Pinay caregiver wins Israel’s X Factor

MANILA, Philippines - A 47-year-old Filipino caregiver has emerged as the newest star of Israeli reality television, putting a human face on the thousands of foreign workers who toil away in menial, back-breaking jobs in Israel.

Rose Fostanes won the “X Factor Israel” on Tuesday with her crowd-pleasing renditions of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” “Sweet Dreams” by the Eurythmics and Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You” in a duet with her mentor, Israeli singer Shiri Maimon.

“Thank you so much for those Israelis who like my voice ... thank you for giving me the chance to be in The X Factor Israel,” Fostanes said after she won.

She also thanked thousands of Filipinos who supported her through online and text voting. She acknowledged the presence of the Philippine Ambassador to Israel Generoso Calonge, along with her long time partner and sister who were present during the final night of the show in Tel Aviv.

Netizens showed their support and lauded Fostanes’ victory through her Facebook page, Osang/Rose XFactor Israel, where they posted comments congratulating her. The administrator of the fan page updated stories about her journey to the talent show since her audition.

Interviewed by phone patch a few hours after the competition, Fostanes told GMA News TV that she was still in shock. “My Israeli friend convinced me to try my luck to join the singing competition. My family was my inspiration to work abroad,” she said.

Israeli viewers of the country’s myriad of reality shows have grown accustomed to successful candidates from various backgrounds, including black-clad ultra-Orthodox Jews, Ethiopian immigrants and a German convert to Judaism who became a celebrity chef. But they’ve never seen someone like Fostanes before.

The diminutive woman with a booming voice has taken “X-Factor Israel” by storm and emerged as a national phenomenon. Known simply as “Rose,” she is mobbed by fans wherever she goes.

“It’s a big change in my life because before nobody recognized me, nobody knew me. But now everybody, I think everybody in Israel knows my name. And it is very funny,” she said.

Fostanes captured her audience’ hearts with a strong and soulful voice, as she belted out hits such as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Lady Gaga’s “You and I.” She is among the final five contestants.

Fostanes arrived in Israel six years ago. She spends her days caring and cleaning for an ailing woman in her 50s. To save money, she lives in a crowded apartment in south Tel Aviv, a downtrodden area inhabited by foreign laborers, with seven others.

She said she has dreamed of singing since she was a child, but suffered discrimination because of her appearance.

“Sometimes I am telling myself, Is it true that it happened to me?” she said. “At least I can express and show the people that I have also talents and it’s not too late for me to shine.”

Fostanes said she has been a caregiver since the age of 23, working in Egypt and Lebanon before coming to Israel.

“My dream is to win this competition, but I have to go back to work as a caregiver,” she said before getting up on the arena stage to rehearse one of the numbers she was due to sing at the finals.

Fostanes has been compared to the Scottish singer Susan Boyle, 52, who shot to fame in 2009 after appearing on the TV show “Britain’s Got Talent” and performing a powerful rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from the musical “Les Miserables.”

Boyle’s giddy rise from unknown to multi-million-selling recording artist has been made into a musical.

Taguig fetes Rose

The Taguig City government feted Fostanes, who hails from Taguig’s Barangay Calzada-Tipas, for winning X-Factor Israel.

“We are all proud of Osang here in Taguig. She is indeed an epitome of hope, her powerful voice touching hearts not only of Israelis, but all of us,” said Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano.

“We hope that she serves as an inspiration to all of us to reach out for our dreams,” she added.

Palace proud of Rose

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Malacañang is proud of Fostanes for giving the country another honor.

“We are certainly very proud of Rose, that she was able to prove herself,” he said in a news briefing in Malacañang.

“We know the situation she was in and we are very proud that she has again given the Philippines pride in the showcase of her talents. – AP, Charmie Joy Pagulong, Mike Frialde, Delon Porcalla