With her unmistakable pleasant personality inside and out, it’s definitely impossible not to gaze or have a second look at this young diva in-the-making hailing from Biñan, Laguna. Well, this is due to the overwhelming affection, support, and guidance her pastor-father and church servant-mother have been giving her and her four siblings. They might be very strict, but she’s still grateful with how they brought them up since they learned a lot about life and became disciplined.
However, behind the bewitching glow and optimistic attitude she possesses lies a strong girl who have gone through a lot of rejections, failures, and challenges in life. Prior to her Idol Philippines stint, Zephanie Dimaranan previously joined in other singing contests of ABS-CBN, wherein she fell short in nabbing the championship. She was one of the two protégés of Coach Sarah Geronimo who reached the finals during the second season of The Voice Kids Philippines in 2015 which was won by Elha Nympha and also came face-to-face with Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 2 winner Janine Berdin as a daily contender.
Now, her avid supporters are hopeful that she’ll finally clinch the elusive victory when she made it to the Top 5 of the ongoing competition.
The Auditions
With her striking cuteness and radiant smile, the judges couldn’t help but be mesmerized with her. They weren’t totally compelled with her rendition of Sarah Geronimo’s “Forever’s Not Enough” as they, particularly Judge Regine Velasquez, noted that it wasn’t powerful yet but it was still beautiful since she has a crystal clear voice. Thus, Judge Vice Ganda requested her to sing a few lines of the Popstar Royalty’s “You Changed My Life In A Moment”, to which they were extra delighted for it suited her aura.
In the end, she received not only the highly-coveted golden ticket to the Idol City after getting four “yes’s”, but a squeeze to her cheeks from Judge Regine and a warm embrace from Judge James Reid.
The Theater Round
Even though there were four of them onstage who presented their version of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”, she and her Rated PG groupmate Yarah Estrella were the one who stood out among their group and proceeded to the next round.
The Do-Or-Die Round
Singing again with a group in the Do-or-Die round, she was able to showcase her incredible vocal prowess as she performed Eraserheads’ “Ang Huling El Bimbo” along with other six Idol Hopefuls – Denize Castillo, Dianne Vergoza, Elle Ocampo, Angie Gorbulev, Jeremiah Torayno, and Jerahmae Trangia.
The Solo Round
Zephanie wasn’t able to hold back her emotions after she belted out her heartfelt interpretation of Fantasia Barino’s “I Believe”, which, according to her, was because she sang it from the heart, and at the same time, was possibly due to the overwhelming happiness and gratitude she felt for making it that far in the competition. The Unkabogable Star felt it as well, but he urged her to continue showing everyone that she’s indeed a “diamond”.
The Live Round – Top 12
In her mentoring session with National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, she imparted how awestruck she was to see him in person for she’s been singing most of his compositions. She chose Smokey Mountain’s “Paraiso” as her piece for the first elimination round, which she was able to deliver impressively during the live show as she was able to amass the highest combined judges and viewers’ score of 99.75% that evening.
The Live Round – Top 10
Same with the judges impression of him, mentors for the second Live Round Yeng Constatino and Erik Santos also couldn’t seem to get enough of her. The Pop Rock Royalty was so captivated with how pleasant-looking she is, while the King of Teleserye Theme Songs expressed how much he admired the rawness of her voice and that she can be a star.
Dedicating her stirring performance of Yeng’s hit “Salamat” to all those who unwaveringly supported and inspired her all throughout her journey, she left the judges impressed.
The Live Round – Top 8
Bearing in mind and heart the words she swear by, “It’s not about how many times you fall, but how many times you rise up”, Zephanie proved to everyone that although she ended up losing a number of times in the past, she will just keep going on with life and there’s definitely no turning back now. Her exhilarating interpretation of Sarah Geronimo’s “Isa Pang Araw” made the judges shoot up from their seats and gave her rounds of applause, which could also be credited to their mentor Morissette Amon who reminded her during the rehearsals to find her own sound.
The Live Round – Top 6
In the last elimination round, she confessed the great pressure she feels being the youngest contender. But because of the positive comments she’s been receiving from jurors and supporters alike, she has learned how to be mature.
Thus, her chosen piece “Huwag Ka Nang Umiyak”, which enthralled their mentor Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano during the rehearsals and the judges and everyone in the studio, was definitely appropriate.
Will Zephanie finally snag this time the victory she’s been striving to attain? Let’s find out by not missing the finale of Idol Philippines this coming weekend!