Season 3 The Clash Winner Jessica Villarubin shared her journey before she became GMA Network’s Power Diva.
In an exclusive interview, Jessica recounted her life in Cebu before she joined The Clash. Then, she recalled helping out her family at a young age by using her singing contest winnings to pitch in for their daily needs.
“Yung buhay po namin before po is sobrang mahirap po. Mahirap po talaga kami. Yung Papa ko karpentero, yung mama ko naglalabandera sya. So lumaki ako na hirap po talaga.
“At a young age po, tumutulong na po ako sa family namin, yung mga napanalunan ko po, binibigay ko po sa family para may pambili po kami ng pagkain. Bigas mga ganon po. Yung mga napanalunan ko po binibigay ko po sa parents ko para may pambili ng po kami ng pagkain,” said Jessica.
Jessica also shared her experiences in amateur singing competitions.
“Dati naalala ko nga po pag nasa contest ako sinasabihan, maga-ask kasi yung emcee sa amin, sasabihin, “Anong gagawin mo sa premyo mo?” Bata pa ko nun. Tapos sasabihin ko, “Pambili po ng bigas,” tapos tatawa po yung lahat ng tao,” said Jessica.
According to her, singing contest gigs helped her finish college.
“So hanggang nag-college, hanggang nakatapos po ko ng pag-aaral. So yun po yung dahilan din na nakapagtapos ako, dahil din po sa pagsali-sali ko sa mga contest.”
Then, Jessica committed to working hard to give a better life for her family.
“Nagpursige po talaga ako na mabago man lang po yung buhay ko. Kasi yun naman po yung pinapangarap ko na mabigyan ng magandang buhay yung pamilya ko.”
During her The Clash journey in Metro Manila, Jessica admitted she did not expect to win the competition.
“Prinay ko lang po nung araw na yun, kung para sa akin, para sa akin. Parang hindi ko din po inexpect na ako yung nanalo,” said Jessica.
In December of 2020, Jessica became The Clash Season 3 winner. And, she shared the changes she experienced after winning the competition.
“Madami po, after winnning the clash, marami na pong mga taong nakakakilala sa akin. Marami na rin nagpapicture. Nung uuwi ako sa amin po sa Cebu, grabe araw-araw may pumunta dun sa bahay namin tapos nagdadala sila ng mga regalo.”
As for her winnings, Jessica said her family plans to build a small business with her winnings, and she wants to spend some of it on clothing and heels.
“Sa ngayon po pinagplaplanuhan pa po namin na magtayo ng negosyo po o ng bigasan. Kasi yun po yung plano namin sa family ko. And, syempre yung mga pangangailangan ko din po, mga damit, kasi wala ako masyadong damit. Mga heels, nung sumali dalawa lang ata so ngayon nakakabili na ko.”
However, due to the pandemic, their plans remain on hold as they need to save up until things get better.
“So yun po marami pa po kaming plano. Pinaplano pa naman po namin kung ano yung gagawin namin kasi yun po nasa pandemic pa tayo, so dapat din di masyado magastos.”
Jessica won one million pesos, a brand-new car, a house and lot, and an exclusive management contract with GMA Network from The Clash Season 3.
Now, she released her first single, Ako Naman, under GMA Music. Her debut track is available in Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, and other digital streaming platforms worldwide. Jessica also became one of the mainstays of the hit Sunday noontime program, All-Out Sundays.
