Grieving Philippine Singer Returns Home After Father’s Murder

Posted November 2nd, 2011 at 2:05 am (UTC-5)
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Philippine pop singer Charice Pempengco is demanding justice for her late father, who was fatally stabbed during a drunken street fight this week.

The 19-year-old singing sensation returned home Wednesday to pay her final respects to her father, Ricky Pempengco, who was killed Monday night in a township south of Manila. She canceled a concert date in Singapore after learning of her father's death.

Charice, who goes professionally by her first name, called for the arrest of the man suspected of killing her father, saying justice must be served “for everyone connected.”

Police have launched a manhunt for the suspect in the elder Pempengco's murder.

Ricky Pempengco had been estranged from his daughter since she was a toddler, but Charice maintains the two had a “great relationship” during their short time together.

Charice first gained attention with performances on talent shows in her native country and South Korea that were posted on YouTube.

The postings led to appearances on U.S.-based talk shows hosted by Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres, followed by her role on the popular American television comedy Glee.