It’s amazing how a small act of kindness can go a long ways in forming friendships and memories.
That’s how Charice Pempenco remembers Corey Monteith, who was found dead in his hotel room earlier this month after a battle with drug addiction.
The young singer from the Philippines wrote a moving tribute to Monteith for CNN’s iReport.
Charice appeared on Glee in a guest role during the 2011 season. It was only her third time shooting with Glee and Charice says “May 10 was my birthday. And I, a girl from the barrio of Gulod in the far-flung Philippines, was alone in America.”
Charice admits being a bit emotional when Monteith came to the rescue.
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Corey had googled Charice and found out it was her birthday. He came over to give her a big birthday hug.
“A big smile crossed his handsome face,” remembers Charice. “There was sincerity in his tone as he gave me a tight hug. He became family to me at that moment.”
Soon other cast members were doing the same thing.
“My body felt cold when I learned about his death. Too soon, too early, too young. I never thanked Cory enough for that one moment in time when he made me feel like family. I never thanked him enough for making me happy on that lonely day.”
You can read more of Charice’s moving tribute in CNN’s iReport.
