‘X Factor Israel’ grand winner Rose Fostanes does PH proud
Rose “Osang” Fostanes’ astonishing victory in local reality franchise “X Factor Israel” isn’t just a win for a Filipina working as caregiver to an ailing woman in the capital city of Tel Aviv.
Fostanes—who won the hearts the Israeli audience —has finally given the word “Filipino” another meaning besides ‘caregiver’ in this part of the world.
On January 14 (January 15 in Manila), Osang brought the house down when she performed Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You” in the show’s finale.
Her classy rendition of the Filipinos’ favorite videoke song, matched with a full orchestra, got a standing ovation from the judges—rock singer Rami Fortis, singer- composer Moshe Peretz, pop singer Ivri Lider, and Maimon—and the audience, which included her Filipina girlfriend who flew all the way from the Philippines.
Breaking stereotype
On January 13 (Monday), Reuters reported that Fostanes “hopes her popularity on the show will shine a spotlight on Israel's low-paid foreign workers, who include about 20,000 Filipinos.”
"I feel that everybody is looking at me like I was an alien. A Filipina working here, cleaning houses,” she was quoted as saying when she auditioned for the Israeli version of the hit British franchise created by Simon Cowell.
Her fate changed overnight when she surprised Israelis with a soulful voice a Filipino might consider ordinary in his country.
"I get from them a lot of good compliments, especially when I'm on the street, when I'm on the bus. I get from them love, from all the Israeli people who saw my videos and saw me on the television," Osang told Reuters.
The Philippines has produced global vocal powerhouses even before reality singing programs like “American Idol” featured Fil-Ams like Jasmine Trias and Jessica Sanchez.
