An interview with Ma. Nancy Fostanes, Melinda Adel and Mr. Yariv Fischer
By Cheryl Sevegan
2013 proved to be a successful year for many Filipinos in the international scene as Filipina beauty queens emerged winners in major beauty contests worldwide. As we embark on another eventful year this 2014, another proud moment greeted us Filipinos with the triumph of Ms. Rose “Osang” Fostanes as the first winner of X-Factor Israel, once again a Filipino world-class talent recognized in the international stage.
Call it luck or destiny, 47-year-old Rose works as a caregiver and did it her ‘way’ as she made her dream come true when she sang what many aspiring singers dread to sing, “My Way”. Her very touching personal story and her powerful voice were her only major weapons, she gained respect and admiration from the viewers and followers every time she performed on stage.
X-Factor Israel offered her a life-changing opportunity to showcase her immense talent not only in Israel but to the whole world. She’s been compared to Susan Boyle of Britain’s Got Talent for both of them have a similar tale… an inspiring story and great talent that can move one’s heart.
Ate Osang [as she’s fondly called by her friends] is the familiar voice you’ve heard in many gigs and Filcom programs. She has sung at Pinoy Resto Bar, Bahay Kubo, Tambayan and Mommy’s Place where she was a regular performer. Eldest among 4 siblings of 3 girls and a boy, their father left them when they were still kids. She became the family’s sole breadwinner when both of their parents died. Her poignant story is akin to rags-to-riches fairy-tale of survival and success.
This special interview reveals the story behind the ‘surprise’ she received before the finals of the X-Factor Israel, to get to know her more, and the people behind who love her and support her all the way through.
Let us know these two significant persons in Rose Fostanes’ life- her youngest sister Ma. Nancy Fostanes, 42 years old, and her girlfriend Melinda Adel, 52 years old.
How did you know Ate Osang auditioned and was accepted in X-Factor Israel?
Nancy: She told me that she auditioned and was accepted during one of our chats. Our mom told me she loves to sing at an early age and always wanted to join singing contests, and mom would just allow her to sing on stage so she wouldn’t get upset and Ate Rose loved it.
In the 1980′s she became our barangay’s bet in every singing competition. She always gives her prize to mother whenever she wins without thinking of herself.
Mel, how did you meet Rose?
Mel: I was a student then renting an apartment above the canteen where she worked. As one of their regular customers, she invited me to attend a birthday party where our relationship started. She was 16 years old at the time.
When did Ate Osang start working abroad?
Nancy: She was 23 when she first went to Egypt to work as a caregiver.
Mel: We were both contractual workers in Purefoods when she decided to leave for abroad because of our irregular jobs. She wanted to help her family and for us to have a better life, so we agreed in her decision to try her luck overseas.
Did Rose try joining any TV singing competition before?
Mel: She tried to audition in Bagong Kampeon hosted by Pilita Corales. She passed the audition and was asked to return, but because of some hindrances like dress to wear and budget constraint, she didn’t go to the competition because we need to prioritize working to earn money. So she set aside her dream of being a singer.
What were your reactions when she entered the semi-final stage of X-Factor?
Nancy/Mel: We were so happy and proud and we all hoped that she will make it because we believe in her talent. Our kabarangay relatives and friends were so happy too and they said Ate Rose will make it because she really has a talent in singing. Even our relatives abroad shared her pictures and congratulated her. We always encouraged her that she will win it because she has the talent and it’s her dream.
What do you think Mel is the factor/s that played a big role in maintaining your relationship with Rose for 33 years?
Mel: For me it’s the trust and constant communication. We always practice give and take whenever we disagree. If she’s mad I let her alone for a while and wait till she feels okay and then I will talk to her and explain everything and vice-versa. We always settle our misunderstanding in a very nice way.
About the ‘surprise’ for Rose, who contacted you?
Mel: Mr. Yariv Fischer called me when Rose was on the 7 finalists. He asked me if I am Rose’s girlfriend and if I want to go to Israel to surprise Rose. I told him ‘Yes’ but I don’t have money to buy a ticket. He told me ‘No problem!’
Nancy: X-Factor called me first, asked if I am the sister, and if I want to go to Israel. I said I have a problem with my expired passport. They told me they will help to fix my papers. Then they said Yariv will talk to me to submit all the requirements and promised me they will do their best to help me. Afterwards Vice Consul Ferdinand Flores called me and explained everything I needed to do. We have roundtrip tickets including hotel accommodations courtesy of Mr. Yariv Fischer of Fly East and I-Remit. We arrived last Jan. 11, a few days before the finals and will go home on Jan. 31.
Did Rose know anything about your coming? Her reaction when she saw you…
Nancy and Mel: They hid us when we arrived. She was so surprised when she saw us although she said she already had a feeling because she saw our interviews on TV when media people interviewed us at the airport.
Did you have the feeling that she’ll win the title?
Mel/Nancy: We expected her to be the runner-up only since she’s competing in a foreign country although she has a big chance considering her voice. Although we have confidence in her ability and talent and we believe that she has the best voice amongst the contestants, our minds dictate otherwise thinking Israelis will give priority to Israelis. What’s important is that the whole world heard her voice and we are so overjoyed for her.
She has a simple dream to be recognized with her talent in singing and we understand all the changes in her life. We expected her to be very busy and will have less time for us just like now. She’s already considered a celebrity and we understand that she’s a different person now.
What do you expect from Rose after her triumph?
Nancy: Knowing all her sacrifices, working abroad for almost 20 years and everything she did for us, I hope she’ll have a better life to enjoy and to prioritize her self now although I know she’ll share whatever wealth and success she has. She whispered in my ears when I hugged her while crying after the announcement that she won, “I am doing this for all of you.”
Mel: It was our dream to have our own flourishing business which we can depend upon during that time when we don’t have the financial capacity to make it happen. And now that we have something to begin with, I hope that we can really start to make our dream together turn into reality.
Your message to Fly East knowing they are responsible in bring you here to Israel.
Nancy/Mel: From the bottom of our hearts, we’re so thankful to Fly East especially to Mr. Yariv Fischer for helping us arrange everything to be with Rose during the time she needed a family to hug and kiss on her most precious moment in life- the realization of her dream. We will never forget Fly East and Mr. Yariv Fischer for their generosity.
What can you say about Israel and its people?
Nancy and Mel: We’re so happy we reached Holy Land to support Rose, it’s a very beautiful country with beautiful people. We are so thankful to them for making Rose’s dream come true and for giving her the chance to prove her talent and worth as a person. We’re exhilarated to visit the Wailing Wall and we prayed that the Lord God will give her good health.
Your message for Rose?
Nancy: I know my sister very well and she will never change. And I am here to support her all the way. I am so happy and proud of the success you achieved and of course our family. Take care of yourself and stay healthy. Don’t forget to call God always and we love you so much.
Mel: I wish that she will not change wherever success leads her and that we will continue to reach the dreams we weaved together and for our relationship to grow stronger. I love you and hope nothing will change between us. May you remain the same Osang that I knew 33 years ago. I will always be here to support you with all my heart.
I also talked to Mr. Yariv Fischer, CEO and co-owner of Fly East and I-Remit, the one responsible for the wonderful ‘surprise’ our X-Factor winner received. Fly East is a travel agency specializing in tourism in the Far East, whilst I-Remit engages in money remittance, both serving the foreign workers in Israel.
Hi Sir, whose idea is it to surprise Rose by bringing her sister and girlfriend in Israel?
Mr. Fischer: It was my idea because Rose is one of our clients at Fly East and I-Remit. Upon hearing her very touching story and of course I love her voice, I thought I owed something to make her happy, so I decided to make a move and give her a surprise and the thought of bringing her loved ones here would be a great idea.
How did you make that idea happen?
Mr. Fischer: With the help of our Public Relations Department, they contacted the X-Factor Israel production staff. The Philippine Ambassador Generoso Calonge and Vice Consul Ferdinand Flores also helped me a lot in arranging the passports and papers of Rose’s sister and girlfriend. It took only 4 days to process instead of 14 days that’s why I’m so thankful to them.
We brought her sister Nancy and gf Mel to Israel with roundtrip tickets including hotel accommodations at New Benjamin Hotel, Herzliyya Pituach. We gave them a car/driver and we called this “The Rose Mission,” all because we love Rose and we wanted her to be happy.
Rose’s reaction with this ‘surprise’?
Mr. Fischer: She was crying and said that I don’t know what this meant for her and she’ll always be grateful to us for what we did for her. And we are happy that we made her happy.
I went to Ben Gurion Airport to personally greet Nancy and Mel who were so excited for the reunion with Rose. One of the X-Factor production crews escorted us. I just want to share this backstage scene wherein the Philippine Ambassador was also present. The production staff and everybody were so excited for the surprise. You can really feel and see that everybody loves Rose. We think that we really did the right thing.
A great idea indeed, your message to Rose and the Filcom?
Mr. Fischer: We know that she will never forget what we did for her for the rest of her life. Fly East and I-Remit is happy for her for winning the first X-Factor Israel. We are hopeful that she’ll pursue her singing career and that it will be the first step towards becoming famous as a singer in the whole world. We believe in her and she really deserved everything.
Fly East and I-Remit Israel sees the Filipino community in Israel as part of our big family for more than ten years. We will continue to serve and do our best to give Filipinos the excellent service that they deserve, make them happy here in Israel and to offer them our finest products in the cheapest price there is.
Focal Magazine is so proud and happy for you Ms. Rose “Osang” Fostanes. We love you and thank you for bringing pride to the Filipinos. God bless you!
