Ariel Rivera was not thrilled to be labeled as a heartthrob during his heyday as a singer.
He made this confession at Fast Talk with Boy Abunda aired on GMA-7 last Friday, June 16, 2023.
Dubbed the "Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala" in the 90s, Ariel enjoyed great popularity among the masses because of his hit songs "Sana Kahit Minsan," "Simple Lang," "Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin," and "Ayoko Na Sana," to name a few.
Boy Abunda curiously asked Ariel, "Tama ba ang pagkaalala ko na ayaw mo nung ‘Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala’?”
Ariel replied, “I did not."
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ARIEL ON PRESUMPTUOUS LABEL
Ariel found the title "presumptuous."
He recalled with a laugh, “There were a few times when Bong [Quintana, Boy's partner], Bong would always be backstage, [with] Hansel and Ernie, would say, ‘Introduce Ariel — Please welcome, Kilabot...' I told Bong, ‘Bong, you introduce me as that, hindi ako lalabas sa stage."
Boy served as Ariel's manager when he joined show business, and the two developed a deep friendship that continues to this day.
“It’s so presumptuous of me to feel all these kolehiyalas love me. That’s so presumptuous of anybody to feel that way, and it’s just not me.”
ARIEL ON USING SOMEONE ELSE'S TITLE
Ariel was actually not the first one to be tagged "Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala."
The moniker was first bestowed on Hajji Alejandro during his popularity as a singer in the 1970s and 1980s.
Some of the songs popularized by Hajji include "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika," "May Minamahal," and "Panakip-Butas."
This thought made it all the more difficult for Ariel to warm up to the moniker.
He continued, “Plus, looking back, I didn’t know Hajji was the original ‘Kilabot.' Wala naman akong alam sa history ng OPM [Original Pilipino Music] during that time. How can you take somebody’s title when there’s already somebody who has that title?”
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Ariel, who grew up in Canada, also revealed struggling initially to cope with his sudden fame and loss of privacy, as a consequence.
Ariel signed with Musiko Records & BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc. in 1989.
He released his self-titled debut album in 1991, achieving three times platinum status and instantly making Ariel a household name.
"To be honest, Boy, and I think you sensed that, my first two, three years here in the Philippines and everything blew up and everything was so unexpected, that was the unhappiest time of my career," confided Ariel.
"It's funny, no? Kasi that was at my peak, I was so unhappy."
Boy asked, "Dahil Ariel, nabigla ka?"
Ariel replied, "Yeah, I've always been a private person. To this day I've always been a private person.
"I know it's difficult because you're a public figure. I want to keep things to myself."