Charice at Macy’s Event with Miley & David!

Source: FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo, philstar.com

After her eye-popping guestings on Ellen and Oprah, and live performances with the likes of Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Alicia Keys and Michael Bublé, what’s next for Charice?

A lot, according to Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre.

“Charice will join Hannah Montana megastar Miley Cyrus and American Idol runner-up David Archuleta as headliners of this year’s Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Nov. 27,” said Edmund in a special report. “The event, presented by Macy’s, the world’s largest retail store, is one of America’s most lavish celebrations seen by over 3.5 million live spectators and over 44 million televiewers across the US. Aside from famed celebrities, the event’s notable attractions are its inflated giant balloons in the shape of well-loved cartoon or comic book characters.”

Macy’s is also the sponsor of the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular in NYC which featured the pre-recorded song of Lea Salonga (Just Beyond The Dream) in its magnificent fireworks display last year, also seen by millions.

Charice, Miley and David will ride on different colorful floats and will perform separately along with other notable artists such as James Taylor, Andy Williams, The Cheetah Girls, Broadway superstars Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth, the cast of Broadway musical Hairspray, the muppets cast of Sesame Street, plus Miss USA Crystle Stewart.

Edmund added that the NBC telecast of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be hosted by Today Show’s Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira and Al Roker (three of America’s most famous TV personalities). It will be aired on NBC network from 9 a.m. to noon (US East Coast time) in each of the four time zones in the continental US.

“Fil-Ams Oliver and Chona Cajanding of Society Hill, Jersey City, N.J. said they will watch the parade along with their teenage son, Gerald, and brave the freezing temperature just to see Charice up close.

“Oliver said that they already saw Charice in person at the Philippine Independence Day celebration in Manhattan last June, and they became instant fans. Oliver noted how cute Charice is and that she looked younger than her age (16). ‘She’s down-to-earth and always smiling,’ said Oliver. ‘Hindi nga nagagalit kahit ang kukulit ng fans na nagpapa-picture’.”

Last Oct. 28, Charice was also in the Big Apple to grace the celebration of Macy’s 150th anniversary at Gotham Hall, with Sean “Diddy” Combs, Eva Mendes, Jessica Simpson, Martha Stewart, Tommy Hilfiger, Clinton Kelly, Kenneth Cole, and celebrity chefs Ming Tsai, Tyler Florence and Todd English.

On Oct. 29, she sang at David Foster’s birthday dinner event at Bon Appetit Supper Club in Manhattan in front of guests who included Donald Trump, Gayle King, Clay Aiken and Dr. Phil. The next day, she was in Beverly Hills, California’s Hilton Hotel for The Big Bash, the annual Rising Stars Gala organized by the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles.

Charice is also part of David Foster’s newly-released album titled Hitman: David Foster & Friends which hit the stores last Nov. 11. Her track is included in the album together with songs from music icons Kenny G., Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Brian McKnight, Katharine McPhee, Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion.

Said Edmund, “On Nov. 19, Charice will promote the new album on Good Morning America on ABC, broadcast live from the Times Square in Manhattan.”

It will be Charice’s second time to promote on a US TV show, the first having been on CBS New York.

Media insiders said Foster is now in the process of looking for the right album material for Charice, who is backed by Oprah Winfrey no less.

“They want to release an album by Charice while she’s very hot in her guestings and appearances,” an insider said. “All eyes are on this girl, everyone wants to meet her and the industry is watching how far will this girl go.”

With David Foster and Oprah Winfrey behind her, how can Charice go wrong?

Charice gets thrill of her life over 1st award as performer

By REYMA BUAN-DEVEZA, abs-cbnnews.com

International singing sensation Charice is having the time of her life over her first entertainment prize as Best New Female Artist during the 21st Aliw Awards at the Manila Hotel.In an exclusive interview with abs-cbnNEWS.com, the singer said that she didn’t even know what to say when she received the award. She said she didn’t expect to win it.

“Of course I feel happy. This is the first time I received such award — Best New Female Artist — It’s a different feeling.” Charice said.

The young diva said that aside from her family and fans, she also shares the award to two other nominees — Ava Jugueta and KC Concepcion.

“I share my award (this recognition) with Kc and Ava because I really was not expecting this. Just being nominated really, I was happy to see my name in the list of nominees, like, Wow! It meant that I really belong to that league of people who are recognised artists”, the singer said.

Charice said that when her name was called out as the winner, she shook while she had her speech on stage.

“Because it was really my first time (to receive this award), when I held the award, I saw (the words) “Best New Female Artist” I felt really happy”, she said.

Charice said that she considers the award as her first as a performer.

She said that the Aliw Awards prize given November 11 is different from what was given to her and young jazz performer Charlie Green at the Music Museum. She said that award was in recognition of her and Green’s world-class talents.

“The award I received with Charlie Green was a plaque of appreciation for a world class performance. This award (is different) because this is where you are competing with other well-known artist for a title, it is something that you will never forget in your lifetime”, Charice said.

Charice is currently in Manila while on a break from her US commitments. She is set to leave for the US again next week to record her first international album.

as of 11/15/2008 10:22 AM

CHARICE SINGS, “I WILL SURVIVE,” AT THE ALIW AWARDS 2008

video by mangdiws

CHARICE AT THE ALIW AWARDS NIGHT 2008

Wed, Nov 12, 2008

“Charice won award for best new female artist”

Courtesy of Girlie Rodis and Michelle

CHARICE’S HOME ON UMAGANG KAY GANDA

couresy: charicemania

YouTube video by Nighthawk23

Charice will be performing live in UKG November 13, 2008 at 6 A.M. Philippine time

David Foster’s blowout bash

Source by nypost.com

David (right) signed 16-year-old Charice (inset) to a record deal at Oprah’s request: “When Oprah calls you and asks you to do something, you do it. She’s the Messi-O. So I did what I was told!”

The sound of music echoed through the Bon Appétit Supper Club and Café on October 29 when producer David Foster celebrated his 59th birthday—and while that wasn’t unusual, some of the singers were. The bash, which also celebrated his new CD/DVD Hit Man, featured the vocal stylings of Gayle King and Donald Trump on “Got to Be Real” and songs by Oprah Winfrey protégé, singer Charice Pempengco (who got a standing ovation). David was the perfect host: “I promised Donald he would be home by the 11 o’clock news, so we have to keep it moving fast tonight. He and Melania don’t want to be out late!” Is that because the Donald turns into a pumpkin at midnight? —KW

Photo: Melania Trump, Donald Trump And David Foster

Charice part of album with Dion, Buble, Groban, Kenny G

REYMA BUAN-DEVEZA, abs-cbnNEWS.com

International young singing sensation Charice proudly shared that she is part of David Foster’s newest album entitled “Hitman: David Foster & Friends.”

In an exclusive interview with abs-cbnNEWS.com, Charice said that she cannot believe that her track will be included in Foster’s album together with songs from music icons like Kenny G., Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Brian McKnight, Katharine McPhee, Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion.

“Masaya po talaga ako at kasama po ako sa album ni Mr. David Foster. Nagulat nga po ako kasi ang lalaki ng mga pangalang kasama doon sa album. Tapos doon sa pinakita sa akin parang magkatabi po yata kami ng pangalan ni Celine Dion,” Charice said.
Charice is now in the country to take a short break. She is set to fly back to the U.S. to promote the album. Charice is scheduled to guest in America’s popular morning show “Good Morning America.”

“Second time kong magpo-promote sa American TV show yung una sa CBS New York, next ‘yung Good Morning America. Masaya ako at magge-guest ako sa Good Morning America kasi first time kong mag-guest sa ganitong sikat na morning show sa U.S.,” Charice said.

The young diva also shared that she will also be back at the CBS show and will be doing other international television guestings to promote Foster’s album.

“Hitman: David & Friends” will be released November 11th worldwide.

Charice met Foster last year in Los Angeles before she taped her guest appearance on “The Ellen Degeneres Show”. They later flew together to Las Vegas on a private jet to watch the farewell show of Celine Dion at the Caesar’s Palace Colosseum.

According to Charice, it was Foster who recommended her to Oprah’s show and it was Oprah who in turn recommended her to Foster to handle her international recording career.

After her two guestings on Oprah, doors of opportunity started to open as she started to conquer international celebrity events like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Macy’s 150th anniversary, and Carousel of Hope.

It will also be recalled that it was in Foster’s concert at Mandalay Bay last May that Charice met one of her music idols Andrea Bocelli.

Last July 20th, Charice wowed Italians as she performed at Teatro del Silenzio in Tuscany, Italy for pop tenor Andrea Bocelli’s birthday concert dubbed “The Cinema Tribute.” The world famous tenor invited her to that event after she performed for the benefit concert at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Charice also proved that dreams do come true when she had her duet performance with international performer Celine Dion.

Charice will be leaving for the United States on Saturday, November 15th. She and her mother Raquel will fly back to Manila first week of December.

Floating Scenery: Charice to Ride the Largest Float

The 82^nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Rides Down Broadway On Theatrical Moving Stages

(Excerpts of Article) - New York, NY- November 2008 - Magical scenes float down Broadway as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes to the streets with a fleet of fantasy. It’s theatre down the street as the majestic floats in the annual family favorite transport spectactors from a woodland gathering to a castle of dreams. From foam, wood, metal, paint and the creative magic of the artists of the Macy’s Parade Studio, larger-than- life scenes take shape aboard moving stages.

A convoy of 28 floats including 8 new additions will make the scene on Thanksgiving. The freshman line-up takes us on the cross-country journey of Bolt, Princess fantasies at the Castle of Dreams, the lights of Tokyo subculture on Harajuku Lovers, a representation of the creation story on the True Spirit of Thanksgiving, bright optimism of the Shine On float, the smurftastic world of The Smurfs, the wonder of believing on Winter Wonderland, and the joy shared during a Woodland Family Gathering.

The magic comes to life straight from the imaginations and hard work of the Macy’s Parade Studio team. The floats of fancy are created every year by a team of designers, carpenters, painters, animators, and electricians who work year-round to construct the Parade’s moving stages. The magic begins from a pencil sketch. That initial concept guides the designers through a process that includes creating working models of the float, drafting blueprints and finally constructing the finished product. A host of creative and technical considerations guide the design and construction of a Macy’s Parade float. Not only must the float be a magical wonderland that will delight millions of spectators, but it must also be expertly engineered to collapse to no more than 12 ½-feet tall and 8-feet wide in size, which enables them to be transported through the Lincoln Tunnel to New York City from the Parade Studio’s home base in Hoboken, NJ on Thanksgiving eve.

For the Studio team, it’s all about the details. From the intricately painted facades to the thousands of flecks of glitter, the floats are born from the ground up, hand constructed, painted and weatherproofed for their big debuts. Once the floats are ready for the big day, the entire fleet is transported to the starting line at 77th Street and Central Park West, via GMC Truck, (the official truck of the Macy’s Parade) and re-assembled overnight in preparation for the step off at the sound of Let’s Have a Parade™!

But before the big day, the floats are kid-tested by hundreds of very lucky children at Macy’s Studio Day. Taking place this year on Tuesday, November 18th, Macy’s invites local New York and New Jersey school children to “test-drive” the new fleet giving the Parade’s target audience a sneak peek at the magic in store for Thanksgiving.

MARION-CAROL SHOWBOAT GOOD HOUSEKEEPING SEAL

In celebration of Macy’s 150th Anniversary, the Marion-Carol Showboat will sail once again down Broadway with a special honor this year. In commemoration of generations of longstanding commitment to quality family entertainment, Macy’s is the first-ever recipient of the “Honorary Good Housekeeping Seal.” With the official Seal from Good Housekeeping, which was just redesigned for its 100th Birthday, the Showboat, the largest vessel to ever float down the line of march, will join in the revelry. Measuring 33-feet tall, 16-feet wide and 42-feet long, the masterpiece of craftsmanship comes complete with an authentic looking paddlewheel and twin smokestacks. For the holiday trip the Showboat will carry special guests on board- Captain Macy, Macy’s own Ooh!, Ahh! and Wow! Bears, as well as singing sensation Charice.

Source Link: Macy’s East; Submitted by Archiemr4;

Josh Groban extols Charice, Lani

LOS ANGELES—Josh Groban described both Charice Pempengco and Lani Misalucha as terrific singers in our recent interview with him in a private villa at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood. Josh, casually dressed this late afternoon, heaped praises on the two Filipina singers. He recounted doing an impromptu duet with Charice in a dressing room while they waited to perform separate numbers in a show. Saying he was blown away by Charice’s pipes, Josh predicted bigger things for the young singer.

Josh said that singing “The Prayer” with Lani at his concert in the Philippines last year was an unforgettable and moving experience. He gushed about Lani’s vocal range and prowess, which was quite a compliment to the songstress since he has sung “The Prayer” with such renowned performers as Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli and Charlotte Church.

The LA-born Josh is no slouch himself when it comes to singing. His new two-CD set, “A Collection,” which features some of his memorable hits from his four multi-platinum albums, gives ample proof. It’s remarkable that in a short span of seven years, Josh has sold more than 25 million albums. He stunned the music world when he became the best-selling recording artist of 2007 with the unprecedented sales of “Awake” and “Noel.” The latter, a collection of holiday songs, was the best-selling US album of 2007.

Best fans

When we met Josh at a holiday party last year, he told us that Filipinos are the best fans in the word. He hopes to return to Manila soon for another concert. He admitted that, to this day, he is still surprised when he goes to far-flung places and discover that people know his name and his songs.

Josh left college after a few weeks into the first semester because he got a record deal with Warner Bros. also through David. Asked what would have happened if he did not get such an offer at that point, he said he would have finished college and then … still tried his luck in the music field.

The singer, who sang a duet, “All I Know of Love,” with Barbra Streisand, recently added two more legendary vocalists to the list of artists he has sung with: Placido Domingo and Charles Aznavour.

He’d like to work with rock artists, and maybe do more acting, especially in shows or movies that would tap his comedic side. When we brought up his appearance in Jimmy Kimmel’s video spoof with Ben Affleck, he laughed and expressed how much fun that was.

Memorable hits

Six tracks from “Noel” are on disc 2 of “A Collection”: “Silent Night,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Ave Maria,” “Panis Angelicus,” “Petit Papa Noel” and “Noche de Paz (Silent Night).” Among the 16 songs on disc 1 are “You Raise Me Up,” “Smile,” “To Where You Are,” “February Song,” “You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up)” and “Hymne a L’Amour.”

It’s too early for a recap of his career but this collection of hits so far prompted us to ask Josh about the highlights of his remarkable seven-year journey. “I think some of the big events have been very meaningful to me,” said the baritone, still boyish-looking at 27.

“Meeting David Foster and a Celine Dion rehearsal in 1998 were big moments,” he said. Josh’s vocal coach introduced him to David, the Grammy-winning producer and arranger, who hired him as a rehearsal singer for important shows. So there was Josh, only 17 and still in high school, suddenly face to face with Celine Dion, rehearsing “The Prayer” with her. He was a stand-in for Andrea Bocelli at the rehearsals for the Grammy Awards. “I didn’t know it was my big break,” said Josh, beaming. He admitted that singing with Celine for the first time was thrilling and nerve-wracking at the same time.

Thanks to a recording contract offered to him through David, it didn’t take long for Josh to be an artist in his own right, who eventually got to sing “The Prayer” with Celine Dion and then Andrea himself in shows, not rehearsals.

“Appearing on ‘Ally McBeal’ was a huge break,” Josh said. Also an actor, Josh was cast in the 2001 season of Calista Flockhart’s TV series, where he sang “You’re Still You” in an episode. The enthusiastic response of viewers—through thousands of e-mails—made producers ask Josh to reprise his role the following season.

“Meeting Oprah and being on her show—five times now—and having that relationship with her are incredible,” Josh said. He expressed gratitude to Oprah as it is acknowledged that his appearance on her show in December last year propelled “Noel” to the top of the charts.

“Performing at the Olympics,” Josh mentioned another peak—the 2002 Winter
Olympics in Utah where he sang “The Prayer” with Charlotte Church.

Source: by Ruben V. Nepales Philippine Daily Inquirer;

Charice, Miley Cyrus, David Archuleta And Many More Stars To Perform On NBC’s Live Broadcast Of The ‘82ND ANNUAL MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE’

Balloons Taking to the Sky for the First-Time will be Buzz Lightyear, Horton, the Smurf Balloon and a Special Balloon of Artist Keith Haring’s work Figure with Heart

Miley Cyrus, David Archuleta and many more stars are set to perform on NBC’s live broadcast of the “82nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” from New York City. “Today” co-anchor Meredith Vieira co-hosts along with Matt Lauer and Al Roker kicking off the festivities with the parade’s historic route beginning at 77th Street and Central Park West and winding down Broadway. The parade celebration will air on NBC from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in all time zones.

Celebrating the start of the holiday season will be performers from stage, screen, sports and music riding down Broadway atop one of the parade’s moving stages. The stars joining the line-up include Trace Adkins, David Archuleta, Charice, The Cheetah Girls, Kristen Chenoweth, Clique Girlz, Miley Cyrus, Grandma and the Big Apple Circus, the cast of the Broadway Musical Hair, Harajuku Girls, Kermit the Frog, Lang Lang and the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street, Miss U.S.A. 2008 - Crystle Stewart, Idina Menzel, PushPlay, Darius Rucker, James Taylor, Uno the 2008 Westminster Dog Show Champion, Varsity Fanclub and Andy Williams.

The parade will feature many eye-catching floats and balloons and will offer many new additions, classic characters from children’s books, movies and television shows, a Who’s Who of popular culture icons. Joining the line-up of giant character helium balloons this year will be the Elephant “who meant what he said” the ever-faithful Horton, the super smurftastic Smurf and the infinity seeking Buzz Lightyear.

Also making its debut is a tribute to the beloved artist Keith Haring (who would have turned 50 this year), working in partnership with the Keith Haring Foundation, Macy’s Parade Studio reconceived one of Haring’s paper drawings, Figure with Heart, 1987, as a Giant Balloon. The balloon is a three-dimensional rendering of Haring’s drawing that will appear flat against the backdrop of the sky as it might have appeared on the subway walls once favored by the artist. Haring’s Figure with Heart is the latest entrant to the Blue Sky Gallery series. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began the Blue Sky Gallery series in 2005 when parade officials invited artist Tom Otterness to create a balloon version of one of his classic pieces of Humpty Dumpty. Aiming to inject contemporary art into a pop culture phenomenon, the Blue Sky Gallery series continued in 2007 with the debut of “Rabbit” by Jeff Koons.

Star power continues to march on Thanksgiving morning with performances from some of the hottest Broadway shows including ‘In the Heights’, ‘Disney’s The Little Mermaid’, ‘Irving Berlin’s White Christmas’, and more. In addition, the world-famous Radio City Rockettes will kick it up a notch welcoming the parade in style.

The 82nd trip down Broadway will also feature over 1,700 cheerleaders, dancers, singers and performers; 900 clowns; 13 giant character helium balloons; 35 novelty/ornament balloons, balloonheads and balloonicles; 10 marching bands; 28 floats; and a host of celebrity performers. Over 10,000 participants including America’s best marching bands, celebrities, campy clowns, the parade’s signature giant character helium balloons, fantasy floats, and the one-and-only Santa Claus; will once again convene on the Upper West Side to bring the magic of the season to life for New York and the nation.

Returning parade favorites, stars of children’s television, video games, comic strips and feature films, complete the line-up of 13 giant balloons this year. Joining the three new giant characters will be Abby Cadabby, Beethoven, Dora the Explorer, Flying Ace Snoopy, Kermit the Frog, Pikachu, Ronald McDonald, Shrek, SpongeBob SquarePants and Supercute Hello Kitty. In addition to the giant characters balloons, the parade also boasts 35 novelty/ornament balloons and balloonicles giving the sky backdrop a tiered spectrum.

Magical scenes come to life on the moving stages that create a fantasy down Broadway. From an unexpected cross country journey to the lights of Tokyo subculture the newest floats in the Macy’s Parade line-up take spectators on voyages through the imagination. This year’s inaugural fleet include the cross-country journey of Bolt, Princess fantasies at the Castle of Dreams, the lights of Tokyo subculture on Harajuku Lovers, a representation of the creation story on the True Spirit of Thanksgiving, bright bold optimism of the Shine On float, the smurftastic world of The Smurfs, the wonder of believing on Winter Wonderland, and the joy shared during a Woodland Family Gathering.

In addition to the eight new stages, 20 floats will make a return appearance on Broadway this Thanksgiving. The returning float line-up includes 123 Sesame Street, Big Apple, Bridge To The Future, The Care Bears Winter Fun-derland, Cele-bear-ate Hugs Worldwide, Expedition to the Top of Rhino Mountain, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, Jolly Polly Pirate Ship, M&M’s Chocolate Candies on Broadway, Marion-Carol Showboat, Musical Innovation Bigger Than Life, New York Tin Toy, Pep Squad, Santaland Express, Santa’s Sleigh, Snoopy’s Doghouse, Spirit of America, Spirit of Liberty, Starship Discovery and Tom Turkey.

The beat is back on Broadway as 10 of America’s best marching bands hit the pavement. The musical heartbeat of the parade, the marching bands representing their home states and the nation in this year’s parade includes The James Bowie High School from Austin, Texas; Copiague High School from Copiague, New York; Fayetteville High School from Fayetteville, Arkansas; Georgia Institute of Technology from Atlanta, Georgia; The Greater St. Petersburg Area Awesome Original Second Time Arounders from St. Petersburg, Florida; Macy’s Great American Marching Band with representatives from every state and the District of Columbia; James Madison University from Harrisonburg, Virginia; Nogales High School from La Puente, California; Sioux Falls Lincoln High School from Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and West Johnston High School from Benson, North Carolina.

Broadcast on NBC since 1948, the parade has been transformed by television into a national tradition.

Source link:

RealityTVWebsite.com

David Foster on Oprah: Charice is the Real Deal!

by CherBear

Full Version

by bidangbata

Posted by KV

via: charicemania.com

Believe in the Magic - Charice in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Sat, Nov 1, 2008

Appearances, USA

(Excerpt of Article)

82nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® Kicks Off The Holiday Season With Giant Balloons, Floats, Marching Bands and The One-And-Only Santa Claus.

New York, NY- November 2008- The magic begins this Thanksgiving at the sound of Let’s Have a Parade™, stirring Oohs, Ahhs and Wows from the crowds and millions of families across the nation. Once again Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® kicks off the holidays with unparalleled pomp and pageantry. This annual whimsical procession goes down Broadway for the 82nd time on Thursday, November 27 at 9:00 AM and will once again cause a sensation delighting over 3.5 million live spectators and over 50 million viewers nationwide. America’s Parade and favorite holiday tradition steps off with over 10,000 participants including Macy’s volunteers, the nation’s best Marching bands, amazing performance groups, cheerleaders, clowns, giant character helium balloons, astonishing floats, and the one-and-only Santa Claus.

It’s in the Stars
Celebrating the start of the holiday season will be performers from stage, screen, sports and music riding down Broadway atop one of the Parade’s moving stages. The stars joining the line-up include Trace Adkins, David Archuleta, Charice, The Cheetah Girls, Kristen Chenoweth, Clique Girlz, Miley Cyrus, Grandma and the Big Apple Circus, cast of the Broadway Musical Hair, Harajuku Girls, Kermit the Frog, Lang Lang and the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street, Miss U.S.A. 2008- Crystle Stewart, Idina Menzel, PushPlay, Darius Rucker, James Taylor, Uno the 2008 Westminster Dog Show Champion, Varsity Fanclub and Andy Williams.

To read the full article, visit Macy’s PressRoom

Charice received rave reviews after the Big Brother Big sisters Event

Jenny Peters
October 31st, 2008 @ 10:30 AM - Beverly Hills, Calif.

Expectations ran high on Thursday night, Oct. 30, that superstar Tom Cruise would turn up at The Big Bash!, the annual Rising Stars Gala put on by the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, despite the fact that he's living in New York at the moment while his wife Katie Holmes stars in a Broadway show. But we all know that he has his own plane, and can fly off at a moment's notice, which is why he was expected, since Paula Wagner, his long-time friend and producing partner, was being honored with the organization's Sherry Lansing Award.

But Tom didn't make the trip to honor Paula's mentoring skills; instead, his "Jerry Maguire" co-star and Oscar-winning buddy Cuba Gooding, Jr., did the honors. But first, earlier in the evening, that raucous actor jumped on stage with Joanne Worley and Fred Willard to help them run the live auction when bidding began to sputter.

"Hey, you white people with money, quiet down!" he joked, then led the multiracial crowd that filled the Beverly Hilton Hotel in repeating his signature saying, "Show me the money!"

Plenty of money was eventually raised for the BBBS organization, which also honored publicist Michael S. Sitrick with the Walt Disney Man of the Year Award and 12-year-old actress Abigail Breslin with the Young Heroes Award as stars Alan Arkin, Doris Roberts, Pam Dawber, Sarah Purcell, Jodie Sweetin, Jennifer Freeman and Larry King looked on.

But the real "Rising Star" of the night was Charice Pempengco, the 16-year-old Filipino singing sensation. The tiny gal with the huge voice wowed the audience with her astonishing rendition of "I Will Always Love You," leading to wild cheers and a standing ovation.

Who needs Tom Cruise, anyway, when the next generation of superstar is in the house?

Who needs Tom Cruise, anyway, when the next generation of superstar is in the house?