CHARICE HEADSTART INTERVIEW WITH KAREN DAVILA
Five–part Interview playlist with English subtitles – Charice sits down with Karen Davila to give some very candid answers to questions from Twitter. You’re gonna love this interview!

Charice – TV Patrol 07/16/10 (English Subtitles)

Related posts:

1. Featuring Charice in TV News, Manila
2. Charice in Sisy’s World News, CTi News Taiwan
3. Charice´s Home in Tagaytay, Philippines

Charice featured on Studio 23’s The Wrap 07/12/10 (English Subtitles)

Video Uploaded by CTV Crew

ABS-CBN Star Patrol Charice in US Magazines & Glee 07/10/10 (English Subtitles)

Video Uploaded by CTV Crew

SNN (Showbiz News Now) Phone Interview w/ Charice 07/09/10 (English Subtitles)

Video Uploaded by CTV Crew

Charice featured on TFC’s Balitang America 07/09/10 (English Subtitles)

Video Uploaded by CTV Crew

Posted by Schoen and Eve

Related posts:

1. Featuring Charice in TV News, Manila Part 2
2. Charice in Sisy’s World News, CTi News Taiwan
3. Charice´s Documentary Interview in Manila

Let´s take a peek at Charice´s Tagaytay home. The elegant furnishings in red motif. This house is Charice´s gift to Mommy Raquel on mother´s day. Charice mentioned about her future appearance on another big US show! Make your guess Chasters! Just for fun.

Tagaytay Home Interview

Related posts:

1. Featuring Charice in TV News, Manila Part 2
2. Featuring Charice in TV News, Manila
3. Charice Pempengco Says the Philippines Will Always be Her First Home

Aside from Charice, Atienza also praised well-known singer-composer Ryan Cayabyab, who was the conductor. Atienza divulged that Cayabyab is a strong advocate of singing “Lupang Hinirang” in its original composition.

In a separate interview, Charice said she’s happy that the NHI gave a thumbs-up to her rendition.

By Reyma Buan-Deveza

Source: abs-cbnNEWS.com “NHI pleased with Charice’s rendition of national anthem”

Also read: Charice sings perfect anthem by Bum Tenorio Jr. (Philippine Star)
No anthem glitch for Charice by Pocholo Concepcion (Inquirer.net)

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Ninoy Aquino’s Inauguration Day – Charice Sings the Philippine National Anthem

.source: philippines.hvu.nl

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MANILA – Charice arrived in the Philippines a few hours ago in time to sing the National Anthem at the inauguration of President-elect Benigno (Noynoy) Aquino III on Wednesday, June 30th.

She was greeted at the airport by reporters where she expressed of course she is nervous about singing the national anthem. Asked about Glee, she also said she was very excited about her upcoming stint in the hit TV series.

Charice will be in the Philippines for 3 days, returning to the USA for the July 3rd Red Hot & Boom celebration in Orlando, Florida. She will start shooting for the TV series on July 28th and will also train with a Broadway vocal coach for the show.

Charice all set for Noynoy Aquino’s inauguration

International singing sensation and “Glee” season 2 cast member Charice is set to add another feather in her cap when she sings the national anthem at the historic inauguration of President-elect Benigno Aquino III Wednesday afternoon.

In a phone interview, Charice said she is “very proud” to be part of the historic event.
“Siyempre, sobrang proud [ako] na maging part ng history.” [Of course, I'm very proud to be part of history.]

Charice will sing the national anthem alongside chorale group “Madrigal Singers” at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

“Kasama ko po ang Madrigal Singers at conductor po si Mr. Ryan Cayabyab. Original tempo po ang gagawin,” [I will be with Madrigal Singers and the conductor is Mr. Ryan Cayabyab. We will do it with the original tempo.] Charice said.

Charice and her mother, Raquel Pempengco, flew home from the United States just for the occasion. They arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on board Philippine Airlines flight PR 103 from Los Angeles, California at 7 a.m.

From the airport, Charice proceeded to the Cultural Center of the Philippines for her 2-minute practice.

The Pempengcos, who own a house in Tagaytay, will stay in Manila Hotel.

It will not be the first time for Charice to be part of such an important event. It would be recalled that the 18-year-old “Pyramid” singer also performed at one of US President Barack Obama’s pre-inauguration balls.

‘It’s an honor’

Raquel said it is an honor for her daughter to be part of Aquino’s inauguration. Charice is willing and very ecstatic to sing for the country’s 15th President, Raquel added.

It was through ABS-CBN’s “TV Patrol World” that they learned about the invitation to sing at the inauguration, the mom said.

Raquel said Wednesday’s inauguration will be their first time to meet the incoming president.

“Ang naalala namin sa kanila ay ‘yong legacy siyempre ng nanay niya, si dating pangulong Cory, na maganda naman talaga ang pamamalakad sa bansa noong panahon niya,” [What we remember from them is of course the legacy of his mother, former president Cory, who governed the country well during her time] she said.

Singing the national anthem at the inauguration was initially a toss-up between “Journey” lead vocalist Arnel Pineda and Charice.

Early last week, Kris Aquino, the President-elect’s youngest sister, announced that Charice was chosen by her family to sing the “Lupang Hinirang” on Wednesday.

“Siyempre proud si Charice noong narinig niya ‘yon. Tuwang tuwa siya na siya ang pinili ni Kris na kumanta,” [Of course Charice is proud when she heard about it. She was very happy that Kris chose her to sing] Raquel said.

Kris is one of the Filipino pint-sized singer’s godmothers.

Non-stop work

Charice has been working non-stop for the past months.

“Nakapagod ‘yong biyahe but enjoy ‘yong radio shows na pupuntahan ko…to promote ‘Pyramid,’” [The traveling was tiring but I enjoy the radio shows that i go to...to promote Pyramid], she said.

After the inauguration, Charice will stay in Asia for a series of radio shows. By late July, she will go back to Los Angeles for “Glee.”

“Kinakabahan ako kasi first ever serious acting ko talaga… Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko pero may rehearsals naman,” [I'm nervous because it's my first ever serious acting... I don't know what I will do but there will be rehearsals], she told ABS-CBN North America Bureau.

By: Steve Angeles

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

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Charice Back in Philippines – Click the Playlist to watch Six Videos (with English Subtitles)

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Charice ‘nervous’ but will try to sing anthem perfectly

After singing with music heavyweights such as Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli and performing in the world’s biggest stadiums, is there still anything that makes Charice Pempengco nervous on stage?

Apparently, there is.

The pint-sized Billboard chart-topper said her scheduled singing of the Philippine National Anthem “Lupang Hinirang” during the presidential and vice presidential inauguration in Manila on Wednesday is making her nervous.

“Medyo kinakabahan po ako syempre po kasi Philippine National Anthem,” [Of course I am a bit nervous because that is the Philippine National Anthem.] Charice, who turned 18 last month, told GMA News on Tuesday after arriving at the airport.

She felt honored to be singing the national anthem for millions of Filipinos who will be witnessing President-elect Benigno Aquino III and Vice President take their oaths of office at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Charice said.

“Super, super sobrang big opportunity sa akin na maging part ng another big history sa country natin,” [This is a big opportunity for me to be part of another big history in our country.] said Charice, who herself has reached historic heights in her singing career, making a dent on the Billboard Dance Charts with her Number 1 song “Pyramid.”

She admitted not expecting to be hand picked to perform on inauguration day.

As to what she will wear on Wednesday, Charice said Noynoy’s sister and showbiz talk show host Kris Aquino-Yap has enlisted the help of designer Paul Cabral.

Glee

“Hindi po talaga totoo yung last month. Iyon nga iyong sinabi ng mommy ko sa manager ko sa States. Parang sabi niya, bakit ‘di mo i-try na pag-auditionin si Cha (her nickname) sa Glee,” [Last month’s news that I was part of Glee wasn’t really true. That is exactly what my mother told my manager in the States. She told my manager why not have Charice try out for Glee?] the singer recounted.

“So nag-try po ako. Nag-audition po ako mga two weeks or three weeks ago, basta kailan lang iyon. Tapos after days hindi ko inakala na makakapasa ako. Nag-send sila sa akin ng e-mail ng congratulations,” [So I tried to audition. I attended auditions two to three weeks ago, it was just recently. After that, I never thought that I would be accepted. They sent me a congratulatory email message.] she said.

Charice was reported to be playing the role of an exchange student at the show’s McKinley High school.

With her vocal chops, Charice is also expected to give lead character Rachel Berry (played by Lea Michelle) some serious competition.

Proud Godmother

Charice said Oprah Winfrey, who took her under her wings after naming her “The Most Talented Kid in the World,” was happy she was chosen to sing during the inauguration.

“Natutuwa po siya kasi ito naman ang gusto niya for me. Iyong lahat ng dreams ko natutupad. Lahat ng nangyayari sa akin, sa Glee, and all that,” [She was glad because this was what she wanted for me. All my dreams are coming true. Everything that happened to me, in Glee, and all that] Charice said.

Oprah and producer David Foster both became Charice’s godparents during the latter’s baptism in Pasig City, although the two were not able to attend.

Charice and her brother Carl converted from Iglesia Ni Cristo to Roman Catholic. Kris was also Charice’s godmother.

Jackson Tribute

Oprah has other reasons to be proud of Charice. The international singing sensation is included in Billboard’s death anniversary tribute to the late King of Pop Michael Jackson.

Joining Charice in the tribute were 24 other artists including Christina Aguilera, Nelly, and the Jonas Brothers who each recounted in separate video footage how Jackson had influenced them in their lives and careers.

“Shinyut ko po iyon mga two weeks ago din. Halos sabay nung natanggap pagpunta ko sa Glee. Ininterview nila ako doon. Ano daw ang naging impluwensiya sa akin ni Sir Michael Jackson,” [The shooting was two weeks ago. It happened almost about the same time when I got accepted on Glee. They interviewed me there.  Asked how Sir Michael Jackson influenced me.] Charice said.

“So hindi ko naman in-expect na pagsasamasamhin nila lahat iyon,” [I didn’t expect they would put the Michael Jackson tribute and Glee auditions all together.] she added.

By: MARK D. MERUEÑAS, GMANews.TV (6/29/2010)

Translated and Posted by Capofret and Eve

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1. Charice to Sing Anthem at Aquino Inauguration, June 30
2. Balitang Amerika – Charice Performs at Dodger Stadium
3. Lockdown set for Obama’s inauguration

Kris made this announcement after saying last week that the task of singing the national anthem during the inauguration was a toss-up between “Journey” lead vocalist Arnel Pineda and Charice.

Kris and elder sister Viel Aquino-Dee were in town to thank Zamboangeños for the support they gave their brother in the last elections.

They also came to Zamboanga to distribute school supplies to nearly 200 special children in 2 public schools Monday morning.

Viel also said they are expected to announce the complete list of Cabinet secretaries before the week ends.

Children from Sta. Maria Central School thanked the Aquino sisters for finding time to visit them. They also wrote a letter intended for the president-elect.

In the letter, they expressed their dreams and expectations from the new president, from fixing their broken arm chairs to giving their parents jobs.

by Jewel Reyes, ABS-CBN Zamboanga, 6/21/2010

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Related posts:

1. CHARICE TO SING THE AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM
2. Charice All Set for Noynoy Aquino’s Inauguration
3. Internet Buzz: Charice to Sing at Obama’s Inauguration?

Ms. Jessica Soho interviewed the newest Pop Princess, Charice for the first time on GMA7 (a TV station in the Philippines). Find out what is her inspiration and aspirations to success!

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Translation:
It is music to our ears every time there is a Filipino being recognized of her singing skill in other countries, especially in Hollywood! Lea Salonga, Arnel Pineda and now, the name of Charice is becoming prominent in America. In celebration of her 18th birthday, Charice was baptized in Catholic Church where her godfather and godmother included David Foster and Oprah Winfrey! Charice is really on a different level now! And for the very first time, she was interviewed by Jessica Soho where the new Pop Princess related her past experiences and some things she still wants to achieve in life.

Translated by Capofret

Source Link: GMA News TV Blogs plus photos Behind the Scenes with Charice

Part I

Related posts:

1. Featuring Charice in TV News, Manila
2. Featuring Charice in TV News, Manila Part 2
3. Grand Launching of Charice´s Album @ Glorietta, Manila 05/23/10

Charice Pempengco is surfing the airwaves all over the world with her very first international single, “Pyramid.” But even before finally breaking into the mainstream, she has already received recognition from big name media stars like Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey. At the age of 16, she sang a duet with her idol, Celine Dion, who expressed so much admiration for her. At 18, Charice is living the dream, and she’s only just begun. (Fun trivia: Did you also know that the May issue of Total Girl, Cosmopolitan Philippines’ little sister magazine, with Charice on the cover has been picked up by international showbiz site, Just Jared?)

Her life in the limelight has not been without its ups and downs, though, and Charice tells us all about them.

You’re just 18 and you’ve already accomplished so much. What else do you want to do?

Sa ngayon po, gusto ko na lang po munang ipagpatuloy ang ginagawa ko. Siyempre nakakapagod po, pero gusto ko po talagang mag-focus muna sa mga ginagawa ko bago ko dagdagan.

[Charice: Right now, I just want to focus on what I am currently doing. Of course, I get a bit tired, but I really want to first focus on my current activities before thinking of venturing into new things.]

What do you think got you to where you are today?

‘Yung gift po ni God, kasi na-discover ako sa YouTube, may nag-post ng video ko, and na-discover nila ako kasi parang kino-compare nila ako kay Whitney Houston, so siguro pasalamat na lang ako sa talent na binigay ni God. Hindi ko pa naaabot ‘yung top, pero siguro narating ko ang mga nararating ko ngayon kasi mas nagpapalakas sa akin ang mga negative na naririnig ko. Lagi ko nga po sinasabi, kung iinisin nila ako, parang iinisin ko rin sila (laughs). Parang, “O sige, ipagpapatuloy ko ang ginagawa ko as long as may mas maraming may gusto.”

[Charice: It’s God’s gift… because I got discovered in YouTube, someone posted a video of me and they discovered me, comparing me to Whitney Houston. So, I guess I am just thankful for the talent that God gave me. I haven’t reached the top, but perhaps my accomplishments right now is also due to the strength I draw even from all the negative comments I hear. I always say- if they try to annoy me, then I’ll try to annoy them back (laughs)… I say “I will continue what I am doing as long as there are more people that appreciate it.”]

What are these “negative” things? Comments?

Opo. Tanggap ko naman. Siyempre sasabihin nila ‘di daw ako deserving, masasakit magsalita. Sasabihin pangit daw ako. Bakit daw ako nadiscover, birit lang daw ako nang birit, gan’on. So madami po talaga. Diyos ko! ‘Yung iba pa po sobrang sakit magsalita.

[Charice: Yes- I try to just take it… some say I am not deserving, hurtful words, like I am ugly, questioning why I got discovered while all I do is just belt songs. There are a lot… O my God, others are really quite hurtful.]

Was there ever a time that you cried over what has been said about you?

Hay naku sobra, nung talagang nag-uumpisa pa lang, ang dami po talaga. Napaiyak ako, pero na-realize ko rin na may mga fans na sumusuporta sa akin, sila pa ‘yung nag-explain. “Mga inggit lang ‘yon,” so siyempre, sa kaka-advise nila sa akin, nasanay na po ako.

[Charice: Oh Yes, a lot of times! Especially when I was just starting, there were really a lot. I cried over it, but then I also realized that there are a lot of fans that do support me. They were even the ones explaining to me saying, “They are just jealous.” So, of course, after all their advices to me, I just got used to it.]

What inspires you?

Una sa lahat talaga si God. ‘Yung mom ko, kasi kahit saan ako pumunta, talagang kasama ko siya. Siyempre, ‘yung fans na sumusuporta talaga. Isa ‘yon sa mga talagang inspirasyon ko kasi hindi lang sa pagkanta, para ko na rin silang mga kabarkada.

[Charice: First of all, it’s really God. Then my Mom, because she’s always with me everywhere I go. Of course, also my fans who really support me. That’s really one thing that inspires me because it’s not just for their admiration for how I sing, but I also feel that they are my close friends.]

Of all the women you’ve worked with in Hollywood, who inspires you?

Siyempre si Celine Dion. Sa tagal niya sa showbiz, wala talagang issue sa kanya.

Pero nagulat talaga ako kay Paris Hilton. Kasi ‘di ba parang ang tingin natin sa kanya medyo bad girl, gan’on. Nung na-meet ko siya, hindi ko ine-expect na gan’on siya ka-simple. I mean, sa pananamit niya hindi siya simple. ‘Yung mga kilos niya, ang simple-simple ‘pag off-cam. Nung time na nakita niya ako, nagpa-picture siya sa ‘kin dahil nakita daw niya ako sa Oprah. Naninigas talaga ako, ‘di ko in-expect na sobrang bait pala niya, na nakipag-hang out pa siya sa amin, nagkukuwento siya. Nagjo-joke pa siya na hindi raw siya masama, hindi raw siya bad, gan’on. Na-inspire ako sa kanya, doon ko napatunayan na nag-a-act lang pala siya sa harap ng camera. Mabait pala siya.

Hindi ko pa siya nami-meet pero isa siya sa mga inspirasyon ko, si Beyonce, isa ‘yon sa mga legend talaga. ‘Yun po, sila pong tatlo.

[Charice: Of course, Celine Dion. Even though she has been in show business for a long time, there was no real big issue about her.]

[But I really got surprised with Paris Hilton. Because even though she has this ‘bad girl’ reputation, when I met her, I did not expect her to be so ‘simple’. I don’t mean by the way she dresses but more so with how she acts, especially off-cam. The time when she saw me, she asked to have a picture taken with me and said that she saw me on Oprah. I froze, I did not expect that she was so nice, then she even spent time hanging-out with us, telling stories and all. She was even joking that she is really not bad, that she’s really not a ‘bad girl’. I got inspired by her. I realized that she was just acting a part on camera. But she was actually very nice. ]

[I haven’t met her, but she is also one of my inspirations, Beyonce. She is one I really consider a legend. That’s it- the three of them.]

What was it like to share the stage with Celine Dion?

Naku, ate (laughs)! Nung backstage pa lang, doon niya ako pina-stay sa dressing room niya tapos kinukuwento niya sa ‘kin, pinakita niya sa akin lahat ng makeup niya, ‘yung mga makeup daw niya, mula daw 19 years old siya hanggang ngayon ‘yun pa rin ‘yung gamit niya! Tapos nung time na nasa stage na kami, hindi ko makita, pero nanginginig talaga ‘yung tuhod ko! As in talagang, giniginaw na ako, kinabahan pa ako, hindi ko alam kung ano ‘yung gagawin ko, pero nag-start na ‘yung song, nakalimutan ko na lahat. Nung nagsigawan na ‘yung tao, biglang sabi ko, “Okay, kailangan kong gawin ‘yung best ko kasi once in a lifetime lang ‘to.”

Tinapos ko pa po ‘yung concert bago ko siya ulit nakausap. Naiyak siya, niyakap niya ako, sinabi niya nakikita daw niya ‘yung sarili niya sa akin.

[Charice: Oh my! (laughs). Even while I was at the backstage, she let me stay in her dressing room, and she was telling me stories, she showed me all her make-up. She was telling me, the make-up she used as early as when she was 19 years old are still the ones she uses up to now! Then, the time when we were already on stage, I didn’t realize it, but my knees were literally shaking! I mean really, I really felt cold, and I was really very nervous, I didn’t know what to do. But when the song started- I forgot all about that (being nervous). When the crowd started screaming, I said to myself, “Okay, I have to give it my best because this only happens once in a lifetime.”

It’s not until the end of the concert when I got to talk to her again. She cried and she hugged me. She said she saw herself in me.]

Natatakot ka ba na malalaos ka one day? [Are you afraid that one day, you’d lose your popularity?]

Actually, hindi naman po ako takot kung mawala man po. Handa naman po ako. ‘Yung pinasok ko po ngayon, hindi po ako nag-e-expect na magtatagal po talaga ako. Hindi ako nag-e-expect too much. Lagi kong iniisip na nag-uumpisa lang ako. Habang nandito ako, nag-iipon ako nang nag-iipon. Ayoko man isipin, pero posibleng mangyari, kaya habang nandito pa, habang mainit pa, nag-iipon ako.

[Charice: Actually, I am not really afraid of that. I am prepared. I don’t have too much expectation, not even of lasting long in the industry. I always put in my mind, as if I am only starting. While I am here, I try to save up. I don’t really want to think about it, but it can happen, so while I am here, I save up.]

How do you inspire women? What do you think women see in you that inspires them?

Siguro ‘yung tiyaga. Kasi kung napanood man nila talaga ‘yung life story ko, parang hindi nila mai-imagine kung bakit hanggang ngayon ang tibay-tibay ko. Biruin niyo, four years old pa lang ako, iniwan na kami ng Dad ko. Ang saklap pa talaga ng nangyari sa amin noon, nung naghiwalay sila. Nag-singing contest ako, sobrang hirap. Nakaranas kami na talagang lumipat kami na wala kaming dala kundi damit lang at ‘yung radyo ko na napanalunan.

[Charice: Maybe, perseverance. Because if they know my life story, they would understand why I seem to be so strong. Imagine, I was only four years old when my Dad left us. It was really devastating what happened to us that time, when my parents separated. I joined singing contests- it was really very difficult. We even experienced moving in to a new place with nothing except for our clothes and a small radio I won from a contest.]

What’s your favorite activity aside from singing?

Mahilig po ako mag-record-record, mag-cover ng songs, pero hindi ko shine-share kasi nahihiya ako.

[Charice: I like recording and cover songs. But I don’t show them to others, because I get embarrassed.]

Any advice you want to tell our readers?

Kailangan lang talaga ‘yung tiyaga sa life. Mostly ang problema ng mga tao, nawawalan sila ng pag-asa. May ibang tao na gusto nila agad-agad. Hindi gan’on kadali.

[Charice: That we just need to have patience in life. Mostly, the problem is people lose hope in life. There are a lot of people who want things right away. It is not that easy.]

What makes you fun and what makes you fearless?

Siyempre ‘yung trabaho ko po. ‘Yung ginagawa ko po, rine-represent ko po ‘yung Philippines. ‘Yung masuklian ko lang ‘yung mga Pinoy na nakikita ko sa ibang bansa, na proud sila sa akin, na parang nakikilala ‘yung Philippines dahil sa akin (at kay Sir Manny Pacquiao). Nawawala ang takot ko na kahit ano’ng sabihin ng ibang tao na hindi ko kaya, ganyan, as long as maraming nagmamahal sa akin.

[Charice: Of course, my work. With what I do, I represent the Philippines. Just the chance to give back to the Filipinos, especially those in other countries who are proud of me saying that people get familiar with the Philippines because of me (as well as with Sir Manny Pacquiao). Then my fears for what other people might say, on the things they say I can’t do, disappear… as long as there are also a lot of people who show their love for me.]

Photo Gallery (click thumbnails to enlarge image)

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Source: COSMOPOLITAN Philippines

Tagalog to English translation by DrTP, Charicemania

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Related posts:

1. Charice Pempengco Says the Philippines Will Always be Her First Home
2. Charice Excited To Perform With Regine Velasquez
3. Charice answers ‘birit’ charge by critic

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List of songs:

1. I Love You (clear upload by newmediafactor); I Love You (edited by hertzblaster);
   I Love You (manette153); I Love You (tmgtw)
2. Thank You (starts at 3:30) manette153 upload; tmgtw upload
3. Pop Medley (newmediafactor); Pop Medley (manette153); Pop Medley (tmgtw)
4. Reset (starts at 3:00 manette153) Reset (tmgtw)
5. I Did It For You (tmgtw)
6. All That I Need To Survive (tmgtw)
7. In This Song (manette153)
8. Pyramid (tmgtw); Pyramid (newmediafactor)
9. Glorietta “crowd” video (uploaded by hajj74)

Videos: Click the Playlist below

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SEE MORE GREAT PHOTOS AT >>> iam.charice.tv

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Bonus ASAP Video

Charice appeared earlier in the day on the weekly Philippine variety show, ASAP XV,
performing IN THIS SONG

Posted by Schoen

Related posts:

1. Featuring Charice in TV News, Manila Part 2
2. Featuring Charice in TV News, Manila
3. Charice Performance in Aurora, Colorado Friday June 25th

Show,” where she performed her hit single “Pyramid” with Virgin Islands R&B singer Iyaz.

Toward the end of the show, host Winfrey was seen giving away copies of Charice’s self-titled US debut album to the studio audience.

That guest stint was a well-timed promotional activity to help push album sales.

On the same day, Warner Music, Charice’s record label overseas, released the CD in the United States and Canada. The following week, it landed at No. 8 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart, with sales of 43,000 copies in the United States alone.

It is currently at No. 4 on the Canadian album chart.

The album was next released in the Philippines (May 12), Korea (May 20) and Brazil (May 27).

It will hit stores in Japan on July 7. Japanese record executives are reportedly very keen on breaking the petite Filipina singer into the lucrative Japanese market.

The album contains 12 tracks (with one bonus cut), 11 of which are originals written and produced by several teams of European composers.

Executive producer is David Foster, the Canadian songwriter and former member of the band Skylark (“Wildflower”) who went on to produce hits for Whitney Houston and a host of other artists. Foster also discovered Celine Dion, Josh Groban and Michael Buble.

Shortly before the release of her album, the Inquirer asked Charice if she had a birthday wish She replied:

“My wild wish is to be nominated at the Grammys for Best New Artist. Just to be nominated is enough.”

Source: Pocholo Concepcion, Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Related posts:

1. Charice aims for the Grammys
2. Charice ‘Note to God’ tops on Amazon, iTunes
3. Charice Sets 1st Major Gig on June 27

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Oprah Sent Her TV Crew to Film Charice Baptism

ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET.

Here come the godparents, Oprah Winfrey and David Foster at the baptism of international singing sensation Charice Pempengco and her brother Carl Saturday morning at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Pasig City.

Add to the power cast more than 20 pairs of godparents led by a contingent from ABS-CBN: network president Charo Santos-Concio, TV director Laurenti Dyogi, “The Buzz” hosts Boy Abunda and Kris Aquino-Yap, radio and TV host Jobert Sucaldito, “TV Patrol” news anchors Karen Davila and Julius Babao, and Star Records boss Annabelle Regalado-Borja.

US entertainment mogul Winfrey and Canadian record producer/composer Foster, two principal sponsors who played a major role in Charice’s ascent to international stardom, couldn’t make the international flight to Manila to attend the ceremony.

Instead, Winfrey sent her own TV crew to document the event.

Bishop’s attack

The religious rites were a bit delayed for want of a chocolate bar.

“Get some chocolates, now!” barked a bishop’s assistant to a sacristan midway into the proceedings.

Moments later, the sacristan rushed back with a pack of Hershey’s Kisses. He handed it to the assistant who gave the chocolates to the presiding priest, Pasig Bishop Francisco San Diego.

With a smile, San Diego apologized: “I’m sorry for the delay. I had a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) attack.”

The incident hardly caused a stir, as the sweltering heat inside the baptism font drove people to fan themselves briskly, while some tried shutting their eyes intermittently to avoid distractions.

In the middle of the room sat the Pempengco siblings—Charice looking solemn in a formal white dress, and Carl sporting a more casual attire also in white.

Second baptism

Behind the Pempengcos sat their mother, Raquel Relucio-Pempengco, who spoke to the Inquirer and explained why she decided to have her children baptized in Catholic rites.

Mrs. Pempengco said that she, too, was baptized Catholic but converted to Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) when she married Ricky Pempengco, who was a member of INC.

The children were also baptized in INC rites.

For two years, Mrs. Pempengco said she regularly attended INC worship services, until marital discord forced her to leave the house with her kids.

When she moved to another address, she failed to submit the transfer records required by the INC, which resulted in her name being declared “missing from the list.”

That was 15 years ago. “Matagal na akong tiwalag sa (I have long been expelled from the) INC,” she said.

Single mom

Charice was only 3 when her mother struggled to fend for the family. “At the time, I really wanted her and Carl to be baptized Catholics,” Mrs. Pempengco said. “But I thought it was not possible if we were not a complete family. [Besides], money was scarce.”

Recently, she asked Bishop San Diego about the possibility of having her children baptized and confirmed in Catholic rites. The prelate not only welcomed the idea, he agreed to preside at the ceremony at the Pasig Cathedral.

Charice is fond of the church because she once played the role of an angel during Easter vigil rites there, according to Mrs. Pempengco.

Happy Birthday, Charice

After the baptism and confirmation ceremony, Charice proceeded to the church quadrangle where hundreds of children sang “Happy Birthday” to the international pop star.

Charice, who turned 18 recently, decided to forego a lavish reception and instead brought food to the children, residents of 10 barangays around the parish, who were also under the care of the church’s soup kitchen program.

The celebrated singer, whose self-titled US debut CD is currently at No. 8 on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart on its first week of release, happily sang an a cappella version of her hit single, “Pyramid.”

Her childhood

When the kids screamed for more, she obliged with “We Are the World,” the song and charity single recorded by the supergroup Artists for Haiti and a remake of the 1985 hit song composed by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.

As she looked around her, she was reminded of her own childhood.

In one corner stood 12-year-old Ma. Hadassa Macaranas of Barangay San Nicolas, who was awed by the performance.

“Charice is a good singer,” she said. “I want to be like her.”

Source: By Pocholo Concepcion, Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Here is a compilation of articles and other news coverage:

ABS-CBN News article: Celebrity heavyweights stand as Charice’s godparents by Gretchen Fullido

Video: ANC Dateline News May 22, 2010

Video: TV Patrol, courtesy of ABS-CBN TV10, 5/22/2010

Video: Charice’s Baptism & Confirmation – GMA News, 5/22/2010

CNN iReport video: Charice, Pasig Cathedral, Philippines

Video: Charice sings Pyramid and We Are The World, Pasig Cathedral (courtesy of ChipmunkTheo)

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Related posts:

1. Charice Sets Baptism Date…
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This `Little Big Star’ happens to be the ‘brightest star’ in the universe called entertainment

By JORGE S. LLANES

(Taken from MOMS and KIDS and TEENS Magazine)

PAGE 27

In the show Good Morning America, David Foster mentioned that Filipina singing sensation Charice Pempengco has the ability to mimic other people’s voices, which, according to him, is a characteristic of good singers. While Josh Groban said that Charice’s voice is one of the most beautiful voices he has heard in a long time. The New York Post once called her a vocal prodigy for being able to sing `big songs’ even in her tender age.

Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco, otherwise known as Charice, is the hottest singing sensation in the country today, who, not only captured her kababayan’s heart with her powerful magical voice but also the international audience. Born on May 10, 1992 in San Pedro, Laguna, Charice together with her younger brother Carl, were raised solely by their mother, Raquel.

To help support the family, Charice began competing in amateur singing contests at age seven, from town fiestas in their province of Laguna to several vocal competitions on TV. She is said to have joined over 80 singing contests.

Little Big Star paved the way for Charice to claim her stardom. Eliminated after her first performance, she was later called back as a wildcard contender and eventually became a finalist. Although she was a consistent top scorer in the final rounds, she only finished in third place via SMS voting.

It was in 2007 that Charice gained worldwide recognition when an avid supporter started posting videos of her live performances in Youtube. The videos garnered millions of hits making Charice an internet phenomenon.

Charice’s star continues to shine when a music publishing company in Stockholm, Sweden invited her to do a demo-recording for Ten Songs/Productions in 2007. She recorded seven songs – six covers and an original song entitled “Amazing”. A few of these songs were rerecorded for her self-titled Philippine album, Charice.

PAGE 28

After a video of her singing the Dreamgirls anthem “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” became a hit on a Korean video sharing website, Charice was invited to the South Korean talent show Star King. On the October 13, 2007 edition of the show, she performed “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” and “A Whole New World” with Kyuhyun from Super Junior. Ellen DeGeneres extended an on-air invitation for Charice to be a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show after seeing her Star King performance on Youtube. Charice flew to the United States for the first time and performed on the December 19, 2007 episode of the show two songs – “I Will Always Love You” and “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”.

After her appearances on Ellen, Charice made a second appearance on South Korea’s Star King as the “Most Requested Foreign Act” on the December 28 edition of the show. She performed Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and had a duet with singer Lena Park. Her international recognition continued to endure when she became a guest at the April 8 episode of the The Paul O’Grady Show in London, England.

Her self-titled Philippine debut album Charice was released in May 2008. The mini album, consisting of six songs and six backing tracks, was awarded gold certification in the Philippines in October 2008. The album was eventually recognized to have achieved platinum status in 2009. Charice appeared on the May 12 edition of The Oprah Winfrey Show in an episode entitled the “World’s Smartest Kids”, in which she performed Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing”. It was through the recommendation of Oprah Winfrey that music producer David Foster took Charice under his wing. She performed with Foster for the first time as one of the entertainers on the May 17 opening of MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut.

She made her debut on the international concert stage on Foster’s May 23 tribute concert, Hitman: David Foster and Friends, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. She performed a medley of songs from The Bodyguard as well as her standard, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”. A CD/DVD of the concert, which included Charice’s The Bodyguard medley, was released on November 11, 2008. The show was aired several times on PBS and other public television networks starting in December 2008 under the Great Performance banner.

One of the other performers at the concert was Charice’s idol, Andrea Bocelli. Bocelli subsequently expressed interest in performing a duet with Charice and personally invited her to be a guest on his birthday concert “The Cinema Tribute” held on July 20 at the Teatro del Silenzio in his hometown of Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy. Aside from her solo performances, she also did a duet of the song “The Prayer” with the famous tenor in front of more than 8,000 people.

Charice was invited to perform for the Feyenoord’s Centennial Anniversary in the Netherlands held on September 26. Before a crowd of about 50,000 football (soccer) fans she sang the team’s anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Charice made a second appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show on the September 9 “Dreams Come True” episode, in which Oprah referred to her as “The Most Talented Girl in the World.” She sang Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” with David Foster on piano, then Oprah went on to surprise her with an appearance by Celine Dion via satellite, who invited her to sing a special duet at Madison Square Garden as part of  Dion’s Taking Chances Tour.

She performed her promised duet with Celine Dion at Madison Square Garden in New York City on September 15. They sang “Because You Loved Me,” which was dedicated to Charice’s mother. The performance received rave reviews in The New York Post and The New York Times. The duet was eventually featured on the September 19 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

PAGE 30

Charice also performed at the October 11 Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children Benefit Concert at Wynn Las Vegas. It was at this event that she met one of her musical influences, Mariah Carey.

In November, she appeared on Good Morning America with David Foster to promote David Foster’s tribute album, Hitman: David Foster and Friends. She performed The Bodyguard medley and “I Will Survive.” At the end of the month, she performed “Because You Loved Me” on the Good Housekeeping Showboat float at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

In January 2009, Charice performed at two presidential pre-inaugural events in Washington, D.C., namely the Martin Luther King Jr Realizing The Dream Gala at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and at the Pearl Presidential Inaugural Gala at the Mandarin Hotel.

In February, she performed at two post-Oscar award events, Oscar Night at Mr. Chow’s and Oprah’s Oscar After Party. She debuted a new original entitled “Fingerprint”, which was written by Robbie Nevil and produced by David Foster.

For the third time, Charice made an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show on the May 18 “Finale: Oprah’s Search for the World’s Most Talented Kids” episode. She debuted her first internationally released single “Note to God”, which was written by Dianne Warren and produced by David Foster. The single was also made available for digital download on the same day and debuted at #24 on Billboard’s Hot Digital Songs chart, #44 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, #9 on the Hot Canadian Digital Singles chart and #35 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart. Later that same month, she was again invited to guest at Ti lascio una canzone for their May 23 finale episode and the May 30 gala episode.

Charice staged her first major solo concert dubbed Charice: The Journey Begins on June 27 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Philippines to a sold-out crowd. Her guests included Christian Bautista, Kuh Ledesma and Little Big Star finalists.

Charice contributed to two Christmas albums in 2009. The first as David Archuleta’s duet partner for the song “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” in his Christmas album entitled Christmas from the Heart. The second is a compilation Christmas album entitled A Very Special Christmas Volume 7 in which she contributed her own rendition of “The Christmas Song”.

Before her American performances, it was reported that Charice never received any formal training apart from informal voice lessons from her mother.

Special Thanks to Ms. Grace Mendoza

Submitted and transcribed by: Irsmiller

Posted by Capofret

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“No,” she says, giggling, as she sits with her younger brother, Carl, who shakes his head as well before returning his attention to a video game. “I can’t even think about it. I can’t.”

“Really,” she continues, fidgeting a bit with her blinged-out “LOVE” necklace, and readjusting herself in the plush chairs of her publicist’s conference room. “I can’t think about it.”

But as she breaks into a broad smile, it’s clear that Charice, who recently dropped her last name Pempengco, does think about “it,” about joining the ranks of divas so famous they need only one name, about becoming the next Whitney or Mariah or Celine, about becoming the first female singer from the Philippines to break into the American mainstream.

It’s clear that she’s thought about it, dreamed about it, for years. It’s just that now – as her single “Pyramid” seems poised to take over the top spot on the dance charts and her debut album “Charice” (Reprise) is set to hit stores Tuesday with an unusually large marketing push for a new artist – the dream is close enough to come true, yet still far enough away that it could evaporate before she reaches it.

Having already tasted success and then disappointment, Charice, who turns 18 Monday, seems determined not to get ahead of herself.

“I’m ready for my album to not be a hit,” she says. “I just want to help my mom and my family. I’m just happy to be singing my own songs for people. … I want it to be a hit. But it’s fine if it’s not huge like Mariah or Whitney. It’s all good for me.”

However, considering the all-star team behind Charice, expectations may be a bit higher than just “good.”

Superstar-producer David Foster, who launched the careers of Josh Groban and Michael Bublé, produced her debut. Superstar-songwriter Diane Warren wrote songs for her. Her publicity is being handled by the same team as Madonna.

Launch with ‘Oprah’

And then there’s Oprah Winfrey. Having already taken Charice under her star-making wing, introducing the singer to her idol, Celine Dion, and relaying her story on the powerful talk show, Winfrey is taking the unusual step of bringing Charice back to the show on the day of her album release.

“That’s the kind of launch people dream of,” says a competing music industry exec. “I would give anything to be on ‘Oprah’ on release day.”

Of course, many consider Charice to be a special circumstance. “Charice is, for sure, the next global superstar,” Foster said recently. “And I’m thrilled that we have a new great female vocalist!”

At her showcase at the Canal Room last month, Tommy Page, Warner Bros.’ vice president of Top 40 radio promotion, took the unusual step of introducing Charice by saying how watching her sing in a conference room still manages to make him choke up.

“This is history in the making,” Page says, before she takes the stage. “What she has is so rare.”

Then, she set out to prove it, with songs from “Charice” that show off the big, booming voice housed in her petite, 5-foot-1 frame and her ability to win fans over to her side quickly. That’s a talent Charice has always had, from her early days of entering talent shows near her home in the Laguna province of the Philippines to her stints on the Filipino and Korean versions of “American Idol.”

It also translated well to YouTube, where her performances of Houston and Celine Dion songs made her a sensation and attracted the attention of Ellen DeGeneres and Winfrey, who flew her to America for her first visits, to be on their talk shows.

Because Dion loved her

It was the “Oprah” appearance that stuck with her most, especially after Winfrey surprised her by introducing her to Dion via satellite.

“I was so confused,” Charice recalls, adding that she had prepared to sing the Beyoncé song “Listen,” but Winfrey’s staff kept telling her that she should sing a Dion song instead. After Charice sang “My Heart Will Go On,” she turned around to see that Dion had been watching her performance.

“I was about to faint,” she says. “I cried, and my mom cried, and Oprah cried, too; and she says, ‘I knew this was going to happen, but I’m still crying.’”

That introduction led to Charice’s Madison Square Garden debut, performing “Because You Loved Me” with Dion during her concert last year. “That night, I thought I was going to die,” she says, laughing. “Celine was really, really nice that time.”

Those appearances have given Charice a considerable advantage over most new artists. However, she recognizes she has some hurdles to face, as well. “My mom always tells me, ‘It’s only the beginning, there are challenges coming your way,’” Charice says.

Christine Bacareza Balance, assistant professor of Asian-American Studies at the University of California, Irvine, who has followed Charice’s rise to fame, agrees. “The recording industry is a very black and white sort of place,” Balance says. “It’s difficult to see where she would fit in as an icon because there hasn’t been somebody who looks like her. There’s been no precedent.”

That said, Balance says Charice can make a compelling case. “She has the range, and she has the talent,” she says. “She can also show that she’s trying to live ‘The American Dream.’”

Charice says she’s ready to work hard to make that dream come true. “That’s my life: work, Internet, talk to my friends, school, sleep,” she says. “I’m enjoying it. For me, that’s my teenage life.”

And she lets herself indulge in a bit of that dream for a moment as she talks about the video for her single “Pyramid.”

“The concept of the video is my past,” she says. “I get cut in an audition. I’m so depressed, and then I’m transformed into. …”

She catches herself quickly before continuing, “I don’t want to say ’superstar,’ because I’m not that, but in the video, I become a singer, a real singer,” she says, laughing. “I guess I can call myself that now.”

More thrillers, and not just from Manila

Though Charice is on her way to becoming the most famous singer to come from the Philippines, she has some big stars to surpass. Here’s a look:

apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda), originally from Pampanga

Best known as Co-founder of The Black Eyed Peas with will.i.am, making mainstream hip-hop music that has been among the most successful in history. He also has made the most successful Tagalog songs in American pop music, as part of Black Eyed Peas albums.

Biggest hit “I Gotta Feeling” (No. 1 for 14 weeks, 2009)

Joey Santiago, originally from Manila

Best known as Guitarist for The Pixies, the pioneering band that helped establish the alternative rock sound with classic albums “Surfer Rosa” and “Doolittle.”

Biggest hit “Here Comes Your Man” (No. 3 Modern Rock, 1989)

Manny Pacquiao, originally from South Cotabato

Best known as The WBO welterweight champion, though the international boxing star is also an actor, politician and, yes, a singer.

Biggest hit No American music hits yet, but that may change if his on-again, off-again fight with Floyd Mayweather ever happens.

by: GLENN GAMBOA (glenn.gamboa@newsday.com)

Source: newsday.com (a Chicago-based website owned by the Tribune Company with over 2 million monthly visitors)

Thanks to phantom_haia

Posted by Capofret

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