Charice aims for the Grammys

Filipina singer Charice Pempengco doesn’t claim to know the answer to that question.
“It’s all up to God,” she said.
But is she thinking of, maybe, going Hollywood?
After all, she sang not just in one, but two post-Oscar parties – in famed Beverly Hills resto Mr. Chow, and Oprah Winfrey’s bash held at the Kodak Theater.
Does she see herself co-starring with “High School Musical” heartthrob Zac Efron?
“No. I’d rather be in an adventure-comedy with Alvin and the Chipmunks,” she quipped.
The pint-sized Charice, 16, who can imitate the singing styles of local divas like Jessa Zaragoza and Sarah Geronimo, can likewise mimic the voices of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore from the animated music group Chipmunks.
But if there’s anything at all that Charice wishes to achieve through music, it is to be included in the most prestigious industry event in America.
“What’s on my mind is the Grammys,” she said.
She hopes to attend next year’s Grammy Awards as a nominee – especially since her debut album, currently being recorded and produced by David Foster, is set for release this summer.
“That’s my dream,” she admitted. “That one of my songs would be nominated, that I would win as Best New Artist.”
She sang her first single off that album, “Fingerprint,” along with Beyoncé Knowles’ “Listen,” in the two post-Oscar parties.
“I’m so thrilled because I saw a young girl on YouTube singing ‘Fingerprint,’” Charice related. “To think I had just recorded it, but she has already memorized all the words!”
“Fingerprint” was written by Robbie Nevil, the same guy behind The Pussycat Dolls’ “When I Grow Up” and Jordin Sparks’ “One Step at a Time,” as well as three songs on the “High School Musical” soundtrack. He also recorded the hit tune “C’est La Vie” in 1987.
“We hope to have at least 10 songs in the new album,” Charice said. “We’re looking for ballads, R&B and upbeat numbers. I want most of the tracks to be original, with maybe just two covers.”
Having her own signature song is important to her: “So that when people watch my concerts, they would get to hear my own music, not just cover versions of Whitney Houston and Celine Dion hits.”
She also feels strongly about including a Filipino song in her US debut.
She said she got more nervous performing for fellow Filipinos in local shows compared to foreigners in gigs abroad.
Case in point: She confessed to having butterflies in her tummy prior to her latest free concert, a Women’s Month celebration at the Shangri-La Plaza mall. “Filipinos are very picky,” she said. “If you impress them, they will show their appreciation. If not, they will also show it!”
But seeing their faces light up is enough to inspire Charice.
“With every performance, here or abroad, I aim to make Filipinos proud,” she said.
[Bayani San Diego Jr. | Philippine Daily Inquirer]