Charice sings at Rockefeller Center

MANILA, Philippines - More than a month after she drew a standing ovation with her heart-stopping rendition of David Foster songs at a Big Dome concert a month ago, Charice made the audience teary-eyed Tuesday night during the lighting of America’s famous Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.

“More than a million people gathered at the Center to watch the lighting,” reported Felix Manuel, Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent (and one of the “beauty experts”). “Inclement weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of audience, most of whom didn’t mind waiting for hours for the ceremony to start.”

Charice sang her first number, “My Grown Up Christmas List,” so beautifully touching that many in the audience were seen wiping tears even as they gave her an ear-splitting applause. Charice then sang “Jingle Bell Rock.” She was accompanied on the piano in both songs by Foster, her mentor, who also backed up Charice at the Big Dome concert titled “Hitman David Foster and Friends” which also featured Natalie Cole, Peter Cetera, “American Idol” graduate Ruben Studdard and the Canadian Tenors.

It was Foster who composed “My Grown Up Christmas List” which is popularized by Michael Buble who, like Charice, is a David Foster protege.

Security at the Rockefeller Center was very tight because of a terror scare during the lighting of a Christmas Tree in Oregon recently, added Manuel.

Other performers during the Manhattan ceremony were Josh Groban, Mariah Carey, Susan Boyle, Kylie Minogue, Jessica Simpson, Sheryl Crow and Katherine Jenkins. 

A technical glitch before Charice started singing her second song didn’t spoil her performance.

“She managed to sing fantastically,” added Manuel.

Manuel was among several Filipinos who braved the rain and the winter cold to cheer for Charice who is known to fans of “Glee,” the hit TV musical-drama in which she plays nerd Filipino exchange student Sunshine Corazon, as “the little boy lady with a powerful voice who hails from the Philippines, home of the greatest boxer in history,” referring to Manny Pacquiao who has just won his eighth title after seven in different divisions.

As a fitting finale, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg helped turn on the 30,000 energy-efficient lights that dress up the Christmas Tree.

Manuel learned that the 74-foot Norway Spruce was donated by a firefighter from new York who was one of the first to respond to the World Trade Center during the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attack in New York.

Incidentally, even if she wanted to, Charice might not be home for Christmas due to previous commitments in the US. She was supposed to do a Christmas special for GMA but she begged off at the last minute. Her Philippine manager, Grace Mendoza, said that Charice is recuperating from dehydration. Together with Foster and those in the entourage, Charice suffered from food poisoning after having lunch at a Japanese restaurant in Singapore where they flew from the Philippines to mount the same show at the Big Dome. But all of them recovered soon enough and went on with the show.

“With her Rockefeller Center performance,” said Manuel, “Charice has again painted a nice picture of the Philippines.”