Charice was in Japan for less than a week with a schedule jampacked with appearances and interviews promoting her second album “Infinity”. Her efforts have paid off because as of this writing, Infinity has topped Japan iTunes’ pop chart and is at number 2 on the overall Japan iTunes chart! We give you two of her magazine interviews, which have helped spread the word about our dear Charice.
Web Town Triangle, October 2011
Charice was featured in the Artist Interview section of the October 2011 issue of Web Town Triangle, a webzine/magazine aimed at residents of Yamaguchi Prefecture in Japan. This is an interesting interview, with tidbits that might even surprise long-time Chasters. Read on and find out where Charice also wants to live, what she was doing at 5 years old, and where she shops when she is in Japan.
You’ve joined a lot of singing contests since you were young right?
“Yes. When I was 4 years old, I was singing in my house and my mother realized that I had a talent in singing so I started joining singing contests when I was 7.”
What made you want to become an artist?
“I didn’t think that I would become an artist just because singing came naturally to me. I became an artist with the natural flow of things, over time. But when I was in elementary school and was joining singing contests, I did imagine that I would be a singer. I was supporting my family through my singing but at the same time I was having a lot of fun. I am grateful that I did become a singer.”
You know, Japanese elementary students don’t have clear-cut goals at their age like you did.
“Maybe I just grew up faster than everyone else. I was cooking even before I entered elementary school.”
You were cooking at 5,6 years old?
“In our house, my mother worked out of the home until very late. I have a younger brother, and I remember cooking so that I could feed him. I was short and I couldn’t reach the stove so I had to step on a stool and cook. I cooked all the time so I was used to it.”
You are now performing world-wide – did you ever think of performing around the world when you thought of becoming a singer?
“Not at all (laughs). I did want to become famous in the Philippines but I never thought that I would be able to sing for the whole world. I became more known because of Youtube, so Youtube was a good match for me.”
You are from the Philippines but are you still based there?
“I come and go between the Philippines and America now. I also go on tour and do promotion work in other countries, just like I am doing in Japan now (laughs).”
Were you able to speak English when you were still living in the Philippines?
“I wasn’t able to speak English when I was there. Even in the Philippines, English is a second language. I learned English when I came to America when I was 15. I watched a lot of American movies and television to learn English.”
You have a powerful singing voice that has mesmerized the world. How do you take care of your voice?
“Arigato gozaimasu. I don’t really do anything special to “take care” of it. But if I have to give an example, it would be taking a break. That’s basically all I do.”
Was there ever a time when you were in a slump, when you felt discouraged?
“When I was 13, I joined a major singing contest (on TV) and I really gave it my all because I wanted to show everyone that I would win. But in the end, I only placed third. I was really, really frustrated. I wouldn’t leave the house and just kept crying. I thought of giving up becoming a singer. My mother told me that there will be times like this but there will definitely be good times. With her positive attitude and the comfort that she gave me, I was able to recover. Even up to know, I can still remember how frustrated I was.”
What books or movies have shaped you, influenced you?
“One Piece” (animation). And Doraemon. (My brother) and I were by ourselves a lot since out mother was working until late in the evening so we watched animation. I received Doraemon comin books the other day. I would like to read them. I also watched other Japanese animation. There were quite a few but I don’t remember the titles…”
In your travels, what places do you like?
“I love Japan. I think this is my sixth time to Japan. All of the Japanese are kind and polite. And the food is delicious – sushi, shabu shabu, rice balls. I also like Tennessee in America. I went there for a private event and it was so nice I wanted to live there. The place where went had a big pond and the sky was endless. Everything was big and wide and there were hardly any people. The view was pretty and the air was clean. Time moved slowly and I was able to relax and have fun.”
What have you bought lately?
“This one (the navy jacket and cream shirt that she was wearing). I bought it in Zara here in Japan. I enjoy shopping in Zara here because there are a lot of clothes that they sell here that they do not have in America.”
You have a small build so Japanese sizes are just right for you?
“Yes! All the sizes in America are larger so a lot of things are too big for me. Japan has a lot of small clothes so it’s just right for me. That’s the main reason why I buy a lot of clothes here. I also bought this in Japan (pointing to a yellow watch). I definitely go shopping when I am here.”
Don’t people crowd around you when you shopping here in Japan?
“I never get recognized here. Even in America people don’t notice me. When I sing, people do recognize that it’s me but generally I don’t get recognized so it’s easy to shop.”
Lastly, a message please.
“I am so happy that people in Japan listen to my music. The song “Far as the Sky” which is in my new album is the theme song of the drama “Bull Doctor” so I think the song is familiar to everyone. This album is different from my first album. It’s a mix of different genres which you will enjoy so please listen to it.”
Source: Triangle
Translated by Mooffin, Charicemania.com
SCREEN MAGAZINE, November 2011 issue
A long-time favorite among Japanese movie fans for more than 60 years, Screen magazine featured Charice in its November issue. Find out which track she especially loves in her new album “Infinity” and what “Charice fashion” is all about.
“What is so important is, to believe in yourself, and never give up”
~ The Gifted singer whose voice continues to fascinate people around the world.
CHARICE
Having been acknowledged and strongly-supported by the multi-Grammy winner David Foster, who has been best known as a producer for Celine Dion and many other recording stars, the charming starlet Charice recently came back to Japan for promoting her upcoming second album. Having won huge popularity among a wide range of TV viewers who have enjoyed “GLEE” in which she starred as a semi-regular cast.
On this issue, Screen gives you the truely charming face of Charice, and how charming a personality Charice has with an exclusive interview.
First having lit the fire of sensation from YouTube, now a worldwide sensation, Charice has become. Acknowledged by David Foster with her stunningly beautiful gifted voice, and with his guidance, Charice has been one of the “friends” of David Foster & Friends concert gala series since 2008 and is performing with him again as a part of David Foster & Friends Japan Tour 2011 which will be held on October 19 & 20.
The young starlet who has recently contributed her voice for the Japanese TV drama “The Bull Doctor” recently came back to Japan to promote her soon-to-come sophomore international album. Here you are witnessing the positive, energetically happy girl who kindly responded to our questions below.
You have now been very famous around the world. How do you feel becoming so watched from millions and millions of people?
“I have come to right where I am now because of the support from many many people around the world and of course, many fans out there have supported me that has brought me up right here. I am so grateful for having been able to experience so many of the unimaginables, and I feel so blessed about it.”
Your new abum “Infinity”, has full of tracks which maintains a variety for each tracks to set the rainbowsome colorful tone for the album. Any tracks you especially love or put passions into?
“Definitely “Bounce Back”. The song is about “to get my own back on”. It’s about a girl who put those people to shame who were so hard on and being haters of her (Laugh). Another song “Lighthouse” is an acoustic kind of a song as it was set up to be and that I so love about it. For another song “New World”, is a theme song for a new Final Fantasy game, and has a hopeful message that is, even if you lose your profoundly loving precious someone, those beautiful memories you created with will live on…never fade away.”
You also starred the worldwide famous TV series “GLEE” and contributed your beautiful voice for a couple of episodes.
“I love GLEE! And I do love to go back to GLEE again! By the way, you see? This hat I wore today which is just like the one I wore as Sunshine on Glee (Laugh)”
Yes I knew that! That’s so cute 
Is there any points and tips for the “Charice a ala mode”, your style?
“Well, I think Heels that makes me look taller is essential, and any black outfits that would make me look more slim (Laugh) I would also go with a mens shirt on like a rich dress kinda style plus leggings on…i love that too.”
Any future acting plans for you?
“I just finished filming an action comedy film “Here comes the boom” which is going to be in theaters in the United States next July. I played a high school student who is a stunning genius, and of course there are a few cuts in the film that I sing.”
Last question for you. Any advice you can give to those who wants to be like you, I mean people who dreams and wants to follow your success?
“Be strong, and never give up! Believe in yourself, don’t get caught by anyone who give you negative stuffs and feelings!…well that sounds like a winner’s speech at the Oscars doesn’t it?! (Laugh)”
Photo and Translation By: Harry Yasu Clark, Mainichi Shinbun
FM Yokohama
World Sonic News
Special Thanks to TwistinHarry for allowing us to share his translated news.
Posted by: Schoen, AnonymousFanatic and Mooffin, Charicemania.com
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I love the photo above which Harry posted in his blog. It’s wonderful that Charice is establishing her presence in Japan and doing so well there. “kawaiiii ne!” [so cuuute!]
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1. Your points are well noted but I’m sorry to disagree with your statement that the quality of education in the provinces is below that in Manila but I don’t need to elaborate on that as this topic is off Charice line.
2. Mr. David Foster when intruducing Charice could have been mixed up and thus mistook Charice for Celine Dion. As most of us know, that’s the same line of intro he used for Celine during her Foster days. Celine is originally from Quebec – a province of French speaking people in Canada, as we all know.
3. I agree with Ann Nestey’s comment above that Charice is now a public property and thus becoming a subject of public scrutiny.
4. Charice must have been already in 2nd year high school by the time she guested on the Star King. She was 14 at that time and one graduates from the elementary level at age 12 if one starts 7 first grade. Her educational background is missing in the Wikipedia write-up and anywhere else. Isn’t it that elementary and high school studies are free in the Philippines? If this is correct then Jojo must have finished his/her elementary very late at age 15 because she/he commented Charice was not even yet in the high school during the Star King guesting. Yours truly graduated from high school at age 16 so are other Filipino kids I supposed.
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while most Filipinos UNDERSTAND English, most CANNOT SPEAK the language PROPERLY. just scroll down and read the comments below as proof of that. i remember when i first moved to Canada when i was little: i was basically mute for the first few months that i was here so i diff get what Charice was talking about. i understood most of what my classmates were saying, but expressing myself was a completely different story.
also, i learned French from Elementary to Secondary school because French is the second official language of Canada but that does not mean i can speak French. i went to Quebec one time and i was like a lost kitten trying to find the nearest liquor store because everyone around me only knew how to speak French.
the nerve on some of the so called Chasters here, calling Charice and/or David a liar and acting like all Filipinos speak fluent English from the get go. i mean, who knows Charice better than herself? if she says she could not speak English when she first got to the US then who are you to question that. just because Filipinos claim to speak fluent English does not make it so. and calling Charice a liar will not make that claim any more true.
if you are a true Chaster and Charice is in fact your idol, you should emulate her by being humble. not inflating your ego and falsely bragging that Filipinos are fluent in English and calling Charice a liar because she said she could not speak English when she first came to the US. understanding/knowing English is different from speaking/conversing in English. for all those crabs who say otherwise: reply to this message and i’ll show you what i mean.
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Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
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Learning English as a foreign language is aquite difficult for some of us and our English education from school is not enough at all
and many people know how to speak English but they don’t have the courage to speak to the puplic….it is just like any ordinary conversation
but you have to say your opinion in English
don’t be afraid to have mistakes
we all have mistakes and without mistakes we will never learn
write it whatever the mistakes are
no one will laugh at you
we will correct you
each one of us will correct the other’s mistake…..
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Do you guys still remember when she first guested at the Ellen Degeneres Show? She was just 15 at the time, and before she sang, Ellen asked her what her impression of the U.S. Charice, in halting English said, “So much, so, it’s very great, nice people, nice building, nice lights, I like it very much.” LOL! I think her answer was rehearsed, even memorized, but if not for Charice’s guts and intelligence it could had been a lot worst.
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I just cant imagine (politics now) how those congressmen and senators does thier daily business…..I bet you its “BICKERING ” all day…..he….he….nothing is getting done……LUCKY YOU CHARICE….you havent been dealing with all this Philippine Entertaintment Business personnel for a while now…..and look at you…you are well respected here by etc…etc…etc….keep it up…we are all happpppppy for your success !!!!!!!
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As to Charice, being that she is already an international celebrity, has now become a public property. As such, she will and can be, from time to time, a subject of many criticisms and praises. And this all chasters must fully understand. After all, criticisms and praises are always directed to the mighty ones not the lowly ones.
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Frank Lee said essentially what I said in my first post. I apologize in reacting to Osuna’s remarks – especially when he mentioned my wife who by the way grew up in similar circumstances as Charice – father died when she was five leaving her mother to raise six children on seamtress pay.
In her own way she was a success story like Charice – like many women growing up in the Philippines she became a nurse -(no, not a singing nurse like Charice wanted to become after Little Big Star)she graduated as valdictorian of her nursing class(Chinese School Of Nursing) – came to the U.S. and for many years was the head nurse of the E.R. at the local hospital.
But getting back to Charice, I wasn’t criticising her. It was David Foster I had doubts about. Why would he say she didn’t know a word of English when he first met her? He knows millions of people have seen the StarKing video. I can only attribute his praise to what proud parents do when bragging about their children – sometimes it gets out of hand.
I am somewhat familiar with the education system in the Philippines – It is divided into four levels – elementary school – 6 yrs(gr 1 through 6); high school 4 yrs; college 4,5,or6yrs for a bachelor’s degree; and graduate school leading to a masters and/or a doctorate. At all four levels there are both public and private schools, private schools being better equipted. At the college level the medium of instruction is almost exclusively in english. In high school some english is used in all science subjects. Even in elementary school many terms are in english, particularly in math. The school year begins in mid-June and ends in March/April with long schooldays 7am to 5 pm. I was surprised when my niece told me she graduated from HS @ age 16 until I found out about the long school days. Because of her need to support her family Charice did not complete her formal education and received her high school diploma through online studies. Lately I don’t know if she is still continuing her online college studies what with her hectic schedule.
Charice attended school in the provinces where education is of a poorer quality than schools in Manila. However, I believe Charice compensated for this shortfall w/ regards to the English language because the songs she learned to sing (not the ones in Tagalog)from age 4 were all in english and she had to know the meaning of the lyrics(not just memorize them) in order to put all the emotion and expression that she puts into her singing.
I am hoping that her Infinity album will be as great a success here in the U.S. as in Japan. All she really needs is one breakout hit such as Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” who sings in the mode of our Charice – no skin, no backup accompanyment, no autotune, just pure talent in singing.
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