OPM band Cup of Joe declines to comment on the reported misunderstanding between Paolo Valenciano and Rico Blanco but reaffirms their commitment to professionalism.
OPM band Cup of Joe has chosen not to comment on the recent incident at a music festival involving director Paolo Valenciano and music artist Rico Blanco.
The “hero” rift
On December 6, Direk Paolo’s Facebook post became a talking point in showbiz circles, stating, “we’re simply not meant to work together again,” reportedly due to a change in the lineup of performers.
While details were unclear, the post mentioned that Cup of Joe members needed to be picked up by motorcycle to make it to their performance. Direk Paolo also emphasized, “Hindi late ’yong Cup of Joe.”
During a recent media conference for their “Silakbo” vinyl album release, Cup of Joe was asked about the incident but chose to stay silent. Vocalist Gian Bernardino explained: “We were very much included in the incident. But when the team of JBL (producer/organizer) and our director, Paolo Valenciano, went to our tent and talked to us. He said it should be from their end ‘yong panggagalingan ng statement. It’s also our choice to not have a say about it.”
Cup of Joe: “It’s our choice to stay silent”
Despite the situation, the band remains committed to professionalism in their gigs. Gian added: “We will always show up in any circumstance po na ibigay sa amin. Simula pa lang noong nasa 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. No. 1 naman sa amin ‘yong makapag-perform para sa aming fans and for our love for the arts and the music. Kaya hindi nagma-matter sa amin kung anong oras kami magpe-perform. Basta magawa namin ‘yong hinihintay n’yo.”
Lead guitarist Gab Fernandez said the band welcomes festival invitations, seeing them as opportunities to perform and connect with fellow artists. “Kami, very open naman po sa mga ganon kasi marami kaming mga kakilala, maraming inspiring friends. So, yung chance na makapag-perform and mapanood sila nang live, isang malaking privilege sa amin ‘yon,” he said.
Vocalist Rapha Ridao also emphasized the value of interacting with other artists. “We have equal respect sa co-acts namin. ‘Yon din ang gusto naming ma-forster. Kaya gusto namin ‘yong mga ganong gigs. 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 ‘yon to tell ourselves about the future,” he concluded.
Our director, Paolo Valenciano, went to our tent and talked to us. He said it should be from their end ‘yong panggagalingan ng statement. It’s also our choice to not have a say about it.
Gian Bernardino
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