Chai’s journey as a performer begins

Charisse "Chai" Fonacier has proven that there’s no harm in trying when friends from Cebu nudged her to audition on ABS-CBN’s reality search Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA). Try she did, and since then, she has been exposed to a lot of career opportunities.

Back in Cebu, Chai worked as writer-researcher of the variety show Sabado Na, Game Na at the ABS-CBN regional station. She and two of her friends agreed on trying their luck on PDA but she ended up the only one who auditioned.

"I didn’t expect I would be chosen. I just went on with my work and continued playing as vocalist of my band until I received a call," she shares.

Off she went to Manila, leaving behind her work and the band Balde ni Allan. Chai stayed in the Academy for more than two months. She was evicted after losing one vote from co-scholars against Emman.

Being included among the 20 scholars vying for the Star Dreamer title and trained under prominent personalities in the music scene are enough reasons for Chai to rejoice. Not everybody endowed with singing ability has the chance to learn and banter with the likes of master Jim (Paredes) who always inspires scholars to do their best and teacher Moy (Ortiz) with whom Chai became close, as she always pours out her heart to him.

"I came out not too early and not too late. Sakto lang. I have learned a lot and God wants me somewhere else now," she says.

Chai’s stay in the Academy has widened her horizons. She has gone out of her comfort zone and has changed her views about herself. She admits being at ease with ethno-rock and alternative songs while harnessing her skills in pop and R ’n B.

"I have learned to accept myself more and not think about my weaknesses. I may not be the best performer in the whole world but I’ve come to realize that God gave us worthy talents," she says.

Aside from singing, Chai composes songs like Dear Me and Matchstick Girl which she wrote while inside the Academy.

The 21-year-old Masscom graduate of UP Cebu has added cooking to her skills as co-scholar Rosita Bareng taught her how to cook adobo, chicken curry, chopsuey and pancit.

Chai now misses the company of scholars especially her happy moments with Panky Trinidad and sweet moments with Davey Langit for whom she reportedly developed a special feeling. She considers her bonding with them unforgettable.

Among the scholars left in the Academy, Chai’s top three choices are Panky, Yeng Constantino and Yvan Lambatan as they all perform well.

She plans to put up her Belgian Waffle franchise in Cagayan de Oro where she originally came from. This will serve as additional source of income for her family who maintains an Internet shop in the province.

As her PDA stint ends, Chai’s journey in finding her way as a singer, actress or host begins.

Her experience in theater plays during college made her interested to try acting on TV which co-scholar Kristoff Abrenica is doing nowadays on Super Inggo and Let’s Go.

Chai also wants to delve into hosting as connecting with televiewers when she guested on Star MYX fascinates her.

"I like the idea of talking or sharing views with people while learning a thing or two from a topic," she ends.