PART 7 OF 8 a full transcript of the recent 8-part video interviews of SNN's Boy Abunda of Filipina singer Charice Pempengco shown on the TFC Channel and over at SNN's official site, June 22, 2009. The uncut videos may be viewed over at that site.
NOTES:
I wrote the transcript (translation in English) for the benefit of Charice's non-Filipino/non-Tagalog followers.
This transcript has been submitted to the moderators of Charice's most comprehensive fansite, charicemania.com, for its use. All credits and ownership of the of the video belongs to ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. Credits to all other contents at charicemania.com, except where expressed and/or attributed, belong to the owners of charicemania.com.
Credits for the transcript and translation are by the owner of this posterous site. The translation was made to make it as close to the speakers' intentions and language as possible. You may copy/paste/download for your personal and private guidance and reading pleasure.
If the translation/transcript below are to be used, in part or in full, for commercial use, I would prefer to please be notified beforehand by posting a comment or contacting me.
Enjoy.
SNN Interview with Charice by Boy Abunda, PARTS 1-8
==============>> PART 7 <<==============
B: This is what I have told myself, Charice, that what you went through happens to people.
However, uh, this is a difficult question.
To all the people who have treated you badly, put you down, said unkind words, in your heart and your mother's heart, have you forgiven?
C: We never, ever, allowed anger to be felt by anyone. We never wished to gain enemies, no matter what. But the painful irony to forgiving them always is how we were treated back. Mommy and I, we never really did...
B: ...Kept anger...
C: Yes. Mommy and I, we do take note about some people, for instance, "Here, this person has always treated us badly" and like, but we always let forgiveness take over.
B: Correct
C: Because we never wish to make foes of anyone.
B: Yes. What I am also getting from you here is how you used your experience to motivate you to keep on, to make you better. You mentioned earlier how are able to express anger, displeasure and sadness into songs, isn't that so?
C: Yes
B: Wow. Ok.
When I used to say to you, "How strong this kid is"...I don't know if I told you this, Charice, once on "Boy and Kris", I said "How strong you are. How strong." Like you were just gutsy.
Little did I know that all of that was coming from here. Had I know about your story before, I would have fully understood and say to myself, "No wonder she can be that gutsy".
That's why, when Swed
en came to your life, what was your reaction?
C: Well, that was just a demo recording. Of course we were very happy about it. I was able to go to Sweden, first of all. But Mommy would tell me, "That's not it yet. That's just for demo recording. Let's not expect too much from it"
B: Ok.
C: But of course we were really happy about it. We waited for what else would happen. While waiting, we never expected things to happen one after the other.
B: Your blessings came one after the other, no?
C: After four months, StarKing Korea came.
B: OK. But before that, how are you?
C: Hmm, I am really playful and mischievous. My brother sometimes end up becoming like my older brother because I can be naughty. He gives in to me. I become his baby sister.
B: How is your relationship with Mommy? How are you in times when you do not agree with each other, because that happens, too, right..
C: Yes.
B:...with choice of songs, clothes to wear, for instance, or chocolates when you're tempted by it, what happens?
C: Uhm, Mommy and I, the three of us are an all-in-one package, we are friends. We are open to one another.
B: Correct. Like gangmates, no?
C: Yes. When someone has a crush, we tell each other. When he has a crush, he tells me. So, we are happy.
B: Who has a crush, Carl? And Mommy?
C: Us three [laughs] Of course, to be fair, we three have our own crushes.
B: So, nothing is a secret
C: Yes
B: So, open. Everything is open
C: Yes, everything is open among us. Sometimes, though, when Carl and I fight over something, sometimes...at our age, believe it or not, we still argue over toys [giggles]
B: Over robots, still?
C: Toy cars, this time. Sports cars.
B: How do you argue, you don't not talk?
C: Oh, how do we argue? Hmm, I tell him, "I refuse", and then not talk to him, like, for some hours we don't talk to each other. Then all of a sudden, we just laugh together like crazy. That's how we are. There are no episodes where one says "Let's be friends"; we'll just burst laughing together just like that.
B: Ok. With, Mommy, for instance. Of course, sometimes, she may have a bad day, or is tired, or you may be tired, how is that?
C: With Mommy, when she has a bad day, all of us fall silent, as in ALL of us are dead silent. You will not hear anything, not even for a pin drop.
Of course we understand it when Mommy is tired. When I, myself am tired, she is more tired because she does everything for me. She prepares my clothes, she fixes me up.
B: Hold a sec, Charice, I'll tell you something, because Tito Boy is a manager, too. You know what Mommy goes through, like when you sing...
C: Yes
B: What Mommy is going through when you're on stage is a different kind of tiredness.
C: Yes. She tells me that...
B: That's true, it's a different kind of tiredness. If Mommy could only faint...
C: Yes
B: It's a different kind of tiredness she goes through being a mother, it's different as a manager. For example, when a talent is on stage...
C: Yes
B: ...if one could only own, you know, "Lord, I pray that nothing goes wrong. I hope she hits the note. I hope..."
C: Yes
B: ...you know? That's what your mom goes through.
C: Yes
B: So, the exhaustion that you talk about, we understand what that is. We understand.
C: Yes
B: Uhm, what difference in terms of relationship between the three of you in the group, Carl, Mommy and yourself, compared to how it was before besides the arguments about cars and stuff?
C: Well, before, it was more like we weren't as happy much, of course, because life was hard. We'd always talk about how to pay things...
B: The loans...
C: Yes...The difference now is we're happy even if there is just the three of us. I can buy them want they want. It's like, I feel god when I can afford to get them something they really, really want. I can see it in their faces and they deserve to have what they want.
B: And also, Charice, success is sweeter. It's a sweeter achievement because of what you all went through
C: Yes
B: Isn't that so? Also, a question: Are you this gutsy because when you were growing up -- it's not like you are all big and taller now [laughs] --
C: But not grown any taller [giggles]
B: ...all your life, you witnessed how equally gutsy Mommy was been?
C: Yes, that's true.
B: Isn't that right?
C: Yes. You know, sometimes, we catch her crying by herself.
B: Do you feel weak when you see her cry?
C: When Mommy cries, we both cry. When we see her cry, we all cry so that it's all...shared [laughs] No one is left out. [giggles]
B: [laughs] If back then, "You're My World", "I Who Have Nothing", it was Mommy who picked the songs for you, how is it now? I mean, is it still Mommy?
C: It's still Mommy. Like, for the coming concert, we talked yesterday about it and she said "Ming, why don't you include a new song in your concert" so that...
B: That was Mommy, speaking, right?
C: Yes, that was Mommy. I said "Ok, what song?"
Well, Mommy wanted Beyonce, so, hey, [claps] a new song! [laughs]
B: [laughs]
C: Of course, what Mommy likes, I like, too!
B: Now, you are the old school! [laughs]
C: [laughs] I am...It didn't occur to me, it didn't cross my mind what Mommy had thought of, so, there.
B: Talk about your concert, go ahead.
C: Yes. It's my first major concert. So, it's another achievement for me.
B: First major concert here in the Philippines
C: Philippines, yes
B: Don't forget that we are now international
C: [laughs]
B: First major concert in the Philippines
C: Yes, here in the Philippines...
B: Where will this be?
C: At the SMX Convention Center and...
B: Ok, that's a really beautiful place..
C: ...I never imagined it and I am super excited because our special guest is Ms Regine Velasquez...
B: Wow. Wow.
C: [raises her hands] I can tell you that there will be a lot to watch out for because this concert is going to be about the music of my life, from the start, to today.
This will be different, from the concept of the concert; we really prepared for this.
B: When?
C: On June 27 at 8 p.m. And for the tickets, call 911-5555
B: Ok. This is something I've always said even when you had just started going to America to perform, you make us proud, us Pinoys (Filipinos). You've done so much for us, Charice, you make us proud, you make us feel good about ourselves, about being a Filipino, about being artists.
For instance, you don't have to be a singer to feel proud because of what you've done for us and for this country.
I always say what a beautiful life story you have; that there are many things one can talk about you, but as an expression of support for you, each Filipino should have a copy of your albums. Really, it's true.
C: Thank you.
B: Because, with what you have achieved, we have also achieved because of you. We all should get a ticket because this is not a just a story of your life but of ours.
So, talk about Charice's story, all what she went through, but let us not forget that the core of this story is God's gift to you, a very beautiful voice.
You know, your musicality, your music, the gift of voice--all of these, together with your story, is what we hear.
You are a big part of the Filipino story. You make us proud. You really make us proud.
Now, Regine Velasquez is my friend. I saw how you reacted, how happy you are to have Regina in your concert. I mean, she's also a part of my life. All of our dreams you fulfilled for us. All the doors we wanted open, you started to unlock. It's true.
And I will not, we will not, tire of ever follow you. I will follow you even up in Baguio.
C: [giggles] Thank you
B: That's true. Because your story is our story. Your story is the Philippines' story.
- END PART 7 -