Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

One of the most applauded numbers in the Dec 6 Christmas Concerto, Handog ng FASO sa Pasko, was the duet of Charice with Christopher "Pete" Avendaño, in their soulful rendition of David Foster’s hit song The Prayer.

Little did Pete know that just three days after the concert, he would be performing the same number with Charice –together with the "Hit Man" himself, David Foster!

Pete can’t believe what happened, which he described to Asian Journal as the most amazing Christmas gift of his life. Here, Pete shares his exciting story.

"It started in the morning of Dec 9, the Wednesday after the concert. When I opened my Facebook account, there were messages from friends that Charice’s mother, Raquel, was looking for me. She posted a message on her Twitter account, requesting for contact info of Pete Avendaño. I didn’t know if it was a hoax or what. But soon after, I got a call from the secretary in Our Lady of Loretto Elementary School where I work, telling me that Charice’s mom, Raquel, has called the office and was really looking for me," Pete shared.

"Tita Raquel did call me and asked if I was free that night to sing The Prayer again with Charice. She said it was going to be in a private party in David Foster’s LA home. Actually, I had a rehearsal set for that night with the church choir, but I could cancel that for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So, of course I said yes, I can do the duet with Charice. Her manager, Mike, then called me and gave me the address of David Foster. They would be expecting me at 5:30pm."

"I was so excited the rest of the afternoon. Hindi ako mapakali. I kept saying, ‘Diyos ko – kakanta ako sa harap ni David Foster!’ Nakaka-nerbiyos. Ano susuot ko? Pinipilit ko pa nga si Bob Shroder na samahan ako eh but he was at work. I called up my family who were of course so happy for me."

"So, I went to the place at 5:30. At the lobby of the apartment – which looked like a plush hotel – I waited for Mike, Charice and her mom.When they arrived, we went up. Nagulat ako, kasi paglabas ng elevator, bahay na ni David Foster- buong floor kanya. So I was introduced to David and he even wrote down my last name on the palm of his hand in case he forgot it when he introduced me to his friends. Later, he said, ‘you’ll just be Pete for tonight.’ Nahirapan siguro i-pronounce ang Avendaño," Pete said with a laugh.

"Then, I learned that the holiday party was for the tenants in the building – mayayaman at mostly mga white Americans. One of them was the owner of California Pizza Kitchen.It was to be held at their lounge downstairs. David then went down before us and said he will just call if it’s time for us to sing. It was his surprise to the guests to have Charice sing for them."

"I was expecting that Charice and I would be able to rehearse before we did our number. Pero, wala. Maya-maya, tumawag na si David and we went down. Charice sang a few songs and then I went in for my number with her. David told the 50 or so people there that Charice would be singing his favorite composition, The Prayer, but she can’t sing it without someone to duet with her. And then he introduced me. Si David Foster mismo ang tumugtog para sa amin! After our song, everyone applauded enthusiastically. Tuwang-tuwa sila. And for me, the greatest compliment came from David himself who exclaimed – ‘Wow! And I just met this guy 20 minutes ago!!!’