Filipinos as World Class Performers

Charice earns rave reviews from NYTimes, NY Post

2008-09-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

ABS-CBNNEWS.Com

Is Charice's star ever going to dim? By the looks of it, not anytime soon.

Fresh from the success of her performance in the concert of international pop star Celine Dion at Madison Square Garden, sixteen-year-old Charice continues to gain more fans after two major newspapers, the New York Times and the New York Post, heaped praises on her performance last September 15. (Watch a video clip of that duet here.)

In an article published September 16, reviewer Jon Caramanica of The New York Times described Charice's voice as "impressive" and praised the young diva for giving a rougher, more emotional edge to her performance of Dion's hit song "Because You Loved Me."

"They performed 'Because You Loved Me', though Ms. Dion mostly stayed out of the way as Ms. Pempengco explored the song’s heretofore unheard rougher edges, with ample gesticulations and melisma.

"As Ms. Pempengco brought the crowd to its feet, Ms. Dion struck poses behind her: awestruck wonder, heartfelt empathy, ambient triumph," the New York Times review read.

A separate review written by Dan Aquilante of the New York Post described Charice's performance as the brightest moment of the Celine Dion concert.

"One of the most interesting turns in this show was the MSG debut of 16-year-old vocal prodigy Charice Pempengco, whose manager, Oprah Winfrey - that's right - secured the Philippine singer a duet with Celine for the song 'Because You Loved Me.'

"The Charice segment was the night's brightest moment. The teen was able to blast notes with Celine-like power, but she was also able to get in touch with the song's emotions," the review read.

Online videos of Charice's performance at the Dion concert showed people giving a standing ovation to the young Filipina after the duet. More here...

Charice sings with US stars, wows Vegas

2008-06-03T21:20:00.000-07:00

I am having a hard time updating this blog site regularly due to lack of time . But then again, Charice's latest big event in Las Vegas prompted me to input it here. Good thing I still have her article on file, and was able to upload one of her videos on You Tube. Here it is: According to Reyma Deveza of ABS-CBNNEWS.Com,Young 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.

Audience impact

After her performance, 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 perfomance 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.

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.

"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.

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.

"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. More here...

Another Pinoy became an internet sensation!

2008-02-01T05:06:00.000-08:00

Pardon me for this is a bit late to tell my story about this guy named Reynaldo Lapuz. I don't usually watch any reality game show till I happened to watch this American Idol on TV where this guy, who looks like a Filipino, caught my attention. Gees, I was not only amazed of his being 'cool' but on how he was able to get the hosts sing-and-dance along with him! And above all, he's a Filipino! Hehe, iyan ang pinoy, sumisipa! Indeed, another Pinoy rocks American Idol. How? Read on what M. Ubalde of GMAnews.TV had reported[1/23/08] (I edited some infos. for update purposes):

Reynaldo Lapuz, the flamboyant Nevada-based Filipino who breezed his way through the American Idol auditions, has now become an instant Internet sensation, spawning fans all over the world to remix his infectious song, “We’re Brothers Forever."

Reynaldo’s AI Season 7 audition piece was the top favorite of the week, with more than 6,000 hits in the video sharing Web site YouTube.

In fact, his audition piece has become so popular that about five of his now famous video clips landed in the top 10 most favorite for the week, totaling to about 21,000 favorites as of posting time.

Since it was uploaded on January 16, Reynaldo’s seven-minute video has attracted more than 981,412 views (as of 10pm, Friday, 02/01), which is also among the top views in YouTube for the week.

Despite being tagged as the next William Hung, Reynaldo’s indisputable edge seems to be his passionate a cappella, “We’re Brothers Forever," which inspired a throng of his admirers to fill the missing music to his power-ballad song.

Elliot Bronson strummed his guitar providing an acoustic theme to Reynaldo’s signature song, while fellow YouTube user, Rocko, added Pinoy beatbox to give the song a more upbeat hip-hop sound.

But perhaps one of the standout remixes to “We’re Brothers Forever" is the hypnotic Dance Remix, where two American cheerleaders, complete with matching silver pompoms, are seen gyrating to Reynaldo’s song.

These video clips and more can now be seen on Reynaldo’s official fansite.

The Reynaldo interview

“While I was watching, I felt nervous, like doing the audition again," Reynaldo said in an interview with local Dallas TV network, FOX 4 .

“Over-to-the-maximum of happiness, really,"Reynaldo said, describing his feeling after the auditions.

Reynaldo is optimistic that his AI stint is only the beginning of more blessings in his life, and perhaps, career.

“Hopefully it would be a continuous progress. I expect, you know, blessings…," he said.

According to Reynaldo, the hit song he wrote for terror-judge Simon Cowell, was meant to spread the word that Simon is a good person who spends millions of dollars just to look for a new talent.

Early on in the audition, Simon was unimpressed with Reynaldo, until later, when the terror-judge began waving his hands as if conducting the Filipino singer.

Fellow AI judge Randy Jackson became so amused that he called in AI host Ryan Seacrest to listen in on Reynaldo's performance, while fellow Idol judge Paula Abdul danced like a 60s go-go dancer.

No age limit?

Reynaldo said his friends prodded him to join the AI auditions.

“Hey Brother Rey, why don’t you join American Idol?" Reynaldo recalled his friends telling him.

“There’s no age-limit, check it again", his friends told him, amid Reynaldo’s hesitation.

AI only accepts aspiring singers who are not more than 28 years old. Reynaldo turned 45 last December 18.

The ‘Flash’ outfit

Even before Reynaldo walked in the audition room, Seacrest immediately noticed his outrageous white flashy ensemble.

“I don’t know what to wear, because in the paper it states dress to impress," Reynaldo said.

In the interview, he confessed that it took him two weeks to prepare his costume, inspired by comics hero, Flash, and the film “Gladiator."

But for his feathered cowboy hat, Reynaldo said Elton John’s 1969 hit “Skyline Pigeon" was his inspiration.

“That’s it! That’s what made the whole outfit," he said.

What's Up with the Two Idols ng Bayan?

2008-01-18T19:10:00.000-08:00

I am referring to none other than Vincent Bueno and Arnel Pineda, who else? Let's get started with Vincent Bueno who wants to try local showbiz. According to ABS-CBNNEWS.COM, Filipino singer Vincent Bueno, who was proclaimed the grand winner of Austrian talent competition "Musical! Die Show," is now setting his sights in trying his hand in local showbiz. Bueno bested almost 400 musical artists all over Europe who joined the prestigious “Musical! Die Show,” dubbed as the counterpart of popular “American Idol” in the United States. He was the only Asian who landed in the top 10 during the final showdown on January 11. More here...

While, Arnel Pineda is being proud to be pinoy according to David Dizon of abs-cbnNEWS.com, When your star's on the rise, you know you've got it made when someone tries to sell a sex video about you in an attempt to cash in on your fame. Journey frontman Arnel Pineda is all smiles when he talks about the alleged sex scandal involving him. "It really does look like me!" he says outside an ABS-CBN studio. His manager, Bert de Leon, also laughs off the news. "It couldn't be you because you aren't singing 'Open Arms' while doing it." "And it doesn't end with me singing the Hallelujah Chorus," adds Pineda. More here...

To both of them, let's look forward to more cool peformances soon. Mabuhay ang Pinoy!

Father Fernando Suarez: The Healing Priest

2008-01-16T02:03:00.000-08:00

Who's Father Fernando?
About Father Fernando

Fr. Fernando Suarez CC, was born in the Province of Batangas in the Philppines in 1967. After spending much of his life living and working in the Philippines, with a Chemical Engineering degree, he came to Winnipeg, Canada in 1995. In Canada, he continued to persue his desire to follow the Lord as a Roman Catholic Priest, something he strongly felt God was calling him to become. More...

Healing priest does so ‘many miracles like in the Bible’

by Ma. Ceres P. Doyo , Philippine Daily Inquirerposted Jan 6, 2008MANILA, Philippines -- He could not believe his healing power. He wanted to run away from it. A Canadian woman declared dead eight hours earlier, her organs ready to be harvested and donated, suddenly opened her eyes after Filipino priest Fr. Fernando Suarez prayed over her. [full article]

Cyber Healing Center, Vol. 1 - Fr. Fernando's Healing Prayer

Cyber Healing Center, Vol. 4 - MonteMaria Healing Stones

Healing held on Batangas (Jan. 14, 2008)

Filipino is Austria’s newest sensation and newsmaker

2008-01-16T01:46:00.000-08:00

(Vincent Bueno on TV Patrol 1/14/08)

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau -This Friday, Pinoys in Europe will unite to support a fellow Filipino who made it to the grand finals of a major televised musical competition in Austria, reported ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

Not only did Vincent Bueno swoon his way to the finals on January 4, of the very grand "Musical! Die Show" [Musical! The Show] of ORF, the Austrian national broadcaster, but he has been on headlines of major newspapers and magazines here. Click here for more...

Filipino is grand champion in Austria's 'Musical! Die Show'

2008-01-13T22:40:00.000-08:00

Another Filipino singer has proven his talent abroad!

Read on what LOUIE GALICIA of ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau reported: (as of 1/12/2008 2:58 PM)
Filipino singer Vincent Bueno triumphed in his bid to become the grand winner of the "Musical! Die Show" on Friday, reported ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

A full-blooded Filipino born in Vienna to Pinoy parents, Bueno shouted "Philippines! Philippines!" after he was declared the winner of "Musical! Die Show" (Musical! The Show), an Austrian singing competition with all the pizazz and campy glamour of "American Idol" but much tougher: instead of simply singing pop tunes, contestants are required to choose from Broadway musical theater repertoire, and give a performance that involves singing, dancing, acting and theatrical effects.

"Musical! Die Show" is aired over the Austrian national broadcaster ORF. Televiewers in Austria and nearby countries where ORF is telecast and supporters of Bueno from all over the world either phoned in or sent SMS messages to give him 67% of televotes--a landslide victory.

Bueno faced Austrian Eva Klikovics who won the second place with 37% of televotes in the final part of the Musical! Die Show. The other Austrian, Gudrun Ihninger, was eliminated early on, after the three completed their two solo numbers.

For his first act, Bueno energetically sang "Greased Lightning", a Broadway song from the musical "Grease". He immediately received a roaring applause and standing ovation from the studio audience.

The crowd went wild and again stood in ovation and gave Bueno thunderous, almost deafening applause after he sang his final solo number which was "Music of the Night", the most famous song from the musical "The Phantom of the Opera".

The jury said that for them, Bueno was undoubtedly the winner but said that his fate would be decided by the world, as everyone waited for the televotes to pour in. The world agreed and crowned Bueno the first Asian, the first Filipino to become grand champion.

Bueno faced astonishing odds from the start. For the auditions, he had to compete with 400 other aspirants.

His first appearance already made an impact among televiewers in Austria because not only is he the only Asian among Austrian contenders but he was already proving to be the best performer of the pack.

Bueno has become an instant celebrity in Austria when he won televotes to keep him in the second of seven elimination rounds of Musical! Die Show which started on November 23. The jury repeatedly commended his excellent performance.

Bueno continued to wow the jury and audiences around the world, getting a large number of supporters and fans all over Europe, North America, the Philippines and even Australia. With so many supporters, he survived seven eliminations and entered the Magic Three in the finals.

By the seventh round on January 4, Bueno already became a byword in Austrian households and attracted the interest of Pinoys world-wide. With his stellar performances and good looks, he is endlessly watched on www.youtube.com, www.digitalpinoy.org and discussed at blogs and forums.

During the finals, Pinoys who live in countries where ORF is not broadcast, tuned in to the live forum at DigitalPinoy where Aries Fortuna gave a blow-by-blow account of what’s actually happening at the show.

The live forum at the website gave Pinoys, who couldn’t watch the show, the chance to immediately know the result of the competition. Fr. Ejay Jarapa who is studying in Rome, was one of those who joined the forum because he wanted to know the fate of Bueno and also to support him.

Jarapa has only recently learned about Bueno from the article that was published on this website on January 9 and was so proud for the Pinoy. Pinoys from different time zones remained glued at the forum until the end of the competition.

After being declared the winner, Bueno was swarmed by reporters and fans just like the previous Fridays. Previous reports in major newspapers and magazines in Austria already gave Bueno rave reviews and wild forecasts that he will win.

He was the favorite to win and also the jury’s bet but the world still jumped with joy when he was declared the winner.

Bueno, for his part, thanked all those believed in him.

The show ended at 11:30 pm and felt like another New Year’s eve for all the fans, friends, believers and supporters of Bueno who have already readied themselves to toast for him, win or lose.

After all, Bueno has long been a winner in their hearts.

YouTube gives Filipino singers the big 'cyber break'

2008-01-13T20:37:00.000-08:00

I was searching for an article about our pinoys who have had shown their extra ordinary talent, luckily, I found this from ABS-CBN Interactive as their special article. Read on.

"I really did not expect that I'd get noticed on the internet," she said. Filipino singer Charice Pempengco cries during a Reuters interview in Manila January 5, 2008. Pempengco shot from relatively obscurity to levels of success surprising even to herself when a clip of her singing Jennifer Holliday's "And I'm Telling You I am Not Going" on video-sharing website YouTube caught the attention of TV host Ellen DeGeneres and Grammy award winning producer David Foster. Picture taken January 5, 2008.REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES) - Reuters

Sometimes the road to international stardom starts with a click on YouTube.

In two of the latest whirlwind career turnarounds launched by the video-sharing Web site (www.youtube.com), Filipino singers Charice Pempengco and Arnel Pineda have shot from relative obscurity to levels of success surprising even to them.

Fifteen-year-old Pempengco thought her music career was doomed when she lost a local singing competition in 2006.

But YouTube gave her the "cyber break" of a lifetime, when a clip of her singing Jennifer Holliday's "And I'm Telling You I am Not Going" caught the attention of TV host Ellen DeGeneres and Grammy award winning producer David Foster.

DeGeneres interviewed Pempengco on her show in December, where she wowed the audience with her vocal range, while Foster now introduces her to his friends as "my new singer," after the two met in Los Angeles.

"After I sang at the show last year, Ellen embraced me and she kept telling me this is the start of my international career," Pempengco told Reuters in Manila last week.

The busy teen now studies for her high school degree from home, while clips of her singing Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Beyonce and Celine Dion's hits circulate in cyberspace.

After more than five million hits on YouTube, she is still surprised to be recognized in the street.

"While I was walking along Rodeo Drive, people would come up to me to congratulate me and say 'I saw you on YouTube and you are a great singer'," said Pempengco in her dressing room after doing a Whitney Houston medley for a local noontime TV show.

"One American told me 'I am now a Pinoy after hearing you sing'." Pinoy is a colloquial term for Filipino.

Charice Pempengco's Official Web Site

Arnel Pineda, the new lead singer of rock band Journey, gestures during a Reuters interview at his local manager's office in Manila on January 8, 2008. Pineda was spotted by Journey founder and guitarist Neil Schon on YouTube singing their hit "Faithfully," with his local band, Zoo. Picture taken January 8, 2008.REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)

Like a dream, Pineda, on the other hand, is no overnight success.

A 40-year professional singer with quite a reputation in Manila's clubs, he looked set to join the legion of talented, but relatively unrewarded, singers who never break into the big-time.

One video posted online of Pineda performing with his Zoo band in a Makati nightclub changed all that.

More than 11,700 kilometers away in California, Neal Schon, founder and guitarist of the rock band Journey, downloaded a clip of Pineda singing their hit "Faithfully" on YouTube, and knew his search for a new frontman had ended.

"After watching the video over and over again, I had to walk away from the computer and let what I heard sink in because it sounded too good to be true," Schon said in a statement posted on Journey's Web site.

The band flew Pineda to Marin County in San Francisco in August for an audition.

"Unbelievably, they embraced my voice," said Pineda.

"They said this guy is genuine and I really got the gig.

Now he will join the band for a series of concerts in Europe, U.S. and South America, kicking off in Chile.

"It's like I am dreaming," Pineda said.

"Except that I am awake".