Work permit music to ears of Israel’s Filipina ‘X-Factor’ winner

Israel's interior minister has intervened to allow Rose Fostanes, the Filipina caregiver who won Israel's X-Factor television talent show, to earn a living from singing.

Minister Gideon Sa’ar instructed the Population and Immigration Authority to allow Ms Fostanes to earn money from performing and recording, changing her work permit which had limited her employment in Israel to the field of nursing.

Several months ago, a friend encouraged her to audition for Israel's first X-Factor.

The diminutive Filipina captured the hearts of Israel's television audience and last week was voted the winner after a powerful rendition of Frank Sinatra's My Way. Her shock victory also sparked celebrations across the Philippines.

Ms Fostanes, who was initially informed that she would have to continue working as a caregiver, was given two options by the interior ministry: she could either accept an artist’s visa, which would force her to leave her job and Tel Aviv employer; or she could work as a singer while maintaining her care-giving duties.

She opted for the former after consulting with the family of the ailing woman who she has been nursing for the last few years. The family gave their consent for Ms Fostanes to follow her dream.

Ms Fostanes, who came to Israel four years ago, has been compared to Susan Boyle, the shy middle-aged Scottish singer who won Britain's Got Talent in 2009.

She had always wanted to be a professional singer and the X-Factor victory, which also came with a recording contract, made her a household name in Israel.

She still lives in a crowded flat in a run-down Tel Aviv area, and hasn’t been home in more than two years.