It has been so amazing to see young Charice Pempengco achieve worldwide attention.
I have seen her on television via the Filipino channel ABS-CBN (via the Filipino Channel) while visiting my parents and then in 2007, I believe, watching her on “Ellen”.
The young singer from the Philippines was recently featured on Oprah Winfrey this month and just watching her sing “My Heart Goes On” with David Foster was just amazing!
But what touched me was to know more about the life and background of Charice in the Philippines. For so long, I have heard her amazing voice and seen her on youtube.com but for some reason, I have thought, oh…a singer from Manila has been discovered. But in reality, the episode on Oprah Winfrey showed a side of the singer having to support her family and I was truly touched.
The Philippines has amazing vocalists from Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Pops Fernandez, Vina Morales and several years ago, I was just amazed by the voice of Carol Banawa. But Charice Pempengco, has a voice that is just so incredibly beautiful.
And one thing that I enjoy, positively, about the Internet is to see these talent get recognition worldwide, as Arnel Pineda who received recognition from youtube and is now the lead singer of Journey.
But the recognition and the fact that Oprah Winfrey brought the young singer to her show and even went further by getting Charice’s favorite singer Celine Dion to appear on the show via video to invite Charice to perform with her at Madison Square Garden is just incredible.
And before those who bring up the “well, Dennis, you should know by now that Asian singers don’t do well in America”, I agree that the musical marketing of well-known Asian artists in the America has been quite unsatisfactory.
With the latest announcement of K-Pop/J-Pop artist BoA making her American debut in a few weeks, this topic has been a big roundtable discussion amongst me and a few colleagues in the industry. We can hope she is marketed well.
I hope for big things for this vibrant performer. The appearance on Oprah is quite significant and I’m proud of her and the way she has been on television and just singing her heart out!
Charice Pempengco… keep your eyes on this singer with a wonderful voice!