The Filipino voice once again shone on the international stage. GMA Sparkle artist Arabelle dela Cruz emerged as the grand winner of the South Korean singing competition Veiled Cup, the first international edition of the Veiled Musician series, now in its third season.

Self-styled as the “Laguna Diva,” Dela Cruz captured the crown with a powerhouse rendition of Michael Bublé’s “Feeling Good.” Judge i-dle’s Miyeon praised her confident stage presence, while another applauded her ability to tackle a song with challenging low bass and wide vocal scales.

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She faced stiff competition from finalists Bangkok Soul Man and Phang Nga Bay Fighter from Thailand, Vientiane Red Hair from Laos, and Gyeongsang-do Iron Voice from South Korea. Fellow Filipino contestants Thea Astley and Garett Bolden also participated, though they were eliminated earlier in the competition.

The final judging panel was composed of i-dle’s Miyeon, 10cm’s Kwon Jung-yeol, Paul Kim, Tiffany Young, Ailee, and Henry Lau, with actress Lee Da-hee serving as host.

In the fourth and final episode, aired on Sunday, February 1, on Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) TV, Dela Cruz amassed a total converted score of 7,317 points, calculated from judges’ scores, live audience votes, global online cumulative voting, and music vote scores.

Veiled Cup, formerly titled Global Veiled Musician, features participants from nine countries across four episodes. The show’s defining premise strips contestants of all personal identifiers except for their voices. Performances take place behind a white circular veil, with only hometown and nickname offered as clues to each singer’s identity.

A global sensation

Arabelle dela Cruz graduated from Lyceum of the Philippines University–Laguna in November 2025 with a degree in Business Administration. But she has also been trying to pursue a music career, which has been defined more by endurance rather than overnight success. 

In 2018, she was a Top 5 grand finalist in Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 2, establishing herself as one of the country’s most promising vocalists. That same year, she joined The Clash, steadily refining her craft, culminating in a first runner-up finish in Season 5 in 2025.

Those near-wins never stalled her momentum; instead, each competition became a proving ground for her vocal maturity. By the time she stepped onto the Veiled Cup stage, Dela Cruz was no longer simply competing.

Despite an early setback when judge Henry Lau pressed the reject button during her rendition of Alicia Keys’ “If I Aint Got You” — noting that she hadn’t yet found her “color” in singing — Dela Cruz persevered.

Behind the veil, only her voice, she outshone competitions from Thailand, Laos, and South Korea, claiming the top spot in the finale and carving her place on the global stage.

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Her win also comes amid a broader wave of Filipino talent gaining recognition abroad, as Gwyn Dorado placed second in Sing Again 4 earlier on January 6, being the only foreign finalist of the season. Together, these achievements further show the Philippines’ growing presence on South Korea’s competitive music stages.

Fresh off her international victory, Dela Cruz is entering a new chapter. She recently performed live on GMA’s Unang Hirit and appeared on It’s Showtime on February 3, signaling a confident return to the Philippine mainstream as global opportunities continue to unfold.

Reflecting on her journey, she shared on Instagram: “Marami na akong nasalihan na kompetisyon sa buhay ko, karamihan pa roon ay hindi pinalad. Pero maraming naging aral sa akin lahat ng napagdaanan ko na yun. I am always grateful. And I will always be. Dahil hindi ako magiging si Arabelle ngayon kung hindi nangyari lahat ng yun. Mula sa batang nangangarap na marinig ng lahat, nabigyan na sya ng panahon ngayon!” 

(I have participated in many competitions in my life, most of which were not successful. But all of those experiences have taught me many lessons. I am always grateful. And I will always be. Because I would not be Arabelle today if all of that had not happened. From a child who dreamed of being heard by everyone, she has now been given her moment!)

After years of refining her craft under the public eye, Dela Cruz’s story is no longer one of close calls or near finishes. The “Laguna Diva” now stands at the threshold of a career that finally matches the voice that has carried her this far. – Claire Masbad/Rappler.com

Claire Masbad is a Rappler intern studying AB Communication Arts at De La Salle University.