I went back to my hometown on All Saints’ Day, the national holiday to honor and celebrate the memories of loved ones who have passed away, still reminiscing about my just-ended joyful ride with Charice and the Philippine Chasters. Little did I know that another chapter will be added albeit a sad one when I received a text message from abBonita that Charice’s father had just met a violent death.
Through Bluemax, I heard the next evening that Charice had returned from Jakarta and that some Chasters were already at the Divine Mercy Viewing Chapel in Muntinlupa where Ricky Pempengco was lying in repose. Unlike in the US where visiting hours are limited to about 9:00 pm, 24-hour vigil is customary in the Philippines when relatives and friends can visit at any time. I arrived at about 9:30 pm and found the place already encamped by the 3 major networks, TV cameras in place, looking for scoops and people to interview. Huge bouquets of white flowers sent by Chasters from Japan, Singapore, Los Angeles and Lantao were among those that bedecked the hall. I paid my respect to Ricky and was then told that Charice was resting in a private room. After being given permission to enter, I talked to Mommy Raqz and to Charice who was slumped in a bed being attended to. She looked tired, sad, and haggard, just like any typical teenager who lost a loved one and none of the image of a celebrity that she is. I extended condolences to her on behalf of the entire Chaster family and told her how all Chasters really love and care for her and her well being. I even advised her to take a break, get much needed rest and that, personally, I want her to be around for many years to entertain my grandchildren long after I’m gone. She held my hand and just said, “Salamat po (Thank you)”.
Video Uploaded by ChariceTVCrew
The next day, I found the place packed with relatives, friends, and many Chasters! In fact, many Chasters were still coming past 12 midnight direct from their second shift jobs just to be with Charice in her hours of bereavement. Little CutieSinger, one of our youngest Chasters at 12 years old was present who later tried to catch a few winks on the lap of Tita Wower. There was a time that almost half of the room was filled with Chasters! Charice, Mommy Racqz, and Carl were busy entertaining late-coming friends and relatives. Charice, when in her happy mood was like a kid playing around with CutieSinger, who was so shy and starstruck that it took her awhile to approach Charice and be prodded to sing a few notes. It was turning to be quite a happy occasion – a time of reconciliation, understanding and healing of the rifts among the Pempengco clan, and a time of more bonding and friendship. I decided to leave at 4:00 am quite ashamed that I will not be able to sacrifice like the many but much younger Chasters (with the exception of a few of course) who were determined to stick around for an all night, sleepless vigil. While my spirit said “Yay” to stay, my 67-year old body was not ready for the ordeal and was saying “Nay”.
I was back the following day in time to witness the family picture-taking and listen to the eulogies. Many of Ricky’s friends, sisters and other relatives reminisced about their experiences with Ricky. Mommy Racqz expressed how much she still loved him in spite of the sad past between them. Carl recalled a time of meeting a man who said to him how much he has grown, not knowing it was his father. Then it was Charice’s turn. Charice completely broke down, and cried like a little child, almost fainted and had to be consoled before she could even utter a word about her Dad. And between sobs, reached out to whatever little memories she could recall – how her father wanted her to be a soldier. She expressed how much she loved and missed him, and longed for the time they could have had together had she learned earlier the sad state her father was living in. Charice even mentioned a premonition while in Jakarta of seeing a security guard smile who looked like her father, just prior to hearing about his death.
Video Uploaded by KamoteChannel
The funeral procession started a little past 2:00 pm from Muntinlupa City to Cabuyao Memorial Park with a long convoy which included 5 full sized buses. The convoy created traffic and inched along the old national highway with hundreds of people lined up along the way hoping to catch a glimpse of Charice. It took a little over 2 hours to reach the cemetery which was so packed with people that it was very difficult to get near the burial site. I stood behind Carl trying to console him while Beda and Aki were profusely fanning Charice and Racquel. White roses were handed to family members for their last respect to Ricky. As the coffin was being interred, Charice broke down again. She sat almost in stupor as the tomb was being sealed. It was a heart-rending sight to watch our princess, so bubbly and lively on stage now crying like a little child grieving for a tremendous loss.
As her SUV backed in to fetch the family, a big crowd trying to catch a glimpse of Charice formed blocking the exit. Security guards had to form a chain to create a path for the family. A bunch of Chasters voluntarily followed suit and joined hand-in-hand to form a secondary chain in support of security with Beda barking commands like a little general for the crowd to back off. The crowd obeyed as Charice and family hurriedly walked into the vehicle and drove away as the crowd started to disperse.
As our bus sped away along South Luzon Expressway, I cannot help but think of the events that transpired the past few days. That we have now witnessed the other Charice – the typical teenager, the little child that’s still in her, mingling with her roots, unmindful of the pinnacle where she stands as a star of the entertainment world – the girl with the beautiful shoes still planted firmly on the ground.
After all the hugs and kisses as we bid goodbye to go our separate ways, I cannot help but think that the love for Charice by the Chaster Family has now morphed from DEDICATION to FAITHFUL AND PROFOUND DEVOTION for the welfare of OUR PRINCESS.
By Rodbelt, Charicemania.com
Posted by Ab.bonita, Schoen & Mooffin, Charicemania.com
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I’ve seem this happen many times before; everyone is gonna milk the story and turn it into a circus, and somebody is going make a cheap movie out of it, as they’ve always done in PI.
Huge attention like this can probably be very intoxicating to some teenagers, but I’m not sure if Charice craves for this kind of audience and scrutiny.
My questions to all Chasters: Is this really worth Charice time and effort? Well she be able to bring change to the country and effect justice? One more thing, was any crabster involved in the plot, to undermine our princess? Just my wild imagination, where I’ll probably get plenty of thumbs down; I didn’t read the last word on how the fight started, and how could the suspect resort to stabbing the victim without hesitation?
Not that I’m surprised; I understand in some places people commit theft or murder for nothing, and without thinking much about it( so much for the teachings of religion). They also say, a man has got to do what he’s got to do; I think this statement of justification is in reference to difficult economic times.
As a fan, I’m aching for Charice to come back to work and do what she’s good at. This is the real battle for her, the field where she is winning, where she is truly a hero to her adoring fans. I hope this nightmare will be over soon for Charice.
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In the case of charice, she may had wishful thoughs of one day reconciling with her father only to end up with a reunion in his passing instead.
Which brings me to this question. Many had been speculating the day that charice falls in love and how this will afeect her music and singing. Likewise, now in the death of her father, how would this affect her? Experiences in love and deathb brings powerful emotions and feelings with them. In the case of artist singers, while they render their works, the memories of happy or sad events stirs powerful emotion to come out and become the song itself.
We know that charice emotes what she sings. reason why a lot of listeners are rendered teary eyed afterwards. Would the death of her dear father even make charice emote more than before?
I guess we will find out in a few days when she come back from mourning.
Charice has matured tremendously since DF took her under his wings. This is another milestone in Charice’s journey in life. May she like a phoenix rise above the ashes of tragedy and sour higher than before. She has always been a happiness and inspiration to many. may she even in her darkest hours still shine on like a bright star that she is.
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If you want to know more about mental illness then Google the subject and read up on it. Perhaps, you will learn something valuable to use later on in life and your personal dealings with people. I know I did, and I wont be too quick to judge people in the future. I found out that there is really no cure for some disorders and that it could be controlled or managed with some psychoactive medication like Lithium.
Some people are suspected or known to have a certain kind of psychiatric disorder (often unfairly stigmatized) during their life; of note are Amy Winehouse and Michael Jackson.
In this comment, I tried to be as objective as possible. I hope I do not offend anyone and I apologize if I did. Perhaps, my comment will bring closure in the minds of some people. But, then again, I might be opening another can of worms as the saying goes. Perhaps, my thoughts are way of base and I’m barking up the wrong tree. I did not know the man, Ricky Pempengco. Only his own family and his wife really knew him and the details about him. I also have a nagging feeling that someone knew and kept that knowledge from Charice; to protect her perhaps.
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just last night i lost one Chaster friend..so sad
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…Most of Chasters here are very emotional ….hope she can recover the set back easily…lets p
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Me too, I have a strained relationship going on with a sibling; we have a hard time finding nice words to say about each other and I am afraid for the end of day to come and we miss our chance to be close as family.
Again, as they say, we can choose our friends but not our family.
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In local showbiz, the patronage comprise of mostly the so-called ‘masa’ (common people). You know the level of their taste, thinking and character. The poor education for decades hinder the standardization of living as well as their choice for celebrities. The success of Nora Aunor, Erap Estrada and other stars whom the masa can relate and identify themselves is a manifestation of this.
Charice came in when commercialism is peaking. Big networks like ABS CBN and handlers of talents become very powerful in building-up their stars even with less talent. They don’t care about pure and real talent for as long as their interest is intact. Money begets money no matter who’ll cross their path. There’s no nationalism in here now for as long as they lift their vested interests. Jealousy, intrigues, character assassinations and hatred comprise the crab mentality applied to any talent(s) outside their interest.
You can count on a handful of educated and independent minded celebrities outside the aforementioned trash group.
This is the sad state of local showbiz where other sectors of our society follow. If we can improve the system and standard of education, that’s the only time that we can achieve a better Filipino character…..but that would be centuries away!
I am proud to be educated enough to patronize a real talent who gives enjoyment and touches other people’s lives. That’s you Charice!
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I see some signs of improvements already, read about conscienscious celebrities who talk about giving back to the country and nature. I hope that trend continues and more young people will follow; they are the ones who have time on their side, the energy and the power to bring the change, besides they are gonna inherit the system.
As for the old horses who are still very much in power, i hope they would just change and show more humanity; set a good example for the younger generation, and for the goodness of their souls.
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This way worked for the late Elizabeth Taylor during the time of her mourning upon the death of one of her husbands by a plane crash that took place in the ’50s. By immersing herself on a project(movie) she was getting some sort of(free) therapy, she was among friends, plus she was making money which she needed to pay some of her bills at the time.
Charice can do the same thing, go back to doing her concerts or recordings; she will feel a lot better, plus she will have more money to help support her growing family, and pay her bills, as well as the bills of those who depend on her for a living, as I’m assuming she is already an institution.
Life goes on as they say, the sooner she realizes this, the better for her. She doesn’t even have to attend those hearings about the murder of her father, only the media will benefit from that, and it will not bring her father back to life. I’m sure the media would like to create a circus of a hearing on that, but only for their own good.
Live and learn is the wise thing to do; I don’t mean to sacrilege the memory of her father, but taking care of the living(including relatives, friends, employes and herself) is a better way to honor the dead.
Depression can set in easily after a tragedy, but by keeping busy working with people and doing things she’s good at and enjoys doing, Charice will beat the sadness of her life and the death of her father.
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Charice, please be careful with the PI media and be selective of which media you want to give interview for…. …all they want is to tear you down and to see you crumble ….so beware of those crabs.
Fellow chasters…lets all promote and dream for world peace!
Saya cinta pada mo Cha!
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She can grieve, but it doesn’t have to be in front of the camera’s. She can grieve in private and the public doesn’t have to see her crying and fainting, because she is not getting anything out of it, but only the press will have a feast of every shot, and show unflattering pictures of the moment over and over later on which those people of the media can sell or use against her. There’s no doubt of the depth of her mourning upon the death of her father and there’s no need for a proof in videos or pictures except the ones that are for private use of her family.
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Alleluia! We’re not related. Next time let’s make sure we choose our words carefully. Contrary to some beliefs, there’s no such thing as constractive criticism. Nobody has the right to criticize anyone, this is hurtful and nothing good could come from it. We all should remember that. PEACE!!!!
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48 dislike= from PI
8 like = from other country
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i believe that as before, Charice is again forced by circumstances to grow up sooner than most girls her age, facing very adult and life-changing issues at an early age. Nothing prepares anyone for events like this, and we can only hope that whatever it is inside her that brought her this far, will continue to sustain her through the trials of life like this one. In the meantime, we are here to support her …
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I just open my computer and I have read a lot of comments about the Philippine media. As I have said before the Pinoy media will exploit the situation,the Pempengco family should have made most everything in private. And I think she should attend the hearing and let her mom and lawyer attend the hearing, court of justice are very much different than in other countries very disorderly. It’s really sad.
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You are sad! You are not a real charice supporter!!
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I’m sad to what happened to her dad, and I think Charice was affected emotionally. My question is do I need to be happy?
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How about you are you happy??
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PS:
And another thing why is it that no one dares to put down Manny Pacquiao or even Arnel Pineda they all bring pride to PI. It’s just Charice that these crabs are targeting. Can somebody tell me why?
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A sense of fairness and democracy, as well as compassion and humanity should be imparted by parents during early childhood and development; children are lucky if they have parents who have good morals and are not ignorant to begin with. It’s not necessary for the parents to be rich, only to be relatively intelligent and aware of their responsibilities.
The exercise of fairness is of utmost importance; parents should treat their children equally, reward and punish them fairly, and train them to be caring and responsible. Failure to do so, will breed anger, discontent, selfishness and jealousy in some children, and if unrealized, will set them up for adulthood, and that probably explains why you get these crabs or haters in this CM forum. Early in life, children should be taught the importance of golden rule, hard work and perseverance as the way to achieve and get along in adult life.
Teachers and school could help in character building by reenforcing these values. Teachers should not play favorites. School should emphasize teaching good manners and behavior in a group, honesty and respect of peoples’ rights and properties(no cheating and no stealing), love for your neighbor and sportsmanship(be happy for others who’ve done well); to be social and charitable members of society.
Celebrities and politicians have the responsility to be the prime examples ln the practice of integrity and justice. They signal the trend of whats okay for others to follow. No one should get away with anything, every culprits, no matter what their status are, should be duly rewarded or punished according to the law.
I’m not sure if the difference in racial mix is a relevant problem in the present. Mestizos can also be the product of love, attraction and compassion between opposite races. I really don’t think that anybody is a pure race; we are all a mixture of half-breeds and should learn to coexist.
I think a culture of fairness and honesty is the key solution to this problem, and thats the kind of culture that any families should strive to create, in order to raise a family of lovers instead of haters.
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Most females learn those virtues(or frailties) from their mothers, directly or indirectly; whether it is jealousy, compassion or false sense of entitlement, they all start from parenting or the lack of it.
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Auau, you’re really funny. Given the fact that I already called those people crabs, therefore we already established that they don’t have morals and values. So again the question was, “WHY” and wasn’t asking for the root of their patheric and moronic minds. But I still appreciate your input, actually you reminded me of my English prof in college. It’s her way or the highway! But she still liked me…haha!
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She’s one the top singer in the World !!!
Go ahead baby, you’re simply FANTASTIC !!!
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Crying before the camera, and making comments to the media about the man who murdered her father is very human, but there is more dignity in silence,and also maturity. Some people knew about how the first lady Jackie Kennedy conducted herself upon the assassination of her then husband, the late president John F Kennedy; she was admired for her composure, and for not talking to the press about it.
Besides this incident is as much a problem of the country as of the family, so let the law of the land handle this mess. It’s a malady of society that breeds useless people with useless lives, who are prone to anger, and are quick to get a weapon and murder somebody over nothing, so the government officials should get involved and do their job; after all Charice is a national treasure.
Charice should not give anything to the vultures of media; she will not be photographed well, and the Filipino announcers talk very fast and like very cold, uncaring people. They will just milk the story which someday will backfire on Charice.
I totally agree that Charice should not waste any more time, pack her bags, and get ready to go back to the states.
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Please do more writing about Charice, Rodbelt, you are a great writer of modern days!
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