By GENE ALCANTARA

For the first time in its four-year history, the audience at The Paul O'Grady Show gave a standing ovation to a visiting singer: 14-year old Charice Pempengco from the Philippines.

According to the show's producers, not even the veteran chanteuse Mariah Carey was given this rare honour when she came to the UK recently to launch her new album.

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"Sobrang saya ko po kasi sinabi nila na 4 years na pala yung show nila pero yun nga po, first time po nila magkaroon ng standing ovation, yun po dahil sa pagkanta ko po so very proud po ako sa sarili ko," Charice told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

Pempengco was in the United Kingdom for two days at the invitation of TV talk show host Paul O'Grady, following her success last year on the Ellen de Generes' show in the United States and her huge fanbase on YouTube.

Paul O'Grady is a daily one-hour show broadcast every afternoon in the United Kingdom to showcase world-class talents and world breakers. It is one of the most popular shows in the UK.

Pempengco was accompanied by her mother, Raquel Pempengco. They were met here by US-based friends Atty. Michael and Millie Gurfinkel, who acted as mediators for the young artist and the show.

Despite the jet lag following a 24-hour flight on Etihad Airways, and being her first time in London, Pempengco, who turns 15 next month, took the opportunity to do some sightseeing and to relax before the show.

"Kakaiba po yung place dito, like napuntahan ko yung Abbey Road, doon nagshoot yung the Beatles. Tapos po, yung Buckingham Palace, eto po yung Big Ben. Sobrang saya po namin, really, dahil nakakapasyal po ako nang alamo mo, yon wala medyo nakakakilala sa akin. So talagang, feeling ko, ordinaryong bata lang ako dito," Charice said.

She walked on the zebra crossing made famous by the Beatles as a cover for their most successful album called Abbey Road. She also signed her name on the wall of the former Abbey Road Studios, now called EMI Studios.

During her appearance on the Paul O'Grady show, the audience was stunned by the powerful voice of the diminutive singer with her rendition of Jennifer Hudson's "And I am telling you, I'm not going". They gave her a standing ovation.

Her second number, the classic "I will always love you" by Whitney Houston was equally greeted with great applause and a second standing ovation.

Paul O'Grady himself called Charice a fabulous singer. Harry Judd, drummer of the British band, McFly, gave her flowers at the end of the show.

Pempengco's mother was very pleased that her daughter has brought honour yet again to the Philippines by impressing Britons with her talent at singing.

"Siempre po, natutuwa din ako. Pareho din nung pagtanggap ng mga Amerikano dito sa London kay Charice. Tuwang-tuwa po ako kasi ay parang inangkin nila si Charice, parang kalahi na nila," Raquel Pempengco, Charice's mother, said. "Kasi first time lang daw sa show ni Paul O'Grady na nagkaroon ng standing ovation. Tuwang-tuwa ako dahil sa anak ko nangyari iyon."

Filipinos who watched the show were equally proud of Pempengco.

Martin Leonar, a nurse, said: "Well kanina, sa Paul O'Grady, standing ovation yung mga English people din e. At saka yung ibang nurses, nakapanood din sa hospital, nagpalakpakan nga din kasi maganda yung performance, kaya very proud din kami kay Charice na napanood siya sa United Kingdom, dito sa London."

"Nabigla nga ako biglang lumabas si Charice. Bigla siyang lumabas na talagang hangang-hanga kami, pati yung mga British na talagang palakpakan kami," said Robert Rabadon, also a Filipino nurse.

"Aba masayang masaya, alam mo galing pa ako ng work pero dumaan ako para lang makita siya," said nurse Kathleen Corpuz.

On her return to the Philippines, Pempengco hopes that the country will be doubly proud of her achievement in the United Kingdom.

"Siguro po, kung ano yung napanood nila sa 'Ellen', siguro po, madodoble po ang pagkaproud nila sa akin ngayon, lalo na po nasa London po ako ngayon. Kumbaga, napahanga ko na naman po. Alam nyo, yung mga British na tao, so iba sa Amerika. So sana, maging mas proud pa po sila sa akin," Charice said.