BEFORE THE CONCERT
I purposely went early for the registration of gathering so I could see other Chasters. I am a naturally shy person. I don’t normally attend gatherings or eyeballs. I used to be a site admin and moderator for some sites so I was invited numerous times by people I met online but I seldom attend and I declined to most of them. But this time, I wanted to meet the people with one common interest – Charice.

I saw people on the place and asked if it was for Charice’s gathering. They answered yes. (Sorry i forgot the names who answered back but I remembered the faces). I walked few steps to the table with two lady receptionist – Irsmith and Noellen. Noellen was telling she likes what I’ve been writing on CM (thanks for the compliment). We took photos! Then i met Eja. He was also nice. I sat down on the couch and Gunrunner joined me. I had a nice conversation with him about Charice (who else to talk about?). Few minutes later, other Chasters also came. Narita asked some help to cut the printed names for the raffle thing. Maybe because of this help, I got lucky. Afterwards, we were called for the gathering briefing. Let me just say THANK YOU to the organizers – Narita, Pin, Esmee, Tintol and others who helped. I know you guys devoted much of your own personal times (and money) just to make the event successful. My big respect goes out to you. I didn’t really get the chance to have a small chat with you all but I’d like to someday. There will always be a next time.

The room was filled with people from different walks of life – grandparents to parents to sons/daughters to students to professionals to retirees. I was one of the lucky people to win the raffle for a free dinner as well as one of the 20 persons who can have solo (duo) picture with Charice. Crossing fingers did help, haha! We were asked to introduce ourselves and answer “what is craziest thing you did because of Charice?” I wanted to answer it and share mine but there was not really enough time. But my answer would be: I took a sick leave from work just to watch Charice’s videos. Well..honestly, I wasn’t feeling well that time, at least. It was nice to know different stories of how a 17 year old singer can be part of our daily lives.

CONCERT PROPER
My ticket was with my friend who bought for me. We lined up for the balcony section. I was thankful we got good seats in front row. “Not bad”, we said to each other. She was supposed to get us a higher priced ticket but didn’t have enough money at that time. I looked down at the stage and saw the instruments – one grand piano, two guitars, one drum set, two keyboards (and set of mics for the backup singers). I was expecting an orchestra with at least maybe a violin or a wind instrument but the keyboards compensated for it. The stage background was filled with scattered single light bulb. I thought it was still pretty presentable but could have been better with CHARICE name on it like the ones from the Italy shows.
While waiting, i scanned my surrounding. I saw group of friends, grandmas, couples, kids, etc. On my left side was a couple gearing up their DSLR to get the best shots. I thought no cameras allowed but it turned out to be a shoot-all-you-want concert. Filipino time is always a late time to start a show. As soon as Ryan Cayabyab started hitting the piano keys, I positioned my videocam to record and eagerly waited for Charice to appear on center stage. Instrumentals for some of the songs included in the concert were played. She was introduced and when they started playing Halo, she walked down in a black dress. This was the first time I saw and heard her live. She looked tall from my viewing angle. I was happy that she didn’t wear gowns like the ones from her previous concert. Not that I want to sound like a fashion critic, but I felt she couldn’t move freely wearing those kind last time. Anyway, she was right in front of my eyes – live, like what I’ve always dreamed of. I’ve been addicted to her videos that sometimes even after watching, the sight of her still plays on my mind and now is the reality scene of a girl singing her heart out.
All her renditions were usually amazing so I think I’ll just comment on some songs.
HALO – Nice choice to open up the concert
LISTEN – She really owns this song now. Sorry, I also love Beyonce’s version but Charice singing it has a different impact or impression to me. The song was like telling everyone to actually “listen” to her while singing.

Notable act by Charice: I really like her politeness of saying “po” during the breaks. She really pays respect to everyone regardless of age. Thanks to the best mom- MommyRaq for bringing her up like this.

BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME – I love the ending of the song when she sang “Im everything I am because you loved me.” It just tells everything.

THE PRAYER with George yang – It was like a “grandfather and daughter” duet and there were some parts when he sounded like Andrea Bocelli.

HOPELESSLY DEVOTED TO YOU with RC singers – Funny acts and reactions from the guys

HALIK with RC singers – She never fails to amaze me to sing while sitting (or in any position)

KAILAN – I just love this song

COME WHAT MAY with Erik Santos- she flaunted a reminiscent to LadyGaga outfit. Now, I like Erik because I think he sounded good live.

Tagalog medley / ikaw / may bukas pa – My video was almost 12 minutes! I cant believe she can sing these “hard” songs consecutively and impressively hitting high notes! It was just amazing! Best medley of the night for me.

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW – Her voice could also be a lullaby against the usual powerful voice

AND I AM TELLING YOU – Always breath taking!

I’ve been running out of words to describe Charice’s performances that I coined a term derived from her name. I think I posted this last time in the comment section of one of the articles here.
CHARISTIC – adj. derived from the name Charice. (1) a word to describe a fantastic performance where the audience experienced emotional gratitude thereby giving full standing ovation to the singer.

I wish to put it officially on dictionary as a tribute to her.

Our wishes were granted, she was given standing ovations during the concert.

AFTERSHOCK OF THE CONCERT
Whew! When she finished her last song, at the back of my mind i wanted more. It is always like this. We keep wanting for that experience. My friend and I decided to take some photos of us as souvenir that we watched the concert. We went to the gathering place and I asked her to wait for me outside. I was kinda disappointed to those who didn’t show up for the gathering. She or the other Chasters could be there for their slots.
There was a song number (The Climb) by Nege on vocals and Theodore on guitar. While Nege was singing, Charice suddenly appeared and sang with her. People went wild wanting to get the best view or shot of Charice. Everyone stood up and was delighted to hear Charice sing again.
Picture taking time. When I got my turn for the solo (duo) pic with Charice, I said with all smiles “hi Charice!” I was star struck with her pretty face that I even forgot the exact words she uttered back. I think she said something like “hello po…” and flashed her killer smile to me. I wanted to hug her but the spur of the moment didn’t allow me. I posed for the shot. I felt like I was hanging in mid air with the thought of her beside me. After I realized it was over, I was still smiling and I cant believe that I got close to her. Wow! What a memorable experience to marvel upon this great singer. I could only replay the scene in my head.
After the picture taking, Charice is on her usual offcam comedic self. This is one thing I love about her. She can be dead serious in singing on stage while she can be funny entertaining people. Maybe if she’s not a singer she can pass as standup comedienne. I always laugh at her effortless cracking jokes and her “alien” language – maybe a combination of Japanese, German, French which only she can understand. LOL! I think she did that many times during the gathering. She greeted the people on BlogTv and when she can’t get the exact names of the others she just said “Charice for president!” That was totally hilarious and very timely for the presidential election in Philippines. When she was about to go, she had a mannequin pose which was seriously funny. She also sang a bit of Adagio and when she finished, we were in great awe that she said “oh, anong hinihintay nyo?” [what are you (all) waiting for?]. We were actually expecting for more but I know she was tired and had to go.

Sidenote: Thank you ChariceMania and all the people I met through this concert and the gathering. I was happy to see HenryV and Mr Frank Hilario.

Written by Capofret

Posted by Schoen

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2. Charice! We were bombarded by your embrace
3. A Musical Valentine with Charice

I was going in style, my style. This was my first concert in my entire life, and damn if I didn´t want to make history myself this time, at least to make it last as long as my memory. Ready? I have a fabulous camera (my daughter´s), a Casio Exilim Ex-S5 good at 10 megapixel, my Nokia 5310 for video & voice recording, my ears, and my favorite Parker roller ball pen. While I wasn´t dressed to kill, I felt already I was armed to the teeth.

I was going with a VIP, a very important purpose. My purpose was to record the event, to feel myself and be the one to tell the world how it is to be surrounded by Charice´s embrace, which I knew went beyond Beyoncé´s Halo:

Everywhere I´m looking now / I´m surrounded by your embrace.

As it happened, I was for some time behind George Yang last night, Valentine´s Day, and you should have seen him sing a duet with Charice at the PICC. This is how it happened. I didn´t know George Yang from Adam but there I was, at SM Megamall in Makati, 2nd floor, waiting behind this man, wanting to buy my ticket to the concert. There was this guy who was talking to the girls and they were all ears (they were also all eye-full), and for the love of me, I didn´t understand what they were talking about. Then the man left me behind – either he had bought his ticket before I came in, or he just wanted to chat. No problem, because he was the only other one in my line.

I´d like to buy a concert ticket, I told the girl. Which concert, Sir? Charice. Which seat would you like to have? Nearest the stage. I´d like to have an F; I was thinking of my name. I have a B3, Sir. Oh, I also have an A24. I´ll take the A24. That will be 5808 pesos, Sir. I paid but, borrowing from Charice, I could feel the nervousness in my heart. I never bought a single little piece of paper that expensive before!

I took a taxi and went straight to the PICC. At Ayala Boulevard, when I looked at my watch (actually, my Nokia 5310), it said 1900 hours, 7 PM. But traffic was bad, and it took us 40 minutes to get to the PICC. The concert was going to start at 2000 hours, 8 PM. I like to be early, not late.

2000 hours. The concert hall was not half-empty; it was half-half-empty. 2236 hours, some clapping of hands. That´s 36 minutes late. 2044 hours, shouts, more and louder clapping of hands. 2246 hours, an overture by Ryan Cayabyab and orchestra, I mean, manned-made musical instruments, whatever they were, huge devices, the works. Colors and shapes whirling and swirling. We must be in a disco; I must be listening to disco music, because the volume is high, very high. Truth to tell, I never liked disco music; when I was a young man I vowed the first time I was invited that I will never again go near a disco house because, while I may like the music, and I love the girl I will go out with, I can´t stand the decibels of it all.

Now this. I am sitting on A24; Row A of course is the very first row next to the stage, and it´s only about 5 or 6 meters away from me; the loud (!) speakers are only 2 to 3 meters farther away. The noise blast hits me squarely all the time. I was beginning to like it.

Why Music Maestro Ryan Cayabyab? Respect for a master of composition, musical arrangement and direction. In another event, Charice herself had introduced him, “The David Foster of the Philippines, Ryan Cayabyab!”

In the beginning, Ryan Cayabyab and the manned-made orchestra blasted away deliriously the overture. I was looking at the two champagne glasses by the side of the grand piano near the mike; the glasses were each half-full but, given Charice, I wouldn´t be surprised if the glasses would break. Last night, many times I think I heard 10 decibels or higher.

Why was a disco-deaf writer not bothered by the loud piano of Ryan Cayabyab? It was a prelude to a one-of-a-kind smashing evening. This was all good mood music. We were being prepared for one blast of an evening, courtesy of Charice. I knew that. What I didn´t know was that it would turn out to be also a welcome blast from the past.

Did I say the evening was smashing? It smashed half of the old Charice and brought out a new one, a modern Filipina, a Pinay who knew the world of today and sang of it with gusto, along with a Maria Clara of a Pinay who knew the world of yesterday and sang of it with not a gust of wind but a gush of youth & innocence & love. Bravo!

At the PICC on Valentine´s Day 2010, we celebrated a new Charice.

Listen!

Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Judy Garland)
Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion)
Listen (Beyoncé)
And I Am Telling You (Jennifer Hudson) – where Charice did her fab mike toss & catch
I Have Nothing (Whitney Houston)
I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston)
I Can´t Smile Without You (Barry Manilow)

Erik Santos sang Maging Sino Ka Man (Whoever You Are). I´m not familiar with his music.

Charice sang The Prayer in a duet with someone I recognized as the man whom I was behind at SM – George Yang. I´m not familiar with him either, but that´s my man. What a voice!

With Erik Santos, Charice sang Come What May from Moulin Rouge. It´s the love theme from the 2001 romantic musical starring Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman. I know Charice loves horror films; this one was a horrific musical.

Last night, Charice was blonde, straight hair – and she was shooting from the hip. She introduced him as “the legendary singer-composer Ogie Alcasid” and they sang Hanggang Ngayon, which is his own composition. I was surprised Ogie was shooting fireworks with Charice – and both shooters won.

Charice is going to sing for us songs from my era, Ryan Cayabyab said. He wasn´t looking at me. His hair was all white. That´s my era too. Look who´s talking!

Charice sang What The World Needs Now by Burt Bacharach, vintage 1965. Hopelessly Devoted To You by Olivia Newton-John, vintage 1978.

Erik Santos, Ogie Alcasid, Charice and George Yang did a quartet on Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan. It ended too soon.

The Ryan Cayabyab Singers did a medley of old hits: I´ll Never Fall In Love Again, I Say A Little Prayer For You, Sealed With A Kiss, not to forget Alfie.

We went on reminiscing with
Halik (Aegis)
Kailan (MYMP)
Ikaw (Regine Velasquez)
Tayong Dalawa (Gary V)
Kastilyong Buhangin (Basil Valdez)

A different Charice? Different songs, same Charice.

Oh, I´m sure I didn´t catch all the titles. When you reminisce the past that fast, you´re bound to be left behind.

Truth to tell, I was awed all evening. So I forgot to switch on my Nokia voice recorder when Charice sang the first note; I started at the 3rd song. Worse, I completely forgot that my Nokia had a video recorder! Why? Because when Charice sang, she embraced me, and because I wasn´t careful, I forgot something – and I couldn´t remember what it was.

Towards the very end of the concert, Ogie sang Basta´t Kailangan Kita and that was when I ran out of ink!

As a writer, when I run out of ink, I run into trouble. I can´t remember many things. But not to worry. I remember a lot. Like, I remember looking back at the crowd and estimating 3,500 max who watched and listened in the spirit of love.

We had just given Charice a final standing ovation when a charming lady in red approached me and asked if I were Frank Hilario. I couldn´t lie, could I? I should have told her, “I thought you´d never ask!” The lady turned out to be Marina T, and she told me I resembled the photo (sketch) in my profile in my blog, so she decided to be bold and ask if I was who I looked like. Did I ever!

Marina said, “Everybody´s talking about you.” I was like, thinking, it´s okay, as long as it´s not behind my back. She meant the Chasters, that they had been reading my blog, Pinoy Cinderella, which is totally dedicated to Charice. (I assure you there is no other blog like it, no other one-man blog totally Charice. “You were smitten,” David Foster said to Oprah about Charice. And so am I.)

And I said, “I have a surprise for Charice tonight, but I don´t know how I can meet her.” And Marina said, “Come with us.” She meant the “Meet & Greet” group after every Charice concert, including this one. I told her I wasn´t in the list. “It´s okay. Come with us.” And so I did.

Marina introduced me at the door of the Meet & Greet room, and Noellen surrounded me with her embrace. She must have been enjoying reading my blog, a fan if ever I had one. Thank you, Noellen. And Marina said, “I think everybody should get to know you.” And as we walked towards the front, she said to the group, “This is Frank Hilario.” And I heard pleasant noises. Music to my ears. Later, people were shaking my hand and telling me they read my blog and they thought I was a great writer. My feelings, exactly! Later, I thought, when I had the chance, I was going to kid Charice and say, from the way things looked that night of 14 February 2010 at the PICC, you began to have a rival for admiration from the Chasters! I can dream, can´t I?

Kidding aside, Charice is superlative, transcendent even. She´s in a league of her own, and she´s only 17, for God´s sake! And because of her, I will go on proclaiming to the world that I am Filipino.

The Meet & Greet group, at least 50, asked me if I could say a few words to encourage the Chasters. With the fervor I saw, I didn´t think they needed encouragement, but sometimes, I am a man of a few words, so I said:

Did you notice that my blog is passionate? Charice is passionate about her singing too. My talent lies in writing, and I am dedicating it to her. Because she does not only sing for herself; she sings for you, she sings for us.

At another point during the Meet & Greet, someone (was it Gunrunner?) was complaining he was 51, so I raised my hand after him, and I said:

I´m 69. (Pleasant noises, music to my ears!) I´m writing a book on Charice. In fact, I´ve finished 13 chapters. I´m planning 18 chapters. I have a surprise for Charice tonight.

And so we had pictures taken, 10 selected had each a photo op alone with Charice who sat behind an office desk looking like the princess that she was. She was Our Princess, wasn´t she? Then we all had group pictures with Charice, row by row. In 2 tries, I managed to give her a copy of “100 Charice. Mod parables of the talents of Ming,” which is Chapter 11 of my book (working title Pinoy Cinderella). In between the calling of rows for the photo ops, I saw her browsing. After all was said and done, when Charice disappeared from view towards midnight, I asked a girl if she could have my copy of that chapter autographed, and she did. The girl with 100 Charice told the one and only Charice that I was writing a book, so she signed it thus: “To Mr. Frank Hilario. Thank you po! Love you. (Heart) Charice.” Little girl, the big pleasure was mine.

What the world needs now, is love, sweet love! I believe in love, Alfie. Sealed with a kiss. I will love you till my dying days.

Yesterday, Valentine´s Day, was also Chinese New Year. During that Meet & Greet, somebody surprised me with a bagful of champoy; I´m sorry I got the name of the package correctly, Chan Pui Ying Che Preserved Plum (Seedless), but I forgot the name of the girl who gave it to me. I´m sorry I can´t mention everyone I met last night; without my beloved ball pen, I can´t remember names. But, you girl with the champoy, my wife told me she loves the champoy; she seldom gives compliments, so that´s part of your reward.

The Meet & Greet party parted after midnight. If the Chasters didn´t have a good night sleep from a night that was fantastic, terrific, marvelous, or, to use Charice´s favorite word, super, I´m sure they sat up talking until the wee hours of the morning. It had been a musical blast, an explosion of wind & win power. It was not merely force or horsepower; above all, it was voicepower. Horsepower has something to do with pulling a device with wheels; voicepower has something to do with pulling out all the stops. The power was coming from alternating current; from Charice, alternating output from high to low, yet the delivery is always total power, from beginning to last.

This was a Valentine´s Day concert that will last forever. A night of love. I´m glad I was one of the lovers.

Charice, last night, Valentine´s Day, to borrow from Beyoncé´s Halo, we were bombarded by your embrace. It was stupendous, wonderful. The more we love you more.

Charice, in Singapore last December, they told you, “Singapore loves you!” Please stay as sweet as you are. And don´t let anyone steal your heart away from us – yet. Charice, a Frankie-come-lately Chaster that I am, I am sure the Chasters will not stop until the world proclaims, preferably live in a whole episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show:

The world loves you!

Written by Mr. Frank A. Hilario

Source link: americanchronicle

Posted by Schoen

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1. Charice Valentine´s Day Concert on Radio AD Feb. 2010
2. A Musical Valentine with Charice
3. Charice’s Valentine´s Day Concert

Currently on her iPod are songs of Air Supply, Leona Lewis, and Miley Cyrus. Most of them are love songs but Charice said they don’t have anything to do with her [romantic] life. She will turn 18 three months from now (she was born on May 10, 1992) that is why the young singer eagerly revealed that her mother already told her that if she wants to have a boyfriend, it is absolutely fine.

“Open na si Mommy na magka-boyfriend ako, but personally ang puso ko ay bata pa rin (my heart is still young). I will just wait for the time na dumating talaga ‘yun,” (…when it comes) Charice giggled and named Sam Milby and Justin Timberlake as her celebrity crushes.

Several photoshoots unveil Charice in a more grown-up image. The way she puts on her make up and does her hair have noticeably changed since the world was amazed with her performance on Star King, the talent show in South Korea , more than two years ago. Indeed, gone is the Charice who wears pigtails and sings on flat doll shoes.

In a press conference held last week, we saw the different Charice we have been seeing on YouTube. Walking on high heels and wearing a casual red dress, she arrived at the venue accompanied by her assistants. True to her words, she still acts like a kid. As a matter of fact, she brought with her a baby doll named Charles Chester.

After greeting some select members of the entertainment press and some of the sponsors of her upcoming concert with Ryan Cayabyab on Valentines Day, she settled directly at the panel table with Mr. C. Questions started flying here and there, and Charice was more than willing to answer all of them.

“I was asked by David [Foster] who accompanies me during my performances here in Manila ,” she started, “The David Foster of the Philippines, Ryan Cayabyab!”

Today, Mr. C and the world’s most talented girl will enchant music aficionados and lovebirds alike in an enchanting evening at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine Convention Center. Entitled Charice In Concert with Ryan Cayabyab, the musical event showcases the 17-year-old singer belting some of the songs that catapulted her name as a promising international star.

“Her repertoire includes the songs that people know, or songs that people expect from her,” Cayabyab told the press.

According to the seasoned composer, working with Charice excites him more. He said that listening to Charice talking about famous international musicians and celebrities, like Oprah Winfrey and David Foster for instance, leaves him flabbergasted, “She is going places and has lots of stories.”

In 2009, Charice spent most of time in America recording her debut US album. She will finally release the record together with a single called “Pyramid” early this year.

Also last year, Charice performed in the David Foster and Friends 10-city North American tour, and appeared in her first feature film, Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel. In the movie, Charice appeared as herself.

“One time my agent in the US asked me kung ano’ng favorite movie ko, the next thing I know, I was asked to audition for a role in a Chipmunk film,” she narrated.

Charice said that later on, the agent told her that it was just a mock audition because the role was really meant for her, “They really surprised me. While we were in a conference in L.A. , my agent and my manager told me that.”

As to give the entertainment press an idea on how she awed the people who conducted the mock audition, she sang Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable” and delivered some lines from the movie as if she has taken some amount of helium.

Charice is good at imitating different sounds and voices of different singers. It is a quality, that according to Ryan Cayabyab, a trademark of talented and exceptional vocal artists.

“I have worked with Charice for three ABS-CBN specials, but other than that we don’t have any other mentor-student relationship. I am more excited than Charice because looking at how big she is right now, I’m already asking myself how will I measure up as a musician in this concert,” the virtuoso composer humbled.

The concert is Charice’s second major solo local concert following the successful show she staged last June. Her lineup of special guests includes Erik Santos, George Yang, The Ryan Cayabyab Singers, and Ogie Alcasid. The concert is presented by Face&Figure Center Manila, with Magnolia Fresh Milk and Magnolia Low Fat Milk as major sponsor. Smart Communication is a minor sponsor.

Tickets to Charice In Concert with Ryan Cayabyab are available at Ticketnet outlets located at all SM Department Stores (customer service area) and at the Araneta Coliseum ticket booths.

Written by Nickie Wang

Source: Manila Standard Today>

Submitted by OMIE
Posted by Schoen

Related posts:

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2. Charice Celebrates Love in Valentine Concert
3. Charice Valentine´s Day Concert on Radio AD Feb. 2010

In 1946, when he was 35, Filipino poet Carlos Bulosan published his autobiographical novel, America Is In The Heart (University of Washington Press, washington.edu), which became his most famous book (American Passages, learner.org). In that book, if I may put it in black & white, he described his boyhood in the Philippines as happy and his manhood in the United States as unhappy. In his New York Times review of the book, Carlos P Romulo, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Filipino writer, said that Bulosan “learned that while America could be cruel, it could also be immeasurably kind” (UW Press). The real America is in the heart.

At 35, Bulosan had become a well-known artist of words, writing of the pains and pleasures of being a Filipino in America. At 17, Filipino performer Charice has become an international phenomenon of an artist of voice and body language, singing of the hurts of being a Filipino in the Philippines and the happiness of being a Filipino in America. Bulosan had been discriminated upon in America, his adopted country, and that´s what he wrote of; Charice has been discriminated upon in the Philippines, her own country, and that´s what she sings of. We Filipinos still have to find the real Philippines in the heart. I’m assuming we have a heart.

Overall, Charice´s story is the opposite of Bulosan´s. But both are haunting and true stories. The difference is that Bulosan is more in the head and Charice is more in the heart.

More of the heart. She is promising that we will see also a new Charice in her Valentine´s Day concert (Eve, 05 February 2010 charicemania.com). You will appreciate more how different she is now if you heard her in her 1st major solo concert, The Journey Begins, at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia along Manila Bay 27 June 2009 (see my “Journeys. Charice sings, Nestor Torre screams!,” Pinoy Cinderella, blogspot.com), and her 1st Solo Concert in America at the Big E on 18 September 2009 (you´re reading about it now). That´s 2 firsts in 1 year, in the Third World and the First World; among the Filipinos, only Charice has done that. Charice did her 1st first in her country, her 2nd first in America. Her heart is in the right place.

Charice has come a long way from competing nights such as in a basketball court in Cabuyao, Laguna in Southern Luzon in the Philippines where she was born (in Cabuyao, not in the court), 10 May 1992, singing for her family. It has been a story of losing and winning, of hurts and hearts.

Competing at 12 years of age in the 1 million-peso singing contest called Little Big Star of ABS-CBN, the largest TV network in the Philippines, people told Charice to her face – and behind her back, even as they were laughing – that she had no future in entertainment because she had no star quality; she didn´t look pretty enough; and she lacked talent in her singing. Loser! (For more details, see “Charice – My Interview With FalseVoice” and “The Soaring Spirit of Charice Pempengco” by Phil Bolsta, Triumph of the Spirit. Visit also my blog dedicated to Charice, Pinoy Cinderella, blogspot.com; you can start with “Pinoy Cinderella, 1: Sky falls on Little Big Star Charice.”) If you can’t beat them, jeer them.

Loser! At Little Big Star, she was eliminated after her first song. She did her best, and she was shocked when the judges gave their votes to the other contestant – who was himself jolted (you can watch the video here where Charice sings “Shine,” alduezajay, youtube.com). Her score 91; his score 92. So close, and yet so far! I did my best, she said; she knew too. The judges are not always right. Sometimes what they see is what you get.

She took that defeat so hard – wouldn´t anyone! – that she was on a stupor for more than a week that not even her mother could get through that little girl who just kept on strumming her guitar, unmindful of anything else (see Boy Abunda´s interview, “Charice – SNN Interview UNCUT Part 5,” theNH3, youtube.com). It was a descent to despair that has not been noted except in that interview; nevertheless it happened, and it wasn´t a minor incident. Charice had lost heart inside her own self. Would she ever find herself again?

With that in mind, you can appreciate much more the ascent of Charice from despair to determination, from doubt to hope – surrounded by the embrace of love by her little brother Carl and her Mommy Raquel, if by no one else. When all you have is family, that’s good enough.

Later, for some unexplained reason, Little Big Star reinstated Charice as a “wild card,” meaning “who knows?” And really! She proved that she was much better than she looked. She placed consistently first in the eliminations month after month. It was time to dream again of winning the grand prize. Until she reached the finals and, lightning struck the same place twice – she placed 3rd. Not 2nd, not 1st – 3rd! That was hard, very hard. Charice knew she was the winner; her mother Raquel knew too – but they were told she lost because she had the lowest total of text votes among the 3 finalists. Those who have loads, prepare to text them now! Why do they exchange the votes from the cell phones for the votes from the judges who should know better? This is where the votes of the people are the votes of goof.

And then they went to Quiapo Church to pray. And then Falsevoice happened. And then Ten Songs Production, Sweden. And then Star King, Korea. And then Star King again. And then Ellen DeGeneres, New York. And then Paul O’Grady, London. And then Oprah, Chicago and, along with her, David Foster & Friends. And then Celine Dion in Madison Square Garden. The little girl who they said didn´t have star quality had become a star, an international star. She was still little, but now they had to look up to see her.

And then Charice came back to the Philippines to hold her first major solo concert, at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia along Roxas Boulevard near Manila Bay, where you can watch the most beautiful sunset in the world. But it was no sunset for Charice; it was the dawn of a new day. “This is where the journey begins,” she said (see also my “Journeys. Charice sings, Nestor Torre screams!” Pinoy Cinderella). “Her musical journey,” wrote Crispina Martinez-Belen (27 June 2009, mb.com.ph), “so to speak, towards the hearts of her kababayans (countrymen) will start just tonight.” Charice is in Crispina´s heart, bless her.

That concert was very successful despite the glitches and the hitches, but the mass media did not celebrate that milestone along with her; they did not cheer along with the thousands of fans attending the SMX concert (some 6,000, according to Bert B Sulat Jr, 30 June 2009, inquirer.net). Charice wasn´t in their hearts. Where is the musical heart of the mass media in the Philippines? I didn´t know they have a heart!

Months after the fact, on 29 January 2010, I called it “a whole journey into the hearts of the Filipinos” (Pinoy Cinderella). I would have celebrated that moment in my own way but I didn´t know Charice from Eve until September 2009, when began my writer´s interest in her; it was probably an Oprah episode that introduced me to the little wonder that was Charice.

Like the rest of the Filipinos, I must have been slow to learn about Charice. And so, I didn´t know that her journey of hearts started in the Philippines and continued in America. And since this is a journey of hearts for me too, here I am. The heart knows what the head doesn´t.

It is 18 September 2009 at the Comcast Arena Stage and Charice is having her 1st Solo Concert in America at the Big E in this City in Massachusetts, USA. Her Mommy Raquel is in the trailer, too nervous to watch. Since little Charice is a big girl now, she understands her mother. Daughters have to forgive their mothers sometimes.

The Big E writes, introducing Charice to the fair-loving crowd at New England, at the Eastern States Exposition 2009 in West Springfield, Massachusetts (Peter F, “Charice: The Big E Outdoor Concert,” charicemania.com), that Charice “opens the season´s entertainment as the first top name to perform at the Comcast Arena Stage for the 2009 Fair.” Charice is in America´s heart, really! The Americans know what we Filipinos don´t, really.

The Big E is the largest fair in the northeast United States. Charice being the little big “true diamond on the rough,” the Big E says, she is “a natural and momentous choice to kick off the fair on Opening Day” (Peter F). “We are honored,” the announcer at the Comcast Arena Stage says. So are we Filipinos – I’m assuming we know what´s good for us.

Read the full article: California Chronicle
Written by Mr. Frank A. Hilario

Posted by Schoen

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Recently, she also appeared in the Hollywood flick “Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel,” where she appeared as herself and sang Alicia Keys’ “No One” in the official film soundtrack.

This February, it will be the turn of thousands of Pinoy fans to watch her up close and personal when she performs at a Valentine’s Day concert on Feb. 14 at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

In “Charice in Concert! by Ryan Cayabyab” to be produced by Xclusive Hits & Events, Inc., the young diva will lead a powerhouse ensemble composed of Erik Santos, George Yang and the RCS (Ryan Cayabyab Singers), with the special participation of Ogie Alcasid.

To be directed by Ryan Cayabyab, the concert will feature the 17-year-old singing wonder as she performs a repertoire of pop, R&B and soul hits popularized by Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey, among many others.

Charice has indeed come a long way. Remember she was only seven when she started doing the rounds of amateur singing competitions. She gained worldwide attention in 2007 after videos of her live performances were posted on the YouTube and caught the attention of Ellen DeGeneres, who invited her to appear in the Dec. 19, 2007 episode of her show. Charice became an instant hit with her performance of “I Will Always Love You” and “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.”

Five months later, she appeared in the May 12, 2008 edition of “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” where her performance of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” greatly impressed Oprah that she subsequently recommended Charice to be under the wings of music producer David Foster.

She performed with Foster for the first time during the May 17 opening of MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut, followed by her debut on the international concert stage in Foster’s May 23 tribute concert, “Hitman: David Foster and Friends,” at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Charice also went on to perform with Andrea Bocelli during his birthday concert on July 22, 2008 in his hometown of Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy, where, aside from her solo numbers, she also did a duet of “The Prayer” with the famous tenor in front of more than 8,000 people.

She also sang a duet of “Because You Loved Me” with Celine Dion on Sept. 15, 2008 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City, which earned rave reviews in The New York Post and The New York Times. The performance was eventually featured on the Sept. 19, 2008 episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” She made her second appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on Sept. 9, 2008, during which the celebrated host described her as “the most talented girl in the world” after hearing her perform Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” with Foster on the piano.

During her most recent appearance on the same program, Charice elicited the ultimate tribute from Oprah: “You are a force to be reckoned with. That voice comes from something bigger than yourself. You’re pulling it up out of some place deeper than your little body.”

The singer’s outstanding vocal quality likewise prompted a chorus of praises from other musical and entertainment celebrities, such as David Foster and Josh Groban. She also received a compliment from The New York Post, which once called her a vocal prodigy for being able to sing “big songs” even in her tender age.

As 2009 was about to end, the singer added another feather to her cap when she topped an online poll by the Oprah Winfrey show, beating seven international singing superstars: Whitney Houston, James Taylor, Michael Bublé, Rascal Flatts, Jennifer Hudson, Journey and Black Eyed Peas.

Charice emerged as the winner of the “Best Oprah Show Musical Performance” award after receiving 70 percent of total votes for her performance of “Note To God,” her debut international single launched on the show last May 18.

Her Valentine show brings her back to the local concert scene eight months after her first major solo concert last June 27 at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Tickets to “Charice In Concert! by Ryan Cayabyab” are available at Ticketnet outlets located at all SM Department Stores (customer service area) and at the Araneta Coliseum ticket booths. Tickets are also available at Xclusive Hits & Events, Inc.

Written By Shirley Matias-Pizarro, Manila Bulletin

.
New York Post, 9/17/2008 Celine There, Dion That, by Dan Aquilante

One of the most interesting turns in this show was the MSG debut of 16-year-old vocal prodigy Charice Pempengco, whose manager, Oprah Winfrey – that’s right – secured the Philippine singer a duet with Celine for the song “Because You Loved Me.” The Charice segment was the night’s brightest moment. The teen was able to blast notes with Celine-like power, but she was also able to get in touch with the song’s emotions.

.
New York Times Review, 9/16/2008 Celine Dion: Emotions With Exclamation Points, by Jon Caramanica

[Celine] brought Charice Pempengco, a young singer from the Philippines with an impressive voice, onstage… They performed “Because You Loved Me,” though Ms. Dion mostly stayed out of the way as Ms. Pempengco explored the song’s heretofore unheard rougher edges, with ample gesticulations and melisma. As Ms. Pempengco brought the crowd to its feet, Ms. Dion struck poses behind her: awestruck wonder, heartfelt empathy, ambient triumph.

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“Very happy po ako na some people are tweeting me na nakita po nila ako sa movie,” the young Pinay singer said in an interview.

“I’m very happy that some people are tweeting me that they saw me in the movie,” the young Pinay singer said in an interview.

In the animated film, Charice stars as herself — and she’s Alvin, Theodore, and Simon’s biggest rival in a singing competition.

Charice recorded two songs for the movie: a version of Alicia Keys’ “No One” with the Chipettes, and the finale number, “Shake Your Booty.”

The 17-year-old shared how she landed in her first Hollywood movie: “I auditioned for the role in the normal way, with no backer, [and] not because I am close to Oprah [Winfrey],” she related in another interview.

“I auditioned for it and sang two songs, [and] read script. They asked me to do the three voices of the chipmunks.”

She got the role apparently because she touched the heart of the film director, Betty Thomas.

Charice recalled the director telling her: “You know what, I saw you in ‘Oprah.’”

“And she said that she could relate to the story of my life. That was why she told her staff that ‘I need this girl on my movie.’”

Asked if she is open for more acting gigs in the future, the singer Oprah dubbed “Most Talented Girl in the World” beamed with a big “Yes!”

“Talaga pong nagustuhan ko po ang acting. Pero ‘yong sa ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks,’ hindi pa po siya acting pero sabi ko chance ko na po ‘yon. Kasi po, siyempre, nagpakita po ‘ko ng singing skills ko. Siyempre gusto ko na ipakita ‘yong acting skills ko naman,” she enthused.

Yes, I really began to like acting. I’m not acting there in ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks,’ but it’s a chance to open doors perhaps. Because now that they have seen my singing skills, of course I’d like them to see my acting skills too,” she enthused.

“Squeakquel,” which is set to be screened in the Philippines this month, outshone other kid-oriented pictures shown around the same time in the box-office. The competition included the Charles Dickens classic tale, “A Christmas Carol,” and Disney’s 2-D relapse, “The Princess and the Frog.”

“Squeakquel” currently ranks third in the world box-office after raking in sales of $36.6 million.

Meanwhile, the “Squeakquel” soundtrack (which includes Charice’s song) peaked at number 20 in the Billboard 200 chart and at number three at the Billboard soundtracks chart.

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ, Manila Bulletin
Submitted by OMIE and Hailey

.

Charice Shines as Guest in Chipmunks Movie

You will be surprised how Charice has grown when you see Alvin and the Chipmunks 2, her first Hollywood movie, which is opening nationwide on Friday, Jan. 8.

The movie was shot early last year and Charice looks like the probinsyana lass she used to be. Cute! Since then, she has been “reinvented” and she now looks as sophisticated (well, almost!) as any international teen pop star.

She’s only a “guest” in the movie but she shines in her few-minutes exposure while singing the Alicia Keys
hit No One in a scene showing a campus singing contest. Charice sings three-fourths of the song and is given her “moment.”

In the movie, Chipmunks Alvin (voiced by Justin Long), Simon (by Matthew Gray Gubler) and Theodore (by Jesse McCartney) meet their match as the latest singing group, The Chipettes, take center stage.

Does Charice win in the singing contest?

Find out for yourselves.

FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo, The Philippine Star

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Alvin Movie Sound Track is at #20 on the Billboard 200

Click to enlarge

Music Album, Top 20 >>> click here

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2. Charice squeaks in. Wins in Alvin & the Chipmunks
3. Charice Draws Praise Over Role in ‘Chipmunks’ Film

Chasters in the Philippines, this is your chance to watch our princess live. So please don´t miss it. Chasters abroad, this is your chance to show your support too. Those who could help and donate tickets for chasters in the Philippines, please use your possibilities.

Reserve or buy your tickets now!Ticketnet.com

Ticket Prices:

VIP Tickets: PHP 5,808, PHP 5,492,
Level 1: PHP 5,069,
Level 2: PHP 4,541, PHP 4,013,
Level 3 L/R: PHP 2,957,
Level 3 Far L/R: PHP 1,901
Balcony: PHP 845,

Also available at Ticketnet outlets located at all SM Department Stores (customer service area) and at the Araneta Coliseum ticket booths.

For inquiries and reservations, call 911-5555.
Also available at Xclusive Hits & Events, Inc. office.
Call Joan Sevilla at 0917-8121537 or 287-4523/448-4183/288-3401 to 3403.

We are hoping for a gathering so that the Philippine chasters have the opportunity to meet, interact, and have photos or videos of one another before or after the event. Team Charicemania would gladly help in organizing or announcing so that everyone could be informed.

CHARICE’S valentines concert venue PICC:

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3. Charice Home for Valentine’s Concert 02/14/10

video courtesy of LITEPCI

Posted by EBJohns11

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A summary of recent announcements in just the past few days include: Philnews.com Person of the Year, MDWK Magazine Top Newsmakers of 2009, ANC’s Top Newsmaker of 2009, Balitang America’s #1 Newsmaker for 2009, and Best Oprah Show Musical Performance of 2009.  Honorable mention should also be made of Charice’s recent appointment as a Smile Ambassador for Operation Smile. 

Congratulations Charice! May you enjoy continued blessings in your life, health, and career for 2010. 

Shock and Awe: The top 10 biggest entertainment events in 2009

MANILA, Philippines – Before we completely leave the year 2009 and move forward to 2010, here’s a look at the top 10 biggest entertainment events, controversies and issues that left majority of us shocked, awed and inspired.

Top 5: Arnel Pineda, Charice, and Rhap Salazar take US by storm.

Charice, Pineda and Salazar were among the biggest newsmakers this year following their recognition in the international music scene. Charice officially launched her first international single called “Note To God” on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” After the 17-year-old songstress, Pineda also made a special appearance on Oprah with his group, American rock band “Journey.” Salazar has yet to be invited by Winfrey, but he already made his mark after winning in an international singing contest. Salazar later appeared in American talk show “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

>>> continue reading at abs-cbnNEWS.com for the complete list

Posted by Eve

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But there are some who have had a banner year in 2009, many of them Filipinos. Indeed, there were many of our kabayayans who prominently hugged the limelight in the world stage, earning them worldwide recognition and bringing honor to our country. Some of them are among the 52 newsmakers who made it to the cover of Asian Journal’s MDWK Magazine.

Here are the top 9 MDWK newsmakers for 2009, as voted and selected by the Asian Journal editorial board:

Charice

She has been referred to by Oprah Winfrey as “the most talented girl in the world.” “She’s going to be the next superstar,” David Foster said as Charice performed during a private party he had with his friends recently.

Truly, ever since 2007, when a YouTube video made Charice an internet phenomenon, everything that happened to her has been nothing but remarkable. She was invited to do a recording for a music publishing company in Stockholm, Sweden, and to guest in the South Korean talent show Star King. Soon after, Charice was invited to guest in The Ellen Degeneres Show, the Paul O’Grady Show in London, England, and in The Oprah Winfrey Show. Through the recommendation of Oprah, music producer David Foster took Charice under his wing. Charice has performed onstage with top international stars like Celine Dion, Josh Groban, David Foster, Alicia Keys and Andrea Bocelli.

2009 saw Charice become an established international sensation. She performed at two presidential pre-inaugural events in Washington, D.C. This fall, she went on a successful 10-city concert tour with David Foster and Friends. She is part of the Chipmunks’ latest flick Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, and wowed Los Angeles as the special guest in the Christmas concerto, Handog ng FASO sa Pasko.

With her brilliant voice, Charice has affirmed that Filipino singers are some of the best in the world. With her international debut album slated for release in January 2010, Charice can look forward to another brilliant year in 2010.

>>> Continue reading

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Of our seven finalists Charice seems to have truly captured the hearts of the Filipino people. And why not, listening to this young charming seventeen-year-old, one cannot help but be taken in by her charm, and her talent.  One of the first things people notice about Charice is that she is unpretentious. She has no problem letting the world know about her humble beginnings and her struggles growing up in a single-parent household. Unlike local entertainers who immediately put on a facade of sophistication or wealth, this young Filipina with a golden voice has a strong sense of who she is and what she can achieve thus making it unnecessary for her to go out of her way to impress anyone.

Charice is a breath of fresh air for the Philippine entertainment industry. An industry which had initially given her short shrift for looking too “Pinay”.   It took adoring fans from distant shores to jolt locals into the realization that there was real talent here which they should not ignore.

And yes, we realize that Charice may change, fame and fortune has a way of reshaping even the purest of spirits. But for now, we rejoice in the Charice we have.  May she always retain that honesty, that sincerity, that love for her craft, and that truly great singing voice that has made her the overwhelming choice for our Person of the Year.

Click here to see the poll results.

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“This is not forever,” Charice said, and it’s good that she’s practical and realistic, saving for the proverbial rainy days when all that is over and new Filipino talents (there are many of them around, including Rhap Salazar who recently appeared on Ellen’s show) get their share of the international spotlight.

With the guidance of her mom, Raquel, Charice has been investing her earnings on real estate (the latest being a resthouse in Tagaytay City) and Raquel’s long-dreamed-of restaurant. Charice has no less than Oprah Winfrey as adviser.

Even if she continues to get fat offers for shows abroad, Charice knows how to look back, so every chance she gets she comes home to share her talent with her kababayan.

She’ll soon fly to the US again to fulfill more commitments but she will definitely be back in February next year to perform at a major Valentine’s Day concert titled Ryan Cayabyab’s Charice in Concert on the 14th at the PICC Plenary Hall. Produced by Xclusive Hits & Events, Inc., the concert will feature as special guests Erik Santos, George Yang and Ogie Alcasid, together with the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in special production numbers. Ryan is the concert’s musical director.

At 17, Charice said that she doesn’t have a boyfriend yet but that’s the least of her concerns.

“Work muna,” she said. “Saka na ang love-love na ‘yan.”

In recent years, Charice is the biggest Filipino “export” to the international music scene. A look-back is in order.

She has gone a long way since her early days as runner-up (to Sam Concepcion) in the ABS-CBN talent search Little Big Star. For a while, she “languished” in so-so guestings in TV shows that began to give her importance and the well-deserved exposure only after she was discovered by Ellen, thanks to a fan who posted videos of her live performances — including of I Will Always Love You and And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going from the Dreamgirls soundtrack — on YouTube where a staffer of Ellen’s show spotted Charice.

There was no stopping the rise of Charice’s star since then.

It did not take long before she attracted the attention of other leading American TV programs, including Oprah who recommended Charice to top music producer David Foster who opened for Charice new doors to more and bigger opportunities in the international music and entertainment arena. Foster included Charice in his latest CD along with big-name artists.

She was soon invited by the Grammy Award-winning producer to perform on his David Foster and Friends PBS show at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, which featured star-studded names like Michael Bublé, Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, Katharine McPhee and Josh Groban.

When the program returned to the Mandalay Bay last spring, Charice received no less than six standing ovations from an obviously delighted audience.

In between the two Vegas appearances, Charice went on to perform with Andrea Bocelli during his birthday concert on Sept. 26, 2008 in his hometown of Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy, where, aside from her solo numbers, she also did a duet of The Prayer with the famous tenor in front of more than 8,000 people.

During her most recent appearance on Oprah’s show (which is signing off in 2012), Charice elicited the ultimate tribute from the host: “You are a force to be reckoned with. That voice comes from something bigger than yourself. You’re pulling it up out of some place deeper than your little body.”

Charice has spent a great part of 2009 in the States, recording her debut US album, performing as one of the headlining acts in the David Foster and Friends 10-city North American tour, and appearing in her first Hollywood feature film, Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel, showing nationwide starting on Jan. 8 next year.

Her first US album is due for release in February or March next year with Pyramid, the carrier single, available in the market in January.

Aside from appearing as herself in the film, Charice is also part of the official movie soundtrack with her rendition of No One by Alicia Keys, accompanied by The Chipettes.

Charice ended 2009 the way it started: in a big way. She topped an online poll by the Oprah’s show, edging out global singing superstars like Whitney Houston, James Taylor, Michael Bublé, Rascal Flatts, Jennifer Hudson, Journey and Black Eyed Peas.

Charice was picked as the winner of the Best Oprah Show Musical Performance award, receiving 70 percent of total votes for her performance of Note To God, her debut international single that she launched on the show last May 18. The song, written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster, peaked at No. 35 in the Canadian Hot 100 and No. 44 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

Her coming Valentine’s Day show brings back the singing sensation to the local concert scene eight months after her first major solo concert last June 27 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia.

[Note: Tickets to Ryan Cayabyab’s Charice In Concert are priced at P5,808, P5,492, P5,069, P4,541, P4,013, P2,957, P1,901 and P845, and are available at Ticketnet outlets located at all SM Department Stores (customer service area) and at the Araneta Coliseum ticket booths. For inquiries and reservations, call 911-5555. Tickets are also available at Xclusive Hits & Events, Inc. office. Call Joan Sevilla at 0917-8121537 or 287-4523/448-4183/288-3401 to 3403.]

By Ricky Lo Philstar.com

Ticket online reservations: ticketnet.com

Thanks to Jianee
Posted by Schoen

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Early this week, the 17-year-old Filipino singing sensation learned that she topped an online poll of thousands of followers of TV host/entertainment mogul Oprah Winfrey, via the website oprah.com.

Pempengco’s rendition of “Note to God” was voted Best Oprah Show Musical Performance, beating seven other big-name nominees: The rock band Journey (with another Filipino, Arnel Pineda, as front man), the Black-Eyed Peas (with a Fil-Am member, apl.de.ap), Michael Buble, Rascal Flatts, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson and James Taylor.

The website launched the Best of 2009 poll that asked viewers to choose their favorites in 13 categories spanning the lifestyle and entertainment fields.

Pempengco garnered 70 percent of total votes, according to the website, with The Black Eyed Peas a far second, collecting 9 percent.

“It’s a very big deal for me,” Pempengco told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Sunday during the Christmas party she hosted for the media for the first time at the Shangri-La Plaza mall in Mandaluyong City.

Holiday in Tagaytay

She said she would spend the holidays in her new home in Tagaytay City.

After Christmas, she is scheduled to fly to Singapore as a guest performer at the launch of “Singapore Idol”—that country’s version of the widely popular reality singing competition “American Idol.”

Pempengco said she was looking forward to a Filipino Christmas as she had spent a good part of the year in the United States recording an album with sought-after music industry figure, David Foster, as producer.

While picking songs for the album, Foster brought Pempengco along as special guest on a 10-city tour in the US and Canada.

Overwhelming

“The experience was overwhelming,” she said of the tour. “There were venues where I didn’t expect Americans to be cheering loudly just as my name was being announced.”

She said she has no idea why practically overnight, she hit it big in the United States and other countries, although it was apparent that foreigners were bowled over hearing such a powerful voice coming from a petite singer.

Online poll

Pempengco said she heard about the online poll from fans here and abroad who were excited at the prospect of her winning.

“But I couldn’t even hope to win,” she said. “The other contenders were really great performers—all way up there.”

The website noted: “Charice had a big year in 2009, recording her first [US] album, performing on tour with David Foster and Friends, and appearing in her first film, ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.’”

Real estate, food

When asked if she thought things were happening too fast and too soon, Pempengco paused before replying: “I’m ready in case all of this suddenly comes to an end.”

She revealed that a big chunk of her earnings—mostly from singing engagements overseas, with Winfrey acting as adviser—was being invested in real estate and, soon, in the food business. She might open a restaurant.

“That’s my mom’s idea, and I like it, too,” she said.

Pempengco is also enrolled in the online program of Southern New Hampshire, a school in Boston, Massachusetts. A college freshman, she intends to major in Communication Arts.

“[As a kid] I often imagined I was a TV host,” she said.

New album, movie

Her debut US album is ready for release in February or March, with the carrier single, “Pyramid,” available for purchase next month.

The Chipmunks movie, in which Pempengco appears as herself, premieres in the United States on Dec. 23 and starts its Philippine theater run on Jan. 8.

And instead of continued success, the singer has this wish for New Year: Good health.

The two are connected, she said in a mix of English and Filipino: “With every success, I feel my fatigue disappear.”

By Pocholo Concepcion, Philippine Daily Inquirer

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1. After Celine Dion Duet Performance, Philippine Singer ‘Charice’ To Tour United States
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3. Why Charice is the Biggest Singer of International Caliber Today

MANILA, Philippines — The devastation wrought by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng is bringing out the best in many of us, releasing an outpouring of love for the people affected by them. To express their eagerness to help, some 80 performers are coming together to raise funds for the typhoons’ victims.

The concert, “Pilipino, Kaya Natin ‘To,” will be staged on Dec 5 at the SM Mall of Asia under Rowell Santiago’s direction. The idea for a benefit concert began with talent manager, Girlie Rodis, who called on Ogie Alcasid to help gather OPM artists for a fundraising event. Rodis shares, “Ondoy destroyed houses, and Gawad Kalinga is about building homes, so we chose it to be the concert’s main beneficiary.”

For the concert, Ogie composed the song “Pilipino, Kaya Natin ‘To” which conveys a message of hope through music, as it seeks to uplift the spirits of typhoon victims. The performers may come from competing production labels and networks, but they’re bound by a common desire to help.

“Pilipino, Kaya Natin ‘To,” sung by OPM Artists United,  has been released as a CD single by Universal Records, in cooperation with Sony Music, MCA Universal, Warner, Star Records, Polyeast, Viva and GMA Records.

Performers

Performers include Aga Muhlach, Aiza Seguerra, Charice Pempengco, Christian Bautista, Gary Valenciano, Gino Padilla, Janno Gibbs, Jaya, Jay-R, Jed Madela, Jose Mari Chan, Jolina Magdangal, KC Concepcion, Lea Salonga, Martin Nievera, Michael V, Piolo Pascual, Rachelle Ann Go, Regine Velasquez, Sarah Geronimo, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers and Zsa Zsa Padilla.

By Remy M. Umerez, Philippine Daily Inquirer

CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW

Posted by Eve

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