
OPM band Cup of Joe has chosen to avoid commenting on the incident that happened at a music festival, where a misunderstanding reportedly occurred between its director, Paolo Valenciano, and music artist Rico Blanco.
It can be recalled that on December 6, the director's Facebook post became a topic of showbiz news, in which he told the singer-songwriter, “we're simply not meant to work together again.”
The supposed reason was a change in the lineup of performers. Direk Paolo's post was not clear about the details, but he mentioned that the members of Cup of Joe had to be picked up by motorcycle to make it to their performance.
Direk Paolo further emphasized, "Hindi late 'yung Cup of Joe.”
GMANetwork.com and other entertainment media were given the opportunity to ask the fast-rising OPM band about the issue during a recent media conference for the release of their Silakbo vinyl album. However, the group declined to give a statement or any additional details regarding the incident.
Instead, one of their vocalists, Gian Bernardino, said, “We were very much included po sa incident. But when the team of JBL and our director, Paolo Valenciano, went to our tent and talked to us, they said na it should from their end yung panggagalingan ng statement.”
He added, “It's also our choice to not have a say about it.”
Despite what happened, Cup of Joe promised to maintain professionalism in their gigs and performances.
Gian said, “Always naman kami magsho-show up in any circumstance po na ibigay sa amin. Simula pa lang nung sa school kami nagpe-perform or sa mga bars, kung anong circumstance na ibigay sa amin, we'll make it work.
“We'll do what we love, we'll do kung ano yung sinasabi sa amin, and we'll keep it professional always. Number one naman sa amin yung makapag-perform para sa aming fans and for our love for the arts and the music. So, hindi nagma-matter sa amin kung anong oras kami magpe-perform. Basta magawa namin yung hinihintay n'yo.”
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Cup of Joe also said they will continue performing at any music festival if invited.
Their lead guitarist, Gab Fernandez, said, “I think we're very open naman po sa mga ganun na shows. Kasi, kami, very ano kami sa mga ganun kasi marami kaming mga kakilala, marami kaming mga kaibigan—very inspiring sila para sa amin. So, yung chance na makapag-perform and mapanood sila nang live, isang malaking privilege sa amin yun.”
Meanwhile, another vocalist, Rapha Ridao, said that such events are a good opportunity to interact with fellow music artists.
“We have equal respect to our co-acts kapag sa ganun. Yun din ang gusto naming ma-forster. Kaya gusto namin yung mga ganung gigs 'cause we want to interact, talk to other artists, share our thoughts with them—mag-agree man o mag-disagree, at least, we keep an open mind. At the end of the day, we digest lahat ng mga yun to tell ourselves sa future," he ended.