 She was contestant number 1646 during her auditions in Pasay City, wherein she sang Jaya Ramsey's "Laging Naroon Ka" (You Were Always There).Her audition was not shown on Philippine Idol, although she appeared during the final phase of the theater eliminations singing "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" by Laura Branigan.Despite her impressive auditions, Marcelo's journey through Philippine Idol was not easy.