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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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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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NOTE: I am reprinting this amazing article by a fellow FilAm music scene builder, Demetrio Maguigad from Chicago. D, as we fondly call him, recently built a website catering to the Chicago Pinoy Music scene– CPMS, and it has started an amazing community of Pinoy artists in his home city.
Now, D, is never shy of telling us here in the NY/NJ scene how much he was inspired by our efforts when we started, Poptimes Magazine, the Rock in the Box album years ago in our effort to bring life to the FilAm music scene here in our region.
It is such a joy to know that the scene is really alive and growing. I love my Chicago brothers and sisters! Mabuhay kayo! - Ted Reyes
DO you remember about a year ago, or even 6 months ago? There was no CPMS...
Over two years ago, BAGWIS hit New York for the first time, representing the midwest in the first ever Rock in the Box Filipino American CD Compilation and concert. On our way there, we did not know what to expect. In Chicago at the time, we had performed in many venues, but often times it was non Filipinos that would come out and see us perform.
Where were all our Filipino Sisters and Brothers? Where was the Chicago scene? It was a scattered, fragmented, and isolated scene--it was a reflection of the Filipino community in general in the midwest.
We had heard of other bands and we would often try to reach out. But for BAGWIS it was especially difficult. Not only was our music hard to pin on a specific genre, but our lyrics told the harsh realities of Filipinos living abroad or wrote about the human rights abuses in the Philippines. This was a departure from what most Filipinos were used to hearing from a "Pinoy Rock Band"
But when we arrived in New York, we were warmly welcomed by complete strangers (who now we consider life friends). It was scenesters there like Ted Reyes of Bleud and Happy Analogues, Pinoy rock artist and photographer Sheryl Garcia, Gatchie and all of the Kuwagos, the Moonbugs and so many others where we learned of a new community who shared the same interests and goals as BAGWIS in building not only a thriving local scene and community in our respective regions but to thinking bigger in a national and international scale. BAGWIS was no longer a Chicago band, nor a North American Band.... We are PINOY and we are conscious artists with an agenda to help lift our community and participate in in putting the migrant and diasporic Filipino community of artists in respect like so many others making impact outside of our community. We were determined to be heard.
There is a saying, "A frog at the bottom of a well looking up only views the sky as only a small fragment of what there really is." We as a (national) scene need to understand that even beyond the sky there are no limits...
Imagine, a band like SO3 or DAYBREAK or BENDING SPOON planning a national tour, and every city they perform there are people, other bands, and fans that come out in droves to support and most likely have a really good time and learn a little something that is happening in Chicago. Music is a powerful thing, but for me personally, its really people that make things move. Imagine a national scene where local producers are coordinating with one another, informing other cities of new bands, trends and in general providing support. We should strive for this. If you take a good look at our local scene, its people... us.... ourselves that come to meetings, make decisions, head out to gigs, record music, perform, write reviews, take pictures and so on and so on.
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Liza Lapira is making a name for herself in Hollywood. The Fil-Am actress is cast opposite award winning actor Kevin Spacey in Columbia Pictures' new thriller 21.
Most recognized in Hollywood for her turn in the Showtime series Huff, Lapira plays Kianna in 21, a key member of a group of M.I.T's most gifted students that heads to Las Vegas every weekend armed with fake identities and the know-how to turn the odds at blackjack in their favor. By counting cards and employing an intricate system of signals, the team can beat the casinos big time.
Also starring with Lapira and Spacey, are Kate Bosworth (Superman) and Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe).
21 is based on the novel Bringing Down the House, the true story of the very brightest young minds in America — and how they took Vegas for millions.
In the film's production notes, Lapira says that she was astounded by the chance to work with Spacey.
"I was so excited to find out that I got this role with Kevin in the movie. I know it's a cliché thing to say, but just watching him work, I learned a lot."
Two weeks prior to filming, Lapira and the other actors who play the M.I.T. team of card counters spent time with card consultant Kyle Morris to learn how to play the game.
Lapira explains, "Before being in this movie, I never thought playing blackjack was fun. But thanks to 'research,' we got to go to a lot of cool places. It didn't feel like we were working!"
Lapira, who pronounces her name Lisa, will next star in Repossession Mambo, opposite Jude Law and Forest Whitaker.
Lapira made her mark in television with a recurring role on Showtime's Emmy award-winning show Huff. She played Maggie Del Rosario, Oliver Platt's long-suffering assistant.
Her film credits include Domino, Brown Sugar and LA Blues. Her notable credits on television include guest appearances on Grey's Anatomy, Monk, The Sopranos and Sex and the City. She has also recurring roles on Law & Order: SVU and NCIS.
She is originally from Queens, New York, and moved to Los Angeles in 2004.
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MANILA -- FOR some time now, there have been talks that Richard Gutierrez is leaving GMA-7 to move to ABS-CBN. No less than his mom, Annabelle Rama, clarified that this is not true.
Richard’s contract with GMA-7 is expiring in May and they will renew it after they have settled a small problem in a meeting scheduled this week.
Annabelle says the rumor that they got a high offer from ABS-CBN (one rumor even alleges that Richard is offered a P5 million down payment for a movie with KC) is just not true. She adds that they love and respect the entire Gozon family, major stockholders of GMA-7, so Richard won’t leave them.
About the Supreme Court’s affirmation of a lower court’s decision convicting Cristy Fermin of libel, Annabelle says she’s very happy about it even if it took 13 years of waiting. “She wrote then that my husband Eddie returned from the States dahil nakadispalko raw ng pera in the company where he used to work and that my daughter Ruffa was just an alalay of stars when she was working as TV host with Century Productions in the U.S. I’m glad it was proven hindi totoo ang mga ito.
“Ipinaglaban ko lang ang family ko. Nagkita na kami ni Cristy at napatawad ko na siya, but I still want her to pay the P1 million na fine sa kanya ng court dahil ang dami ko ring nagastos sa hearings and sa lawyers. Kailangan ko rin ng pera sa dami ng nagbabayad sa’kin ng talbog na cheke.”
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN management denied reports that there was a "too-good-to-refuse" offer to GMA-7 contract star Richard Gutierrez.
"There is no such "too-good-to-refuse" offer to actor Richard Gutierrez. We don't offer talents from outside to join the network," said Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN’s Corporate Communications.
The statement was rooted on an online report published April 2 that said talk of Richard transferring to the Kapamilya network is getting louder.
Osorio added that they don't do such things since artists from other networks are the ones who usually come to the station to discuss possibilities of being a Kapamilya talent.
"They are the ones who usually come to us to discuss possibilities," Osorio added.
Last week, Richard also denied the report through his family's official publicist, Jun Lalin. He said there was really no offer from ABS-CBN.
In the online report, Lalin said it all started from a blind item story. The spokesman said they were surprised when it was already published that there was a story of a "too-good-to-refuse" offer.
Lalin assured that there was really no offer made by the Kapamilya network and pressed that he doesn't have the idea if there was a discussion happened between Richard and his mother network's rival station.(MNS)
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MANILA -- Senator Bong Revilla and his wife, Lani Mercado, are making sure that their eldest daughter, Inah, will have a beautiful wedding.
After all, her debut last October at the One Esplanade on Roxas Boulevard was one memorable event. It was attended by friends of the family from showbiz and politics.
Was the groom at the party?
"Yes," he said. "His family is close to us. Friends ang family namin from way back."
The guy is Vince del Rosario. Like Inah, who is in first year college at the Ateneo, Vince is still a student. But as soon as he graduates, he will take over as head of one of the family businesses.
"Lani and I know she will be in good hands," said Senator Bong. "But like all parents, I would have wanted her to finish her studies. I thought in her, magkakaroon ako ng anak na lawyer. Diligent student kasi si Inah.
"Pero, may hangganan nga yata ang puwedeng gawin nating mga magulang sa atin mga anak. In the end, they are the ones who shape their own future.
"Sa totoo lang," he added, "the idea alone that she will be tackling a big responsibility – as a wife and a mother – gusto ko nang umiyak. Being the eldest of our three girls, Inah has given us so much happiness.
"Lani and I hope and pray she will be blessed with a good and happy marriage."
Vince and Inah have set their wedding on May 28 at the Manila Cathedral. (MNS)
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Viva recording artist Claire dela Fuente’s newest album “Something In Your Eyes” is nearing the gold record mark barely two months after its release. Featuring the carrier single composed by Richard Carpenter, the album also includes songs by other notable songwriters. The album includes “Something In Your Eyes”(Richard Carpenter/Pamela Phillips Oland), “That’s What Forever Is For”(Jimmy Borja/Margaret Harris), “Minahal Kita Ngunit Kulang”(Jimmy Borja), “I Think They Call It Love”(Jimmy Borja/Lori Barth/Ralf Stemmann) and seven other new songs. It was produced by Christian de Walden and recorded in Los Angeles, California.
Dubbed the Karen Carpenter of the Philippines, Claire popularized the now Pilipino classic “Sayang”. Richard Carpenter personally attended her album launching in Manila and they paid a courtesy call with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the Malacanang Palace.
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Seventeen-year-old Filipino-Brazilian model and aspiring actress Mariana del Rio has finally taken her first step to fulfill her dream of becoming part of local showbiz.
She was given a break to prove her acting skill through ABS-CBN’s upcoming television show “Kapitan Boom!”, a fantasy-comedy series that stars former PBB housemate Jon Avila as a superhero.
But even before Mariana’s showbiz debut she already snatched the limelight in controversial fashion: she was rumored to have had a romantic affair with multi-awarded actor Cesar Montano, which supposedly spurred his wife Sunshine Cruz to walk out of their house and live a separate life.
Del Rio said that she was unprepared for all the intrigues she received as she tried to enter Philippine showbiz.
“(I felt) super bad since I don’t want to be somebody because of controversy. I want to do many things, I want to be seen as a good actress and not because of controversy,” del Rio explained.
“Sunshine” after Montano
After del Rio’s name was dragged by the controversy she is now looking to a brighter future and glad with the report that Montano’s wife Sunshine Cruz is not angry with her anymore.
“Sobrang okey ako and I’m so glad that you are okey also,” Mariana blissfully said.
The newest actress said that she didn’t have the chance to meet or to talk to Manzano or Cruz after the controversy died down.
“Hindi pa po, not yet,” del Rio briefly answered.
The young Brazilian model also denied a report that she is the “flirt buddy” of hearttrob Sam Milby, saying that she’s not the type of person who will do that.
Reports came out that she had flirted with Milby at a fashion event last year. In a separate interview, Milby already cleared the issue saying that they’re just friends and there is nothing romantic or flirty between him and the ravishing Fil-Brazilian.
And when asked whether rumors are true that she’s going to pose for a sexy magazine, del Rio replied: “I’m just seventeen and I’m too young. I don’t think so.”
Del Rio is the commercial model of a new corned beef product. She currently resides as a model in the country and this coming April she will grace television screens in the new TV series “Kapitan Boom!”
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