VOICED: Philippines' musicians sing their way out of poverty

Joanna, a single mother from the Philippines, hopes to escape poverty by auditioning for a singing job in South Korea. Her current job pays only $3 a night, but she dreams of earning $800 monthly if her demo is approved. Her primary goal is to fund surgery for her son, who has a clubbed foot. Many Filipinos, like Joanna, aspire to sing abroad, but only a few succeed due to the competitive talent pool.

What is Joanna's current job and how much does she earn per night?

• Singing at a disco bar, earning $3

• Working in a factory, earning $5

• Teaching, earning $10

• Waitressing, earning $2

What is Joanna's main reason for wanting a higher-paying job?

• To pay for her son's surgery

• To buy a new house

• To start a business

• To travel the world

What is the potential monthly salary Joanna could earn in South Korea?

• $500

• $1200

• $800

• $1000

What is a common aspiration among many Filipino singers?

• To write their own songs

• To become famous actors

• To perform in local festivals

• To sing abroad in hotels and cruise ships

What challenge do many talented Filipino singers face?

• No access to music education

• Limited opportunities to perform overseas

• Inability to travel

• Lack of musical instruments