MANILA, Philippines - Mitoy Yonting, the first grand winner of ABS-CBN's "The Voice of the Philippines," did not deny that he once used illegal drugs during his younger days as a band member.
"Nadaanan," he said on ANC Headstart on Friday, referring to a phase of his life when he used the illegal substance. "Napakaplastic naman pag di ko sinabi."
"Nadaanan pero hindi ko lang minahal," the 43-year-old belter added.
But Yonting said pursuing his dreams placed him back on the right path.
"Magandang puhunan yung pangarap talaga eh," he said. "Hindi madaling abutin yung pangarap mo pero basta dun ka lagi. Malihis ka man ng kaunti, balikan mo lang."
The son of a truck driver and a factory worker, Yonting had several jobs to support his family before fully dedicating his life to music.
Back in high school, Yonting said he was a jeepney conductor. He also worked in a printing press.
At the age of 18, Yonting became a band singer. He went to Japan for at least eight times to work as a performer until the mid '90s.
But the first champion of "The Voice of the Philippines" admitted that he initially did not want to be a singer. Growing up idolizing Fernando Poe, Jr., Yonting said his childhood dream was to become a policeman.
"[Gusto ko] ang maglingkod," Yonting said. "Si Fernando Poe Jr. talaga, 'yung mga movie niya, 'yung mga tagapagligtas, 'yung mga tumutulong sa naapi, ang sarap gayahin nito."
"Parang ang sarap mag-pulis. Parang ang sarap tumulong sa tao," added Yonting, who actually took up criminology before pursing a career in music.
Yonting was declared "The Voice of the Philippines†first grand winner during the show’s finale last Sunday.
Read: Team Lea’s Mitoy Yonting wins ‘The Voice of the Philippines’
An early favorite in the competition, Yonting defeated three other contestants for the title and took home P2 million and a new car.
He also has a four-year recording contract with MCA Universal.
Admitting that he is not that young, Yonting said he will just keep doing his musical acts.
"Itutuloy ko lang naman 'yung mga ginagawa ko. Siguro mas lalawak lang 'yung makakakita o makakapanood," he said.
"Kung ibigay ng Diyos na baka makakanta pa ako nang hanggang 20 years pa, why not?Gagawin ko lang yung ginagawa ko na nagustuhan ng mga tao," Yonting added. - Louis Bacani