- Search for the Idol Philippines crowned its first-ever grand prize winner with Zephanie Dimaranan winning last Sunday, July 28, 2019
- Because of her rendition of “Isa Pang Araw,” the young singer is being compared to Sarah Geronimo who originally sang the song
- After three attempts at stardom, Zephanie finally got her winning moment
- Sarah G. will return as one of the judges in the 4th season of The Voice Kids
Zephanie Dimaranan proves that nothing is impossible to a person with perseverance as she was named as the first-ever winner of Search for the Idol Philippines last Sunday, July 28, 2019.
Overwhelmed, the 16-year-old singer couldn’t contain the happiness and gratefulness she feels now that all her hard work to reach for her dreams has paid off.
In an interview, Zephanie answered, “Hindi po ako makapaniwala. Sobrang saya ko po and sobrang thankful po ako kay Lord kasi finally naabot ko na po ang dream ko. Kaya maraming maraming salamat po lahat ng sumuporta sa akin, simula po noon hanggang ngayon. Maraming, maraming salamat po, para sa inyong lahat, para po sa inyo ito.”
Her road to stardom was not easy for she experienced failures and heartbreaks before she had a taste of her winning moment. Before she joined Idol Philippines, Zephanie joined The Voice Kids in 2015 and became part of Sarah Geronimo’s team. However, she was eliminated before the Finals. She tried her luck the second time when she joined “Tawag ng Tanghalan” on It’s Showtime. She was able to compete with TNT Grand Winner Jenine Berdin, but just like her first attempt, the young singer failed to bring home the title.
That’ s why the first Idol Philippines winner is ecstatic that all her sacrifices and efforts paid off.
“Sobrang worth it po lahat ng pagod ko, lahat po nang ginawa kong mga training para po dito. And ngayon, sobrang natutuwa po ako na binigay po sa ‘kin ni Lord ‘to,” she stated.
On her Idol journey, one of her outstanding performances was her cover of Popstar Royalty Sarah’s hit, “Isa Pang Araw” that earned praises not just from the Idol judges but also from the netizens. She was even dubbed as the “New Sarah Geronimo.”
What can she say about being compared to Sarah Geronimo?
“Masaya po ako kasi si Ms. Sarah [Geronimo] po ay isa po sa mga idol ko and influence ko po noong bata pa lang ako. Kaya natutuwa po ako na nakikita po nila ‘yung naging influence ko po, nakikita po nila sa akin.” Zephanie said.
Aside from Zephanie, another singer who has been compared to Sarah G. is GMA Network’s The Clash first Grand Champion, Golden Cañedo. Apart from looking like with the Popstar Princess, Golden’s voice sounds like Sarah, too. Before she emerged as The Clash grand winner, the 17-year-old singer attempted her luck in the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” segment of It’s Showtime.
Meanwhile, Sarah Geronimo is set to return next week as one of the judges in the 4th season of The Voice Kids that will replace Idol Philippines in its weekend timeslot.
