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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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Songs we don’t deserve to hear
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PERHAPS the saddest moment in my life as a music lover was when I heard three consecutive songs by Star Record’s in-house composer Lito Camo.
It was a stressful afternoon, and I was taking a break from mixing some songs in the studio, when I made the fateful error of turning The Filipino Channel on and watching the program “Wowowee”. There, during the program, the host played three songs by Lito Camo: “Spaghetting Pababa, “Otso-Otso” and the enigmatic” Bow-wow- Bow –wow- wow.” Such terrible songs!
So bad are these songs, it directly tramples on one’s intelligence and bestows stupidity to anybody who listens to it. And so awful are these songs, I am not going to discuss it even its sonic and lyrical demerits – it will be such a waste of my time and brain cells to do so.
It is a classic example of songs written with money symbols more than G clefs and F clefs. I must say, these are the worst songs in the history of organized sound. No kidding.
But, hey, let me get it straight, I respect Lito Camo as a human being, but I detest his music. His music, especially the ones I heard over that afternoon, is just plain dreadful, ugly and embarrassing. In fact, I have come to the conclusion that no human being should ever listen to these songs. Because nobody deserves songs like these, nobody!
However, to know that these songs had become hit songs and multi-platinum-selling songs, is just unacceptable and pitiful.
In fact, the success of these songs is a living testament to how low the Pinoy taste for music and art had gone. The Pinoy ear had really gone cellar, a rat’s squeal could pass as a symphonic masterpiece, Thanks to degrading songs like the infamous three of Mr. Camo.
Lito Camo started as a singer-songwriter, signing with Vic Valenciano of BMG records Pilipinas in 1997. Camo then released two CDs with the label and enjoyed minor acclaim. Nevertheless, it was when he became the resident tunesmith of ABS-CBN’s Star Records that he began writing SM – Stupid Music.
With the popularity of novelty music in the early part of this decade, Camo capitalized on the public’s need for witless, sexy and senseless music. He wrote these tunes with the Viva Hotbabes in mind. Multiplatinum.
I hate these songs so much; I have made it a personal crusade of mine to advice Pinoy parents not to expose their children to these songs. For me, it is that bad.
I don’t care if it’s fun or novelty, what I care about is the future of your children’s sense of aesthetics. That a popular song doesn’t necessarily equate with a beautiful song.
I know art appreciation is subjective, but it is also true that music, like all art forms, serve a higher purpose in our lives – that is to elevate our souls to a higher plane. A plane that will make remind us of our true nature: A rational animal with an immortal soul.
But with music that has the words “Bow-Wow- Wow” repeated nearly 30 times in a span of three minutes is as brutish as anyone could get.
Finally, if these kinds of songs continue to sell and dominate the airwaves in the Philippines, then that will indeed be the death of OPM as we know it.
So, to Mr. Camo, whom I respect s a person, save our music, respect OPM and don’t ever write songs like these anymore. You can do better than that.
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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 --- Filipino American Allan Pineda, better known as apl.d.ap, of the hip-hop group “Black Eyed Peas” is back in the country -- this time, not to promote a single, but to look for Filipino talents who would like to follow in his footsteps.
Apl.d.ap said that he recently put up his own recording company, which he calls “Jeepney Music.”
With the outfit, the popular hip hop artist said he would like to build up the careers of talented Filipinos. “Maraming magaling na Pilipino, sayang naman, they should be heard,” he said.
He said he would also like to promote Filipino music, though he stressed that his recording unit will also carry other music.
The musician, who grew up in Pampanga before successfully fulfilling his dreams in the United States, said it is time to share the fruits of his labor.
He is considered as one of the most successful Filipinos to have penetrated Hollywood and the international market. His group has had series of hit songs and currently has four Grammy nominations including the “Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.”
But for apl.d.ap, success is not about hits but being able to share to the world one’s gifts. (MNS)
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MANILA --- What was supposed to be a happy occasion for Sen. Bong Revilla and his family turned out to be a mournful Christmas celebration.
“We were in the mood to celebrate. We confirmed reports kasi that my movie, ‘Exodus: Tales from the Enchanted Kingdom,’ emerges No. 1 among all entries in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which opened nga on Christmas day. Yes, based sa kita ng mga entries,” relates Bong.
He continues, “And considering na magaganda rin ang ibang entries, ang maging No. 1 ka really merit a celebration.”
Then the sad news reached them. His half-brother, Ramon Bautista, finally succumbed to kidney ailment.
“Matagal na niyang sakit ito. Pabalik-balik na siya ng ospital. But it was only lately that his ailment worsened.
When we last visited him at the St. Luke’s Hospital, he didn’t look well. Ganunpaman, hindi ko inakala na babawian siya ng buhay sa araw ng Pasko,” he laments.
Bong admitted it was his Kuya Mon who helped him in his showbiz career. His kuya just graduated with a Marketing degree from Far Eastern University.
He narrates, ”Si Daddy ang nagsabi sa kanya na tulungan niya ako sa aking pag-aartista. From the start, he was serious in helping me. Kaya, whatever I have become in the showbiz industry now, I owe it to Kuya Ramon.”
Ramon himself ventured into movie producing. He was the mayor of San Leonardo in Nueva Ecija. (MNS)
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MANILA --- After four months of disappearing from public view, actress Dina Bonnevie on Wednesday broke her silence and said she did not flee the country to escape criminal charges filed against her. The actress said she went away because of the death threats she received.
An emotional Bonnevie, who just came back to the country recently, vowed to clear her name from nasty rumors that she had ill intentions in fleeing the country.
“I did not flee the country. I wanted to stay but I was being harassed, I was getting threats. I was being followed, I was told ‘do you want to die?,’ “ she said.
In June, Bonnevie and her company ‘Freedom was reported charged with syndicated estafa for allegedly duping several people into investing in a telecommunications business that failed to deliver on its promise. A statement issued by the company in July said the charges were withdrawn after the company settled its differences with the complainants.
The multi-awarded actress left the country in September without a word. Some quarters gave meaning to her departure.
Bonnevie said all those rumors were part of a “demolition job” done against her by an influential person, whom she alleged only wanted to lord over her business. She declined to elaborate.
“I actually haven’t told anyone the real story, maybe in time. It still hurts. It’s so difficult to go against somebody that influential. Anyway, he did not prosper, otherwise, I would have been dead now,” she said.
She said the worst part of her experience was being away from her children Danica and Oyo Boy Sotto, whom she dearly missed.
After what happened to her and the company, in addition to a failed romance, Bonnevie said that the year 2005 was generally not a good year for her.
Still, she said that being cast in the hit ABS-CBN telenovela “Hiram” and her friendship with Kris Aquino can be considered among her greatest blessings for the year.
The actress said she can only hope that the coming year would be a better one for her.
“The next year is a new year, I will live a happy life. I’m looking forward to happy times with my kids, who I have not seen for many months,” she said. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Classical pop chanteuse Ciara Sotto might be conquering the international Latin music scene next year. While recording her new album “The Way Of Love” under Sony BMG Music Entertainment, the 24 years old songstress met Lewis Capland (producer of Marvin Gaye) who referred her to Univision (label that distributes the album of Latin superstar Luis Miguel). The label is currently negotiating with Ciara’s camp for future international recording projects.
To further her chances, Ciara is eyeing taking up higher voice studies at the London Royal Academy of Music post-University of Santo Tomas.
In the meantime, Ciara is readying a mall tour in support of “Way.” Many who are only familiar with Ciara in “Eat Bulaga” will be given a chance to see her perform live the kind of songs she likes best. That is, standards sung using classical vocal techniques the way she did in “Aldila,” “Manan de Carnaval,” “Ebb Tide,” “You Don’t Own Me” and other tracks in “Way.”
“I’m an old soul,” she says during a recent press conference. “Even as a kid, I already enjoyed listening to my Dad’s old records. Don’t get me wrong, I also was into Madonna and other stuffs. But there’s something about the simple yet elegant lyrics and melodies of standards that have reeled me in. My family would tease me, ‘Manang,’ for my musical taste but I didn’t mind.”
Lesser singers would’ve shirked from doing songs by such great songwriters as Oscar Hammerstein, Henry Mancini and Clive Westlake, but not Ciara. After all, aside from her talents, she has her secret weapons in her parents Senator Tito Sotto and Helen Gamboa.“My dad guided me during the recording of this album,” she says. “It actually made sense because he grew up to this music so he has a sense of their essence even when reinvented. On the other hand, my mom would listen to the rough mixes of my recordings the next day and would give her opinion, too.
There were times when I even had to re-record a song because she didn’t feel it was up to par to what the song was about or because the musical arrangement of a song was not quite right. Fortunately, my album producer Ben Escasa and arranger Homer Flores were cooperative. They recognize that my parents only want to bring out the best in me.”
Doesn’t she have a hard time switching between singing styles?
“No. When you know how to sing classically, the rest comes easy. You just have to be careful in respecting the strong and weak points of your voice so as not to abuse it. If you’re voice is not made to hit the high notes, don’t do so. Contrary to popular opinion, belting is not the only measure of good singing,” she ends. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Cogie Domingo is a “suki” in the Metro filmfest. His first film, “Sa Piling ng Aswang,” was shown in the 1999 filmfest where he played Maricel Soriano’s younger brother killed by aswangs. Then he was in “Deathrow” and the “Mano Po” series. He is now in another filmfest entry, “The Mourning Girls,” where he plays the son of Ricky Davao.
“I enjoy being a part of a filmfest entry,” he says. “Masaya kasing sumama sa parada. Parang part na ng Christmas ko ‘yung joining the parade of stars.”
Is it true “Mourning Girls” will be his last movie?
“Yes, for a while. Kasi I plan to go to the States muna and study. Gusto ko ring magpalaki ng katawan kasi everyone today is working out. Para naman I can also do action roles.”
How does he feel that he used to be the most promising young actor but he has since been overtaken by Richard Gutierrez? “Well, as they say, pana-panahon lang naman ‘yan. Besides, Richard is my friend kaya I’m happy for him. Hindi naman ako mainggiting tao.”
He’s glad that the controversy created by a woman who claims to have had a child with him has died down. “Hindi naman kasi talaga totoo. If the child were really mine, I won’t hesitate to admit na ako ang father. Kaso, I’m sure I’m not the father, kaya confident akong titigil din sila.”
In “Mourning Girls,” he is paired with Starstruck’s Christine Reyes. “Maintriga ang role namin kasi ako ang naka-devirginize sa kanya, but later on, it will be revealed that we have the same father, si Ricky Davao. My mom is Glydel Mercado while sa kanya, si Chin Chin Gutierrez. So, magkapatid pala kami. Christine fainted when she learned about this, kaya mahirap talaga for a man to have many wives.” (MNS)
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MANILA --- Rio Locsin’s two daughters with actor Al Tantay are now college graduates. Paolo is a Mass Communication graduate from De La Salle University and is currently connected with A.I.G., an international firm. Paolo is 23.
Jaba, 22, has a degree in Foreign Language. She also graduated fro De La Salle University. She speaks fluent Italian and Spanish.
Her daughter Joses with current husband, Padim Israel, is taking up multi-media studies also at the De La Salle University. Joses is 16.
“As far as being a mother to my three girls, I cannot ask for more. I am gifted as a mother in the sense na mababait ang mga anak ko,” shares Rio
When asked about his husband, Padim, Rio says, “I am lucky to have him for a husband. But luckier are my two elder daughters as they found an ideal stepfather in him.”
But according to Rio this doesn’t mean that Al didn’t have a hand in his daughters’ growing up years. “I made sure that the three of them keep in touch. Pag may mga importanteng okasyon sa kani-kanilang buhay, they make it a point to go out together,” she relates.
“Al and I are now very good friends,” she remarks, smiling. “Whatever ill-feelings we might have nurtured for each other in the past, we have both forgotten. Al, like me, has his own family now.”
Rio was 18 and Al was in his 20s when they got married while filming a movie in the US.
She had just given birth to Jaba when they decided to separate.
One of the better actresses of her generation, Rio remains in demand for supporting roles.
In her new teleserye, “Gulong ng Palad,” for ABS CBN, Rio plays mother to Kristine Hermosa, Roxanne Guinoo and Nash Aguas.
“It’s a beautiful role,” says Rio. “I am a mother who doesn’t take things sitting down, especially pag naaapi ang kanyang anak. Nakatutuwa nga dahil ang madalas na ka-eksena ko dito sa series ay si Cherie Gil.
She is the mother of TJ Trinidad, who is the boyfriend of Kristine. Ayaw niya kay Kristine. So, mamatahin niya ang anak ko. Mag-aaway kami,” relates Rio.
Both Rio and Cherie were formerly Regal babies. They were together in the movie classic, “Manila Bay Night,” directed by the late Ishmael Bernal. (MNS)
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MANILA --- RUFA Mae Quinto wants to make it clear that not just because she’s constantly seen with singer Duncan Ramos, it means they’re already going steady.
‘I admit, we’re good friends, pero hanggang doon na lang muna ‘yon,’ she says. ‘I don’t want to rush into another relationship just because nag-break na kami ng ex ko (Rudy Hatfield). Hindi naman ganoon kadali ‘yon. I want to take it easy muna and be more careful. Sa ngayon, lumalabas kami ni Duncan to enjoy each other’s company. Kung saan pupunta ‘yon, we can never tell. Kung kami naman na talaga, I will not hide it. ‘Di ba kay Rudy, umamin naman ako agad? But at this point with Duncan, wala pa akong aaminin talaga.’
About her filmfest entry, “Ako Legal Wife, Mano Po 4,” what can she say to reports that her role is so short compared to that of Zsa Zsa Padilla?
“From the start, alam ko naman na maikli ang role ko. Siempre, ang may pinakamahabang role, si Zsa Zsa. Understandable ‘yon dahil siya naman ang first wife, ang legal wife, kaya okay lang ‘yon at huwag na kaming intrigahin pa. And I’m happy naman with my role as the latest wife. Dahil ako ang youngest jowa ni Jay Manalo sa story, he has a hard time coping with my energy kasi athletic pa ko and mahilig sa mountain climbing. Siya ang sumusuko sa akin dito. Basta masaya na ako na may entry ako sa filmfest this year.” (MNS)
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