Allyzza Kay Trinidad

The stunning transformations of Dia Mate on “Your Face Sounds Familiar”

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<p>With how impressively articulate and quick-witted she is, not to mention mesmerizingly beautiful, there’s definitely no doubt that Dia Mate is every inch a beauty queen. But the Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 titleholder has proven that she’s not just beauty and brains, for she also has promising flair when it comes to performing, which she is able to prove when she joined “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/your-face-sounds-familiar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em><u>Your Face Sounds Familiar</u></em></strong></a>” as one of its celebrity performers for its fourth regular season.  </p><p>A young singer-songwriter and record producer whose music career took off in 2021, Dia gets to further showcase her singing prowess and develop her dancing skills via her portrayals of local and international artists throughout her stint on the show. </p><p>As “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/your-face-sounds-familiar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Your Face Sounds Familiar</em></u></strong></a>” comes to a close soon, let’s revisit her transformations that indeed proved she’s really a true “Singing Reina” in this feature!</p><p>For her first time doing an impersonation act, Dia immediately captivated us with her “sexy yet wholesome” performance of the viral dance hit “Water” by South African singer Tyla on the inaugural round. She may have felt nervous prior to taking the stage since she’s not into dancing—more so twerking—yet she still left jurors Ogie Alcasid, Sharon Cuneta, and Gary Valenciano impressed by her performance. She received a total of 7 points from them by the end of Week 1, tying with fellow celebrity performers Rufa Mae Quinto and Jarlo Base.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2e5DZHplG70" title="Dia Mate channels Tyla in a show-stopping stage moment | Week 1 | YFSF 2025" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>In the following round, she once again faced the challenge of having to sing and dance simultaneously as she took on her fellow “morena queen,” Maymay Entrata, for her “Amakabogera” act. Although she apparently struggled during her performance, the jury appreciated that she tried her best to pull off the performance, so they gave her 9 points by the end of Week 2.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OYxFYYpkV24" title="Dia Mate shines bright in her fierce and flawless “Amakabogera” performance | Week 3 | YFSF" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Just as everyone was already thrilled when the image of her boyfriend, Juan Karlos Labajo, appeared on the screen as she pressed the iconizer button for the next icon she was about to impersonate, her fellow celebrity performer Pepe Herrera used his one and only power to steal it from her. Thus, she had to press the iconizer again and got Adam Levine as her new icon for the third round.  </p><p>She indeed left spectators amused with her first gender switch and transformation to the Maroon 5 frontman, including Juan Karlos, who swung by the “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/your-face-sounds-familiar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Your Face Sounds Familiar</em></u></strong></a>” studio to show his support for her and Pepe. Her performance received a total of 5 points from the jury, sending her to the lowest rank. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1nhwMAUu9Mc" title="Dia Mate’s pop-rock persona shines in her Adam Levine act | Week 5 | YFSF" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>From taking on a male artist, Dia went back to portraying a female artist in the fourth round of the competition. And it wasn’t just any female artist because it was one of her favorite artists, Billie Eilish. Even though the personality of her icon was far from hers—the American singer-songwriter was chill and laidback, while she’s a self-confessed “OA (overacting) girl”—yet she was still able to pull off her performance of “Birds of a Feather,” which received a total of four points from the jury.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qFAkMPn72f4" title="Dia Mate stuns with her amazing, laid-back Billie Eilish performance | Week 8 | YFSF" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>For the fifth round, Dia was assigned her fellow beauty queen, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, as she performed her single, “Reyna.” From her costume to her performance, she truly embodied her icon, which made jurors Sharon and Ogie admire how palpably confident she was while onstage despite not really sounding like her. Thus, she got a total of 6 points from the jury and landed in sixth place.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YSwIM0HRNs0" title="Dia Mate&#x27;s Performance as Michelle Dee | Week 10 | YFSF 2025" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>We then witnessed the “Singing Reina” shine literally and figuratively as she transformed into Kylie Minogue for the special Christmas episodes of “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/your-face-sounds-familiar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Your Face Sounds Familiar</em></u></strong></a>.” Her spot-on performance of “Santa Baby” was so alluring and splendid that it got a combined score of 29 points from both the jury and her four fellow celebrity performers, who gave her 3 points each, making her the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/12/22/-your-face-sounds-familiar-week-6-winner-dia-mate-made-her-kylie-minogue-transformation-stand-out-0825" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>winner of Week 6</u></strong></a>. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8NGd703qwS8" title="Dia Mate transforms into Kylie Minogue for a spectacular Christmas performance | Week 11 | YFSF 2025" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>In the second “Battle of the Icon,” she and Rufa Mae Quinto were assigned Jennifer Lopez as their artist for Week 7. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see their showdown, as the “Comedy Bombshell” wasn’t able to perform due to a medical emergency.</p><p>Dia opened the seventh round in a celebratory mood with her electrifying rendition of “Papi,” which earned her 6 points from the jury and brought her to the fifth rank. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tFrDxuX55vE" title="Dia Mate owns the stage with her fierce Jennifer Lopez performance | Week 13 | YFSF 2025" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>She once again ranked 5th in the next round as her impressive transformation into American rapper and singer Doja Cat performing her hit song “Woman” garnered 11 points from the jury. Fresh from watching the Manila concert of her icon and idol then, Dia was able to capture her so well, from the way she moved to the way she rapped, which the jury and the mentors were able to notice and appreciate. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i3YW6JMy9fs" title="Dia Mate slays the stage with an electrifying Doja Cat performance | Week 15 | YFSF 2025" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Her soulful performance of “If I Ain’t Got You” as her Week 9 icon Alicia Keys received a combined score of 4 points from the jury and 3 points from Rufa Mae. It was quite an easy task for her because, just like the American singer-songwriter and pianist, she imparted that she could sing and play the piano at the same time. She landed at rank 6 after garnering a total of 7 points.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gT6ZDvcLFfU" title="Dia Mate gives a soulful and unforgettable Alicia Keys performance | Week 18 | YFSF 2026" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Viewers were then transported back to the early 2000s as Dia took the stage as Gwen Stefani and performed “Hollaback Girl” in the 10th round. Her physical transformation and portrayal of the American singer-songwriter were almost so precise that juror Sharon instantly got up from her seat as soon as she stepped out of the ‘iconator.’ Thus, she received a total of 10 points from the jury, bringing her to the 5th spot of that week’s ranking. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D6_hZIgonDw" title="Dia Mate gives a cool spin to an unforgettable Gwen Stefani performance | Week 20 | YFSF 2026" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>For the 11th round, she further took us back in time as she brought back to life the legendary American singer and model Marilyn Monroe and mesmerized us with her dazzling “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” act. She earned a total of 6 points from the jury, who appreciated her commitment to playing her icon as it indeed manifested in her glorious presentation. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nsr6WRqjrDk" title="Dia Mate brings new life to an unforgettable Marilyn Monroe performance | Week 21 | YFSF 2026" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>And in Week 12, she looked so ravishing in her sexy red dress as she transformed into Camila Cabello and captivated us with her performance of “Havana.” She garnered 7 points and ranked 6th for this act as the jury pointed out how she lacked her facial expressions, which her icon is quite known for. Nonetheless, they enjoyed watching her and were pleased by how effortlessly sensual she was, which made her performance enthralling.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TqznZjiZ2jQ" title="Dia Mate breathes new life into a classic Camila Cabello performance | Week 23 | YFSF 2026" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Will Dia be able to bounce back in the final round? Let’s find out by not missing the “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/your-face-sounds-familiar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em><strong><u>Your Face Sounds Familiar: The Grand Showdown</u></strong></em></a>” starting April 5, on ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), and <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>iWant</u></strong></a>. </p>

<p>With “Your Face Sounds Familiar” coming to a close, let’s look back at Dia Mate’s majestic transformations that showcased why she’s truly a “Singing Reina.”</p>

With “Your Face Sounds Familiar” coming to a close, let’s look back at Dia Mate’s majestic transformations that showcased why she’s truly a “Singing Reina.”