4th Impact performing at Philippine Embassy in London. PHOTOS BY MELISSA LEGARDA ALCANTARA
LONDON – Filipino girl group 4th Impact, which is drawing raves on the “X Factor UK,” visited the Philippine Embassy here on Tuesday November 24, and performed to a crowd of adoring compatriots.
Originally named 4th Power, and previously, M.I.C.A., the group is composed of sisters Almira (27 years old), Irene (25 years old), Mylene (23 years old), and Celena Cercado (19 years old), hailing originally from Santiago, Isabela.
Some 100 predominantly Filipino fans turned up to meet the girls and watch them perform, cheering and waving messages of support. Civic initiative group One Tacloban, members from the European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD) UK and Councillor Cynthia Barker were also in attendance.
Cameramen from The X Factor UK show recorded the event, which will be used as a video clip during this Saturday’s show.
Fans greet 4th Impact at entrance to PH Embassy in London.
Between each performance the girls expressed their immense gratitude and acknowledged the UK’s support in helping Tacloban rebuild its community.
“We just wanted to take a moment to thank the British public for helping Typhoon Haiyan victims because they’ve been so generous [to] all the Filipinos and we’re very thankful for their help,” said Almira.
4th Impact sang three songs during their visit, including punchy choreography for Beyonce’s Work It Out, sweet harmonization for Rihanna and Eminem’s Love the Way You Lie, and a moving rendition of Regine Velasquez’s Filipino OPM ballad, Isang Lahi.
The Cercado sisters addressing compatriots at the Philippine Embassy in London.
During the final song, the girls became emotional, with Almira and Irene wiping away tears and holding each other’s hands as they sang.
Tensions running high
Last Sunday 22 November, 4th Impact made it through to the fifth week of the UK talent competition after being safely voted in by the public.
READ: ‘4th Impact’ breaks into ‘X Factor UK’ top 5
There was some controversy following the show as eagle-eyed viewers caught fellow contestant Lauren Murray, from the UK, seemingly pushing the girls aside as they attempted to hug her onstage.
Cercado sisters performing at the Embassy.
Tensions also ran high in the previous week, as youngest sister, Celena, fainted during rehearsals early in the morning of the show. Although offered the chance to use a dress run instead, the girls determined to perform live later that evening and received standing ovations from the judges.
Immediately following the performance, Celena was shaky and had to be supported by her sisters. Onstage crew brought her a chair and water as the impressed judges expressed sympathy and shared stellar feedback.
Popstar Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, the group’s mentor on the show, highlighted how difficult it is for the girls to be under so much pressure halfway across the world away from their family in the Philippines.
READ: WATCH: ‘X Factor UK’s’ 4th Impact channels inner Christina Aguilera
A source close to the group said: “Maybe Celena didn’t eat enough food, they were so busy rehearsing all morning. Also dehydration, because the moves and performance take a lot from them. They’re not used to the food, of course, and Filipinos love rice. They’re not so used to the change in diet.”
4th Impact outside PH Embassy London.
“Behind the scenes, they’re being praised for their work ethic. You know, the girls work hard, so hard. They really give attention to what they’re doing, their craft, developing it, ever since they were little. They’re very professional. Their hearts are in everything they do.”
The source added, “Last week the girls cooked adobo for the house and the other contestants loved it. The girls also love rice so much, they got their own rice cooker.”
Continued support
Erlinda Cercado, mother of the 4th Impact sisters, is currently in London supporting her daughters. Following their success in reaching Jukebox Week, the theme for the next show, Erlinda said: “I’m so happy, I’m so excited, I’m a proud mother. I’ve seen all their support from our compatriots and from other nationalities in the UK. I’m overjoyed. Thank you Lord.”
Later that evening, Almira said: “Lahat na mga support ang Filipino, salamat sa supporta ni nyo. We are doing all this for you. Thank you for the prayers. The reason we’re here is because there are so many Filipinos who get together in order to make our dreams come true.”
She added: “If not for the Filipino support, we would not have reached this point.”
Excited fans welcoming 4th Impact into Embassy performance hall.
Following the show, Marvin Arciano, a Filipino fan living in the UK, said: “The 4th Impact made it this week, but they need more support. Filipinos should not be overconfident, so we have to support them.”
Arciano continued,“[We need to tell] our friends and everyone we know to support the 4th Impact. We really need it, because they will be the ones to help repair and boost our image as Filipinos here in the UK.”
This Saturday, 4th Impact will be singing the Jackson 5 hit, “I’ll Be There,” voted for by fans as part of Jukebox Week. Eliminations will take place on Sunday.
To continue supporting 4th Impact, fans in the UK can call their X Factor hotline number or by downloading The X Factor Voting App for free. -@melissalegarda
Like us on Facebook