Charice Pempengco Finally Comes Out; Buys New BMW (VIDEOS & PHOTOS)

The much-awaited public outing of international singer Charice Pempengco as a lesbian finally happened. It came through an article that was published in Philippine Star on Tuesday, May 28.

The article, written by columnist Bum Tenorio Jr, her baptismal godfather. It was titled "You're the man, Charice!," squarely addressing the questions over the 21-year-old singer's masculine appearance and gender preference.

Tenorio said he spoke to his goddaughter on May 10 during a celebration of her 21^st birthday at a resort in Laguna Province. He said the party doubled as a debut for Charice as well as her coming out.

The Pyramid singer was quoted as saying that she is as free as a bird now that she no longer has to hide her sexual preference. "I'm able to express myself better now. I have come to accept the real me. I now celebrate the real me."

The article ended speculations that Charice would admit her sexuality, triggered by a hint made by her mother, Raquel, earlier this month. In an interview with ABS-CBN, Raquel said she would accept her daughter's preferences even if she finds her physical appearance difficult to get used to.

Her masculine appearance earned Charice bashers, whom she dismissed.

"When I was young and our family hardly has anything to eat, there were already people who were looking down on me ... Now, even if they continue to bash me, me and my family still have food on the table," she said, quoted by Pep.ph.

More than just food, her international career has benefited the Pempengco family immensely that Charice bough a brand new silver BMW on Saturday which she named Captain. She paid for the vehicle in full cash, a stark contrast at the start of her career when her family lived in a rented house in Laguna with no furniture.

Despite her admission of being a lesbian, Charice assured her fans called Chasters that she is the same person with just a new loo. "My voice remains the same," she added.

Charice belied reports that her career is on a downhill because of her new masculine look. She said she will have shows in Indonesia and Germany and will return to Los Angeles in June for recording commitments.

She continues to remain in contact with another famous lesbian and her official discoverer, Ellen DeGeneres, and Oprah Winfrey, who managed her career for a while. Oprah advised Charice to keep her cool and not be affected by bashers.

"I assured her, 'Yes, Oprah, I can handle them. My spirit is made of titanium. I will not break,'" she said.

Although another celebrity, Barbra Streisand, who is her friend, advised Charice that she does not owe anybody any explanation, the young Filipina singer ended all speculations about her gender preference with the interview with her godfather.