In this Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014 photo, Rose Fostanes sings during a rehearsal of the X-Factor Israel in Tel Aviv. The 47-year-old Filipino caregiver has emerged as the newest star of Israeli reality television, putting a human face on the thousands of foreign workers who toil away in menial, back-breaking jobs in this country. AP PHOTO/ARIEL SCHALIT
JERUSALEM鈥擜 47-year-old Filipino caregiver has emerged as the newest star of Israeli reality television, putting a human face on the thousands of foreign workers who toil away in menial, back-breaking jobs in this country.
Israeli viewers of the country鈥檚 myriad of reality shows have grown accustomed to successful candidates from various backgrounds, including black-clad ultra-Orthodox Jews, Ethiopian immigrants and a German convert to Judaism who became a celebrity chef. But they鈥檝e never seen someone like Rose Fostanes before.
The diminutive woman with a booming voice has taken 鈥淴-Factor Israel鈥 by storm and emerged as a national phenomenon. Known simply as 鈥淩ose,鈥 she is mobbed by fans wherever she goes.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a big change in my life because before nobody recognized me, nobody knew me. But now everybody, I think everybody in Israel knows my name. And it is very funny,鈥 she said.
Fostanes arrived six years ago to work as a caregiver so, like millions of other Filipino workers around the world, she could send money back home to her family and her girlfriend.
She spends her days caring and cleaning for an ailing woman in her 50s. To save money, Fostanes lives in a crowded apartment in south Tel Aviv, a downtrodden area inhabited by foreign laborers, with seven others.
Filipini=caregiver
Until recently, Fostanes was among the thousands of Filipinos who work in similar positions in Israel. The sight of Filipino workers wheeling elderly Israelis in public places is so common that the word 鈥淔ilipini鈥 has become synonymous with 鈥渃aregiver.鈥
In this Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014 photo, Filipina Rose Fostanes speaks to the Associated Press on Jan. 1, 2014, before a rehearsal of the X-Factor Israel in Tel Aviv. AP PHOTO/ARIEL SCHALIT
Several months ago, a friend encouraged her to enter the 鈥淴-Factor鈥 competition, a popular show hosted by Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli. Standing just 1.50 meters-tall (4-foot-11), Fostanes has captured her audiences鈥 hearts with a surprisingly strong and soulful voice, belting out such hits as Queen鈥檚 鈥淏ohemian Rhapsody鈥 and Lady Gaga鈥檚 鈥淵ou and I.鈥 She is among the final five contestants and widely seen as a favorite.
Israeli singer Shiri Maimon, a judge on the show and former reality TV contestant herself, has served as Fontanes鈥 鈥渕entor鈥 throughout the season. After a recent rendition of Christina Aguilera鈥檚 鈥淏eautiful,鈥 Maimon could barely contain her excitement.
鈥淚t was so moving. I am so proud of you. We will have an amazing journey together,鈥 she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 speechless. It was more than perfect.鈥
Fostanes said she has dreamed of singing since she was a child, but suffered discrimination because of her appearance. She said she still can鈥檛 believe how far she has come.
Late bloomer
鈥淪ometimes I am telling myself, 鈥業s it true that it happened to me?鈥 she said. 鈥淎t least I can express and show the people that I have also talents and it鈥檚 not too late for me to shine.鈥
Fostanes said she has been a caregiver since the age of 23, working in Egypt and Lebanon before coming to Israel. She is among the roughly 10 million Filipinos, or 10 percent of the overall population, who work abroad.
Israel鈥檚 estimated 40,000 Filipinos enjoy relative freedom, as long as they have work permits. Most remain for an agreed-upon period of time before returning home.
Fostanes said Filipinos around the world have heard about her and frequently send her text messages of support. But her success has been tempered by the distance from her loved ones. She last visited the Philippines two years ago.
鈥淩eally I miss them, my family especially, and of course my girlfriend because this is the time I really need them beside me,鈥 she said, with tears in her eyes. 鈥淚 need their support not only because they are in the Philippines, I want them to be by my side.鈥濃Isaac Scharf
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