‘Glee’ singer’s dad killed with ice pick

Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines

The estranged father of singer Charice Pempengco of the hit TV show “Glee” was stabbed to death in her hometown in the Philippines, leading the teen star Tuesday to pull out of a concert in Singapore.

The singer, 19, apologized to her fans for having to skip the show scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday so she could travel home to the Philippines.

Her father, 40-year-old construction worker Ricky Pempengco, had been at a small grocery store in San Pedro township south of Manila late Monday when he brushed against a drunken man who became angry and stabbed him with an ice pick in the chest and back, according to the Laguna province police chief, Senior Supt. Gilbert Cruz.

A manhunt has been launched for the suspect, with a 20,000 pesos ($470) award for information leading to his arrest. Cruz said the killing appeared random.

Charice had long been estranged from her father. Local media reported that Charice’s mother left him when Charice was a small child.

The 19-year-old songstress, born Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco, is widely known throughout Asia from concerts and TV talent shows.

She has had a recurring role on “Glee” as the character Sunshine Corazon.