Rufa Mae Quinto as Fergie wins Round 9 of 'YFSF'

MANILA, February 3 ------ Comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto finally claimed her first win in the brand new season of "Your Face Sounds Familiar." Quinto won the ninth week as she transformed into American singer-songwriter Fergie. Quinto, who performed Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry,  earned praises from judges and her fellow celebrity performers. She also received a standing ovation from the judges.

"Nakita nila na ang galing mo ring kumanta, may quality ang voice mo kapag nagseryoso ka. At sabi mo may pakiramdam ka pala. Sinasabi ko sa iyo naramdaman ka namin," guest judge Karla Estrada said. "Alam mo sanay na sanay kami na ikaw ang nagpapasaya sa amin. Pero ang nakita ko ngayon puso, emosyon naramdaman ko. Ang galing-galing committed ka talaga seryoso hindi ka na-distract," guest judge/mentor Klarisse de Guzman said.

Judge Gary Valenciano added: "Kaya napatayo ako kasi na-surprise ako na mayroon pala tulad nang sinabi ni Klarisse kanina kapag sineryoso mo at binanggit din ni Karla na kapag sineryoso mo ay mayroon kang maibubuga na kakaiba sa dati mong ginagawa na mas lalo pang mai-impress ang tao. Tatawa na nga sila, papalakpak pa sila at katulad namin tumayo pa kaming lahat. Congrats!"

Quinto won after receiving a total score of 33 from the jurors and her fellow celebrity performers. "Alam mo kontento na ako kahit isang beses lang. Thank you mga Ka-Familiars," said Quinto, who won a plaque and P50,000.

Alexa Ilacad was the second highest scorer with 21 points, followed by JM dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano, duo with 17 points.

Minutes before winning, Quinto turned emotional, saying that she found a family because of the show. She admitted that she never expected that she will stay in the program because of the things that happened to her.

"Ito 'yung show na hindi pa ako namamatayan noong tinanggap ko ito. Sabi ko, 'gusto ko kasi yung energy nila.' Hindi ko namalayan na tatlong buwan na nawalan ako ng asawa. Tapos ang daming blessings na dumating sa akin dahil sa show. Tapos sabi ko parang hindi ko na kayang ituloy kasi ang daming nangyayari sa akin. Pero sabi ko paano ko iiwan sila eh ang bubuting tao na ito. So dito lang po sa 'Your Face' naramdaman ko from the audience, kayong lahat, sa director, from the EP to ABS-CBN. At ngayon lang din kasi ako nag-show ng regular sa ABS-CBN. ...At saka hindi ko po in-expect na tatagal ako.  ... Kahit hindi pa ako nanalo, basta panalo na ako sa pakiramdam dahil sa inyo," says Quinto whose husband passed away last year.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com