By Ruben Nepales
ON my drive away from the Greek Theatre where my wife and I just watched our kababayan Arnel Pineda and his Journey bandmates stage the first of two very successful shows in LA, I stopped by a gas station.
As I pumped gas into our car, a young white woman approached me and asked if I just came from the concert. When I said yes, the woman said she watched the show too. Then she peppered me with questions, the gist of which boiled to one thing: she wondered if the many Filipinos who trooped to the Greek Theatre that Sunday evening knew the songs of Journey.
Although the lady said she knew that Neal Schon first saw Arnel when the former came across a video clip of Arnel singing a Journey hit on YouTube (back when he was doing Journey tribute songs in the Philippines), she appeared baffled that people in the Philippines know Journey. I told her that I was familiar with those Journey anthems in the 1980s. She asked me if I was born in the US or in the Philippines. I said I was born and raised in the Philippines and I was back home when I first heard those Journey tunes.
(Editor’s note: Here’s one of the video clips on YouTube that perhaps got Journey’s attention.)
I gave her the benefit of the doubt — the woman appeared to be simply ignorant about the Philippines. Having come from the concert where she must have been struck by the presence of so many Filipinos, she was now very curious about Filipinos and the Philippines. She said, “It was nice to meet you” and walked back to her friend.
When I finished pumping gas, I slid back into the car and recounted the somewhat strange encounter to my wife. The incident reflected the fact that Journey’s decision to hire a Filipino guy as its frontman has sparked all sorts of discussions among the group’s fans, especially on the blogosphere. Some expressed surprise at the choice, with some comments tinged with racist undertones. But most Journey followers, including the thousands who filled arenas in North and South America and Europe to watch the band’s 2008 road tour concerts, are ecstatic about Arnel. The group’s new CD, “Revelation,” has become one of Journey’s bestselling albums.
Driving back on the road, I chuckled at the thought that yes, many of our kababayans wouldn’t have bothered to make the trek to the Greek Theatre if Arnel was not in the band. But the fellow Pinoys who showed up in throngs to watch Arnel weren’t complete ignoramuses about Journey’s songs either. If only the young lady knew — we Filipinos are a sentimental lot who know all the lyrics of soft rock ballads like Journey’s “Open Arms” and “Faithfully.” We can all sing like Arnel Pineda, too. Well, that part is true only in our karaoke-wired imagination.
Read my full account of how LA welcomed Arnel as Journey’s lead vocalist in my column on Philippine Daily Inquirer (”Only In Hollywood: Arnel, Journey welcomed with ‘Open Arms’ “). And if there are still doubters out there, here’s an excerpt of Phil Gallo’s review of the concert in Variety:
“Hits and songs that sound like hits dominate Journey’s 90-minute set in one of the summer’s most consistently successful package tours, a sign that the latest edition of Journey has assimilated new singer Arnel Pineda and returned to a strict focus on their hitmaking days of the late ’70s and early ’80s. Material from their Wal-Mart-only release ‘Revelation’ stands up well alongside the classics; album is tailor-made to attract fans of the Steve Perry era of the band.
At the second of two sold-out shows at the Greek, Pineda proved he has crossed the line from Perry Karaoke master to respectable lead singer. That the new album taps into the energy and blueprint of Journey’s hitmaking era makes for a clear formula for Pineda to follow and simultaneously gives a band an opportunity to maintain a focus in a career-spanning set.”
27 Feedbacks on "Arnel Pineda in Journey: The race factor"
JP Pentecostes
I am disappointed that the “R” factor would be mentioned in writing about Pineda. I am not aware of major american media suggesting racial undertones about Pineda’s popularity. In fact, even the encounter about the white woman did not necessarily suggest racism or any relevance to the R factor title. Of course there will always be racial prejudice, but for the media to dwell on it doesn’t help. Why can’t we just write that Pineda has overcome prejudice and that maybe the critical mass of americans and journey fans are beginning to be color or race blind and recognize only real talent? Why can’t we write positively instead of adding intrigue and speculations on one of the most successful Filipinos ever on the international scene? Why can’t we just be happy for Pineda’s success? Knowing the media’s penchant for negativism exemplified by the Rolling Stones mag’s focus on Pineda’s “curse” comment, it would be tragic if the mainstream media will pick and blow this “R” factor up and claim another Filipino among its unfair victims.
John B
Hi Ben,
There are a lot of people that me and wife bumped into here in WA state (Ukranians and Africans cab drivers especially) and ask us why we Pinoys speak English fluently. We just simply tell them it’s our second language.
Lisa
I’ve watched Journey band in August 14th in their Jones Beach Theatre concert in NY. Despite of the heavy rain, JOURNEY fans stayed and watched Arnel Pineda’s great performance. There was quite la arge number of Asians who watched the show, but I have noticed that not only Filipinos were present that night but, alot of them were Koreans, Japanese and Chinese. These groups of Asians came in groups, with boyfriends and family members. I have come to realized that Asians are also rock music lovers and the band JOURNEY is quite popular among Asians. Music lovers, in general, know how to appreciate a good song, a good band, not to mention a good singer in Arnel Pineda. I think that the rest of America should now realized that the kind of music American rock bands produce is widely accepted in Asian culture.
Teresa
Don’t feel bad about the lady wondering if Journey songs were played in the Philippines. When I first came to the US, I always felt bad about questions like that. However, after finding out the customs of other countries like china and north korea (that have major censorship), etc. I found out that it was actually a legitimate question since not all countries are democratic and not all of them have western influence which we had when the US colonized us. Americans do not have Philippine culture or Philippine history in their curriculum, so do not take it against them if they are surprised or even amazed at us having the same experiences in pop culture and such. I just don’t want my kababayans back home to think that Americans are mean or trying to be offensive with comments or questions like that. They are simply unaware.
Boy Santos
Very good write up about our kababayan singer Arnel.
I am from Navotas City but I lived in Bangkok, Thailand for almost 40 years but when I saw Arnel on YouTube when he was still unknown to the world, i was really amazed.
Thanks for sharing your good news about RP.
Boy
PanchoA
This completely defeats the argument that originality is everything. Martin Nievera said it best when he lamented that it took him all that he did to get to Las Vegas and still he’s nowhere near what Arnel Pineda has got for himself now.
Sure, it would be good to have a song to sing that’s your own, an identity all your own, but for now, being a part of a resurgent Journey makes Arnel’s sacrifices of aping Steve Perry all this time, all worth it for him.
Rock on, Arnel! You deserve it!
unicom'08
When I was a young kid back in one of the rural areas in the Philippines, I had my impressions that all Americans are knowledgeable and superior in everything.
When I first came to the United States in the 80’s, I worked as a cashier at a grocery store. One of my co-workers a middle- aged lady checked out a customer who said, she was from Oslo. My co- worker did not know where Oslo was so I said, Oslo is the capital of Norway. No one believed me!
That was my first encounter with some ignorant Americans. Needless to say my impressions over the years have changed as I come to know more and more of this country and its people.
The Philippines is still a young kid compare it with the United States, it has a long road to travel before it can get to where the U.S. is in now or any developed countries. I do not believe much in miracle but with hard work and perseverance the Philippines can achieve what it wants to achieve. Already we are seeing good signs as I have witnessed during my recent visit two years ago.
Go for it the Philippines my native land!
Josephine Britten
When I was an innocent young kid in one of the rural areas back in the Philippines, I had the impressions that all Americans are knowledgeable and superior beings in everything.
When I first came to the United States during the 80’s, I worked as a cashier at a grocery store. One of my co-workers a lady in her middle years checked out a customer who was from Oslo. My co-worker did not know where Oslo was so I said, Oslo is the capital of Norway. No one believed me!
That was one of my many encounters with some ignorant Americans. Needless to say my impressions have changed as I come to know more and more about this country and its people.
The Philippines is still a young kid compare it with the United States, it has to undertake a difficult and long passage to get where the United States is in now considering its history. But with a lot of hard work and perseverance it can achieve what it wants to achieve. Already we are seeing good signs as I have witnessed during my recent visit two years ago.
wijo
speaking of steve perry…where is he now? What is he doing?
Almira & Scott
We were on this concert sitting on the 3rd row and we had a chance to meet Arnel and Jonathan before the concert. They attended the VIP party and they signed authographs and had photos with us. One thing I noticed though. Arnel was a little bit shy. We were among the 25 VIPS and 5 were filipinos. I am proud of Arnel. WE should always follow our dream and we don’t not stop believin’.
journeyman
Yes, you’re right Mr. Nepales but you’re not really a JOurney fan. You;re just riding the bandwagon, too. For in your article in PDI, you mentioned that “Only The Young” is a new song. any JOurney fan will tell you that it’s not. hee- hee.
ALLAN
Mabuhay Pilipinas!
unicom'08
We have a Pampagueno sitting president.
Is it just a coincidence that many Filipino- Pampaguenos are making international debut? The fact does not matter to me, I happy for them!
Mari
Mabuhay ang Pinoy!!!
larry
Yes, Mabuhay ka Arnel.. Really you made it as the 2nd Steve Perry. You revived the famous “Journey” during the 1980’s and I am proud you are a Filipino. Many of our Filipinos had a gifted of international voice but they are not given a chance or break, because they are just only poor.Unlike “most” of the celebrities who does “not deserve” to be a singer, their names becomes famous and popular because of some connections to the network and producers.. These people are call “TH”.. Arnel is really a true singer and will become a legend in the music industry both domestic and internationally…..
Alex B
The title of your column, “Race Is A Factor” can be misleading, because your playing the race card without explaining it. Ignorance of the country and of people isn’t necessarily racist.
Yes, there are true blue racists in North America, some of it subtle and some of it overt. Filipinos, unfortunately, tend to be racist against their own fellow coloured people (Asians, Blacks, Hispanics).
estelo
There were only a small contingent of Filipinos who knew the Journey. When Arnel surfaced as the lead singer, everybody jumped in and became Journey’s avid and long time fan. The truth about Arnel is that he isn’t recognized as he is. He is there to represent Steve Perry. Fans love Steve and they appreciate Arnel for singing on Steve’s behalf. When he sings, people see Steve Perry, not him. He can’t get a name of his own until he get solo. Journey is only about Journey and Steve Perry.
Julianne
Steve Perry is in the Bay Area walking his dog most of the time by the park. He doesn’t sing no more because he lost his voice. No doubt that because of his voice, Arnel will not be famous for it is his style that Arnel tried to emulate. Arnel could be as famous as SP but SP will still be the reason why the band succeeded.
FW
We’re proud of Arnel Pineda .My eldest son watched the downloaded videos in his PC, then bought a new CD album from Walmart. Even its not a blue ray dvd (who cares) we watched his performance with glee.A white friend who watched with us, suddenly became a student about the pinoy culture, there we dutifully infomed him that all over the world, pinoys are not only a music lovers, but wonderful singers . Thats one of our greatest contribution to the world!
ruvee
josephine britten is right.me too has the same impression that americans are more superior than filipinos .that change everything when i come here .many college students can’t even spell a simple english word nor understand some english vocabulary that we often use in the philippines.i.e, a college guy write the word women as “wimen” and worst the past tense of “pay” is payed..lol
Lea
I agree with J Britten’s comment. I’ve lived in NYC, Atlanta, St Louis, and Dayton. Sadly, an average American is not that smart and hardly knows anything about his country, let alone other countries elsewhere. In fact, I’ve met many who have never left the US, especially those from the midwest. I look foreign to them, but I speak better English, and the irony is that I teach them proper verb tenses. I’ve stopped feeling offended long ago…
AdzQ
Arnel’s international stardom, in contrast to how he was a nobody in his own country, is just another evidence to the observation that a filipino has more chances of getting recognized for his hardwork, talents and education abroad than in his own country.
Cano
Lea,
Did you really write the following: “An average American is not that smart…” ???
What if someone were to substitute the word “Filipino” for “American” in there? Wouldn’t you consider that to be racist? This “average American” certainly would find it racist and offensive. (By the way, did I use the subjunctive mood correctly above?)
Just because you lived in several American cities you are not qualified to judge the intellectual capacities of 300 million people. Yes, some Americans are dumb and I’m sure you’ve met your fair share. On the other hand, some Americans are brilliant, while most Americans are probably somewhere in between. Are you a social scientist? How exactly did you determine the IQ of an “average American”?
Ease up on the stereotypes. They’re not something a “smart” person goes around propagating.
wh
Steve Perry does not live in the Bay Area, does not have a dog, and his voice is just fine,,,
As Arnel is finding out, Perry’s changing voice is not the reason Journey broke up,,,
As they did with Steve Augeri and Jeff Scott Soto,, they are treating Arnel like hired help,,, And he has NOT been happy
I hope Arnel finds a huge happy career in his OWN wonderful voice ,,, and far, far away from Journey,,,
Dax
Super galing talaga siya. Makes you realy proud to be a filipino. Hat’s Off to you Arnel.
I dol ka anak ko. He is always watching your videos on youtube.
Go go go Pinoy!!
Frances
AP is great and so is SP. From an unbias point of view, I don’t think AP is emulating SP at all. He only slightly sounds like SP but then he does it only because he does not want to step all over the classics. If you listen to the new songs, AP sounds so much more deeper and harder than SP. SP is more on the softer side and he is ever floating on smooth water. Some likes AP’s style and some like SP’s. I just think AP is good at singing SP’s songs, but he is not necessarily a clone of SP’s voice. I don’t know if SP is retiring though. After all the hype of the “New Journey”, I hear that SP is making a comeback. Ironic, isn’t it? Personally, I like AP’s style better. And that smile he possesses kills and conquers us all!
ticia
will anybody answer please… why is it that the album of journey “revelation” here in the Philippines don’t have the DVD which features their vegas concert? i need to have that DVD!!! Go AP!!!
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