Born to Sing: Maribeth Pascua Takes the Stage in Arizona

Gilbert, Arizona — The Filipino community in Arizona showed up in full force on August 30, 2025, to witness a long-awaited moment: Maribeth (MacBeth) Pascua, known across Asia as The Voice of Asia, headlined her first major solo concert in the U.S. — and she did not disappoint.

Maribeth first rose to prominence after winning Voice of Asia in 1991. Her recording of “Denpasar Moon” soon became a hit across Indonesia and Southeast Asia, competing with top international releases of the time and making her one of the most recognizable Filipina voices abroad.

The concert, titled BTS: Born to Sing, was held at the Higley Performing Arts Center in Gilbert and packed the house with fans, families, and longtime supporters. The night brought together powerhouse veterans and new voices, with performances that connected across generations.

Guests and Highlights

The Voice of Asia took center stage with celebrated guests adding their own mark to the evening.

• Marlene Dela Peña, a Filipina singer who built her career in Japan, brought grace and elegance to the stage and had the audience buzzing with excitement.
• Dessa Salazar, widely billed as the Philippines’ Powerhouse Diva, turned heads with her trademark energy and even impressed fans with a quick mid-song transition that drew both applause and laughs.

Cassie Raguindin stepped into the spotlight with a duet alongside Maribeth. The performance filled the hall with goosebumps and cheers, and social media lit up afterward with messages calling it a proud, unforgettable moment and the sign of a rising star.

Other artists also contributed to the program, including Audrey Aguilar, Trina Forti, Ben Barranco, Ryan Arguilo, and Mabing Navarro with live band support from the Nitelife Band. Together, they gave the crowd a full evening of variety, powerhouse vocals, and shared pride.

A Message That Still Resonates

Now based in Arizona, she continues to balance work and music, always reminding aspiring artists to “be yourself, and don’t expect too much—sometimes the win is simply taking the chance.”

The night closed with the kind of reminder that sticks long after the last song: that music has the power to bring people together, honor the past, and open doors for new voices ready to step into the spotlight.

Maribeth Pascua’s message is simple but powerful: Keep going. Be yourself. And don’t be afraid to take the stage — no matter where life has taken you.