WORLD-CLASS TALAGA ang Pinoy! Patuloy na namamayagpag at kinikilala ang galing ng mga Pinoy sa international music scene. After Charice, it was Arnel Pineda’s time to impress Oprah Winfrey when his American rock band Journey recently guested on The Oprah Winfrey Show to promote their new album titled Revelation.
Hindi makapaniwala si Arnel na ini-interview siya ni Oprah. “I’m facing you right now. You are one of the biggest names in show business and I’m facing you. It’s like… I’m not allowed to be here but I’m here. And I thank God for that,” he enthuses.
Arnel’s success story is truly inspiring. Hindi naging madali ang buhay para kay Arnel. “I would hang out with my friends so they would make me sing in exchange for food.” Gaya nga ng isang kasabihan ay natutong mamaluktot si Arnel habang maikli ang kanyang kumot pero hindi niya nakalimutang mangarap at magdasal sa Diyos na balang araw ay gaganda rin ang kanyang buhay.
Now, Arnel’s time has finally come. Is it because of sheer talent, luck or a combination of both? He was discovered on YouTube by Journey’s lead guitarist Neal Schon. The other members like Jonathan Cain (keyboard), Deen Castronovo (drums) and Ross Valory (bass) were totally blown away when they watched Arnel on YouTube performing their hit song “Faithfully.” Sinabi ni Valory that he had “GBS” or goose bumps surplus when he heard Arnel sing.
Pero sa kabila ng kanyang tinatamong tagumpay ay marunong lumingon sa kanyang pinanggalingan si Arnel. He donated hard-earned dollars for the typhoon victims although his house was also affected by the disaster. In an interview with Showbiz News Ngayon, Arnel wants to launch the pet project of his A.P. Foundation which would help street children. “Tatawagin ko ‘yung project na street school. Magdadala ako ng teachers around Roxas Boulevard or sa Payatas para bigyan ng education ang mga bata. Biglang buhos ang grasya sa akin so in my own little way, sana maibalik ko ‘yung blessings na ‘yun sa mga mahihirap lalo na dun sa mga bata.”
Arnel stars in a biopic titled Don’t Stop Believing: Every Man’s Journey directed by Ramona Diaz. “Yes, sinundan ako. Nu’ng una, medyo nailang ako lalo na ‘yung mga kasama ko kasi ngayon lang nila ginawa ‘yun even after 40 years in the business. ‘Yung tipong every word na sinasabi nila nakukuha ng mic at camera. Pero eventually, nasanay na rin sila. Doon mo makikita kung ano ‘yung mood namin kapag talagang pagod na pagod kami. Let’s cross our fingers na sana makapasok ito sa Cannes Film Festival.”
He will never stop believing and the journey of Arnel Pineda continues.
Kaibigan, usap tayo muli!
Points of Boy
by Boy Abunda
