MANILA, Philippines – If there is one reminder Charice Pempengco wants to give to the Filipino finalists of last season’s Asia’s Got Talent, it would be for them to stay humble.

In an interview with reporters at the press conference for David Foster’s concert, Hitman: David Foster and Friends, Charice shared that all of the finalists must work hard to achieve their dreams. (READ: David Foster on Charice, Filipino talent, and star-studded PH concert)

“I’m happy for them but at the same time, I want them to stay humble about everything na lahat na mangyayari sa kanila. Tama si Ms. Natalie (Cole), David is very picky. He’s very strict. Minsan nakakatakot.  Even before I met Oprah, na meet ko na siya. I feel na – I feel na hindi pa siya okay sa akin. Hindi pa ako best. And that’s what pushed me to record more songs, to find myself, to find my voice,” Charice said. ([WATCH] Asia’s Got Talent: What’s next for the Filipino grand finalists?)

Charice shares that David is a very picky person when it comes to his artists. pic.twitter.com/Q9SwlkHbQC

— alexa villano (@alexavillano) August 17, 2015

(I want them to stay humble about everything that’s happening to them. Ms. Natalie [Cole] is right. David is very picky. He’s very strict. Sometimes he’s scary. Even before I met Oprah, I met him already. I feel I was not at my best. And that’s what pushed me to record more songs, to find myself, to find my voice.)

She also said she now understands why it took a while for her to get her name out in the international scene. It was all about the right timing. 

“So what I am saying is whatever you get, today and sa future, I want them to treasure it and work hard for it, not wish for it, to work hard for it,” she added.

Charice on her advice to the finalists of last season’s Asia’s Got Talent. pic.twitter.com/poln3u7BHq

— alexa villano (@alexavillano) August 17, 2015

Reunion with David Foster

After performing during the finals of Asia’s Got Talent, Charice said she’s happy to be working with David again in Tuesday’s concert at the Araneta Coliseum.

“Syempre blessed ako. David Foster iyan and proud ka na ipagmalaki talaga. I think ang nakaproud is totoong tao siya… hindi dahil sa title niya, hindi sa malaking pangalan niya, its because of his heart, the way he is, that’s what I’m proud [of],” she said. (READ: Charice Pempengco reunites with David Foster in Singapore)

(Of course I feel blessed. That’s David Foster and I’m proud to say that. I think what’s very interesting about him is how real he is…it’s not all about his title, not all about his name, but it’s because of his heart, the way he is, that’s what I’m proud [of].)

During the press conference, David said there will be a lot of surprises and possibly duets from the artists present like Ruben Studdard, Natalie Cole, Charice, and Boyz II Men.

Charice said she is very open to perform with Natalie upon David’s suggestion.

“No problem at all. We haven’t sang together before. It would be different so that’s a good idea,” she said of the daughter of the great singer Nat King Cole.

Charice said that David has the tendency to mix things up at a show and challenge his singers, including her.

“He gets all these crazy ideas and sometimes binabago pa niya. Surprise talaga hanggang ngayon chinachallenge pa rin niya ako,” she said.  (It’s a surprise because up to now, he still challenges me.)

“Baka hindi magtagal at lahat ng guest niya ay puro Filipinos. It’s true. Every time na nagagawa siya ng mga concerts, nakakahanap siya ng bago and everywhere he goes, it’s true what’s he’s saying. There’s always Filipinos watching.  I’m glad he’s giving chances… but I’m telling  you’re going to work hard for it. All the challenges he gave us, sa 8 years grabe! And I can say he’s really a mentor, he’s really a legit mentor. Kasi challenge talaga ang ibibigay sa iyo and he will really let you figure it out for yourself,” she said.

(It might not be long before we’ll see David have more Filipino guests. It’s true. Everytime that he does his concerts, he always finds new talent and everywhere he goes, it’s true what’s he’s saying. There are always Filipinos watching. 

I’m glad he’s giving chances… but I’m telling  you’re going to work hard for it. All the challenges he gave us, in 8 years, wow! And I can say he’s really a mentor, he’s really a legit mentor. Because he will really give you a challenge and he will really let you figure it out for yourself.) – Rappler.com