FILIPINO singer Arnel Pineda has said that he would still be part of the rock band Journey despite signing a multi-record deal in the US recently.
“No. Hindi pa ako aaalis ng Journey. This is just the beginning ng marami pang biyaya sa buhay ko. Allowed ito sa amin sa Journey. Lahat kami we have the freedom to explore outside the band. It helps kasi nailalabas namin yung personal emotions sa sarili naming work. It’s not that hindi namin nilalabas ‘yun sa Journey, pero pag solo iba,” said Pineda, during an interview in “Tonight with Boy Abunda” aired over ABS-CBN.
Last year, Pineda signed a multi-album record contract with Imagen Records based in Washington, D.C. His new CD under the new record label is expected to be released this year.
Pineda, 48, became the lead singer of Journey on Dec. 5, 2007, replacing Steve Perry. He recorded two albums and staged three major global concerts for the band.
On April 13, Pineda said that Journey will kick off its summer tour at the Madison Square Garden in New York on April 13. He will share the same stage with iconic bands Santana and The Doobie Brothers.
The band Journey is known for hits “Don’t Stop Believin,” “Who’s Cryin’ Now,” “Faithfully,” “Open Arms,” “When You Love a Woman,” “Separate Ways,” “After All These Years,” among others.
“Minsan, pini-pinch ko pa rin ang sarili ko kasi imagine, you will walk with the giants in the international record industry. Never ever forget where you came from,” he said.
Pineda got married to Cherry Pineda in 2001. They have two children. Asked how he keeps his long-distance relationship with his family alive when on tour, Pineda said: “Okay lang sa akin ‘yun. I make sure constant ang communication namin and then pag may chance makauwi, kahit na one week break lang from our tour, umuuwi talaga ako just to see them.”
Pineda also said that he believes in forever. “May forever especially yung pagmamamhal ko sa mga anak ko forever yun. Nakapa-unconditional yung love sa anak mo, kung baga, kahit na ano’ng kasalanan ang gawin niya, mapapatawad at mapapatawad mo siya. Hindi katulad nung asawa, pag hindi ka na mapatawad, yung forever n’yo naitapon na sa basura.
Ito yung forever na pinaniniwalaan ko.”
The rock singer said that he shares his blessings through the foundation he formed for street children known as the Arnel Pineda Foundation.
“Full blast na yung school mobile namin. May regular schedule na kami sa Zirkho kung saan we gather street kids para ma-convince namin sila that education is the most important thing at hindi yung kalayaaan sa streets para gumala or mamalimos,” Pineda said.