In December 2007, Marcelo participated in Asian Idol, which was held on December 2007 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The competition gathered the winners of Idol across Asia. Despite an impressive showing, which included a standing ovation from Indian Idol judge Anu Malik and three judges predicting that she has a good chance of winning, Marcelo lost to Singapore Idol Hady Mirza. She performed "Ako ang Nasawi, Ako ang Nagwagi" by Dulce and Gloria Estefan's "Reach". Prior to the main show, Marcelo was concerned if she would be able to represent the country since the Philippines' Idol franchise moved from ABC to GMA Network, thinking that the country's participation in Asian Idol would be scrapped.
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