How Charice Did It Right

If you chanced upon Charice last night in her One for the Heart concert at GMA channel 7, you will love her. I rarely get to see live concerts these days, so I really and literally wait and took time out to watch concert on TV. It’s a “me-time ”, for heaven’s sake! So I begged my husband and the kids to sleep right away.

Charice is all Asian (read: flat nose) but she has all grown up with her voice more breathtaking, and her stance more powerful before her audience. She does not have the body of Christina Aguilera, the blondness of Britney Spears, or the sexiness of Rihanna but her voice made all the difference. It is very dynamic. It can go very low and can go very high.

What struck me most was where Charice sang to her father Ricky Pempengco who passed away last year. It was so tender and moving, I can’t believe she did not falter or went off tune. Given the same instance, I would be howling, and rolling, and bawling, and wailing. But the singer sustained her presence and finished the song unbelievably perfect. She sang Luther Vandross’ Dance With My Father. Isn’t that in the heart of every father’s child? She got me there, all the heart of me.

Dance With My Father/ Luther Vandross
Back when I was a child
Before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high
And dance with my mother and me
And then
Spin me around 'till I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure
I was loved

If I could get another chance
Another walk
Another dance with him
I'd play a song that would never ever end
How I'd love love love
To dance with my father again

When I and my mother
Would disagree
To get my way I would run
From her to him
He'd make me laugh just to comfort me
yeah yeah
Then finally make me do
Just what my mama said
Later that night when I was asleep
He left a dollar under my sheet
Never dreamed that he
Would be gone from me

If I could steal one final glance
When final step
One final dance with him
I'd play a song that would never ever end
Cause I'd love love love to
Dance with my father again

Sometimes I'd listen outside her door
And I'd hear how mama would cry for him
I'd pray for her even more than me
I'd pray for her even more than me

I know I'm praying for much to much
But could you send her
The only man she loved
I know you don't do it usually
But Dear Lord
She's dying to dance with my father again

Every night I fall asleep
And this is all I ever dream