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For the past 17 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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MANILA --- Up to now, Diether Ocampo and Kristine Hermosa have yet to confirm the report that they are married. What is obvious is their love for each other, something they have never kept secret.
The two will be seen romancing each other in a new teleserye, “Till Death Do Us Part,” which will start airing on the first week of February.
It was in their last teleserye, “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas,” where they fell in love. The series also starred Kristine’s perennial leading man: Jericho Rosales, with whom she ended up at the soap opera’s finale.
“Nakakatawa nga,” says Diether, “because, that time, kami na ni Kristine at ‘di na namin itinatago ang tungkol sa relasyon namin.”
Diether and Kristine recently starred in “Bcuz of U” with two other love teams, Heart Evangelista and Goeff Eigennmann and Sandara Park and Hero Angeles. The film, directed by Laurenti Dyogi, was a blockbuster. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Kris Aquino is sick.
Her doctor’s verdict: she’s overworked. Thus, he wants her to rest. Otherwise, he says, her condition will worsen.
“I want to rest.” Kris sighs. “Really rest to the max. But how can I when I have too many commitments? ‘Di lang may daily show ako (‘Pilipinas, Game KNB?’), I have a teleserye (‘Hiram’) where I have to tape at least three times a week. Sometimes, we have to tape for a minimum of 20 hours. There’s pa my talk show with Boy Abunda and Cristy Fermin, which is aired live every Sunday. Kaya even if I want to slow down, I cannot,” she says.
Even her personal life, according to Kris, has to take a backseat because of her work. When she has free time, she spends it with her eight-year-old son, Joshua, who often complains that she has no time for him.
“He cannot understand the fact that the reason I am working so hard is because I am preparing for his future. It’s common knowledge that I am a single mom,” Kris says.
Meanwhile, haven’t you noticed that it is not just in “The Buzz” where Kris wears gown while hosting? Even in “Game KNB?,” she wears gowns by Rajo Laurel, Ariel Agasang or JC Buendia? Some of the outfits she wears are so revealing, she is afraid she might get the Movie Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chairperson Consoliza Laguardia.
“Kung sabagay, disente namang magdala ng damit, kahit halos naka-display na ang kabuuan ng kanyang cleavage, si Kris,” says a kibitzer, “But still, I would advise her not to overdo it. Baka kasi mismong audience na niya ang mag-complain.” (MNS)
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MANILA --- Piolo Pascual is convincing his mom, Amelia, to stay put in the country so she can handle his finances.
So far, the actor has been using his income to put up some businesses. Piolo is part-owner of Mocha Blends, a coffee shop in Morato St., Quezon City. Last year, Piolo and his siblings put up a water station, P-Plus. It now has four branches: Cavite, Pasig, San Juan, and Quezon City.
“I want to invest my money well,” he says. “I am aware that being in showbiz is not forever. One day soon, you have to give way to younger artists. When that time comes, I want to be prepared. Not just for myself but for my family as well.”
Piolo is both nervous and excited with his new Star Cinema movie, “Dreamboy,” which pairs him with Bea Alonzo for the first time.
“Para bang nang malaman kong makakasabay ang playdate ng pelikula namin ng isa pang Tagalog movie, nakaramdam ako ng pressure. I am just keeping my fingers crossed that both films will do well at the box office,” he says.
There’s no question that Piolo is doing very well in his showbiz career. He is first to admit, however, that it has not been smooth sailing all the way.
Piolo used to be a member of German Moreno’s “That’s Entertainment.” At that time, he did not get any movie offer from any production outfit.
“Patpatin kasi ako noon,” recalls Piolo, “at wala pa nga siguro akong dating since I was very young.”
With his showbiz career going nowhere, Piolo decided to go to the US to stay with his mom.
“I met Joji Dingcong (his first manager) by chance and he encouraged me to come home and try showbiz anew. I told myself, why not? Tutal, at that time, some of my siblings were still here,” he relates.
Piolo knew he could sing so he thought of trying out his luck as a recording star. He did not envision himself staging a concert until an offer came and he mounted one last year at the Araneta Coliseum, no less. The venue was filled to the rafters.
Another proof that he has made it as a singer is the sales of his album. So far, he has had two hit albums, both reaching the platinum mark.
He plans to stay in show business as long as he feels needed. Yes, despite the many intrigues and problems that come with his being a popular showbiz personality. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Ruffa Gutierrez, who resides in Turkey with her husband Yilmaz Bektas and daughters Lorin and Venice, is worried for her brother, Richard. She has heard the report that he was punched by an unidentified assailant during his and twin brother Raymond’s 21st birthday party.
In a text message, Ruffa pleaded: “Please naman help us manawagan at hanapin kung sinong sumuntok sa kapatid ko. He’s wanted by everyone. Richard is such a hardworking, peace-loving individual and would never start any gulo. It’s just unfortunate that things got out of hand and the wrong guy was hit. Thus, he’s (referring to Richard’s alleged victim) hurt but he knows deep in his heart that the punches from Richard were not intended for him. Sana maayos na ang gusot so we can all move on. Pati ako na-stress out na.”
As is common knowledge, Richard reportedly boxed someone whom he mistook as his assailant on the night of the party at the Fort. He left the guy black and blue. The guy reported the incident not only to the police but went public via the showbiz talk show, “The Buzz.”
“Actually may dahilan kung bakit dapat mag-worry ang pamilya ni Richard,” said a kibitzer, “‘Di nila nakilala ang sumuntok dito. At ang lakas ng loob ng assailant. Sinaktan niya si Richard right in the middle of his party. But everything happened so fast that no one present could identify the guy (attacker) to date. So, who can tell if he won’t strike again?
“Richard (and Raymond, too) should better be careful,” the kibitzer continued.
At the final presscon of GMA Films’ “Let the Love Begin”, Richard was grilled about the incident.
“I’m also a victim here,” he says. “I meant the occasion to be a thanksgiving party for all my friends and loved ones who’ve been supporting me. It’s meant to be a happy affair but it’s unfortunate that it was spoiled by this gatecrasher who ate our food, had drinks, then when I asked him about it, suddenly hit me on the head at nabukulan pa ako.
“Parang setup nga ang nangyari as he was dressed in all black and even had a black bonnet on. No one knew him. Parang he went there to really provoke me and, after hitting me, biglang nagtatakbo. Doon nagsimula ang gulo. My friends ran after him. Ang bilis ng mga pangyayari. When I went down, may rumble na at nakiawat lang ako. Si Kuya Jomari Yllana ang humila sa akin at isinakay ako sa kotse para umuwi na.”
Does he think it will affect the high ratings of “Mulawin” and the box office take of his movie, “Let the Love Begin”?
“I don’t think so. I think viewers will know how to analyze the situation and they’d see biktima rin ako rito. Isa pa, ‘Mulawin’ has loyal followers and I know ‘Let the Love Begin’ will be able to stand on its own merits. Talagang ginastusan ito ng GMA Films to make it a perfect Valentine movie.” (MNS)
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