New Biritera Child Singer Following In The Footsteps Of Sarah Geronimo

NEW SINGING child star Roseanne Magan says when she saw GMA-7 calling for auditions for 8 to 10 year old girls, she quickly urged her parents to make her join. “Si Mama po, okay lang agad, pero si Papa, ayaw pa noong una. Sa audition, I sang two songs, ‘Isang Lahi’ and ‘Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin’. Akala ko, singing contest ito, yun pala po, soap na 'Biritera'. Hindi ko inisip makukuha ako kasi more than 1,000 kids daw yung nag-audition. Ilang beses akong pinabalik bago sinabi ni Direk Maryo de los Reyes na akong napili nila.”

“Mala-Regine Velasquez siya kung bumirit kaya perfect siya sa title role ng 'Biritera' that stars airing tonight,” says Direk Maryo. “Parang hindi siya nauubusan ng hangin sa lungs when she reaches the highest notes.”

Roseanne says she’s really very shy. “Pero kailangang labanan ko po yung pagkamahiyain ko at yung kaba ko, para sa pamilya ko.”

The 9-year old is the 6th of 7 kids of Juanito and Rosemarie Magan. Her dad is a factory worker. She’s in grade 3 at a public school. She reminds us of Sarah Geronimo and Nora Aunor who also come from poor families.

“Mahirap lang po talaga kami. Yung bahay po namin, sa amo ng papa ko. Kung minsan, wala kaming makain, natutulog na lang po kami. Minsan, naman, binibigyan kami ng kapitbahay, hinahati-hati namin para magkasya sa lahat. Isa pong kapitbahay na laging tumutulong sa’min, si Ruby Rodriguez. Mabait po siya. Tinuruan niya ko mag-pray.”

Her parents don’t sing so her voice is a special gift to her. She started joining amateur contests at 7, singing the songs of Regine and Celine Dion. “At ngayon, di lang ako kakanta, a-acting pa. Pinakuha po ko ng GMA ng voice and acting lessons bago nagsimula ang taping.”

What will she do with her earnings? “Gusto ko pong ibili ng sariling bahay ang pamilya ko. Para po sa kanila ito.”