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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 – The Philippine Consulate General warns the public of scams sent through text message by deceitful individuals preying on Filipinos overseas. This is not the first time unscrupulous personalities have sought to take advantage of unsuspecting Filipinos overseas. In 2005, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas sent out a warning against text scams, which was re-issued on 25 January 2008.
The modus operandi of text scammers are as follows:
They use fictitious names or pose as government officials.
They send fraudulent text messages to their victims saying that their mobile phone numbers won in a raffle allegedly sponsored by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) or other institutions, most recently the fictitious GMA Charity Foundation.
They tell their victims that to be able to claim their alleged prize they should first send a certain amount for payment of tax or fees through a designated bank account or a remittance company. They also require their victims to send prepaid call card (load) to the scammers’ prepaid mobile phone numbers. Once the money or prepaid call card is received, the victims would no longer be able to get in touch with them again.
The Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas advices that incidents similar to the above modus operandi should be reported immediately to the Anti-Money Laundering Council Secretariat, 5/F, EDPC Building, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Manila, Tel: 302- 3982 and 524-7011 local 2372.
A Filipino national in Rome was recently victimized, receiving a series of text messages on 18 February 2008. The victim had already sent the activation codes for the phone cards requested by the time he went to the Philippine Embassy in Rome. Thankfully, he had not yet gone to the bank to make a deposit.
The Philippine Consulate General New York cautions Filipinos to be vigilant and asks the community to warn others of these scams.
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THE songwriting competition sponsored by Pinoy Musik Festival & Expo de Mayo, is open to all residents of the Philippines. Eighteen highly exceptional entries will be chosen to compete in the finals. These songs will be interpreted and performed by some of the promising stars in the Filipino-American industry on May 17 & 18, 2008 at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, New Jersey. This grand event is set to promote brilliant musical talents of Filipinos in the United States. And if that’s not enough, winning entries also vie for the major cash prizes. Over P100,000 pesos will be awarded.
The Pinoy Musik Festival, a public service event, provides a venue for talented Filipino musicians and artists to share their music to the mainstream recording industry of the United States. The sponsors encourage Filipinos living in the US to inform their relatives in the Philippines who has exceptional talent in the music field.
Bandfest and more groups to perform!
PACHADA! - ("NICE!" commonly used by Cagayanons) is an aspiring Filipino band of musically-inclined neophytes. Originally formed circa late 2005 by an acoustic trio of Donny, Teban, and Chadwaves. A year later, was expanded into a complete jam band consisting of chums (mostly physiotherapists by day), sharing the same passion -- music. Jammin' is considered to be our outlet and one way to create a pure FUN as well as camaraderie. www.myspace.com/pachada.
ILLUSTRATION- Founded in 2007 by lead vocalist and guitarist Alisdair Lee, illustration represents a brand of power pop that combines themes of urban/suburban decay with a blend of Lee's catchy songwriting, Charles Becker's melodious bass lines, and John Ramos's intense rhythms. In summoning the uneasy spirits of contemporary America, Illustration makes for a special elixir, the essence of which lies somewhere in the balance between love and hate, art and attack. www.myspace.com/illustrationband
The bandfest will kick off on Friday, March 7 at Wuzzup Cafe on 8 Bedford Avenue, Bergenfield, NJ. Select bands will perform for a sampling of what’s in-store during the Pinoy Musik Festival. The Search for Top Bands qualifying rounds will begin on March 13, 2008 at Taste of Asia, 154-05 Union Turnpike, Flushing, NY. For performers update and schedule, visit www.pinoymusikfestival.com
Top featured performers for the 2-day event include Sam Milby, MYMP and Kris Lawrence. For more info, 212- 682-6610 or email at sepmgzn@aol.com or visit www.pinoymusikfestival.com.
To sponsor, exhibit, or to participate call Mila Mendez at 917-443-3634; milamendez@aol.com. General admission tickets are $18 and limited VIP tickets are available at shop.specialeditionevents.com.
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