IN 2006, Canadian Idol was the talk in the community because of a Pinay singer who made it to the top eight of the competition. A series of guestings in Filipino community events and a big concert at the Toronto Center for the arts followed after that.
Meeting Filipino diva Pilita Corrales when she had a concert here in Toronto opened the way for Martha for discovering the Philippine showbiz. It was Pilita Corrales herself who paved the way for her to meet some record and movie producers in the Philippines.. Pilita endorsed her to Vic del Rosario of Viva Records.
After graduating in high school, her mother Sonia has decided to quit her job to take Martha home to the Philippines to follow her dream. In the Philippines, she vowed producers with her exceptional singing voice that she was immediately signed up by Vic del Rosario who is also the head of Viva Films.
She immediately recorded her first album and while in the process of production, Martha became a regular host of German Moreno’s Walang Tulugan in GMA network. She also became a regular singer and dancer at SOP every Sunday, these became her training grounds for Television hosting and for singing and dancing on television.
Because singing is her first love, she wants to concentrate in recording for now. She has launched a new self-titled album that contains original Tagalog songs that are hitting the airwaves back home.
Classically trained, Martha was born in Toronto, Canada to a Pinay mother and a Portuguese father. She was only 11 when she wowed the 50 or so judges at the September 2003 Best New Talent Awards in L.A. at the Century Plaza Hotel. She won in two categories: Best Contemporary Pop singer and Best Child Broadway performer.
Her debut album was produced by Christian de Walden of Hollywood, the producer responsible for creating hits for Sarah Geronimo, Claire dela Fuente and Rachelle Ann Go. Her first single release is “Dumating Ka” which was composed by Jimmy Borja.
Martha is also trying to learn to speak the language, which may become a hindrance if ever she wants to try her luck in acting.. They have been in the Philippines for several months and the whole time she spends time watching Tagalog movies and speaking in Tagalog with friends and co-workers. She said did not find difficulty learning the Filipino language.
Martha loves the Philippines and does not mind staying there indefinitely. She likes the people and enjoys hobnobbing with famous Filipino artists and of course the weather where you can swim all year round.
Right now, she is concentrating on the promotion of her album in malls and shopping centers and her regular stints in Walang Tulugan on Saturdays and SOP every Sunday. Let’s wish her the best of luck.