A Star is Born!

A young Filipino singer, Charice once again proved her singing prowess as she got two standing ovations for her performance with musician-record producer David Foster's discoveries for a benefit concert at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas last Friday, May 23rd.For the event entitled "David Foster & Friends" in front of an audience of almost 10,000, Charice sang a medley of Whitney Houston's hits- "I Will Always Love You" and "I Have Nothing". These songs are from the original sound track of "The Bodyguard" which was produced by Foster. "And I Am Telling You" is from the original soundtrack of "Dreamgirls", also produced by Foster.

Charice got two standing ovations. People cried during her performance, and she received loud cheers and applause after each song.Charice said in an interview after her performance that she was really happy and thrilled to be part of Foster's special show."Masaya lang po ako na biglaan po yung napabilang ako sa kanila, lalo na po sa Las Vegas. Mas maraming big stars ang nakasama ko like Mr. Andrea Bocelli. ( "I’m happy with this surprise that I’m one of the performers, especially in Las Vegas. I am with more big stars like Mr. Andrea Bocelli." )Sobrang bait na talagang after ng performance ko nakita ko nasa baba siya nag-stay. Akala ko kung ano ang meron, yun pala iko-congratulate niya ako parang di ako makapaniwala na sila ang kasama ko," Charice said. ("He (Bocelli) was very kind that after I performed, I saw that he stayed below. I thought of what’s in there, only to find out that he’s going to congratulate me. I couldn’t believe that I performed with them (the stars)." )"Basta parang nanaginip lang ako lalo na noong nakita ko 'yung program. Hello pinagitnaan ako ng big star Michael Buble at Josh Groban," Charice added. ( "It’s like I’m just dreaming more so when I saw the program. Hello I was in between big stars Michael Buble and Josh Groban."

Proudly Filipino,the 16-year-old belter said she was emotional after her performance."After ng performance ko, naiiyak ako. Hindi ko lang mailabas kasi may second song pa po pero talagang natutuwa ako na kahit po 'yung mga Amerikano nakikilala po nila ako. Tapos sinasabi nila na ako daw po yung best na nakita nilang may best performance," she said.("I cried after my performance. I couldn’t just let it out because I still have a second song but I’m really happy that even the Americans know me. And they said that my performance is the best among the other great performances.")"Proud po ako, Filipino po ako. Tapos natuwa ako na binanggit ko na taga-Pilipinas ako ang daming nag-chi-cheer nakaka-proud. Sana proud din sa akin ang kapwa Pilipino ko po," said Charice. ("I’m proud, I’m a Filipino. And I’m happy that I mentioned that I’m from the Philippines and a lot of people have cheered. I hope that my fellow Filipinos are also proud of me.")

As for David Foster, he does not have anything but good words for his new discovery -- Charice."Tonight, a star is born," Foster said."I had the great pleasure of being able to stand inside behind the stage when she was performing... she has a beautiful voice," Josh Groban said.During the cast party where no cameras were allowed, people, including the artists flocked to Charice. They were all hugging and congratulating her for a very wonderful performance.The caterer, famous chef Wolfgang Puck who saw the show with his wife could not get enough of Charice. Mrs. Puck said, "I want to be your mother from now on." Charice got a standing invitation from Wolfgang for free dinners with him and his wife every time Charice is in Beverly Hills.

Making Filipinos proud, Charice said she gives her best in every performance to make her fellow Filipinos proud of her."Iniisip ko lang po na ibigay ang best ko sa bawat performance ko, kahit sino ang kasama ko...para maipagmalaki ko sa mga nanonood na pwede din po akong isabay sa mga talagang batikang singers like mga idol ko," she said. ("I always thought to give my best in every performance, whoever sings with me… so that I can be proud to all viewers that I can also sing like the famous singers like my idols.")"Kaya binibigay ko ang best ko. Ito pong malaking oportunity na binibigay nila sa akin yun na po ang sinusukli ko sa kanila. 'Yung best performance ko na masasabi pong karapat-dapat ako sa binigay nilang opportunity." ("That’s why I’m giving my best. The great opportunity that they’re giving me, my best is what I gave back in return. The best performance that one could say I am deserving of the opportunities given me.")

Charice thanked all the people who had faith in her talent and gave her breaks to be recognized."Salamat sa lahat ng pinag-guest-an ko sa Oprah, sa Ellen DeGeneres sa Paul O' Grady siyempre David Foster," Charice said. ("Thank you to all who has invited me to guest in Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres, Paul O’Grady and of course David Foster.")Charice appeared in the Paul O’Grady Show in London, Tuesday, April 8 and on the Ellen DeGeneres show in December 2007.Last April 11, abs-cbnNEWS.com broke the story that she just finished taping a special episode for Oprah. Her special guesting with Oprah was aired May 12th.

a photo of charice and david foster@ Las Vegas