Ten Thousand Things

Some of the questions you sent I answered through DM. Some I answered again because they were asked more than once. Thanks for sending them.

@Jimparedes if you have a chance to be a superhero, what would be your superhero name and your superpowers?

My name would be Haringliwanag— A wise person who can melt any angry heart to change position and direction. Called to intervene in wars, violence, discrimination, etc., I will show up and diffuse the situation.  With one hand, I can erase a person’s memory or fixation and let him see a situation fresh like it was the first time he is looking at it with no bias, or slant.

@Jimparedes did you ever regret ur role in edsa 2 dat installed a more corrupt president? #ASKaQUESTION

No. It was better to act than not to act. We came with good intentions. We did not fail the Filipino nation. GMA did. We cannot take responsibilities for her actions. We did our share.

who is your favorite filipino fictional character and why? thanks!!!

Elias, a character made up by Rizal. He was an Indio who was wise and wore his heart in the right place.

@Jimparedes #ASKaQUESTION Ano ang secreto ng APO sa pag gawa ng kanta??

Deadlines, inspiration, a word, a phrase heard, a song by another artist. kahit ano pwede.

@Jimparedes who are your top 3 senators and why?#ASKaQUESTION

It would have to be Miriam, Pia, Kiko Pangilinan. I did not always like Miriam, I knew very little of Pia but their stand on RH is admirable. I have known Kiko for the longest time and I know he is true to his calling to serve. He feels passionately for this country.

who among the current young OPM solo artists do you admire and why? #ASKaQUESTION

Frankly, I don’t really follow the young artists. Too many of them. I like Yeng though perhaps because I got to know her during Pinoy Dream Academy. I just wish she would be more of her old indie self. She  is too ‘abs-cbn’ and  sometimes nawawala ang uniqueness niya.

@Jimparedes how much did Ateneo influence you as an artist and a person? #ASKaQUESTION”

In a big way. The teachers I had were top-notch. Three of them were National Artists. The Jesuits trained me to think independently and clearly. The liberal arts they offered was quite thorough. The whole idea about being a ‘man for others’ was something I took quite seriously. I still do.

@Jimparedes your greatest influence when it comes to music & why? #ASKaQUESTION

The Beatles..They were/are the GREATEST band of all-time. They had a wide  repertoire and broke the rules. Any group that can write Eleanor Rigby has to be the best ever.

RT @Jimparedes: #ASKaQUESTION you still dive? I rmmber seeing you in a dive for a cause here in #davao.

Stopped diving when my dive buddy Redford White stopped. I will pick it up again next year..

@Jimparedes who is the best president we ever had? And the worst? ;) #ASKaQUESTION

Best would have to be Quezon, Ramon Magsaysay and maybe FVR. The worst would be Marcos and Aguinaldo.

@Jimparedes whenever you are sad, what can cheer you up? #ASKaQUESTION

Seriously, what cheers me up are activities like meditation, listening to music, being with friends. But the most important is my decision to rise above it and cheer myself up.

@Jimparedes Do u play golf? #ASKaQUESTION

No.

RT @Jimparedes:RT @OhDexterous: @Jimparedes #ASKaQUESTION do u still have sex life?

Sex is a lifelong passion. Thank God. EVERYONE has a sex life. YOur lolo and lola may not admit it but they probably do. Sex is a person’s most unique way to express him/herself. But as you get older, it becomes less and less important.

@Jimparedes #ASKaQUESTION choose one, photographer or a singer?

Hmmm… I am whatever I am doing. Seriously. I am very focused whatever it is. But if I had to choose, SINGER!

@Jimparedes #ASKaQUESTION did you ever consider running for office?

Yes. I can hardly remember an election when I wasn’t asked to consider running. I ran once as barangay captain and lost.. That’s funny.. Ha ha. It was  a case of my not wanting to give 200K to a big organized sector of the voters that  made it difficult for me. I did not want to shell out and in a way buy the votes, and win as a trapo.

@Jimparedes #askaquestion sir what is your favorite watch? :)

Breitling Navigator. Bought one almost 20 years ago and still use it.

@Jimparedes bakit puro revival ang trend ng OPM ngayon? bakit sila @yengunplugged at @chitomirandajr originals naman? #askaquestion

Because of piracy, producers are playing too safe. They want songs that have equity already. Easier to promote since people know them already and so it is easier to sell. In the long run, too much of that is bad. We need new original stuff.

Who is the best singer (ever) in the local industry? @Jimparedes #ASKaQUESTION

As far as I know, it will have to be Lea Salonga. But there was Jovita Fuentes in the 40s who supposedly thrilled Europe. Di ko na naabutan yun.. ha ha

#ASKaQUESTION ure thoughts on growing nos.of 3rd sex in our country the way they expose and flaunt themselves?

I am a believer in Gay lesbian and transsexual’s rights to full expression of who they are. Their being who they are does not bother me.

@Jimparedes what’s your fave book? #ASKaQUESTION

Too many to mention. I like philosophy, ideas, autobiographies, stuff like that. I do not like fiction.

@Jimparedes #ASKaQUESTION Do you think I am a good Travel Show host? it has been my long dream!

I apologize if I do not know you. I hardly watch TV.

@Jimparedes memorable lessons you’ve learned in the music industry?#ASKaQUESTION

Be original. Have your own repertoire. Learn from the best. Express your uniqueness. Do everything with passion and excellence. Always surprise and delight your audience.

@Jimparedes - name your ultimate holiday destination #ASKaQUESTION

Rio de Janeiro during Mardi Gras or carnavale

@Jimparedes Who among the past or current generation of Filipino actresses do you admire? #ASKaQUESTION

I like Eugene Domingo now. I liked Vilma Santos in Sister Stella L. I like Cherie Gil… a few others..

@Jimparedes what do you think about floyd mayweather jr.?

I think he is deathly afraid of Manny Pacquiao. The little I know of him as a person does not add up to someone I would admire in any way.

@Jimparedes What are the three things you cant live without? #ASKaQUESTION

My Swiss Knife, me cellphone, my laptop.

@Jimparedes: #ASKaQUESTION I’m a fan of APO and i’ve wat’s ur concert here in london b4. any plan 2 do concert n d near future?

Apo is disbanded. there are no plans for any album or concert. But I have learned to say ‘never say never’.

@Jimparedes What inspires you most? #ASKaQUESTION

Anything I really pay attention to can get me interested and inspired if I allow it. Life is unfolding always. Being present makes you see the newness of things.

@Jimparedes #ASKaQUESTION aside from praying, what’s the best thing to do when you’re feel low?

I dis-identify from my feelings is what I do first. While I may feel it, I know I am NOT my feelings. From there , it is easy to watch it dissipate and go/
 

@JeromeTarriela: RT @Jimparedes: #ASKaQUESTION—- DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THERES TILL HOPE FOR THE PHILIPPINES? 

Yes.. The old order is dying and the new one is being born. Every great nation has gone through its walk in the desert, We will see the Promised land sooner than later.

@Jimparedes: #ASKaQUESTION - Are you happily married?

Like the weather, my marriage is mostly sunny with occasional rain showers and thunderstorms.

@jimparedes If you could ask God a question, what would it be? 

Why do we have to suffer? Did you make the world and leave it alone or are you still intervening in its affairs?