Kendra soars ‘On the Wings of Love’ in Dubai contest

Standing at only 3 feet and 5 inches tall, Filipino expat singer Kendra Cristobal defied the odds and has risen tall in the UAE entertainment industry. He proved that his disability does not hinder him from reaching his dreams. The Filipino “Small Terri-voice” of Fujairah bagged third place in the recent OFW Got Talent in Dubai, wowing judges and the audience with his powerful vocals. Watch the video:

The flight

Wearing his enormous white wings, Kendra enamored the crowd as he gracefully sang his rendition of “On the Wings of Love.” “Yung kinanta ko nung finals is ‘On the Wings of Love’ so I got to wear big wings (I sang ‘On the Wings of Love’ in the finals, so I got to wear big wings),” Kendra told Expatmedia.net in an exclusive interview. “The stage was big during the grand finals. I thought I should not be engulfed by the stage. Instead, I should dominate it,” he said in Filipino. Kendra also said that he chose the winning piece because he wanted the audience to relate and sing along to the song.

The fight before the flight

Born to musically inclined parents, Kendra recalled that he has been singing since he was around eight years old. Kendra has been joining different singing competitions in the Philippines, one of which is the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” of ABS-CBN. “I’ve been to Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 1 in Showtime before I flew to Dubai in 2018,” he recounted. With his deep roots in singing, he decided to pursue it as his career and now works as a band singer in Fujairah. Life was not easy for a small person in the big city of Fujairah. Kendra encountered several challenges in his work life, especially when the pandemic hit the entertainment industry. Applying to other jobs available in the UAE, Kendra experienced discrimination from several employers. “The first one, I applied as a receptionist. They asked if I can stand for 8 to 10 hours a day,” he recalled. Kendra shared that he understands the sentiments of the employers because he is aware that his condition can limit him at times. “Actually there are things we really can not do, like driving a car is difficult if it’s not customized. When we walk a long way, it is also hard because we get tired quickly,” he said in Filipino. Despite all that, Kendra kept looking for ways to survive in the land far away from his home. Fortunately, he had friends who were willing to help him unconditionally. “When I lost my job, my friends here took me in for free. I stayed with them for about three months before I got the security .” Kendra told Expatmedia.net. Kendra said his friends encouraged him to join OFW Got Talent; urging him to not give up on his dreams.

The wind beneath his wings

Kendra on stage Kendra’s supportive friends teamed up for the concept and creation of his props and costume for the contest. His co-finalist, MJ Luzon even helped create his costume. “He stayed up all night to finish my costume, working until 6:30am even if he has to go to work at 7:30 in the morning. He sacrificed a lot for me, and I am extremely grateful,” Kendra said. As the only contestant with a disability, his co-finalists never made him feel different. “When we are together, I feel special. They always hug me and carry me on their shoulders, plus they always help me,” Kendra said. Kendra says the friendship he earned throughout the competition is the most valuable prize. “You won’t think it’s a contest. We happily bonded. That’s the most important thing,” he said.

Soaring above the turbulence

Before the competition, Kendra had his fair share of struggles as he braved through his career as a singer. Before coming to the UAE, Kendra applied for work in several bars at the Philippines. Sadly, he faced workplace discrimination. “When I was in Baguio, I couldn’t get hired in a bar. I felt sad. I thought, ‘Why?’ We’re talking about my talent, not my personality,” he shared. Despite the discrimination, Kendra continued to do what made him happy, “I didn’t think of it as the end of the world. There are still other bars.” Kendra’s strong character stemmed from how his family accepted him without judgment. “They never asked me or questioned me. They just lived with it,” the singer said.

The destination

The "Small Terri-voice" of Fujairah stood tall as an inspiration to everyone facing discrimination. “No matter what imperfection you have, you can showcase your talent,” he said. The singer shared that he was inspired by his favorite song, “This Is Me” from the movie “The Greatest Showman.” “We face a lot of judgment in this world. The lyrics goes, ‘I’m not scared to be seen. I make no apologies. This is me!' It’s a beautiful song,” he said. Kendra describes himself as a “brave” person. “Why should I be scared? I can do what any normal person can,” he said. Even with his small stature, Kendra bravely faces the strong winds of life as he takes flight to his dream destination. BKM & JMS/ Expat Media
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