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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 --- Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales’ three-year-old twins, Atasha and Andres, have joined their dad as official endorsers of Jollibee, particularly its Chicken Joy fried chicken.
Chicken Joy, according to Daddy Aga, who has been Jollibee’s official endorser for the last 10 years, happens to be the twins’ big favorite among the food joint’s products. “Kaya nga when I told them that they were going to be with me in a Jollibee commercial, ang reaction, lalo na ni Atasha: ‘You mean Daddy, Andres and I will eat chicken joy with you on TV?’
“When I nodded, sabi ba naman sa kapatid, ‘Andres, we’re working with Daddy. We will eat Chicken Joy with him on TV’,” Aga relates.
The shoot for the commercial turned out to be a family affair for the Muhlachs. Charlene joined Aga and the twins on the set, even acting as the kids’ prompter during the shoot. The twins’ grandmothers, Elvie (Gonzales) and Anita (Aquino), were also present.
“At first, I was nervous for them,” says Aga, “Wala akong ideya how they will behave sa set and follow instructions. Yes, not even Charlene’s assurance that there was nothing to worry about helped me relax.
“Kaya when I saw them behave before the cameras as though they were just playing, natawa na lang ako.”
At first, Aga was wary about allowing his kids to do the commercial. The two first appeared in a commercial two years ago with their mother. But Charlene convinced Aga since she believed it will serve as a good memento of their childhood. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Jericho Rosales appears determined to win Cindy Kurleto back. He is not taking it against Cindy if she bad-mouthed him during the presscon of her exercise video, produced and distributed by Viva Video. In fact, he feels guilty since all of Cindy's accusations are true, after all.
For example, Cindy accused him of lying about their relationship. Jericho never had the guts, she said, to defend her when she was being accused of ruining his supposed romance with Kristine Hermosa.
She also added that she was stood up by Jericho a number of times because of fear that his fans won't like it if they learned that he's dating someone other than Kristine.
Cindy, though, admitted that she broke up with Jericho with a heavy heart. She just did not want to be taken for granted anymore.
Kristine's decision to be open about her romance with Diether Ocampo seems to have finally "awakened" Jericho. It's now his turn to make it up to Cindy and really prove his love for her.
We wonder if Jericho took Cindy out last Valentine's Day. He told the members of the media at the presscon of his new show, "Bora," that he was planning to take her out on Feb. 14 if his schedule's free.
Incidentally, Jericho is playing the title role in another new ABS-CBN show, "Ang Panday," which has Totoy Natividad at the helm.
Cindy, meanwhile, is the leading lady of Vic Sotto in the sitcom, "Daddy Di Do Du," on GMA-7. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Archie Alemania admits that he and girlfriend Mickey Ferriols live in the same condominium building, but he clears that they don't share the same unit.
It is true, however, that there's hardly a day when they don't see each other. "Talaga pong we enjoy each other's company, that's why," says Archie.
It is for this reason, Archie explained, why Mickey was present at the presscon of his new ABS-CBN show, "Star Dance" where he is both host and dancer.
Archie's co-hosts on "Star Dance" are Marvin Agustin, Bianca Gonzales, JC Cuadrado and Vanessa del Bianco.
"I'm excited about this show," Archie gushed. "It's a dream show for me. Dancing, aside from hosting, is my passion."
Archie used to be a member of the dance group Big Men. He quit the group and decided to become a commercial model. What he was earning as a dancer was not enough, even if his lifestyle was very simple then.
A funny thing happened while he auditioned for the Chippy commercial. He was one of the 150 models who auditioned. When they were reduced to a smaller number, they were made to wait.
While they were waiting for the results of the audition, someone obviously connected with the advertising firm came to their group and asked: "O, sinong napiling bida dito?"
The guy next to him, to Archie's surprise, pointed at him.
"And that was it," he related. "Ako nga ang naging bida sa nabanggit na commercial without my knowing why."
After his stint with Chippy Archie did commericals for Pop Cola, San Miguel and Globe Telecom.
A year ago, he auditioned for a hosting job for "Wazzup, Wazzup" on Studio 23.
Luckily, he passed and he was assigned to mimic Mike Enriquez who seems to always look galit, but is only trying to be different and funny.
The gimmick clicked with the audience so Studio 23 gave him other shows. Soon he became a mainstay of "Digital Tour" and "Breakfast."
He joined as a mainstay of "Ang Tanging Ina" as Nikki Valdez' boyfriend last year. In no time, he became one of the hosts of "MTB: Ang Saya Saya."
Archie revealed that Mickey is his dream girl for as long as he can remember. But he never had the courage to get close to her, even if she was also a host of "MTB: Ang Saya Saya."
"The only person in the show to whom I shared this feeling with was Joross Gamboa. But he was of no help either," he related.
Archie denies, though, that he caused the break-up of Mickey and her former boyfriend, Baroy. As far as he knows he came into Mickey's life when she was ready to love again.
So far, he and Mickeyhave been sweethearts for about seven months.
So, how's Mickey as a girlfriend?
"She's okay except that she's the jealous type," Archie answered. "But I love her."
He had his parents meet Mickey. "And, so far, so good," he said.
Do we hear wedding bells?
"We've never discussed that yet," he replied. "After all, we've been on for only seven months." (MNS)
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MANILA --- Gina Alajar has nixed the possibility of reconciliation with Michael de Mesa. They are friends, she said. For the sake of their children, she added.
Gina and Michael have three sons but she was unescorted when she attended the concert of Christopher de Leon and Tirso Cruz III at the Hotel Dusit last Valentines’ Day. She divulged that her sons had their respective dates that night.
Well, Gina was with friends, Lyn Cruz and Sandy Andolong, wives of Christopher and Tirso, respectively, and the show’s producers.
Gina had a good time watching the performance, just like all of those who were at the concert, including Lipa Mayor Vilma Santos and Sen. Ralph Recto; Rudy Fernandez and Lorna Tolentino, who came with sons Ralph and Renz; Direk Laurice Guillen and Johnny Delgado; Direk Edgar Mortiz and wife, the former Millete Santos; Direk Boots Plata and wife, Dolor Guevarra and art connoisseur Danny Dolor.
The mother of Christopher, former LVN actress Lilia Dizon, was also in the audience.
“Kuntento na ako taking good care of my three sons,” Gina disclosed.
Gina is talking about Ryan, Geoff and TJ, her sons who all happen to be in showbiz just like their parents. Although Ryan has been in the business much longer than the two others, it’s Geoff who seems to be the most popular because of his role as the leading man of Heart Evangelista and Anne Curtis in the teleserye, “Hiram.”
Gina is herself still actively involved in showbiz. If she is not acting, she directs shows and even holds acting workshops. Does she plan to marry again?
“That’s not part of my plan, although I will abide by God’s will,” she answered.
Gina admits to having suitors, but she has yet to seriously consider accepting one for a boyfriend.
Gina and Mayor Vi started their showbiz careers at the same time. They were together in their first movie, Sampaguita Pictures’ “Trudis Liit,” where Vilma played Gina’s elder sister. Luis Gonzales, Sampaguita Pictures’ biggest male star, was also in it.
“Kami ni Ate Vi ang iilan sa mga dating child stars na hanggang ngayon ay nag-a-artista pa rin. Of course, Ate Vi made it bigger than I did,” Gina said.
Her dream is to direct Vilma in a TV show or movie.
“When that happens masasabi kong I’ve accomplished na something as a director,” said Gina. (MNS)
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