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For the past 21 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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NEW YORK - Mark your calendars. On October 14, 2007, at midnight, one of the most prominent Filipino-American bands on the East coast, Bleud, will be giving away their latest single on their website, http://www.bleud.net.
Two years and change since the release of their debut album, ‘Musings of a Caffeine Addict’, the Jersey City based Fil-Am rock band, Bleud, consisting of Ted Reyes, Jerwin Glorioso, Arnold Derama, Jason Estrada and Brian Joseph Miguel, return to the ever growing Fil-Am music scene with the release of their latest single, ‘Ordinary.’
“We’re happy and excited about the single release” says Ted, Bleud’s guitarist. “It’s our way of saying thanks to all our friends and supporters who have stuck with us all these years. We’re intending to release two more free singles before the album launch.”
‘Ordinary’ will be Bleud’s latest release since December 2006 when they took part in the Soulworks Records ‘Rocky Yuletide 2’ holiday compilation album with the single, ‘This Christmas.’ “Yeah, it’s been a while hasn’t it? But it’s not to say that we haven’t been doing anything. There have been a lot of changes with the band from switching the instruments around, to bringing Jason on board and also with the sound of the band.”
The release also marks only the second single with the newest member, Jason Estrada, on drums.
“Being new to the recording process and to the band, in general, at the time of ‘Rocky Yuletide’ was a little overwhelming” says Jay. “Now with ‘Ordinary,’ I knew what to expect and I guess that put more pressure to get it down right.
The new lineup has given the band a heavier sound and has also made their performances more dynamic and exciting.
“Yeah, it’s great” says Bleud front man Brian Joseph, “I get to feel the music more, if that makes any sense. I think it gives us even more stage presence.”
“The song (Ordinary) is definitely different from what you’ve known us to be. It is the first song that Ted and I wrote together and developed along with Jerwin and Arnold. It is the heaviest we’ve done so far.
The first album was an entire learning process for all of us. Not only were we starting to learn about the type of music that each of us liked, we were also still getting to know each other personally, and the first album is definitely a reflection of that.
‘Musings’ is a collection of songs that Ted and I wrote individually; songs that meant one thing to the writer, but something different to the rest of the band”, Brian added.
However, with Bleud’s new sound and heavier approach, all signs point to them permanently moving away from the pop-rock songs found on the first album. Tracks such as Anime Girl, Babolgam Music and Bye Bye Na seem like songs of a distant past. Or are they?
“Oh definitely not” says Ted. We still enjoy playing songs from our debut album because it helped us get to where we are today. Most of our supporters really enjoy those songs whenever we play. We may give the old songs a whirl and re-arrange them a bit, but still, those are Bleud songs and they aren’t going anywhere.”
Rumors are spreading that Bleud stopped writing Tagalog songs in an attempt to please local NY/NJ clubs and labels.
“Again, definitely not” says Ted. “We know how important Tagalog songs are, not only to our followers but to us as well. In fact, we will be releasing three Tagalog songs before the album is launched. ‘Tayo Na Sa Ulan,’ ‘Hatinggabi,’ and a new version of ‘Turon.’
It is important for bands like Bleud to release new songs and albums to continue to inject more life into the blossoming Fil-Am music scene. And with the New Year fast approaching, the scene is expecting more music from Fil-Am artists that would help catapult the scene to even more unprecedented heights.
‘Ordinary’ will be available for free download at midnight on October 14th, exclusively on their website, http://www.bleud.net. It will be released under Soulworks Records.
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Washington DC-- The New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines and Anakbayan NY/NJ in collaboration with DC-based Katarungan: Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, under the banner of BAYAN USA, staged a commemorative outdoor concert last Friday, one week after the 35th Anniversary of Marcosian Martial Law in the Philippines.
The concert, entitled "NEVER AGAIN!: An Outdoor Concert for Human Rights in the Philippines", featured popular Filipino-American hip-hop artists such as the Blue Scholars, Kiwi, and Koba and acoustic performances from punk band Kadena and Filipino youth group Anakbayan. The concert was staged right outside the reflecting pool in front of Congress' Capitol building on Capitol Hill.
The Friday evening event gathered hundreds for a free night of music concentrating on the human rights crisis in the Philippines, one night before a 30,000-strong anti-war march and rally the next day to call on Congress for a decrease in war budget spending and more money for domestic concerns, such as education, housing, and social welfare programs. The Saturday march and rally was organized by the Troops Out Now Coalition, a national coalition of which BAYAN USA is a steering committee member.
Along with the call to cut the military budget, the BAYAN USA Filipino contingent sent a message to withdraw US military aid to the Philippines, the 4th largest recipient of US military aid in the world and largest recipient in the Asia-Pacific region. International human rights watchdogs such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations Human Rights Council have indicated these funds contribute to the Philippine military's killing of unarmed civilians in the exploited guise of counter-insurgency.
"We are the so-called second front to the war on terror, not because our homeland harbors terrorists, but because it harbors a growing number of journalists, lawyers, church people, and students joining opposition ranks, fed-up with rotten policies and plunging poverty," stated BAYAN USA secretary-general Berna Ellorin.
Organizers from DC human rights group Katarungan also took the stage to explain their initatives with US-based Church advocates to lobby for more restrictive language in proposed bills to cut funding to the Philippines, which has grossed as high as $30 million of US tax-dollars. To date, at least 49 US solons have signed onto a petition letter calling for restrictions on funding to the Philippine military, following a previous US Senate hearing on the nearly 900 extrajudicial killings and over 200 reported abductions since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took office in 2001.
Lastly, the concert ended with an audio recorded message of Prof. Jose Maria Sison, whose picture was also projected onto a screen, who spoke about the international campaign to Defend Filipino Progressives and opposition forces overseas.
Sison, an outspoken critic of US foreign policy and figure in Philippine national liberation causes, was released after 2 weeks in detention after Dutch authorities tricked him into arrest under trumped-up charges of murder. The Dutch goverment, in collusion with the Arroyo administration, is appealing the decision and wants Sison back in solitary confinement. An international campaign to defend his democratic rights and stop the political persecution against him ensues.
The Saturday march along Capitol Hill also included a civil disobedience from the youth, including Anakbayan, that involved blocking traffic amidst strong police presence.
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MANILA -- Broadcasting network ABS-CBN has acquired the exclusive rights to the whole movie library of the king of Philippine movies, the late Fernando Poe Jr.
This, after Poe's widow, actress Susan Roces signed an agreement with ABS-CBN for the exclusive rights to her husband’s movies. Roces entrusted the library to the network because of its worldwide reach.
Leng Raymundo, head of ABS-CBN's Acquisition, said the movie library contained all of FPJ's starring roles, and movies he produced and directed.
She said that this is considered as the biggest and most important movie library in the history of Philippine Cinema.
Also present during the contract signing were ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio Lopez III, Cory Vidanes, Senior Vice President of TVP Production, and Poe's daughter Grace Poe-Llamanzares. FPJ's famous movies such as "Panday", "Roman Rapido", "Kahit Konting Pagtingin", "Batang Quiapo" and "Dito sa Pitong Gatang" are also in the library.
Starting October 20, Poe's fans will be treated to his movies, including blockbuster films titled "Muslim Magnum 357", "Umpisahan Mo Tatapusin Ko", "Durugin si Totoy Bato", and "Asedillo at Mga Alabok sa Lupa" to be shown at ABS-CBN's Cinema FPJ: Da King.
Reports said the movie library also has the never been aired music video of FPJ before he passed away.
This will be shown to the public in a TV special this December to coincide with Poe's third death anniversary.
The music video has special scenes that were personally chosen by FPJ from his movies.
Aside from the movies, ABS-CBN also got the rights to show 12 films done by Roces like the "Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara". (MNS)
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MANILA -- Kristine Hermosa insisted that Diether Ocampo remains in her heart despite their "temporary separation" following the nullification of their marriage.
Kristine maintained that Diether remains her "one and only" as far as her love life is concerned.
The actress, who is currently shooting a movie with Sam Milby and Toni Gonzaga, said her temporary separation from long time sweetheart Diether is "normal" in most relationships.
"So nandoon kami ngayon and pareho kaming nagre-reassess ng mga sarili namin. Kailangan iyon eh para maging mas matibay ang foundation, mas maging strong ang relationship," she said.
Kristine earlier dispelled rumors that she was dating another guy, who was reportedly seen spending time with her.
She also laughed off talks that Diether has already grown tired of waiting for her.
"Gumagawa siya ng paraan. So we can get back together," she said.
The couple was married in a civil rite in Nueva Ecija on September 12, 2004. Kristine, however, filed for the nullification of their marriage almost a year after. (MNS)
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MANILA -- Actor Dennis Trillo finally admitted to being the father of the 2005 Bb. Pilipinas-World Carlene Aguilar’s baby boy, born last September 22 in Los Angeles, California.
“Tingin ko nararapat lang din naman na gamitin yung apelyido ko kasi baby ko naman yun e," he said.
He added: “Wala namang problema ‘yun sa akin dahil binata naman ako, nasa tamang edad and kung anuman yung responsibilidad na andyan wala akong balak na talikuran yun. Siyempre haharapin ko lahat yun and sa dami ng blessings na dumadating sa akin gusto kong isipin na itong dumating na ‘to isang malaking blessing ito."
Dennis also explained his denials and reluctant attitude to questions regarding Carlene and her pregnancy, saying that Carlene requested for privacy and that her name not be mentioned in interviews. Dennis said he respects Carlene’s request.
He said he thought that Carlene’s denial that he is the father of her baby, in an interview with GMA showbiz reporter, would finally kill the rumors.
“Nung nagkita sila ni Kuya Lhar Santiago sa States nakitang buntis nga siya, itinanggi niyang ako yung ama siyempre akala ko tapos na dun yung issue until lumabas yung balita na buntis nga siya and ako yung ama," he said.
Asked about his relationship with Carlene now, Dennis said they were on the rocks.
Dennis and Carlene were already in a relationship long before he joined the GMA Network.
“Kami ni Carlene kasi matagal yung pinagsamahan namin. Matagal ko siyang naging girlfriend. Siguro mga four o mga five (years) bago pa ako pumasok ng GMA girlfriend ko na siya. Although ngayon medyo hirap yung communication namin, bihira na lang kami makapag-usap," he said.
Dennis added he is also willing to talk with Carlene and her parents to settle things for his baby. He also asked his fans to continue their support for him.
“Gusto kong iparating sa inyong lahat na sana wag pa rin kayong magsasawang sumuporta. Gagawin ko pa rin lahat para mapagbuti ‘yung trabaho ko para kahit may mga issue na ganito ay patuloy pa rin yung suporta ninyo sa akin dahil mahal ko itong trabahong ko at mahal ko yung mga taong nakaka-appreciate sa akin kaya keep the faith."
Dennis said he felt relieved after making the admission.
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MANILA - Former sexy star Assunta de Rossi did not know why Sunshine Dizon replaced her in the movie "Dagaw," the long-delayed suspense-thriller that Chito Rono is supposed to direct for GMA Films.
Asked why she was suddenly yanked out of the movie, "Honestly, hindi ko rin alam," Assunta said during the presscon for her new show on QTV 11, "Camera Cafe," where she plays Puri, a sexy and liberated girl.
"Biglang hindi na lang ako. Sayang nga as I was really looking forward to doing that movie."
With Direk Chito going to London and Prague to shoot "Care Giver" with megastar Sharon Cuneta, many are wondering when the shooting of "Dagaw" will happen.
"Dagaw" stars, Richard and Sunshine are both starting their new shows on GMA-7: "Kamandag" for Richard and "La Vendetta" for Sunshine. Dingdong, who is also said to be part of the movie, is also very busy with "Marimar". It has been said that it will not be surprising if the movie would hit more snags.
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