Charice finally had her dream come true of singing with Celine Dion at New York City’s Madison Square Garden in Celine Dion’s Taking Chances World Tour 2008. Celine Dion and Charice sang “Because You Loved Me,” a song Charice learned when she was just four years old. The Charice and Celine Dion duet will also be aired on Oprah on Friday.

Celine Dion emotionally introduced Charice to her concert goers:

“They actually told me about an incredible young singer that she (Oprah Winfrey) discovered a while 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 off 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, the 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.”

“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 because you have, 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.”

After the duet, Celine Dion said, “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? I love you and I cannot wait for you to perform here for a full concert.”

“Thank you,” was all Charice could say in front of one of her real-life idols..

A sneak peek of Charice Pempengco first ever music video entitled “It Can Only Get Better” directed by Raffy Francisco. It Can Only Get Better is the first single from the self-titled debut album of Charice Pempengco. Reportedly, Charice Pempengco, the album, will also contain “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” and “I Will Always Love You,” two songs which made her an international sensation. From South Korea’s Star King to Ellen to the Paul O’ Grady Show, Charice Pempengco is in the US right now for the SIPA Awards. On May 17, she will be joining other young talented kids in the hit daytime tv show, Oprah. Reportedly, she wowed host Oprah Winfrey.

Charice Pempengco joined ABS-CBN’s ” Little Big Star” singing contest in 2005, when she was only 13 years old. She was eliminated right away but was later picked in a wild card round to re-enter the competition. She worked her way up to become a finalist. She was a consistent top scorer during the early rounds. But during the finals, she only finished third place to the grand winner, Sam Concepcion.

Feedbacks from High School Musical, the musical play (duh..), ongoing until July 15 at the Meralco Theater is that PJ Valerio upstages lead role actor Sam Concepcion.

Reportedly, PJ Valerio had done more justice to his role compared to Sam Concepcion.

“Opinion po `yun ng ibang nakapanood, ako po, I just did what is best
for me at kung napansin po, salamat, but I have no intention na
lampasan o talunin si Sam, he’s a good friend of mine, says PJ Valerio.

PJ Valerio, Paul John Ruprecht in real-life, a Filipino-German teenager from San Diego, California is slowly fulfilling his dream of a showbiz career.

PJ was discovered by a handler at ABS-CBN and made to join the first season of the Star In A Million singing contest, where he made it to the Top 30. It was his mom, a Filipina from Candelaria, Quezon, who suggested that he audition for the show.

PJ’s musical tastes run the gamut from rock to alternative to ballads, he loves Simple Plan, Blink 182, Linkin Park, Kamikazee, Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano.

Rhian Ramos was once linked to him but Rhian Ramos denied that they ever dated.

PJ’s crush now is Ms. Earth Canada 2006, Riza Santos who is reportedly dating Mark Bau­tista.