mmalabanan
Marlisa Punzalan of X-Factor Australia and Katriz Trinidad of The Voice USA are the two latest additions to the growing list of Pinoy performers making their marks in international reality singing competitions.
Punzalan, a 14-year-old Pinay, recently made it to the top 5 of X-Factor Australia. Week after week, the shy teenager from Glendenning, New South Wales continues to impress judges particularly 90’s pop icon Ronan Keating.
Her latest performance for the show gained a standing ovation from Keating. In fact, when fellow judge Dannii Minogue commented about Punzalan’s “runs”, Keating immediately defended the young contestant.
He said: “Her runs were great, her runs were amazing. 14 years of age, that’s unbelievable.That was off the charts, you took on a monster of a song… You’re 14. You absolutely nailed it… I hope Australia votes for you.”
Katriz Trinidad, 15, made three chairs turn during the blind auditions for The Voice USA. The Fil-Am singer from San Diego, California wowed the show’s coaches with her rendition of Etta James’ classic At Last.
“Happy” hit maker Pharrell Williams was so impressed with Trinidad’s performance that he went down on his knees to convince her to join his team.
“I never thought that I would find something that I’d usually look for my own label; that I’d been dreaming for an artist like you all my career. Just remember these words: I want you on my team so bad and I’ve never done this. I’m on my knee, ” said Williams.
Earlier this year, Filipina caregiver Rose Fostanes, 47, became the first winner of the X-Factor Israel despite being the only foreign contestant in the show.
Undeniably, Filipino singers all over the world have proven that they have what it takes to make it to the international music scene. With their talent and charm, Punzalan and Trinidad definitely have a shot in winning these competitions.
