High Pinay

Madonna Decena is another YouTube Sensation singer,  many viewers who have watched her heart warming rendition to Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” were so touched that even the judges are teary eyed after her singing.

Madonna “Mado” Decena is a 32 year old, single mom of two. She left her daughters with their grandparents here in the Philippines in able to work abroad. When she sang her piece, it naturally came out to be from the heart because of all the hardships she is experiencing abroad. Although she is hoping to win in the Britains’s Got Talent second series, she is still uncertain although she is one of the crowds favorite, because Got Talent is not primarily a singing contest, but a contest for all sorts of talent.

But anyway, what she has proven is already a big step and even if she doesn’t win (although we are crossing our fingers), she is still another Pinay who have made many Filipinos proud, once again. Aim High Pinay!!

Madonna Decena

Madonna’s singing career begins

Now in her 30’s, Madonna Decena started singing when she was only three years old. She trained at the age of 7, started joining singing competitions when she was 11, then became a professional singer at the tender age of 16. “Buhay ko na ang kumanta. I never planned to be in an office at all even if I excelled in school and I was very active in my singing kahit nasa college na ‘ko,” Decena said. Madonna Decena was part of several bands in the Philippines, and sang in hotels and bars. She was also a member of major musical theaters. “I also was part of… Musical Theater Phils ni Ms. Celeste Legaspi at Trumpets ni Audie Gemora. Also I was able to work with Lou Bonnevie for Dimitri Prod sa Lapu Lapu Musical and once on this island ng Chase Intl.” She’s also a veteran of singing competitions from TV shows to barrio fiestas.

Working student

To augment her family’s income, she became a working student. “I also worked for Mc Donalds as a local store marketing trainee, sa SM City yun high school ako. So if I got a little I will help with expenses sa bahay o ano man ang kulang,” Decena said. Decena said she tried to be smart with her money since she was young. “I only spend if its worth it… siguro mga passion ko lang as a girl ang ginagastusan ko. Let’s say perfume or very nice shoes, make up at mga magagandang gamit. Madalas padala lang ng mg tita, tito abroad kung di bigay o hand me downs lang ang mga magaganda at mamahalin na gamit na makikita n’yo sa amin.

Decena eventually graduated from Miriam College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.

Living in London

Madonna Decena also shared her life in and how she got the chance to join the show Britain’s Got Talent. The singer said a typical day in is spent cooking, resting, and cleaning the house. She is staying with her friends and she does not go out too often because of the cold weather.

She also goes around the city of and does the grocery. Decena said when she has available work she stays in her manager’s place in Prescot. But why work in the United Kingdom? “I tried to work there (in the Philippines) pero di talaga kaya. I went to Singapore twice with a band and ok lang, then wala na kong contrata. After after months dito na ako sa UK

Hardships in the

Madonna Decena said it is hard to work in London. When her best friend found a manager in need of an artist, she auditioned and luckily got the job. “Ginawan ako ng work permit so nakabalik ako ng Pinas to do my work visa. I saw the kids for the last time. Iyak ng iyak ang panganay ko si Ysl sama na daw sya o kaya wag na akong umalis, si Yra yung bunso cool lang kasi bata pa pero sya ang lagi nagsasabi na uuwi na ba ako?” she said. Decena said she is working for a small company called “Steve Jones Entertainments.” She asked the company to help her and in return she will do her best to help the company. But she said it still did not provide much work for her. “So naisip ko na sumali sa Britain’s Got Talent s’yempre para makakuha ang isang artist ng trabaho. I need exposure, best way is TV and thank God everything went well and the rest is history.” Decena is now separated from the father of her kids, and refused to comment further on her lovelife.

“So ako, handa sa mangyayari. Okay lang kahit matalo. Kasi alam kong naabot ko na rin yung purpose ko ba’t ako sumali. Manalo, matalo, madami nakarinig sa aking kumanta at alam kong mas madaming trabaho ang makukuha ko para makaipon para sa mga anak ko. Ultimately makasama ko na sila kasi kaya ko na silang supportahan,” Decena said

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