Madonna of the Philippines
How this Filipina touched the British and the rest of us

Another Filipina talent has moved the world in awe and in tears with her impressive vocal talent; yes, the world, after a video of her performing in a television talent show in Britain landed in You Tube. 

Madonna Decena who works as a club singer in the United Kingdom joined Britain’s popular singing competition Britain’s Got Talent, and - you guess it right!- got a “yes” from judges Piers Morgan, Amanda Holden  and Simon Cowell, of the American Idol.

Like most Pinoys who left the country, Madonna came to Britain 18 months ago to look for greener pasture, in order to provide for her two daughters.  A single parent, she tearfully said in an interview for the show:  “I’m not just here for a simple reason of competing or looking for fame, for money or for my own dreams.  I’m here for the higher purpose of saving for my kids…. I’m singing for my girls, for their future.”

Her touching life story could have been enough to engage the audience, but when she rendered Whitney Houston’s “I’ll Always Love You,” the response was overwhelming.  The obviously impressed Amanda said “fantastic” while the audience-some of them were brought into tears-didn’t hesitate to give Madonna Decena  a standing ovation.

In Simon’s words:  “I didn’t expect anything like that… I absolutely loved it.” But when it’s time for the verdict, the usually critical Simon said, “NO. I’m not going to disappoint you coz’ I’m saying yes.”