MANILA, Philippines - The number has been narrowed down to three female and three male singers. Frencheska Farr, Camille Cortez, Zyrene Parsad, Geoff Taylor, Jay Perillo and Alex Castro have been trying for the past 16 weeks to answer the question: Are you the next big star? Only two (one female, one male) among them can exclaim: “I am!”
Frencheska is a front-runner in the female group in GMA 7’s Are You The Next Big Star? The three-way showdown among the males is set tonight while the winner will be announced tomorrow.
Frencheska has never been in the bottom three. Technically, she has the chance to be it.
“I will just continue what I have been doing,” says Frencheska, International Studies student at San Beda Alabang. “I want the audience feel the emotions behind the song.”
This is the statuesque singer’s advantage over her competitors. Perhaps, it’s because she considers singing a form of storytelling. Thus, televiewers look forward to what Frencheska will do in her next performance. She tries to find variety week after week.
During last week’s female showdown, Frencheska explored the music of Christina Aguilera by singing Fighter with Rachelle Ann Go. The contestant’s flaming red attire complemented her powerful vocals. She equaled Rachelle Ann’s energy and passionate performance without going overboard. Frencheska never paled in comparison to Rachelle Ann.
“When I sing, I just want to put all my attention on my performance. I want to feel the song,” shares Frencheska. “When I do that, I will always find the best in me. I will continue to surprise the televiewers.”
In her every attempt to do good, however, Frencheska would also experience some down moments. According to her, Frencheska’s worst performance in the show was singing on the swing. The act made her voice shaky. The Candy Man was her best. Why? The song wasn’t her genre. Frencheska’s comfort zone is ballad.
“The performance was an achievement for me,” she recalls. “I was able to impress the judges and pull the song off. I always look forward to out-of-the-box performances. I have realized that I can do other genres if I just try.”
Does her looks somehow earn her extra attention from the viewers?
“It does in a way,” answers Frencheska. “My looks helps me get the kiliti of the viewers and it invites them to watch me.”
Now that competition is just between her, Camille and Zyrene, Frencheska has no reason to slow down and be complacent.
“I think I’m in my best fighting form,” shares Frencheska. “I always think that way to push myself and to give my best.”
Her secret formula, she says, consists of “prayers, practice and being humble.”
“I’m really a singer,” says Frencheska. “But I want to explore all possibilities (of entering show business and trying my hand in acting). My motivation in joining the contest was to be known as a singer just like what Regine (Velasquez), Lani (Misalucha), Sarah (Geronimo) and Rachelle (Ann Go) did.”
Asked if she has been competitive all this time, Frencheska replies, “I consider everyone competition on stage but not off stage.”