SIMON was right : it could very well be a HIT RECORD!!!

ALINA is a soulful singer on YouTube,
who sounds as sweet as that other viral vocalist,
Marie Digby,


and her version of the Pinoy Phenom's
WE'RE BROTHERS FOREVER
sounds like a big hit!

Renaldo Lapuz unplugged

By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer


When did you move to America?
Aug. 6, 2004. My mother petitioned me.


What do you miss most about the Philippines?
'Yung mga best friends ko po doon sa Marikina.
Kumbaga, doon ako lumaki kaya nami-miss ko sila.
Akala ko ang homesickness para sa mga kamag-anak lang.
Pati pala mga kaibigan puwedeng ma-miss.


How old are you now?
I turned 45 last Dec. 18.
Kayo po parang 16 years old lang.



What was your job in the Philippines?
Tricycle driver sa Sikatuna Village, Quezon City.
Thirteen years din 'yon, 1992 to 2003.

Ay, 11 years pala. Mahina ako sa math, e.

What's your job in the US?
Janitor po. Sa clean-up, maintenance.

Kasi nagtrabaho rin ako bilang janitor sa Pasig,
from 1988 to 1989.

Dito sa US, nagtrabaho ako sa Wal-Mart in Reno.
More than one year. Doon ako pinakamatagal.
Sa iba, hindi ako tumagal,
tatlong buwan lang ako sa warehouse.

Pitong buwan sa Greyhound Bus.



How does it feel that you're called the new William Hung?
Actually,
hanggang ngayon wala pa akong naririnig na official
from AI management, na ako nga ang World Idol.


Nasisiyahan ako sa pagtanggap ng mga tao
pero ayokong magbilang ng mga sisiw
hanggang hindi napipisa ang mga itlog.



Do you know who William Hung is?
Kilala ko. Siya 'yong kumanta ng "She Bang, She Bang."
Yumaman siya.



What are your plans for your career?
Wala pa po akong naririnig na official.
I have to respect my contract with AI.

Pero bukas po nasa Los Angeles ako.
May guesting ako sa TV.
Tinuring akong big time;
nilinya ako kina Brad Pitt at Tom Cruise.



What's your style of music?
Ballads. I like serenading.



Is "We're Brothers Forever" your only composition?
In 1998, I recorded 10 songs in the Philippines,
in a recording studio near V. Luna.
I translated two songs into English.



Who persuaded you to join AI?
My friend Chris Pascual and his cousin Jimboy Pascual.
We're friends but we treat each other like brothers.



How do you feel about all the attention being given to you?
This is just the start of my dream.
My singing career has just started.



Do you get mobbed by fans?
Yes. That's happening now.

[But] the fans are so decent, elite, educated.
Young and old.



Copyright 2008 Philippine Daily Inquirer.
All rights reserved.