Charice Pempengco is the latest endorser of Aficionado which held a concert during its anniversary celebration at the Mall of Asia last night. January 8, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

The 90,000 strong crowd erupted when Charice Pempengco came out. She was in pink, retro, nerdy Ray ban Wayfarers. Her hair was long and straight with bangs to emphasize her Asian features. She looked a lot like her character Sunshine Corazon in Glee than the Charice we usually know. Charice came back last January 8, 2011 for the 1@11 anniversary of Aficionado perfume by “The Lord of Scents” Joel Cruz. The event at the Mall of Asia concert grounds launched their latest endorsers: Charice, Gary V and John Lloyd Cruz.

From left: Super Model and writer Marina Benipayo w Aficionado endorsers from ABS CBN Erich Gozales, Jason Abalos, Ronnie Liang and Ejay Falcon. Photo by Jude Bautista.

It included a very sexy fashion show featuring the designs by Joel Cruz. Gabby Valenciano also had a dance sequence which he arranged and choreographed himself. Other celebrity endorsers there were Ejay Falcon, Jason Abalos, Erich Gonzales, Ronnie Liang and Pauleen Luna. The University of Santo Tomas Symphony Orchestra was also on hand and performed together with the Coro Tomasino. The official UST Chorale group recently won 2 gold medals in Indonesia last August. A total of 45 countries participated in the competition.  Super band Kamikazee kept the audiences in their seats as the night wore on at the end.

Charice Pempengco started 2011 with a bang drawing an estimated 90,000 fans to her concert at the Mall of Asia concert grounds. Photo by Jude Bautista

Charice announced during the concert that she will be in 5 more episodes of Glee this season. Most of the songs were fast paced and has mass appeal. She started off with the monster hit “ Pyramid”. Then came fast paced medley of Katy Perry’s “California Girl”, Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” and Usher’s “Fallin In Love”.

Fans went wild for Charice. That thing that covers her legs is an LCD of a cell. Photo by Jude Bautista

This concert was for the majority of her fans unlike the ‘David Foster and Friends’ concert last October which catered to the higher end market. The 1@11 concert date was special for her as it was the birthday of her mom Racquel. She dedicated the song “All By Myself” for her mom who sometimes has a duet with her. The ballad “In This Song” which Charice co wrote with Foster was also performed along with the hit “Reset”.

John Lloyd Cruz arrives in a mini-convertible on stage at the Aficionado anniversary at the Mall of Asia. January 8, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Actor John Lloyd Cruz made a grand entrance on stage when he arrived on a convertible with the top down. He leapt off the car and had a short number with hot dancers.

John Lloyd Cruz arrives in a mini-convertible on stage at the Aficionado anniversary last night at the Mall of Asia. January 8, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Joel Cruz appreciates the ‘guy next door’ appeal of John Lloyd saying, “When you look at him he doesn’t have that macho and overly aggressive image. I think that’s why women like him a lot. And most men appreciate his sense of humor.” Joel Cruz consulted with  John Lloyd closely on the cologne for men. The John Lloyd perfume for women is the scent that attracts him on the ladies.

From left: The Lord of Scents Joel Cruz w latest endorser John Lloyd Cruz

Gary Valenciano revved up the crowd by starting off with Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin”. Keeping to the ‘Glee’ theme of the concert, the track was one of the big hits on the TV show.

From left: Charice Pempengco and Gary Valenciano are the latest endorsers of Aficionado which held a concert during its anniversary celebration at the Mall of Asia last January 8, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Gary then came up with the high energy rock medley from the eighties, “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics, “Always Something There To Remind Me” Naked Eyes Version, “Hey Mickey” by Pat Benatar, “Head Over Heels” by the Go Go’s and “Foot Loose” by Kenny Loggins. The 90,000 crowd got a taste of the upcoming concert by Kenny Loggins who is slated to come here in Manila by May. Justin Bieber and Maroon 5 are also confirmed to arrive in that month in a series of concerts sponsored by SMART communications.

Jay Contreras of Kamikazee poses w fan BEFORE the customary kiss

Kamikazee ended the star studded show with their high energy songs and antics. Vocalist Jay Contreras envied the ‘JOEL’ soap suds that floated down. Fans went crazy shooting him with their cell phones and cameras.

From left: Led Zeppelin Tuyay, Jason "Puto" Astete, Allan "Bords" Burdeos on drums, Jose Ma. Luis "Jomal" Linao and Jay Contreras. Photo by Jude Bautista

Charice is growing up before our eyes, in sexy heels showing off her legs. Photo by Jude Bautista

Vocalist Jay Contreras envied the ‘JOEL’ soap suds that floated down throughout the concert.