Charice Pempengco performs at Resorts World Manila on July 15. Click for more photos
International pop star Charice Pempengco has haters. A good number of them don't hold back when they say she's not good enough for the mind-boggling opportunities that come her way, the latest one being her stint on Glee. Still, nobody should be surprised that she can ignore the bitter rants and remain bubbly. She's been through so much worse.
Just like Oprah
Like her good friend Oprah Winfrey, Charice's childhood was troubled. In the November 2009 issue of YES!, Charice's mother Raquel revealed that Charice's father had been a drug addict who was prone to violent fits. In the same interview, Raquel recounted how her husband had kept the then two-year-old Charice away from her for three weeks. When he brought back Charice to her, the girl was horribly thin. It turned out that she had been eating plastic fruits. "Akala ko, Mommy, totoo, kaya kinain ko eh," Charice had told Raquel.
When Charice was three, Raquel finally decided to leave their home. Raquel went on to raise Charice and her brother Kokoy on her own. But that wasn't the end of Charice's travails. A perennial winner in provincial singing contests she joined starting at seven years old to earn money for her family, she was constantly being picked on by her competitors. Then, in contests like Bulilit Kampeon, Birit Bulilit, Magandang Tanghali Bayan's "MTB Popstar" and "Little Big Star," Charice had to be content with the second or third place. When her career started to take off, she had to deal with naysayers who attacked her looks and height. "Tulad nga po ng sinabi ko no'ng nag-guest ako sa SNN, ''Tong pangit na 'to, na-discover nila,'" she told YES!
Charice Pempengco performs "In This Song" at Resorts World Manila on July 15.
Going viral
In 2007, 15-year-old Charice hit karmic pay dirt, when the video her fan Dave Duenas uploaded on YouTube caught the attention of Ellen DeGeneres, who invited her to perform on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Soon enough, Charice flew to the States. She later bowled over US talk show maven Oprah Winfrey. It wasn't long before she was rubbing elbows with international music stars like Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, David Foster, and, most recently, Justin Bieber.
To date, Charice has topped the Billboard Dance Charts in May with her first single "Pyramid" from her self-titled album. She also appeared in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. Now, everyone is waiting for her appearance in Glee.
Jumping with Glee
Charice has landed a plum role in "Glee," as a Filipino (as she and her mother insisted to the producers) exchange student who will give the show's resident drama queen Rachel Berry (played by Lea Michele) such "a run for her money," that Berry gets so competitive she "contemplates murder." Taping on July 28 or 29 for 10 out of 20 episodes of the show's second season, Raquel told reporters after the press conference. "'Di naman puwedeng mag-full [season] si Charice kasi madami din siyang commitment sa America."
Charice said, "Talagang di ako nag-expect na makakapasa ako kasi talagang that time nanginginig pa ako." To prepare for the show, Charice said she is working on her accent and acting skills, "Ang pinakaimportante po talaga ay 'yung acting. Dun po kami nagfofocus talaga." She is also taking voice lessons for the role, something that might come as a surprise to anyone who has heard her sing in person or even on TV. The petite singer showed off her vocal prowess at the concert after the press conference.
Kaya mo iyan Charice. You are a phenomenonal singer. Ilang beses mo ng pinatunayan iyan. Like my husband always say dahil tuwang tuwa at ipinagmamalaki ka niya kahit na hindi siya Pinoy eh isang beses lang mangyari sa buhay ang napakagandang nangyari sa buhay mo kaya make the most of it. Iyong dream mo na maging lawyer eh maabot mo iyan because that is your dream. Keep reaching for the stars but keep you feet on the ground. Best wishes for you Charice.
Congrats to her! When I saw the amonut of hate she was getting on some local websites, I couldn't believe...hatred is such an ugly thing to see. I'm looking forward to her appearance on Glee. Please people, let's stop tearing each other down. We'll never get ANYWHERE if we don't.
I have very high respect for hardworking yet humble people like you, Charice. You're truly an inspiration to all especially to the youngsters nowadays. Heaven will always beam shinning light to all your dreams and the angels will always guide your path. Don't mind the haters because they don't matter actually. What matters most is that you have touched millions of young hearts and you have shown perfect examples for others to pursue their dreams. Back to the time when you were guesting in a particular show in Italy, that Italian singing contest-judge was right when he told you that you have not only received a gift from God which is your beautiful voice, but you are also a gift from God for others to look up to. You're truly phenomenal and inspirational.
I don't think "contemplating murder" is similar to "plots to kill Charice's character." Unless you know something that we don't and you're absolutely sure that Rachel Berry will really plot to kill Charice's character.
I don't think "contemplating murder," as written by Ausiello, is similar to "plots to kill Charice's character." Is it?
Dear vomit, You are absolutely correct! We have rectified our oversight. Thanks for pointing that out twice! What would we do without you? Thank you for always reading Spot.ph. We appreciate your love and support. Sincerely, Spot.ph
In another website, it was reported that Charice had a botox treatment right before her concert at the Venice Piazza. Botox for someone as young as she is? What on earth for??? Does she want to look like a plastic doll?
Whatever! mukha pa din syang patay gutom na performer. Pang Youtube lang talaga sya.
@ Maria Malibog, I know we have a new government in place. While it is true that we want to be as inclusive as possible, could you please verify that you really wanted to be in spot and not in PEP?
Charice haters admit it, magaling talaga siya! and I hope na tayong mga Pinoy would support yung mga kapwa nating nagtatagumpay. Wag na nating ipamukha sa mundo ang bulok nating paguugali na talangka! Let us be proud that once again we are given a chance to show kung gano talaga tayo kagaling na lahi! And may Charice become an inspiration sa DYING culture natin, lets be proud of who we are!!! We are at par with the rest of people in the world (thats coming from someone who works as an OFW), kaya dapat tayong magtulungan... MABUHAY!!!
@ robert, I agree. Our culture is not dying naman. We are rich in culture and it is always there. It just needs to be nurtured and appreciated more. More power to Charice.
I've never thought she would be a very big star. Stellar talaga! I was relieved to see Charice in a different light. Who would've thought that this young talent known singing songs that required belting would become a pop singer? I'm glad she is being handled reasonably because she has so much potential and she deserves it. Kudos to you, Charice!
@ Maria Malibog If you think Charice looks like 'pataygutom', then I'd rather be a 'pataygutom' with dignity and honor than be like you - a bitter and classless individual. I wonder what kind of upbringing you had. Remember the old saying that goes "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". Or maybe not. You might have been raised in a jungle, for all I know.
Charice has talent and luck going for her right now - the important thing is she's capitalizing on both while the opportunities are ripe for the picking. That's all that matters really. She may not be the best, but she's pretty damn good at what she does, and she does rank up there. As long as she takes care of her throat and lungs she'll keep afloat of all the hatemongering.
@Maria Malibog, date tayo, sweetie!
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Botox treatment?wow! gravity will always win..
I can't be proud of a person who has to get botox just to fit in. I have higher standards.
the haters come with the territory. if she wants to be a star, she has to be strong enough for it. and NOT let people like her manager and vicki belo take advantage of her!! an 18yo getting botox to look "fresh" on cam? wtf?! messed up!