Fil-Brit lad wows ‘Britain’s Got Talent’

By REYMA BUAN-DEVEZA
abs-cbnNEWS.com

(Watch Charlie Green’s audition video on YouTube.)

Here’s another one for the Pinoy’s talent record. One of the frontrunners in “Britain’s Got Talent” show in the United Kingdom is a Filipino-British and his name is Charlie Green.

Green’s father, Roger, said that his wife, Cecilia Surmargo, hails from the one of the biggest provinces in the Philippines — Cebu.

“Yes, Charlie is half-Filipino. My wife, Charlie’s mother…is Cecilia Surmargo and she originated from Dumanjug, Cebu, but her family now lives in Manila,” Roger told abs-cbnNEWS.com.

The 10-year-old boy from Droitwich, Worcestershire will advance to the semi-finals after receiving three “yeas” from the judges Simon Cowell, actress Amanda Holden and journalist Piers Morgan during the live audition at Manchester Theatre.

The boy said he decided to join the competition to fullfil his dream of becoming a  great singer. The talented child said that he started to hone his talent when he was about three years old.

“I always dream of singing in front of big audiences and massive band behind me…this means the world to me if I could get on, touch the stage I would love it.” Green said before his live performance.

After his rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “Summer Wind”, he got a standing ovation from the audience and was praised by the show’s judges.

“You’re not just a brilliant singer, you’re also dancing… you got it all Charlie,” Morgan said.

“I predict you can win this show,” Holdren added.

“Charlie you are fantastic. Charlie, I think you are a little star, I really, really like you,” Cowell, who is also a judge for the hit reality talent search “American Idol,” said.

“Britain’s Got Talent,” is a show that searches for Britain’s next best amateur act, singers, dancers, comedians, variety acts and other talents of all ages.

A reality contest produced by “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell with the same format as its US counterpart, “America’s Got Talent.”

Who is Charlie?

Green was born on the 16th of February 1997. At the early age of two, Green was already entertaining family and friends with renditions of classic songs such as “New York, New York” and “If I Were A Rich Man”.

At the age of three he entered a talent show on the cruise ship, Ocean Majesty, and wooed passengers with his singing of the popular song “All of Me”.

He also  performed in cabarets and entertained on the grand piano to passengers on board Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Black Prince and Black Watch.

In 2002, he took part in a show at the Royal Opera House in York and in 2003, he performed at the annual Black & White Minstrel Reunion.

Green also appeared at the Guildhall in Worcester with the City of Worcester Brass and was a special guest at a St. Georges Day Concert, at the Holy trinity Church in Old Hill, West Midlands, accompanied by the well-known Phoenix Brass Band.

When he was eight year old, Green was invited by The “Not Forgotten” Association for ex-servicemen to perform at their annual concert at St James’s Palace.  He  was also presented to her Royal Highness, Princess Anne.

In 2006, he was special guest entertainer at the Lady Ratling’s annual variety show at the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford, Essex.

He has also done numerous shows and concerts in and around the Midlands area. He recorded his first Christmas song, “Hands Around The World” to raise money for his friend’s charity — Muscular Dystrophy Campaign for his friend Murray Field, who suffers from duchenne muscular dystrophy.