X Factor Phl finalist impresses David Foster

MANILA, Philippines - In the world of talent searches, they say that the road does not end for those who do not win first place. This saying seems to hold true for X Factor Philippines finalist Mark Mabasa (photo). Mark watched the Singapore leg of the David Foster and Friends Asian Tour 2012 and got plucked from the audience by the Hitman himself to perform onstage with him.

In a video uploaded on YouTube, Mark was asked to sing a couple of lines from the audience. As soon as he sang the first words, Foster got so impressed with what he heard that he asked Mabasa to go onstage. The song ended on a high note with the Hitman himself playing the piano.

“People were already screaming so my knees were shaking. After I sang, he (David) asked me, ‘Where are you from?’ I answered, ‘I’m from the Philippines!’ then the audience cheered,” he recalled in a taped interview.

“He (David) then said how much he appreciated me. ‘You’re good,’ he said. Siyempre sobrang saya ko po nun. I cannot explain my happiness. It’s a blessing,” Mark said.

David is a renowned multi-awarded songwriter, composer and producer of timeless, worldwide chart toppers. He has worked with the music industry’s best, creating hit after hit alongside artists such as Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Michael Bublé.

After the show, Mark felt overwhelmed with the number of people coming up to him to congratulate him on a job well done. They encouraged him to continue singing and to keep dreaming.

On his way back to Manila, Mark learned that Foster was looking for him. “I learned about it when we were already at the airport kaya nanghihinayang ako. But just the thought that he asked for me and that he remembered me, it makes me so happy!” he enthused.