Former VJs reminisce about MTV amid reports that it's shutting down some of its music channels after 40 years
Former Filipino video jockeys are recalling happy times with MTV amid reports that some of its channels are set to shut down for good.
On Dec. 31, five MTV channels will go off the air permanently in the UK and Ireland after almost 40 years running, reported BBC. Following the closure in the UK, the channels will go dark in continental Europe and other international markets, including Australia, Poland, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Brazil.
The channels shutting down are MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live. The flagship channel, MTV HD, however, will continue broadcast, but will focus on airing reality series, such as The Challenge, Jersey Shore, and its British spin-off Geordie Shore.
With the impending closures, a few former Filipino VJs who caught their break in MTV waxed nostalgic on social media.
"Growing up in the US, MTV shaped my love for music, dance, and fashion—it was where I discovered my passion and individuality," wrote Regine Tolentino, the first Filipino VJ for MTV Asia in 1997, on Facebook.
"It was such an honor travel back and forth from Manila to Singapore, do different shows and concerts, and have the chance to meet and interview global artists like the Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Boyzone, Simply Red, Aqua, and Alanis Morissette—truly a dream come true for that young girl who grew up watching the channel every day," Tolentino added.
Former MTV Philippines VJ Andi Manzano was similarly sentimental on social media. She came onboard after she won the MTV VJ Hunt in 2007 with Kat Alano.
"I still remember that day I auditioned for the MTV VJ Hunt… I was so nervous. It was always a dream and never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d make it to the Top 12… all the more win and actually become an MTV VJ. My first day hosting the Top 10 countdown, I was shaking so much. We had to memorize and adlib 15 pages. It took me two hours to finish that first shoot," she wrote.
"MTV was such a huge part of my life. It opened doors, taught me so much, it let me experience things I never imagined I would like meeting artists and different people, hosting in front of massive crowds and the biggest stadiums and just being part of something that defined a whole generation," she added.
Anne Curtis, who became an MTV Philippines VJ in 2007, also shared her memories in a comment on Manzano's post: “Awww nostalgic. We were babies. I remember being so nervous and excited about being an MTV VJ.”
Other celebrities who got their break as MTV Asia VJs include Donita Rose, G Toengi, Belinda Panelo, KC Montero, Marc Abaya (for MTV Philippines), Kat Alano (for MTV Philippines), Cindy Kurleto, Jamie Wilson, and Sarah Meier.
MTV was launched in the United States in 1981, showing mostly music videos of hit songs. MTV Europe was introduced after six years. MTV Asia started in 1991 and was followed by MTV Philippines the following year, though it officially ended in 2018. MTV UK, meanwhile, got its own channel in 1997.
