Thursday, April 15, 2021

Then and Now: The MTV Asia VJs of the '90s

mtv asia vjs
PHOTO BY Facebook/Kumu, Instagram/nadyahutagalung, instagram/dashofdonita, Instagram/gtongi, Instagram/whattheutt ILLUSTRATION War Espejo

Any '90s kid knows MTV Asia, the music-video channel launched in 1991. Apart from their music-oriented programming and the occasional lifestyle shows, viewers also tuned in to the channel because of their VJs who, with their humor, wit, and good looks, won viewers from all over. 

Over 30 years since the launch of MTV Asia, we track down some of their coolest VJs who we welcomed in our living rooms, reading out requests and presenting the music-video countdowns of the week.

Do you remember these MTV Asia VJs?

Jamie Aditya

 

Jamie Aditya was one of MTV Asia's first VJs. Apart from video jockeying, he is also a musician who has produced multiple albums and some singles. When he left MTV in 2003, he pursued an acting, hosting, and singing career in Indonesia. From 2004 to 2005, he hosted Discovery Channel's Sync or Swim, which featured dance and musical challenges from around the world. Aditya was given one week to learn a specific ethnic dance or piece of indigenous music, and then put to the test in front of a live audience. These days, Aditya is a staple in local television as a presenter, endorser, and judge in talent shows. In 2019, he won best actor for a supporting role at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for the TV series Grisse

Regine Tolentino

She is known as the Philippines' dance diva but prior to that, Regine Tolentino was actually MTV Asia's first Filipino VJ. She started as a VJ in 1997. Today, Tolentino is an entrepreneur, host, endorser, actor, and fashion designer.  

Greg Uttsada

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When Greg Uttsada, aka VJ Utt, joined MTV Asia in the early '90s, he became an international heartthrob, thanks in part to his humor. He spent 15 years as an MTV Asia VJ, making him one of the channel's longest-serving talents. In 2012, he spent a month as a monk at the Golden Mountain Temple in Bangkok. He shaved his hair and meditated every day. These days, Utt has a very active career in the entertainment industry. Apart from hosting and presenting, he is an endorser for numerous brands in Thailand. 

Nadya Hutagalung

Nadya Hutagalung was among the pioneers at MTV Asia. According to a former producer, "Nadya was the chick who made looking hot and being hilarious a legitimate combination." Nadya Hutagalung is now a U.N. Environmental Goodwill Ambassador. She also founded a non-profit called We the Good, which raises funds for various social issues.  

KC Montero

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KC Montero was one of the most recognizable faces on MTV Asia. He joined the show in 1999 after winning the MTV VJ Hunt alongside Belinda Panelo. He hosted segments such as MTV Most Wanted and MTV Jams. He left the program sometime in 2007 and pursued acting, hosting, and presenting. He was appointed as Vice President of Marketing of Kumu, a local livestreaming app in December 2019, and appeared in the long-running TV show Ang Probinsyano in 2019 as Lance Mendez. 

Sonia Couling

Before she became a VJ, Sonia Couling was a model, endorsing beauty products by L'Oreal, Nivea, and Olay. She joined the ranks of MTV Asia's VJs in 1998 and showed everyone she was not just another pretty face: her wit and intelligence were hallmarks of her stint at MTV. And as if she wasn't cool enough, she joined the Royal Thai Airforce as a reserve pilot. Couling remains active on Thai television where she hosts reality shows. 

Donita Rose 

MTV VJ Donita Rose became so popular, she landed on the cover of Time Magazine in 1999. But did you know that she was part of variety show That's Entertainment? She now lives a private life with her children. In 2018, she briefly ran a YouTube cooking channel called Dash of Donita. In a 2020 interview with Inquirer, she revealed she was planning to move to the U.S. and had already sold most of her properties in the Philippines.

G Töngi 

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Giselle Anne Töngi-Walters, aka G Töngi, joined MTV Asia in 1998 for a short stint as a VJ. Since then, she has appeared in various local television series and films, including Trophy Wife (2014) and First Love (2018). Unknown to many, Töngi is also a screenwriter and director. She worked on Pun Plip Pridays on Kababayan Today (2015-2015), in which she was also an executive producer and a sketch comedian for some episodes.

Belinda Panelo

mtv asia vjs
PHOTO BY COSMOPOLITAN PHILIPPINES

Even before she became an MTV VJ in 1999, Belinda Panelo (now Lizardo) shot to fame when she appeared in the "Bridesmaid ka lang!" Coke ad. She made her mark as one of MTV Asia's wackiest and funniest female VJs, and left MTV in 2003. Panelo married longtime boyfriend, tennis player Joseph Lizardo, then migrated to the U.S. She made headlines in 2019 when she became the target of a racist rant in the U.S. 

Mike Kasem

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From 1994 to 1999, Mike Kasem served up daily episodes of MTV Most Wanted. He has since dabbled in acting and radio DJing. Kasem is currently based in Singapore where he is a full-time employee of Mediacorp. Fun fact: He is the son of American Top 40 presenter Casey Kasem.

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