After wowing the judges (which included American Idol judge Simon Cowell) and audience of the UK top-rating show Britain’s Got Talent, 10-year-old Charlie Green has finally arrived in Manila with the help of TFC Europe to showcase his singing talent in various ABS-CBN shows. Along with his Filipina mother and his British father, Charlie arrived last Thursday and finally met the press at an intimate lunch at Conway’s bar in Shangri-la Makati yesterday. "I love being here. I’ve visited the Philippines many times already, but the last vacation was in 2006. We went to visit my mom’s hometown in Cebu and Bohol," Charlie recalls. A natural born musician, Charlie began singing at the age of two, performing Broadway songs New York, New York and IfI Were A Rich Man for his family. He is also on his way to reaching Level 6 in his classical piano lessons, which his mom says is something Charlie equally enjoys.

After receiving a standing ovation for his confidently sung version of Frank Sinatra’s Summer Wind during his live audition last April, it surprised everyone when Charlie got cut in the semi-final round. But this definitely did not dampen his newfound popularity in London. "It’s crazy how he gets mobbed now by girls and even guys. Even if he was on the show for a short time, they already recognize him. They even wait outside our house hoping they can get a glimpse of Charlie. He’s become really popular even with that short stint," says Charlie’s mother Cecille. Charlie made such an impact on the show, that even the usually blunt Simon Cowell had nothing but good things to say after his audition. "He told me ‘Charlie, you’re fantastic. I think you’re a little star. I really, really like you. I genuinely did not expect to find someone like that. I’m absolutely thrilled!’ Cowell commented.," Charlie recalls.

Charlie, who is starting Year 7 this coming August (equivalent to Grade 6), has just transferred to a performing arts academy to help him hone his singing talents even further. He understands and speaks a little Tagalog, but his appetite is unmistakably Pinoy. "I love to eat pansit over rice. I also like monggo beans and bulalo-flavored noodles," he happily shares. Unlike other singers his age, Charlies interests cover a wide range, with him taking tap, ballet, jazz and modern dance. But his other great love, is football. "That’s a priority in my life. My favorite player is Cristiano Ronaldo and my favorite team is Manchester United. I’m really into sports. I also play cricket and American pool," he stresses.

Currently in negotiations to sign a record deal with Star Records, Charlie admits he is both excited and happy at all the attention he’s been getting from his Filipino fans. "We haven’t talked about that yet, but I’m looking forward to what’s going to happen in the next few days," he admits happily. Charlie will be in the country for the next two weeks exclusively for ABS-CBN, starting his media blitz with a guesting on Pinoy Dream Academy’s Uberture yesterday. Catch him also on ASAP ’08, Wowowee, The Buzz, Boy & Kris and Sharon this coming week.