Charice CD zooms to No. 8 in Billboard 200 . On to Miss U pageant: Venus gets passport . Will Noynoy name Boy as an ambassador?

Yes, Edmund Silvestre (of the New York-based The Filipino Reporter, Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent), I and everybody else I’m sure know by now that Charice’s eponymous debut CD is making big waves in the US and is now No. 8 on Billboard 200 — and climbing fast — having sold more than 43,000 copies so far.

“It’s really an impressive debut for a newcomer like Charice,” said Edmund. “She’s all over the Internet and mainstream newspapers and music magazines on both coasts. Thanks, of course, to Oprah’s magic and faith in the Pinay performer, and David Foster’s determination to build Charice up, as well as Charice’s remarkable talent and apparent unjadedness.”

Edmund noted, and I agree with him, how amazing it is that Charice remains unaffected by all the accolades and attention (and even intrigues and criticisms hurled against her especially in her native country).

Added Edmund, “I heard both David and Oprah have also been coaching Charice on how to handle fame and protect herself from the media’s prying eyes and public scrutiny. Let’s just hope Charice’s success in the US will finally open the mainstream doors for more Filipino belters and balladeers. After all, she’s been mentioning in her interviews that the Philippines has so many extraordinary singers waiting to be discovered by the world.”

Of course, Edmund, we have a long list of world-class young Filipino singers — Sarah Geronimo, Christian Bautista, Rachelle Ann Go, Jed Madela, Kyla, Billy Crawford, Bugoy Drilon, Richard Poon, La Diva, Joanna Ampil, Sheryn Regis, Faith Cuneta, and the Sessionista artists — who can follow in the footsteps of Lea Salonga, Arnel Pineda (of Journey) and Allan “apl.de.ap” Pineda (of Black Eyed Peas) who are already renowned Filipino international artists.

Charice’s No. 8 debut on the Billboard 200 Albums is the first ever for a solo Filipino artist. The first cut off the album, Pyramid (featuring Iyaz), peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Songs.

Said Edmund, “The Billboard Hot 100 ranks the Top 100 songs regardless of genre and is frequently used as the standard measure for ranking songs in the United States based on physical sales, digital sales, and radio airplay, while the Billboard 200 survey is the corresponding chart for album sales.”

That’s a memorable gift to Charice who, along with her brother Carl, will be baptized and confirmed as a Catholic this morning at the Pasig Cathedral. They (and mom Raquel) used to be with Iglesia ni Kristo.

* * *

Finally, Maria Venus Raj got her passport yesterday from the Department of Foreign Affairs, clearing her way to the Miss Universe pageant the date and venue of which haven’t been confirmed yet.

Getting a passport was one of the conditions given to Venus by the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) for her reinstatement as 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe after she was dethroned due to discrepancies in the documents she submitted to the BPCI.

Although born in Doha, Qatar, to an Indian father and a Filipina mother who are not married, Venus grew up in Camarines Sur.

She graduated cum laude with a course in Journalism from the Bicol University as a scholar of the Francis Padua Papica Foundation.

Because of the controversy her dethronement/reinstatement has generated, Venus feels “pressured” to bring home the country’s third Miss U title (after Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973).

“I really want to win,” said Venus.

If not bagging the title (an Herculean challenge), she should at least finish one of the Top 5 finalists.

* * *

Had he decided to run (for congressman...for senator?), Boy Abunda could have been “winnable.” After all, he’s popular and familiar not only nationwide but everywhere in the world with TFC (The Filipino Channel).

Boy’s mom, Licerna, didn’t run even if she topped the councilors’ race in Borongan, Eastern Samar, in previous elections, but Boy’s sister Maria Fe was elected mayor of the same town (where Aster Amoyo also comes from).

Now, could it be true that Boy might be appointed ambassador by President-apparent Noynoy Aquino for whom Boy campaigned as hard as Noynoy’s sister Kris did?

“Even to a small country lang,” said a Funfare Update DPA...such as, hmmmm, Monaco or The Vatican?

If you ask me, I would say yes, Boy does have the “credentials.”

Effective June 30 when Noynoy is sworn in, Kris will quit as Boy’s co-host on ABS-CBN’s The Buzz and SNN (although she will continue doing teleseryes).

Isn’t it high time Boy moved to a higher level?

“Ambassador Abunda.” How does it sound?

What’s up?

• Here’s the official ABS-CBN statement on the Funfare Update “scoop” on Willie Revillame yesterday: Even prior to Willie Revillame’s letter to ABS-CBN in the May 21 column of Ricky Lo in The Philippine STAR, a meeting has already been scheduled between Willie and ABS-CBN management next week. ABS-CBN chooses not to comment on his letter until after the meeting.

• Another fun and mind-enriching time is in store for the young viewers of Tropang Potchi as hosts Julian Trono, Ella Cruz, Sabrina Man, Miggy Jimenez, Ayla Mendero and Jessu Trinidad feature themes and topics that are close to every kid’s heart in today’s episode (10 a.m. on Q11). Ella visits a nail salon for kids, Julian learns the basics of cheerdancing and Jessu discovers a “wonder house” at the Science Centrum. Plus, a birthday celebration makes the episodes more fun as Kapotchi Ayla turns 13. Joining the party as special guest is the popular teen group Popgirls.

• It’s a trip down memory lane tomorrow, May 23, starting at 6 p.m. in Concert at the Park with the Reverie Lounge Band (composed of Manila’s seasoned performers, namely Vina Labaro, soprano; Lina Ballonado, alto; Jimmy Chua, tenor; Micki Miguer, baritone; Homer Fernandez, bass; and Celo Reynares, pianist. Hosting the weekly program at the Rizal Open-Air Auditorium is Minette Padilla. Admission is free.

• Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple celebrates Buddha’s birthday today at Pablo Ocampo St., Malate, Manila. The celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the blessing ceremony. There will be blessing and performance at 2:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., participants of the event will be treated to a stage performance titled Night of the Buddha’s Light. Tomorrow, May 23, followers can attend the Great Compassion Repentance Ceremony at 10:30 a.m.; blessing and performance, 2:30 p.m.; and blessing ceremony, 7 p.m. Enthusiasts can check out activities such as prayer card and tree, theme photo taking, Buddhist items and display, book exhibition, light offering and photo display.