FILIPINOS ARE really talented. And YouTube is, well, a very powerful tool to let the while world know that. Charice Pempengco's now blossoming career started with her videos in YouTube. Recently, two Filipinas are making great waves on YouTube, raking over 2 million views for their video -- them singing inside their bathroom!

That won them a guesting an invitation to Ellen DeGeneres' show. Bravo! I hope this duo will really make it big, recording not only in their bathroom.



Pinoy Power Again. Rin on the Rox on Ellen

Rin on the Rox are Erin Paula and Roxanne. They are both talented. And yes, they're hot, too!

Here are videos of Rin on the Rox's performances:

If I Ain't Got You




Weak




And they'll sing songs you request for! Go, make a request! You might not be able to do that when they get famous. (lol)

If I Were A Boy

There's more HERE.

David Pomeranz is well-loved by Filipinos, who are natural-born romantics. He has been doing concerts in the country and even had a duet (If You Walk Away) with the Megastar Sharon Cuneta.

Here's a a sampler:



With music as enthralling as David's, I'm sure, lovers will flock to the Lagao Gymnasium. I'm sure you are now seeing yourself holding hands with your special someone while listening to Got To Believe in Magic.

Of course, it's Valentine's Day; it shouldn't end after David has performed his finale.

After the concert, wouldn't it be wonderful to stop by Coffee Club 101or Grab-a-Crab Restaurant to spend magically romantic moments with the person you love. With the food and ambiance at this posh place, I'm sure you wouldn't want the night to end.

Now, that could happen if you are lucky enough to be one of the five Mindanao Bloggers who can win a VIP Pass worth Php 1, 500 and a Gift Certficate worth Php 1,000 from Grab-a-Crab Restaurant and Coffee Club 101. Exciting isn't it? Check out GenSantos.com for details.

And oh, I don't have a date yet. Hmm...

THE YEAR 2008 is definitely, Charice Pempengco's year. We've all seen her rise from an amateur singer joining any singing contest she could into a world-class performer with millions of followers around the globe.

That gave her the right to rise in the ranks of former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, among others, as one of the People of the Year by People Asia Magazine.

Here's an article written by Ricky Lo for The Philippine Star:

Charice Steals People Night

Ninety-percent of the well-heeled guests graced the People of the Year 2008 Awards Night (marking People Asia magazine’s ninth anniversary) Thursday night at the grand ballroom Sofitel Philippine Plaza went home tsk-tsking in awe over Charice who rendered three numbers after she got her plaque as one of the 10 awardees (also including, among others, Pres. Cory Aquino, Sharon Cuneta, Makati Mayor Jojo Binay, Vice Pres. Noli de Castro, Sen. Manny Villar and US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney).

“I came not only to witness the awarding but also, more so, to watch Charice sing ‘live’,” was what many of the guests were saying.

Charice didn’t disappoint. She unleashed such a powerful voice that everybody listened with mouths agape.

“What a jaw-dropping performance,” quipped an “invited” guest. “Siguro kung may langaw dito, lahat pumasok sa bibig ng audience. Mabuti na lang wala.”

Charice stole the People night by singing first a medley of I Will Always Love You and I Have Nothing, followed by Listen which was, according to Charice, re-arranged for her by the David Foster who was quoted when he and Charice guested together on Good Morning, America, that Charice actually helped him with the re-arranging. “She’s a musical genius,” said Foster, “she can re-arrange a song so easily, as if she’s just picking a dress from the closet.”

Revealed Charice, “Mr. Foster asked me to point out kung saan ko dapat itaas ang aking key at kung saan dapat ibaba, kung saan dapat magtu-turn ang boses ko.”

In response to shouts for an encore, Charice obliged with a heart-stopping rendition of I Will Survive. The audience gave her a standing ovation.

Last night, Charice and her mom Raquel took a JAL flight to the US where she’s performing two songs, God Bless America and One Moment in Time, tomorrow, Jan. 18, in one of the pre-inaugural parties for President-Elect Barack Obama.

“I will send The STAR exclusive photos of my performance,” promised Charice. Good. That should put in place detractors who have been belittling Charice’s part in the event.

Incidentally, as Funfare reported in a “scoop” several issues ago, Charice is included in Foster’s album entitled You’re The Inspiration: The Music of David Foster & Friends which honors Foster’s colorful four-decade career. The CD/DVD features the tribute to Foster held last year in Las Vegas. Aside from Charice, also on the DVD/CD are Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Katharine McPhee, Blake Shelton, Kenny G, Peter Cetera and Brian McKnight. It’s available in record bars at P550 apiece.

Keep on soaring high, Charice!

Here are bonus videos:

Charice One of People Asia's People of the Year

CHARICE PEMPENGCO has just been elevated into higher status as she sings for Barack Obama in his inauguration as US President on January 18, 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel.

Charice will sing "God Bless America" and Whitney Houston's "One Moment in Time."

If you have followed Charice's success, you should have known that her career picked up speed when she got noticed by American talk shows through her performances uploaded on YouTube. So, she made it from YouTube to Washington, so to speak.

Charice's career is handled by Oprah Winfrey. It's an amazing pairing of the world's most influential woman and the world's most talented girl.

Watch out for videos of Charice Pempengco's performace for Obama.

Meanwhile, here's a bonus video:

Charice sings "Through The Fire" with Zsa Zsa Padilla and Nina on ASAP

WHY NOT?

We've been quite used with Filipinos mixing up whatever they excel in with Politics and Showbiz. You know, when people become famous in any field, expect him to either go in show business or run for a position in the government. We've seen Manny Pacquiao do both. And yes, he is into other businesses, too.

According to the news, he's is about to make a movie with Sylvester Stallone who portrayed the boxer Rocky Balboa in movies.

Here's an image from winwab.com:



You might be expecting it to be bloody as the sport that links the two. But in article written by Abac Cordero the movie will be most likely like Rush Hour which stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. Pacman can well be funny. But I dunno. He's been in local movies and TV shows. Just wish he can pull off a good performance in this much talked-about movie.

Watch out for Manny Pacquiao and Sylvester Stallone Movie.

WIDELY ACCEPTED in it's premiere abroad, Star Cinema's Love Me Again (Land Down Under) starring Piolo Pascual and Angel Locsin will be shown in Philippine Theatres on January 15, 2008 and is expected to be one of this year's early blockbusters.

The movie was directed by Rory B. Quintos.

Love Me Again Full Trailer

Love Me Again Movie Synopsis

from angellocsingallery.info:

The heart of the movie lies in the story of Arah (Angel Locsin), who goes to the Land Down Under for the sake of her family and her dreams, and Migo (Piolo Pascual), who would go to the ends of the earth to follow her.

Migo returns to Bukidnon’s lush pasture lands and magnificent rolling hills after working in Manila for several years. He is reclaiming the ranch that his family had lost after his father’s death.

At the famous Kaamulan festival of the province, Migo chances upon his first love, Arah, the beautiful and fearless rodeo queen of Bukidnon. He falls in love with her all over again and resolves to win back her heart.

But Arah is already engaged to Brian Sullivan, an Australian rancher. Being the eldest daughter of a poor cowboy, she feels compelled to accept the foreigner’s offer of marriage in order to give her family a better life, no matter how much she still loves Migo.

Arah leaves for a vast and lonely Australian ranch with a group of other Filipino cowboys who have been hired to work there. Arah thinks it's all over between her and her great love, but two years later, Migo arrives in Australia to work as a cowboy and, more importantly, to get Arah back..

Can their love bloom again in the dry landscape of the Outback? Will Migo be able to reclaim the love he has lost or will he learn to let Arah go and start anew? How far will Migo be willing to go for love?

John Lloyd & Sarah Geronimo vs Richard Guttierez & KC Concepcion

Also coming up are two other love stories that feature two blockbuster loveteams, John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo in a sequel of A Very Special Love and Richard Guttierez and KC Concepcion with When I Met You. Which one will you watch? Hmm... I'm gonna watch all and compare.