Did you know that two Filipinos (in a row!) have won The X Factor Australia?
Madonna Decena — Britain’s Got Talent, Season 2
Rank: Semi-finalist
Defining performance: “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
Even though she didn't make it to the finals, Madonna moved the audience, not only with her Whitney rendition, but also through her story as a single mother who wanted to provide for her daughters back in Manila.
ITV
ITV / Via youtube.com
Jal Joshua Lebumfacil — Australia’s Got Talent, Season 3
Rank: First runner-up
Defining performance: “One Voice” by Barry Manilow
Then 11-year-old Jal migrated with his family to Australia in 2008. A year later, the Cebu native wowed the audience when he joined Australia's Got Talent. He may have lost to opera singer Mark Vincent but that didn't stop him from joining other talent contests like The X Factor Australia in 2014.
Seven Network
Seven Network / Via youtube.com
Rose Fostanes — The X Factor Israel, Season 1
Rank: Winner
Defining performance: “My Way” by Frank Sinatra
Rose was working as a caregiver before she entered The X Factor where she emerged as the Season 1 winner. However, her triumph was marred with visa issues so she continued to pursue her singing career back home.
Reshet
Reshet / Via youtube.com
Charlie Green — Britain’s Got Talent, Season 2
Rank: Semi-finalist
Defining performance: “Summer Wind” by Frank Sinatra
In 2008, 11-year-old Charlie Green blew the judges away with his old soul charm. The English-Filipino singer didn't win the season but he scored some record deals in the Philippines. Now he's all grown up and touring with his own live band.
ITV
ITV / Via youtube.com
Camile Velasco — American Idol, Season 3
Rank: 9th place
Defining performance: “One Last Cry” by Brian McKnight
Camile was one of the first Filipino-Americans who brought Idol fever to the Philippines. She now goes by the stage name Eli-mac.
Fox
Fox / Via youtube.com
Jasmine Trias — American Idol, Season 3
Rank: 3rd place
Defining performance: “Inseparable” by Natalie Cole
After her Idol stint, Jasmine made waves in the Philippines with a number of endorsement deals.
Fox
Fox / Via youtube.com
Jessica Sanchez — American Idol, Season 11
Rank: First runner-up
Defining performance: “Sweet Dreams” by Beyonce
Jessica was up against Phillip Phillips in the Idol finale. She didn't clinch the title, but at least she got to release this catchy solo record featuring Ne-Yo.
Fox
Fox / Via youtube.com
Cheesa Laureta — The Voice, Season 2
Rank: Finalist
Defining performance: “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler
The Voice opened the doors for Cheesa to explore a solo career. In 2012, she collaborated with Jake Zyrus (who was performing as Charice at the time) on a debut single entitled “I'm Not Perfect”.
NBC
NBC / Via youtube.com
MiG Ayesa — Rock Star: INXS
Rank: 3rd place
Defining performance: “Baby I Love Your Way” by Peter Frampton
In 2005, MiG was close to becoming the next INXS vocalist. But the rock gods had a different plan for the Filipino-Australian singer. While he released a couple of records post-Rock Star: INXS, he found his stage in theatre arts. He recently announced that he will be part of an Air Supply musical.
CBS
CBS / Via youtube.com
Krissha Viaje — I Can Sing in Japanese
Rank: Champion
Defining performance: Basically any Japanese song she can sing!
Krissha is part of Girltrends, a girl group featured in the Philippine variety show It's Showtime. What people didn't know about the 20-year-old was that she is an avid fan of Japanese culture. When Krissha joined I Can Sing in Japanese last year, she bested 11 other finalists with her perfect Nihongo singing. If you're still not impressed, she just recently won another singing contest in Japan.
GEM TV
Lance Busa — Michael Bolton’s Bolt of Talent
Rank: Grand Winner
Defining performance: “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” by Michael Bolton
In 2017, Lance became the Philippines' representative to Michael Bolton's talent search. The 22-year-old boy from Butuan almost gave up on singing before hearing about the contest.
Fox Asia
Fox Asia / Via youtube.com
Darlin Joy Baje — ASEAN +3 Song Contest
Rank: Grand Winner
Defining performance: “One Night Only” by Jennifer Hudson
Darlin defeated 21 contestants from other Southeast Asian countries. It was the Filipina hotel employee's first time to enter a singing contest. The competition was held in Vietnam where Darlin has been based as an OFW.
VTC 1
VTC 1 / Via youtube.com
Lesha x ELM — YouTube’s Best Cover Ever
Rank: Grand Prize Winner
Defining performance: “Kissing Strangers” by DNCE
College friends Lesha Litonjua and Leo Malli won YouTube's first talent competition. For their audition video, the duo did a DNCE cover of “Tooth Brush”. They were the only Asians chosen as finalists.
YouTube Originals
YouTube Originals / Via youtube.com
4th Impact — The X Factor UK, Season 12
Rank: 5th Place
Defining performance: “Bang Bang” by Jessie J
The Cercado Sisters, better known as 4th Impact, caught global attention on The X Factor. After their stint on the show, the sisters have performed in different countries and recorded their debut single in the Philippines.
FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia / Via youtube.com
Jed Madela — Voice of Asia 2003 and Grand World Champion for the Performing Arts 2005
Rank: He's won so many awards, I've lost count.
Defining performance: “I Don't Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith
Jed was the Philippines' first representative to the Voice of Asia contest in 2003. Not only did he win in the male category, he also snatched the Silver Trophy, People's Choice and Sponsor's Choice Award. His grand slam victory continued when he entered the Grand World Champion for the Performing Arts in 2005. Currently, Jed remains as one of the best singers in the country with solo concerts and variety show performances here and there.
youtube.com
Via youtube.com
Cyrus Villanueva — The X Factor Australia, Season 7
Rank: Winner
Defining performance: “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak
Cyrus was 19 years old when he won The X Factor Australia in 2015. His self-titled debut album received gold status in Australia.
Seven Network
Seven Network / Via youtube.com
Marlisa Punzalan — The X Factor Australia, Season 6
Rank: Winner
Defining performance: “Yesterday” by The Beatles
At 15 years old, Marlisa was the youngest contest to win the competition. She was mentored by Ronan Keating on the show. Her debut single “Stand By You” was released in 2014 and reached top two in the Australian music chart as well as a platinum status in the Australian Recording Industry Association.
Seven Network
Seven Network / Via youtube.com
Gerphil Flores — Asia’s Got Talent, Season 1
Rank: 3rd place
Defining performance: “Speak Softly, Love” by Andy Williams
The classical singer wowed the Asia's Got Talent judges including David Foster who pressed the Golden Buzzer, advancing Gerphil to the semi-finals.
AXN Asia
AXN Asia / Via youtube.com
Lukas Janisch — The Voice Kids Germany, Season 4
Rank: Winner
Defining performance: “Fallin” by Alicia Keys
All The Voice coaches fought to get Lukas on their respective teams during the Filipino-Austrian's blind audition. Lukas then chose Mark Forster as his coach.
Talpa
Talpa / Via youtube.com
Alisah Bonaobra — The X Factor UK, Season 14
Rank: 6th Place
Defining performance: “Listen” by Beyonce
Alisah had a lot of twists and turns during the competition. She was supposed to get eliminated early but her a capella version of Mariah Carey's “We Belong Together” made the judges change their minds.
ITV
ITV / Via youtube.com
KZ Tandingan — Singer 2018
Rank: 5th Place
Defining performance: “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele
KZ became the talk of the internet when she slayed an Adele song on Singer 2018. Her fierce persona on stage definitely impressed the global audience including British pop star-slash-fellow contestant Jessie J. While the latter won the contest, it was still legendary to see Jessie sing with the Philippines' own pop star KZ. Check out their “Bang Bang” performance with guest singer Coco Lee.
Hunan Television / Via youtube.com
Hunan Television / Via youtube.com
Reynaldo Lapuz — American Idol, Season 7
Rank: He just auditioned and made Idol history.
Defining performance: “We're Brothers Forever” by none other than him
Reynaldo gets a special mention because the man deserves it. Back in 2008, Reynaldo made his first TV appearance when he came in for his Idol audition in Texas. He sang an original composition for his 'brother' Simon Cowell. While he didn't make it to Hollywood, Reynaldo was definitely entertaining to watch. Everyone still loved him. That's why he got invited to perform again in the season finale.
Fox
Fox / Via youtube.com
Arisxandra Libantino — Britain's Got Talent, Season 7
Joseph Apostol — The Voice UK, Season 2
Ramiele Malubay — American Idol , Season 7
Thia Megia — American Idol, Season 10
Maria Janice Galvez — La Voix, Season 1
Rowell Villones — The Voice Ireland, Season 3
Daisy Valenzuela — The Voice Ireland, Season 3
Alvir Anthony Subrado — ASEAN+3 Song Contest
Elysa Villareal — The X Factor UK, Season 14
