Charice, Cheesa speak out against bullying

LOS ANGELES – Recording artists Charice and Cheesa get emotional whenever they sing their duet “I’m Not Perfect”. The song talks about a girl’s struggle to keep believing in herself despite being attacked by bullies.

The song is based on their personal experiences, having both been the target of people they say “looked down” on their talent and physical appearance.

Cheesa, a semi-finalist of the NBC hit talent show “The Voice,” and her brother Troy, the musical director of Charice, co-wrote the song “I’m Not Perfect”.

“Not only was I bullied when I was little, it came out again when I was on the show through social media,” Cheesa said.

Charice was only seven years old when she first experienced bullying. To this day, she claims that in spite of her international success in the music industry, she’s still assailed by haters.

“Minsan grabe talaga ang ginagawa ng mga tao sa akin, sa amin. Nasasaktan ako kasi kumbaga parang gusto ko lang din sabihin sa kanila na, kung ibabalik ko lahat sa ‘yo yung mga sinasabi mo sa akin, gusto kong ma-feel mo yung na-fee-feel ko. But, at the same time, I don’t want to do that,” she said.

Through the song’s positive message, Charice and Cheesa want to give hope to other victims of bullying. They also wish to inspire the bullies to change.

The two artists will sing “I’m Not Perfect” at a benefit show in Hawaii this November. Part of the proceeds of the concert will go to the children being helped by ABS CBN Foundation’s Bantay Bata.