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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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I FINALLY got hold of the newest incarnation of the iPod – iPod Video.
I actually purchased it through the online Apple store about 30 minutes after their webmaster posted the new product. Yes, friends, 30 minutes. It only took me 30 New York minutes to give my credit card another beating and join the iPod religion.
I was as quick as a gunslinger and placed probably one of the very first online orders for the cool product. I am positive that I was one of the very first to buy it because when I got the unit, it came all the way from Shanghai, China, How did I know it came straight from China? Well, the shipping label has Shanghai as the point of origin and when I opened the package, there was a fortune cookie tucked in the iPod box, which read: “ You have spent your money wisely. Next, you will have a new Power Mac”.
It may seem to reflect my impulsive tendencies, but as a matter of fact, it did not; actually, it took me four years-plus to finally decide to purchase an iPod.
The first four incarnations of the most popular portable music player on earth were great products in their own . But it did lack one key feature, which held me back from buying it: Video.
The thought of an iPod with video capabilities tickled my geek sensibilities and made me salivate like the monsoon rain. Then it came.
The Unit
The new iPod has a thinner body than its predecessor and its LCD screen is an inch and a half wider than the previous model - Just right for its video feature. It also comes in two colors: Classic white and slick black. I got the white version.
Performance
The 30 GB model I got could store up to 7,500 songs complete with their album art, 30 full-length movies, 5,000 music videos and about 8,000 photos. I immediately tested the iPod’s video capabilities by buying an episode of ‘Lost’ for $1.99 at the iTunes music store.
As soon as I downloaded the episode on my Desktop Mac, which took around 3 minutes, I uploaded it to my iPod via iTunes. Minutes later, I was watching it in full enjoyment.
The 2.5-inch LCD screen wasn’t too small for viewing. As a matter of truth, it is pretty much a nice size to watch anything; no headache and no eyestrain as earlier rumored.
The video quality of the iPod is astoundingly crisp, clear and almost DVD quality.
Thanks to Quicktime’s new video codec H.264, we can all enjoy iPod videos in full resolution sans the huge file size. The average movie or video size when encoded into H.264 or MPEG 4 is around 1 GB.
The sound quality of the new iPod is already a given. It wouldn’t be the biggest selling portable music player if it sounds like a whisper. It also includes all the extra features from all the iPod family from the Calendar to the Photo feature.
Battery issues
The iPod battery could play 15 hours of music, which is a great upgrade from the older versions, but it rather shrinks when you play videos. A fully charged pod could let you watch 1 full-length movie and some 2 hours worth of music videos. But what the heck, I am not planning to watch movies for 15 hours! I have a life and do other things too, you know.
Apple replaces dead batteries for $59 after your warranty life dies.
Extras
Apple has started selling TV shows, Pixar shorts and Music videos at the iTunes store, and has indeed started a revolution in digital entertainment in doing so. You can also make your own home movies iPod watchable by using Quicktime 7 and exporting your movies to either MPEG-4 or H.264.
But if you want to watch your entire DVD collection using your iPod, you would need 3rd party software like Handbrake 0.7.0, which rips your DVDs and automatically encodes it for the iPod. I swear by this free app and I have ripped a number of my DVDs for my iPod and now, I have the Godfather Trilogy, the Back To The Future Trilogy, the Starwars series, and my George Estregan Anthology right at my fingertips ready to be watched anytime, anywhere.
Verdict
I believe this will be the final version of the beloved iPod. I hope I am wrong, but from the looks of it, it seems like Apple has fully reached the iPod’s potential.
After all, we must accept that the iPod is not a PDA, nor a mini iBook. It is just a portable music player.
And given its amazing features from videos to contact synching to photo viewing and storage, it is a marvelous thing to own.
Now, you could boast your iRiver, Archos and Creative Mp3 players to the whole world until you get sued for arrogance but still, the iPod is the coolest, hippest and greatest portable music player ever made.
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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 --- If their parents were to be asked, the relationship between Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo should lead them nowhere else but the altar.
For the first time, the mother of Santos and Agoncillo’s parents agreed to appear together on national television to reveal not only their approval but also of their fondness to their children’s inspiration.
Santos and Agoncillo have not publicly admitted their relationship. But actions, as they say, speak louder than words.
The couple have often been seen together in showbiz gatherings -- holding hands and inseparable.
Their last public appearance was during the Catholic Mass Media Awards ceremonies held weeks ago. Agoncillo, who took the CMMA Best TV Magazine Talk Show Host for “Y Speak,” dedicated his award to Santos whom he called “my girl.”
In their TV appearance, entertainment observers said the parents of both Santos and Agoncillos have practically admitted the couple’s romantic involvement to the public.
It was said that both parties already gave their blessing to the couple’s “romance.”
Confessions from both the couples parents have also revealed the closeness between the Santoses and Agoncillos.
Agoncillo’s father also showed deep concern on the current challenge Santos is facing regarding the tax evasion case filed against her by the government. The actress, he said, has his whole family’s support.
Santos and Agoncillo first met at the set of ABS-CBN’s hit fantaserye “Krystala,” which was the latter’s first stint as an actor. He played the leading man of Santos.
Since then, the two became good friends and later, constant dates. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Paolo Contis has lost weight since the last time we saw him. it’s because of work, he says at the presscon of ‘Hari ng Sablay.’ ‘I hardly have the time to work out in the gym now.’
He tapes three times a week for “Sugo” and is doing several movies. He has just finished Regal’s “Hari ng Sablay” where he’s paired with Bianca King and Unitel’s “Francis.” He’s now shooting “Mulawin the Movie” and will soon start “Moments of Love,” both for GMA Films. Since he’s so busy, his lovelife has also suffered. His last girlfriend, Bubbles Paraiso, broke up with him simply because he has no time for her. Other past girls, Desiree del Valle and Nancy Castiglione, now have new boyfriends.
“Okay lang ‘yun. I’m happy for them. But me, for the past four months, I don’t even have a sex life. I’m not the type naman na maghahanap ng girlfriend para lang masabing may karelasyon ako. I’ve become so work-oriented that even my mom is surprised that I don’t go out anymore for gimmicks. When I have no work, I just stay at home. I guess I’m just fulfilled lang talaga sa trabaho ko. I have to be thankful na ang dami kong assignments when other actors are now jobless.”
In “Hari ng Sablay,” he plays villain to title-roler Bearwin Meily. “Akong tinik sa buhay niya. I’m happy for Bearwin as he really deserves to be launched as a solo comedian. Very talented siya and I’m glad Direk Mac Alejandre has come up with a movie that’s really funny.”
In “Francis,” a black comedy about drugs, he co-stars with Christopher de Leon and Jeffrey Quizon. In “Mulawin, The Movie,” he plays Banoy, the strongest bird man who’s an ally of Richard Gutierrez. In “Moments of Love,” he co-stars with Dingdong Dantes, Karylle and Iza Calzado. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Hajji Alejandro’s eldest daughter, Rachel, is becoming sexier. Because of the diet her younger sister, Barni, has designed for her, Rachel has lost more weight.
She also has a new hairdo. She has a hair extension, which costs P 41,000.
How long can you maintain it?
“Three months. Pagkatapos noon, puwede kong ipagawa uli but for a lower price.”
We asked her about her love life.
“Zero pa rin. But I’m not at all worried. I am prepared to be a spinster.”
According to Girlie Rodis, Rachel’s talent manager, the singer knows how to invest her money. It was Rachel’s idea to put up a restaurant which her sister, a culinary expert, manages.
“Dati kasi iyang si Barney nagtuturo ng pre-school. Naawa naman sa kanya si Rachel since she could not even afford to buy a car.
“Now, di lang may bagong kotse na si Barney, nakakapagbiyahe pa siya abroad na di siya humihingi ng pambili ng tiket sa kanyang ate o mother (who is married to a millionaire from abroad),” revealed Girlie.
Rachel’s next plan is to buy a lot in Punta Fuego. She wants a beachfront property. We asked how much it will cost her.
“Mga P4.5M siguro,” Rachel informed us.
She might have her house built on the lot next year. “Gusto ko kasing doon mag-retire, if ever.”
Rachel just purchased a three-bedroom condominium unit in Libis.
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MANILA --- KRIS Aquino and Rica Peralejo are both doing horror flicks.
Kris is reunited with her ‘Feng Shui’ director, Chito Roño, in ‘Sukob’ while Rica is again handled by her ‘Malikmata’ director, Jose Javier Reyes, in ‘Kutob,’ Canary Films’ Metro Manila Film Festival entry.
“Feng Shui,” under Star Cinema, and “Malikmata” were hits at the box office. Kris and Rica admit they enjoy doing this kind of films. After all, they claim to be horror films enthusiasts.
“It was my first horror flick, ‘Malikmata,’ which help me graduate from bold films. ‘D’ ko pa masasabing totally wholesome na ako ngayon pero, at least, ‘di ko na kailangang maghubad para magkaroon lang ng pelikula,” said Rica.
“Hibla” was Rica’s last bold film. It had Yam Laranas at the helm.
“Ang hirap to shift from bold to what I’m doing now. I had to prove na puwede rin akong mag-host, kumanta at sumayaw,” said Rica, “And for that, I feel truly grateful to ABS-CBN for allowing me to show my other talents.”
Rica feels especially proud to be a part of the top sitcom, “Ok Fine. . .
‘To ang Gusto Níyo.” The program does not only allow her to prove that she has a funny side but she also gets to work with outstanding actors, like Aga Muhlach, Edu Manzano, Bayani Agbayani, Gloria Romero and her best friend, Nikki Valdez. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Marriage is a subject Zsa Zsa Padilla and Dolphy seldom discuss these days. She’s open to it but she’s aware that it will still take some time before she can finally say “Ako Legal Wife,” also the title of her film under Regal Films opening on Dec. 25 as “Mano Po 4: Ako Legal Wife.”
She also needs a lot of things done to make a wedding a possibility for her and Dolphy. And No. 1 in her list is to close the book on her ex-hubby!
“I just want a closure between my ex and me,” emphasized the actress. “I just want to sit down with him and talk... about things but we never seem to have the right time to do it. And maybe I can say someday my ex is my friend which has never been that way.”
Aside from that, there are also some paperwork she has to deal with like her passport which still carries her married name Tatlonghari. There may be a lot of complications en route to a married life but for the country’s Divine Diva, what’s important is that her relationship with the Comedy King is still going strong!
“We did have our share of problems and we admitted that on television but that’s normal. But everything is smooth sailing now and it’s great,” smiled Zsa Zsa.
She added that if ever she was never bothered by not being married to Dolphy, it was simply due to love. For her love is blind.
Other people may sometimes not understand people in love. She opined that love shouldn’t be questioned and those in-love be not judged. “But I’d like to think he still is bulag sa pag-ibig, lahat ng tao ganyan. We don’t know what the future has in store for you. Like Dolphy and I, our age difference is 36 years...I’ I’d like to think he’s still blindly in love with me...! I don’t think anyone has the right to question or judge any person who someone choose to love.”
Zsa Zsa shared too that Dolphy’s comic antics have also rubbed in on her as a performer, as she experienced in her shows abroad. She noticed that injecting humor brings her show to another dimension.
“When I started trying to be funny, sabi ko kay Dolphy, iba pala yung joy na mararamdaman mo when you feel you made people happy and they laughed at your jokes when you’re trying to be funny on stage. And parang you become more endearing to them. I’’ve learned a lot from him through the years!”
Blindly in love too is the description of Zsa Zsa Padilla’Â’s character in “Mano Po 4: Ako Legal Wife.” She plays Chona, who despite learning about her hubby’s extra-marital affairs, remains faithful and even becomes competitive to get her husband back. Unlike the other “Mano Po” movies, “Ako Legal Wife” is a comedy about a wife versus the two mistresses of her husband.
Another thing her character has to worry about is her son, the sole heir of their family fortune, who she feels is a homosexual!
A take-off from her famous line, “ako legal wife” from “Mano Po 2,” this movie excites Zsa Zsa because it deals with the same problem of Chinese women having adulterous husbands but in a comic manner.
“It is so funny because she is the legal wife and yet she is very insecure. She is very rich and hindi siya nag-aayos. She is very traditional. She uses gawgaw, kalamansi and cucumber for her body. Hindi niya alam ang spa. And every time she has a confrontation she is afraid to be on her own. She needs her barkada because kailangan niya ang opinions ng friends niya because she can’t make decisions on her own. She is very insecure about her body that when she finds out a there’s even a No. 3, she had breasts implant the same size as the No. 3,” laughed Zsa Zsa.
Jay Manalo plays her husband while Cherry Pie Picache plays the first mistress or the “lucky wife,” and Rufa Mae Quinto is the “bombshell wife” or “latest wife.”
According to the film’s director, Joel Lamangan, Zsa Zsa was a revelation in a comedy. He described her to have good timing in comedy.
“I always believed that dramatic actresses like Zsa Zsa can do good comedy. And they’ll see it here in ‘Ako Legal Wife,’” boasted Joel.
Zsa Zsa agreed with Joel when she said, “For this year’s film festival, we may be a medium-budgeted movie, but we are going to really try our best to entertain you and you will go out of the moviehouse feeling very happy and entertained. Magaan siya. ... I dubbed five hours of the whole film and that’s already edited. And they have to trim that to one and a half hour. There are so much to choose from. Maganda ang pelikula, nakakatawa talaga!”
With regards to their director, she described him as a very efficient and fast worker.
“It is so fun working with Joel Lamangan. He starts very early in the day and finishes very early. Ang dami naming nagagawa in one day.
Zsa Zsa Padilla, as usual, will be busy with her shows like ASAP” every Sunday and various singing engagements. As to reports saying that Quality TV or QTV is working on a project for her and daughter Karylle, she said that she still has to consider some parameters before giving it her thumbs-up. Her primary consideration is “SAP” which has been with for a long time.
“That would be marvelous working with Karyle but as long as it won’t be in the same genre as ‘ASAP.’ It is a very small industry and I don’t want to close doors on anyone. I’ve worked with both stations and I loved everyone in both stations,” she remarked. (MB)
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