The champ's struggling days are over

MANILA, Philippines -  Gone are the struggling days of 2010 WCOPA World Champion Performer, Marielle Corpuz. As early as first grade her love for singing led her to  joining countless singing competitions in Nueva Ecija. Built with a big frame, gifted with poweful pipes, Marielle never got the breaks. After finishing a Hotel, Restaurant & Management course in Nueva Ecija, she joined a local band that brought her to Manila where she got the chance to play in different lounges. Part of her time also went to teaching voice to young students. Marielle went as far as auditioning on ABS-CBN’s Star In A Million, GMA 7’s Star For A Night and Are You The Next Big Star?, still her hope for stardom or just simply a chance to be recognized as a good singer never came her way.

In 2008, her then manager, Marissa Sanchez pushed her to join WCOPA in Hollywood. A glimpse of hope brought her to the finals but still she lost to a powerful male Jamaican singer Andrew Clarke.

After a year of not singing, she finally gained momentum and mustered enough courage to face the odds and decided to join again this year. 

“Kahit mataba ako, hindi maputi... wala akong negative energy na dinala sa competiotion. As what my parents taught me, I only focused on myself  to just improve my act and not be intimidated. I did not think of the obstacles. I kept praying and meditating on the thought that this is my moment... akin na to,” Marielle relates.

Marielle made the final round, and came face to face with again another strong male singer from Belaruz, who sang a poweful version of Gethsemane from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. That evening Marielle gave her best rendition to the song What Kind Of Fool Am I? It was the last round of the evening’s competition right before the big announcement of winners.

“I can’t describe the feeling nung tinawag ang Philippines at ang pangalan ko. All I did was scream so loud dinig daw ng buong ballroom kahit walang mic. I’m very grateful to all those who helped me along the way especially my manager now Charie Vega who labored to help me raise the funds so I can go back to compete this year,” Marielle adds.

Last Sunday, Marielle was honored as the newest Pinoy World Champion in A.S.A.P. XV alongside 2005 WCOPA champ Jed Madela and world-class singers Christian Bautista, Sarah Geronimo Erik Santos and Nina.

Marielle’s chance for stardom has come. She is determined to do everything it takes to improve herself physically, vocally and socially in the arena of Philippine show business.