Charice Will Sing for U.S. President-Elect Barack Obama

Pinoy singing sensation Charice is set to perform two songs to Barack Obama before he is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America.

Today, January 18, the young singing sensation will perform during the pre-inaugural ball to be held at the Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel. The actual inauguration of Obama is scheduled to take place at Washington D.C. on January 20.

Charice left the Philippines last Friday, January 16, to prepare for the historic event. Obama's staff requested Charice to sing "God Bless America" and "One Moment in Time," a song originally recorded by Whitney Houston for the 1988 Summer Olympics.

In a previous interview with Star Patroller Mario Dumaual, Charice pointed out, "Dati kumanta ako kay President Arroyo, ngayon kay President Obama naman. Iba po 'yong feeling na isa na namang Filipina ang makakapag-perform internationally."

If she is given the chance to talk with Obama, Charice will most likely tell the first African-American President of the US: "Just wanna say thank you for making this dream come true. This is not only an honor for me, not only for me, but also for the Philippines. Thank you."

Oprah Winfrey, an ardent supporter of Obama's presidential campaign, reportedly lobbied to have Charice included in the pre-inaugural ball. In her eponymous talk show, the female TV host called the Pinay singer as the "the most talented girl in the world" during an episode dubbed as "The World's Smartest Kids."

After performing in the pre-inaugural ball, Charice is scheduled to stay in the United States for almost three months to record her first international debut album to be produced by record producer and composer David Foster.

In the meantime, she is promoting Foster's latest CD-DVD Hitman: David Foster & Friends since she is one of several performers included in the album. Other performers were Kenny G., Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Brian McKnight, Katharine McPhee, Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion.

2008 Person of the Year

TIME Magazine introduces 2008's Person of the Year. See below who made it to the prestige list:

1. Barack Obama

In one of the craziest elections in American history, he overcame a lack of experience, a funny name, two candidates who are political institutions and the racial divide to become the 44th President of the United States. (Click here to know why TIME chose Obama)

2. Henry Paulson

When he arrived in Washington as Secretary of the Treasury in the summer of 2006, Henry M. (Hank) Paulson Jr.'s top priority was to make certain that his department would have independence and clout. If he was giving up the top job at Goldman Sachs, he wasn't doing it for a sinecure. (Read full article here)

3. Nicolas Sarkozy

There are times when Nicolas Sarkozy resembles a force of nature rather than a conventional political leader. He has energy, ideas and vitality in abundance, as he showed in such matters as his handling of the Georgia crisis and the global economic downturn. Of course, as with any new leader, 18 months — Nicolas was elected President of France in May 2007 — is insufficient time to make a final judgment. But certain elements are already clear. (Read full article here)

4. Sarah Palin
In the beginning, she winked. "I was just your average hockey mom," she told us by way of introduction, which was a charming diversion from the reality of the most astonishing political debut in modern times. Sarah Palin did indeed show she could play politics as a contact sport; her motherhood did become central to her message. But average? Not in your wildest dreams. (Read full article here)

5. Zhang Yimou

On the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008, 2 billion TV viewers and thousands in attendance in the now famous Bird's Nest were treated to an unforgettable spectacle at the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games. (Read full article here)

GQ Magazine 2008 Men of the Year Honorees

GQ magazine has published the list of GQ Men of the Year 2008. The four magazine covers are available on newsstands now and feature President-elect Barack Obama, Mad Men star Jon Hamm, leading man Leonardo DiCaprio and Olympic athlete Michael Phelps.

Michael Phelps, the world's greatest swimmer who won eight gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has been honored as the 'Golden Boy of the Year' by GQ Magazine.

Other notable honorees in different fields include Leonardo DiCaprio "The Leading Man of the Year', James Franco 'Screen Idol of the Year', John Malkovich 'Mad Genius of the Year', Jason Statham 'Action Hero of the Year', and the newly-elected U.S. President Barack Obama 'Game Changer of the Year' award.

The only rose among the thorns is Megan Fox who was bestowed with the 'Obsession of the Year' award.

Here's the complete list of honorees for GQ Men of the Year Awards 2008:

CHAMPIONS: The Boston Celtics

DESIGNER OF THE YEAR: Thom Browne

LEADING MAN: Leonardo DiCaprio

VILLAIN: Aaro Eckhart

THE ARTIST: Shepard Fairey

KILLER YEAR: Brandon Flowers

SCREEN IDOL: James Franco

COMEBACK KID: Josh Hamilton

BREAKOUT: Jon Hamm

LEGEND: Ted Kennedy

THE MOGUL: Seth MacFarlane

MAD GENIUS: John Malkovich

FUNNYMAN: Danny McBride

RADIO GODS: MGMT + M.I.A.

COURT KING: Rafael Nadal

GAME CHANGER: Barack Obama

HEAVY MEDAL HERO: Chris Paul

DRAMA QUEEN: Sean Penn

LEADER OF THE YEAR: General David Petraeus

GOLDEN BOY: Michael Phelps

PRICK: Gordon Ramsay

DAREDEVIL OF THE YEAR: Alain Robert

ICON OF THE YEAR: Philip Roth

ACTION HERO: Jason Statham

LOCAL HERO OF THE YEAR: Neil Willenson

TOUGH GUYS OF THE YEAR: The Men Behind 'The Wire'

BOY GENIUS OF THE YEAR: Mark Zuckerberg

OBSESSION: Megan Fox

Barack Obama Wins US Presidential Election

Barack Obama, a 47-year-old first-term senator from Illinois, shattered more than 200 years of history by winning election as the first African-American president of the United States.

"Change has come," Obama told a huge throng of cheering supporters.

“If there is anyone out there who doubts that America is a place where anything is possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

“Young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled, Americans have sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of red states and blue states,” he said. “We have been and always will be the United States of America.

“It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.” he said to a long roar.

Obama is the 44th president of the United States of America. He will take his oath of office as president on January 20, 2009.

See election results below courtesy of yahoo news: