Singer Charice Joins Operation Smile as Smile Ambassador

Singer Charice Joins Operation Smile as Smile Ambassador

NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Operation Smile, a worldwide children's medical charity, has announced that international artist Charice has been named an official Smile Ambassador and will support the organization's global efforts of providing free surgeries to children born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities. Charice will use her growing fan base to raise awareness and funds for children in need and share how Operation Smile helps transform lives with a surgery that can take as little as 45 minutes.

"I am honored to help Operation Smile and the work they do in helping children around the world," said Charice. "To have a chance to change the quality of even one child's life much less ensure a better future for hundreds of children could not be more important to me."

Born in the Philippines, Charice has been entertaining audiences on stage and television across Asia for years before her immense talent came to the forefront in the U.S. With millions of people discovering Charice through several YouTube performances, she was invited by Ellen DeGeneres to make her U.S. television debut on her show. Several appearances followed on the Oprah Winfrey Show which brought her to the attention of 15-time Grammy winning producer and songwriter David Foster. Foster, who has worked with the biggest talents in the music business including Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, and Josh Groban, signed Charice to his label, 143/Reprise. Charice then joined the David Foster and Friends show which toured the U.S. and aired as a PBS special. Her debut CD is due to be released in early 2010. She is also scheduled to appear in the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie.

"As an organization that had its start in the Philippines and is so deeply connected to their people, we are thrilled to have such a talented young performer from this country embrace our cause," said Dr. Bill Magee, Co-founder and CEO of Operation Smile. "Charice will undoubtedly provide valuable support as a Smile Ambassador in new and exciting ways and help us even further transform children's lives."

Charice received a standing ovation after a special performance at the 2009 Operation Smile gala in Los Angeles, CA in October. After learning more about the organization, Charice was determined to become more involved with Operation Smile and help children in the Philippines and around the world have a new chance to smile. For further information, go to www.operationsmile.org/charice.

About Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org)

Founded in 1982, Operation Smile, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is a worldwide children's medical charity whose network of global volunteers are dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children and young adults. Since its founding, Operation Smile has treated more than 135,000 children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities and the organization has a presence in more than 50 countries. In addition to contributing free medical treatment, Operation Smile trains local medical professionals in its partner countries and leaves behind crucial equipment to lay the groundwork for long-term self-sufficiency.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Operation Smile

CONTACT: Scott Vooss, Director of Marketing and Communications of
Operation Smile, +1-757-321-7697, svooss@operationsmile.org; or Liz Rosenberg
of Warner/Reprise Records, +1-212-707-3256, liz.rosenberg@wbr.com, for
Charice

Web Site: http://www.operationsmile.org/

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Profile: International Entertainment