Charice sings with Celine Dion at Madison Square

Natuloy noong September 15 (Monday, U.S. time) ang duet nina Charice Pempengco at ng international singing superstar na si Celine Dion sa Madison Square Garden sa New York. Ang naturang concert ni Celine sa New York ay bahagi ng kanyang Taking Chances World Tour 2008. Maipagmamalaki ng mga Pilipino si Charice dahil kinakabahan man siya, mahusay ang kanyang performance sa duet nila ni Celine. Kinanta ng dalawa ang "Because You Loved Me," ang hit song ni Celine at ang unang kanta na natutunan ni Charice noong four years old pa lamang siya. Panay ang himas ni Celine sa buhok ng batang singer at pinabayaan din niya na magkaroon ng moment si Charice. Ipalalabas bukas, September 18, sa The Oprah Winfrey Show ang guest appearance ni Charice sa jampacked concert ni Celine. Ito ang mga sinabi ni Celine bago niya tinawag si Charice para umakyat sa stage: "They actually told me about an incredible young singer that she [Oprah Winfrey] discovered awhile back. You know, if you watch Oprah last week, you know all about her. This young lady's name is Charice. I'm so excited. She's 16 years old and she's from the Philippines. "Let me tell you, she has a voice that can literally blow the roof of Madison Square Garden and she just might. But the real story is how Charice and her mom escaped the terrifying experience and had to leave Charice's violent father. "You know, to start a life of their own. Charice vowed to save her mom from a life of desperation and despair. You know, through prayers and dreams and God-given talent, an incredible voice, Charice entered every singing contest in her native country and was eventually noticed by such influential people. "You know, a show in Oprah and Oprah wanted to take her and took her under her wings. Then, David Foster joined her. I had the chance to see Charice perform one of my songs on Oprah last week. I have a little bit of difficulty to talk right now because I met Charice, and I'm so emotional... So I'm searching and looking for my words...trying to control my emotion. "I invited her to come here tonight to sing with me. Where are you, sweetheart? There she is, come down, Sweetie." Sa puntong ito, bumaba si Charice mula sa kanyang kinauupuan para umakyat siya sa stage. Inalalayan siya ng mga bodyguard habang naglalakad papunta sa kinaroroonan ni Celine sa gitna ng stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Charice. [To Charice] You look spectacular! Are you shaking? Are you okay? Don't be nervous and, I think, a lot of people, they understand that you are nervous. "I'm gonna tell you one thing, the talent we're not gonna talk about. Because you have the strength, we're not gonna talk about (it) because you have (it), and so the love. And I have to tell you, the family, we'll gonna talk because you have to. "One time, my manager, my husband [Rene Angelil], told me, ‘Celine...' Because when I started to sing, I was 12 years old, so 12 and 16, it's the same, okay? He told me, ‘Celine, I know you're nervous, don't be scared. You love to sing. When you go up there, you'll be nervous. Don't be.' "I will give you an image that you can think about. Think that all the people you see in front of you are your brothers and sisters. You're singing in your living room and these are your family. They can't can't wait to hear you sing. I think I know you want to dedicate this song to your mother. So we're gonna sing ‘Because You Loved Me' for your mother." Pinabayaan ni Celine na mag-shine si Charice at nagsilbi lamang siyang back-up singer sa malaking bahagi ng kanta. Pagkatapos ng kanta ay binigyan si Charice ng standing ovation at masigabong palakpakan ng mga tao, samantalang ang kanyang ina naman ay hindi mapigilang maluha sa napanood. Mahigpit ding niyakap ni Celine si Charice pagkatapos ng kanilang awitin. Ani Celine, "Your mother is extremely proud of you, and so we are as well. You did amazing and the roof of Madison went up tonight. "But I'll ask you Charice, when you do Madison Garden, are you gonna invite me?" biro ni Celine kay Charice, na napatawa lang. "I love you and I cannot wait for you to perform here for a full concert," pahabol ni Celine. "Thank you," ang tanging nasambit ni Charice. Bago ang duet ni Charice kay Celine ay nakasama na rin niyang kumanta ang operatic pop singer na si Andrea Bocelli sa Tuscany, Italy earlier this year. - Philippine Entertainment Portal