Jessica Villarubin, 'The Clash' Season 3 Grand Champion, is daughter of laundrywoman

Jessica Villarubin revealed that she almost turned her back on joining "The Clash."

In Aubrey Carampel's report for "24 Oras," the Season 3 Grand Champion said it was partly because of the pandemic, partly because of her situation as the breadwinner of her family.

Jessica grew up poor—her mother is a laundrywoman and she has eight other siblings. She is the only one of them to finish her studies, thanks to her singing talent.

"Kailangan ko po kumanta nang kumanta, may misyon po ako na ibabayad ko sa school. Kailangan ko po mag-gig para makatapos ng pag-aaral, para matustusan ko 'yung pangangailangan ng pamilya ko," she said.

When the opportunity to join "The Clash" came, she had second thoughts about leaving her job in Cebu. She was also concerned about the coronavirus situation in Metro Manila.

"Parang doubt din ako na parang ayoko na, pero as in po nag-risk po ako, nagpunta po talaga sa Manila kasi po matagal ko na pong pinangarap 'to," she said.

Jessica said she was thankful to the many people who helped her financially as she pursued her dreams in the singing competition.

With her victory on Sunday, she bagged P4 million worth of prizes, including a house and lot, car, GMA management contract, and P1 million cash.

"Tutulong ako pag-aaral ng kapatid, mga anak ng kapatid ko saka negosyo din po para sa pamilya ko po," she said.

Asked for her message to others who may be struggling amid the pandemic, she sang these lines from the song "Rise Up" by Andra Day:

"I'll rise up in spite of the ache. I'll rise up and I'll do it a thousand times again."

—MGP, GMA News