Glee, the hit TV series which won the 2010 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series—Musical or Comedy- has become more popular with Filipinos ever since Charice joined its cast in Season 2.
But now, Pinoys all over the world has another reason to watch the series. Another Filipina will be seen in the show—Hazel Faith Dela Cruz. They have just filmed the segment last Friday, November 11.
Hazel Faith is the winner of ETC’s Glee off to Hollywood Promo and is one of less than ten lucky winners from around the world who were awarded with an all-expense paid trip to Hollywood with a walk-on role in Glee’s 2nd Season.
She arrived in LA a few days ago, accompanied by her mother, Chay de la Cruz, and Rolly Abuya, Corporate Marketing and Events Manager of Solar Entertainment, parent company of cable stations ETC and Jack TV, where the hit series Glee is aired.
In an exclusive interview with the Asian Journal in downtown Los Angeles, Hazel recalled how she joined the contest where she bested more than a hundred contestants in the Philippines.
“I remember that day in April distinctly. As has been my habit over the years, I asked the Lord to give me a verse for the day. He gave me a Bible verse in the book of Corinthians about singers and I didn’t know why. Later that day while I was watching TV, I saw the advertisement of ETC’s Glee off to Hollywood Promo. To join, you just come up with a creative video of why you deserve to win the special prize. I told my dad I wanted to join but didn’t think I had any chance to win. He encouraged me to go ahead and join. So, I got a camera and recorded myself singing one of my original compositions entitled Can’t Comprehend. That was five days before the deadline. I submitted my video and didn’t expect much,” Hazel Faith shared.
The middle child and only daughter of Ding and Chay Dela Cruz from España, Manila, Hazel has always loved singing. She takes after her mother who was a member of the Christian group, Papuri, when she was younger. Her brothers are Kaiser Jared (who introduced his younger sister to Glee knowing she would love it since she loves singing)and Kyle Jordan.
Hazel is in her 4th year in college, taking up Architecture at Mapua University. “To be an architect is my life plan but at the back of my head, I have always wanted to sing. I grew up singing in church. I have always been a member of our choir and the praise and worship team,” she said.
A few weeks after the submission of her entry, Hazel got a call from Solar Entertainment informing her that she was chosen as one of the 20 finalists and was asked to go to the awarding ceremonies in Eastwood.
“I was so surprised. We went to the affair really early and I saw the other finalists. They looked so good and I thought, ‘naku,hindi na ako mananalo.’ Then, they showed the 3 videos of the top 3 winners and I couldn’t believe that mine was one of them,” said Hazel.
The announcement of the winner was really cool, as four of the top stars of Glee pre-recorded a video in Hollywood. Glee characters Mr. Schuester (Matthew Morrison), Finn (Cory Monteith), Artie (Kevin McHale) and Mike (Harry Shum Jr) were shown on video excitedly announcing, “ And the winner is…Hazel Faith Dela Cruz.”
“I was so stunned. I couldn’t speak or stand up. I was just so shocked. I could not believe it,” said the pretty singer who admitted that she has been composing songs since she was 14 years old.
“Hazel truly showed creativity by singing her own original composition,’ said Rolly Abuya.
“I think a major reason why she won, aside from her singing her own song, was what she said in the video before the song,” shared her mom, Chay dela Cruz.
Hazel explained further. “I admitted that I didn’t have self-confidence. Glee helped me develop my self-esteem. I’ve told myself that I was just a simple girl. But I have been discovering that I have a flair for flamboyance, like the character of Kurt in the show. The show has inspired me to go after my dream. Because of Glee and God, I have been able to overcome my shyness and do what I wanted to do,” said Hazel.
Hazel was ecstatic when she talked about the prizes she won. “I got free clothes from American Rag, a beautiful Esprit watch, gift certificates from Coffee Bean and from Red Box where our family enjoyed our time “sa videoke,” Glee freebies like notebooks, t-shirts etc. Plus of course, the major prizes of a trip for two to Hollywood, $1,000 pocket money, a tour of Fox Studios, a car service from the hotel to Paramount Studios (where they film Glee) and of course, an opportunity to meet and film an episode with the whole cast and crew of Glee. Grabe iba talaga magbigay ng blessings si Lord, overflowing,” shared Hazel.
A certified Gleek, (as fans of Glee are known), Hazel said she likes Kurt and Rachel in the show. Asked which character closely resembles Hazel’s voice, Chay, said she thinks it’s a cross between Rachel and Santana.
Asked what she plans to do after her trip, Hazel replied, “I have to go back to Manila right away because I have classes. Basta, I have told the Lord—here I am. Let Your will be done. So, whatever happens in my life, I will just give my best and trust the Lord.”
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