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For the past 20 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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ON August 12, the Rock in the Box, the Fil-Am music compilation album will finally be unwrapped at the Cutting Room in New York City.
As we all tear into the wrapper and open the box, let me introduce you all to the artists and bands that made this album a reality. Fourteen amazing Filipino-American artists we should all be proud of.
Titofelix. Formed in Atlanta, Georgia in the summer of 2000, the alternative rock quartet of Marc Cordon, PJ Sobremonte, Baby Jay Opalia and Robeen Dey have become one of the Fil-Am music scene’s prominent indie bands. With two full-length albums under their belt -- Fauz Pas and Character Flaw -- Titofelix are without a doubt spearheading the surge of Filipino-American rock music in Atlanta.
The Moonbugs. Formed by the Villardo brothers: Anthony, Ryan, Aldene and their friend Loyd Babay, this Germantown, Maryland band is one of the most important groups in the MD/VA/DC Fil-Am scene. Their brand of Shoegazer-Psychedelic rock has made an enormous impact in the ears of Fil-Am music fans from all over the US. Although heavily influenced by British rock, the music of The Moonbugs stands on its own.
Bleud. When this Jersey City band released their debut album in November 2005, things conspired and made the four-member rock group of Brian Joseph Miguel, Ted Reyes, Arnold Derama, and Jerwin Glorioso as perhaps one of the most prominent Fil-Am band to date. Their best-selling album, Musings of a Caffeine Addict, churned out four singles that became hit singles both here and in the Philippines: Hello My Friends, Hello - released by Alpha Music Philippines, Bye Bye Na - released by Star Records, Field Trip- currently making waves in Manila through Perf De Castro’s Leyte Benefit Album, and their latest single - Animé Girl.
Bleud also became the first independent Fil-Am rock band to sell their album on Apple’s iTunes Music Store, which gave the band unprecedented media coverage: They were featured on ABS-CBN’s Balitang America and countless newspapers like the Manila Times, The Manila Bulletin, The Philippines Star, and Fil-Am Papers like The Filipino Express, Balita, as well as internet sites like the online resource for OPM - www.titikpilipino.com and ABS-CBN interactive.
The Kuwagos. Formerly known as INU, the Kuwagos have managed to reinvent their sound alongside some member changes in 2006; from straight alternative rock to a hybrid of ‘OPM-Garage-Punk’. The Bergenfield, NJ-based quartet of singer-songwriter Gatchie Ignacio, bassist Rommel Kabigting, guitarist Cho Lopez and drummer Marc Lacsamana, have injected a fresh new sound to the blossoming Fil-Am music scene - brutally funny and honest lyrics with unforgettable melodies are the qualities that make their songs a favorite among Fil-Am music lovers and fellow artists as well.
Alfa Garcia. Alfa is an NYU student who hovers around the New York and New Jersey singer-songwriter scene with her classically bred musicality and musicianship. So good her music is, that she has gathered a steady fan base, which carry her through her shows like ants carrying a single grain of cooked white rice. And of course, she is Filipino-American. Her songs touch on the sensitive issues of her young life like relationships, friendships and family-life. She is one of the few Fil-Am singer/songwriters who can actually play her instruments with sophistication and relative ease -- a joy to watch and a pleasure to hear.
Sodapop Suicide. The Fil-Am music scene’s electro-alternative group is the brainchild of singer/songwriter Valter Guevarra, whose brand of Ely Buendia meets Thom Yorke songs have placed the band in the forefront of a Fil-Am music genre that they alone occupy. Sampling some of their tunes on Myspace.com, one would get the feeling of listening to some down-to-earth lyrics accompanied by high-brow electronic-rock sound designs. Songs like, Kalawakan and Style Mo Bulok incorporate indie-rock arrangements with space out effects and stabs.The rest of Sodapop Suicide are: Mark Lopez on guitars, Juan Miranda on bass and Seph Felix on drums.
The Speaks. A young, talented, and charismatic five-piece band from the Washington DC area, The Speaks are completely redefining the global image of rock music - shattering stereotypes, making believers out of naysayers, destroying everything in their path, and acquiring legions of new fans every single step along the way. From winning every major music competition they’ve entered, to rocking crowds of 25,000+ people, to gaining major support from DC101 (one of the most influential radio stations in the country) -- The Speaks are easily shaping up to be one of the most exciting, talked about rock bands to hit the music scene in years.
Rubberband. This preeminent band from Staten Island is nothing short of legendary. Having been in the Fil-Am music scene for over a decade now, Rubberband has maintained their integrity and penchant for writing songs that matter to the Pinoy heart. From their User Friendly album songs to their soon to be released Puppet Monster album, the band has etched themselves alongside the Fil-Am music scene itself - There will be no mentioning Fil-Am rock without any referrence to this great band. The four-piece Pinoy rock band is composed of front man and chief songwriter Gino Inocentes, bassist Mark Lamar, guitarist Warren Daya and drummer Germain Lopez.
Jay Legaspi. Born Jay Leonard Nadres Legaspi but known to most simply by the monosyllabic portion of his first name or “That guy”, Jay (“That Guy”) has been doing the proverbial thang thang for roughly 2 years and counting. Starting songwriting his sophmore year of college, “That Guy” enjoys the tradition of using the acoustic guitar as his primary pallette of choice but also enjoys adding subtle undertones of Hip Hop, R&B, and other fun elements into this, his American Songwriting Adobo. Jay’s influences run the gamut from John Mayer and Jason Mraz to Aesop Rock and Jay-Z.
Bagwis. This group is a collective of Filipino cultural workers, activists, and musicians who began writing and performing original music in 1998 as a contribution to the first annual Kultural Night of Resistance celebrating the centennial year of Philippine Independance. Since then, Bagwis has composed several dozen pro-people songs and participates in community building for our youth and migrante workers.
Bagwis music believes in the power of the people, in seeking genuine freedom and democracy in the Philippines and in upholding human rights. In creating & performing this kind of music, Bagwis hopes that it is contributing its humble share and effort in the overall struggle for justice and social change. Bagwis is made up of: Mike Querubin - Guitars, Rich Querubin - Bass, Ginger Cacnio - Vocals, Ed Vergara - Percussion and Vocals, Randolph Maguigad - Percussion and Vocals, Raven Guerrero - Piano and Guitars, Demetrio Maguigad - Percussion and Drums. The band is based in Chicago, IL.
Blue Mellon Pop. Representing Queens, New York is a band that blends the classic bluesy stylings of Led Zeppelin with the naked arrangements and lyrics of Pinoy rock to come up with a sound distinctly their own.The band had undergone some major personnel changes through the years, but the zeal and passion for music remained - their song remained the same. Blue Mellon Pop is fronted by Weeberg Mercado, whose rhythm section of Serafin Tinapunan on guitars, Kiko Bordeos on bass and Jeffrey Almonte provide the umph required to give justice and flesh to their amazing music.
Grim Bottle. One of the pioneers of the Jersey Fil-Am rock scene, Grim Bottle never fails to disappoint their followers with their brand of Pinoy rock. Their prominence started and grew within the confines of Bottlefest - a music festival that the band founded, and holds once or twice a year featuring the band along with the best of local Jersey and New York bands. Many bands in the scene started their musical journeys with Bottlefest.
The 3rd Element. 2006 has been the band’s breakout year. Two of their songs landed in two high-profile Fil-Am music compilation albums: Perf De Castro’s Leyte Benefit CD, with their song Save Me, and Rock in the Box, which contains 3rd Element’s hit single, Place. The band is powered by four young men, whose music is destined for greater heights: Marco Galsim, the band’s chief songwriter, Andy Ramos, Jing Eugenio and Vincent Pineda. The 3rd Element is the 3rd band representing the Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC region.
The Happy Analogues. Perhaps the newest band in the lineup is this Jersey-based Britpop-obsessed-Weezer-Beetlebums called The Happy Analogues. Formed in the summer of 2005, the Analogues went full blast this year releasing a two-sided single called Minimum Memory Required featuring their songs Beautiful Pain, which was picked up by Perf De Castro for his Leyte Benefit Compilation Album, and Crazy Girl For You. The ‘happy’ men who make up the Happy Analogues are: Roni Lao on bass and vocals, Paul Zurita on guitars and vocals, Ted Reyes on guitars and vocals and Rich ‘Jonze’ Saguirre on drums and percussion.
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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 -- WHAT can Ai Ai De Las Alas say about the accusation of relatives of her ex, Jun Hinahon, that she just used him to gain publicity for the promo of her movie “Kapag Tumibok ang Puso”?
“Ay naku, nakakaloka!” she wails. “Ako pa ngayon ang nanggamit, huh! At ano naman ang gagamitin ko sa kamag-anak nila? Sikat ba siya para ko siya gamitin? Mabuti nga nakilala siya dahil saíkin, no? E, I just found out from a friend na pina-detective siya na talagang may girl siyang ka-date sa SM Bacoor.”
A friend of Ai Ai adds: “Si Ai Ai nga ang nagamit dahil pinagsho-shopping pa nga niya si Jun. Kaya ëyung pamilya ni Jun, tanungin muna nila ito kung sino ang nakinabang kanino.”
We ask Ai Ai if this were true. “Ay naku, no comment na lang ako diyan. Basta pinagpapasa-Diyos ko na lang ang ganyang mga lalaki. Ang pinagdarasal ko na lang, balang araw, dumating na ëyung lalaking talagang seseryoso sa akin at hindi katawan o bulsa ko lang ang habol.”
Ai Ai is celebrating the third anniversary of her Klownz Araneta for one week. On July 29, Allan K will have a special show. Heíll be with the “Eat Bulaga” cast. Ai Ai will be doing special shows on July 27 with Rustom Padilla and Keanna Reeves, and the entire cast of “Bituing Walang Ningning” led by Zsa Zsa Padilla (but without Sarah Geronimo) on July 28.
“Hihipuan ko si Sam Milby,” she says. What about Rustom? “Huwag na lang dahil hindi naman siya masasarapan. Maghahanap na lang kami ng ibang mahihipuan.”
Next month, sheíll start shooting her new movie with Direk Wenn Deramas, “Cute ang Ina Mo,” with Anne Curtis as her daughter. The man who falls for her is Luis Manzano. “Pero hindi ko siya type dahil takot akong maging biyenan ang Star for All Seasons,” she laughs. Sheís also busy with Maggi Magic Sarap Ginang Madiskarte Search that had its successful launch at SM City recently. (MNS)
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MANILA -- Quezon City Councilor and actress Aiko Melendez has given birth to her first child with husband Martin Jickain.
Initial reports said Melendez gave birth to an eight-pound baby girl, Martheena, by Cesarean section at 6:30 a.m.
It is the second child for Melendez, who has an eight-year-old son with former husband, actor Jomari Yllana.
The actress married Jickain, a Filipino German ramp and commercial model six years her junior, last February. Their whirlwind romance started in September last year. (MNS)
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MANILA-- Diether Ocampo is excited about his new action-drama, “Rounin,” where he plays the role of a king.
After this, he co-stars with wife Kristine Hermosa in a new teleserye and he’ll also do a TV show in Malaysia. There are also new movies with Regal and an independent company.
He has also just taped with Kristine the pilot episode of “Star Magic Presents,” a new anthology featuring heartwarming love stories. In the story, Kristine plays a photographer with a genetic eye disease that can lead to blindness. She meets Diet and this is where there love story unfolds. “Star Magic Presents” will start this Saturday, after “Wowowee.” Diet is still active with his band blow and they just had a gig at Big Sky along E. Rodriguez Ave. They’re now promoting their new album under E Real Records. He also continues to be the endorser of Pizza Hut, Bench, Oakley and Time Depot. Diet has also branched out into publishing magazines like Uno, A-List and Baby Couture. The latter is published and distributed in the US by his Five Leaf Publishing.
What’s his birthday wish? “I’ve been so blessed I really can’t ask for more,” he says. “It’s my 10th year in showbiz. I was introduced as part of Star Circle Batch 2 in 1996 and since then, I really gained so much in life that my goal now is to share my blessings with the less fortunate. With the help of some friends, I put up a foundation called Kabataang Inyong Dapat Suportahan or KIDS. This started when I saw kids in Benguet who travel three hours before they get to their school. It so happened some fans of mine in the US sent donations for any project I want to do, so we went to Benguet and offered help to them, giving them notebooks, clothes and raincoats. Our ultimate mission is to protect the right of the Filipino child.”
How is his son? “Dream is 2 years old and he now knows how to play the drums.” He shows as the boy’s photo in his cellphone. “I think he’d also be a musician when he grows up.”
He says Kristine accepts his son fully. Are they planning to have their own church wedding? “Yes, but that can wait. We don’t want to rush it. We want to plan it well.”
Have the mom and stepdad of Kristine accepted him? “Yes. Wala nang problema. We all get along fine. Noon ngang last fight ni Manny Pacquiao, we’re all together watching the game.” (MNS)
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MANILA–Maui Taylor doubts if she would consider reconciliation with Bryan Revilla. She tells friends that she’s now taken. She says that her current boyfriend is an architect based abroad.
She had known her boyfriend for almost a year. But they have been going steady for eight months.
Maui has no intentions though of totally ending her friendship with Bryan. “Wala naman kasi siyang ipinakitang masama. Pati na ang kanyang parents (Senator Bong Revilla and Lani Mercado). They were both so nice to me,” Maui says.
Maui and Bryan would exchange calls which sometimes lead to arguements.
Maui shares, “Tatawag kasi yan. Kung minsan,’ di ko nasasagot kaagad. Kaya, I would call him back. Guess what he’d answer me. ‘Di raw naman niya ako tinawagan, bakit ako nagre-return call?”
Doing road shows and TV guest roles are what keeping her busy nowadays. So far, she’s contented with her earnings which are enough to sustain her lifestyle. “Kung minsan pa nga, nakakaipon ako,” she says.
Maui’s goal next year is to study filmmaking in New York, preferably at the New York University. Her biggest dream is to be able to direct a movie. (MNS)
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CESAR Montano is producing Ninoy Aquino’s bio-pic under his own CM Films.
The actor, who will also play the part of the slain senator, had already talked to former President Cory Aquino about the movie.
“She’s very excited,” Cesar said. “Her only concern is how we will treat Ninoy’s assassination. We’ll show her the story board for that scene.”
Fees for the movie rights have not been discussed. “It was not brought up during our talk,” Cesar said. “But I’m sure there will be no problem.”
Cesar said filming starts in January next year. He has invited investors, he said, since it is a big project.
He has chosen Marilou Diaz-Abaya to direct the film.
“It’s been a while since we last worked together,” said Cesar. “We last did ‘Bagong Buwan.’ She’s the only director I can think of who will be perfect for the Ninoy movie.”
First scene
Cesar said Ricky Lee and a US-based writer will do the screenplay, with the latter doing the part of Ninoy’s life in Boston, where the senator settled with his family after undergoing a heart bypass surgery in 1980.
Cesar said the movie will most likely begin with the assassination at the airport, which has since been renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“That’s the pivotal point of the story,” he said. “It would be flashbacks from that point on.”
Cesar said Maricel Soriano, whom he starred with in a TV sitcom, has agreed to play the part of Cory. She describes Maricel as “a very good actress” who can “give justice to the role.”
No Kris
Kris Aquino, Ninoy’s youngest child, has turned down a part, according to Cesar. But Cesar has to first complete the digital film “Reunion,” of which he is actor, writer, director and producer.
“The movie is a comedy and was not expensive to produce,” said Cesar, who admitted that he still has to recoup his investment in the 2004 film “Panaghoy sa Suba.”
“Reunion” is in its post-production stage and may have a September playdate, he said.
While his Hollywood career has not taken off, Cesar said, he’s not giving up. He appeared in Miramax Films’ “The Great Raid” and got good reviews for his role as the guerilla leader Juan Pantoja.
“I have to be patient, but I’m optimistic that there’s a Hollywood role for me,” he said.
He said he has been called to an audition by Sony Pictures.
Sunshine ‘more secure’ now Sunshine Cruz admitted that, two years ago, her bouts of jealousy had shaken her marriage to Cesar.
“I’m more secure now,” she told Inquirer Entertainment. “I was jealous of the women linked to him at that time because I was pregnant. I feel so ugly when I’m pregnant.”
The Montanos have three daughters. Sunshine gave birth to the youngest just over a year ago, but she has such a tiny waist, she (and Cesar) recently landed an endorsement deal with Calayan Surgi Center.
“I need to maintain what I have,” she said. “I can’t just let myself go.”
As for Cesar, Sunshine said: “I couldn’t ask for more.”
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