Pinoy singing sensation Charice is set to perform two songs to Barack Obama before he is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America.
Today, January 18, the young singing sensation will perform during the pre-inaugural ball to be held at the Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel. The actual inauguration of Obama is scheduled to take place at Washington D.C. on January 20.
Charice left the Philippines last Friday, January 16, to prepare for the historic event. Obama's staff requested Charice to sing "God Bless America" and "One Moment in Time," a song originally recorded by Whitney Houston for the 1988 Summer Olympics.
In a previous interview with Star Patroller Mario Dumaual, Charice pointed out, "Dati kumanta ako kay President Arroyo, ngayon kay President Obama naman. Iba po 'yong feeling na isa na namang Filipina ang makakapag-perform internationally."
If she is given the chance to talk with Obama, Charice will most likely tell the first African-American President of the US: "Just wanna say thank you for making this dream come true. This is not only an honor for me, not only for me, but also for the Philippines. Thank you."
Oprah Winfrey, an ardent supporter of Obama's presidential campaign, reportedly lobbied to have Charice included in the pre-inaugural ball. In her eponymous talk show, the female TV host called the Pinay singer as the "the most talented girl in the world" during an episode dubbed as "The World's Smartest Kids."
After performing in the pre-inaugural ball, Charice is scheduled to stay in the United States for almost three months to record her first international debut album to be produced by record producer and composer David Foster.
In the meantime, she is promoting Foster's latest CD-DVD Hitman: David Foster & Friends since she is one of several performers included in the album. Other performers were Kenny G., Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Brian McKnight, Katharine McPhee, Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion.
