Exclusive Interview with American Idol's Renaldo Lapuz, the Singer cum Writer of I Am Your Brother (Brothers Forever)

It was an admiration post in the blog both here and in the local Filipino blog which I am managing. And then one day I received a comment from Carisa, a fellow Filipino and asks me if I want to interview Renaldo Lapuz. Well definitely I said yes. My first preference was through a video interview but due to time and technical constraints I settled for an e-mail interview.

Posted below is the Question and Answer with Renaldo Lapuz originally translated from his answers and posted at Pagod Ka Na Bang Maging si Juan? written in Filipino.

Q. They say you are a Filipino-American, how true is this? From which side?

A. I am a pure Filipino and not half breed. They are all wrong and many though that I am a Thai as well... but I am not... please do not misjudged me.

Q. Are you proud of being a Filipino? Why?

A. I am very proud to be a Pinoy. After about 6 to 7 days of interview all over America through radio and television and the following day all radios in L.A. I felt like crying because I know that there are many Filipinos there. I greeted them and told them, "Mahal Ko Po Kayo" or "I Love You" on air.

Even in Canada through radio. I have relatives there as well. I greeted all Filipinos there and I said the phrase... "TO ALL FILIPINOS THERE"

Q. Why did you audition for American Idol?

A. I have very close friends way back May till August, we are all lads and we are like very close brothers. They are the ones who told me to join because I always sing to them and and I revive a song for them. I always sing when I am with them. They are car racers. That is why they want me to join and also because there are producers there who might discover me.

Q. They say that the judges ridiculed you when you auditioned. How did you feel?

A. Just like siblings in a family or friends or peers in a videoke party... they sing and once it hits them everything goes... they crack joke and laughter right? The laughter that happened are laughter that came from their hearts and souls... the heart and soul of the judges from their sense of humor. To sum it up they were laughters of siblings and/or friends.

Q. Are you expecting your song to be a hit after singing it during the American Idol audition?

A. I never expected it or even what happened. What I knew is that my song is beautiful and it was inspired to me from heaven which I created for the people to hear.

Q. Some says that you are a "sicko". What would you like to tell to them?

A. Forgive me but I do not know the meaning of sicko.

Q. Where did you get the inspiration for your song?

A. When my mom went to the states I live at the homes of different friends. I always see the love between siblings regardless of religion. Even right know that I am typing the answer to your question I am crying and would like to shout. I am terribly missing my friends in the Philippines that showed me the love of a brother regardless of religion... just being Pinoy.

Above all, if I have many best friends up o the Middle East and South Korea who are Filipinos... Jesus Christ is inspiring me and telling me that he is my best friend. Amen. I am serious also about this.

Q. Is this your first time in singing in the public?

A. It is not my first time. I also joined TODA KING in Channel 13 (a local television station in the Philippines) and I am a finalist.

Q. What are your future plans? Any plans of visiting the Philippines?

A. I will abide by what American Idol Productions wanted. When there is an opportunity my first priority will be to visit the Philippines BECAUSE I LOVE YOU ALL.

Q. What's your message to all your fans out there?

A. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ALL CONTINOUS SUPPORT..... THAT EVERY PERSON THAT APPRECIATED MY SONG.....THEY REALLY PLANTED IT INTO THEIR HEART, THEY PLANTED IT INTO THEIR SOUL...... THEY PLANTED IT INTO THEIR SPIRIT.....BINDED IT INTO THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR FAMILIES,....FRIENDS....CLASSMATES,...... AT WORK...... EVERYONE AND EVERYWHERE...........THANK YOU VERY MUCH ....GOD BLESS YOU ALL .....I LOVE YOU ALL......

THANKS TO DAVE, TO CARIZA TO PHIL_ LENIN, ANGELRISA

PLEASE INCLUDE ME IN ALL YOUR PRAYERS THAT I ACCOMPLISH EVERY ASIGNMENT AND PROJECT AND THAT I WILL NOT DISAPPOINT ANYONE. THAT GOD WILL SAVE ME FROM THE MISTAKES AND GUIDE ME.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY FRIENDS IN TEXAS WHO COOK FOR ME AND HELP ME IN MANY WAYS BECAUSE IF NOT FOR THEM I WILL NOT EAT. I HAVE NO TIME FOR MYSELF ANYMORE BECAUSE OF THE MANY WORKS I HAVE TO DO. SO MANY INTERVIEWS... NON-STOP. I ALSO WORK ON A GRAVEYARD SHIFT. THAT IS WHY I HAVE VERY LITTLE SLEEP ONLY ABOUT 2 HOURS PER DAY.

THANKS FOR THE MESSAGE AND YOUR CONCERN FOR ME. I LOVE YOU ALL! I HAVE A CALL IN MY CELLPHONE AGAIN. BA BYE PO/1
PAKISAMA PO AKO SA PANALANGIN NA MA ACCOMPLISH KO PO LAHAT LAHAT BAWAT ISANG ASSIGNMENT BAWAT ISANG PROJECT NA HINDI KO PO !

GOD BLESS YOU ALL..... "REYNALDO LAPUZ"
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I would like to thank Renaldo Lapuz personally for giving us the time and for answering the questions which we asked him. He had also sent me a personal e-mail and those who want to send him messages or remarks just post your comments and rest assured I will relay it to him.


Again here is his performance in American Idol.

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