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In an interview with renowned TV journalist Jessica Soho he described the agonizing wait for leftover food. Life’s hardships did not discourage Arnel from his real love: music. In 1982, when he was just 15 years old, he became the singer of an amateur band they named Hijos. They became a guest band in different bars.

In 1987 and 1988, he won back to back awards as the Best Vocalist in the World Band Explosion in Japan.

In 1989 he joined a rock band named Amo. The group played in different upscale bars in the metropolis. They held concerts that were watched by thousands of people. As the group became known, they made numerous TV appearances and performed in different provinces.

In 1999 his musical creativity and genuine love for the craft caught the attention of Warner Bros. record label which asked him to record a solo album, self-titled “Arnel Pineda.” Most of the album’s ten original songs are slow ballads, with only two upbeat numbers, one of which carries a Latin style. One of the songs, “Iiyak Ka Rin” became very popular and is now a karaoke favorite in Asia, while another song "Sayang" became a radio favorite. Pineda wrote and arranged several songs.

While he is cherishing the success of a solo album, he continued to perform with New Age. In 2004, three members of the New Age band reformed with a female singer sharing lead vocals with him and renamed the group to Most Wanted. They toured different bars in Hong Kong.

In 2006, encouraged by legendary Filipino talent manager and TV director, Bert de Leon, Pineda moved back to the Philippines with Monet Cajipe, the guitarist who has been in all Pineda’s bands during the last 24 years. They formed The Zoo. They performed at clubs in Manila and Olongapo during 2006 and 2007.

Videos of The Zoo performing cover songs by Journey, Survivor, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Air Supply, The Eagles, Kenny Loggins and other popular acts from the 70s, 80s and 90s, began appearing on YouTube.com in February 2007. The band’s performances caught the attention of Neal Schon of Journey.

Schon sent an e-mail to Pineda inviting the latter to audition for Journey. Pineda initially dismissed the e-mail as a hoax, but after persistent persuasions he agreed to try his luck.

On December 5, 2007, Pineda was announced as the lead singer of Journey. CNN Headline News ran the story as part of their News to Me segment.

Journey and renowned producer Kevin Shirley recently completed a new studio album which is slated for release in July, 2008, to coincide with the beginning of the US tour. In his online diary, Shirley described the recording sessions as "wonderful, successful, stupidly creative" and said that "Sometimes you just know when there's history in the making."

In a statement on December 5, 2007, Shirley said "I was stunned at Arnel, who is a monster vocalist. He is the real deal. Just phenomenal." When speaking about the upcoming album in a later entry in his diary, he said: "Just got back from Vegas last night, after mixing seven new Journey songs. They are outstanding... For the record, I think Arnel is 'the business!' - the guy can really sing! He handles the ballads with so much heart, and belts the rockers as hard, and melodically, as anyone I have heard. The songs are sensational - wonderfully crafted and deep, and so focused, you may wonder where they all came from. And I'm being serious"

Indeed, hardwork, patience, and perseverance has brought success to Arnel.