MANILA, Philippines – International singing sensation Charice on Tuesday defended her mother, Raquel Pempengco, from accusations that she is meddling too much in her daughter's personal affairs.

Speculations said Raquel is too overbearing that she would interfere even with Charice’s wardrobe. Some even claimed that Raquel would not let her only daughter entertain suitors.

Rumor also said that Raquel’s purported strictness has driven Charice to disobey her.

But the 17-year-old “Note to God’ singer quickly refuted all allegations.

She maintained that her mother is not that strict and she always has a say on everything.

"Nasasakal na daw po ako? Wala naman pong ganoon. Siguro kaya lang may issue na ganoon kasi nagpapalit image na po ako. Hindi po kasi nila maintindihan na mage-18 na po ako, “ she said.

“At tulad nga po ng sinabi ni Ms. Oprah Winfrey, tanggapin na po nila na dalaga na po ako, talaga pong magbabago ako ng image," she added.

On dating, Charice said she is not yet ready to have a relationship because she is too focused on her career.

"Hindi po ako hinihigpitan. For me, ako po ang magsasabi na kung si mommy ay open [sa manliligaw], ako po ay hindi. Nag-e-enjoy pa po ako sa career ko," Charice said.

Concert with ‘Mr. C’

Charice will hold a concert with music icon Ryan Cayabyab at the PICC Plenary Hall on February 14.

The young belter said it is a dream come true for her to work with Cayabyab.

"Halos talagang dini-dream din namin yan. Hindi ko talaga ma-imagine na one stage ay magkasama kaming dalawa. Parang naisip ko na David Foster siya ng Pilipinas," she said.

The concert is Charice and Cayabyab’s first big show. "Nagsama na kami sa Bantay Bata pero ito ang first project namin na kami talaga, solo namin."

Crooner Erik Santos, George Yang, The Ryan Cayabyab Singers, and singer-composer Ogie Alcasid are their guest performers.