Mau Marcelo

Maureen "Mau" Marcelo (born May 13, 1980) is a Filipina singer who rose to prominence as the winner of the first season of Philippine Idol in 2006. For a time she went by the stage name Samantha Brown. Hailing from Lucena City, Marcelo started singing at age 7. By her 20s, she was a veteran of singing competitions, including the Star for a Night singer-search that was won by Sarah Geronimo. On Philippine Idol, Marcelo was dubbed the "Soul Idol" and "the black belter" for her powerful R&B-style vocals. On the Wildcard show of the said contest, judge Ryan Cayabyab quoted her as a world class talent. As part of her Philippine Idol prize, Marcelo won a recording deal with Sony-BMG. Her forthcoming album under that label will feature "Try It on My Own (Whitney Houston)", her final performance song from the competition. Marcelo's other recordings include two tracks on the Philippine Idol: The Final 12 CD: "Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin" (a solo) and "Kaleidoscope World" (the group song featuring the top 12 finalists). Prior to Philippine Idol, Marcelo had also recorded, as "Samantha Brown", a self-titled album of ten original songs composed by her stepsister's husband. After winning the title, Marcelo's debut performance as the first Philippine Idol was on ABC-5's Shall We Dance: Christmas with the Champions special (taped December 11, aired December 16, 2006) where she reprised her winning song. On December 20, 2006, she gave a command performance at Malacañang for the Christmas party of the Office of the President of the Philippines. The complete list of all her song choices during the show includes: "Sweet Love (Anita Baker)", "'Till My Heartaches End (Ella Mae Saison)", "Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin (Ariel Rivera/ Regine Velasquez)", "Crazy In Love (Beyonce)", "Ako Ang Nasawi, Ako Ang Nagwagi (Dulce)", "So Slow (Freestyle)", "I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston)", "Shy Guy (Diana King)", "Mahal Naman Kita (Jamie Rivera)", "Diamonds Are Forever (Shirley Bassey)", "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going (Jennifer Holiday)","My Funny Valentine (Dianne Reeves)", "Waray Waray (Eartha Kitt)", "Love Takes Time (Mariah Carey)", "Balut (New Minstrels)", and her debut single "Try It On My Own (Whitney Houston)". Her debut album, I Shine For You- which features her carrier single of the same title, is already out in the market.