MANILA – The Philippines' international singing sensation Charice Pempengco on Saturday thanked people for supporting Filipinos like her and boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, adding that their triumphs make her feel "proud to be Filipino."

Charice arrived in Manila on Saturday on board a Philippine Airlines flight from Los Angeles, where she finished a 10-city tour with legendary composer, David Foster.

“Kababayan, maraming, maraming salamat sa suporta di lang po sa amin pero sa lahat ng Pinoy na may talento especially kay sir Manny [Pacquiao] Pacman. Sana tuloy-tuloy lang po ang suporta. Proud to be Filipino,” Charice said.

Although she missed the much-awaited bout between Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto last week, Charice said she watched it on video sharing site, YouTube.

“Actually, napanood ko lang sa YouTube. Kasi nung time na lumalaban siya, may sked ako so nag abang na lang ako kung sino panalo. Then, the other day pinanood ko,” she admitted.

It made her even more proud when Pacquiao emerged victorious over his Puerto Rican rival.

“S’yempre, nakaka-proud. Nag usap nga kami ni Mommy, parang ang hirap talunin ni Sir Manny,” said Charice. “Yung narating ko ngayon minsan yung mga tao super proud dahil sa amin. Kung ano ang nafe-feel ng ibang tao sa akin, yun ang nafe-feel ko kay Sir Manny. National hero talaga”.

She shared that while performing abroad, other nationalities notice how talented Filipinos are.

“Nakakatuwa kasi di lang mga Pinoy ang nakakapansin. Pag nagko-concert kami may mga Americans, Canadians, sinasabi nila na parang ang dami pa lang napaka-talented sa Pinas. Pag nakikita nila ako tinatanong agad sa kin si Manny Pacquiao kasi Pilipino rin,” she said.

She believes that Pacquiao’s success helps Filipinos abroad gain recognition.

“S’yempre naman po. Patuloy sana bigyan ng karangalan ang bansa. Good luck sa darating na mga laban. Saludo po kami sa inyo,” she said.

Mum on Pacquiao-Krista affair

When asked about the reactions of Filipinos abroad regarding the gossips linking the Pacman to sexy actress Krista Ranillo, Charice said, “Parang siguro wala lang talaga, di sila naniniwala. Ang iniisip lang yung pagkapanalo”.

She likewise avoided giving her personal opinion on the issue. “Nakita ko lang po yun. Ayoko pong makialam dun. Ang akin lang po congratulations kay Sir Manny, yun lang,” she said.

Charice did not say how long she will stay in Manila, but disclosed that she will have to return to the US to finish her album after taking a break.

“Bale tatapusin ko na yung album ko. Magsho-shoot na po ng music video para maka-release na po siya, January po,” she said. “Katatapos lang po ng 10-city tour po namin with David Foster so pahinga lang po."

Foster is known for "discovering" singers Celine Dion, Josh Groban, and Michael Bublé as well as working with renowned musicians like Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, and others.

Charice is still uncertain about her concert schedules next year in Manila. But she was quick to add that there might be one in February in time for Valentine’s Day.

“Di ko pa po sure. Siguro sa Valentine's magkakaron kami ng concert. Not sure pa po yung venue pero magkakaron po ng concert sa February,” she said.