Marielle Montellano stays grounded

CEBU, Philippines — Like most of us, Cebuana singer Marielle Montellano would fantasize about seeing herself on TV. So when she joined “It’s Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan” (TNT) in 2016, she was just a kid taking a chance.

That leap of faith did Marielle well, becoming one of the 1o finalists in that season of TNT where Noven Belleza of Negros Occidental emerged the champion.

Since then, the Tabogon native has been far away from her home in Consolacion town where her mother and younger sister stays, as she tries to fare well in Manila.

“Mao ra gihapon ko,” Marielle began when The Freeman chanced upon her during Myles Ng’s recent debut single launch at K-Pub BBQ at the Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu. Marielle was there to support Myles, was three years her junior, and whose parents Wilson and Melanie Ng had supported Marielle during her TNT days. Marielle also used to sing at the Ng Khai Group restaurant Lakwatsa Restolounge.

“So far, I can’t say that much has changed [since TNT],” the soft-spoken Marielle quipped. “I’m the same Marielle that people know. I guess there are minor changes like looking more put together when I go out in public. Personality-wise, nothing's changed. This is still me.”

The singer currently lives by herself in Manila where she studies BS Psychology at Far Eastern University. She has an interest in human behavior, she explained. Marielle, who used to attend the University of San Carlos Talamban campus, had to relocate following her management contract, which was extended to five more years.

Although it took a while to learn the ropes, Marielle has adjusted well in the capital. As an on-call TNT artist, she sometimes has to juggle gigs with her studies. But she’s made new good friends in school who help her catch up.

“I’m really happy that I got extended. But, I do miss Cebu. I miss my experiences. This is where I started, I began competing and singing here,” she said.

“Medyo nasanay na ko. Before, in elementary and high school, I would go to out-of-town competitions. I’m used to being away from my family at a time. But I can’t say that I’m totally independent. Every day, I speak to my family via video call,” said Marielle.

She didn’t see the blessing that was TNT coming. For her, she was just fulfilling her humble dream of being on TV and doing what she loves which was to sing.

“Namasin lang jud ko,” Marielle recalled. “I didn’t expect to go big. I had a lot of insecurities. Being on TV was just a dream, I wasn’t even sure if that was going to happen. With my faith in God, I was just holding on to chance. Maybe this was it. What if this was the chance?”

Among her insecurities was the birthmark on her right cheek. TNT helped her overcome that insecurity, slowly becoming more and more comfortable in her own skin when she performed on the TNT stage for the first time.

“When I stood on the TNT stage, that was when I became comfortable with my birth mark,” Marielle said.

Fast forward to 2018, Marielle now has a string of performances all over the country and a new single by Jonathan Manalo called “Talaga Ba.” She was part of the recent four-hour “TNT All-Star Showdown” at the Araneta Colisuem which was the first joint concert for TNT talents.

On Sept. 21, Marielle will be in Cebu alongside TNT stars Noven, fellow Janine Berdin, Steven Paysu, Ato Arman, Anton Antenorcruz, Eumee, Froilan Canlas, Reggie Tortugo, Arabelle Dela Cruz, the TNT boys an d Sheena Belarmino for the next leg of the “TNT All-Star Showdown” to be held at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City. The concert will also serve as a homecoming for Cebuanas Janine, Marielle, and Sheena.

“I’m super happy. Having my own single is one of my biggest dreams. I’ve always wanted to do something like that. It’s written by Jonathan Manalo, one of the composers that the industry looks up to. TNT made my dreams possible,” Marielle said.

With new talents coming up every now and then, Marielle plans to do what she does best – sing.

“Ako, mao gihapon. I’ll stick to my genre. That’s what people know of me. And I hope they won’t forget me. I hope that every time they see my birthmark, they’re reminded of who I am.”

She also plans on putting up a YouTube channel to maintain her presence, but says that that would likely happen when she isn’t as busy with school.

Marielle likewise commended Janine, the reigning TNT champion, for her professionalism and perseverance.

“I’m very proud of her. She’s already achieved something with her talent despite her age. And even though she’s had experiences on TV, she still found a way to pursue her singing and used her experiences to guide her,” Marielle said of the 16-year-old sensation from Lapu-Lapu City.

For aspiring TNT contestants, Marielle advises: “Be yourself. Don’t try to be someone else. Who you are in the beginning reflects on who you will become later on. No matter what happens, just keep going. If you lose, just like me, you can always audition and compete again.”

“When people learn that you’re from Cebu they go ‘Woah, Cebuano.’ So you have to be ready. And it’s important to find people who would support you despite your setbacks.”