MANILA, Philippines - Zendee Rose Tenerefe's stab at success may finally be yielding some results. The singing sensation who gained notice via the YouTube video "And I Am Telling You (Random Girl) (SM Megamall)" has revealed that producers of the show, "Ellen," already sent her a message via YouTube.
"Gusto po nilang makipag-communicate sa akin. Ibinigay po nila 'yung email add nila," she said in an interview with GMA News.
She reiterated the same in a separate report on PEP, saying, "Actually po, nung isang araw pa po sila nag-message, nung Saturday ko lang po na-reply-an kasi marami po akong ginawa."
Tenerefe recalled being "shocked" that they had communicated with her.
"Hindi ko po alam kung ano po ang isasagot ko. Parang hindi ako makapaniwala. Actually, nung nabasa ko 'yung message nila, nagtatalon po ako sa tuwa. Tumakbo ako sa loob ng bahay namin sa sobrang tuwa," she related.
If it pushes through, Tenerefe will only be the fourth Filipino to appear on the show after Charice Pempengco, Rhap Salazar and Luzviminda "Mindy" Casimiro, the Filipina housekeeper of show host, Ellen DeGeneres.
This early, however, Tenerefe is shunning comparison with Pempengco.
"Iba po si Charice, iba rin po ako," she insisted.
Prior to making a name via YouTube, Tenerefe was among constant aspirants lining up to join numerous singing contests in and around the archipelago. She also admitted joining several contests on TV including "X Factor Philippines," "Pilipinas Got Talent," and "Protégé," to no avail.
But she has always accepted defeat with a positive outlook. "Naniniwala po kasi akong baka hindi ko pa po time. Or hindi po 'yun para sa akin. Baka po may ibang plano sa akin si God," she said.
"Siguro po 'yung pagkaka-upload po ng video ko sa YouTube, 'yun po talaga 'yung oras ko para mapansin 'yung talent ko," she added.
According to Tenerefe, she already met the netizen who uploaded her video on YouTube, admitting that she had invited him to join him during a recent appearance on "Party Pilipinas," which she said was a "dream come true."
"Sobrang natuwa po talaga ako. Nagawa kong makipag-duet pa sa idol kong si Jonalyn Viray, tapos nakita at nakilala ko pa si Miss Regine Velasquez. Sobrang blessing po talaga," she gushed.
"Napapanood ko lang po sila, nangangarap lang po ako na makasama ko sila, pero ngayon nakakanta pa ako kasama nila!"
Refuting that she had already received a formal offer to sign up with GMA-7, she nevertheless said, "Sa ngayon po, freelancer po ako. Hindi ko po alam kung ano po ang mangyayari sa mga susunod na araw. Naghihintay lang po ako. Pero sana po maging part ako ng 'Party Pilipinas."'
