The Rocking Pinoy Pride: Arnel Pineda
September 19, 2008 by admin
Filed under Arnel Pineda, Pinoy Pride
Rocking Pinoy pride Arnel Pineda has made practically his whole life all about music. He has been a professional musician for twenty-five years and has traveled to different countries to perform with different bands. He may not have risen to the pinnacle of his career in the Philippines and become a certified rockstar in his own country but Pineda enjoyed a stable career in music. But despite having been successful in his musical career in the Philippines and in Asia, nothing could have prepared him for the amazing ride he has been on the last several months after he signed up to become the front man of the legendary band Journey. Pineda’s story seems like a fairy tale of some sorts. It is a story that tells the power of the internet and how dreams do come true.
Videos of Pineda performing with his band The Zoo were uploaded on the popular video-sharing website You Tube by Noel Gomez in February 2007. The band did cover songs by popular bands such as Led Zeppelin, Air Supply, Aerosmith and Journey. By June of the same year Neal Schon, a member of the band Journey, contacted Noel Gomez to get the contact details of Arnel Pineda. When Arnel received an email from Schon asking the former to audition for the role of lead singer of the band, Arnel dismissed the email as a hoax. The singer just couldn’t believe that it was really the popular guitarist who had sent him an email. It took a lot of proding from Noel Gomez before Arnel decided to reply to Schon’s email. In August 2007, Arnel Pineda flew to the United States to audition for the band. That was the beginning of Pineda’s amazing journey. In December 2007, the band had made an official announcement on Arnel Pineda being the band’s new vocalist. Journey fans were both thrilled and skeptical that Arnel Pineda could match what Steve Perry brought to the band as vocalist.
Journey feat. Arnel Pineda Revelation CD & DVD
The band released the album “Revelations” on June 3, 2008 with Arnel Pineda as vocalist. The album landed on the no. 5 in the Billboard Top 200 album charts the same week it was released. The US version of Revelations contain eleven Journey classics, eleven new songs,and a DVD of the Journey’s March 2008 Las Vegas concert. The album was released exclusively in Wal-Mart in the United States. With the performance of the band’s album with Pineda as vocalist, it seems that Journey fans were not disappointed- the album remains in the top 20 of the Billboard Top 200. While only time can tell is Pineda will last as vocalist of the rock band, his band mates have nothing but positive words to say about the singer.
Arnel Pineda was born in Sampaloc, Manila Philippines on September 5, 1967. The 41-year old singer has been part of a band since he was fifteen years old. He started out as a singer with the band Ijos band. Twenty-five years later and Arnel is still rocking Pinoy pride.
Pinoy Pride Fairy Tale – Celine Dion’s Heartwarming Introduction of Charice at the Madison
September 17, 2008 by admin
Filed under Charice Pempengco, Pinoy Pride
“There is something very special that I would like to speak to you about.”
This is how Celine Dion started her introduction of Pinoy Pride Charice Pempengco during her “Taking Chances” World tour leg at the Madison Square Garden in New York. The crowd broke in cheers as if they have been anticipating what Celine Dion was going to talk about. She continues, “A few weeks ago, I received a call from my dear friend, Oprah. She actually told me about an incredible young singer.” The crowd broke to a wilder cheer. Obviously, they know.
A VOICE THAT CAN LITERALLY BLOW THE ROOF OF MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
“If you watched Oprah, you know all about her. This young thing’s name is Charice.” More wild cheers from the jampacked Madison Square Garden. “She’s 16 years old and she’s from the Philippines. Let me tell you, she has a voice that can literally blow the roof of Madison Square Garden.” More cheers.
Celine Dion went on to share what she knew about Charice’s personal life (her and her mom’s travails). Celine appeared holding back her emotion at this stage. The crowd was silent.
“…You know, through prayers, dreams, and God-given talent, and a firm voice, Charice entered and won every singing contest in her native country.” The crowd was cheering again. “Eventually noticed by such influentiable people…you know…Oprah and Oprah vowed to take care of her needs and that David Foster joined her. You know I had the chance to see Charice perform one nice song at Oprah last week.”
EMOTIONAL CELINE DION
Celine Dion, as she mentioned she does not usually stop a song, continued by saying, “I’m having a little difficulty (to talk) right now because I…. I met Charice, and I’m so emotional and somewhat searching, looking for my words, trying to control my emotion.” At this stage, Celine Dion received some encouraging cheers from the crowd. She turned and exclaimed, “Where are you, sweetheart?” amid the wild cheers. Pointing to Charice Pempengco’s direction (who was seated beside her mom among the crowd), she said, “There she is! C’mon down sweetie!”
Amid the cheers, Celine Dion introduced the little girl from the Philippines.
NERVOUS CHARICE
Celine Dion was doting on Charice, “First of all, let me tell you, you look spectacular. You look so beautiful.” All Charice could do was to mutter an almost inaudible “Thank you.” Celine turned towards Charice’s mom among the crowd saying, “Mom, are you okay? You look beautiful holding on to your chair.”
Charice was indeed looking like a little girl looking overwhelmingly at her idol who is standing right in front of her. When asked by Celine how she felt, she meekly whispered, “I’m nervous.”
Celine went on to reassure Charice and gave her some advice. She said, “Think about all the people you see in front of you are your brothers and sisters. You’re singing in your living room..” The crown broke into approving cheers and claps.
Buy / Download Album Charice by “Charice Pempengco”
The two divas, one great diva and one diva-in-the-making proceeded to sing “Because You Loved Me.” It was a spectacular sight nobody, who was present at the Madison Square Garden that night, could ever forget. After that night, no one could ever forget the Pinoy Pride Charice Pempengco–the barrio lass from the Philippines who have conquered the hearts of many music lovers.
Charice Pempengco a Pinoy Pride Shows Everybody Can Be a Winner
September 15, 2008 by admin
Filed under Charice Pempengco, Pinoy Pride
Charice Pempengco the latest addition to Pinoy pride phenom has been the buzz in Youtube and internationally distributed talk shows. We can say that Charice Pempengco, from the Little Big Star finalist to an international diva has definitely made a mark on the world. But just like any successful performer, everything is not served on a silver platter.
Most of the singers now have started with competitions within their towns. In which, every time Charice participates in these types of competitions, she never manages to come out as the winner. This trend has been consistent even until the time she joined the Little Big Star. But she was called back as a wild card contestant in which when the finals came, she managed to get 3rd place.
But in this situation, it is easy to get publicity. And believe it or not, it’s right at our finger tips. With the help of False Voice, he gave Charice’ ambition a friendly push it needed to get noticed. Thanks to YouTube, Star King from South Korea and Ten Songs Production in Sweden saw some of her performances and decided to contact her.
Would you believe that they thought that her singing was fake? Interestingly enough, it is hard to believe that a big voice would come out of a very small frame. But the people in Star King were in for a surprise when they heard her rendition of the Dream Girls song “And I’m Telling You”. While in Sweden, they called her up to record seven songs.
With this, Charice has found her way into the American music scene which she got the attention of Ellen De Generes, Oprah Winfrey, and Grammy winner David Foster. Also, she appeared on E! ‘s The Daily Ten tagging her as “A Star is Born” and “ A Queen is Born”.
Her latest appearance is at Celine Dion’s concert at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
Pinoy Pride Charice Pempengco Conquering the World Now
September 15, 2008 by admin
Filed under Charice Pempengco, Pinoy Pride
It is said that one should conquer the country before the world. Apparently Charice, the Pinoy pride she may not have won one of the prestigious talent shows in the Philippines but she definitely had won the world through the World Wide Web thanks to his pseudo-guardian angel, which goes by the name False Voice.
Everyone knows Charice Pempengco from Little Big Star at ABS-CBN. She had few mic-throwing antics on the side but it is undeniable that she can definitely sing. It was a bit surprising that she only came in 3rd place from the competition, but it was a huge surprise when we saw her Star King appearance in South Korea on YouTube.
Buy / Download Album Charice by “Charice Pempengco”
Her infamous rendition of “And I’m Telling You” from the Dream Girls soundtrack left the show’s hosts and audience at awe with the girl’s powerful voice. After which, she was also graced with a duet with Kyu Hyun singing “A Whole New World”.
This appearance definitely opened a lot of doors as a start of her singing career. From Sweden, US, and London, all have wanted to hear the girl’s amazing voice in person. Even Ellen De Generes and Oprah Winfrey.
Ellen De Generes was very impressed when Charice sang her first song on the show “And I’m Telling You” and she got a standing ovation with her rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love you”. When she appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show, not only the crowd was astonished with her performance, she left them applauding non-stop with her Houston song. She also appeared in the Paul O’Grady show in London.
In David Foster’s concert at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, he himself cannot contain his excitement at the girl’s talent with all he can say is “Wow, wow, wow” whenever he’s asked about what he thinks of Charice’s singing.
Of course, Charise Pempengco will never forget her country, the Philippines, as to this is the place where it all began. She has settled to be a Kapamilya and the one in a million “Pinoy Pride”.
Manny Pacquiao Fight Advantageous to Dela Hoya or Maybe Not
September 12, 2008 by admin
Filed under Manny Pacquiao
Boxing purists and fans are so convinced Oscar De la Hoya is taking the easy way out by matching up with the Pinoy Pride and Champ Manny Pacquiao instead of Antonio Margarito. No one can blame them. At a height of 5’10”, rated at the super welterweight class, with an obvious reach advantage, Golden Boy literally towers above the new lightweight champion, Manny Pacquiao.
After a Technical Knockout win over Arturo Gatti in 2001 in the super welterweight class, De la Hoya never fought below 154 lbs. He even went as far as 160 pounds (middleweight class) against Felix Sturm in 2004.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, just recently moved up to lightweight (135 lbs.) against David Diaz June this year. He stands 5’6”.
The howl of protest is reaching an embarrassing level. Insiders remain unfazed.
Bob Arum says the Manny Pacquiao vs De la Hoya bout will rank among the all-time greats in boxing history. He said that the December match at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas will be mentioned in the same breath with the 1970’s Ali-Frazier trilogy or the 1980’s historic bouts of Sugar Ray Leonard with Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns.
Arum further points out that he believes the Mexican Destroyer has more than genuine chances of defeating the Golden Boy.
While Pacquiao has to jump two weight classes to meet De la Hoya to reach the 147 mark, this is not his first time to come up the ring on such weight. He fought and decimated Barrera in October last year with all the 144 pounds of solid muscle (he weighed in at 130 lbs.)
The Golden Boy, on the other hand, has to burn a lot of body mass as he has to jump down two weight classes to satisfy the 147 lbs. maximum demanded by the Pacquiao camp. The last time he weighed lowest (welterweight) was in 2000.
He has to really starve and work himself out to shrink, or else he pays the Pacquiao camp $3 million dollars per excess pound over 147 lbs. To further worsen the deal for De la Hoya, Freddie Roach threatens not to let Manny Pacquiao get in the ring if he arrives overweight on fight night.
And the Pacquiao camp wants the weigh-in to be done on the day before the fight.
Ain’t the Golden Boy in a tight fix?
The toll this pound-shedding punishment is reaching masochistic dimensions we could just not begin to imagine how the 35-year old Oscar de la Hoya is going to take this. A weigh-in three days before the fight would make it a bit easier but the Filipino camp is threatening to withdraw the fight if they insist on it. Freddie Roach says, if De la Hoya comes up the ring at 150 lbs. he will stop Pacquiao from getting in. Three pounds is a lot of difference in this fight.
Oscar de la Hoya has, at best, been a part-time boxer. He is now more of a businessman than a ring warrior. Height and weight difference or not, the 35 year-old Super welterweight is going to face a 29 year-old boxing phenomenon that is at the prime of his game.
Pinoy Pride Hopeful Rey Boom Boom Bautista will see action in Manny Pacquiao vs Dela Hoya Bout
September 11, 2008 by admin
Filed under Pinoy Pride
Another Pinoy pride boxer who is also getting a lot of attention in the boxing world will be featured in the December 6 battle between superstars Manny Pacquiao vs Dela Hoya at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada.
WBO super bantamweight champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista has just been tapped to further make this big boxing history-in-the-making a must-see for boxing enthusiasts. The 22 year-old hard-hitting boxer from the island of Bohol in the Philippines was one of the main attractions of the WBO “Night of the Champions” held in Cebu City, Philippines.
Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista retained his WBO Intercontinental crown by overpowering Mexican Eden “Anestecista” Marquez. Bautista displayed a more disciplined fighter in this bout where he started the bout with only a couple of punches, obviously sizing up his opponent’s style, strengths, and weaknesses. Despite Marquez’s aggressiveness, Bautista worked on his defense and counterpunches.
It was in the second round that the 20 year-old champion started to show his mettle with a barrage of punches that saw the Mexican challenger reeling on the floor feet up. Marquez beat the count but was sent back on the floor for good with Bautista’s hard right hook to the head. It was a Technical Knock Out at 1:08 of the second round.
Golden Boy Promotions, in its bid to make the Oscar de la Hoya-Manny Pacquiao bout one of the greatest in boxing history, immediately pounced on Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista upon hearing of the kid’s impressive victory over the touch Mexican challenger and his apparent crowd-drawing appeal.
Eric Gomez, long-time friend of Oscar de la Hoya and vice president of Golden Boy Promotions said that they expected that kind of performance from Bautista who is “very charismatic. He’s one of those guys that people like to see fight because you never know what’s going to happen. Anything can happen. He could get dropped but he could also knock anybody out. That makes him exciting.” And that makes him a suitable addition to the attractions of the big December bout in Las Vegas this year.
Gomez adds that they are going to give him a good fight against a fighter in the rankings that could give him a good fight. He clarified that they are “not going after a world champion for his next fight but want to do a fight that is important to set him up for his next couple of fights before fighting for the title.”
It is still three months away but the card is getting hotter for all boxing fans to resist. Credit this to the business savvy of the De la Hoya and Pacquiao camps, especially the De la Hoya camp, for putting up a big event as historic as this.
Checkout this Link:
Manny Pacquiao vs Oscar dela Hoya Fight Tickets
De la Hoya to pay Pinoy Pride Pacquiao $3 Million per Pound Beyond 147 lbs.
September 11, 2008 by admin
Filed under Manny Pacquiao
Makes me wish I was a boxer myself.
Only in the big-bucks boxing world of Oscar De la Hoya and Pinoy pride Manny Pacquiao could one demand three million big ones per excess pound you lug inside the ring. Pacquiao, the Filipino boxing sensation that fell the biggest Mexican boxing names one after the other is taking in Oscar de la Hoya on December 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
This fight (we don’t have the merchandising title yet) takes on a lot of dimensions that one can talk about it from so many angles: Revenge, Greed, and pure entertainment. This is so not unlike your usual Monday afternoon TV drama flick. Boxing critics are ranting about how De la Hoya seems to be wanting to get the easy way out by fighting a size-disadvantaged fighter instead of taking on for a rematch either Bernard Hopkins or Shane Mosley. He lost his bouts with these two.
Those who love the drama angle relish how De la Hoya would exact revenge for the Mexican legends whose sterling bright careers Manny Pacquiao have extinguished one by one. Consider the brightest of the brightest in Mexican boxing: Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Hector Velasquez, Oscar Larios, Eric Morales, Jorge Solis, and David Diaz. Big names, champions of Mexican boxing, whose heads are figuratively strewn together and hung like medals around Pacquiao’s chest.
Oscar de la Hoya reportedly took it upon himself to fight the Filipino sensation to disprove what Freddie Roach said about his not being “able to pull” the trigger against Pacquiao.
The money part is the best part.
Big bucks. This is what it’s all about. Both fighters are not in it for glory or title. They have plenty of those. Money is the prime agenda in this fight. While the other bouts of prominent boxers only assures them of $8 million dollars take-home pay, the De la Hoya-Pacquiao negotiations started off with a minimum earnings of $10 million dollars for Manny Pacquiao.
Subsequent negotiations almost stalled when t
he Pacquiao camp said no to the 70-30 sharing in favor of the Golden Boy. Now that both camps have reached an agreement (to an undisclosed sharing scheme) one could only speculate on what the Pacquiao camp initially disclosed to the press: something like between $15 million to $20 million dollars.
I wish I was a boxer. No, I wish I was Manny Pacquiao.
Forget about the purse. Just think of what the Mexican killer from the Philippines would get for every extra pound after the 147-pound max Oscar de la Hoya weighs when it is time to face the scale. $3 million dollars per extra pound! Just three tiny extra pounds and Pinoy pride Pacquiao will top what other boxers receive for winning a big championship bout.
De la Hoya-Manny Pacquiao December Fight: One of the biggest in boxing history
September 10, 2008 by admin
Filed under Manny Pacquiao
The Ali-Frazier trilogy in the 1970’s and the Sugar Ray Leonard bouts with Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler in the 80’s are just some of the only few historic and unforgettable bouts in boxing history. Expect the Oscar de la Hoya-Manny Pacquiao December 6 bout to join this shortlist of hall of famer ring encounters.
Last year’s Oscar De la Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. bout was recorded to be the largest pay-per-view fight in boxing history at 2.4 million buys. Mayweather won, and is now a filthy-rich boxing retiree at age 31. While De la Hoya lost, he earned a record $58 million purse.
Oscar de la Hoya has announced his retirement and he wants another fight with the same magnitude as, if not surpassing, that May 5, 2007 fight with Mayweather, Jr. The De la Hoya-Pacquiao is expected to become another biggest earning fight in boxing history after the blockbuster De la Hoya-Mayweather Jr. bout last year. Trust Golden Promotions in coming up with such top-grosser events. Remember the first boxing loss he suffered agains Felix Trinidad? It was also the largest non-heavyweight pay-per-view fight during its time.
Oscar de la Hoya wants his pre-retirement fight to be a “worldwide event,” not unlike the Mohammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard fights that are recorded in any boxing enthusiast’s memory as classics. A De la Hoya-Margarito fight, or a brawl with Ricky Hatton or Miguel Cotto would be exciting but not as lucrative and as magnificent as a megafight with today’s best pound-for-pound fighter of the world—Manny Pacquiao.
De la Hoya said, “I want a big fight. I want to go out with a big bang. I want to make it an event. I want to make it a worldwide event because I want to show the boxing world and I want to show everybody around the world that boxing is alive and well.”
Bob Arum, Top Rank’s vice president and Pacquiao’s promoter said, “This fight will demonstrate to everyone that there is no sport universally as popular as boxing.”
What both camps did not mention is that more than anything else, this fight is all for the money. Negotiations faltered at first when the Pacquiao camp initially refused Golden Boy Promotion’s offer of a 70-30 sharing in favor of Oscar de la Hoya. Perhaps the sharing has been upped to 60-40 or something in between, plus the fact that what Manny Pacquiao could earn in this fight is something equivalent to what he would earn from four major fights.
It can be recalled that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. got only a 30 percent cut and he earned $22 million from that fight last year.
Manny Pacquiao Fight vs De la Hoya: Its all for the money!
September 10, 2008 by admin
Filed under Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao fight against dela Hoya will be face-off of fame and glory. Two of mankind’s greatest aim.
No. Pacquiao and De la Hoya are not in for it this time. With their multiple champion belts and checkbooks bursting with millions, they are simply awash with these now that further quest for fame and glory takes a backseat to the real motivation behind why these two boxing titans are clashing on December 6 in Las Vegas.
It’s all for the money.
Right after Pacquiao’s defeat of David Diaz last June 28, 2008 in Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, talk about finding another opponent for the ring phenomenon was the most logical next national past time for boxing fans. When that Brit Ricky Hatton’s name popped out, (this British boxing superstar normally weighs around 180 lbs.), we thought it was all big talk. Well, when your chest is all bloated up with a big win plus you have just added the WBC lightweight title in your kick-ass belt collection, it’s ok to talk big. And we haven’t mentioned the millions that’s just added to your already obese bank account. It’s ok to talk big, really. Be my guest.
But then comes the news about the fight with Oscar de la Hoya that’s really happening on December 6. Now, ain’t that getting a bit too far? Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar de la Hoya? The Golden Boy’s taller by about four inches, way bigger in build that he fights in the 154 lbs. class (even fought as high as 160). Hollywood pretty boy Oscar was reported to have weighed 150 lbs. last week, will exchange blows with Manny Pacquiao who has just recently ventured to move up to the 135 lbs. class? It’s just plain nuts!
…all for the money.
Let us not forget what somebody somewhere said that goes a little something like, “professional boxing is all about putting asses in the seats.” More butts planted in seats, plus more hanging behind (pardon the pun) in SRO crowd, means more money in the pocket.
Hollywood pretty boy Oscar wouldn’t even bat an eyelash when charged with the lopsidedness of the match, “A lot of people are going to be very surprised when we’re standing next to each other,” says Golden Boy. “Size isn’t going to be that much of a difference.”
Bruce Trampler, Pacquiao promoter and Top Rank vice president also thinks the difference in weight is not an issue. The fight is not about boosting careers, it’s all about—arent’ you getting sick of this already?—the money. “Floyd wanted to fight Oscar and Hatton for the Benjamins….Everyone wants to fight an Ali, De la Hoya, Hatton, Leonard and a Pacquiao because they can get paid as opponents. Juan Diaz or Casamayor can’t make real money unless they fight an attraction.”
If our pretty boy Golden Boy Oscar loses, what the heck? Manny Pacquiao is a phenomenon at the prime of his career. It’s ok to lose to someone like him. After all, as he once said, his legacy is already written and no one can erase that. Not even a loss to someone like Pacquiao.
If our Asian boxing superstar loses, so what? It’s ok to lose to someone bigger than you are. He can always get up and pick up the pieces, it wouldn’t hurt his ego a bit.
One thing’s sure: both guys are going to go home obscenely richer than they already are.
All for the money.
Tickets for Oscar dela Hoya vs Manny Pacquiao Fight Tickets Here!
