MANILA, Philippines – It wasn't an easy journey to success for singer Angeline Quinto.

 

Speaking to “Ako Ang Simula” anchor Karen Davila, Quinto shared how she grew up in the world of amateur singing competitions to pursue her dream of performing before an audience.

 

Quinto said she was six years old when she learned that she can sing. At the age of 8, she was already joining numerous singing competitions, even if her mother was opposed to this.

 

“Ayaw po kasi talaga ng nanay ko na sumali ako noon kasi napapabayaan ko ang pag-aaral ko. Ang ginagawa ko, tumatakas ako sa nanay ko kapag gabi basta may alam ako na fiesta malapit sa amin. Tumatakbo kami dun ng mga barkada ko, pinapahirap nila ako ng damit para lang makasali ako,” she said.

 

Quinto admitted that many were predicting that she won't succeed, saying her talent is only for “barangay fiestas.”

 

“Hindi lang mga kapitbahay, pati mga kamag-anak ko [sinasabi 'yun] kaya siguro lumaki din po ako talaga sa piyesta. Aminado naman ako doon, bakit ko naman ikakahiya?” she said.

 

But for Quinto, these contests became her training ground which eventually led her to the stage of ABS-CBN’s talent search “Star Power.”

 

Quinto, who was crowned the first winner of “Star Power,” said her life drastically changed after that competition.

 

“Sobrang ang laking pinag-iba po sa buhay ko dati. Ngayon, sobra po ang naitutulong ko sa pamilya ko, lalo na sa nanay ko kasi may maintenance na gamot pa rin si mama. Kaya sobra pong nakakatuwa na 'yung mga hindi ko nagagawa dati, 'yung mga hindi ko nabibili para sa pamilya ko, nabibili ko na,” she said.

 

And because of this, Quinto said she wants to remain an inspiration to people who have dreams of their own.

 

“Lahat naman ng tao may dinadasal, lahat po tayo may pinapangarap. Kahit na ano pa ang pinanggalingan mo, kahit kinakahiya ka pa ng ibang tao noon, basta kapag nangarap ka at ginawa mo ang lahat ng makakaya mo para dun, talagang walang imposible na mangyari yun,” she said.