charice's cousin also rises

Seventeen-year old Redjie Relucio is hesitant if he would let the public know that he is the first cousin of famous international sensation Charice Pempengco, the petite (5’1”) young Filipina with a huge singing talent who captured the hearts and admiration of such international celebrities as Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres and David Foster.

Rightly so, he is concerned that being known as related to Charice would raise the expectations of the public. Some sectors may even say he is just riding on the popularity of his cousin. On the other hand, being linked to Charice this early will help propel him into the consciousness of the public, and in a way, also help Men of Manila win fans in and out of the country.

“I want to explore my full potential as a singer and an actor,” says the 17-year old man who is a first year college student taking up information technology at the Asia Technological Institute in Laguna. 

“I hope the public will not label me as someone who is just using Charice to gain a foothold in the industry.”

Aside from being related to Charice, he is also being trained by the same coach who helped hone the international singer’s talents and skills in performing since she was five years old. It was the same coach who brought Redjie to the people behind Men of Manila, who immediately spotted his talents as a singer and performer.

Before joining the boy band, he used to participate in singing contests, a route that was also taken by other famous singers before him such as superstar Nora Aunor and Regine Velasquez.

Redjie sees himself as an established singer not only in the Philippines but overseas as well just like Charice years from now. He also hopes that by that time, he already has a college degree, a business of his own, and who knows, maybe a platinum album or two to make his more famous cousin proud.

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