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.”
Valenciano maintained that it is just a “matter of time for the originality to come out.” With a report from Ginger Conejero, ABS-CBN News
