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For the past 17 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
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This website includes selected articles from this week's edition of the Filipino Express. Not all the stories published in the printed version appear on this site.
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Ruffa Guttierez with daughter
Lorin Gabrielle Bektas
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MANILA --- As everyone knows since April, it’s another girl for Yilmaz and Ruffa Bektas! The girl was born on a memorable date, Sept. 11 at 12:17 p.m. at the Cedar Sinai Medical Center where Lorin Gabriella was also born a year and a month ago.
Ruffa’s second angel was 5.3 lbs. and 17 inches long at birth. It was a normal delivery, and Ruffa said it was much easier this time. When she was at the labor room (at 4:20 a.m. LA time), Ruffa texted us to say her baby was "coming out very soon!" We were at Ricky Reyes’ One-On-One salon at Greenhills where Annabelle Rama and husband Eddie Gutierrez were also having their hair done.
A few days earlier, Ruffa also texted us about what her doctor said that her date with the stork will be much earlier. "Siguro because I’ve been walking a lot lately, going out to dine and shop everyday," Ruffa said. She was supposed to give birth Sept. 30, but the doctor said it could be a week earlier. It turned out to be three weeks earlier.
Annabelle and the yaya were scheduled to leave yesterday. Yilmaz is expected to arrive tomorrow in LA.
By the way, Ruffa’s latest text after she gave birth was to say they haven’t decided on what name to give the baby. "We have eight days to decide on it." She also said there was a commotion at the hospital because there was a Filipino nurse who went to her room ("I learned that she was reprimanded and fired," Ruffa said) and another went to the nursery apparently to take a photo of the baby.
Because it was the anniversary of the fateful bombing of the World Trade Center in New York, security was very strict everywhere in the US, Ruffa added. She was escorted by armed security guards in going to her hospital suite.
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MANILA --- So who's laughing? Charlene Gonzalez, that's who!
That was how Charlene reacted -- with a big laugh -- when confronted about the rumor that she and husband Aga Muhlach have split up.
Turning serious, Charlene said, "I feel sad that some people could be so mean as to spread rumors like that. Wala yata silang magawang maganda sa buhay."
According to the rumor, Charlene and Aga fought and "separated" because Aga has an "affair" (again, take note) with Kristine Hermosa, his leading lady in the Star Cinema hit romance-drama All My Life shown last May.
The rumor came on the heels of the break-up of the marriage of Agaís former girlfriend Dayanara Torres and Salsa King Marc Anthony (now married to Jennifer Lopez) and still another wild and hugely incredible yarn that Aga, and not Zoren Legaspi, is the biological father of the twins of Carmina Villarroel who, like Charlene, merely laughed it off.
Charlene was light and breezy, she wasn't defensive at all. Why should she when the rumor is not true?
What's true is that Charlene and Aga, married (on May 28) for three years now, are still heady with their recent month-long "second honeymoon" in Europe (Italy, France, Monaco and Greece). But Charlene denied that that holiday has resulted in their third child.
"Too soon," said Charlene who is kept busy with her ABS-CBN show Feel At Home Ka Dito, taping of which takes her only two days from home. "Aga and I would rather enjoy the company of Andres and Atasha before having another baby."
The couple lives in what showbiz guys describe as "a mansion" in Ayala Alabang, far from the maddening crowd but not too far from gossip-mongers.
"You know," said Charlene, "Aga and I are not affected by any rumor; we even talk, and sometimes laugh, about them. If the bond between the two of you is strong, nothing, not a mere rumor, can destroy it. God is in the center of our lives."
Besides, she added, as long as she and Aga know the truth and nothing but, all is right with their world.
"Our communication lines are open," said Charlene.
What Aga is crazy about, she said, is birds -- "And not chicks."
At home, Aga has so many pet birds that he has virtually put up an aviary.
Rest assured, fans and friends of Aga and Charlene. The "split up" rumor is, ho-hum, one for the birds. (MNS)
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MANILA --- We will not be surprised really should Pops Fernandez and Martin Nievera choose to reconcile and decide to marry again.
The couple’s marriage has long been annulled. But they have continued to be good friends. In fact, they have just arrived from a US vacation with their two sons, Robin and Ram.
Martin has been quite vocal about his feelings for Pops. She is still the love his life, he claims. And he has yet to find another woman he would choose to marry again.
Pops may have considered other men for a second husband, but she still holds Martin in high esteem.
But while she has admitted that she has called it quits with her young Australian boyfriend, Brad Turvey, Martin has yet to make a declaration that he and constant companion Cutie del Mar are now over.
Should Pops and Martin really reconcile, we believe that Martin’s mom, the former society editor and writer Conchita Razon, will be most happy. Ms. Razon still takes to Pops as a favorite daughter-in-law. (MNS)
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