Madonna Decena

A biography..

Madonna Decena, a 32 year old Filipina singer who has recently gained recognition by becoming a semi-finalist at the show Britain's Got Talent.

She started singing at age 3, and started her musical training at age 7. Since she was 11, she has been in singing competitions and was already a professional singer at age 16

As a high school student, she worked at McDonald's and was doing musical theater in college (Musical Theater Phils, Trumpets, etc). She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Arts from Miriam College. But she never wanted to have an office job so she pursued her musical career.

She was part of several bands, and sang in hotels and bars in the Philippines. Her first singing stint abroad was in Singapore, at the Hard Rock Cafe and Club Momo.

In 2006, following the advise of her high school friend Renz Santos, she went to the UK. With her student visa, she was only allowed to work 20 hours a week. The menial jobs at Subway and Choco Fruit outlet could barely support her. She got a job with Steve Jones Entertainment and was able to get a work permit.

Not being British, her chance of becoming the Britain's Got Talent champion may not be great but her performance would certainly boost her career. And would certainly help this single mother's immediate goal of reuniting with her two girls Ysl, 7, and Yra, 6, who are currently staying with her parents in Quezon City. And who knows, she could still win.

Go back to: Fil-Am Pride

Sources:
abs-cbn news
Philippine Daily Inquirer