The best part of being signed by a major label was having the support of a big company behind me and the ability to meet new artists and producers.

I always make a wish at 11:11, even if its something cheesy.

A lot of people who wanted to audition for Idol have asked me: “What should I do?” or “How to I prepare myself?” I always told them: “Just go in and believe in yourself.”

I listen to music when I'm feeling down or just a certain way. I don't know what I'd do without it!

Do not let anything get in your way of chasing your dreams.

Being hurt by someone you really cared about, it makes me want to make them regret ever hurting my heart. Best way of doing that? Success. Get ready for it.

I was born in America, but I consider myself a Filipino.

Even though it was a stressful time in my life, I have a lot of good memories from my Idol experience.

The thing that I did not like about being signed to a label was I unable to have control over what I wanted to do.

My experience working with a major label was not all bad, I was blessed to go through that experience, and I know what to do during the next time around.

I want to release music that is true to myself.

I write more with the words I leave out.

It is not important how they treat the most privileged (or most famous people) [in a country], but how they treat the less privileged ones.

I've been motivated by overcoming challenge and overcoming the hurdles and obstacles that face me. There still is plenty out there to get motivated by.

I am a frayed and nibbled survivor in a fallen world, and I am getting along. I am aging and eaten and have done my share of eating too.

No matter what happens, the U.S. Navy is not going to be caught napping.

The effect of studying masterpieces is to make me admire and do otherwise.

Those from whom nature has withheld taste invented trousers.

The pen isn’t really the weapon - the work ethic is the weapon.

What I always say is, 'Do every job you're in like you're going to do it for the rest of your life, and demonstrate that ownership of it.'

I asked my wife where she wanted to go for our anniversary. 'Somewhere I haven't been in a long time!' she said. So I suggested the kitchen.