Marcelito Pomoy’s Mar-a-Lago Moment
By Cristina DC Pastor
Marcelito Pomoy, the Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2 champion whose rare vocal range has mesmerized audiences around the world, was not quite ready to close out the year on a quiet note.
On December 28, the Filipino singer found himself performing at Mar-a-Lago, the luxurious Palm Beach, Florida club resort owned by President Donald Trump. The evening unfolded as a “memorable experience,” with Pomoy singing before an audience of VIP guests and club patrons and earning a standing ovation.
Pomoy delivered three numbers: “The Prayer,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” and “Time to Say Goodbye.” Of the three, “The Prayer” holds particular significance. It was the very performance that won him Pilipinas Got Talent in 2011, when he astonished judges and viewers alike by singing both tenor and soprano parts—channeling the voices of Andrea Bocelli and Céline Dion in a single performance. That moment cemented his reputation as a once-in-a-generation talent and launched him onto the international stage.
“It was a great honor to be invited to perform at Mar-a-Lago,” Pomoy told The FilAm in an email interview. “It was a private VIP celebration at the Mar-a-Lago Club, organized exclusively for friends and invited guests.” Out of respect for privacy, he declined to name the prominent figures in attendance.
While President Trump did not attend the event, Pomoy said he had been informed that the former president was originally expected to be present.
“The President was originally expected to attend, but due to an exceptionally busy schedule involving international matters, he was ultimately unable to join,” Pomoy explained. “I performed for his guests.”
He admitted to feeling a twinge of disappointment, but quickly added perspective. “I completely understand. On that day, global responsibilities took priority, and world affairs are far more important than any social event.”
Pomoy explained his song selections, particularly because of Trump’s known admiration for Andrea Bocelli. “President Trump is a known admirer of Andrea Bocelli, as am I, so it felt especially meaningful to include two songs associated with him,” he said, referring to “The Prayer” and “Time to Say Goodbye.”
That evening, Pomoy shared the stage with fellow entertainers, including comedian Chris Turner and singer-songwriter Matt Mauser.
He was clearly taken by the venue.
“Mar-a-Lago is extraordinary, beautiful and luxurious,” he said. “It has stunning architecture with an exceptional level of security. It is truly a world-class venue. Mar-a-Lago is a prestigious club that values music, artistry, and professional talent.”
He could not confirm whether he was the first Filipino entertainer to perform at what is often referred to as the “other White House.”
The Mar-a-Lago appearance marked yet another fork-in-the-road in Pomoy’s life journey. According to his official biography, Pomoy, at 2 years old, and his siblings lived in a jailhouse after their father was arrested for arson. A compassionate police officer eventually took the children in, providing them with a home until Pomoy was 8.
Though he later reconnected with his father as a teenager, his relationship with his stepmother was strained. Music became his refuge. He found solace in singing while working on a poultry farm.
The invitation to Mar-a-Lago came through Pomoy’s management company, Dubai-based BRICS Entertainment, which was contacted by a representative of Trump’s team. In the days following the performance, Pomoy teased fans on social media with a special New Year’s Eve surprise.
“Who am I to say no? Do I have a choice? Haha!” he joked.
Pomoy expressed “deep respect” for Trump’s passion and drive.
“In many ways, I can relate to that intensity—his in politics, mine in music,” he said.
