By Jessica S.
Just a little over a year ago, Youtube introduced us to a Little Girl from a small, almost unknown and insignificant town in the Philippines. On an invitation to the award winning syndicated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Charice came to the United States with nothing more than her “full self”. Wide eyed and fascinated by the modern buildings which dwarf the tallest in her country, breaking the monotony of the wide and seemingly endless highways of Los Angeles , she marveled at the site of a cosmopolitan city bustling with life. Wearing just a simple, well coordinated dark skirt over black tights and matching body hug blouse, Charice scampered onto the stage eager and delighted to meet the show’s host and the American audience for the first time.
The multi-Emmy awardee Ellen DeGeneres welcomed Charice, a prim and proper looking young girl easily mistaken to be no older than 13. In her excitement and fascination the Little Girl’s efforts to communicate and respond to Ms. DeGeneres’ questions revealed that English was a second language Charice was still learning. This unimpressive and unassuming appearance of Charice makes one doubt or curious as to what was in this little package that was worth all this fuzz. A host of entertainment critics, couch potatoes at home and everyone in between from the offices, security monitors and big screen TV’s at the bars and restaurants tuned in to Ellen’s channel, expected to see a whimpering attempt to approximate a previously featured young American Idol singing the same song “And I am telling you” from the musical film “Dream Girls”.
To everyone’s surprise, shock and awe, the little girl astounded the American audience at the studio as well as on the air with her magnificent rendition and superb deliverance of the song. The unbelievable quality of her powerful voice was just the icing on the cake. Her stage presence very clearly declared “this is my stage” and the passion and conviction in which the little girl delivered the song almost gave Jennifer Hudson a run for her money. Awestruck, dumbfounded and spooked by the chills and goose bumps crawling through the skin, America watched this child belt out the high and low notes in perfect timing and suspended the audiences‘ breath as she prolonged and sustained the climactic ending. Charice’s magnificent performance dropped jaws, wrenched out tears from the audience and brought them to their feet in an equally sustained and well deserved standing ovation. This was the very first for this young and budding entertainer. Unable to describe the performance with sufficient words and desperately trying to get over the shock from what she had just witnessed, the seasoned host graciously embraced and whispered sincere words of praise, encouragement and gratitude to Charice and surprised her with a gift to replace the I-pod Charice had lost during her 15 Hour flight from the Philippines .
Somehow prophetically, Ellen repeatedly declared that everyone who saw the Little Girl’s performance on this show, “…you just witnessed the beginning of this girl’s career and stardom…I was there and saw when that happened…” This was truly Charice’s first live appearance in the United States and she blew the audience away with a spectacular performance. It was also the first standing ovation the Little Girl had ever received in her young life and this unexpected warm reception and recognition of her talent overwhelmed her to tears. Ellen’s statement”…this is going to be the best gift we have ever given you this season…” referring to and followed by Charice’s appearance was such an apt prelude to what the audience was about to see and hear. It was awesome how those prophetic words of Ellen proved true and foretold the stardom of this magnificent young singer, starting the most wonderful and exciting chain of events in her career.
In Charice’s statements and reactions on interviews in her home country, she often expressed her gratitude to Ms. Ellen DeGeneres who gave her that first chance to show the world her talent and opened that door leading to her astronomical and phenomenal rise to stardom. In her humility and respectfulness, Charice acknowledges her indebtedness to Ellen and even remembers Ellen’s staff who were relentless and persistent in seeking her out and contacting her.
So many things have happened in Charice’s life and career since then. A number of great industry legends took Charice under their wings and boosted her stardom even faster and higher. In just one year, her dreams of being able to meet her singing idols came true and much more. She has performed as a guest with musical icons such as Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, J Groban and M Buble’ to name a few. Under the mentorship of one of the industry’s institutions Mr. David Foster, Charice has learned and grown well into the core of the music world, her talent being purified and polished like gold and diamond. Her first and just recently released original single, “Note to God” written by another legend Diane Warren, hit the top of the charts in the first week in Itunes and Amazon. Charice’s following has also ballooned, crossing boundaries of age, sex, race and creed all over the world, from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and to the American continents, north and south.
Charice remembers when she started making a living at the very early age of 7 singing in contests, weddings and other occasions of opportunity to earn the next meal and a room for the night for her mother, brother and herself. Despite all odds, with unbelievable tenacity, perseverance and unwavering faith in her talent’s ability to capture her audience’s attention and her undying hope that life had something better in store for her despite all the disappointment and rejection encountered, the Little Girl reached the final “audition” and chance to be introduced to the American audience through the Ellen DeGeneres Show. This was the catalyst and turning point in Charice’s career which opened the doors and started the flow of blessings and fulfillment of her dreams and for this Charice looks back with teary eyes but a very joyful and grateful heart to the person who gave her this first chance, Ms Ellen DeGeneres.
Video I
By itchellelle
Written and submitted by Jessica S.
Posted by GM
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Jessica, you make a good point. Charice has triumphed over the naysayers who once thought she was “nothing at first sight.” The story of that triumph is immensely inspiring.
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To FLTom, Thanks for your observation about the video and song. But I’m sorry to say you missed the point and to you maybe it wasn’t the greatest match for the article but personally I feel it was a good reminder to people who thought that Charice didn’t have it, and that she wasn’t pretty enough.
It is natural for children to look not too impressive while they are young but like real beautiful things as if in natures own way of emphasizing it’s majesty and power over all things, something so mundane and even boring can be magically turned into a breath taking sight of beauty and awe.
This I believe is where Charice’s magic comes from. A power that shames those who think they are the ones that are against those that appear to be nothing at first sight but emerge as victors in the end. This is whatb gives us the goos bumps, chills and tears and awe us all into appreciation of what Charice really is. It just emphasizes all the good things in her.
I wish you could see it that way at least for a while instead of dabbling in a philosophical arguement for once.
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I just watched the Ellen video again, and although it was mentioned in the article above, I find it very interesting now that at the end of Charice’s first song, EVERYONE there experienced something for the very first time – the audience had never before seen such talent and power coming from anyone, let alone a young girl like her, and Charice had never before received such applause, in the form of a standing ovation, that it brought her to tears.
What a study in contrasts it is: the audience was moved by such a rare and exquisite heavenly gift, while Charice was moved by something as basic as acceptance.
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ArrVee, your comment brought tears to my eyes! What a “spot on” observation! Acceptance… so true.
And now, a standing ovation is almost as regular an occurrence as breathing is, for her!
Let’s all keep making it happen for Charice!
OzGirl
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aerialites, thanks for your kind words. I’m sorry I didn’t reply earlier, but somehow I missed this thread on the day it was posted. When a subject brings me great joy, as Charice does, I can write volumes. I actually hold back from writing all my opinions and observations on CM, because half of them are sort of worthless, and the other half get into areas that are better left to her management and the people close to her. When I’m writing here, I just open my heart to declare the wonderful talent of our angel, and speak about those things which I hope will sustain and nourish her on the journey ahead.
So I try to stay positive, as a rule — BUT, since we know the exception proves the rule, let me break my own for a moment and comment somewhat negatively on the video posted above. Janis Ian’s song, “At 17,” seems to me an utter misfit for Charice. Charice is a charming, confident, upbeat, and beautiful girl who brings sunshine with her whenever she enters a room. I’m aware, as another poster noted, that for some Pinoys her looks are not considered ideal, but I’ve always found that baffling. She’s a very pretty girl by any standard, as far as I can see.
Janis Ian, on the other hand, really did experience the rejection allued to in the song. She was a homely girl with exceptional musical talent, and a dark, withdrawn and negative outlook on the world. Her musical oeuvre specializes in exploring the subtleties of depression and glorifying victimization.
Charice’s 17th year, in which boys all over the world pine for her and Hollywood lays prostrate at her feet, has almost nothing in common with the one my contemporary, Janis Ian, experienced all those years ago in the 60s. Charice’s infectious happiness, openness and kindness stands in stark contrast to the cynical and superior Janis Ian of those days (I’m sure she’s much different today), who, in fairness to her, was only accurately and creatively reflecting the “high art” conceits of her time.
On another topic altogether, thanks jessica for your heartfelt essay praising our angel.
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Thanks everyone. Yes Java, I’m US based and no, the article wasn’t posted anywhere else.
Thank you and continue to support Charice.
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I also recall reading that Charice said that, until coming to America, no one had told her she was cute. How sad and how untrue!
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That was one *BEAUTIFUL* video – I was really moved by it. Janice Joplin’s song really speaks to the lament of Charice (and us) that she did not win in the Philippines because she was not “pretty” enough for Philippine showbiz, her prodigious talent notwithstanding. The video could very well have been titled “Poetic Justice”.
And at 17, she learned other truths:
- that you must hold on to your dreams and never give up
- that you will be given due recognition overseas for what your talents really are, regardless of your looks (enough so to be asked to sing their national anthem)
- that standing ovations must be a foreign thing (she was moved to tears by her first one with Ellen’s show)
- that there will always be those who will want to pull you down
- that you must keep your feet on the ground and your heart in its right place
- that she really is pretty
But she still has to discover:
- her own style, singing her own songs – her “fingerprint”
- her true potential
- her true impact on us – even we cannot fully verbalize this
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Jessica S, are you the twin of LovelySoul? You write so well and just brought me tears of joy. Thank you very much for your article.
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Jessica S.,
I love the way you write. This is a beautiful write and I am sure both Charice and Ellen De Generes’ will love it. I hope to read more of your work in the near future. Keep it up.
aerialites,
Thanks for your kind words. I am a fan of theirs too: Lolo Lando, Jay Tan, LovelySoul, FLTom, cha_rade, Chuck and PHIL …. and now Jessica S. too!
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Maybe when Charice wins a Grammy, Ellen would be standing and applausing right next to Oprah and David Foster. Just a wish. Charice just have the best fans around the world. What a dedicated write-up! =)
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The first time I read comments here in CM, I just looked in disbelief. Commenters here are not just a die-hard fan of our princess but a bunch of proffesionals and higly educated people. I thought to myself, is this a fansite or what? I have been reading comment in other fansite but not as constructive as this. They are just making praises to their own artists. But here, it is different. It is not only praises, but also beautifully made writings and articles made by our own CM people. That’s why I never missed reading your articles, writings and comments.
I would like to name a few of these people who I personally like their writings. Lolo Lando, Jay Tan, LovelySoul, Joy Co, FLTom, Henry V., Jessica and others whom I never mentioned.
I salute you guys for your contributions to this site.
PS
I love the title of the song which someone wants to be composed for Charice, “True Colors of Life”. If anyone here who has the ability to write lyrics or poetry, can you please give this title a message. Thanks
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Jessica86S,
thnx a lot..now i have more to read…dang
related or not i’m proud of being “S” myself.
and “S” is everywhere….heheh
keep it coming…
CHARICE ROCKS….
CHARICE RULZ…
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Jessica S, after reading your article I can’t help but to salute your talent in writing. You must be an editor or columnist in a major publishing organization. As I read along, my mind gradually shifted away from the subject and saying to myself, hey this guy’s so professional and it’s the best I’ve ever seen in Charicmania. I have commented so much about Charice on Youtube, and this is the first time I’ve ever commented something non-Charice. Thx.
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Thank you jessica for the write-up…Well said and really….loved the way you reminisced everything…..
Keep writing Jess…….
Just want to share this new pic and write-up of Charice ….Just can’t get this pic off my head…she is so simple but beautiful i guess just like you guys…a proud ate of Charice http://www.sheplaysmusic.com/charice-releases-single-%E2%80%9Cnote-to-god%E2%80%9D/
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Wonderful article. Thanks for the writeup Ms. Jessica. You’re a talented writer. And the video was great too! They brought back memories of past Charice performances that always seem to bring sunshine to our hearts. That unique Charice smile always brightens up my day!
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Wow very nice article! Talent in writing are coming out of Charice fans. GM, why not make another contest. Best write up of a fan about charice and others can vote who they think is the best. Post atleast five articles to choose from. Just an idea coz I enjoy reading nice article like this. I’ll just vote if ever. Lol.
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very great article Jessica…very beautifully written…i especially love the phrase “the final audition”. i love reading your comments here in CM together with lovelysoul.
gosh! there are really lots of very good writers here!!!
we really witnessed charice metamorphosis…and she deserves it.
THANK YOU AMERICA for giving charice the chance to share and develop herself to the fullest and the best that she can be.
blackrose
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Jessica,
Excellent! You know a few months back, before I decided to join CM, I admire and enjoy reading posts from Ms. KV and Lolo Lando, for they are simple but clever, witty and insightful. As I witness the growth of CM community, a number of eloquent commentators has also sprouted one after the other like Max, 18wheeleredy to name a few and ofcourse my current favorite Lovely Soul. Now Jessica, you are the latest addition to my favorites. I hope thru your blog, Ellen would try to get Charice to appear on her show again. Congratulations Jessica! Well done, keep it coming.
My oh my!, is CM becoming to be the home of excellent bloggers or what?
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jessica86s, Great article and it was a nice read. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Charice. Keep on writing!
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