Showbiznippets: Arnel Pineda

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Arnel Pineda, Gabby and son Gab reacts to Freddie Aguilar's remarks

MANILA - Arnel Pineda, the Filipino front man of the famed American rock band “Journey,” on Thursday lashed out at folk music icon Freddie Aguilar for reportedly comparing him and international singing sensation Charice to monkeys.

Pineda reminded Aguilar that he should be “tactful” when making such statement. He pointed out that the “Anak” singer went “overboard” when he used the word “monkey” to refer to them.

“Sana lang next time maging tactful lang siya doon sa pagsabi niya about unggoy kasi... Filipino din siya. I think medyo nag-overboard siya when he said the word ‘monkey’ kasi kapwa niya kami Filipino. So, hindi niya kailangang mag-name ng ganoon," Pineda said during the launching of “My Backyard,” the environmental protection campaign of computer manufacturer HP Philippines.

Aguilar was reportedly not impressed by Charice and Pineda’s achievements abroad. Aguilar reportedly noted that the two only proved what international singer Mariah Carey had said about Filipinos.

Carey had reportedly likened Filipinos to monkeys because they would only mimic the styles and songs of other international artists.

Pineda, however, has a different view. The “Journey” vocalist said he believes that they still make Filipinos proud although they only belt out American songs. He also pointed out that singing “Journey” songs doesn’t make him less patriotic.

“If he's not proud of what we have achieved, me and Charice, desisyon na niya iyan. I believe na kung kinakanta ko man ay puro English and hindi iyong sarili nating salita, I still make Filipino proud of what I have achieved,” he said.

He said he could not change Aguilar’s “mindset” but he hopes he would refrain from saying bad things about his fellow Filipino artists.

"I hope na next time you will never say that again kasi you know kapwa mo kami Filipino. We are only trying our best para maging kapaki-pakinabang din para sa bansa at sa kababayan natin," Pineda said.

‘Mr. Pure Energy’ speaks up

Gary Valenciano also disagreed with Aguilar’s opinion.
“In that case, then I'm one because in my concerts I don't always do Gary Valenciano. I think we stand up there (on stage) to also pay respect to the artists that inspired [us]," he said.

He added: “Iyong mga kinakanta ni Charice, nai-inspire lang siya at ang nangyayari kay Charice, especially kay Charice as an example, nabibigyan na siya ng pagkakataon na kumanta ng sarili niyang mga kanta.” [ABS-CBN]

Read Gab Valenciano's reactions.

Charice reacts to Ka Freddie's remark

MANILA – International singing sensation Charice defended herself from criticisms hurled against her by "Bayan Ko" singer Freddie Aguilar.

In an e-mail sent to abs-cbnNEWS.com, 17-year-old Charice said she would not be where she is right now if she did not sing Whitney Houston and Celine Dion’s hits when she was still a struggling singer.

She also noted that American Oprah Winfrey, one of the world’s most influential people, would not have noticed her if she sang Filipino songs.

"Madi-discover po ba ako kung hindi ko po kinanta ang kanta ni Ms.Whitney? ni Ms.Celine? Kung kakanta po ako ng Tagalog sa [The Oprah Winfrey Show], maiintindihan po ba ni Ms.Oprah?” she said.

She said that Winfrey might probably like to hear Filipino songs but she disclosed that usually it is not up to her to decide what songs to sing in her shows abroad.

“Sila rin naman po namimili ng mga kakantahin ko po. At wala po akong magagawa doon. Dahil kahit sila po mismo, English po ang pinakakanta nila sa akin... and siyempre po iyon po ang papatok sa Amerika," Charice said.

She said in her heart she remains a Filipino whether or not she sings Tagalog songs. Charice also boasted that the world even knows her as “the artist from the Philippines.”

"Kahit naman po hindi ako kumanta ng Tagalog sa puso ko Filipino pa rin po ako," Charice said.

Charice said she also believes that, even if she copies the styles of other international artists, no one has the right to compare her and other Filipino singers who made it in the international music arena to monkeys.

"Hindi naman po sa [dahil magaling sa] panggagaya matatawag na po tayong unggoy. Para po sa akin [ang panggagaya] ay isa iyon talento na hindi magagawa ng ibang lahi ng basta basta po," Charice added.

Despite the controversial remark of the "Anak" singer, she holds no grudge against Aguilar. She said she still admires him and respects his opinion.

Meanwhile, the teen singer, who is now in the US to complete her first international album, is also grateful to Gary Valenciano for defending her. [ABS-CBN]