X Factor: Fil-Am Singer Ellona Santiago Makes it to Demi Lovato's Final Four

In the spirit of Filipino pride, let's celebrate Ellona Santiago's successful stint to make it to X Factor US Season 3's top 16. Ellona is a Fil-Am aspiring singer who was born in the Philippines but moved to the US when she was barely 1 year old with the entire family and has lived in the country since.

With the show's new platform, the Four Chair Challenge in exchange for the bootcamp, the competition has been stiffer and more intense. No one wants to be de-seated. And with Demi Lovato's four seats already occupied, it was a make or break performance for Ellona. She was the last performer for the category singing her own passionate rendition of Clarity by Zedd.

See her performance...

If you watched X Factor Season 1, this girl was in it too but she was part of a group, inTENsity, who was booted out during the early part of the live show. Two years later, Ellona hopes that second time's the charm. Well, it sure is because Demi chose her over another Latina aspirant, Jamie Pineda to complete her final four. 

It looks like we'll be seeing more of this small girl with a big voice in the coming weeks. 

Danielle Mangabat: "I Am...Filipino American" Winner

Photo Courtesy of thefilam.net

A smiling 10-year old Filipino-American girl from New Jersey, Danielle Mangabat, accepts her award for winning the "I am...Filipino American." contest as announced by the Filipino School of New York and New Jersey.

All students of Filipino descent from grades 1-12 were invited to participate in the contest. They were asked to answer some questions with regards to their pride as a Filipino-American.  

Danielle Mangabat wrote an essay and she shares, "Every chance I get to showcase my Philippine roots, I seize. I participate in my school’s cultural shows wearing a “baro at saya,” which is a Filipina’s dress. I truly enjoy our Philippine cuisine and delicacies which I expose my friends to. “Pansit” and “polvoron” are my favorites. I bring back stories punctuated by pictures of my travels to the Philippines, always stating the fact that our 7,100 islands are full of adventure and diversity."


I read her essay and I knew why she won. It was short but sincere, innocent, heartfelt and truthful. She was unabashedly proud to be a Filipino that every moment she grabs as an opportunity to share about the Philippines.

She ended her piece with a declaration, "I am proud to be who I am. An American by birth, but with a strong and steadily beating Filipino heart."

She may be miles away from home but her heartbeat rings loud and clear from across the globe. We should all learn from this young lady. Let us carry the colors of our Motherland proudly and unashamed.


Read Danielle Mangabat's full essay here.