Everything coming up Roses for X-Factor finalist
Filipina reality singing show favorite receives gift for final: production crew reunites her with partner, sister
Rose Fostanes, the Filipina caregiver who will compete in the Israeli X-Factor final Tuesday night, had a special get-together on Sunday. Her partner of 30 years and her sister visited her, whom she hasn't seen in two years.
Her partner Mel, 53, and her sister, Nancy, 43, never visited Israel before because they couldn't afford it. Rose sends part of her salary back to the Philippines to help them out.
The production crew of the singing-contest reality show decided to surprise Rose for the final by locating the two through the Philippine Embassy and paying for their flights to Israel.
Mel and Nancy made it to the X-Factor stage in Tel Aviv during rehearsals and shocked Rose. She started to cry, and for Rose, who just last week turned 47, this was also a birthday present.
"Now I'm really fine," she said. "It's a huge surprise. Even if I don't win a least my family is with me. It's a real honor for me that they brought them to Israel, because not everyone in the Philippines could make it."
She said their presence could affect her performance.
"With Mel and Nancy here they'll give me more strength to perform better – and maybe even to win."
Rose's chances of winning are high, but she faces tough competition in Eden Ben Zaken, the production said.
