Special Features, 4/11/2008 12:33 AM April 10, 2008
Pinoy teen singer Charice wows UK audience


By GENE ALCANTARA

Europe News Bureau, London

For the first time in its four-year history, the audience at The Paul O'Grady Show gave a standing ovation to a visiting singer: 14-year old Charice Pempengco from the Philippines.

According to the show's producers, not even the veteran chanteuse Mariah Carey was given this rare honour when she came to the UK recently to launch her new album.

"Sobrang saya ko po kasi sinabi nila na 4 years na pala yung show nila pero yun nga po, first time po nila magkaroon ng standing ovation, yun po dahil sa pagkanta ko po so very proud po ako sa sarili ko," Charice told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

Pempengco was in the United Kingdom for two days at the invitation of TV talk show host Paul O'Grady, following her success last year on the Ellen de Generes' show in the United States and her huge fanbase on YouTube.

Paul O'Grady is a daily one-hour show broadcast every afternoon in the United Kingdom to showcase world-class talents and world breakers. It is one of the most popular shows in the UK.

Pempengco was accompanied by her mother, Raquel Pempengco. They were met here by US-based friends Atty. Michael and Millie Gurfinkel, who acted as mediators for the young artist and the show.

Sightseeing in London

Despite the jet lag following a 24-hour flight on Etihad Airways, and being her first time in London, Pempengco, who turns 15 next month, took the opportunity to do some sightseeing and to relax before the show.

"Kakaiba po yung place dito, like napuntahan ko yung Abbey Road, doon nagshoot yung the Beatles. Tapos po, yung Buckingham Palace, eto po yung Big Ben. Sobrang saya po namin, really, dahil nakakapasyal po ako nang alamo mo, yon wala medyo nakakakilala sa akin. So talagang, feeling ko, ordinaryong bata lang ako dito," Charice said.

She walked on the zebra crossing made famous by the Beatles as a cover for their most successful album called Abbey Road. She also signed her name on the wall of the former Abbey Road Studios, now called EMI Studios.

Double standing ovation

During her appearance on the Paul O'Grady show, the audience was stunned by the powerful voice of the diminutive singer with her rendition of Jennifer Hudson's "And I am telling you, I'm not going". They gave her a standing ovation.

Her second number, the classic "I will always love you" by Whitney Houston was equally greeted with great applause and a second standing ovation.

Paul O'Grady himself called Charice a fabulous singer. Harry Judd, drummer of the British band, McFly, gave her flowers at the end of the show.

Pempengco's mother was very pleased that her daughter has brought honour yet again to the Philippines by impressing Britons with her talent at singing.

"Siempre po, natutuwa din ako. Pareho din nung pagtanggap ng mga Amerikano dito sa London kay Charice. Tuwang-tuwa po ako kasi ay parang inangkin nila si Charice, parang kalahi na nila," Raquel Pempengco, Charice's mother, said. "Kasi first time lang daw sa show ni Paul O'Grady na nagkaroon ng standing ovation. Tuwang-tuwa ako dahil sa anak ko nangyari iyon."

Proud Filipino nurses

Filipinos who watched the show were equally proud of Pempengco.

Martin Leonar, a nurse, said: "Well kanina, sa Paul O'Grady, standing ovation yung mga English people din e. At saka yung ibang nurses, nakapanood din sa hospital, nagpalakpakan nga din kasi maganda yung performance, kaya very proud din kami kay Charice na napanood siya sa United Kingdom, dito sa London."

"Nabigla nga ako biglang lumabas si Charice. Bigla siyang lumabas na talagang hangang-hanga kami, pati yung mga British na talagang palakpakan kami," said Robert Rabadon, also a Filipino nurse.

"Aba masayang masaya, alam mo galing pa ako ng work pero dumaan ako para lang makita siya," said nurse Kathleen Corpuz.

On her return to the Philippines, Pempengco hopes that the country will be doubly proud of her achievement in the United Kingdom.

"Siguro po, kung ano yung napanood nila sa 'Ellen', siguro po, madodoble po ang pagkaproud nila sa akin ngayon, lalo na po nasa London po ako ngayon. Kumbaga, napahanga ko na naman po. Alam nyo, yung mga British na tao, so iba sa Amerika. So sana, maging mas proud pa po sila sa akin," Charice said.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=114657

Entertainment, 4/11/2008 9:56 AM April 10, 2008
After 'Ellen', Charice guests on 'Oprah'

By REYMA BUAN-DEVEZA
abs-cbnNEWS.com

Filipino singing sensation Charice Pempengco will once again charm audiences in the US and the rest of the world with her upcoming performance in the highest-rating television talk show, "Oprah".

"Mayroon po akong guesting sa Oprah. Tapos na po akong kumanta para sa isa pong episode ng Oprah," Charice told abs-cbnNews.com in a phone interview after returning from London where she appeared in a popular British talk show.

But other than confirming her appearance on "Oprah", the young diva declined to give other details.

However, she disclosed that a teaser for the episode, which includes her, can be viewed on YouTube.

Charice Pempengco, guest sa Oprah
April 11, 2008

Tuloy-tuloy na ang pagiging global singing sensation ng 14-taong gulang na si Charice Pempengco dahil matapos maitampok sa US TV show ni Ellen De Generes ay muli siyang mapapanood sa highest-rating talk show na Oprah.

Kasama si Charice sa mga ipi-feature na batang may kahanga-hangang talent sa isang episode ng programa ni Oprah Winfrey sa buwan ng Mayo.

Kagagaling lang ng batang singer sa kanyang guest appearance sa British talk show na Paul O'Grady Show noong April 8 kung saan bumirit siya sa kanyang signature song na "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going".

http://www.rmn.com.ph/

yay...finally oprah noticed the incredible talent of charice...

go go go charice

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Saturday, April 12, 2008

Scene: Hinangaan uli si Charice Pempengco nang kumanta ito sa show ni Paul O’Grady sa United Kingdom. Tunay na Pride of the Philippines ang batang mang-aawit. Mas magiging kahanga-hanga si Charice kung kakanta siya ng ibang awit dahil may sawa factor ang kanyang favorite song, ang And I’m Telling You mula sa Dreamgirls.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Showbiz&p=50&type=2&sec=58&aid=20080411130

  charice ellen episode voted as the most memorable moment !!  SHE'LL DO ANOTHER GUESTING ON THE ELLEN SHOW.

She should sing Celine Dion's version of 'Alone' and 'God Bless America' come her Oprah guesting.

 

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Kapamilya for Life!


Keith Jack, ONE OF THE BEST SINGERS IN THE WORLD!

Watch his Youtube vids!

PDA 1 - Exalting talent and originality to their fullest!
PDA 2 - Exemplifying evilness and mediocrity to the KAPAMILYA VIEWERS!

Next stop: ‘Oprah’


Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:55:00 04/13/2008

MANILA, Philippines - Charice Pempengco, the 15-year-old Pinay singing sensation, lays down the vocal tracks for one of the songs in her forthcoming Star Records debut album. She just returned from a guest stint on the “Paul O’Grady Show,” in Britain, in which she was asked to sing “And I Am Telling You, I’m Not Going” from the musical, “Dreamgirls,” and the Whitney Houston hit, “I Will Always Love You.” She sang the same two songs as a special guest on US television’s “Ellen” (hosted by Ellen DeGeneres). Charice recently taped a special episode for “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” where she shares the limelight with other gifted children. The episode airs in May. Full story tomorrow, by Pocholo Concepcion.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20080413-130159/Next-stop-Oprah

By Ricky Lo
Monday, April 14, 2008

Charice on Oprah

Fresh from a well-applauded guesting on The Paul O’Brady Show in London, Charice Pempengco (right) is scheduled to appear on the self-titled TV show of Oprah Winfrey (far right) who has annoounced “to watch for these fantastics kids in May,” one of them Charice. It’s Charice’s second guesting in a US TV show. The first was on Ellen DeGeneres’ eponymous show late last year.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Entertainment&p=49&type=2&sec=31&aid=2008041326

Charice Pempengco guest sa Oprah
ABOUT SHOWBIZ Ni Nitz Miralles
Monday, April 14, 2008

Naka-post sa YouTube ang plugging ng month of May guesting ni Charice Pempengco sa Oprah ni Oprah Winfrey. Makakasama nito sa episode na ‘yun ang ibang mga bata from other countries na may kakaibang talent sa music. Sa napanood naming video, ipinapakitang kumakanta si Charice, may nagpa-piano at nagda-drums.

Hindi nakalagay ang exact date sa May nang paglabas ng nasabing episode, pero tiyak na tututukan ng mga Pinoy sa buong mundo pati na sa ‘Pinas. Aba'y first Filipino singer yata si Charice na maggi-guest sa  Oprah at makilala ng personal ang TV host na inaambisyon ng marami na makita nang personal.

Una nang nag-guest (first din siya) si Charice sa  Ellen ni Ellen DeGeneres at twice na rin siyang nag-guest sa Star King, isang talent show ng South Korea at twice nang na-feature sa  Daily Ten ng E! Sabay-sabay nating abangan ang pag­labas ni Charice sa  Oprah at siguradong masusun­dan pa ang guesting niyang ito.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Showbiz&p=50&type=2&sec=58&aid=2008041399

Entertainment, 4/14/2008 7:22 PM
Charice Pempengco's first album out soon

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Charice Pempengco's first and most-awaited album will hit record stores as soon as the R n' B child star finishes recording songs for the compilation.

Pempengco announced during a surprise guesting on dzMM's celebrity show on Monday that she is just recording a few songs for the self-titled album before its release.

"I have an upcoming album, at last, first solo album. I'm just finishing it, and I will do a recording later," the child star announced during the interview with Tita Cristy Fermin and Jobert Sucaldito.

Pempengco said the album will include two original songs titled "Born to Love You Forever" and "It Can Only Get Better" composed especially for her by Swedish song artists.

The album will also include a revival of Whitney Houston's "And I'm Telling You," which paved the way for the child singer's international recognition through YouTube.com.

After guesting on Korea's Star King, Pempengco was featured on the Ellen Degeneres Show and wowed U.S. viewers.

The hit guesting eventually gave Pempengco a chance to show her talent in London at the Paul O'Grady Show.

It was also announced during the radio show that ABS-CBN's Star Records is cooking up a new singing adventure for the child singer.

Pempengco had no specific announcement about a concert, but the radio program's hosts said Pempengco may hold one abroad.

(First posted 4:57:14 PM)

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=114982

Next for Charice: debut CD and ‘Oprah’


By Pocholo Concepcion
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:01:00 04/14/2008

SHE just came home from guesting on “The Paul O’Grady Show” in London, where she got the first-ever standing ovation from the studio audience.

SHE says her mom is “the real singer” in the family, and that she’s “still just a child.”

MANILA, Philippines—Charice Pempengco is a wounded pup.

The 15-year-old singing wunderkind has known pain and sadness since her parents separated when she was just this high. It was, by her mother Raquel’s account, a parting preceded by heart-rending incidents that Charice witnessed (and is now requesting not to be discussed in detail).

Fortunately, mother and daughter resolved to leave it all behind and move on. It was not easy, but the way things have turned out is a testament to the power of faith and the will to succeed.

On a hot Saturday afternoon, Charice is cooling her heels in an ABS-CBN office, two hours before she enters a nearby recording studio to finish three songs for her forthcoming debut album with Star Records. The album is a bit overdue, on account of a busy schedule that saw her traveling to Sweden, Korea, the United States and, only last week, England, as a sought-after guest on TV shows that beamed her awesome, lung-busting vocal skills globally.

Charice recently taped a special episode for “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” where she shares the stage with other gifted children. The episode airs in May.

Her most recent appearance was on the “Paul O’Grady Show.” “Nakakatuwa, pinaghandaan talaga nila,” Charice says, referring to the top-rating British talk-comedy program. “Meron pang fireworks, para mas maganda raw habang kumakanta ako.”

The songs she sang—the “Dreamgirls” anthem “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” and Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You—were exactly what she rendered in her now world-famous stints on “Star King” in South Korea and the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” in the US. “’Yun ang hiniling nila, kung ano raw ang napanood nila sa ‘Ellen,’” Charice explains.

Perfect stranger

The studio audience on the "Paul O’Grady Show" gave her a standing ovation. She says she was told it was the first time ever.

All the attention would not have been possible, she says, without the single-handed stroke of genius of Dave Dueñas, a.k.a. FalseVoice on the YouTube channel. A 19-year-old nursing student at Perpetual Help College, Las Piñas, who also happens to be a techno geek, Dave uploaded Charice’s taped performances on YouTube, the popular video-sharing Web site whose total viewers have reached 79 million as of January this year.

Charice says Dueñas was a complete stranger and only when she sought him out through e-mail did she discover why he fancied her videos. “Kasi raw natatawa siya dun sa nanalong contestant sa “America’s Got Talent.” Mas magaling daw ako kaya pinagsama niya yung video namin.” Said videos paved the way for all succeeding uploads now currently seen by people around the globe 24/7.

The phenomenal exposure has paid off on a slow but steadily increasing rate. “Lahat ng TV appearances ni Charice sa abroad libre, pero napakalaking tulong,” mom Raquel says. “Sa ‘Oprah’ binigyan siya ng shopping money.”

The guest stint with Paul O’Grady reportedly happened on the recommendation of David Foster, the music industry stalwart who has produced albums for the likes of Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Josh Groban.

Charice laughs, saying Foster took her by the hand and introduced her as “my new singer” to the American press when they attended a high-profile show biz affair.

After mom

It’s been a long, strange trip for a teenager who remembers being very shy as a young girl. “Ang mommy ko ang talagang singer,” Charice points out. Mom Raquel, 35, used to sing with a sister in a band called Soul’s Free, and little Charice would tag along during gigs in Tagaytay and Laguna where the Pempengcos lived.

“Talagang mahilig ang magulang at mga kapatid ko sa music,” Raquel says. She tired to make both ends meet as a single mom, working as a quality control supervisor in a garments factory in the day and singing at night. “Hindi rin naman ako tumagal, six months lang ako sa banda.”

But one day she was surprised to hear her daughter, who was then 6 years old, belting a tune on the karaoke. She would go on and teach the budding singer a few techniques she learned from peers.

When Raquel opted to quit working and devote her time to raising two growing children, she got another surprise: Charice told her she would start joining singing contests to help the family survive.

One weak moment

Since then, Charice has become a “Reyna ng Singing Contest,” if there ever was one. She has joined some 70 competitions, mostly in town fiestas around the country, winning most of the time. The only time she “lost,” she says, was when she placed second or third.

The only time she felt like quitting was when she got eliminated in the early stages of the ABS-CBN singing tilt “Little Big Star”; but she was so good, she was picked as a wild card to reenter the competition, and made it to third place. “Na-realize ko hindi dapat mawalan ng pag-asa, tuluy-tuloy lang para mag-succeed,” Charice says in hindsight.

Raquel says she never tires of reminding Charice that this isn’t the big time yet—at least not in the context of what her daughter is aiming at.

Good thing Charice is having fun despite all the ruckus. “Bata pa po ako, mahilig maglaro,” she jokes before saying goodbye. But maybe it’s not entirely a joke. Moments after boarding a van that will take her to the recording studio, she starts cradling a baby doll.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20080414-130356/Next-for-Charice-debut-CD-and-Oprah

 

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15 Abril 2008, Martes

 

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15 Abril 2008, Martes

Charice hinangaan ni Oprah

Nagbabadya na ang international recording career para sa Pinay singing sensation na si Charice Pempengco. Sa dami ng website at internet channels tungkol sa kanya, maging si Oprah, kinilala na ang galing ng 15-anyos na Pinay. Hindi malimutan ni Charice ang VIP treatment sa kanya ni Oprah na binigyan siya ng shopping money, at sariling hairstylist.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=1148

Charice, pasok sa ‘The World’s Smartest Kids’ ni Oprah Winfrey!

"THEY may look like ordinary kids, but what they're getting ready to do on our stage will blow you away. This you have to see to believe!"

Ito ang magandang plugging ng Oprah tungkol sa talented kids na mga guest sa nabanggit na show na mapapanood sa susunod na buwan.

Siguradong aaba­ngan ng mga Pilipino ang special epi­sode ng top-rating show ni Oprah Winfrey dahil kabilang sa mga talented kid ang young Filipina si­nger na si Charice Pempengco.

Kasama ang VTR footage ni Charice sa Oprah teaser ng The World's Smartest Kids episode.

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/apr1608/ent_jg.htm

Damn, really lalabas siya sa oprah? malaking publicity yan para sa talented nating kabayan....the O is so big here sa states....

---

Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.

Amazing charice...Filipinos should be proud of her success..at least there is someone like charice everyone could smile about, behind the fact that we all going through sufferings and corruptions...

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Entertainment, 4/17/2008 5:11 AM April 16, 2008
Charice sings "I Have Nothing" for Oprah


By REYMA BUAN-DEVEZA

abs-cbnNEWS.com

International singing sensation Charice said she performed the song "I Have Nothing" for her guest appearance on the popular U.S. TV show "Oprah".

"Isang kanta lang po sa Oprah. Kasi 10 kids kami tapos iyon iyong title ng episode na "World’s Smartest Kids," Charice exclusively told abs-cbnNEWS.com.

The song "I Have Nothing" is also one of Charice's songs for her upcoming album under Star Records.

Almost a week after abs-cbnNEWS.com broke the story of Charice guesting and meeting one of the world's most powerful women, Oprah Winfrey, in the U.S., the young singer is still overwhelmed by all the blessings she is now receiving.

"Hindi pa din po ako makapaniwala pero ngayon mas nakilala na ako ng tao sa Pilipinas at sa ibang bansa kahit yung mga Malaysian, American nakikilala na nila ako," she said.

Pempengco said she will never forget Oprah's VIP treatment which included giving her shopping money and providing her with her own hairstylist during her visit to the U.S. for the show.

"Hindi niya ako binigyan ng doll, pero binigyan niya ako ng pang-shopping, tapos iyon, before niya ako binigyan ng pang-shopping binigyan ako ulit ng pang-shopping po noong umaga tapos noong hapon," Charice said.

Charice was one of the 10 kids for Oprah's special episode entitled "World’s Smartest Kids" that will be aired in May.

"Charice" only

From now on, Charice will be known simply as Charice and no longer Charice Pempengco, since her estranged father has asked her to stop using his surname.

"Sana lang po kahit na ayaw n'yang ipagamit ang apelyido niya ay maging proud siya kahit konti lang."

Charice shared that her father abandoned them when she was only three years old. From then on she never heard anything from him.

When asked if she would still want to see her father, Charice replied, "Kasi po masaya na po ako na tatlo lang kami. Masaya na po kami doon."

Charice lives with her mother, mommy Raquel, and her younger sibling.

International projects

After her international guestings on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show and "The Paul O' Grady Show" in London, Charice admitted that she is now receiving a lot of offers locally and abroad.

But Charice also said that there is still no confirmation on her project for Disney.

"Wala pa po. Hindi ko alam, ang alam ko under negotiation pa," the young diva said.

Charice is now busy with her new album to be released soon under Star Records. She will be having her birthday celebration in Hawaii on May 10, when she will guest for ABS-CBN's "Wowowee."

Next week, Charice is set to meet well-known rapper Puff Daddy.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=115223

Feedback


Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:05:00 04/16/2008

No Charice fan

From Lyza Fernandez (guruglam@yahoo.com):

I notice how much attention Charice Pempengco is getting. I mean, come on! What about Sam Concepcion? Ms Pempengco won only 3rd place to him and who got international fame? The one whose video got posted on YouTube. Post a video of Sam and let’s see if he [doesn’t] get as much attention. Charice’s voice is … I have heard better. And her outfit on “Ellen”? She, 15, right? But she looked like an 8-year-old in the dress. She could have at least worn something in fashion. (Well, Ellen and Oprah didn’t have to call her, but they did.—Ed.)

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20080416-130825/Feedback

Wunderkind Charice Pempengco is still a kid


By Pocholo Concepcion
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:31pm (Mla time) 04/17/2008

SHE just came home from guesting on “The Paul O’Grady Show” in London, where she got the first-ever standing ovation from the studio audience.

SHE says her mom is “the real singer” in the family, and that she’s “still just a child.”

MANILA, Philippines—Charice Pempengco is a wounded pup. The 15-year-old singing wunderkind has known pain and sadness since her parents separated when she was just this high. It was, by her mother Raquel’s account, a parting preceded by heart-rending incidents that Charice witnessed (and is now requesting not to be discussed in detail).

Fortunately, mother and daughter resolved to leave it all behind and move on. It was not easy, but the way things have turned out is a testament to the power of faith and the will to succeed.

On a hot Saturday afternoon, Charice is cooling her heels in an ABS-CBN office, two hours before she enters a nearby recording studio to finish three songs for her forthcoming debut album with Star Records. The album is a bit overdue, on account of a busy schedule that saw her traveling to Sweden, Korea, the United States and, only last week, England, as a sought-after guest on TV shows that beamed her awesome, lung-busting vocal skills globally.

Charice recently taped a special episode for “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” where she shares the stage with other gifted children. The episode airs in May.

Her most recent appearance was on the “Paul O’Grady Show.” “Nakakatuwa, pinaghandaan talaga nila, (It’s delightful, they really prepared for it,” Charice says, referring to the top-rating British talk-comedy program. “ “Meron pang fireworks, para mas maganda raw habang kumakanta ako (There were even fireworks, to make it lovelier as I sang.”

The songs she sang—the “Dreamgirls” anthem “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” and Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You—were exactly what she rendered in her now world-famous stints on “Star King” in South Korea and the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” in the US. “’Yun ang hiniling nila, kung ano raw ang napanood nila sa ‘Ellen, (That’s what they requested, what they saw on Ellen’s show. ’” Charice explains.

Perfect stranger

The studio audience for the "Paul O’Grady Show" gave her a