'Britain's Got Talent' contestant Matty J encourages Filipinos to take chances abroad

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MANILA, Philippines — Singer Matty Juniosa moved from Mandaluyong City to Scotland over three years ago and he's never looked back.

The leap to the United Kingdom was to pursue a Musical Theater degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, which he balanced with work as a part-time waiter.

Matty managed to finish the program and already has eyes on the stage in more ways than one, especially after his "Britain's Got Talent" audition was deemed worthy of a Golden Buzzer.

The singer performed a soulful rendition of Prince's "Purple Rain," which had judge Simon Cowell assuring Matty would qualify straight for the competition's semifinal round.

Both the degree and the audition were results of the difficult decisions Matty had to make in leaving the Philippines to chase his dreams.

Matty told Philstar.com in an exclusive interview that adjusting to life in Scotland was the hardest yet most fulfilling he has had so far.

"I knew the sacrifice that I had to make. I knew the price that I had to pay before going here," Matty said.

The Filipino singer recalled how his jolly but reserved lolo (grandfather) advised him to pursue his dreams and "be courageous," which he took to heart.

The singer cited the Scottish phrase "gie it a bash," which means "give it a bash," or how Matty puts it, "If it's strong and wrong, then whatever. If it's right, then it's tight."

He recalled sleepless nights after coming home to no food, laundry and dishes to be done, and getting sick but still having to attend school and work.

"As much as it was very hard, it was quite nice kasi parang iniisip mo, 'Grabe noh, you used to dream about things like this and now you're here,'" Matty reflected.

There was even a time when he had to sleep on the doorstep of a friend's flat in Edinburgh after getting locked out.

Still, Matty looked at the positives, "This is like the part of the Netflix story na medyo sobrang hardship ang work tapos one day ma-achieve ang dream... this is the character building!"

One thing he had to learn living miles away from the comfort of a home in the Philippines to living on his own in Scotland was cook for himself, especially when he misses dishes like Sinigang and Adobo.

"I love Glasgow to bits pero there's one Jollibee and one Filipino store!" Matty chuckled. "I'm going to have to get corned beef from the Filipino store and then add it to my Jollibee spaghetti."

Philstar.com then asked Matty for tips or words of encouragement for fellow Filipinos who have recently moved abroad to work or study.

"Oh my God, do it. Do it. You have one chance, you have one life, might as well do it," the singer answered with a big smile.

He shared the quotation on his high school yearbook was a phrase attributed to writer Mark Twain that goes: "In 20 years time you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do, than the things you did. So throw off the bow lines and sail away from the safe harbor."

Matty reiterated there were sacrifices to be made and a price to pay, but these are worth it, while acknowledging that he was speaking from a place of privilege.

The singer also paraphrased something Oscar winner Will Smith said about the best things in life are found after taking leaps.

"People who are dreamers as well, do it, do everything in your power to make it happen," Matty continued. "And don't stop, because the minute you stop, that's when you lose. If you don't stop and you keep going, eventually it will pay off."

After giving it some thought Matty added the phrase "it takes a village," as indeed, it rings true for him as he thanked several individuals who were pivotal to what he has built for himself today.

"There will be so many people and if you live your life authentically, people will see that," Matty ended.

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