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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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What’s up with that?
DURING the golden era of Hollywood, roughly between 1930-1960, there came a rare breed of artists known as “Song and Dance” people. These people, taking it literally from their branding, are artists who possess the triumvirate of talents that Hollywood exalts: Acting, singing and dancing. The names, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, George Burns, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Judy Garland, and even Marlon Brando come to mind whenever there’s a reference to “Song and dance people”, simply because they were the best.
Today, Hollywood has stopped making movie musicals due to the fact that the deep well of “Song and Dance men and women” has almost gone dry. Now we are stuck with Paris Hilton and Orlando Bloom.
But Hollywood knows its limits. They know what they have and they could not afford to make any artist do what they cannot do. Can you imagine, Tom Cruise in a song and dance sequence? Or perhaps you can imagine Sly Stallone and Governor Arnold in a duet ala Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra in the movie “Pal Joey”. I can imagine flying mammary glands and underwear with intelligence, but not a singing Rambo or a Commando in dance shoes.
So, whenever Hollywood needs to come up with the occasional movie-musical, they turn to Broadway artists, who are most certainly capable of nailing it, but are too proud and dignified to stoop down to movie-level. Or, they could always summon Madonna and Antonio Banderas.
Not so in today’s Philippine entertainment industry.
There, every person in show business is expected to be a “Song and Dance person”, even the caterer. Believe it or not, I have seen and heard Richard Gomez sing, and yes, it really was quite frightening. For some reason, daytime variety shows like ASAP and Eat Bulaga continue to make a mockery of our artistic sensibilities by making production numbers involving actors, who are more famous for their looks than their talents.
Roderick Paulate, for one, has always been asked to sing and dance on his show. My goodness, the poor guy, can only sing 1980s Rick Astley songs! Even Rick Astley himself doesn’t sing those songs anymore (I heard Rick is into rap now). Why do they force this numbers on Paulate? Is it because his name is also Rick? OR is it because his voice has an uncanny resemblance to Astley? Whatever the reason, somebody has to pull the plug on this one.
Today’s emerging actors and actresses are required to sing and dance on these TV shows, even though their ability to carry a tune is as questionable as the motives of Sen. Franklin Drilon.
This practice has become so embarrassing that the viewing public always finds TV spots like such as funny. They find a singing Marvin Agustin funny because, they know that they can sing better. They find a dancing John Estrada hilarious because they know that their daughters can do a much better job.
Actors, singers and dancers should also be sensitive enough to know the extent of their talents, if they have any. Have you seen the singer Christian Bautista act? My goodness it’s riveting! Or have you heard Rudy Fernandez sing? No? Me neither. But let’s not wait till that happens, lets petition these TV producers and the artists themselves to stop this nonsense and put dignity into our entertainment industry.
My Wait is over
In 2004, Lel bought herself a nice, slick 40GB iPod clickwheel edition, which she named “Penny Lane”. I didn’t get one myself, but I was really green with envy, as she fed “Penny Lane” with mp3s and whatnots. Soon, almost every person in my morning train has white earbuds signifying that they have converted to the new religion called “Podism”, with their high priest , Steven P. Jobs presiding.
The reason why I didn’t buy myself an iPod then, was that I thought, it was too pricey for a small music player. If it could do other things like store and show photos, store and play videos, I would have shelled my $400. So I waited for Apple technology to take its course; I waited 1 year and 6 months.
Last night, Apple unveiled its latest iPod incarnation: An iPod Video.
The iPod could not only play music, it could store and show photos, store and play videos, TV shows, Short films etc.
I wrestled with my mind and my wallet for a while, and then decided to terminate my wait.
I logged on to the apple store, flexed my credit card and bought the damn gadget - on its first day in the market.
Now as Steve Jobs collects my dough, again, I wait; I wait for the iPod I purchased, and hope that it could make me, and my world a lot cooler than it used to be.
But then again, technology has its way to kill its own. Soon, in a year or so, my new iPod will be a relic of sorts compared to much better models. Models that could play full-length DVD quality movies, connect to the internet on itself wirelessly, respond to voice commands and maybe wash my dishes and massage my neck.
But that’s the way it goes in tech life, settle, or watch yourself grow old waiting for the best buy and rest assured that by the time you decide to buy it, your hands are all arthritic and stiff, your voice is more of a croak than a voice, and you are simply too old to try to be cool.
Hence, I have no regrets for shelling out $299 for an iPod model, which I have waited for in a year and a half.
Now, do I really need it? The answer is a big NO.
But do I really want it? Of course I do, very much so.
My economic dictum has always been, “I may not always want what I need, but I will always need, what I want.” And that, my friends, is what makes me sleep well after a purchase like this.
Hmm, all I have to think of now is a name... how about, Polythene Pam, Eleanor Rigby, or Bungalow Bill?
Hot Pinoy rock gigs this Fall
SUBIC JERSEY CITY LIVE BAND NITES! October Schedule
October 14 - The Grudge
October 21 - Crossinfingers
October 28 - No Band (private party)
Now accepting band booking for November!
Please message me or email @ nosajentertainment @lycos.com.
BOTTLEFEST MUSIC FESTIVAL
October 29, 2005
Saturday 7pm
Jordans Lounge
247 Newark ave, Jersey City
(lots of free parking)
Live Performances By:
-- The Merchant
-- Happy r u Sad
-- Ear_Play
-- Bleud
-- Ramini
-- Grim Bottle
-- The Grudge
-- Warholsoup
-- Root Zero
www.nosajentertainment.com
email: nosajentertainment@lycos.com
call/text: 551.998.6020
call: 800-214-1382
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Ted Reyes is a musician, composer, record producer and journalist based in NYC. If you have any comments you can visit his website at www.tedreyes.com or email him at tedreyes@mac.com
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MANILA --- Angel Locsin admits that her backbreaking work schedule is taking a toll on her and is making her sickly. “Dating malakas ang body resistance ko but due to my nonstop work on TV and in films, parang bumaba siya,” she sighs. “I’m now prone to bronchial infection. Ang dali kong ubuhin, kaya nga I broke down when we were in the States.
Ang kalaban ko is sobrang puyat. Sometimes, from the set of all night taping for ‘Darna,’ go naman ako sa shooting ng ‘Mulawin, The Movie’ which we’re rushing for the Metro Manila filmfest. And both projects are difficult to do kasi parehong puno ng special effects. And take note, I fly in both of them.
In Darna,’ without wings and in ‘Mulawin,’ with wings. It’s no joke na mabitin ka lagi sa harness. It’s difficult to tape and shoot now sa exteriors as it’s always raining. Kalaban namin ang ulan. E, kapag pagod na pagod ka na, naulanan ka pa, you’ll really get sick.”
She’s hoping she can get a vacation after “Darna” concludes, but since the show continues to rate a high of 40%, it’s just been extended for a few more weeks. “It’s good nga the movie that Richard and I are doing for Mother Lily, ‘I Will Always Love You,’ nag-give way na sa ‘Mulawin.’ That one will be for Valentine’s Day naman, like our hit this year na ‘Let the Love Begin.’ But even if I’m often tired from being overworked, I’m still very thankful as I know these are good blessings that come my way. Wala akong K na mag-complain kasi ‘yung iba nga, walang trabaho. I just pray to the Lord that He’ll continue to give me strength so I can meet all my commitments without any problem.” (MNS)
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MANILA --- Vic Sotto and Cindy Curleto both denied they have a special relationship that may have bloomed on the set of their movie “Ispiritista: Itay, May Moomoo!” a joint venture between Regal Entertainment and APT Entertainment which is slated to open in October.
This could be a bit surprising, even unbelievable considering Vic’s reputation as a ladies’ man, someone who could fall in love easily with his leading ladies.
But this time, Vic could be telling the truth, that he did not courting Cindy and this is because he is committed to somebody else. Vic’s current girlfriend is a nonshowbiz personality who is at present working in Dubai.
Cindy, on the other hand, remains loveless, ever since she broke up with Jericho Rosales who is now being romantically linked to Heart Evangelista, his leading lady in ABS-CBN’s forthcoming fantaserye “Panday.”
Working with Vic in “Ispiritista,” according to Cindy, has taught her a lot of things, especially in the comedy genre. “I’m very proud to have been given the chance to work with him up close. Vic is very professional. Magaling siya umarte at mabait sa mga katrabaho niya.” “Ispiritista” is Cindy’s second movie, the first being a Jericho Rosales-Kristine Hermosa starrer where she played just a bit role. She’s glad that she’s finally playing a lead role in “Ispiritista.”
Come to think of it, since Cindy moved over to GMA-7, her showbiz career seemed to have flourished.
By the way, Cindy is also in the cast of “Daddy Di Do Du,” a sitcom topbilled by Vic.
Going back to “Ispiritista,” Cindy’s dialogues are in straight Tagalog. “But one-liner lang,” Cindy said. It was noticed that this Austrian-born talent has been exerting extra efforts to learn how to speak Tagalog more fluently.
Cindy was the personal choice of Vic, the producers Mother Lily and Tony Tuviera and the director, Tony Reyes.
Being together in “Daddy Di Do Du,” Vic said he is already very comfortable working with Cindy and vice versa.
Vic plays Victor, a widower and a fake ispiritista. who dupes people into paying him for communicating with their dearly beloved. But it is Victor’s son, Tom Tom, played by the sensational child actor BJ “Tolits” Forbes, who actually is endowed with the power to see spirits.
Also in the cast of “Ispiritista” are Iza Calzado, Redford White, Antonio Aquitania, Teri Onor, Allan K., Robert Arevalo and Soxie Topacio as the ghosts. Playing Vic’s sidekicks are Wally Bayola and Jose Manalo. Gladys Guevarra plays the role of Victor’s maid while Iza Calzado appears as the ghost of Victor’s wife and Tom Tom’s mother. Also appearing in a cameo role is Japanese actor Jackie Woo. (MNS)
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MANILA --- IT looks like former deejay and TV host Mo Twister and Jeanette McBride, a former promising talent of Talent Center (now Star Magic), have called it quits.
Mo and Jeanette used to be favorites at ABS-CBN. He was assigned a lot of hosting chores while she appeared in several ABS-CBN shows. Jeanette also did a movie, “Tanging Yaman,” for ABS-CBN’s movie outfit, Star Cinema. She is best remembered in her portrayal as Dina Bonnevie’s daughter in that movie.
But Mo and Jeanette decided to turn their backs on their showbiz careers when they fell in love. It was Jeanette who left showbiz first and flew to Australia. Mo soon followed her.
For a while, even their friends thought they were doing well until a blind item came out in “The Buzz” about two young lovers who just got separated.
Mo, who has retained his boyish looks, was tasked to introduce his friend, Donita Rose, when she guested, together with Charlene Gonzales, in Boy Abunda’s “Homeboy” on ABS-CBN.
He was supposed to reveal five interesting facts not known by the public about Donita. He revealed that when he and Donita were younger, they were fond of adventures.
One time, he recalled that they wanted so much to watch a show of a foreign singer but they didn’t have tickets for the concert. He was amazed by what Donita did for them to see the concert.
He revealed that she told the guard that they had tickets but they forgot to bring them.
Donita must have been very convincing, or perhaps, the guard recognized her because they were allowed to get inside the auditorium. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Jenny Suico is the latest housemate in Pinoy Big Brother to bolt out of the Bahay ni Kuya. Not because she was evicted, but because she voluntarily withdrew from the competition when she learned that her father, whose was suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, had only six months to live.
“I knew it would happen,” said Ferdie, father of Jenny’s nine-year-old son. “When it comes to her family, talagang malambot ang puso niya. Mababa din ang luha ni Jenny. I was not surprised when she kept crying before leaving the house of Kuya.”
Ferdie revealed that Jenny knew she was an adopted daughter. She learned the truth from some people in their neighborhood. She was nine years old at that time.
However, because of her love and respect for her adoptive parents, she never had the courage to confront them. That is until her mother left for the US to join her siblings.
She was on petition to become a US immigrant when she met Ferdie. That time, her mom was building a house in Cavite, although they permanently reside in Olongapo City.
“Hindi ko talaga akalain na magugustuhan ako ni Jenny,” Ferdie related. “Ang ganda niya, bukod sa may kaya ang kanyang pamilya. At marami siyang manliligaw, na karamihan ay naka-kotse pa.”
Ferdie was 21, a college dropout and Jenny, 19, when they decided to live together. Her mother was enraged.
They could not get married. Not just because Jenny was then a minor but because she has no plans to give up her petition to become a US immigrant.
When Jenny lived in with Ferdie, she stopped asking help from her parents. Thus, they could hardly make both ends meet because their earnings were not enough to sustain their family. They had to live with Ferdie’s parents, who said that Jenny is not only mabait but a good cook as well.
Jenny decided to work as a singer in Japan to help in the family’s finances. She revealed she had many suitors in Japan but none of them could make her turn her back on Ferdie.
In Bahay ni Kuya, Jenny became close to one of the housemates, Jayson. Ferdie said: “Aaminin ko, nagselos ako noong napansin kong nagiging malapit si Jenny kay Jayson (another housemate in ‘Pinoy Big Brother’). Pero, ‘di pumasok sa isip ko na ipagpapalit niya ako kay Jayson. Alam ko kung gaano ako kamahal ng aking asawa.”
He and Jenny have been living in for nine years and have a nine-year-old son, Jorge.
Jorge was the reason she decided to join “Pinoy Big Brother.” She knows that if she wins, she could afford to enroll him in a private school after elementary. Jorge studies at the Patnubay School in Noveleta, Cavite.
“I also wanted to help my dad sa kanyang hospitalization,” said Jenny. “Bagama’t he gets help from my siblings, iba ‘yong mang-gagaling din sa akin.”
Is a showbiz career in the offing for her?
“I really don’t know,” she answered. “Basta ang alam ko, as a Pinoy Big Brother’ contestant, I automatically become a contract star of Star Magic (the discovery and talent arm of ABS-CBN). Sila ang tutulong kung puwede akong mag-artista.”
We asked Jenny if it is possible that she is a long-lost sister of her look-alike, Rosanna Roces. They not only resemble each other, but they also have the same first name: Jennifer.
Like Jenny, Rosanna is also adopted. But they have yet to meet in person, Jenny said.
We asked Jenny if she regrets leaving “Pinoy Big Brother.”
“Ambivalent ang feeling ko,” she replied. “Kasi, what if I won? Ganunpaman, kapag iniisip kong may sakit ang father ko, naniniwala akong tama ang naging desisyon ko.”
Jenny’s father, Aquilino de los Santos, passed away last Thursday, September 22, in Olongapo. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Jennylyn Mercado is so thin you’d think she won’t have the stamina to do all the shows she’s currently doing.
She’s now taping almost everyday for her role as Lira in ‘Encantadia.’ She’s also shooting the Good Harvest Production Metro Manila Film Festival offering, ‘Blue Moon’ and goes live on Sundays for S.O.P. Gigsters.’ “Buti nga tapos na ako sa ‘Love to Love,’ so at least, isang show na lang ang tine-tape ko ngayon,” she says.
“Oftentimes, sa sasakyan na lang ako natutulog. We just get my things at home then diretso na kami sa set. When I arrive on the set, doon na lang ako naliligo. I just get to sleep in between takes.” She seems tireless.
“Napapagod din naman ako, after all, tao lang ako. Pero hindi ako nagsisisi na ganito ka-hectic ang sked ko. I always remind myself that this is what I really want naman when I joined Starstruck: to act, to perform. So now that I’ve attained my dream, I should grab the opportunities that come my way. Pinasok ko ito, so obligasyon ko ito, kaya dapat kong pangatawanan. Also, enjoy naman ako sa trabaho ko. I just compensate by eating a lot of good food para laging nasa right condition ang body ko.”
Did she really get jealous of Pauleen Luna?
“I really don’t know kung bakit nasali si Pauleen sa usapan. I really pity Mark because they accuse him of a lot of things. Hayan and he’s also being accused by a TV show na nagda-drugs daw. All I can say is I know him well and he practices clean living and does not even smoke.” (MNS)
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MANILA --- The movie, “Dubai,” which stars Aga Muhlach, Claudine Barretto and John Lloyd Cruz, had a star-studded premiere at the Megamall last Tuesday. Several celebrities, some of whom do not usually attend such affairs, were there.
For some time now, everybody knows that Sharon Cuneta has not been appearing in public, simply because she knows she still needs to lose weight after giving birth to Mariel, her third daughter. But give her time, she said. She informed us that she’s already lost 22 pounds, without actually resorting to any workout yet. She is just taking her time.
“I came to this premiere because of Aga. Sumama si Francis (Senator Kiko Pangilinan) dahil gusto niya ring mapanood ang movie.
“I do think we should all watch this movie. Maganda na, very relevant pa,” Sharon said.
Sharon revealed that she and Aga have developed a rare bonding since they did their first movie together, “Kung Ako Na Lang Sana.”
“Ang nakatutuwa,” related Aga, “pati mga asawa namin ay naging ka-close na rin namin.”
Charlene, Aga’s wife, who was also at the premiere of “Dubai,” shared, “Sobra ang closeness namin nina Sharon kapag may okasyon na sini-celebrate ang bawa’t isa sa amin, we make sure na nandoon kami.”
Aga and Charlene were with their twins, Atasha and Andres, when they attended the first birthday party of Mariel. The twins became instant playmates of four-year-old Frankie, Sharon and Senator Kiko’s eldest daughter. The Muhlachs’ twins are turning four on March 5.
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