Witness a more mature Charice, listen to her breathtaking voice and be charmed by her powerful stance as she takes the spotlight and performs songs that talk about her wonderful journey as an artist as well as the ups and downs of her family life.

Charice also pays tribute to well-loved OPM love songs as she shares the stage with Pop Balladeer Mark Bautista and RNB Prince Jay-R.

Get to know the latest from Charice as she sings a few hits from her second international studio album “Infinity”, and talks about an Asian tour happening very soon.

Emotions will outpour as Charice sings to her father Ricky Pempengco, who passed away last year.

Also, don’t miss the country’s most sought-after love teams, newly-weds, and most celebrated couples, as they share their love stories and give a prelude to each special performance by Charice.

The special is directed by Louie Ignacio and supported by the same team behind the last year’s Kapuso Valentine offering, “Charice – Home for Valentine’s.”

The international singing sensation will once again capture the hearts of every Kapuso viewer worldwide in “Charice, One for the Heart” airing this Sunday (February 12, 2012) after iBilib only on GMA.

Charice, One for the Heart in GMA-7 originally appeared on Starmometer on February 9, 2012.

Charice has come a long way since American talk show hosts Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres discovered her through YouTube. It paved the way for Charice to become an international recording artist, perform in different parts of the world and even bag a recurring role in the hit TV musical “Glee.”

Her debut international album called “Charice” was very successful. Upon its release in 2010, the album entered the Billboard 200 at number-eight, making Charice the first Asian singer in history to land in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 albums chart.

And now Charice is back for her second international studio album titled “Infinity.” The said album was actually released exclusively early in Japan on October 5, 2011 by Warner Records. And in preparation for its official worldwide release, Charice will be launching a seven-city tour across Asia. The tour will begin on March 2, 2012, in Dubai and then in Manila (Philippines), Hong Kong (China), Seoul (Korea), Tokyo (Japan), Singapore (Singapore) and Hawaii (USA.)

The Bruno Mars composition–”Before It Explodes”–was released as lead single of “Infinity” last April 18, 2011. “Louder” was released as the album’s second single bundled with another track titled “Lost the Best Thing” on May 20, 2011. “One Day,” on the other hand, was released as promotional single as a part of Acuvue’s “ACUVUE® 1•DAY Contest”. Both “Louder” and “One Day” have an accompanying music video released in later dates.

In the exclusive Japanese release of the album, “Far as the Sky” was released as a promotional single in Japan on July 27, 2011. The track was also the theme song of the popular Japanese drama series, “Bull Doctor.” “New World” was then released as the second promotional single in Japan and will be featured on the upcoming Square Enix RPG Final Fantasy XIII-2.

It’s interesting to note that Japan is the 2nd biggest market in music in the world next to the US. Charice‘s “Infinity” peaked at no. 8 on Billboard Japan album chart.

Here is the track listing for Charice’s “Infinity” album:

1. “Louder”
Daniel Jamas, Leah Haywood, Shelly Peiken

2. “New World”
Koichi Tabo

3. “Bounce Back”
Lars Halvor Jensen, Kasia Livingston, Johannes “Josh” Joergensen & Daniel “Obi” Klein

4. “Far As the Sky”
Yusuke Tanaka

5. “Lost the Best Thing”
Carsten Schack, Sean Hurley, Cathy Dennis

6. “Heartbreak Survivor”
Rico Love, Wayne Wilkins, Joanna “JoJo” Levesque

7. “Before It Explodes”
Bruno Mars, Ari Levine, Phillip Lawrence

8. “Lesson For Life”
Jason Derulo, Kara DioGuardi, Alex Francis, Dinavon Bythwood, Jordan Kyle, Joseph Angel

9. “Never Always”
Frankie Storm, Warren “Oak” Felder

10. “One Day”
Nick Jonas, Dan Muckala, Jason Ingram

11. “Lighthouse”
Natasha Bedingfield, Mike Elizondo, Danielle Brisebois

Charice to Release 2nd International Album ‘Infinity’ originally appeared on Starmometer on February 9, 2012.

19-year-old Jessica Whitely from Ohio sang Charice‘s “In This Song” as her audition piece on American Idol.

The verdict: She murdered the song!

Watch the funny video here:

And speaking of Charice, our international song bird was recently featured on Marie Claire Magazine in Malaysia.

The article is titled “Pocket Full of Sunshine” where Charice talked about trying her best to maintain a normal teenage life despite her international success.

Charice’s ‘In This Song’ Murdered by an American Idol Contestant originally appeared on Starmometer on January 23, 2012.

Charice sported a modern minimalism look on the cover of Preview’s latest issue which made her look like a Chinese doll. But her critics are quick to question the cover photo saying that it was “too photoshopped.”

A behind-the-scenes video of Charice‘s photoshoot for Preview was shown on ABS-CBN’s primetime newscast Bandila Tuesday night. The video shows that it’s the styling and make-up that made Charice looked like a Chinese doll and not much of a photoshop manipulation was done.

Here’s the behind-the-scenes video of the said photoshoot courtesy of Style Bible:

Preview’s camp also admitted that “photoshopping” is usually done in all their cover images and not just the one with Charice. The magazine pointed out, however, that manipulation was only minimal as not to change the overall look of the featured star/model.

Charice, Too Photoshopped on Preview Cover? originally appeared on Starmometer on January 4, 2012.

Charice sports a modern minimalism look on the cover of Preview.

Other topics inside this ish includes “Bold New Fashion,” “Super Size Me,” “Preview Editors Find the Right Color for You,” “Over 263 Designers Who Matter,” and more!

Preview with Charice on the cover out now!

Charice is on the Cover of Preview originally appeared on Starmometer on January 1, 2012.

We first conducted the “Hottest 20 Under 20″ poll in Starmometer last 2008 where Kapamilya drama princess Kim Chiu emerged as the winner.

This year, we brought back the poll to take pulse on the new generation of young stars in the country and in reversed order, based from your Facebook “likes” in the Hottest 20 Under 20 gallery, here are the Top 20:

20. Charice Pempengco, 19 – International Recording Artist who had a recurring role in the hit TV series “Glee.” [1,990 votes]

19. Kristoffer Martin – Star of GMA-7′s “Tween Hearts” and “Munting Heredera.” [2,014 votes]

18. Khalil Ramos, 15 – Pilipinas Got Talent Season 3 Runner up. [2,362 votes]

17. Devon Seron, 18 – Former PBB Teen housemate. She currently plays the role of Teresa Santos in ABS-CBN’s “Angelito: Batang Ama.” [2,561 votes]

16. Bea Binene, 14 – Star of GMA-7′s “Tween Hearts” and “Pahiram ng Isang Ina.” [2,603]

(Ranking nos. 11 to 15 on page 2)

PHL’s Hottest 20 Stars Under 20 – The Final Rankings originally appeared on Starmometer on December 19, 2011.

Catch Charice as she belts her heart out and jam with guest performers Jay Durias, Arjohn and the Mandaluyong choir.

TV5 Presents ‘Christmas with Charice’ this Sunday originally appeared on Starmometer on December 10, 2011.

Charice Pempengco shares with Talk Asia her rise to international fame, her childhood life in poverty, and her estranged relationship with her recently murdered father.

Video courtesy of dorothymariko1

Charice – CNN’s Talk Asia Interview (Video) originally appeared on Starmometer on December 4, 2011.

Charice Pempengco is no ordinary teenager. Dubbed by Oprah Winfrey as “ the most talented girl in the world,” her voice has stunned audiences around the world and has taken her from talent shows in the Philippines to appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show in the United States to having a part on the hit TV show, ‘Glee.’ In 2010 Charice also became the first Asian singer in history to rank in the Top 10 of the “Billboard 200” albums chart in 2010. This week Talk Asia sits down with the rising star to talk about her meteoric rise to success.

Below are the excerpts from the interview.

ON HER HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

ANNA COREN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You came from humble beginnings, growing up in the Philippines. Tell me what that was like?

CHARICE PEMPENGCO, SINGER: Well it was really a tough life, not really easy. My mom’s a single mom and she used to be my vocal coach and I really admire her. She’s definitely my inspiration and I look up to her a lot. I mean I decided to be a singer because of her. It was a tough life before but now this whole thing that happened to me really helped me a lot.

COREN: Your father left when you were 3 years old. What are your memories of that time and how did it affect your family?

PEMPENGCO: I told my mom to stop working because it was really hard. By the age of six I was cooking rice and some stuff for my little brother. I was giving him the milk and everything…Every time I did all the singing contests and it was horrible. You start from 10pm in the night and you finish at 7am in the morning and I had to go to school. She used to cry and she told me to stop and I said “no” because that was the only way we could get a lot of money from it. I really sacrificed everything but at the same time it felt great and it was worth it. Seeing my mom’s face every time I won made me feel great…

ON HER RELATIONSHIP WITH HER LATE FATHER
[filmed several weeks before her father’s death]

COREN: Do you miss [your father]?

PEMPENGCO: I actually don’t know. I don’t know. Maybe sometimes when I see some kids with their families. Sorry I keep crying. Maybe when I ask them sometimes, how does it feel to have a dad? (crying) And you know they tell me these great answers and sometimes I wish my dad is here. Maybe I do, sometimes. But at the same time, I don’t because of what happened. It’s hard. It’s really hard.

ON HER RISE TO FAME

ANNA COREN: Four years ago, you were a young singer in the Philippines whose performances were posted on YouTube, now you are this international star who has someone like Oprah as a mentor. Do you sometimes just wake up and think “wow this is my life”?

PEMPENGCO: Yes. Yes I still get overwhelmed. It happened so fast but at the same time, I worked hard for it and I’m still working hard for it.

COREN: How has this fame and this exclusive club that you have entered, how has this changed your life?

PEMPENGCO: For me, I’m still me. But of course my life has changed a lot. From the hard life, from a really tough life and now I actually gave stuff that I really wanted to give to my mom.

COREN: I have to ask you, there was a reported rivalry between you and [actress] Lea Michelle and that you had signed on to do five episodes [of ‘Glee’] but in actual fact you only appeared in three. Is this rivalry true?

PEMPENGCO: When I was there, she was nice to me so I don’t think there’s a rivalry but maybe people think that because I play her rival on Glee so there’s always going to be like that. So people will ask me if it’s like that in real life – I’m like no!

Catch Charice’s Talk Asia interview on CNN at the following airtimes:

Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore and Taipei

Friday, December 2 at 1830
Saturday, December 3 at 2100
Sunday, December 4 at 0730, 1430
Monday, December 5 at 0930
Tuesday, December 6 at 1630
Thursday, December 8 at 1330

(Press Release and photo: CNN Asia)

Support Charice Pempengco in our “Hottest 20 Stars Under 20″ poll. To vote for her, go to Starmometer’s Facebook Album and “LIKE” her photo.

Charice Featured on CNN’s Talk Asia originally appeared on Starmometer on December 1, 2011.

According to police reports, the 39-year-old construction worker-dad of Charice was having a drinking session with his friends at around 9 p.m. when the suspect, identified as Angel Capili, Jr., approached Pempengco and stabbed him to death using a twelve-inch ice pick then immediately left the area.

Charice’s mother, Raquel Pempengco, appealed for understanding from Charice’s fans in Singapore after the Pinay international singing sensation cancelled her upcoming performance in a concert with David Foster.

“Sana maunawaan nila na ‘yung nangyayari ngayon kay Charice kung bakit hindi siya makakasama sa Singapore show. Kailangan niya muna makasama ang pamilya niya,” she said in an interview by ABS-CBNNews.com.

Charice earlier apologized to her fans in Singapore who are looking forward to see her perform in the David Foster and Friends Concert Tour.

“I am very sorry to all my fans from Singapore. I am not going to be there to be part of David Foster and Friends concert. I have to go back to the Philippines as soon as possible to be with my family. I hope you all understand. I love you all and I will see you next year,” Charice said.

Charice expressed her feelings over her dad’s death on Twitter.

“I loved him and I will still love him. He’s still my Dad after all.”

Meanwhile, Charice‘s aunt and Ricky’s sister Russell Mahira, via an interview with ABS-CBN this morning, expressed her grievances towards Charice and her mom for leaving his brother many years ago due to domestic violence accusations.

“Masaya na siguro kayo, patay na ang kapatid ko?,” she said.

She claims her brother suffered depression and mental illness after his wife, Raquel, and two children, Charice and Carl, left him years ago.

Charice answered back on Aunt’s tirades via Twitter:

“Gusto ko lang malaman nyo, na we had a really great relationship bago nangyari lahat ng gulo.

“Para sa mga kapatid ng daddy ko, wala kayong karapatang sabihin o hulaan ang nararamdaman ko. Sino kayo para sabihing masaya ako sa pagkawala ng SARILI KONG AMA? Kapatid lang kayo at ako ay ANAK,

“Kung natatandaan nyo, KAYO MISMO ANG NAGSABI SA AMIN NA IWASAN ANG DADDY KO. Sinabi nyo pa na wag gamitin ang apelyido nya. Hindi pinagbawal ni mommy na dalawin ang daddy namin pero HINDI NYO KAMI PINAYAGAN. Wala kayong respeto sa PAMILYA NYA para sabihin nyo yan ngayon! Imbis na ayusin nyo, sinisira nyo pa!,

“Alam ko na nagalit ako sa kanya! Pero hindi ko sinabing itinatakwil ko sya! matagal akong naging tahimik sa mga eskandalong ginagawa nyo. Pero ngayon, di ko na kaya pati sa pagkamatay nya GANYAN PARIN KAYO. Hindi ako takot. Lalo na sa mga taong walang respeto,”

[Screen shot from Charice's Twitter account this morning before the tweet was removed.]

Charice’s Dad Stabbed to Death originally appeared on Starmometer on November 1, 2011.

MYX International Top 20
(Oct. 30 to Nov. 5, 2011)

1. Louder – Charice
2. A-cha – Super Junior
3. Jet Lag – Simple Plan feat. Natasha Bedingfield
4. Criminal – Britney Spears
5. Mr. Know It All – Kelly Clarkson
6. Wish You Were Here – Avril Lavigne
7. Sparks Fly – Taylor Swift
8. Mr. Simple – Super Junior
9. If I Die Young – The Band Perry
10. How To Love – Lil’ Wayne
11. Lighters – Bad Meets Evil feat. Bruno Mars
12. Skyscraper – Demi Lovato
13. Pumped Up Kicks – Foster The People
14. B.U.T (Be-au-ty) – Tohoshinki
15. Loud Music – Michelle Branch
16. Undivided – Blush
17. Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 feat Christina Aguilera
18. You And I – Lady Gaga
19. Collide – Leona Lewis
20. Tonight Tonight – Hot Chelle Rae

Pinoy MYX Countdown
(Oct. 29 to Nov. 5, 2011)

1. Ako Na Lang – Zia
2. Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay – Sponge Cola
3. Forever Young – Sam Concepcion
4. Delivery Boys – Somedaydream
5. Hindi Kita Iiwan – Sam Milby
6. Masasabi Mo Ba – Rachelle Ann Go
7. Breathe Again – Jed Madela
8. The Oracle – Ernville
9. Minsan Lang Naman – Gracenote
10. Prodigal – Salamin
11. Muli – Ebe Dancel
12. Sari-Saring Kwento – Champ feat. Gloc-9 and Noel Cabangon
13. Who’s Gonna Save Us Now -Hilera
14. Ex-Bestfriend – Arron Villaflor/1DelaCrew
15. Who Says – Sabrina
16. Born This Way – Maria Aragon
17. Your Soul’s A Jet – Children of the Pilgrimage
18. Beautiful Burns – Antimano
19. Ipagpatawad Mo – Julien Drolon
20. Pahiwatig – Chiro

MYX Hitchart
(Oct. 30 to Nov. 6, 2011)

1. Ako Na Lang – Zia
2. Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay – Sponge Cola
3. Forever Young – Sam Concepcion
4. Louder – Charice
5. A-cha – Super Junior
6. Jet Lag – Simple Plan feat. Natasha Bedingfield
7. Delivery Boys – Somedaydream
8. Criminal – Britney Spears
9. Hindi Kita Iiwan – Sam Milby
10. Masasabi Mo Ba – Rachelle Ann Go
11. Mr. Know It All – Kelly Clarkson
12. Wish You Were Here – Avril Lavigne
13. Sparks Fly – Taylor Swift
14. Mr. Simple – Super Junior
15. If I Die Young – The Band Perry
16. How To Love – Lil’ Wayne
17. Lighters – Bad Meets Evil feat. Bruno Mars
18. Skyscraper – Demi Lovato
19. Breathe Again – Jed Madela
20. The Oracle – Ernville

Charice and Zia Quizon Top MYX Charts this Week originally appeared on Starmometer on November 1, 2011.

The second international album of Charice is getting louder and louder with the release of her third international music video (following “Pyramid” and the Acuvue-sponsored “One Day”).

This is for the song “Louder” which is considered the second single of the Pinay international singing sensation for her upcoming second international album.

The music video was directed by Tim Cruz. Gil Duldulao, who choreographed the One Day music video, again lend his talent to the “Louder” music video. The music video premiered on EW.com on October 18.

Watch the music video here:

Charice – “Louder” Lyrics:

Louder [x4]

I’m staring out of my window
And the rain is pouring down
When you left, I was so low
But I’m not gonna drown

I don’t need no shoulder
I’m gonna be a soldier
I just wanna feel somethin’ I don’t understand

I’m just gonna run right through the rain
I’m just gonna dance right through the pain
I just wanna feel that rhythm, feel that drum
Let my heart beat louder
Let my heart speak louder than my head (head, head, head)
Heart beat louder than my head (head, head, head)
Heart speak louder
Wanna feel that rhythm, feel that drum
Let my heart beat louder
Let my heart speak louder than my head

I, I am over overthinking of how to get you back
I’m checking out for the weekend
And I ain’t going back

I don’t need no shoulder
I’m gonna be a soldier
I just wanna feel somethin’ I don’t understand

I’m just gonna run right through the rain
I’m just gonna dance right through the pain
I just wanna feel that rhythm, feel that drum
Let my heart beat louder
Let my heart speak louder than my head (head, head, head)
Heart beat louder than my head (head, head, head)
Heart speak louder
Wanna feel that rhythm, feel that drum
Let my heart beat louder
Let my heart speak louder than my head

Oh, letting go
Yet it feel so good, so right
Oh, all I know
Is that I let my heart beat
Heart speak louder than my louder than my
Heart beat heart speak louder than my louder than my
Heart beat heart speak louder than my louder than my louder, louder, louder, louder

I’m just gonna run right through the rain
I’m just gonna dance right through the pain
I just wanna feel that rhythm, feel that drum
Let my heart beat louder
Let my heart speak louder than my head (head, head, head)
Heart beat louder than my head (head, head, head)
Heart speak louder
Wanna feel that rhythm, feel that drum
Let my heart beat louder
Let my heart speak louder than my head

Charice Releases Music Video for Her New Single ‘Louder’ originally appeared on Starmometer on October 20, 2011.