Every young Filipina’s journey to success starts with a small but powerful dream. And for Arabelle dela Cruz, it was her unwavering determination to let the whole world hear her voice.
No stage is too big for this fiery performer and GMA Sparkle artist, and her kontesera roots can attest to that. Since childhood, she has dominated various prestigious stages with her undeniable talent, from local shows to nationwide competitions—all of which she proudly cherishes no matter how much time has passed.
Photo: Arabelle dela Cruz/Instagram
One of Arabelle’s most notable feats to date, however, is bringing great pride to the Philippines this month as the champion of Veiled Cup. The South Korean singing competition, which features a revered panel of judges from the Korean pop (K-pop) industry, aims to discover the best singer among unique and multitalented contestants who hide their identities behind white veils.
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Veiled Cup has become a fruitful opportunity for Arabelle to showcase her vocal prowess (and Filipino excellence, in general) on a global stage alongside exceptional singers across Asia. A few setbacks may have brought hardships upon her journey, but she didn’t let them crush her spirit as she worked her way towards her winning moment.
With years’ worth of experience and passion under her belt, Arabelle is ready to conquer larger stages and reach new heights as a performer. Before we anticipate her next international endeavors, it’s high time we honor the “Laguna Diva’s” remarkable performances on well-loved nationwide competitions that helped her grow into the global powerhouse vocalist she is today.
Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 2 (2018)
Arabelle’s first televised singing competition was on none other than Tawag ng Tanghalan, the iconic home to superb Filipino talents from all walks of life. She made the most out of her experience on the It’s Showtime segment, finishing as a grand finalist on the competition’s second season back in 2018.
Arabelle wowed the Tawag ng Tanghalan crowd with soulful renditions of generational hits, such as:
- “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” by Céline Dion,
- “If I Were a Boy” by Beyoncé, and
- “Run to You” by Whitney Houston, among others.
On February 3, 2026, fresh off her Veiled Cup win, Arabelle returned to It’s Showtime to thank her kababayans for their unending support and look back fondly on her artistic growth since her Tawag ng Tanghalan days.
“Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam. First time ko pong lumabas ng bansa at lumabang mag-isa,” she recalled on the show. She also shared the opportunity to sing on Veiled Cup reached her right after she finished competing on The Clash. Still, she couldn’t pass up the chance to raise the Philippine flag on the global stage.
The Clash Season 5 (2025)
Arabelle’s perseverance never stopped as she sang from one competition to another. Last year, she won over more Filipinos’ hearts on the fifth season of GMA’s The Clash, where she finished first runner-up. She gave it her all on every episode and earned high praise from the show’s judges: Lani Misalucha, Ai-ai delas Alas, and Christian Bautista.
Some of Arabelle’s standout performances on The Clash include:
- “Vision of Love” by Mariah Carey,
- “Wala Na Bang Pag-ibig” by Jaya, and
- A mashup of “Tough Lover” and “Show Me How You Burlesque” by Christina Aguilera.
Veiled Cup (2026)
After doing a phenomenal job on Tawag ng Tanghalan and The Clash, it was finally time for Arabelle to let the rest of the world discover her star power. With a hopeful heart, she joined Veiled Cup, bravely represented the Philippines, and bested 25 talented singers from China, Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam, Laos, Mongolia, and Thailand.
Despite the tough criticism she faced early on, Arabelle blew the audience and judges away every week with her fantastic vocal range and technique. Under the alias “Laguna Diva,” a nod to her hometown, she left a lasting impression on the panel, which included K-pop stars such as Tiffany Young from Girls’ Generation, Miyeon from i-dle, and Ailee, among others.
As the winner of Veiled Cup, Arabelle will have a special appearance on the K-pop music show Inkigayo, an original song on the soundtrack of an upcoming Korean drama (K-drama), and an exciting tour around Asia. Her inspirational journey from a small-town songstress to an international singing sensation is living proof of the magic that happens when Filipinos rightfully grace the global stage.
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What do you think of Arabelle dela Cruz’s winning moment on Veiled Cup? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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