I try to live under the radar as much as possible.
— Arnel Pineda
Journey gave me a magic wand, and it's changed the man that I am. I was able to muster this kind of courage that I never, ever had in my life.
I would hang out with my friends, and they would make me sing in exchange for food. I'd tag along just so I could eat. Then we would go to the park, and I'd sleep there with other homeless kids.
I'm short. I'm so Asian.
I use a lot of utility apps on my iPad, and I have four kinds of 'Angry Birds' games! I also use GarageBand to create demos.
Just don't give up. I mean, don't stop believin'.
I just want to be a part of a band that will be able to reinvent themselves, you know.
I may have done an every-night gig in Hong Kong because I was there for almost 16 years, and in Manila, Philippines, I did gigs there.
I had to give up a lot of foods that I'm accustomed to eating: dairy products, beer, wine, spicy food.
When I'm not working, I spend time at home with my wife and kids and my Foundation.
I think my mother was there all the time. Every time I thought I was almost dying and gave up hope in my life, I felt like she was whispering in my ear and asking me, 'Why are you doing this?'
I am a great believer in alkaline water which lessens the acid in my system.
It has been magical. I can't think of a better word to describe my journey than magical.
I've always been a Journey fan - since I was 12.
My life is now an open book.
Just continue what you are doing. You should have no hesitation, no stopping - just keep on going to the next level.
I pray everywhere and with all my heart.
People need to know what I've gone through.
We were an underprivileged family. My parents were both tailors. We got by. But we only had a few important things in our life.
The first time we played in Berlin, there was this guy who went into the show expecting Steve Perry. He was so frustrated, he threw this paper cup filled with beer on me.
I didn't think the real Neal Schon would call a guy like me. I'm just a guy from the Philippines.
The fans at our shows in Tokyo love music so much; they're amazing. They give a kind of energy and adrenaline that builds us up when we play.
Since I was five years old, when my mom was still alive, she would just call me. And we would listen to the radio with Barbra Streisand and Karen Carpenter, and she would ask me to sing with her.
When Neal Schon discovered the videos on YouTube, he tried to find my friend's e-mail address, so he found it, and he sent him an e-mail claiming that he's Mr. Neal Schon, and he's from Journey, and he's serious about getting me to San Francisco to try out as their frontman. When my friend forwarded the e-mail to me, I was just laughing.
Journey are very big in the Philippines.
I like talking.
Next to my family in Manila, Journey is my family.
I've got the best gig in the world.
I prefer alkaline water. Good for the vocal cords, especially if you take it in the morning.
My father would make me stand on the table and make me sing. He would give me a P1 reward after every song.
The Journey guys were so warm and friendly. I'm learning a lot from them.
I want to create a street school for kids.
I guess that I have nothing more to aspire for.
Money, to me, is just a mode of transportation that I use to get around but not enough to get me where I really want to be: to a world of bliss and happiness.
I have too much respect for the music and for the band and the fans to give anything less than my best.
I don't consider myself a rock star. I would rather be looked at as a regular guy who happened to be in the right time at the right place. But if you call me a rock star, thank you.
There are people out there who want me to fail. I'm sticking to those people who believe in me.
Download was one of the best festivals I've ever been to.
I travel a lot, but I'd love to go back to cities such as Paris, Las Vegas, New York, and London with my family. When I'm there touring with the band, I have to work, and it's no fun at all.
I never had a slight feeling of intimidation. I'm not even trying to compete with Mr. Perry.
I think I was 10 or 11 years old. I think the first song I learned about then was 'Open Arms.' Then, when I got tired of listening to 'Open Arms,' I borrowed my friend's Journey album, 'Escape,' and tried to listen to every song.
I get really homesick inside.
I'm living a fairy tale.
To all the Journey fans, thank you for all your love and support to me and our whole band.
I consider myself an alumnus of Hard Rock Cafe.
I take small meals three times a day - Breakfast at 6 or 7 A.M., let my body digest what I eat, and then I have lunch. My last meal for the day is at around 6 P.M. No more food after that.
I was blown away by Steve Perry's voice - you know, his amazing ability to change from a lambing voice to rock.
Hold on to your dream, no matter what it takes.
Make sure that you are happy with what you are doing; otherwise, you will be miserable. Pursue your dream. Don't give up.
I am very grateful for all the blessings; I couldn't ask for more.
