“But this is the biggest prize I won so far. Sabi ko nga, I can make a career out of this na. This actually has a personal impact to me. It’s not just about the money, kasi for the few past years, I felt na parang so many things in my life are going wrong and may mga bagay na iniisip ko sa sarili ko na parang malas. And then nag-turn around lahat just like this kaya na-feel ko na di pala ako malas. It uplifts me. I just feel so blessed right now. For the past weeks nagre-review talaga ako at nagka-karaoke. This is my 6th time as a defending champion at hindi talaga ako nagpa-practice especially dun sa first and second time ko.”

Did it help that she’s a singer? “Oh yes, definitely. Kung di ka singer mahihirapan ka magkabit ng letra sa melody. It’s easier kasi to memorize the lyrics pag may kakabit na melody. As a musical person, mas nagre-retain ’yun. Although it doesn’t have to be the case talaga, kasi di naman kailangang professional singer ka to love music, di ba? Edge ko din siguro ’yun na nasa mid-age ako…di ako super old para di ko alam ’yung bagong songs and di rin super young para di ko alam ’yung old songs. Kaya I think the best candidate for this show is someone probably around my age or a little younger.”

How did “The  Singing Bee”  differ from other game shows? “Iba talaga ’yung nerbiyos ko sa Singing Bee compared to other games kasi you don’t know what song you’d be asked to sing. Different din when I’m performing in a concert. Sa concert kasi, you just want the people to enjoy and you want to be the best possible performer to your audience. Sa Bee kakabahan ka kasi iisipin mo kung matatapos mo ba yung show? Nakakahiya sa audience pag nagkamali ka, lalo’t makikita mo pa sa mukha nila na hopeful na hopeful sila na makuha mo na ‘yung jackpot.”

What do you intend to do with the money? “Tumitingin kasi ako ng malilipatan so I might use it there. Pero ayoko rin gastusin lahat.”

What advice can you give the next defending champions or contestants? “Number 1 talaga is ’yung preparation. Kahit sa bahay, nagma-mark ako ng spot sa floor tapos magsasabi ng artist ’yung boyfriend ko and then mag-stomp ako para yung speed ng paa ko mapraktis din (laughs). Part na rin siyempre ’yung pagre-review at pag-videoke to refresh your memory lang of the songs.”

What are your favorite lyrics from a song? “It’s from the musical ‘Avenue Q’ and titled ‘Fine Fine Line’. I can relate to it because ang dami kong bad experiences with guys who I went out with and they just never called. Nawala ng parang bula. Like everyone else, I’d go to my friends and they will say na ‘forget about him. He is such a jerk.’ That doesn’t really help kasi mapapaisip ka pa rin eh. Anyway,  the line goes: ‘If someone doesn’t love you back, it isn’t such a crime.’  It’s saying that this doesn’t make a person a bad person. It just so happen that the person didn’t like you as much as you like him. There are so many people you come across in this world before you find someone who will love you back. It’s not true what they say that if you are an artista, it’s easier for you to find your true love. On the contrary, it’s the opposite because you don’t live under normal circumstances eh like me, I’m always travelling. That’s why mahirap makahanap ng tao who’ll really understand you, makakasabay at talagang makakatapat mo talaga.”

Any updates? Shows? “I’ll be in Abu Dhabi for two weeks this July then to Dubai. After that I will continue doing my new album under Star Records. It’s going to be By Request so the fans can suggest what songs they wanted to be included in the album. I’m not sure kung ano ratio between cover and originals pero I do welcome original compositions. Hopefully third quarter ma-out na siya.”