I've always been irritated by how the Philippine media blows up every Filipino name that come across the international (read: American) scene. Even personalities with .001 % of our native blood, even though they have never been to the Philippines nor speak the language, get more attention than they deserve.
Of course, there are individuals who really deserve all the media hype, and aside from Arnel Pineda and Manny Pacquiao, Charice (Pempengco) has proved to be one them. The once child wonder Ellen Degeneres and Oprah had gawked upon in amazement is no longer a child hence the new image and RnB-ish single. Gone are the Star Search inspired Celine Dion/Whitney Houston/Mariah Carey tracks which most singing contestants insist on singing to show off their vocal range. Finally, Charice is now ready to embrace her inner teen diva.
PYRAMID, the new single from Charice's new album feat. Iyaz, is a catchy RnB tune that translates well to wicked dance track courtesy of Dave Aude. The lyrics are meaningful and the feel of the song is just right for this day and age. Not too much earth-shaking exhibition of how high one's vocal chords can achieve, (read: Note to God) which, at least in my book, is a big yay. It's hip, it's fun, it's a song you can listen to over and over again.
In fact, it took me 34 plays before I grew tired of listening to the song over and over again. Trust me, iTunes kept count.
I now fear the inevitable time when the song will hit mainstream radio and I have to listen to people going gaga over the song I am already getting sick of.
However, in my honest opinion, a great single (that she didn't write nor help compose) and a gig in Oprah do not spell surefire success. Watching the video, I was left with the odd feeling that it's lacking something. Or at least, her image does.
Don't get me wrong, I think she's a beautiful kid with a brilliant voice but let's face it, she's not PussycatDollPretty and while watching the video, I can still perceive her as the Tween sidekick Hannah Montana would befriend. Her Virgin-Mary-uber-wholesome image will also not help her career that much. I'm not saying that she should strip in front of the camera and do a rendition of Lady Gaga's dance routine in Love Game but, I don't know, I'm just not digging her overall style. I think she still has to find her trademark something the same way Taylor Swift found her guitar and Miley Cyrus discovered the power of stripper shorts.
That said, I wish Charice all the best. She is, after all, carrying our nation's name. May Filipinos be known for more than knowing how to beat people up professionally and being great nurses/caregivers.
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