Charice » The Journey Begins

Charice and Regine Velasquez Duet- Rehearsal

Charified — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:55:49 +0000

Here is a footage of Charice and Regine Velasquez rehearsing their number for Charice’s first major solo concert dubbed as The Journey Begins. Since we missed this duet at the concert, let us all enjoy this wonderful moment of Charice’s journey.

Charice singing with her idol, video courtesy of Falsevoice.

By Falsevoice

As many of you have requested, this is the rehearsal video of Charice & Regine. This was the medley that they were supposed to sing at Charice’s The Journey Begins concert.

-Try It On My Own (Whitney Houston)
-All By Myself (Celine Dion)
-Through The Rain (Mariah Carey)
-When You Believe (Whitney & Mariah)

CHARICE ON THE BUZZ

Charified — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:10:41 +0000

The Buzz reports on the success of Charice’s first major concert, The Journey Begins.

Please note: English subbed video or English translation will be posted once it becomes available.

By: parakaycha

Posted by Charified

CHARICE HONORS MICHAEL JACKSON

Charified — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:32:42 +0000

Charice Pempengco bowled over audiences when she made a near-perfect impersonation of the signature dance moves by the late King of Pop. She moon-walked, spun around, spread her jacket and (almost) grabbed her crotch while singing Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.”

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Charice definitely honored “The Gloved One” through her first concert in her beloved home country.

The SM Mall of Asia SMX Convention Hall was filled to capacity. Tickets were sold out days in advance.

Charice is more known for her powerful vocals way beyond any other 16-year-old. And yet she was also able to show her dance prowess in an spectacular fashion.

After “Billie Jean,” she tearfully announced that she was scheduled to guest in Jackson’s concert in the next two weeks.

The choreography was rehearsed as a surprise act for the series of concerts slated in London. “You Are Not Alone” also by Michael was given the Charice personal touch.

ABS-CBN TV host Boy Abunda was one of many celebrities in attendance.

He said, “whatever controversies Michael Jackson had late in his life, they can never overshadow what he achieved with his music. When people first found out that he died, of course they mourned. (JUDE THADDEUS L. BAUTISTA)

Source: mb.com.ph

Posted by Charified, submitted by archiemr4

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1996 History Tour – Michael Jackson in Manila Performing Billie Jean

..
Michael Jackson’s death was both a shock and a very sad end to a very bright talent. Whether you were a fan or not, you have to admit that he was one of the few great pop icons of the last thirty years.

Michael, we no longer have you, but we will always have your music. In short, Michael, we love you. If no one ever told you so with utmost sincerity, thank you so very much. For everything.

…
..

CHASTERS POST-CONCERT MEET AND GREET

Charified — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:08:50 +0000

After the successful first major concert of Charice, The Journey Begins, the chasters gathered around our princess to take a picture with her. Afterwards, they headed out to the Yellow Cab Pizza to meet and greet with fellow chasters. What a great night!

Check out the compilation of photos courtesy of ecirol and scrub.

You can also view more pictures here courtesy of ice baby.

It was a night to remember for all the chasters in the Philippines. A moment to treasure forever.

Special thanks to all the sponsors for making our fellow chasters’ dream come true. Kudos to Garfield, AncianoUno, Mitch, and Narita for organizing this once in a lifetime experience. THANK YOU!

CHARICE: THE JOURNEY HAS BEGUN!!!

OzGirl — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:34:16 +0000

Post your stories here! On the night of Charice’s first major solo concert held at the SMX Convention Centre in the Philippines, the chatroom (as usual when a major event is happening), was once again a-buzz with excitement and much activity with messages flying in thick and fast, and the usual requests for videos were coming in intermittently as new chatters come into the chatroom! The video stake-out has also begun! Regular (almost up-to-the-minute) Twitter updates were being received and relayed to the chatters as the concert was happening which made being in the chatroom almost unbearable, because we all wanted to be in the concert!

Thanks to @irmsmith and her updates, it was the closest we could get to being there, of course, sans the visuals, although, we got the benefit of Twitpics as well! Thank the person who invented Twitter! The tweets were very helpful in calming our chaddiction!

Author: OzGirl

Here are the tweets, for your own reading enjoyment!

1. Magstart na!Wohoo!
2. Excited n0w! Waaahh!
3. Start na!Video clip of Cha!about
4. The place is jampacked!about
5. Charice opens the concert with And i’m telling you i’m not going
6. Naiyak c Charice..She’s so happy
7. My Heart will go on..lovely!
8. She sang the song where she lost in LBS
9. Kyle,Makisig and other LBS stars singing..about
10. Rhap is singing..
11. Charice is singing IWALY
12. The best!!!
13. Cha and Mommy Racquel singing..You and Me Against the world..Very beautiful! They both wear the same dress
14. And now she’s singing the song Amazing..Composed by Charice..
15. Done with Listen..very powerful..The Prayer with Christian Bautista
16. Her voice is great again..So powerful..Christian Bautista is singing solo..
17. So handsome 4 Christian! Wohoo!
18. Charice is back with I have nothing song..Wohoo!Love it
19. She’s wearing a red gown and singing while interacting with the audience!
20. You’ll never walk alone song with a back up choir! Lovely! Lovely
21. Singing You Raised Me Up..With a choir..
22. I will survive! She’s so beautiful!
23. HALO!! waahh! Am going insane!
24. Just Dance! She’s rocking the stage! Dancing! Wohoo!
25. Really beautiful number!And now with Billie Jean
26. A short tribute to MJ..Very adorable!
27. On My Own..She’s in black gown!
28. Through the rain..Now with All By Myself! Ang galing! Ang taas ng birit!
29. OMG! She’s sooo great
30. Regine is not here..Sö sorry! But Kuh Ledesma is here
31. Charice said Regine is in the hospital..Cha and Kuh singing ANAK
32. Kuh is singing solo now..
33. Kuh said that Regine has fever for 2 days now..She’s in the
34. Wow!She’s stunning in blue gown as well..singing One Moment in Time
35. No Regine in the concert..
36. One audience shouted that maybe Regine is afraid of Charice..Audiences really loved Charice..
37. Always You! By Charice
38. You can’t believe that Cha has cough when you hear her sing..
39. Last song Note to God!Waah!
40. With the Choir! Soo great!
41. Not the Note to God costume..Only blue gown
42. A message from Michael G.,Marc J., her Business Manager, and David Foster!
43. Standing ovation after! Paano kita mapapasalamatan..
44. Finale. Maghintay ka lamang..Don’t know if that’s the ryt title
45. They are congratulating Charice..Finale is so emotional..
46. The concert was soo great!Very successful..Meeting with the Chasters ryt now
47. Ok,be back in a while guys..Chasters meeting here
48. Meet and greet with Charice..So excited!
49. Going to Yellow Cab for the post party gathering

Here are some of the videos courtesy bdfangeles. More videos will be uploaded as they become available. Enjoy!

The Journey Begins Part 1

The Journey Begins Part 2

The Journey Begins Part 3

The Journey Begins Part 4

The Journey Begins Part 5

The Journey Begins Part 6

Journey Begins Part 7

The Journey Begins Part 8

The Journey Begins Part 9

The Journey Begins Part 10

The Journey Begins Part 11

The Journey Begins Part 12

The Journey Begins Part 13

The Journey Begins Part 14

The Journey Begins Part 15

The Journey Begins Part 16

The Journey Begins Part 17

The Journey Begins Part 18

The Journey Begins Part 19

Submitted by angie

CHARICE AND REGINE PRE-CONCERT INTERVIEW

Charified — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:52:02 +0000

The international singing sensation, Charice, and the Asia’s songbird, Regine Velasquez, were interviewed during their rehearsal for the upcoming concert, The Journey Begins. A glimpse of our princess having a great time with her idol makes a chaster’s day perfect. It is indeed a very refreshing sight to see. Check out the video below.

English translation will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

By: Falsevoice

English Translation courtesy of java

She’s still a bit shy, but, well, ah, I’m really looking forward to the concert, of course, and, ah, finally, all of us here in the Philippines will get to really see how talented she is because we’ve just been watching her on Oprah, right? And in shows abroad, but now we’ll get to really see how talented she is.

She can also see how proud we all are.

Q: And how about you, Charice? She says that you are a little shy…

C: Uhm…just a min…

Q: You are a little shy with Ms. Reg…

R: Well, no, she really is shy…

C: Well…

R: But not when she’s on stage…

Q: That’s right…

C: Ah, well, you see, I always say to those who ask: it is only Ms Regine whom I had not sang a duet with of all my favorite singers…

Q: Oh. So this is a dream come true

R: So, I’m the only one she hasn’t floored yet

C: No, no, that’s not it…

Q: So this is your dream come true?

C: Yes. Of course it is…

Q: Hmm…so we’re looking forward to the concert on Saturday?

R: Yes, yes.

C: Yes, that’s correct. I’m speechless…

Q: You’re nervous…

R: Well, congratulations in advance. I mean, you know, it’s good for Charice to finally have her concert here now, before she does her concerts in the States as I heard she’s already recording her first album; her international album.

We are very proud of her and her achievements, so [to Charice] just keep doing it. There.

I’m sure she’s going to give us a really, really great show. So, let’s al see each other there.

Q: Thank you, Ms Regine

C: Thank you

R: She’s a little under the weather…

Q: Yes…

In behalf of Charicemania team, we would like to thank you java and Zero-Gravity. We highly appreciate your contributions.

Posted by Charified

Charice Excited To Perform With Regine Velasquez

Charicematic — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:20:17 +0000

After wowing audiences abroad with her powerful voice, Charice Pempengco will mesmerize her kababayans when she performs for her first major concert in Manila titled Charice: The Journey Begins.

This one-night only event will be held at the SMX Convention Center on June 27 at 8 pm. What makes this event truly special for the 17-year-old singer is the fact that she will be performing with her idol, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez.

Charice has made the rounds in international talk shows such as StarKing, a popular TV program in South Korea; Ti Lascio Una Canzone in Italy; plus The Ellen Degeneres Show and Oprah in the United States.

In the local music scene, Star Records produced her two albums: her self-titled debut album, which is now certified Platinum and her second album, My Inspiration, which already reached the Gold mark.

Soon, she will be releasing an international album under Warner Music to be produced by David Foster.

Just last May, Charice said that she hoped to perform a duet with Ms. Regine. Her prayer will finally be granted when they perform together in Charice: The Journey Begins.

In her press conference for the said event, Charice expressed her happiness and her nervousness for staging her first major concert.

“Siyempre po, una sa lahat, kinakabahan po ako kasi po first time ko talagang magkaroon ng major concert sa buong buhay ko po, and wish ko lang po sana maging successful po. Super po akong na-excite na umuwi dito para sa concert na ‘to.”

Is it true that she actually turned down other concert opportunities abroad just to be able to perform this June 27?

“Hindi naman po concert, medyo may mga nacancel lang po ‘yong ibang recording sessions namin ni Sir David Foster. Pero nagpaalam naman po ako sa kanya and ‘yon nga lang po, ‘yong kapalit, nagpromise lang ako sa kanya na magsta-stay po ako dun for two months para po sa recording po naming dalawa.”

Charice will be leaving on June 29 for the United States to finish her recording sessions for this Warner Music album. Right after that, she is scheduled to begin a world tour in Canada.

How does she feel about performing with Asia’s Songbird?

“Super po akong masaya kasi po before po mangyari itong concert na ‘to, nasa L.A. po ako non. Nagkaron po siya ng concert sa Long Beach [California]. Talagang hindi po ako nanonood ng concert pero kapag big fan po talaga ako ng isang artist, pumupunta po ako.

“Nanonood po talaga ako, nakikiloko dun sa mga kumukuha ng picture sa kanya. Super po kong humanga sa kanya kasi super bait po n’ya.”

ON BEING COMPARED TO SARAH GERONIMO.

Some people are comparing Charice with the Popstar Princess Sarah Geronimo. Is this okay with the young singer?

“Idol ko din yun si Ate Sarah. Pero yun nga po, marami nga po akong nababalitaan na ano po…yun nga may kompitensya raw. Kasi sinasabi nila kung sino daw mas sikat. Hindi po ako nakikipagkompitensya kung sinong mas sikat o kung sinong mas magaling. Ang sakin lang po, gusto ko pong marating yung dream ko as an international star. Gusto kong marating talaga yung dream ko. Si Ate Sarah idol ko and alam ko pong siya ang naunang sumikat sa ‘kin. So talagang taas noo po ako sa kanya.

“Wala po talagang competition o away sa aming dalawa. Kasi everytime na nakikita ko sya parang nahihiya pa rin ako kasi talagang super idol ko po talaga siya,” says Charice shyly.

Since she has been singing at a very young age, does she feel that she missed out on having a normal childhood?

“‘Di ko po naisip ‘yan kasi…‘yong mga ginagawa ko po dati, nagagawa ko pa rin po ngayon like nakikipaglaro po ako sa brother ko. Minsan kasama ko naman po siya sa States. Okay lang po sa ‘kin kung ano ‘yong na-e-experience ko ngayon.”

CRUSH ON SAM MILBY.
In her past interviews, Charice has been vocal in saying that she has a crush on international singer Josh Groban. But this time, she admitted that her crush in local showbiz is Sam Milby.

Charice revealed that she started admiring Sam when she saw him for the first time when she was still a contestant in Little Big Star.

“Mabait po si Sam [saka] pogi, talagang nasa kanya lahat. Naging crush ko siya noong Little Big Star pa lang…Hindi siya namimili talaga. Talagang dinadalaw niya ko sa dressing room kasi ako daw yung bet niya. Tapos dumadalaw pa po siya sa taping ng Little Big Star. Kaya yun, simula nun, hanggang ngayon siya yung crush ko.”

Did they invite Sam to perform in this concert?

“Gusto ko po talaga siya sa concert ko pero kasi po ang balita ko po nasa States siya. So sayang po kasi gusto ko po talaga siyang pumunta.”

What does she like the most about Sam Milby?

“Gusto ko po yung mata niya. Kasi parang ang amo-amo na…alam niyo po yun na parang ang sarap sarap tignan na pagtumingin siya hot pero ang amo. Yun po yung gusto ko.”

ON DAVID FOSTER.

Charice is scheduled to go back to the States on June 29 to continue recording her international album. Is her mentor, David Foster, coming here to the Philippines to help promote this album?

“Meron po kaming plan kasi magkakaroon po kami ng Asian Tour. I’m sure hindi po mawawala ang Philippines kasi nung last time na The Repeat [concert] kami noon ni David Foster, nagulat siya kasi ang daming Pilipino. So, ginawa niya akong pang-finale niya. Kasi talagang sobrang dami pong Pilipino. Parang sabi niya, ‘Okay, I should go to the Philippines.’ So, I’m sure pupunta po siya.”

Will David Foster be your special guest?

“Ay hindi po. Kasi po hindi lang po ako yung nakikipag-work sa kanya sa paggawa ng album.
Marami po kaming magrerelease ng album ngayon. Super busy siya kasi araw-araw iba -ibang artists yung kasama niya. Like ako, Monday ako, Tuesday si Michael Bublé. Wednesday si Cody, Thursday si Whitney Houston. So ang hirap-hirap para sa kanya kasi sabay-sabay po kaming magrerelease ng album.”

Aside from Regine Velasquez, Charice: The Journey Begins will also feature Christian Bautista and Charice’s batchmates in Little Big Star Season 1. Unfortunately, Sam Concepcion won’t be able to attend this reunion.

Charice’s mother, Mommy Raquel, explained that Sam won’t be in the Philippines during that time because he is part of the Star Magic concert abroad. However, she pointed out that Sam was willing to tape a video message in support of Charice’s first major concert.

Tickets to Charice: The Journey Begins are available in Ticketnet outlets (Tel. No. 911-5555). Don’t miss this one-night only event on June 27, 2009 (Saturday) at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

Source: by Jocelyn Dimaculangan, PEP.com

CHARICE ON THE BUZZ 10TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

Charified — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:35:22 +0000

Charice stopped by at The Buzz 10th year anniversary celebration to promote her upcoming concert, The Journey Begins, in SMX Convention Center. She also promoted her now double- platinum My Inspiration album and graced the hosts with a sample of her carrier single, Always You.

Please note: English translation will be added as soon it becomes available.

By: esteebee

TRASLATION BY: phoenixsong

boy host: now, my friends, because it is THE BUZZ’s 10th anniversary today, our guest should of course be a heavyweight [in the entertainment biz] here at the buzz center. right phoem (short for phoemela)?

girl host: of course!

boy host: okay. who is our guest today, phoem? can you say it?

girl host: really, watch this.

voice-over: next on the buzz 10th anniversary special…the buzz 10th anniversary special…featuring the world’s most talented girl, platinum recording artist, international singing sensation, and the new face of The Filipino Channel all over the world. Charice, as she pursues her journey to global stardom. The Buzz is here to follow her rise [to fame]. Charice! live at the buzz center.

boy and girl host: please welcome here at the buzz center, charice!

boy host: hi charice! hello…

charice: hi po (*po is a form of respect said when talking to elders)

boy host: welcome.

girl host: welcome for coming, hello.

charice: hello po. thank you po.

boy host: you are really an international star, anak (means son or daughter in filipino)

charice: thank you po.

boy host: my god, you’re at the level of oprah winfrey.

charice: oh no, po.

girl host: and can i say you look so pretty. charice looks so grown up now.

boy host: i agree, but let’s not ask her age, we might get it wrong again (referring to the rumor from the past few days that charice is 22 years old.)

(laughter)

boy host: charice, of course you are going to greet us a happy 10th anniversary.

charice: yes, po. happy 10th year anniversary to all of you, and thank you very much for inviting me here again.

boy host: charice, it’s an honor, because, you know, your album has already achieved a double platinum, hasn’t it?

girl host: wow! (clap clap with accompanying annoying bracelet noise.)

boy host: we should see it in the charts, so charice, congratulations.

charice: thank you, thank you po.

boy host: so charice, promote your album.

charice: yes po. of course, thank you to all those who have bought my first album, Charice. i also have a new album out now, called My Inspiration, here, for only 299 pesos (roughly 6.40 USD). it’s still out at all the malls nationwide. it features my carrier single, Always You,. you can hear it at “May Bukas Pa” (translation: there is still tomorrow, a popular soap opera in the Philippines).

girl host: wow…

charice: yes…so thank you very much.

boy host: besides the very successful recording career of charice, she also has a very big concert that she is preparing for that is on june 26?

charice: june 27 po.

boy host: ah, june 27, okay.

charice: yes po.

girl host: the newest concert princess.

(laughter)

charice: my first major concert will be at SMX Convention Center, 8pm. for more details about the tickets, call 911-5555.

boy host: we can still reach charice (touching charice’s shoulder).

girl host: yes.

(laughter)

boy host: she is such a good girl.

girl host: of course.

boy host: speaking about international concerts…(plugs in somebody else’s gigs, happy birthdays, thank yous, happy father’s day greetings…etc…)

boy host: give my regards to josh groban, okay?

charice: (laughter) yes po.

girl host: and charice, can you give us a sample of your carrier single now? can we hear it?

charice: sure po. umm…(sings a few lines of Always You)

boy host: very good! very good! you are an excellent singer..!

charice: thank you po.

girl host: thank you so much for coming.

boy host: i’ll give you pizza for doing that. (laughter) thank you.

girl host: and now, we will be back.

charice: the buzz!

-end-

phoenixsong, thank you! We highly appreciate your contribution.

CHARICE: OH, CHARICE!

OzGirl — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:21:08 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – On Saturday, Charice Pempengco officially declares “The Journey Begins” via her first solo concert. But Charice’s journey to the world stage began when she was four years old when, faced with a tragic event, she chose to dream instead of despair.

When Charice goes up on stage at the SMX Convention Center, she will sing songs that are meaningful to her.

“I’ll open it (the concert) with ‘My Heart Will Go On,’” the 17-year-old Filipino singing sensation says. The “Titanic” theme song was the first song Charice memorized by heart.

She was only four then, the age, Charice recalls, when she witnessed her father point a gun at her mother. Unlike the Titanic that sank, Charice’s dream to give her family a good life lifted her to success. Shortly after that violent incident, her parents separated. She and younger brother Carl were raised by their mother Raquel.

In one of her appearances on Oprah Winfrey’s show, the Queen of Talk was so enamored with Charice and her life story that she sent a crew to the Philippines to capture the very humble beginnings of the singing wonder whose ascent to international stardom was launched through YouTube. Charice so far has appeared as a guest on Oprah three times – the first as part of Oprah’s list of the World’s Smartest Kids; the most recent, to promote her upcoming album being produced by star-maker and veteran record man David Foster.

In fact, “Note to God,” a cut from the would-be album, has been doing very well on the singles charts. Charice proudly shares that her song landed No. 2 on amazon.com, Top 3 on iTunes and No. 44 on Billboard. The album, with 10 to 12 original songs, will be launched before the year ends.

Those feats measure how far Charice has come and how very good a dreamer she is. Not so long ago, she only dreamt of providing for her mother and brother.

“You’ve seen how hard our life was before,” Charice tells me when I visited her last weekend in Cabuyao, Laguna. She still comes home to Gulod, a barrio in Cabuyao, where they used to live after the family left Santa Rosa. She was only nine years old when they transferred to our neighborhood, and on the day that they moved into a small apartment here, they only had a sofa and a sound component system. A neighbor had to lend them a sleeping mat.

Raquel then was working as a supervisor in an apparel factory in Laguna, but was forced to quit her job to accompany her daughter when the penchant of Charice to join amateur singing competitions escalated. She was seven years old when she joined her first contest.

The path to international stardom began in 2007 when Dave Duenas, a licensed nurse from Cavite, uploaded Charice’s video on YouTube. The two didn’t even know each other when Dave created a showdown on YouTube between Charice and Bianca Ryan, a grand champion in the debut season of “America’s Got Talent” – singing “And I’m Telling You, I’m Not Going” one after the other.

Dave, known in the Internet world as FalseVoice, has since posted other videos of Charice on YouTube. The first to “discover” her on YouTube was StarKing, a popular TV program in South Korea, where Charice was invited to sing in October 2007. The host and the singing contestants on the said television show went gaga over Charice’s rendition of “And I’m Telling You…” and their superlative reaction was again uploaded on YouTube.

A staff of Ellen DeGeneres saw the video and soon Ellen herself was looking for Charice. Charice, for the first time, flew to the US with her mother to guest on “The Ellen Degeneres Show” in December 2007.

“I could smell a star in her,” Ellen said of Charice after her mind-blowing performance that elicited wild applause and a standing ovation. The following April, Charice had another standing ovation performance on the Paul O’ Grady show.

On May 12, 2008, Charice became part of Oprah’s “World’s Smartest Kids,” where she sang “I Have Nothing” and received two standing ovations.

Raquel recalls that on the day of their flight back to Manila, Oprah’s staff got on the plane and asked her and Charice to go back to Oprah’s Harpo Production office. There, Oprah sat down with them and offered to help Charice in her singing career.

A few days after that meeting with Oprah, Charice performed at the David Foster and Friends concert in Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, sharing the stage with the likes of Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bubble, Josh Groban, Peter Cetera and Brian McKnight. That evening, David Foster said, “A star is born,” referring to Charice.

Since then, Charice has appeared as a guest on different shows and concerts abroad. She sang “The Prayer” with Andrea Bocelli at the Italian tenor’s concert in Tuscany. She was also a guest at Celine Dion’s “Taking Chances World Tour” in Madison Square Garden in New York. At the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade last November, Charice had her own float and performed with fellow teen superstars like David Archuleta and Miley Cyrus.

In January 2008, Charice sang “God Bless America” at three pre-inauguration parties of US President Barack Obama. She also did a movie, “Alvin and the Chipmunks 2,” that will be shown this December. The album “David Foster and Friends,” where Charice recorded “And I’m Telling You…” remains a favorite worldwide.

In the Philippines, Charice has made her mark in the local music industry. She has recorded two albums for Star Records; her first album “Charice” is now certified Platinum and her second album, “My Inspiration,” is a certified Gold. She was also awarded as one of People Asia magazine’s People of the Year for 2008, sharing the limelight with the likes of former President Cory Aquino, Vice President Noli de Castro, Sen. Manny Villar and US Ambassador Kristie Kenney. Last June 12, Charice graced the 111th anniversary of Independence Day at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila and sang “Lahing Pilipino,” an original Manny Pacquiao song.

One of Charice’s greatest assets is that despite her stardom, she has remained humble. “Everything I have now are blessings from God,” she acknowledges.

Once, Charice recalls, Oprah told her, “Keep your feet on the ground even if you’re wearing a nice pair of shoes,” pointing at her Louis Vuitton sneakers. Charice used to buy her shoes in the markets in Laguna.

Raquel recalls the times when what Charice would wear in her TV guestings in the Philippines posed a big problem. Often times, for her TV appearances, Raquel would borrow clothes from friends in the neighborhood for Charice to wear. They used to also have to commute from Laguna to the television studios in Manila, but that isn’t a problem anymore because Charice was able to buy a big second-hand white car.

Two weeks ago, she surprised Carl with a second-hand red car, but, she laughs, since Carl still can’t drive, she got a driver also.

The two siblings are now on a home study program – Charice is in third year high school, Carl is a year behind. She also gets to pursue other interests like photography. Of late, Charice, who can also strum the guitar, is seriously studying how to play the drums.

They now have a condominium unit in Parañaque. She has also invested in a house and lot in Tagaytay, and is building a seven-door apartment-for-rent in Cabuyao. These are wise investment decisions for such a young woman, but Charice points out that she knows what it is to be poor, so she spends her money wisely.

“My mom taught me to sing from the heart. She remains my coach to this day,” Charice said, adding that her singing career in the US is guided by a formidable team.

Managing Charice’s career in the US is Align Entertainment, the same company that manages the likes of David Foster, Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. Her legal representative is the famous lawyer to the stars Ed Shapiro (of Grubman Indursky and Shire), who is also the lawyer of Chris Brown, Usher and Jennifer Lopez. Oprah remains her mentor while David Foster is her album and show producer.

“Sir David considers me like his daughter. He sometimes introduces me as his daughter to famous singers like Mariah Carrey,” Charice says in between giggles. Like a real daughter, she (with the help of her mother) prepared bistek Tagalog for David once and the Canadian music producer fell in love with the dish. Charice admits though that she brings her food to the States – 555 sardines, Century Tuna and Purefoods corned beef – “because I cannot eat the food in America.”

Everything that has happened to her now, Charice says, are products of her constant dreaming. Before she became a teenager, she would draw her dreams on bond paper. One drawing shows Charice sharing the stage with Celine Dion, another sketch shows her singing a duet with Andrea Bocelli. Her other drawings depict her desire to provide a house, a car, food on the table for her mother and brother.

Everything in her dream-drawings have become reality.

Charice takes center stage in The Journey Begins on Saturday, June 27 at 8 pm at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia. Tickets available at all SM Ticketnet outlets, tel 911-5555.

Author: Bum D. Tenorio, 21 June 2009

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Article link submitted by Machel

Charice is Set for Her First Major Concert

Charicematic — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:36:03 +0000

In just a year’s time, Charice’s international career has grown by leaps and bounds. At 17, she has already performed in several TV shows and concerts abroad. But now, the international singing sensation will be performing for Filipino fans in her first major concert in Manila entitled Charice: The Journey Begins. To be held at the SMX Convention Center on June 27 at 8 pm, Charice will be performing with Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez.

Note: Tagalog passages have been translated to English. A link to the original article follows this post.

“I’m really excited, it’s another dream come true, another blessing from God,” was how Charice expressed what she felt about having her own concert. She referred to The Journey Begins as the story of her life, her humble beginnings, and her dreams. “I chose, along with my mom, the songs that I will sing since she’s the one who knows best which songs best suit me. Those were the same songs that I’ve used in the singing contests that I’ve competed in like Little Big Star, or those from Oprah, and the like.” Charice will also sing the songs from her latest album, My Inspiration.

More than the accolades that she has been receiving, she feels rewarded by the idea that she and her family are living a better life now. During the presscon for her concert, Charice was teary-eyed as she shared the achievements that meant a lot to her. “I was able to buy a condo for my mom and us. And lately I was able to buy my brother a car, since it appears that someone has caught his eye,” Charice laughed. “Those are the things that make me happy, that I’m able to give, especially to my own family.”

With all the success she’s had, Charice would like to be a little Oprah Winfrey, especially how the showbiz icon helps the less fortunate. “I love the feeling of making dreams come true. Like Oprah, even though she’s not a politician, she is able to help a lot of people. I want to be like that.” Oprah had also offered her a piece of advice: “Always be humble, even though you’re wearing nice shoes.”

Charice is set to go back to the States on June 29 to continue recording her international album after which begins a world tour in Canada.

Source: by Diona Acaba, abs-cbn.com

Posted by charicematic, translated by cha_rade, submitted by rage

THE JOURNEY BEGINS: CHARICE’S SOLO CONCERT

Charified — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:57:27 +0000

Chasters, The Journey Begins for our beloved princess on June 27th, 2009 in SMX Convention Center at 8 PM. Her journey will be accompanied by one of her idols, Asia’s song bird, Regine Velasquez and other special guests. Another dream comes true for our young diva.

You can reserve your tickets at TicketNet or you can contact SMX at 911-5555.

Chasters and non-chasters, invade the SMX Convention Center. Let Charice rock your world. Go get your tickets now!

Ticket Prices

VIP A – P5,000

VIP B- P3,500

Patron- P2,000

Platinum- P2,000

Gold- P1,500

Silver- P1,000

Bronze- P500

Submitted by ice baby, ebjohns11, and Arvato, posted by Charified