MANILA, Philippines - Matapos ang 15 taong pamamahinga sa showbiz sa pagsisilbi sa public service nagbabalik si Jojo Veloso, na may mata sa pagdiskubre ng mga artista. Ilan lamang sa kanyang mga discoveries ang beauty queens na sina Sabrina Artadi, Jennifer Pingree, ang maganda pa rin at still active in the business na si Alice Dixon, at si Rowena Moran (nanay ni Lovi Poe), Gary Estrada, Rustom Padilla (mas kilala na ngayong BB Gandanghari), Dale Villar, Matthew Mendoza, Carlos Morales, Ina Raymundo, Ana Capri, Via Veloso, Aya Medel.
Sa udyok ng VIVA big boss na si Vic del Rosario, naghanap siya ng mga bagong mukha at nakabuo ng bagong grupo na kinabibilangan ng six new good-looking young boys na tinawag niyang Brat Boys. Mula sa iba’t ibang lugar and with different family backgrounds, he got the nod of boss Vic and signed them up for five years. “Actually na inspire ako sa name sa movie na Brat Pack during the 80s kaya dun ko kinuha ang name ng group
“But on the contrary they are not spoiled kids, medyo mga pilyo lang pero mga talented at magaganda ang attitude, especially towards work. At pareho sila ng goal, that is to work hard and make a name in the industry.”
Malapit nang i-launch ang Brat Boys at nagti-take na sila ng voice lessons under Zebedee Zuñiga.
Halos produkto ng male beauty contest in their respective provinces ang mga miyembro ng Brat Boys na kinabibilangan nina Romcel Brinquis (mula sa Marikina, 20, and the lead choreographer of the group; marunong siyang kumanta at tumugtog ng gitara), Xander Pineda (mula sa Sapang Bato, Angeles, Pampanga, 19, ang lead soloist at pamangkin ng international singer na si Apl.de.ap,), Victor Rosales (the only member from Biliran province, 19; his dance skill is a big factor in the group), Rusell Castillo (ng Bulacan, 19, and the tallest among the boys, 5’11”; a well-roundedperformer he can sing, dance, plays the guitar and piano); Red Caparas (from Muntinlupa, 19, an active volunteer of Bahay Aruga, an institution for abandoned children in Tunasan, Muntinlupa; he teaches the kids how to dance during his free time); at Adrian Joseph “AJ” Arias (20, also from Bulacan; na graduating na sa college with a degree in Theater Arts).
Nitong nakaraang linggo naman ay sumalang sa kamera ang Brat Boys dahil featured sila sa indie film na Ecstacy, under Buboy Tan. The movie will introduce three new sirens (members of the new female group called Girlfriends, na mina-manage rin ni Jojo).