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For Faith Cuneta, success no longer means winning a singing competition or chasing the next career milestone. Nearly three decades after finishing second in the 1997 Metropop Star Search, the singer says she has found her greatest fulfillment in motherhood.

Long before she built a music career, Faith admitted that joining Metropop Star Search was never her own dream.

"So, yung contest kasi, it's not parang ang gusto ko. It's my mom, who believed in me, so much in me, sa talent ko. So I just don't want to break her heart," she recalled.

Aside from fulfilling her mother's wish, Faith was also motivated by a more practical goal: getting her first car.

"Yung Metropop, pinilit lang talaga ako and napa-oo ako kasi ang laki ng prize—PhP300,000, 200,000, 100,000. That was 1997, e, yun yung panahon na humihingi ako ng kotse sa daddy ko kasi mag-college na ako. Sabi niya, 'Sige, 'pag manalo ka diyan, dadagdagan ko yung pera mo, bibilhin ko.' Ganun ang story ko."

Her second-place finish earned her the prize money, which she used to buy a car; and eventually opened doors that launched her singing career.

Despite the opportunities, Faith admitted that losing the top prize at a young age left an emotional mark on her—one she doesn't want her own child to experience.

"It breaks me kasi it's not a good feeling for a kid to lose... I don't want to push them to join contests because it doesn't feel good to lose. Ayaw ko maramdaman nila yan."

After Metropop, Faith found steady work in television, performed in various venues, spent years as a lounge singer, and became the voice behind several Korean drama theme songs. Still, she experienced disappointments and setbacks that changed the way she viewed success.

"Mayroon parang umaasa ang family mo na parang you'd be a big star. But for me, wala sa akin. Parang, kanta ka dyan, go, kanta ka dyan, go. Wala sa akin yun. So kahit saan akong kumanta, I'm okay. Hindi ako mapili. It doesn't bother me kung saan yan.

"After that, nawala ako. Nag lounge-singer ako for 10 years. And then after that, after 10 years, nag-Koreanovela ako. I was the song behind the theme song of this and that, this and that.

“So, wala akong issue. Hanggang sa lumabas na ako, nagkaroon ng issue, na-ban dito, na-ban sa ganyan. And it broke me na lang big time. Parang, bakit ang damot? Parang ang damot ng showbiz sa akin, parang, I just wanna sing."

Faith also recalled how difficult it was to deal with opportunities that never materialized.

"Alam mo yung minsan may taping tapos biglang maka-cancel. May mga taping na biglang yung mga concept. Pero, at the back of my mind, I know why.

“So, nung mga panahon na 'yan, sabi ko parang, time out na muna ako. Basta if people want something to sing, invite nila ako, I will go. Pero I will not push myself kasi it's hard, e, kapag nagpilit ka.

"So, natutuhan ko yun along the way and na-apply ko yan sa buhay ko."

Faith is set to perform with her fellow Metropop alumni at the Star Reignited concert at the Teatrino Promenade in Greenhills, San Juan City, on September 5.

Related gallery: Metropop divas, magsasama-sama para sa Stars Reignited concert

Motherhood changes Faith's perspective

While going through this hardship in her career, Faith realized that her greatest dream had never been fame—it was having a family.

"I realized, nung bata ako, mga elementary days, I wanted to just have family."

She eventually became a mother at 40, a milestone she now considers her biggest achievement.

"So, parang, yun ang yung success ko. Yung matumpay ko right now is yung nagka-anak ako, at 40 years old na rin nagkasawa. So, nabigyan pa ako ng isang anak. Kaya I'm very thankful."

Now 49, Faith encourages women who are considering having children later in life, while also acknowledging the realities of becoming a first-time mom in her 40s.

"Actually, it's not too late as long as pwede pa, di ba? But, all honest to God, kung pwede lang mag-baby ako early, I would do it."

She admitted that motherhood at an older age comes with its own challenges.

"Kapag mas matanda ka na, yung energy mo is konti lang, your patience is konti lang with your child."

Still, she hopes women won't lose hope if they choose to start a family later in life.

"So don't worry, kaya pa yan. Basta healthy living tayo."

Looking back on her journey—from the 1997 Metropop Star Search to the highs and lows of the entertainment industry—Faith believes everything happened for a reason.

"So, I'm very thankful and thank you, Lord."

For Faith, the biggest victory was never the trophy, the cash prize, or the career that followed. It was becoming a wife and a mother, discovering that the life she had dreamed of since childhood was waiting beyond the spotlight.