Even though he had grown up in the UK for most of his life, 19-year-old Fil-British actor Markus Paterson said he has always felt close to his Asian side. “My mom raised me as a regular British kid. My dad was flying a lot because he was a pilot so it was just me, my mom, and my sister. She really wanted me to get in touch with my Filipino roots. So she sent me here when I was like 9 or 10 to spend a couple of years in grade school just to see what it was like. And then I had a great time, met some good friends whom I’m still friends with now. It was good because that was when I kind of picked up my Tagalog because I was living with my cousins in Cainta and they really couldn’t speak English. But it was worth it because now I can speak fine,” he shared with PUSH during an interview at the Solar Entertainment office in Mandaluyong city.

Markus joined the talent search Pinoy Boy Band Superstar which gave him exposure on the Kapamilya network. “I was part of the show quite a while back. It’s been a year and a half since I joined the competition. Before I joined Boy Band I was already hosting [ASAP] Chillout. I found out about MTV through my friend who works for Solar Scoop and she told me to come and audition here. It was weird because they were only looking for a girl but they kept calling me back. Iniisip ko, ‘Pinapaasa niyo lang ba ako? (laughs)’ But I’m super blessed to get this job and I’m so excited to get this on the way. I didn’t really prepare for the auditions (laughs). I prayed and I was just myself and they liked me so I’m pretty happy about that,” he recalled.

With his strong love for music, Markus said the King of Pop was his biggest main influence. “Growing up it was definitely Michael Jackson because he just made me want to dance even though I can’t dance at all. Recently I’ve been releasing music with my record label Tarsier Records. My musical influences right now would be Daniel Caesar, Khalid, they’re international,” he shared.

The new MTV Fuel Season 2 host also revealed why he looks forward to his new show. “I think MTV Fuel is going to be a lot more fun because it’s more of music and that’s kind of my strong point because I really love music. MTV’s going to be fun because I’m going to have the freedom to play with it. MTV Fuel is very exciting because it’s a different aspect of my hosting. This is adventurous and fun and I’m looking forward to this,” he said.

When it comes to hosting style, Markus said he just wants the audience to know his true self. “I’m just winging it. I’m just with the wind. I don’t really like having plans. I don’t like setting things in motion because I believe that things happen for a reason. I really believe in the law of attraction,” he added.

Watch Markus Paterson on MTVph on Cignal Channel 151, Sky Cable Channel 71, Cablelink Channel 2, Dream Satellite Channel 9 and Destiny Cable Channel 71.