Mamaclay, a vocal coach from the Philippines, has successfully advanced to the top 8 of the fourth season of the popular reality singing competition, "X Factor Malta." She expresses her gratitude for the unwavering support of both the Maltese and Filipino communities in Malta. 

Her remarkable achievement showcases her exceptional vocal talent and dedication to her craft, serving as a testament to her hard work and perseverance.

"Everything is exciting. I don't want to pressure myself, but I want to nail it. I also want to enjoy it because not everyone is given the opportunity like this. (For the next round), I'm so excited because I'm going to sing a power ballad. One of the favorites of my family na kinakanta ko which hindi ko pa puwdeng sabihin muna," said Mamaclay in an overseas interview Thursday morning.

Mamaclay added: "I hope yung nga kababayan natin dito (Malta) will support me. Nakakatuwa kasi hindi lang talaga mga Pilipino kundi mga Maltese (ang sumusuporta sa akin). Nagulat din ako sa reception ng tao because they are welcoming. Very vocal talaga sila kapag nagustuhan nila yung performance ko and they support you.

"In the past days, many Maltese have approached me and welcomed me down the streets. They have told me, 'Hey, I voted for you, and you were great last night.' This is unusual for the Maltese dahil siyempre una nilang susuportahan is mga kapwa kababayan nila," Mamaclay said.

Mamaclay, whose real name is Rose Marielle Mamaclay, recalled how her stint in the popular reality singing contest began.

"I am a mentor for the Euro Talent Festival. Meron kaming mga competitions na pinupuntahan sa Europe. Sa mga nakaraang taon po, pumunta kami sa Berlin, Germany. Nag-guest ako sa mga competitions. Nag-guest din ako sa London. So habang nag me-mentor ako, guest din ako as a singer.

"So nakita ako ng isang partner namin na Italian who's staying here in Malta. After the pandemic, she texted me, " Sabi niya, you know I'm a big fan of yours, and I have been following you for a few years now. Do you want to join X Factor Malta?"

"That time I'm not sure kung gusto ko pa kumanta at mag compete. Nanalo na ako noon sa States pero yung hirap like expenses and pressure. Nasanay na ako na parang nasa back of the camera na lamang ako. Parang ganun. Sabi ko baka magtuturo na lang ako. Before pandemic kasi may work ako eh. Pero noong nawala yun during the pandemic I got depressed. Parang hindi naman ako kailangan and I'm not ready. I was on the verge of giving up. Ganun point talaga. Dahil nga matagal na akong hindi kumakanta, medyo kinakabahan na ako.

"Tapos tinanong ko ang mga Tita ko tungkol dito. Sabi nila kung gusto ko raw, i-try ko. Maganda raw sa Malta. Mag-se-send ka lang naman ng video eh. Kung pumasa ka, e di gawan natin ng paraan. Sabi ko sige na nga video pa lang naman. So I send videos with two songs. Binasa ko rin naman ang rules nila na foreigners from other countries can join.

"I auditioned in April. Then babalikan daw nila ako after two weeks kung nakuha ako for the next level. Isang buwan na hindi pa nila ako binabalikan. So sabi ko maybe it's not for me. Then in May they called for another round of auditions sa video pa rin. They want me to go to Malta in July. Sabi ko kaya ba? And sabi namin, okay, kung mag-push through ito, will ito ni Lord. So I tried getting a visa. So pumunta kami roon with Tita Charie Vega and another friend," Mamaclay said.

Mamaclay received a standing ovation after she performed her audition piece, "This Is Me," from "The Greatest Showman."

"It's my first time in Malta, and I auditioned again. I received a standing ovation when I sang "This is Me " from The Greatest Showman. Hindi pa kami agad umalis noon may mga ginawa pa for one week. Then, the boot camp followed.

"Mga one month pa lang kami sa Malta kasi umuuwi pa rin ako noon sa Pilipinas kasi may Christmas break at may isa pang break. After July, bumalik ako doon September sa Italy naman," she recalled.

Mamaclay said that Filipinos have auditioned for the show but never made it to the live show. She's a vocal coach but she has many vocal coaches as she competes.

"Marami akong voice coach rito. Marami ang nag-ga-guide sa akin. Being a coach, dapat marunong ka pa rin tumanggap kung ano ang sasabihin nila. The learning doesn't stop. Hindi porke voice coach ako, ako lang ang tama. Ang mentor ko sa X Factor Malta si Howard Keith. Siya yung parang Simon Cowell dito."

On her preparations for the contest, Rose said: "Basta mainit lang ang throat ko, and my acid reflux is not acting up. I stay active. I drink a lot of water and I sleep early. Not so much in straining your voice. Eat healthy. Pero No. 1 is prayers." 

Musical clan

Mamaclay hails from a family of musicians and attributes her mother as her biggest musical influence. She is the second child among three siblings. Her father is a retired government employee from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) while her mom is a retired school principal.

"Singer si Nanay. I think I got it from her. I came from a family of musicians pero hindi ako tumutugtog. Yung lolo ko plays the violin. My cousins are drummer, pianist, and guitarist. Sa side po ni nanay musical clan po talaga.

"I want to dedicate my journey to 'X Factor Malta' to those who support me like my nanay and my tatay. Kay Tita Charie (Vega) po. My parents never fail me kapag may mga ganitong nangyayari. Talagang supportive sila kahit na wala sila rito. I know they are praying for me," she said, adding that Charie has managed her for 15 years now.

Whitney Houston, Regine Velasquez, Lea Salonga, Jennifer Hudson, and Barbra Streisand were her other influences.

Mamaclay, 37, said of her favorite song these days: "My favorite song right now is 'Oceans' by Taya Smith. It sums up all my feelings toward everything. It radiates so much in my life. I find peace in that song. May different seasons ang favorite songs pero right now, yun ng paborito ko ngayon."

Food business

Aside from being a vocal coach, Mamaclay is also into the food business. Her team was very active in food delivery service, especially during the pandemic.

"I have a food delivery business at White Plains. Ang specialty namin cuapao and pancit. I started with chocolate cake muna. Nagstart ako magdeliver sa loob ng White Plains. After nag-open na lahat at marami na ang nag-order, pwede na rin sa mga rider delivery. 

"Meron na rin kaming kare-kare, bagoong rice with lechon kawali at marami pang iba. I finished hotel and restaurant management and nagamit ko naman. For now, naka-pause ang food business ko because ang X Factor Malta. Singer mode muna tayo," she said.

Inspiring lives

Despite being bullied for her looks, Mamaclay persevered and stayed focused on her goals. She refused to let the negativity bring her down and instead used it as fuel to propel herself forward. Her determination and resilience are a true inspiration to us all.

"Marami akong naringgan from Maltese mula ng kinanta ko yung 'Who You Are.' I have been called names, and many things have been said to me. Mataba ka, you will not make it. Pango ka. You don't fit the mould. I'm a living proof na malalampasan mo yun. Talamak ang mental problems. 

"Marami ang nagmessage sa akin on social media that Mamaclay inspired us. Yung anak ko gusto na niyang kumanta dahil sa'yo. To be able to touch people's lives, yun ang isang naging prize ko. Hindi po ako mag papaka-plastic umiiyak na lang po ako. For a time, sabi ko sige sa kanila na yun. Magaling sila eh. But I rose from that. It was against all odds. 

"I think the Lord saved me. I think my faith is better than before. I am stronger when it comes to noises like that. Hindi nga lang ako sesy but I love myself now. No one can take that away from me. I was able to show the other side of me. 

"Ang peg ko talaga is diva pero I can do a lot of things pala like rock. Yung kanta ni Pink ginawan ko ng ibang version at nagulat sila. So I think yung ang mag highlights sa pagsali ko: I discovered myself and I was able to do more what I can do. Parang unti-unting nire-reveal ni Lord kung paano ko gagamitin ang boses ko," Mamaclay said.

Mamaclay mentioned that despite many great opportunities, she always stayed grounded.

"Bale wala ang pagkanta kung hindi maganda ang ating ugali. I checked on myself all the time. Am I on track? Kung nawawala ako sa focus ko, I stop, I pray, and I make sure I am grounded. 

"Maraming mayabang talaga sa paligid pero you just have to know your place. Dapat marunong kang makisama and tantyahin mo kung ito bang mga bagay na ito ay kailangan bang gawin or hindi. 

"Always be happy sa mga success ng ibang tao. Dapat ang jealousy wala siyang space. Do not be too hard on yourself. Also, just enjoy the process and the journey. Minsan iiyak ka. Don't let that affect you. Be positive, and don't allow people to put you down. We cannot please everybody. Tuloy ka lang. Focus on your goals."

Mamaclay wisely stated that she is choosing to prioritize loving herself and personal growth over being in a romantic relationship at this time. Her focus on self-care and self-love is an admirable example of taking charge of one's own happiness and well-being.

"I'm in love with myself. Mukhang showbiz pero yun po ang totoo. Dapat unahin natin yun: love yourself. When you're in love with yourself, you can do a lot of things. Kung ibibigay naman ni Lord why not? Hindi po ako tatanggi," she said.

"After X Factor, kung ano ang plano ni Lord, I will just accept it. Doon po ako susunod. Hindi ko kasi yun masasabi kahit marami tayong plans. Siguro tuloy-tuloy lang ako kumanta. I want to inspire more people. Kung may maibigay sa atin na magandang opportunity, I will grab it. I want to be an opportunity-grabber. Life is too short para tanggihan mo ang mga opportunities."

Once again, Mamaclay will take the stage on Sunday (Monday, 4 a.m. Manila time) for the next round of  "X Factor Malta."

"Sa mga kababayan po natin, sa mga Maltese and sa lahat ng supporters ko, natutuwa ako sa kanila because yung love na binibigay nila sa akin, hindi mapapantayan ng kahit anong bagay. I feel supported. Yung support nila ay grabe. Akala ko we're just a small team. Marami pala. I hope they can still support me. Medyo malayo pa ang journey. Sana makarating ako ng finals and iboto nila ako sa Malta. Prayers and good vibes lang from the Philippines. Hindi ko ma-express ang gratitude ko sa kanila."