A rosier life

Rose Fostanes

The tables have indeed turned for the first “The X Factor Israel” champion, former Filipina caregiver Rose Fostanes. From squeezing singing stints in between nursing duties, she has now seen her dreams come true after being granted a foreign expert work permit. But while she now legally works as a performer in Israel, Rose admits she still wishes to do her old work occasionally.

“Gusto ko nga sanang bumalik, parang part-time, kahit mag linis-linis ng bahay. Ang laki kaya ng kita,” Rose said in a recent interview held in the residence of Israeli Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau. “Minsan ’pag gusto mong bumili ng sapatos sa hapon, maglinis ka lang dalawang oras, may pambili ka na. Eh kaso bawal na nga.”

A practical thinker, Rose doesn’t want her free days wasted. Back when she was a caregiver, she would perform in bars with her band during her days; now she has more time on her hands when she’s not rehearsing or recording – something she hopes to find more use for.

“Hindi naman mahalaga sakin ’yung talagang sumikat nang sikat na sikat, ang importante sa’kin is magkaro’n lang talaga ko ng trabaho na alam kong kikita ako, like in a week… Hindi ’yung famous ka nga tapos wala ka namang ginagawa,” she said.

The life of this 48-year-old may have changed and she now makes double in her newfound career but for Rose, what’s more important is that she’s helped improve the way Filipinos are viewed by foreigners.

“Nakatulong nang malaki especially in Israel, kasi ’di ba ang tingin nila sa’tin caregiver lang tayo, hanggang dun lang ang work natin, ang kaya natin? Hindi ko naman nilalahat, (pero) meron kasing mga Israeli employers na, ‘May ganyan ba kayo sa bahay niyo? May TV ba kayo? May mga malls ba kayo na ganyan, na malalaki?’ (Usually) mga matatanda,” Rose shared.

Now, she proudly noted, “Sila (Israelis) ngayon ang nagkakalat na magaling sa Pilipinas.”

For Rose, however, there seems to be a downside to fame. “Parang nawalan ako ng privacy,” she admitted.

Morning errands have to be done at night due to fans clamoring for a picture with her early in the day. “Masaya naman, pero nakakapagod rin.”

She added, “Merong mga dati mong ginagawa, ngayon ’di mo na pwedeng gawin… Gaya nung madali akong magalit nu’n, ngayon hindi na, kailangan lagi kang behave.”

Started from the bottom

Rose couldn’t avoid reminiscing about her life – particularly the hardships she experienced – before being crowned the maiden winner of “The X Factor Israel.” She recalled almost giving up after her first employer died in her care.

A lot has changed for Rose Fostanes since her victory on ‘The X Factor Israel’

“Mahal na mahal ko ’yun kasi siyempre ’yun ang unang inaalagaan ko. Halos ayoko nang tumanggap ng ibang trabaho kasi baka mamaya mamatay na naman siya, tsaka ’yun lang talaga ang inalagaan ko na dinibdib ko,” shared Rose. She had also looked after a patient with Alzheimer’s and had another one with cancer pass away in her arms.

The singer had thoughts of throwing in the towel at times when stress and exhaustion hit her the hardest. “Iisipin mo na ang hirap ng buhay, talagang imbis na dapat dito ka na lang sa Pilipinas nagtatrabaho ng ganun.”

Add to that the criticism she’s gotten about her physical appearance, to which Rose has grown accustomed.

“Noon umiiyak ako talaga pero ngayon okay na. Bago magsimula ’yung ‘X Factor,’ meron ngang mga comments diyan na hindi mo magugustuhan… (like) ‘Hindi naman sisikat yan kasi ang laki-laki niyan,’” she related.

Now Rose has proven that size doesn’t matter in her field.

PH-Israel ties

Rose was the main guest of “Thank you, Philippines Friendship Concert” held on Feb. 26 at the Music Museum, Greenhills, San Juan City. The show, which was part of the Philippine International Jazz and Arts Festival, is a celebration of the historical friendship between Israel and the country.

“Actually nalaman ko ’yung kwento about the Holocaust refugees after I won ‘The X Factor Israel.’ Natuwa ako kasi when I went to the PH embassy in Israel, pinakita sa’kin (ng ating Philippine) Ambassador to Israel Generoso D.G. Calonge lahat ng picture na naka-hang sa wall,” she shared. She also learned of the Filipinos’ rescue of 1,300 Jewish people from the horrifying predicament.

“Na-touch ako na hindi lahat ng Israeli alam ’yun, na sa dinami-dami ng mga refugee na naglalayag, walang ibang tumanggap na ibang bansa kung ’di tayo lang mga Pilipino. Kaya ganun din nila (Israeli) kamahal ’yung mga Pilipino.”

The Israelis’ affinity to the Filipino was evident in Rose’s “X Factor” win – which, in part, was due to votes cast by the Israeli public. It holds true these days when she performs there.

“Ang sabi nila, ‘Hindi lang natin dapat mahalin si Rose dahil magaling siyang kumanta, at hindi lang dapat na binoto natin siya, kundi dapat nating mahalin siya,’ dahil nga dun sa kwento na nalaman din nila. Kaya lahat ng tao ’pag nakita mo, nagpapalakpakan talaga sila.” (With report from Jojo P. Panaligan)

A rosier life

Source: Mb.com.ph (March 01, 2015 at 12:10AM)

Continue...