Arabelle Dela Cruz: The voice that conquered Korea

Arabelle Dela Cruz

The voice that conquered Korea

Arabelle Dela Cruz’s journey to becoming the Veiled Cup Korea Grand Champion was years in the making, shaped by childhood dreams, countless auditions, and a deep love for music that carried her from small local stages to an international spotlight.

Text by Bianca Geli | Photos courtesy of Sparkle and Arabelle Dela Cruz

From early childhood performances to the international stage, Arabelle Dela Cruz’s journey has been shaped by years of dedication, resilience, and an unwavering love for music. Crowned Grand Champion at Veiled Cup Korea, the Filipino singer continues to prove that behind every breakthrough moment is a story of persistence, one built long before the spotlight found her.

A childhood rooted in music

Long before she held a championship trophy, Arabelle’s life was already intertwined with music. Even before she was born, music had already become part of her story.

“Kasi nung pinagbubuntis pa lang ako ng Mom ko, gusto nila kahit hindi singer pero musically-inclined. Ang kwento ng nanay ko nung buntis pa siya sa akin, gusto niya laging may music. Tapos nung pinanganak na ako. At six years old pinag-train na nila ako, nagustuhan ko rin naman. Very supportive silang lahat even my sisters.”

Her early exposure quickly turned into passion. Singing became second nature, growing from playful childhood expression into a serious pursuit. “Nag-start akong kumanta at three years old pero 'yung formal na vocal training, six years old.”

“What I did with the song is not the usual approach that I do here as Pilipinas kapag sumasali ako sa mga competitions. I tried to perform na iba ’yung techniques, iba ’yung way of performing ko sa song na ’yun. I just let myself go, I enjoyed the stage"

By the age of seven, she was already stepping onto small stages, gaining experience and confidence through local competitions. “At seven years old, nag-start na akong sumali sa mga amateur singing competition, ’yung mga barangay.”

For many young performers, competition can be intimidating. For Arabelle, it became an opportunity to grow, not just in skill, but in mindset. “My first win was an inter-school competition at mas matatanda mga kalaban ko. I was seven that time. As a kid, ako kasi 'yung pag sumali ako hindi ako nag-e-expect na mananalo ako. Gagawin ko 'yung kailangan ko pero I would not expect anything.”

That perspective, focusing on effort rather than outcome, would later help her navigate the unpredictable world of auditions and professional opportunities.

Rejection, resilience, and the long road to opportunity

Behind her eventual success were countless auditions that did not go as planned. Arabelle openly acknowledges the struggles she faced while pursuing her dreams, describing long queues, repeated attempts, and exhausting travel just for a chance to perform. She recalled, “Hindi lahat ng mga sinalihan kong audition nakukuha ako. Maraming mahabang pila, nakailang balik na ako, umabot na ako sa final screening pero hindi ako nakukuha. Hindi ko na rin mabilang kung ilang audition na ’yung napuntahan ko. Bumabyahe pa kami lagi, nag-co-commute kami, ang kasama ko pa is ’yun Mom ko.”

Her commitment often meant balancing school responsibilities with auditions, sometimes rushing straight from class to competition venues. “Kapag may pa-audition dapat kasi mapuntahan agad ’yung audition na ’yun. May times na pagkalabas na pagkalabas ko pa lang ng school diretso na kami sa audition, minsan hanggang gabi. Misan bumabyahe kami tapos naabutan na ako ng cut-off. Pero tuloy-tuloy pa rin kami kasi ’yun ’yung gusto ko gawin.”

“Hindi lahat ng mga sinalihan kong audition nakukuha ako. Maraming mahabang pila, nakailang balik na ako, umabot na ako sa final screening pero hindi ako nakukuha. Hindi ko na rin mabilang kung ilang audition na ’yung napuntahan ko."

Her perseverance opened doors to larger platforms. “Eventually, sumali na rin ako sa mga national singing competitions. Sumali ako sa Tawag ng Tanghalan, The Clash.”

Before her international breakthrough, Arabelle had already built an impressive track record on some of the Philippines’ biggest televised singing competitions. She emerged as the 1st Runner-Up in The Clash 2025, showcasing her vocal power and versatility on a national platform, and previously secured a spot as a Top 5 Grand Finalist in Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 2. These milestones not only introduced her to a wider audience but also strengthened her confidence as a performer, preparing her for the challenges of competing on larger stages beyond the country.

Exploring new stages beyond singing

While singing remained her main passion, Arabelle also explored other avenues within entertainment, including pageantry, though she admits it was never her primary focus.

“I also like watching pageants, marami nagsabi na mag-try ako mag-pageant. I’ll try lang na mag-pageant pero hindi ’yun ’yung sole focus ko kasi singing talaga ’yung kinagisnan ko. I can try on the side pero sa singing talaga ako bumabalik.”

This willingness to explore new experiences while staying grounded in her core identity as a singer became part of her evolving artistic journey.
Arabelle's victory at Veiled Cup Korea marked a significant milestone, one that she says was almost surreal in the moment.

“Hindi ko siya na-process, nablanko ’yung utak ko that time. ‘Ako talaga ’yung hahawak ng trophy? Ako ba talaga ’yung champion?’ Super na-overwhelm ako to the point na wala ng pumapasok sa utak ko. I’m very honored kasi after every competition ito pa lang ’yung binigay para sa akin.”

Competing against talented international performers, Arabelle focused on authenticity rather than expectations. “I’m very grateful kasi 100 ’yung binigay ni Tiffany sa akin. But I wasn’t expecting anything that time because I was the second to perform and I know the strength of my competitors. Grabe rin ’yung distinctness ng boses nila. Sabi ko hindi ako magiging complacent, mahirap mag-expect kasi lahat kami may kanya kanya kaming strength eh.”

One of her biggest decisions was to challenge herself artistically by trying a different approach. “What I did with the song is not the usual approach that I do here sa Pilipinas kapag sumasali ako sa mga competitions. I tried to perform na iba ’yung techniques, iba ’yung way of performing ko sa song na ’yun. I just let myself go, I enjoyed the stage. I wanted to make a different version of it kasi kinanta ko siya sa The Clash noon. ‘Feeling Good’ was the first song na kinanta ko.”

"Hindi ko masasabi na mas nakaka-pressure ’yung sa Korea. Kasi iba ’yung pagiging competitive ko rito, e."

Beyond individual competition, she remembers the camaraderie among Filipino contestants representing their country abroad. Arabelle joined Veiled Cup Korea with fellow All-Out Sundays singers Garrett Bolden and Thea Astley.

“Actually, even before we got to Korea, siyempre kahit magkakasama kaming lumipad, magkakalaban pa rin kami doon. Pero whoever gets to the finals, kahit hindi kaming tatlo ’yung makaabot sa finals, kung sino ’yung nalaglag, parang kasama na rin ng kung sino ’yung umabot. At least sana may isang umabot sa grand finals, that was our goal. Kahit sino sa amin, para meron mag-re-represent ng Pilipinas. Sobrang naging memorable sa akin ’yung time namin doon sa Korea."

Carrying the Philippines on her shoulders

Representing the Philippines added a different kind of pressure, one she describes as both challenging and motivating. “Parehas may pressure pero hindi ko masasabi na mas nakaka-pressure ’yung sa Korea. Kasi iba ’yung pagiging competitive ko rito, e. Dapat nasusunod ko kung ano ’yung na-plan ko para sa song. ’Yung pressure doon, hindi na lang sarili ko ’yung ni-re-represent ko kung di Philippines so siyempre, parang kahit hindi nila sinasabi, parang nakaantabay lahat, ’yun ’yung pressure. Lahat nakatutok sa’yo. Iba na kapag Pilipinas na ’yung ni-re-represent mo. I wanted to represent the Philippines well. I actually don't take the pressure negatively. Na-pe-pressure ako pero nag-e-enjoy ako.”

A victory shared with family and supporters

For Arabelle, the win was not hers alone, it belonged to everyone who supported her journey. “Nung nanalo ako, when I called, magkakasama ’yung buong angkan ko. Sobrang saya nila kasi ’yung sinusuportahan nila nag-champion. Sobrang saya nila para sa akin. I’m really hoping na meron sa Pilipinas, para ma-i-share lalo na sa mga sumuporta na ito ’yung bunga ng sinuportahan niyo.”

Despite international opportunities, Arabelle remains grounded in her roots. “I'm doing the most dito sa Pilipinas, dito pa rin talaga uuwi.”

She also highlighted the strong support system behind her success, including her management and network. “They were very happy. During the grand finals sobrang saya nila lagi sila nagtatanong kung ano pang kailangan ko, if kailangan ko ng boto, paano gagawin. Super 'yung pag-pu-promote ng GMA talaga, ’yung The Clash, All-Out Sundays, Sparkle, super thankful ko sa support nila, kasi kahit gaano pa ako kagaling hindi 'yun sapat. Kasi hindi lang ako magisa na lumaban, inilaban din ako.”

“I also like watching pageants, marami nagsabi na mag-try ako mag-pageant. I’ll try lang na mag-pageant pero hindi ’yun ’yung sole focus ko kasi singing talaga ’yung kinagisnan ko."

Looking ahead

With her championship win opening new doors, Arabelle is now preparing for what comes next, including an international tour and continuing her career locally.

“What we know right now is we will be having a global tour. I thought before na sa Korea lang mangyayari ’yung concerts, pero global pala. After The Clash nga noon akala ko okay na ako 'eh. Tapos biglang nagkaroon Veiled Cup tapos ganito pa. I’m very grateful I got to experience this opportunity. Siyempre ’yung pagpapatuloy ng career ko sa singing sa All-Out Sundays, sa Queendom, ipagpapatuloy ko pa rin ’yun. And I’m not closing my doors to opportunities so whatever will be handed to me, I will gladly accept."

As Arabelle Dela Cruz moves forward, her story serves as a reminder that success is rarely instantaneous. It is shaped by years of unseen effort, countless auditions, and the courage to keep showing up, until one day, the dream becomes reality.