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John Rey Malto

Josh Mercado

John Rey Malto began his career as a freelance talent coordinator and has now grown to become a full-time talent manager, helping to discover, mentor, and refine the skills of rising artists, influencing their evolution and preparing them for long-term careers.&ldquo;When I was just starting out, the problems I experienced were often like striking a moving target. There were times when it looked practically impossible to succeed &nbsp;&mdash; we had casting auditions when no one passed &mdash; but those difficulties never discouraged me,&rdquo; he said.One of Malto&rsquo;s proudest accomplishments, he said, is mentoring young people who aspire to be in the entertainment industry. Supporting artists and helping place their resumes with production companies, he added, is more fulfilling than personal recognition.One particularly noteworthy moment was when his talent Joice Espinoza&#39;s song &quot;Pangako Mo&quot; received over 1.2 million views online and gained awards.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766016025583image0 (1).jpeg" style="width: 960px; display: block; height: auto;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960">John Rey Malto poses for photo with aspiring artists.&nbsp;Josh Mercado</div>In terms of industry lessons, Malto said, &quot;Throughout my time in this field, I&#39;ve learnt the value of working effectively with directors, producers, production teams, and other talents. Collaboration and mutual respect are vital.&rdquo;A graduate of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University with a degree in Political Science, Malto&#39;s academic background, combined with hands-on industry experience, allows him to train emerging performers with both discipline and creativity.When discovering young talents desiring to enter the entertainment industry, he searches for those with genuine potential, natural talent, and, most importantly, star quality.&ldquo;As a talent scout, I search for those that stand out &mdash; those who possess something distinctive and uncommon. Mentoring emerging artists is really rewarding since it allows me to guide and assist them in navigating the entertainment industry,&rdquo; he shared.While it is extremely tough to turn someone into a star for a variety of reasons, the talent manager never gives up.&ldquo;What keeps me motivated to evolve in this industry is realizing how many people rely on us and how much we can assist emerging talents. My idea is straightforward: as long as I am able, I will continue to help young dreamers,&rdquo; he expressed.Malto, who aims to open new doors for his talents in 2026, advised aspiring artists to do their best, follow their dreams, believe in themselves and remain confident in their talents. &ldquo;Anything is achievable if you are committed to your dreams,&rdquo; he said.On whether there is a formula for success, he added, &ldquo;If you truly love your profession, dedication and perseverance will guide you. Success occurs at the perfect time.&rdquo;

When discovering young talents desiring to enter the entertainment industry, talent manager John Rey Malto searches for those with genuine potential, natural talent, and, most importantly, star quality.

When discovering young talents desiring to enter the entertainment industry, talent manager John Rey Malto searches for those with genuine potential, natural talent, and, most importantly, star quality.

For this talent manager, mentoring artists is true measure of success

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For this talent manager, mentoring artists is true measure of success

Josh Mercado

Published December 18, 2025 11:06 AM PHT

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John Rey Malto

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