Filipino carer wins Israeli X Factor with My Way

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/15/filipino-carer-wins-israel-x-factor-rose-fostanes

Version 0 of 1.

Israel's invisible force of Filipino carers of elderly people and those who are infirm was a little more visible on Wednesday after 47-year-old Rose Fostanes won Israeli X Factor, stunning judges and the public with her rendition of My Way.

Fostanes, who has worked in the Middle East for 20 years to send money home to her family in the Philippines, said: "I'm speechless, I cannot say anything now. I can't believe this has happened to me."

Comparisons have been made with Susan Boyle, the 52-year-old Scot who won fame for her performances in Britain's Got Talent in 2009. Fostanes sang a string of popular numbers in the Israeli X Factor, including Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody and Lady Gaga's You And I.

One of the judges, Israeli singer Shiri Maimon said: "She's amazing. I really want her life to change, she's a great singer." The show is hosted by the Israeli model and actor Bar Refaeli.

Before Tuesday night's final, Fostanes said she hoped her participation in the show would draw attention to low-paid foreign workers in Israel, about 40,000 of whom are Filipinos. Many work as full-time carers, housekeepers or cleaners.

"Everybody in the world will know that Filipinos, even [those] working as a cleaner can also share their talents and they can also be a part of a big event like this," she said.

In another interview, she said: "Not all workers and cleaners from the Philippines" could share her good fortune. "It's like Cinderella."

Fostanes came to Israel six years ago and most recently looked after a woman in Tel Aviv. She shares a crowded flat in south Tel Aviv, a rundown area that is home to most of the city's migrants. A friend encouraged her to enter the X Factor.

Fostanes' female partner, Mel Adel, earlier said that she had feared the disclosure of the carer's sexuality would harm her chances of winning. "But I was elated that she did not disown me," Adel told a television station in Manila.

A spokesman for the Philippine president, Benigno Aquino, said: "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 talent. The Filipino has an innate advantage when it comes to the arts … It clearly shows that the excellence of the Filipino can be expressed anywhere, everywhere, when they are given the opportunity to show their talent."

An estimated 10 million Filipinos – about 10% of the population – work abroad in order to send money home to family members.

Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.