Arnel: The journey continues

Has Journey ceased to be? Has the hit journey screeched to a halt? Has the journey been put on hold? Or is the journey set to roll again?

Those were the questions that Journey lead vocalist Arnel Pineda had to field last Sunday (Oct. 16) at the Eclipse restaurant of Solaire where he will star in the Powerhouse concert on Oct. 28 at The Theatre with Michael Pangilinan, The 4th Impact (UK X-Factor finalist) and Morissette.

Journey fans must have been entertaining the same thoughts because of Arnel’s constant presence back home than out there.

“Actually,” Arnel clarified, “we do about 55 to 65 shows every year. We just finished last month and while we prepare for our next tour, I took the chance to come home and spend time with my family. After our Powerhouse show, I will go back to the US to do two shows with Journey.”

Arnel confirmed that Journey would come back for a concert middle of February next year as part of an Asian tour that includes Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taipei and Thailand.

“Our shows in the US are doing very well,” said Arnel who has been with the group for nine years. “It’s very surprising for a band that has been around for years.”

Since he’s away from his family for four to five months at a time (he has two children from a previous relationship and two more from his current wife), Arnel keeps in touch with them through Facetime or Skype.

Now 50, Arnel started singing in small venues when he was 16, generally ignored and taken for granted until he caught the attention of Journey (on YouTube) that was then looking for a replacement for Steve Perry, the group’s late vocalist.

“I guess that I have nothing more to aspire for,” admitted Arnel. “I’m not getting any younger. At this point in my life, I just have to be contented. I am very grateful for all the blessings; I couldn’t ask for more.”

Michael couldn’t make it to the presscon because he was stranded in Bacolod where he did a show (flights were cancelled). The four-sister-member 4th Impact was around though (but not Morissette). Michael has just released his second album, simply titled Michael (released by Star Records), with the song Tanging Ligaya Ko that he himself wrote and dedicated to his family (especially his son Ezekiel with his ex-girlfriend, whom he hasn’t seen for months).

Asked what advice he would give Michael and young artists aspiring to follow in his footsteps to international stardom, Arnel said, “Just continue what you are doing, you should have no hesitation, no stopping, just keep on going to the next level. Make sure that you are happy with what you are doing, otherwise you will be miserable. Pursue your dream. Don’t give up.”

Before the Q&A, Arnel sang two Bee Gees song (one was To Love Somebody) to the delight of the movie press. Before Arnel, the 4th Impact (yes, Mylene, Irene, Almira and Celina are really sisters) also gave samples of what it took to wow the judges at the X Factor UK.

The sisters are spending Christmas and New Year with their family before going back to London where they are based. They have been singing for 10 years and, like Arnel, they got the interest of their kababayan only after they made waves at the UK talent search. That’s usually the fate of most local talents. They are appreciated back home only when foreign eyes and ears have taken notice of them.

The Powerhouse concert at The Theatre on Oct. 28 will give Filipinos a chance to listen to the world-class Arnel and the 4th Impact perform “live” and give them the applause they richly deserve from their kababayan.

“Filipino audiences are hard to please,” said one of the sisters. “Maybe because we have so many talented singers and they really expect too much from you.”

(Produced by Lucky 7 Koi Productions, Inc. [in cooperation with Solaire Resort & Casino], a group of friends of Solaire Resort & Casino, Powerhouse also features Mayumi, a Japinay grand champion of ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Star Quest, and T.O.M.S. Band. For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999. Lucky 7 is composed good friends Joan Alarilla, lawyer Carmelita Lozada, Lily Chua, Divine Lozada-Arellano, Robert Alarilla, Judith Sta. Cruz, Carol Galope, Liza Licup, Emie Domingo and Neth Mostoles.)

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