With her ever-growing list of singing engagements abroad, Charice Pempengco has become a frequent flyer, shuttling from Manila to the United States almost every month.

But after leaving for Los Angeles last February 11, the 16-year-old singer will be staying in California for up to two months to make preparations for her international album debut.

“Bale makikinig na ako ng mga original at cover songs then mag-sa-start na din ako mag-recording so mapapatagal na ako dun. Siguro March or April na ako babalik. Pero kung may time, kung may one week break lang or three days, puwede pa rin ako bumalik dito,” she explains.

Charice admits that she still gets jetlagged during the 13-hour flights, but that she’s gotten used to it. “Napapagod din ako sa biyahe pero tinutulog ko na lang yun kasi ‘pag hindi ko itinulog, talagang nahihilo ako eh,” she adds.

Although the singer admits it would be more convenient to live in the US, Charice will not relocate there permanently.

“Actually napag-usapan na namin yun, na talagang hindi pupuwede talagang hindi ako uuwi kasi home base ko talaga is ABS-CBN. Then pumayag sila kasi kahit papaano, napakalaki ng utang na loob ko sa ABS-CBN kasi dito ako nagsimula. Siyempre iba pa rin dito. Nasanay na ako dito. Kaya nga kahit na mahirap, kahit na two to three days lang ako libre, talagang umuuwi ako,” she admits.

Instead of feeling homesick when she’s abroad, Charice looks forward to every time she returns home.

“Okay naman kasi nag-e-enjoy naman ako. Kasi pagdating ko, may mga uwi akong big news tapos tuwang-tuwa yung mga tao. Kaya gustong-gusto kong umuuwi. Yung parang gusto ko i-share sa kanila yung mga ginagawa ko sa States para hindi nila ako makalimutan,” she says.

How will Charice prepare for her post-Oscar party performance? And how did she react during her first paparazzi encounter in the US? Find out details on these and more at www.abs-cbn.com!