MORE and more Pinoys who grew up abroad are trying their luck in the local entertainment field. Among of the more promising imports are television heartthrob Troy Montero and 17-year-old Fil-Australian singer Myka.

On Pops Fernandez's ongoing Ultimate Concert Tour, Troy has become a favorite guest. He was a standout on the first leg of the tour last Aug. 28 at Zamboanga. Last Sept. 10 and 11, he joined Pops, Ogie Alcasid and Janno Gibbs in Davao.

A special friendship has developed between Pops and Troy, but Troy maintains that's all there is between them. "We are good friends in the same way that I also consider Charlene my friend. Whenever I have problems, Pops is always there to listen," he says.

Concertizing also brought Troy to Japan with Vina Morales and Lloyd Umali for a series of shows for the Filipino communities there. The 10-day exposure not only showcased Troy's dancing skill, but his singing as well.

Unknown to many, Troy has loved singing since he was a small kid. He has a baritone voice and can hit high notes with no difficulty. During his teen years in Seattle, Troy played with a country band. He reads notes and can play the sax and a little bit of piano.

Troy has signed up with Dyna Records and will release his dance album at the start of the new millennium.

The host of "Keep On Dancing" was welcomed with open arms by the cast of "Oki Doki Doc" during his first taping day. He appears in the sitcom on a semi-regular basis. On the set, he requested the cast to converse with him in Tagalog, which he's been having a hard time learning.

"It's my brother KC who is a fast learner. I guess his long stay in the province helped him a lot. I can understand, but what is tough for me is the conversing part," Troy admits.

There have been offers for Troy to go bold on the screen but he is firm in saying that he is not going to be a film stud. He says he is not even comfortable looking at himself naked in the mirror, what more with a production crew around him! Besides, his folks, who raised him in a conservative manner, definitely wouldn't approve.

Troy has just arrived from the United States, where he shot his scenes for "Dito sa Puso Ko," a remake of "Lollipops and Roses" starring Judy Ann Santos and Wowie de Guzman.

Troy is not committed to anyone or anything except to his career, which he enjoys immensely despite the many intrigues.

Troy can count new singing sensation Myka as one his admirers. "I think he is so sexy," she purrs during the launching of her self-titled album under Vicor.

Born on June 11, 1982 in Cebu City, her family moved to Australia when she was two years old. At age three, she has been joining singing competitions. Her biggest break came when she was seven and won in the Australian Star Search. Since then, Myka has been a part of many musical productions.

Last year, Pilita Corrales spotted her and immediately saw her potential as singer. Myka was asked to front-act for Pilita and Carding's show in Brisbane. In one of her holiday visits to the country, Pilita brought her to Vicor, and the company offered her a recording contract. Her self-titled debut album is a mix of six originals and four revivals.