Charice 'nervous' but will try to sing anthem perfectly

After singing with music heavyweights such as Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli and performing in the world’s biggest stadiums, is there still anything that makes Charice Pempengco nervous on stage?

Apparently, there is. The pint-sized Billboard chart-topper said her scheduled singing of the Philippine National Anthem "Lupang Hinirang" during the presidential and vice presidential inauguration in Manila on Wednesday is making her nervous. "Medyo kinakabahan po ako syempre po kasi Philippine National Anthem," Charice, who turned 18 last month, told GMA News on Tuesday after arriving at the airport. (Of course I am a bit nervous because that is the Philippine National Anthem.) The long list of singers criticized for their “wrong" rendition of the national anthem is adding pressure on her, she said. The renditions — usually performed during title bouts of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao — have been criticized for deviating from its “official" tempo and melody. Among the versions which became controversial were those of Martin Nievera, Sarah Geronimo, Kyla, Lani Misalucha, Bituin Escalante, and Charice's fellow Filipino YouTube sensation and Journey front man Arnel Pineda. "Nakita ko na rin iyong ibang artists at iyun yong issue. Hindi ko po sasabihin na magagawa ko iyong really perfect, pero ita-try ko po na gawin talaga iyong tama... Hindi naman ako perfect singer pero ita-try ko po talaga," she said. (I’ve seen renditions of other artists and what the issues with these renditions are. I’m not going to say that what I’ll sing will be perfect but I’ll try my best to sing the correct version.) She felt honored to be singing the national anthem for millions of Filipinos who will be witnessing President-elect Benigno Aquino III and Vice President take their oaths of office at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Charice said. "Super, super sobrang big opportunity sa akin na maging part ng another big history sa country natin," said Charice, who herself has reached historic heights in her singing career, making a dent on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart with her Number 1 song "Pyramid." (This is a big opportunity for me to be a big part of our country’s history.) She admitted not expecting to be hand picked to perform on inauguration day. Aside from Charice, Pineda was also considered for the performance. As to what she will wear on Wednesday, Charice said Noynoy's sister and showbiz talk show host Kris Aquino-Yap has enlisted the help of designer Paul Cabral. Glee In the same GMA News interview, the "Pyramid" singer reiterated that she did not lie when she initially belied earlier reports that she was joining US hit TV musical series "Glee." Her Philippine manager Grace Mendoza in May was quoted in a newspaper report as confirming the rumor, but the singer's mother Racquel Pempengco and US manager Marc Johnston later denied it. However, it was that very rumor that gave Johnston the idea of having the young singer try out for Glee auditions. "Hindi po talaga totoo yung last month. Iyon nga iyong sinabi ng mommy ko sa manager ko sa States. Parang sabi niya, bakit 'di mo i-try na pag-auditionin si Cha (her nickname) sa Glee," the singer recounted. (Last month’s news that I was part of Glee wasn’t really true. Which is what exactly why my mother told my manager in the States. She told my manager why not have Charice try out for Glee?) "So nag-try po ako. Nag-audition po ako mga two weeks or three weeks ago, basta kailan lang iyon. Tapos after days hindi ko inakala na makakapasa ako. Nag-send sila sa akin ng e-mail ng congratulations," she said. (I attended auditions two to three weeks ago. After that, I never thought that I would be accepted. They sent me a congratulatory email message.) Charice was reported to be playing the role of an exchange student at the show's McKinley High school. With her vocal chops, Charice is also expected to give lead character Rachel Berry (played by Lea Michelle) some serious competition. Proud godmother Charice said Oprah Winfrey, who took her under her wings after naming her "The Most Talented Girl in the World," was happy she was chosen to sing during the inauguration. "Natutuwa po siya kasi ito naman ang gusto niya for me. Iyong lahat ng dreams ko natutupad. Lahat ng nangyayari sa akin, sa Glee, and all that," Charice said. (She was glad because this was what she wanted for me. All my dreams are coming true.) Oprah and producer David Foster both became Charice's godparents during the latter's baptism in Pasig City, although the two were not able to attend. Charice and her brother Carl converted from Iglesia Ni Cristo to Roman Catholic. Kris was also Charice's godmother. Jackson tribute Oprah has other reasons to be proud of Charice. The international singing sensation is included in Billboard's death anniversary tribute to the late King of Pop Michael Jackson. Joining Charice in the tribute were 24 other artists including Christina Aguilera, Nelly, and the Jonas Brothers who each recounted in separate video footage how Jackson had influenced them in their lives and careers. "Shinyut ko po iyon mga two weeks ago din. Halos sabay nung natanggap pagpunta ko sa Glee. Ininterview nila ako doon. Ano daw ang naging impluwensiya sa akin ni Sir Michael Jackson," Charice said. (That happened two weeks ago at about the same time when I got accepted on Glee. I was interviewed and asked how Michael Jackson influenced me.) "So hindi ko naman in-expect na pagsasamasamhin nila lahat iyon," she added. (I didn’t expect they would put the Michael Jackson tribute and Glee auditions all together.) - LBG, RJAB Jr./GMANews.TV