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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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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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WEE-WEE, a Fil-Am rock music fan, made her way out of a jampacked New York City club called The Cutting Room last Saturday, August 12. She just witnessed the concert that celebrated the release of the Fil-Am music compilation album-Rock in the Box.
As she made her way, she was asked what she thought of the show. Wee-Wee, with a copy of the CD in her hand, put the CD to her chest and said, ‘it was magical’.
Perhaps, magical is the only word that would be close enough to describe what happened that night. Twelve Filipino-American bands and artists from all over the US shared the stage and celebrated everything that is great about being a Filipino through music. It was a spectacle to behold.
“There was this undeniable and overwhelming sense of national pride and camaraderie not only among the artists, but also among the audience as well. And the people in the audience who are not Filipino felt it too”, said Lea, a Fil-Am music aficionado like Wee-Wee, who came up from Maryland just to witness the event.
Alfa Garcia, the amazing singer/songwriter from Bergenfield, NJ kicked off the concert with a heartbreaking rendition of her song ‘Better’. She finished her set with her Rock in the box song Meaningless Conversations, which has become a hit in the Asian-Am music circles.
Acoustic-R&B king Jay Legaspi, who came up with a full-band featuring John Violago of House of Straw on bass and Full Recovery’s drummer Matt Pana, followed Alfa.
Then came the ethnic ensemble from Chicago called Bagwis, whose set featured a hybrid of funk, rock, rap all done with conventional and Filipino indigenous instruments. When the band played their album entry Hele, the crowd’s jaw dropped in awe.
Maryland-based rock group The 3rd Element came and gave the night a first taste of Pinoy rock with Save Me, a song that the band submitted for the Leyte Benefit Album and their Rock in the Box number Place.
The MD rockers were followed by the electronic-rock quartet from Wycoff, NJ, Sodapop Suicide, whose lead vocalist Val Guevarra brought the house down with his Snake Dance that went along with their hit song Sana Naman.
The mood then turned into Psychedelia, as Jersey City mod band The Happy Analogues took the over flowing crowd to a trip via their two songs: Beautiful Pain and Alaala -- the band’s Rock in the Box song.
The audience was then taken back to earth as Bergenfield punk rockers The Kuwagos played their trademark, stripped-down-garage music with a twist: Front man Gatchie Ignacio played grand piano in their song about Fil-Am expats, Tabo. Ignacio’s Elton John-esque performance on the keyboard was one of the many highlights of the magical night.
Just as the Kuwagos brought the crowd back to sea level, the 2nd group to represent Maryland came up and carried everyone back up to psychedelic realm. The Moonbugs played a memorable pair of songs including their Rock in the Box single, When We Are Cats.
Another highlight of the night was Bleud’s performance. The band played their latest single Every Other Day, and ended with their trademark hit Bye Bye Na, which resulted in a mad house. People began climbing up the stage, danced and sang along with the band, while the crowed began to create a mosh pit of spinning bodies loaded with adrenaline and alcohol.
Two more bands followed Bleud’s lead: Queens’ Blue Mellon Pop, who added fuel to the already fired-up crowd with their songs Heal and I’m Sorry; Staten Island’s legendary Pinoy rock combo – Rubberband, whose Rock in the Box track Wordpad has become a sort of anthem of Myspace and Friendster addicts.
Another legendary group closed the show: Jersey City’s very own Grim Bottle. The band made sure that the crowd would not go home unhappy. So when it came to the band’s rendition of As I Am, the crowd could not ask for anything more. They were blown away.
It may take quite a while to be able to repeat an event as magical as the launching of Rock in the Box. However, the important thing about it all is that the event had broken new ground for other events like such to tread upon. The foundation had been laid. The standard had been set.
It also showed that in the Filipino community, music would always bridge gaps no matter how big no matter how far.
The album can now be purchased at www.soulworksrecords.com. All major credit cards accepted.
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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 -- Raymart Santiago is rushing wife Claudine to get pregnant by September. “Para by May ay manganak na siya,” Raymart says.
Claudine explains, “Sabi kasi ng obstetrician ko, magandang manganak in May. Bakasyon, di ba? Summer. And it’s two months after Raymart and I have marked our first wedding anniversary.”
Like James Yap and Kris Aquino, Raymart and Claudine were also together during the premiere of “Sukob” in Los Angeles, California and Hawaii. But Raymart and Claudine headed back home ahead of Kris and James, who made a side trip to Las Vegas with direk Chito and Kris’ personal make-up artist, Bambi Fuentes. Kris and her group arrived Tuesday morning. They still had jet lag when they rushed to the victory bash.
“But itís all worth it naman,” says Claudine.
Claudine and Raymart both belong to big families. But the two of them opt to have at least two kids, aside from Sabina, their adopted daughter. “Sabina will always be our eldest child,” states Claudine. “She is giving me and Raymart so much happiness. This early (she just turned two), she is showing great talents in math. Kaya, pinag-a-aral na namin. Tutal di siya mahilig sa toys.”
According to Claudine, Sabina now uses the family name Santiago. She and Raymart have legally adopted her. “Habang lumalaki siya, nagiging kamukha na namin ni Raymart. Parang tatangkad lang siya kesa amin which we donít mind,” shares Claudine.
Claudine is now busy taping for her new soap, “Walang Kapalit,” with Piolo Pascual. Three-fourths of the series will be shot in Australia.
Raymart remains a mainstay of the sitcom, “Lagot Ka, Isusumbong Kita,” on GMA-7. (MNS)
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MANILA -- KRIS Aquino is not quitting from doing movies. She announced this at the victory blowout for the stars, staff and crew of “Sukob,” her latest blockbuster movie with Claudine Barretto.
She says that she already has the permission of husband,James Yap. “Sabi niya, okay daw na lumabas at guma-wa uli ako ng movie, provided I do it pagkapang-anak ko ng aming panganay. Kaya, we have to work overtime to realize our wish to finally have a baby,” shares Kris.
“Na-inspire din si James na payagan akong gumawa uli ng movie after he saw the bonus which Star Cinema (producer of “Sukob”) gave me,” she jokes.
Actually, it wasnít just Kris, Claudine and direk Chito Rono who were given bonuses by the management of Star Cinema, headed by Malou Santos.
All those involved in the project were not only commended for a job well-done but were given bonuses which they deserve.
Boots Anson-Roa who played Kris’ mom in “Sukob” says, “Now I know why Star Cinema continues to be successful as a movie firm. They share their blessings.”
Boots, if you recall, starred in one of Star Cinema’s earlier movies, “May Minamahal,” with Aga Muhlach, Agot Isidro and Claudine Barretto. All three, who are among todays busiest personalities in showbiz, played her children. Her wish is to do more films for Star Cinema.
Malou, in her speech, says she will give direk Chito’s wish to do a drama for his next project. But she asked him to promise her that he will come up with another horror-suspense movie. By then, she adds, Kris would have given birth to her baby and will be ready to do another movie with direk Chito. (MNS)
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MANILA -- The transformation of Paolo Contis from macho to manay for his role in Viva Films’ gay comedy “Reyna” begins with a two-hour makeup session with stylist Fanny Serrano.
“One of my concerns about the role was that I should look like a real woman instead of a gay in drag,” Paolo said during his first session with Fanny. “[So] I asked for my own makeup artist. To my surprise, they gave me the best.”
Fanny, 58, is no stranger to the task. For almost three decades now, even ordinary-looking women have become glamorous brides in his hands. Famous for his “no-makeup makeup,” Fanny said he always aims for “works of art.”
His artwork in Paolo is Chuvaneska, cross-dresser to Keanna Reeves’ fake gay beauty in the movie.
When Fanny is done, Chuvaneska—of the smoky eyes, half-closed lids and glistening lips—emerges. She is a masterpiece.
“You know,” Fanny told Paolo, “your role begins here. I’ve witnessed Tito Dolphy act like a woman even before he faced the cameras.”
The coaching continued as Fanny set Paolo’s shoulders in a perfect pose.
“Your left shoulder should always be slanted forward,” he said. “Look down in a half-smile.”
Whereupon, Chuvaneska donned a red shirt embroidered with tiny rose buds for the shoot.
“I feel comfortable in these clothes,” Paolo told Inquirer Entertainment during a shooting break.
It is not his first gay character. After all, he has made about 30 movies throughout a show biz career that started in childhood.
“I played a closet queen in ‘Noon at Ngayon’ (directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, 2003),” he said.
He confessed that he never aspired to be a matinee idol, despite his good looks from a mixed parentage (his father is pure Italian).
“Matinee idols fade away,” Paolo mused, “but actors live forever.”
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MANILA -- Pops Fernandez knows she has become the talk of the town because of her decision to go daring on the cover of FHM, a man’s magazine. It is her first time to be photographed in a skimpy outfit. She will never do it again, she promised.
According to Pops, the reason she did the pictorial is because she wants to condition herself for the daring role of a superhero alien that she will portray in “Zsa Zsa Zaturnaah.” The film is intended for the Metro Manila Film Festival and stars Zsa Zsa Padilla in the title role. Rustom Padilla is also featured in the movie. Pops had no clue as to how her sons, Robin and Ram, will react to the pictorial. The boys have just arrived from their US vacation with their dad, Martin Nievera.
“But I guess they will react positively. They know I did it for a reason. Malawak ang pang-unawa ng mga anak ko,” Pops told Cristy Fermin in “The Buzz” on ABS-CBN.
How about Jomari Yllana, her boyfriend? What did he say about the sexy pictorial?
Pops laughed before answering. “He saw the magazine. Took a look at it. That’s that.”
* * *
Pops admitted she was surprised when she learned about ex-husband Martin’s impending fatherhood. Martinís girlfriend, Katrina Ojeda, is reportedly giving birth to Martin’s third son anytime now. Wasn’t she hurt?
“Hindi naman masyado,” Pops answered. “Medyo matagal na rin nang ma-annull ang marriage namin. I’m glad we’ve both started moving on.”
Likewise, she said she appreciates the fact that she and Martin have remained friends. Their partnership as singers has remained, too. In fact she just returned from a singing engagement with Martin in the US. In October, she will again leave for another US concert tour with Martin. Then she will have a concert with international singer Barry Manilow before the year ends. Pops also wants her fans to know that she ís holding her birthday concert on December 12.
Aside from “Zsa Zsa Zaturnaah,” Pops will be doing a “Desperate Housewives” inspired movie with Dawn Zulueta, Gretchen Barretto and Ruffa Gutierrez for Regal Entertainment.(MNS)
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MANILA -- RUFA Mae Quinto simply does not care what other people might say or think about her love affair with singer Erik Santos. “Basta I’m happy with Erik,” she says. “Dahil sa kanya, ganap ko nang nakalimutan ang ex ko (cager Rudy Hatfield). Tapos na yung chapter na yun talaga. Ibang klase kasi si Erik magmahal. Araw-araw, may sweet love notes akong natatanggap to remind me how much he loves me. Tapos, lagi rin siyang may regalo sa akin to show his thoughtfulness. How can you not appreciate someone like that?”
She is paired with Marvin Agustin in the horror-comedy “Oh My Ghost” that opens on August 16. Didn’t Marvin ever try to woo her when they were first paired in “Super B” four years ago? “Nagpapalipad-hangin siya, pero laging in a joking manner, so hindi ko sineryoso,” she says, looking at Marvin who’s seated beside her during the “Oh My Ghost” presscon.
“Actually, gusto kong seryosohin,” Marvin says. “But at that time, on kayo ni Rudy and you told me: Ang laki-laki ng boyfriend ko, ang liit-liit mo, tapos, liligaw ka sa akin?”
“Hoy, wala akong sinabing ganon, huh!” Rufa Mae slaps him on the arm. “Malay mo, kung sineryoso mo, naging tayo.”
“But I’m glad dito sa Oh My Ghost, we have several kissing scenes, something I never got to do in Super B,” Marvin adds.
How does Erik react to this? “Okay lang yun sa kanya. Alam niyang akting lang naman yun. Kapag kaming dalawa ang nagki-kissing, yun ang totoo.” (MNS)
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