MYX NEWBIES Janine Ramirez and Nel Gomez promise to let their individuality shine through when they start their new lives as VJs. (Photos by JUDE BAUTISTA)

Thousands would die to be in their shoes. More would line up at talent search auditions to be on TV. And millions would upload self-made videos on YouTube for their 15 minutes of fame But for new MYX VJs Janine Ramirez and Nel Gomez, it’s more than just those 15 minutes. It’s about the dream!

Janine and Nel bested hundreds of hopefuls at recent MYX VJ Search. And after almost two months of rigorous training, their VJ-ing skills will finally be put to test when they debut their hosting skills, starting at the concert event “MYX Mo!” with theme “Bangon, Republic of MYX” on Nov. 26.

While they acknowledge that viewers will expect them to be at par with seasoned MYX VJs Luis Manzano, Iya Villania and Nikki Gil, these newbies promise to bring something new and fresh, with their individuality shining through.

MISS PERKY
Twenty-four year-old marketing specialist Janine Marie Campos Ramirez says it was her grandfather, car racing legend Pocholo Ramirez, who inspired her to pursue becoming a VJ.

“I want to have that life like he did. Even until his last days, he never stopped talking about racing and cars.

He found his passion in life, which is racing. Since his death, I was trying find out what I was passionate about. What do I enjoy doing? I thought, if I don’t try now, I’m gonna regret it for the rest of my life,” she relates.

A master of facial expressions, Janine’s friends always tell her that she fits the VJ job description to a T. “They always say bagay ako sa TV. When I tell stories, my face is very animated. I’m a wacky person. I’m just too happy, naturally cheery. I’m a ball of energy. I’m not afraid to make a fool of myself, at all. I get embarrassed, but I do get over it easily. After the audition, I felt I really, really wanna be a VJ,” says the marketing graduate from the Ateneo de Manila University.

Days before the audition, Janine did research, looking for past auditions on YouTube. “The night before I was freaking out. I thought hard on what to wear because I really wanted it to reflect who I am. Even days before that, I go to the website of MYX all the time. I’m kinda like that, I like being prepared, even though I know I’m never gonna be really fully prepared.”

Janine believes that her marketing background really prepared her. “Like in business development, I sell a product.

Now I’m the product. In marketing presentations, I have to speak. Being a copywriter, I feel that I’m responsible for the vision of the writer. Now it’s my turn to bring their ideas to life. We’re not just VJs, we carry the name and we have to keep the reputation of the company,” says the former corporate slave.

Despite having racing in the blood, Janine is scared to get into it. “The only racing I did was go karts,” she laughs. “I’m afraid to drive because it’s not just racing, it’s a discipline.”

When asked about her biggest fear, she admits it’s failure that scares her.

“Because of that, it is so hard for me to admit to myself that yes I do want this because the risk is greater. When I admit to myself that this is for me and I don’t get this job, ano na ang gagawin ko sa buhay ko. It was that big for me,” she explains.

MUSIC FAN

Student/theater actor Nelsito “Nel” Gomez grew up watching MYX. “My mom just told me randomly, Nelsito why don’t you try out for this, the VJ search. My audition was a very chill audition. It was only like half-way through the training that I realized I really want this so bad. I actually cried when I won,” he reveals.

Being a MYX VJ gives Nel the chance to combine two of his passions, music and performing. “I love music so much. Music is my life. I’m also a performer and I like talking about music, so what a perfect job,” says the 19-year-old Filipino-Colombian.

Nel started out in theater. He was in the cast of the local staging of “High School Musical,” and has done several shows for PETA and Trumpets.

Aside from discipline of time, which he learned from theater, his common knowledge of music helped him as well in landing the job as a VJ. “Being in theater helped me because in rehearsals alone, I’m always one hour ahead. That carried over here. I’m always prompt. And I love music. I love speaking about music,” he says.

Even as a kid, Nel has already showed interest in music. “When I was six years old, I performed in a UNICEF concert with Gary Valenciano. I still have the video, me playing the bongos and Gary playing the conga,” he recalls.

In high school, he accepted a few DJ gigs for friends. “I was 14, of course I wasn’t allowed to drink alcohol, so to be the life of a party, naging DJ na lang ako. They pay me around P1,500 per gig.”

School wasn’t a priority at that time for Nel, he was either at a theater rehearsal or at a friend’s party. “I’m not proud of it but I got kicked out of high school because of low grades. It’s not that I’m dumb, it’s just that when I was in first year high school I wanted to go out, have fun. I had my own troubles. But then I realized everything happens for a reason. If I were in a regular school now, this might not have happened to me,” he explains.

Nel is now finishing high school via home schooling. He is definitely going to college and is eyeing a Music course at the College of Saint Benilde.

“I see myself being a VJ for a long time. But it has always been my dream to come up with an album and have a concert in Araneta Coliseum, with the stage in the middle. Artists inspire me and I’ve always wanted to be an inspiration to other people. I’ve gone through a rough path but there’s always a bounce back. My quote in life, fall down seven times, stand up eight, because no matter how many times you fall, you just get back up. And I hope I’m a living inspiration to that,” he ends.