually disappeared.

“At first, I said, this will just pass. But as time went on, I felt—it was gone,” he sadly said in an interview with a friend. In the midst of the pandemic, he lost his job completely. He was forced to close his small business, and because he had to support his family, he accepted any job that would give him food.

“I’m not ashamed,” he added. “It’s better to stretch a bone than to beg.”

The Viral Photo

One day, a netizen uploaded a photo of Mitoy working at a construction site. The caption read: “Is this Mitoy Yonting? Seriously, he used to be my idol on The Voice!”

Within hours, the photo went viral on social media. Many netizens were shocked, some cried, and others asked—how did a famous singer get here?

And among the millions who scrolled through that post, there was one person who didn’t just keep scrolling. A person known for his kindness, generosity, and the tagline “no one can beat the beat!” — Vice Ganda.

The Unexpected Call

The next day, Mitoy received a call from an unfamiliar number.
“Hello, Mitoy? This is Vice.”

He stopped. He thought it was a joke. But when he heard the familiar laughter on the other line, he knew it was true.
“I saw your post, I cried. You’re awesome, man, you didn’t give up. I want to help you.”

Mitoy couldn’t believe it. A comedian admired by the nation called to offer help—not as an artist, but as a friend in the industry.

The Unexpected Goodness

A few weeks after the call, Vice Ganda invited Mitoy to It’s Showtime . Little did Mitoy know that he had a surprise in store for him. In the middle of the segment, while Mitoy was singing Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak,” Vice Ganda entered the stage carrying a large check.

“Mitoy, I know what you’re going through isn’t easy. But I won’t allow the voice that inspired so many to remain silent. That’s why I want to help you come back,” Vice said emotionally.

Vice provided the capital so Mitoy could start a small recording café —a combination of a restaurant and a mini-stage where local artists could perform.

“This is not just a business,” Vice added. “This is a home of dreams.”

The Café of Hope

Within a few months, Mitoy built the café in their hometown in Bulacan. With every nail, with every paint, he felt hope. The former singer who almost gave up, now has a reason to sing again.

He opened the café in front of family, friends, and supporters. On the first night of the opening, the place was packed—former fans, bandmates, and a few fellow contestants from The Voice.

As she sang “Wind Beneath My Wings,” tears streamed down her face.
“The truth is, Vice became my wings,” she said as she pointed to the Vice Ganda poster hanging on the wall as a sign of gratitude.

Lessons Behind Success

Mitoy’s story is not just about falling and rising. It is a reminder that true dignity is not measured by popularity, but by the ability to remain steadfast in the midst of a storm.

In an interview six months later, Vice Ganda said:
“I didn’t help because he’s an actor. I helped because he’s a human being. And I know that no matter what happens, there are still people who will believe in goodness.”

Meanwhile, Mitoy’s café continues to make a comeback—it is often visited by young musicians eager to showcase their talent. With every guitar strum, Mitoy is there, smiling, singing, and with a new fire in her eyes.

The Last Note

Now, despite life being difficult, Mitoy has learned the true meaning of success.
“It’s not about the amount of applause or money,” he says. “It’s about the ability to get up no matter how many times you fall.”

And behind it all, Vice Ganda remained silent but steadfast—a reminder that sometimes, the brightest star is the one willing to bend down to help you rise again.

At the end of every night, you can still hear Mitoy on the stage of her café, singing with all her heart. Not for fame, but for hope.

And in every note, every song, every laugh—there is the story of someone who was once lost in the light, but found it again through the kindness of others.

Read the full details and watch the video of the emotional encounter in the comment section below!