Ang Kalatas Volume IV June 2014 Issue | Page 13

THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 4 Number 9 | June 2014 ENTERTAINMENT 13 Osang beyond X Factor “BOTH told Ang Kalatas . “Ang daming mga Pilipino na nagchicheer sa akin. Sila na mismo ang nagsabi na mas gumanda yung treatment ng mga amo nilang Israeli sa kanila. Mas maluwag na daw especially sa day off, sa pag-advance, mga ganun,” Osang said. “Du’n ako natouch. I never expected that my ex- Israelis and the Pinoy community rallied behind me so I can work as a singer. At the same time my management company requested to change my visa with the Ministry of Interior.” By James R. Tekiko MORE than winning the first X Factor Israel, 48-year old Filipina Rose ‘Osang’ Fostanes suddenly found herself building up a new image not just for her but for many Pinoys in Israel. She has become a beacon of light lifting the image of Pinoy workers often stereotyped as either caregivers or cleaners. “Before X factor, ang tin- SHE grew up in a home filled with melodies and now Eliza Mae is raring to find her place in in the music industry. By Titus Filio ONLY 17, she’s on the right track having just released five original EP acoustic album in iTunes and CD. “She grew up listening and watching her older sister Cezka Mariz sing and perform and I guess that was how she started opening herself to music,” her father, Edgar Lapurga, tells AK. “We’d do karaoke all the time together to so many classics like Celine Dion or Bryan Adams – she was always surrounded by a variety of music genre.” Born in Baguio City, Brisbane-based Eliza Mae took music as a hobby and never even thought that she would release anything on her own. It was an almost surreal experience for her blending life as a student and life as a young musician. She’s happy with that. “I’m content with seeing what God has in store for me whether it concerns my studies or my music, taking every opportunity as it comes,” says Eliza Mae who has launched a music career even before her own debut. Turning 18 this year, Eliza Mae and sister Cezka Mariz, who will turn 21, will hold a joint birthday concert on September 20. She will be busy in the weeks ahead billed for performances at the ‘Barrio Fiesta’ in Brisbane on June 8 and at the Gold Coast on June 20. Some local radio stations are already opening their doors to play her music. Despite a blossoming career she remains the regular teenager. She’s attracted to design, spends time watching Korean dramas, playing volleyball, and relaxing with friends. Her favourite singers include Gabe Bondoc, Corinne Bailey Rae, Colbie Caillat, and John Legend. “I’m very grateful and humbled, for all those who have always supported me especially my parents, so I’m really happy to finally share this with them all,” Eliza Mae says. Follow Eliza Mae on Facebook page at www. facebook.com/elizamaemusic. See iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/elizamaeacoustic-ep-ep/id862642178 gin ng mga Israelis sa mga Pinoy mababa. Kasi nga ang trabaho natin dun kadalasan caregiver o di kaya cleaner. But with the show, the Israelis are seeing us in a different light. na pwede tayong maging singer at hindi lang carer o domestic worker.” Osang posure in TV would bring about some change in the interaction in the Pinoy -Israeli community.” It was a struggle for her somehow. Even after winning the X Factor she was still not allowed to sing professionally as there were restrictions in her working visa. She was only allowed to work as a caregiver and nothing else.  OSANG, Page 14