AP Meets PGMA

[etcetera]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRmYmi4FHVU

From the clip description:

Music Room, Malacañan Palace
November 7, 2008

Mr. Arnel Pineda, a 41-year old Filipino singer-songwriter and currently the lead singer of the American rock band Journey met President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Malacañang this afternoon...

[Saint John]

Journey makes things like this possible. They're like their very own Make A Wish Foundation.

[etcetera]

An alternative link (news format):

http://www.gmanews.tv/video/31315/Journ ... sit-Malacañang

[etcetera]

An alternative link (news format):

http://www.gmanews.tv/video/31315/Journ ... sit-Malacañang

A related article from the same site:

Journey frontman Arnel Pineda visits Malacañang
11/07/2008

MANILA, Philippines - Journey, the rock band fronted by Pinoy vocalist Arnel Pineda, is mulling over the possibility of holding an Asian tour early next year.

This was revealed Friday by Bert de Leon, manager of Pineda, during their visit Friday in Malacañang.

De Leon said the band was supposed to visit the country later this year as part of an Asian tour but had to reset it for next year.

He said talks are now underway for proceeding with the Journey's Asian tour form February to April 2009.

"I think it is going to happen in April," he said adding that the band wants to do the concert in an "outdoor venue".

The revelation was made during a courtesy call to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacañang.

The two were accompanied by Pineda's fiancée Cherry Flores, their three-year-old son Cherub; his father Restituto; brothers Roderick and Russmon; and the top Philippine violinist John Lesaca.

"Welcome and congratulations to all your successes," Mrs Arroyo told Pineda after he serenaded her with an acapella version of the Journey's song "Open Arms."

Pineda said that he arrived in the country last October 8 after performing 72 concerts worldwide with Journey since February.

Arroyo acknowledged Pineda, who traced his roots in Arayat and San Fernando in Pampanga, for being among those who showcase the "world-class" talent of Filipino artists internationally.

He thanked Arroyo and said that his visit was made as a "cabalen" who simply wants to share with her his success especially after he was discovered by Journey from the Internet website of YouTube.com early this year.

Pineda started his singing career at the age if 15 in 1982 as the lead singer of the Filipino musical group called Ijos Band and joined in the 1986 the boy group Amo, which won the Rock Wars contest and the Philippines leg of the Yamaha World Band Explosion in 1988.

The Amo, in 1990 then joined up with other bans under the name Intensity Five before Pineda formed a new band with New Age that performed in Hong Kong. He later returned to Manila as the lead singer of band, "The Zoo" that performed in Manila and Olongapo.

It was in the "The Zoo" in which Pineda performed the cover songs of Journey, Survivor, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Air Supply, The Eagles, Kenny Loggins and other popular acts from the 70s, 80s and 90s, which later appeared on YouTube.com that he got noticed and was asked to audition for the Journey.

Pineda was announced as the new lead singer of Journey on December 5, 2007 and debuted as the lead singer of Journey on February 21, 2008 at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival held at the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater in Viña del Mar, Chile.

[wildcat75]

An alternative link (news format):

http://www.gmanews.tv/video/31315/Journ ... sit-Malacañang

I think it is going to happen in April," he said adding that the band wants to do the concert in an "outdoor venu


THE MONTH OF APRIL IS A VERY HOT WEATHER IN THE PHLS. AND IF THEY DO A CONCERT IN AN OUTDOOR VENUE, I WONDER HOW THE AUDIENCE GONNA MANAGE IT, I HOPE NO ONE GONNA FAINT THEN. WOW! I CAN SENSE A HIT , I JUSTT HOPE THE TICKET IS NOT SO EXPENSIVE.

[Tito]

Journey makes things like this possible. They're like their very own Make A Wish Foundation.

I think I need to say it again. They're good people. Arnel has a great voice.

[wildcat75]

An alternative link (news format):

http://www.gmanews.tv/video/31315/Journ ... sit-Malacañang

I think it is going to happen in April," he said adding that the band wants to do the concert in an "outdoor venu


THE MONTH OF APRIL IS A VERY HOT WEATHER IN THE PHLS. AND IF THEY DO A CONCERT IN AN OUTDOOR VENUE, I WONDER HOW THE AUDIENCE GONNA MANAGE IT, I HOPE NO ONE GONNA FAINT THEN. WOW! I CAN SENSE A HIT , I JUSTT HOPE THE TICKET IS NOT SO EXPENSIVE.



ANOTHER ARTICLE FROM INQUIRER.NET

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/bre ... yo-a-visit

[aliaslen]

That's a nice acapella version of open arms.
He's really dedicated to sing. Have'nt seen yet any AP media coverage without him singing

[DrFU]

This is really cool; Arnel and Madame President both look thrilled.

How does this work? Does the president invite you? Or do you make an appointment to go say, "I've brought honor to our country"?

[wildcat75]

This is really cool; Arnel and Madame President both look thrilled.

How does this work? Does the president invite you? Or do you make an appointment to go say, "I've brought honor to our country"?

I think it was expected that every Filipino who brought honors in their country paid a vsit to the President for her to aknowledge their dedication and hardwork they're achieved and it will probably been arranged by his director Bert DE LEON AND ARNEL himself.

[stevew2]

Journey makes things like this possible. They're like their very own Make A Wish Foundation.

I think I need to say it again. They're good people. Arnel has a great voice.

i d knew you ld suck up to it first chance you got.Arnel has a great voice, leave the first part alone . Lets see what happens next year

[ScarabGator]

Amazing!!! I was gonna sing that same song to President Bush....that would have been embarassing....

[stevew2]

Amazing!!! I was gonna sing that same song to President Bush....that would have been embarassing....

Bush is tone deaf, he would have loved any positive attention

[Angel]

Amazing!!! I was gonna sing that same song to President Bush....

[artist4perry]

What an honor for him! His family looks sweet. I can see why he would be homesick for that beautiful child!

[StoneCold]

Excellent. He doesn't even need the Jboys.