At the Fish & Co. restaurant at Shangri-La Plaza last Thursday, November 26, a video was shown of renowned musicians performing in jampacked venues. Beyonce, Nelly Furtado, Avril Lavigne, Rihanna and Celine Dion were all shown using Sennheiser microphones—the same brand that Filipina singer Charice is now endorsing.

Charice used a gray microphone to sing the upbeat song "Fingerprint," which she performed for the first time in the Philippines.

After her energetic song-and-dance number, the crowd immediately requested an encore. Before she performed another song, Charice chirped, "Ginaganahan ako kumanta dahil sa mic ko, e." She then performed the songs "Note to God" and Beyonce's "Halo." (CLICK HERE to watch video)

On closer inspection, one can see what makes the microphone special: it bears the signature of the singer and is encrusted with the patented Swarovski crystals. According to Sennheiser executives, only a limited number of these Charice-edition microphones will be available in the Philippines. 

How does she feel about being chosen by Sennheiser, a leading German audio electronics brand, to be its ambassador in the Philippines?

"Kinilabutan ako nung sinabi nila na next endorser ako, kahanay nina Beyonce and Celine Dion," revealed Charice, because when she was only seven years old, she distinctly remembers wishing that she could have her own Sennheiser microphone.

"Nung nagsisimula akong kumanta [in singing competitions], nakikita ko iba-ibang kulay ng mga mic nila [her competitors]," recalled Charice.

According to the website of the German company, customizing a handheld microphone with 2,300 crystals can cost up to $999 (around P47,000). Mommy Raquel told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) how she came up with the design for Charice's personalized microphone.

"Binigyan kami ng mga designs, then ang pinili ko yung star. Kasi si Mariah Carey may sarili siyang mic. Sinasabi [ni Charice] dati, 'Sana may sarili rin akong mic.' Kaya napaiyak siya nung pinakita sa kanya yung mic kahapon sa pictorial."

ON OPRAH'S UPCOMING PLANS. Since Charice considers American talk show host Oprah as one of her consultants, what was her reaction to the news that The Oprah Winfrey Show will stop airing by September 2011?

Instead of being saddened by the news, Charice excitedly told the press, "Actually po, nalaman ko nga po na 2011, ititigil na nga po niya iyon. Alam ko po yung totoong reason pero right now, ayoko pong maglabas ng kahit anong statement. Para kay Ms. Oprah, I'm so happy for her. Alam ko, may mas malaking mangyayari."

There have been reports in the U.S. that the "Queen of Daytime Television" is planning to open her own cable network called "OWN," the Oprah Winfrey Network.

When asked if Charice will have a part in Oprah's new plans, she replied, "Abangan na lang po natin. Pero nagkita po kami last week, kasi yung executive producer ng Oprah Winfrey Show, umalis na po at lumipat sa Los Angeles... hindi ko na sasabihin kung bakit. Kinuha niya ako as the surprise guest para dun sa executive producer. I'm not sure kung may possibility na ipalabas sa show or baka sa website ilagay kasi pang-Christmas yung ginawa namin."

ON RHAP SALAZAR'S U.S. TV DEBUT. Last November 17, Rhap Salazar appeared as a guest on The Ellen Degeneres Show, a feat that Charice did on December 19, 2008.

"Wow, nag-Ellen pala siya!" was Charice's reaction when she saw it on Twitter. "Nagkaroon nga ng standing ovation si Rhap... After ng show, tinext ako ni Rhap na biglaan pala 'yon. Ang masasabi ko lang, ang husay niya pero nagbibinata na siya. Super-galing niya!"


CLICK HERE to read more about Rhap Salazar's episode.