Their energy may be contagious, their laughter and boyish antics, hilarious, but the members of BoybandPH mean business when it comes to work. Boybandph receives their MYX Music Award as 2018 Group of the Year (from left): Joao Constancia, Russell Reyes, Niel Murillo, Ford Valencia, and Tristan Ramirez I was blessed to star with these fun loving kids for a month on the Sunday primetime fantaserye “Wansapanataym.” Here’s what I learned about them. Joao Constancia The 21-year-old Joao (pronounced Juwaw) was born and raised by Filipino parents in Macau. His dad was a nurse and his mom worked many jobs including working in orphanages and casinos. Joao tells Gossip Girl that he really wanted to become an actor and audition for “Pinoy Big Brother.” He asked his parents and they supported his desire and he immediately flew to the Philippines. He was not able to make it to “Pinoy Big Brother” but he said, “I guess God had other plans for me and that was to join the ‘Pinoy Boyband Superstar.’ I am so blessed to be part of this group. Right now I am helping my dad pay for a condominium here in Manila to thank him for what he did for me.” Tristan Ramirez Tristan for me is the most handsome among the five boys. He looks like a mix of Filipino and American or Caucasian so I asked the six-foot tall lad with six pack abs about his parents. He told me, “Both my parents are Filipinos. My mother is a household helper and my father is a construction worker. I had to stop college because we lacked money to complete the tuition. But now that I am in BoybandPH, I am beginning to save up again so I can finish my college. I am not ashamed where I came from because my parents’ jobs are honest and they have dignity in labor. Even if I am earning already, they said they will still continue to work so that I can save up money for the future.” Ford Valencia At a very young age, this BoybandPH member worked as a waiter, ship mechanic, insurance agent and a freelance singer to make ends meet. His faith in God is outstanding, “I used to wait tables, now I can eat in expensive restaurants. Everything I have. I owe it to the Lord. I thank God every single day for the turn of events in my life.” Niel Murillo “I draw my strength from my blind brother. Everything I do now is for him. I don’t know if he can ever see again but my success is his success as well,” the Cebuano BoybandPH member told Gossip Girl. Russell Reyes Russell went on vacation in the Philippines from Illinois and saw the contest and joined. Talented in both singing and playing the piano, Russell is also the funniest in the group. Currently, the boys are busy with “Wansapanataym” and doing provincial concerts. Their managing agency is Star Magic.