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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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To tell us what you think about Filipino Express Online or to comment on the stories published here, E-mail us at Filexpress@aol.com
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The dream of a Fil-Am Music Awards
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IN MID-2005, several key players in the Fil-am music scene proposed a great idea: The first ever Filipino-American Music Awards. An awards night honoring the years’ best achievements in Fil-Am music ala The Grammys and American music Awards.
Well, wouldn’t that be a blast? The red carpet, the walking cleavages wrapped in gowns, the Paparazzi, the live performances, the host, the nominees, the presenters and winners, and the wild after-parties!
The idea blew everyone in the scene away; almost everyone daydreamed during his or her respective day jobs. The dream was so real for others; some even wrote lists of people to thank in case they get lucky and have their names called as major winners.
For a while the idea floated like candy sprinkles on melted vanilla ice cream until we all got a kick on the face and realized that the idea is most likely to remain, well, an idea – The honeymoon was over.
The idea lost its luster when everyone woke up to the reality that we Fil-Ams do not really have much of an industry to begin with. Yes, we do have a music scene but it is not as solid as say, the Seattle grunge scene in the 90’s or other minority music scenes like the Latin American, Taiwanese, Japanese and even Nepalese. Our scene, like our people here in the states, is scattered. We don’t even have a mainstream hard copy Music Magazine, a Fil-Am music charts or even a “hole-in-the wall” record shop. Truth is, we don’t have a record industry. And no record industry means no music Industry at all. All we have is Philippine-based acts making pathetic shows here and raking in dollars from entertainment-deprived Fil-Ams.
Alright, it was stupid to conceptualize an awards night when the industry itself is yet to be born – If it will ever be born at all.
However, it was well worth the daydreaming. I mean, who wouldn’t want a Fil-Am Music Awards?
But as the idea of an awards night flew and disintegrated into thin air, new interest in the building of a real Fil-Am music industry have sprung and is gaining momentum.
Baby Steps
This year, two Fil-Am independent record companies will be coming up with music samplers/compilations to highlight the Fil-Am music talents.
Glenn Jacinto, the ex-front man of the Pinoy rock band Teeth, now based in California, will be releasing a compilation featuring the best of Fil-Am rock from both US coasts. It will be under Glenn’s Record Company, Elenwood Productions.
Meanwhile, Jersey City’s new Fil-Am record company will be releasing its own music sampler/compilation due this summer. The album will be called “Rock in the box” and it will be distributed in the Philippines as well. Artists who want to submit material can log in to the label’s website at www.soulworksrecords.com.
Moreover, Poptimes Magazine, the controversial electronic Fil-Am magazine, which I edited for a while, and has struck angry nerves with it’s fiery articles, will be coming back as an online magazine. It will continue to cover the Fil-Am music and arts scene like it did in 2005 , but his time, with even more teeth.
What we need
If we really want to walk that red carpet amid the camera flashes, we need a number of things to make it happen.
Support: For once, the Filipino community should support its artists. The music scene demands your support
One time, I went to a Filipino store down at Westside Ave. in Jersey City and asked the proprietor to put some Fil-Am rock CDs that I brought to their shelves, and promote it to their customers. He said yes.
A couple of days later, I went back to the store and checked on the progress. I asked one sales person inside but she had no idea what I was talking about. It turned out that the CDs I brought were placed behind the counter right after I left. The CDs never saw the light of day.
Please, whenever Fil-Am artists ask for your support, don’t let them down. It is a known fact that the success of a people is shown in their arts and artists.
Buy original Fil-Am CDs, attend their shows, purchase their merchandise, tune in to radio stations playing Fil-Am music, watch the artists videos, read the magazines. There’s nothing more powerful than a community working together for a single goal.
Media Coverage: Let the Fil-Am media cover the local Fil-Am artists and take them to a wider audience. The Filipino Channel and Pinoy Global TV should devote programs for the empowerment of the local acts. Newspapers like the Express should feature Fil-Am acts all the time and expose them to the reading public. Radio stations should go mainstream and relentlessly promote Fil-Am music. Play it until it hurts.
With all these together, all we need is the foundation of an awards body to actually conduct the awards. It could be through a committee sponsored by an existing Fil-Am organization, or a business establishment or even a media company.
Then we could come up with the criteria. It could be based on record sales, radio airplays, video plays or by popular vote.
Whatever the outcome of the first ever Filipino-American music awards are, if ever there will ever be one, we are assured that all of us are sure winners in the end. And that is worth daydreaming of.
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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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I was at our local library one afternoon when I chanced upon the DVD copy of the movie "The Terminal". I had to borrow it for three good reasons. One; I missed watching it when it was shown at the theater, two; Steven Spielberg directed the film, three; Tom Hanks, need I say more? Anyway, the movie tells the story of a man that came from a fictional Eastern European country and he was stranded at JFK airport in NY when a revolution broke out in his country. Since US did not recognize his country at this time, it left him with the status of being "country-less". As the movie progressed, Tom Hanks' character, Viktor Krum lived at the airport. He met and became friends with a lot of people and even fell in love with Catherine Zeta-Jones' character. Of course, the movie ended with him going back to his native country.
Although the movie is a product of Hollywood creativity, the film made me realize how several of my life's unforgettable moments have been played out at an airport. Centennial Airport in Manila. I still vividly remembered the first time I had to leave for US.I was excited yet scared in reaction to leaving my so-called "comfort zone". However, I tried my very best to show a brave front especially to my parents so it would be easier for all of us to say goodbye. San Francisco International Airport, the first stop of my many journeys.” Wow, nasa Amerika na ako", was the first thought that came to mind. I had mixed emotions all over again as the reality of being in a new place hit a raw nerve inside of me .But seeing familiar faces waiting for me at the arrival area comforted me with thoughts that I will be okay. I was fortunate that I have my sister Vicky and her family to come home to unlike other people who are literally on their own in a foreign land.
I believe that almost all of life's best adventures start the moment we go through an airport. It is that knowing yet scary feeling we feel that there is a very different world awaiting us the minute we step out of the airport building, Have you noticed the airports we have now are not only terminals for planes to transport us from one place to another but they have made them almost similar to one stop shops for people on the go? They have souvenir and clothing stores, gourmet restaurants and internet cafes, bookstores, slot machines to try your luck for awhile(think: McCarran Int'l Airport in Las Vegas). You can even have your shoes shined at Sacramento International Airport! In fact, one thing I've noticed whenever I would travel is that by looking around or sampling the food that they have at the airport, I get to have a feel of that particular place. I had a hotdog and deep-dish pizza during a long layover at Chicago Int'l Airport and suddenly made me felt like a Midwesterner. I bought a hot Grande caramel macchiato at Starbucks on an early flight from Seattle-Tacoma Int'l Airport at Washington State and felt like a native Washingtonian. Of course, I would never miss bringing home to my sister that to-die for New York style cheesecake they sell at a pastry shop inside a NY airport to make her feel almost being a New Yorker.
Airports can be the place to meet new people. There have been several times I have become friends with people I sat beside with at the airport lounges. However, a word of caution, choose wisely the people you're going to become friends with and always trust your inner instinct. Airports are also the place to reunite with friends from way back. My friend Mavic from London and I met at Newark Int'l Airport at New Jersey last year and we definitely had a blast touring the East Coast. In addition, it was while waiting for our flights to commence that we had our bonding time and shared several heart to heart talks.
It is a given fact that millions of people pass through an airport and each one has a story to tell. If only the walls of the airport building could talk, they would probably come up with a lot of amazing stories. Everyday, they witness moments that range from anything humorous to mostly dramatic. With the many happenings around such a place, can a love story ever be far behind?
I was about to leave for a long vacation in another country when I met this guy who just got out of a relationship. We became really close but ours was a situation that was marred with confusion and uncertainty. I can still recall the exact words I told him, "It's a good thing that I'm leaving for now so we can both sort out our feelings". I had to tell him those words for I was not sure where we were headed and what my true feelings for him were. To my surprise, he was at the airport on the day of my departure, and that's when I realized that I was in love with him. I know what you're about to ask me. Did we have a happy ending? Sadly, no...We both had many issues to deal with. Maybe too, on his part, there was not a lot of love to begin with for he was certainly reluctant to fit into the role that was asked of him (read: commitment!). A couple of months later, I was back at the same airport but this time he was not there to see me off and not even a single phone call was made. The irony of it all was that I found myself at the same exact spot where it all began but this time there was a realization that my feelings for him had ended. He will never come back...and life for me goes on...
I must be having déjà vu.I was driving along Highway 80 the other day and there were two songs that reminds me of being in an airport that they played on the radio. I couldn't help but hum along with the songs.” I’m leaving on a jet plane, I don't know when I will be back again"."20 minutes before take off, sitting here at the airport lounge”. Maybe, all these sentiments are flooding me because in a week or so, I'll be at the airport again to leave for yet another adventure...I used to associate airports with goodbyes, but not anymore... I have learned that, actually, so many great things start at the airport terminal.
Thess Bacsal is a freelance writer and lives in California. For your comments and suggestions, email filexpress@aol.com
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MANILA --- I want to be a comedienne.
Believe it or not, this was the remark of dramatic actress Iza Calsado during a photo shoot for GMA Network’s Artist Center 2006 Calendar at the studio of renowned photographer Xander Angeles.
“But not yet at this time. It will come someday. Sa mga high school and college friends ko, ako yung clown. Di alam ng tao na sobrang jologs ako. Pero sobrang Pinoy ang humor ko. Slapstick pa nga kung minsan. Pag di ka Pinoy, di mo makukuha ,” shared Iza.
The actress also pointed out to the likes of “Eat Bulaga’s” Joey de Leon as a brilliant actor in comedy, one of the comedians she admires.
Dabbling in comedy would definitely still be the least part of her priorities since Iza is still busy with “Encantadia,” GMA Network’s top prime time tele-fantasya. Even as the series near its run, she is already working on “Encantadia’s” pre-quel slated for a 2006 airing.
She’s also doing “At Your Service,” a public affairs show airing in QTV-11.
“I like hosting this show. It’s public service. We get celebrities who’d do kawang-gawa,” said the actress who herself is fond of charitable works. She celebrated her birthday last August with children with cancer, an event she’s contemplating of making annually.
Managed by Artist Center , Iza has a handful with regards to her showbiz career. She’s still ver busy despite two shows taken off her - “SOP” and “3R.” In the works too is a movie with Dingdong Dantes under GMA Films.
Like other popular actresses, Iza knows her privacy’s in peril being a celebrity.
“There are times kasi you want to be anonymous, to just observe. Ako kasi I love to observe people. But we’re always being observed and that’s a fact. We can’t help it otherwise we’ll be grumpy all the way. It’s part of it, our personal life will somehow be part of public life. You don’t have control over it.”
Key factors to her success, according to her, can be attributed to her principles in life or her “mantras” like patience is a virtue.
“I try to stick by some prinziples or rules like. I try to be thankful for everything. Sometimes we’re only human, madali tayong makalimot kung ano ang importante o tama.
I also have my personal issues, my hang-ups, insecurities, but I always try to remember what was written in the ‘Little Prince’ that goes ‘What’s is essential is invisible to the eye,” explained Iza.
The pressures and demands of her showbiz life are great that she’d rather pray and keep calm when prob lems occur. It’s also one of the reasons she’s seldom been a topic in the rumormill.
“ Hindi naman ako naghahanap ng gulo or attention. That’s how I stay away from intrigues,” she said.
She described her happiness in showbiz career as contentment made possible by her close relationship with God.
“The death of my mom brought this sudden change. Before, I had no relationship with God whatsoever, I only occasionally hear mass.
It was such a burden, I hated it. It was such a task. After she died there were a lot of questions, maybe I was just looking for answers. It was a good thing I went to the right place to search for answers,” intimated Iza.
What keeps her feet on the ground is her respect for everyone.
“Share what you have. Share your blessings. Be kind and respect everyone. Treat everyone as equal.”
A true formula for a lifetime success in show business! (MNS)
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MANILA --- Prince of R&B Jay-R denies being offered by ABS-CBN a P2 M salary per month to switch allegiance in networks.
“Not true, though even if it were, I still would stay with GMA-7,” he says. “I am a product—a child— of GMA-7. For me to do that is like turning my back on my parents just for money.”
Though the rumor has been aboard since middle of last year, it resurfaced lately with the increase in Jay-R’s stellar status in lieu of the success of “Exodus” and “Hari ng Sablay” (both of which he starred in), and the anticipated success of his just-released eponymous album which comes in the heels of Platinum predecessor “Game Face” that yielded the mammoth hit single, “Bakit Pa Ba.”
More, Jay-R was honored (along with “S.O.P.” hosts Janno Gibbs and Kyla) in the ABS-CBN special “A.S.A.P. Platinum Circle” which many say is but one of many feelers being sent the singer-actor’s way. The amount of two million, it is said, is a mark-up on what was offered to Toni Gonzaga who, when she transferred to ABS-CBN, was only renowned as television host. “I don’t think anyone would offer that big an amount to me—at least not yet” he says. “I have a long way to go before I could merit that. Besides, I do not want to spread myself too thin on all fronts. I’d like to concentrate on my recording career for I am singer-songwriter foremost. The movies and television are just sidelines.”
Or maybe because he already earns that much with GMA-7? “Are you kidding?” he says, laughing.
This month, Jay-R resumes promoting his new single “Just The Way You Are” (remake of that Billy Joel pop classic). Though proud of the remake, Jay-R says that it’s just prelude to the release of his new Tagalog songs ( “Di Ko Sadya,” “Ngayo’y Narito” and “Paalam”) that he expects to duplicate the feat set by “Bakit Pa Ba.”
“My new album sees me marrying old roots Stevie Wonder and Luther Vandross with the current hip hop sound of Alicia Keys,” says he. “Compared to ‘Game Face,’ this one is more put together in terms of direction and concept.”
Recorded and mastered mostly in the US, the 18-track “Jay-R” features works by American writers and producers Eric Jackson, Jason Edmunds, and Michael Jester. The Tagalog songs, meanwhile, boast of credits that include DJ MOD and South Border’s Jay Durias.
Apart from recording, Jay-R has also ventured into producing album tracks for other artists via his Homeworks Production. Under the outfit did he produce four tracks in Kyla’s last album (including the hit single “Not Your Ordinary Girl”) and two on Karylle’s “You Make Me Sing” CD.
In the works for Jay-R is hosting job for a dance celebrity TV show in QTV.
Other tracks in “Jay-R” are “I’d Rather,” “How Many Times,” “Sexy Girl,” “I Got The Key,” and “Hey Ma.”
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MANILA --- Pauleen Luna met a freak accident during the taping of “Etheria” in the fight scene between her and a stuntwoman.
Her right pinky ring was chopped, almost got separated. Everybody panicked as she bleed profusely. Pauleen was immediately whisked to the nearby Unciano Hospital in Antipolo where she was given first aid treatment.
The stuntwoman was very apologetic to Pauleen explaining it was really an accident. Pauleen accepted her apology agreeing that nobody wanted it to happen. It paralyzed her commitments, though. The following day, she failed to report to “Eat Bulaga,” and in a show in Pampanga.
The only occasion she was able to attend to was the family reunion in Blumentritt where her lola from the maternal side, aunts and uncles who came all the way from Ontario , Canada arrived for the Holiday season.
They were so amazed on how lovely Pauleen grew up to be.
Pauleen was also at the Christmas party tendered by Regal Films for its Metro Manila Film Festival entries like “Ako Legal Wife,” “Blue Moon,” and “Shake, Rattle and Roll.” (MNS)
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MANILA --- Finally, the country’s most popular and most bankable love team of Judy Ann Santos and Piolo Pascual is back. It’s a good reason for the fans to celebrate because they have been clamoring for the two stars’ re-team up after their last movie ‘Till There Was You.’
Star Cinema’s “Don’t Give Up on Us” comes as an answered prayer both for their fans and all lovers of romantic films.
“I have been waiting for this,” says Piolo, who sports long hair in this movie, where he stars as a musician from Baguio. “I’ve been dreaming of this. I’m glad it has come true.”
Directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal from a story by Enrico Santos (with screenplay by Artemio Abad, Carol San Pedro and Dindo Perez), “Don’t Give Up on Us” is a poignant love story with a lot of kilig moments for the fans of Juday and Piolo. It’s the same feel-good romance seen in the past Juday-Piolo starrers “Kahit Isang Saglit,” “Bakit ‘Di Pa Totohanin” and the duo’s TV soap “Sa Puso Ko, Iingatan Ka.” But since the two have gone a long way from their pa-cute days, having earned several acting awards since their last film, expect to find a more mature love story.
In the story, Juday plays Abby, a domineering woman. Piolo is Vince, a long-haired hunk and aspiring singer who has simple tastes. Their paths cross while separately soul-searching in Baguio and Sagada. The beautiful setting is a perfect backdrop for the story of two strangers who hate each other at first but gradually become closer as they get to know each other better.
After many twists and turns, will the strangers become lovers and live happily ever after? You bet!
In their first team up, the big romance-drama hit “Kahit Isang Saglit,” Piolo was Juday’s secret love which was realized only after Juday’s boyfriend (played by Leonardo Munoz) died in an accident. In “Bakit Di Pa Totohanin?,” Juday played a tomboy tamed into a demure woman by the persistent Piolo. Now in “Don’t Give Up on Us,” they give romance a new twist to thrill not only their diehard fans but the hopeless romantics as well.
Showing this January, “Don’t Give Up on Us” also stars Hilda Koronel, Tommy Abuel, Rio Locsin, Marjorie Barretto, Marco Alcaraz, Cheska Diaz and JC Cuadrado in an introductory role. (MNS)
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