Review of Charice's Performance in Here Comes the Boom

Playing a supporting role, Charice stands out in this 2012 comedy film. Commenting on what was most memorable about it, the author wrote (emphasis mine):

...Scott's prized pupil Malia (Charice), an aspiring musician who is able to memorize information by turning them into song lyrics, gets the best and more energized moments. For a while she is stuck with a lame subplot—her father wants her to give up her dreams to work for him at his restaurant (what is this, "Kung Fu Panda?")—but newcomer Charice brings such honesty and emotion to the screen that one can't help but care about her. Later appearances, as she tutors Niko in preparation for his citizenship test by twisting the lyrics of his favorite song, Journey's "Faithfully," or a climactic moment where she beautifully performs Neil Diamond's "Holly Holy" before the UFC fight, are even better. For a singer-turned-actor whose biggest notable credit is a guest-starring role on "Glee," Charice is a star in the making with a smile that could light up a New York City blackout.

Source: http://www.themovieboy.com/reviews/h/12_herecomestheboom.htm

KC Concepcion and XFactor Winner KZ Tandingan talk about Charice

Let the ones who really know Charice talk about her.

KC, KZ Attest To Charice's Humility, Dedication
By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ

Charice herself prepared the arrangements for her group's individual performances on 'X Factor,' and maintained open communication with them, said KZ (ABS-CBN)

MANILA, Philippines - TV host-actress KC Concepcion and "X Factor Philippines" grand winner KZ Tandingan have stood up against Charice's haters online.

After achieving international fame, Charice has been accused of becoming swell-headed and "Americanized"—a malicious perception that KC disproved via "Kris TV" on Monday.

According to KC, Charice is down-to-earth and funny.

"Actually kalog siya lalo na 'pag nagjo-joke in Tagalog. Kasi Pilipina naman talaga si Charice. Hindi naman niya nakakalimutan 'yung Filipino roots niya, as opposed to what people think," she said.

The "X Factor Philippines" host went on to relate how dedicated Charice was during the competition. The former recalled that for the past three months, the 20-year-old singer would fly to the States every week to attend to her engagements there, then back to Manila in time for the "X Factor" preparations and shows.

"Sobra kaya sa pagka-committed kaya 'yon, if you have to fly back and forth. Talagang parang hindi [na] niya alam 'yung time zone niya," KC added.

Charice was a hands-on mentor to her group—the girls, composed of KZ, Allen Sta. Maria, and Jerrianne Mae Templo—and she herself created the arrangements for their songs on the show.

"Siya mismo 'yung kumakanta ng demo namin… So… gumagawa po sila ng arrangement, tapos from that arrangement, ang ginagawa ko po, binabago ko na lang 'yung vocals niya," KZ said.

Having open communication apparently strengthened the bond between Charice and her team.

"Dati pa naman po nagi-email na kami. Tapos nung last two weeks na hindi na siya bumalik ng Amerika, until nung nag-grand finals, nagte-text-text po kami," KZ related.

Read the rest of the article:
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/376327/kc-kz-attest-to-charices-humility-dedication

Charice guests in CBS' The Couch

Charice brings the Philippines once again to the international movie scene with the opening of her movie Here Comes the Boom.

Charice promotes Hollywood movie in US show
By Karen Valeza | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 09: Charice Pempengco attends the "Here Comes The Boom" premiere at AMC Loews Lincoln Square on October 9, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images)

Count CBS morning talk show “The Couch” in Charice’s growing list of international TV appearances.

The singer recently flew to the US and guested in the show to promote her first big Hollywood movie “Here Comes the Boom” which stars Kevin James and Salma Hayek.

“I play  Kevin James’ student,” she told hosts of “The Couch”. “That was my first big role because it’s one of the supporting roles and I also sang in the movie. There was also a singing part. It’s very inspirational. I’ve seen a lot of Kevin James movies and this is the best one so far.”

“Here Comes the Boom” is about a Biology teacher (James), who also works as a mixed martial arts fighter to keep the music program of the school alive.

Charice auditioned for a role in the movie and was asked to sing Neil Diamond’s “Holly Holy.”

Unfamiliar song

“I did not know the song. I didn’t even know that I was gonna do the song. I thought I was just gonna act. I was getting ready, reading the script and all of a sudden they gave me the lyrics of the song 'Holly Holy'. So I went to the conference room, Frank (Coraci),  the director was there, everyone was there. I was shaking. (I was saying to myself) ‘Why am I shaking? This is my job, I sing.’ Thank God I made it,” she said.

Charice also feels proud and grateful about working with the cast, whom she described as “nice and sweet.”

“I love all of them. I’m just very blessed. I just didn’t expect them to be that nice and sweet. Being with them on the set, I kept telling them, if you guys are gonna make another movie ‘Pick me, pick me,’” she said in jest.

Charice was also asked how TV host Oprah helped her career.

“I can say that she’s one of those people I really owe. She gave me the career I’ve been wanting. Until now she’s still there to support me. I want to thank her for everything,” Charice replied.

Infinity album

She also discussed her Infinity album, which will  be released in the US.

“The album came out in Asia first. I’m still working on some music to put in the US version. It’s called Infinity. I just finished being a judge-mentor in X Factor Philippines.”

Charice was ecstatic when she met fellow guest Lynda Carter, star of “Wonderwoman.” 

 “"The real Wonder Woman :)... Starstruck mode!!!!", she tweeted.

Charice’s  first Hollywood movie appearance was in  “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,” where she played a cameo role as herself.

Source: http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/news/charice-promotes-hollywood-movie-in-us-show.html

Charice mentee KZ Tandingan is 1st X Factor Philippines Grand Winner

Congratulations to Charice for being a great judge-mentor in the 1st X Factor Philippines and for her mentee KZ being the grand winner!

Good people with real talents really only have one way to go: up!

‘X Factor’ winner KZ finds her voice
By Allan Policarpio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Kristine Zhenie “KZ” Tandingan used to believe that one should have a beautiful face, smooth skin and a powerful set of pipes in order to make it big in the local music industry.

As expected, the 20-year-old band vocalist from Digos City, Davao del Sur, grew up with low self-esteem. She spent most of her high school days trying to belt out the most demanding ballads of Celine Dion and Whitney Houston.

But on Sunday night, the petite, soulful singer proved her own notions wrong after being crowned the “X Factor Philippines” grand winner at the Pagcor Grand Theater in Parañaque City.

“The first thing that came to my mind when I heard my name was, ‘Thank you, Lord!’ I wanted to win badly, but I didn’t expect anything,” she told the Inquirer after her victory, stifling her sobs. “You can be the best singer, but if it’s not meant for you, then you can’t do anything about it. I had prayed and surrendered everything to God.”

A few years back, KZ developed polyps in her throat, which altered her voice and dampened her desire to pursue a singing career. It was then she realized she couldn’t always be a biritera (belter).

Unique style

The condition turned out to be a blessing in disguise, KZ said. Her now-limited vocal range forced her to develop a unique mode of singing by exploring different music genres and playing up a song’s key and arrangements. She developed a tone and style that lends itself well to jazz, reggae and soul-flavored tunes.

KZ’s audition piece was one of her most memorable performances.  Her stylized, acoustic rendition of “Over the Rainbow” showcased her improvisational skills—she even scatted portions of the song.

“Everything happens for a reason. Had I stuck to my old singing style, I probably wouldn’t be here right now. Perhaps I suffered from the condition so I can find who I really am as an artist,” she mused.

“I want to prove that you don’t have to be a belter to be appreciated. You just have to believe in yourself and your capabilities,” she added.

KZ won by a landslide, garnering 54.77 percent of the total text and online votes. She bested 19-year-old balladeer Gabriel Maturan and the all-male vocal harmony group Daddy’s Home, with 32.33 and 12.90 percent, respectively.

Fighting back tears, the first winner of the local franchise of “X Factor” struggled through her encore of The Carpenters’ “Superstar,” her contest piece during Saturday’s performance night.

“It was surreal. I asked Ate KC [Concepcion] to slap me just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming,” said KZ, who almost got eliminated on the show’s ninth week after landing in the bottom two.

Best advice

KZ shared the touching moment with her mentor and “X Factor” judge Charice, who was equally surprised by the results.

“We were so shocked because we’re already conditioning ourselves for a second place finish,” Charice told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “I feel really proud. She’s such a smart performer.”

The international pop star said that more than being an extremely talented performer, it was KZ’s humility and willingness to learn that helped her win the competition. “I want her to have the right people around her,” she said.

Despite being the same age, KZ fondly calls her more experienced mentor “Madame.” She said that working with Charice boosted her performance on and off the stage.

“She would always tell me to sing because I love doing it, and not just because I need to,” KZ related.

Sure bet

Clad in glittery, rocker chick outfits, KZ and Charice regaled the crowd with a swaying rendition of the American standard, “The Way You Look Tonight.”

Meanwhile, Martin Nievera, “X Factor” judge and mentor to Gabriel Maturan, said that from the moment he heard KZ sing during the auditions, he knew that she was the one to beat.

“We don’t just look for someone who has a beautifully-textured voice. The winner of ‘X Factor’ should also be astig. And that’s what KZ is,” he told the Inquirer.

For the church

As the grand winner, KZ received a check signifying P4 million worth of prizes: P2 million in cash and a P2-million exclusive recording contract with Star Music. Gabriel received P100,000, while Daddy’s Home won P50,000.

Asked what she’s going to do with the prize money, KZ said she would donate P1 million to their local church in Digos City, which was in dire need of repairs. “Our church is in a really poor state. And just this morning, my father called to inform me that a portion of the church had collapsed,” she said. “I’m glad I can honor my commitment to rebuild it.”

Hosted by KC Concepcion, the results night reunited the top three finalists with the rest of this season’s contenders.

They shared the stage with special guests Jovit Baldivino, Angeline Quinto, Jed Madela, Erik Santos, April Boy Regino, Yeng Constantino, Pooh and K Brosas.

“X Factor” judge-mentors Martin Nievera, Pilita Corrales, Gary Valenciano and Charice also delivered rousing performances.

Source

Watch the duet of Charice and KZ during the grand finale night:

Charice and Frank Coraci: Here Comes the Boom interviews

Charice talks about Malia, her character in the movie:


Director Frank Coraci talks about the movie's cast: