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Friday, March 29, 2024

The Draybers keep right

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It has become ca ommon scenario that the frontman leaves the band after achieving personal success or a level of popularity beyond a collective name. A bloated ego or some ill advice from outside force often pulls the lead singer out of the band’s loop. 

The good thing though, not everybody let such bump on the road get through a brotherhood’s smooth sail. 

The Draybers keep right
Mitoy Yonting (third from left) has remained with The Draybers even after experiencing solo success. 

Mitoy Yonting, founder and lead vocalist of the highly touted The Draybers, is one man to prove he was able to rise up to such pressure. 

Five years into his band’s active run, he eventually found mainstream recognition after winning in The Voice of the Philippines back in 2013. No worries, he is still with them. 

“Nalagpasan na namin yung problema na baka umabot sa magwawatak-watak kami dahil di nagkakaunawaan. Alam na namin ang toyo ng isa’t isa,” laid out the high-pitched singer. 

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The band’s tightness as a unit is rewarded with a special concert obviously backed by Resorts World Manila since its Bar 360, wherein the group is regularly performing, has become a haven for fans and the casino crowd. That means the group has been around for a decade now after settling for their name. 

Dubbed Biyaheng Diyes, the concert is scheduled on the evening of Oct. 30 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. 

The Draybers, hailed for their renditions of classics from, say, Air Supply, Journey, and Survivor, is now a three-time Aliw Awardee adjudged Best Performer in a lounge, bar, or hotel in 2012, 2013, and again last year. 

I agree with what Paolo Valenciano, the director for their milestone show, said about people “end up stopping” upon hearing them live. I experienced it myself when years ago I heard them play a personal favorite, Alan Parsons Project’s “Eye In The Sky,” while passing by the same bar without knowing who they were. Their version was carefully loyal to how it is heard on throwback radio and the playing was locked in. Prior to that, they played the Wings signature track “Band On The Run” to a similar degree of showmanship so I sensed I was hearing a showband playing the cool classics organically spot on. 

“Sa pagbabanda, everyday is a challenge. Mas marami ang down moments. Pero masaya naman kapag dumating ang blessings,” he argued.

Mitoy’s triumph on the ABS-CBN-aired The Voice made him into a household name overnight. Somehow he knew it’s a passing phase. But one to help his band keep a good name.

Amusingly, Mitoy is technically solo when you check the digital music world considering his recordings are credited solely to him. That he is declaring once and for all that he has remained with his band all along is a testament to his deep connection with his bandmates that include his younger brother Mylo (rhythm guitar and co-singer). The other Draybers are lead guitarist Cesar Uy Salazar, keyboardist Edwin Garcia, bassist Jerome Reformano, and drummer Jude Santos.

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