Charice back from Italy, shares moments at Bocelli’s concert
By REYMA BUAN-DEVEZAabs-cbnNEWS.com
Filipino singing sensation Charice arrived in Manila, Thursday morning from a performance at Teatro del Silenzio in Tuscany, Italy at pop tenor Andrea Bocelli’s birthday concert dubbed, “The Cinema Tribute” held last Saturday, July 20th.
Charice and her mother, Raquel Pempengco, touched down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport tarmac around 10 in the morning on board Cathay Pacific flight CX 907.
In an exclusive interview with abs-cbnNEWS.com, Charice shared some of her unforgettable experiences when she performed a duet with the Italian pop opera star.
“I had a duet with Andrea Bocelli. We sang ‘The Prayer’ and again I received a standing ovation. Of course, I was very glad and the Italians.. they told me that I’m beautiful and I’m good in singing.” recalled Charice.
Before concert day, Charice said they first went to Bocelli’s parents. She met the tenor’s family and then proceeded to Bocelli’s wine factory where she signed a jar of wine as a remembrance for Bocelli.
The second day was their rehearsal day. For the first time, in an open air theatre, Charice had her first performance with Bocelli.
On the third day, Saturday, July 20th she performed with Bocelli in front a huge crowd of Italians. She said she will never forget how Bocelli held her hand and whispered “good luck.”
“When we were on stage, he whispered to me and told me good luck. He held my hand and I feel like he is my dad and I am her daughter.. we look good on stage,” Charice said.
The young singer said that after her duet with Bocelli, she had her solo performance, and for the second time, she got a standing ovation and wowed the crowd.
“Two standing ovations for the 2 songs, the first performance was our duet. Then, I sand the ‘Bodyguard’ medley,” Charice said.
The “Bodyguard” medley was composed of hit songs of Charice’s idol, Whitney Houston.
After her performances, Charice said Bocelli told her how happy he was to perform a duet with her. “He told me, I did great.”
After the concert, a victory party was held. She said she was happy to hear compliments about her performance.
“Every time they see me, I get compliments. They say I was the first Filipina who had a duet with Andrea Bocelli and that I am also the first Filipina performer in her concert,” explains Charice.
Charice and her mom also found time to visit some tourist spots of Italy such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The young diva met Bocelli when she performed with music producer David Foster’s discoveries for a benefit concert at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas Friday, May 23rd.
In a previous interview, Bocelli invited Charice to be his special guest for his birthday concert.
Charice boosted her international career when she appeared in the Paul O’Grady Show in London last April 8 and on the Ellen DeGeneres show in December of 2007.
On April 11th, abs-cbnNEWS.com broke the story that she just finished taping a special episode for Oprah. Her special appearance on Oprah was aired May 12th.
ABS-CBN’s longest- running drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya” will soon be featuring Charice’s life story.
She is also set to do a show with Randy Santiago and other Filipino artists in Pamono, Los Angeles.
For the second time, Charice will guest on the “Star King” show in Korea on August 17th.
“Sa Star King ako nagsimula. Doon yung performance ko na pinost sa YouTube kaya nangyari lahat ito,” Charice said.
For all the blessings that Charice is receiving right now, the singer thanked her creator, families and fans who are always there for her.
She hopes she could bring more honor for her country.
“I hope what am I today will continue and that there would be more in the future,” Charice ended.
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This kid gets better every time she performs. Catch her on August 17 on Star king, a Korean variety show.
