SAMAL, Bataan- The X-Factor Australia 2014 champion wowed the big crowd, Monday afternoon as she sang at an improvised stage in the jampacked covered court in this municipality.
Marlisa Punzalan, 15, has roots in barangay Lalawigan in Samal where her parents came from.
She visited her parent’s hometown six years ago when she was nine years old. She sang “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “Stand by You” with the audience participating.
“I can’t believe it. Everybody is amazing, so touching!,” quipped her mother Andrea. Marlisa enjoyed answering some questions from students her age. “Be yourself, ask the help of God,” she said when asked what she could advise would-be singers. She has no boyfriend yet but she has a celebrity crush who is Justin Bieber.
“Thank you everyone for supporting me. I love you all!,” Marlisa said. The big crowd not only came from Samal but also from neighboring towns like students Mabel Navarro and Leera Cigaral, both 15, from Hermosa, Bataan “We went here to see Marlisa because we are her avid fans”..
Samal Mayor Gene dela Fuente profusely thanked the family of Marlisa for bringing the X Factor Australia champion to Samal to perform. “We are all proud of Marlisa and I know that she will be a role model to other aspiring singers in our town,” the Mayor said.
Big “Post Valentine Date with Marlisa Punzalan”, streamers were hung all over the covered court days before the event. Marlisa arrived in the country last Thursday for some Valentine performances and television guestings. She will be back to Australia today.
