ARNE PINEDA'S INTERVIEWED BY KAREN DAVILA, HOST OF ABS-CBN

[wildcat75]

I'm not sure if this was posted here already but just want to share w/ you guys the latest interview w/Arnel by Karen Davila host of ABS-CBN's "WONDER MOM" In Manila.
Now with Transcription) Arnel Pineda Interviewed by Karen Davila of ABS-CBN’s Wonder Mom - October 25, 2008Posted by Lou on October 25, 2008 at 11:57am in ARNEL PINEDA IN THE PHILIPPINES
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In this video, Arnel Pineda was interviewed by Karen Davila, host of ABS-CBN’s Wonder Mom. He talked about his childhood and his success story. During the interview, Arnel recalled how his mother has influenced him into singing that lead him where he is now.

The background music in this video is a little louder than people's voices.

Special thanks to Kafloo who uploaded the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6Bj-hgoWNM














A transcript of the video report follows in English and Tagalog. Please note that some areas couldn't be transcribed because conversations were not audible due to loud background music.

English transcription

“...I thought with so much regret that I wish she were still alive now. It’s only at this time that I could show her the respect I should have given her when I was still young because I answered her back then.”

Her mother was his biggest influence in his life and music and even if she was no longer with him, he still keeps the lessons he learned from his mother…”being tough in life, hardworking, and her resilience through a hard life…I really got those from her.” Arnel Pineda got used to singing because of his mother. His mother would always call him to sing along when the songs of Barbara Streisand and Carpenter were played on the radio. Arnel knows that whenever they measured him for new clothes, there will be another singing contest he will be joining in and he hated it so much then. “I really run away…if my father calls me while holding a tape measure, I run away from him not wanting to be measured…”

Arnel was 12 years old when his mother passed away due to a rheumatic heart disease. (Arnel is shown singing “You got to love me for what I am or simply being me, don’t love me for what you intend or hope that I will be, and if you’re only using me to feed your fantasy…”) And this is the song that always reminded him of his mother’s sacrifices. The loss of his mother brought further hardship to the family and that was the reason why Arnel went separate ways from his father and his siblings. He became a street boy. “I went with my friends collecting empty bottles and newspapers, selling cigarettes, and if I don’t have work, I tagged along with my friend, Dennis Diyala. He brought me to his friends. Whatever leftover food they had, he gave them to me, “Here, go eat”. And so we got food for the whole day…”

At the age of 15, Arnel used his singing talent for the first time which he learned from his mother. He joined the Hijos Band. From then on, Arnel moved from one band to another. He became a much better singer and cover band for the favorite songs from the groups Survivors, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and Air Supply who were popular from the 70’s until 90’s.

(Arnel shown singing Open Arms.) This is one of his performances that he never thought would change his life. He was seen by Neal Schon, the guitarist of legendary rock band Journey while looking for a new lead singer via the You Tube in 2007.

Neal Schon: "This is Neal Schon,” he said.
Arnel: Neal Schon? I don’t believe you. I don’t think you are Neal Schon.
Neal Schon: “No, no, this is Neal Schon,” then he laughed.
Arnel: “You’re not the kind of guy who is going to call me,” I told him. “You’re too big to call me”.
Neal Schon: No, no, no, I’m really serious.
Arnel: If you’re really for real, I am challenging you to talk to me through a webcam.

Things went so quickly. Arnel was invited by his idol on August 12 last year to audition as the lead singer of the group. Arnel flew to the US. “I was almost sleepless when I auditioned for three straight days. I only had two hours of sleep each day…it was so difficult. While I was auditioning, I thought that I would never make it.”

But the reverse happened. A TV news report was shown announcing, “A rock and roll fairy tale begins with the band in the Philippines known to be belting out cover songs in the bars. Zoo Band being a pretty web savvy bunch uploaded their clips to the web and developed quite a cult following. Meantime on the other side of the world, a rock guitar god was trolling You Tube late at night looking for fresh talent and a new singer for his band when he encountered this…(screen shows Arnel singing Don’t Stop Believing). He couldn’t believe of the sudden good luck.

(Loud music) “(Cherry) …I’m just riding along with what’s happening. I simply want that he has a decent job, and let our children study in good school...just like that…and that we will be together.” Cherry and Arnel have been living-in for five years. She had witnessed all of Arnel’ s sacrifices. “He stayed up very late …(loud music)…we went to so many places but they didn’t seem to notice him…as if nobody appreciated his talent.” Now that Arnel is enjoying his blessings, he offers these to Cherry and their children.

Karen Davila: Now that you’re a star, you’re the lead singer, how do you ..(loud music)?
Arnel: You could no longer accommodate it because the job alone is too much…like it is tiring.

Arnel is indeed considered a rock star. But he has a soft spot in his heart when it comes to the Pinoy youngsters.

Karen Davila: If God were to ask you, “Arnel what else do you want in your life? What else is really in your heart?"
Arnel Pineda: Maybe if I could be further blessed, I would like to help the less fortunate children. Every time I see them, I remember my past. I wish I could give them what they were not able to get from their parents…

As a sign of appreciation to Arnel for bringing honor to our country, Wonder Mom gave him a gift (Arnel brought out an acoustic guitar from its case). “This is of course for your personal use at home.” Arnel also gladly rendered a song for us (Arnel sang the popular song “Anak” (Child) by Freddie Aguilar.)

Tagalog transcription

“...Naisip ko ng may kasamang panghihinayang

[Michigan Girl]

Arnel is indeed considered a rock star. But he has a soft spot in his heart when it comes to the Pinoy youngsters.

Karen Davila: If God were to ask you, “Arnel what else do you want in your life? What else is really in your heart?"
Arnel Pineda: Maybe if I could be further blessed, I would like to help the less fortunate children. Every time I see them, I remember my past. I wish I could give them what they were not able to get from their parents…

Nice, Audrey.....................THANKS!!!

[wildcat75]

Sorry guys. i didn't realized the video has been removed by the user !
But anyway, at the end of the interview Arnel sang a short lyrics of Freddie Aguilar's "Anak". Here's a little bit info about Freddie. Freddie Aguilar is a PINOY ROCK MUSICIAN" and he is best known for the hit " BAYAN KO" (MY COUNTRY) w/c became anthem for the opposition to the Marcos regime during the 1986 rebellion in the Phils. One of his hit song "ANAK" a filipino word for "CHILD" became a worldwide hits and was translated into at least 7 languages. This song took him to such a great heights and has since spawned 54 covers in other 14 languages. Here's a video w/ english version.

http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=vA2TMhgZdVc

[aliaslen]

Video link of Arnel's interview at Wonder Mom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y68s_f_twRs

[wildcat75]

Arnel is indeed considered a rock star. But he has a soft spot in his heart when it comes to the Pinoy youngsters.

Karen Davila: If God were to ask you, “Arnel what else do you want in your life? What else is really in your heart?"
Arnel Pineda: Maybe if I could be further blessed, I would like to help the less fortunate children. Every time I see them, I remember my past. I wish I could give them what they were not able to get from their parents…

Nice, Audrey.....................THANKS!!!

Hi! MG, how you doing? did u recieved my message fr. Ap' site, well, there's some photos of Arnel's mother and cherry w/ this thread on Ap's site, pls, feel free to visit. i hope arnel's dream to help those unfortunate children in the phils. will materialized someday!!

[Jana]

I don't know why that TV show edited it so poorly with the too loud music. It's nice to see the new house Arnel had built because of his new-found success. It must be so strange to all of a sudden almost overnight have such financial success to be able to secure his family's future. That's a blessing for him.





"Arnel makes me a better guy just knowing him" - Jonathan Cain