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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 --- Ai Ai de las Alas said she’s never as lucky in love as she is in her career. While she has a booming and blooming career, she cannot say the same for her love life.
 “Ganumpaman,” she admits, “ewan kung bakit ayaw kong pasaway when it comes to love. Feeling ko kasi, one day soon, if I persevere, the right man would come along. Yes, someone who will take me for what I am, and who will accept my children as well.”
Ai Ai reveals she’s in love again; this time to a 52-year-old American named Art Carter. She met him in Las Vegas, where she recently performed.
Relates Ai Ai: “I was watching a show at MGM Hotel where my group and I were billeted. I was alone since my companions decided to retire early. Kasi nga when they tried to buy tickets for the show, wala na raw available seats. Isa na lang daw. Sabi nila sa akin na lang daw yun.”
Ai Ai was seated to the right of Art. The two seats to her left were both empty. That’s why it was obvious that she was alone.
Art, who had his 23-year-old son with him, asked her why she had no companions with her. She told him the reason and before long, he was asking her about the performance. Ai Ai patiently explained the show to Art.
After the show, he invited her for a cup of coffee. It turned out that Art and his son were also billeted in the same hotel.
The following day, he invited her to a motocross competition and Ai Ai obliged. On their way back to the hotel, Ai Ai was recognized by Pinoys in Las Vegas. Some even boldly approached Art and told him to take care of her.
“Noon niya lang na-realize na nagsasabi ako ng totoo na artista ako here,” Ai Ai said.
In Hawaii, where she performed after Las Vegas, Ai Ai was pleasantly surprised when Art paid her a visit.
“Somehow,” says she, “na feel ko na serious ang intention niya for me.”
They have been in constant touch since she returned to the Philippines. Art frequently calls her on the phone and they even have a moniker for each other. She calls him “Papa,” while he calls her “Babes.”
She has told her three children, Sancho, 14, Nicolai, 9 and Sofia, 6, about Art and they all reacted positively. Sancho even told her to make sure that she is happy.
Art has talked to all three kids. Do we hear wedding bells? we asked Ai Ai.
“It’s too early to tell,” she answered. “Basta I am hoping for the best. Nang matupad na ang pangarap kong magkaroon ng anak na blonde and blue eyed.” (MNS)
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MANILA, May 25, 2005 --- Diether Ocampo has always hoped to be taken as a serious actor. And it seems he has finally found the right role in ìNasaan Ka Man,î a Star Cinema production which also stars Claudine Barretto and Jericho Rosales.
 "Itís a dream come true for me," Diether said of his role in the movie. "I truly feel grateful that the role was given to me. I know that Jericho was given an option to choose which role na kanyang gagampanan, yung role niya sa pelikula o yung role ko."
Claudine and Diether play adopted siblings of Gloria Diaz, while Jericho is the adopted son of Hilda Koronel. They grow up together and treat each other as brothers and sister. Their adoptive mothers are sisters who are both old maids.
"As young kids, para talagang magkakapatid kami," related Diether, "until we grow up and I discover that Claudine and Jericho are in love. I resent this since in love din ako kay Claudine. And this is where the conflict begins.
"I have at least three highlights in ëNasaan Ka Man,í he continued, "one with Claudine, one with Jericho, and the confrontation scene with my adoptive mother."
"Iíd say that Diether delivered," said "Nasaan Ka Man" director Cholo Laurel, who is making his film directorial debut, "These three scenes of his in the movie manage to bring out his talent in acting. I am proud of him." (MNS)
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MANILA --- During the first shooting day of ‘Hari ng Sablay,’ we asked Rica Peralejo how she feels that Rufa Mae Quinto was the first choice as the leading lady of Berwin Meily in his launching flick?
 ‘Okay lang,’ she says.
‘Berwin’s a friend as we were together in ‘Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay’ at ABS-CBN before, so I’m happy to support him. And honestly, hindi ko alam na kapalit lang ako as it’s my mom who deals with Mother Lily. Nalaman ko na nga lang, may shooting na pala kami today. My last film was ‘Spirit of the Glass’ pa in December, so excited na rin akong gumawa ng bagong movie, and kay Mother Lily pa who I feel we should all support dahil siya na lang ang regular na nagpo-produce.’
Direk Mac Alejandre stresses that Rica is not just a second choice. “She’s really in our list of Berwin’s possible leading ladies. After all, she came from a blockbuster film like ‘Spirit,’ ‘di ba? As for Rufa Mae, in fairness to her, she didn’t reject Bearwin. Nothing personal sa kanila. It’s just that she’s under Viva and she’s allowed only to do only one film sa Regal, ‘Ako Legal Wife,’ na nauna na ngang mag-shoot. Nanghihinayang nga siya that she can’t do ‘Hari ng Sablay.’”
“Ako naman, I really want to do a comedy,” says Rica. “So okay lang sa ‘kin kahit pang-ilang choice pa ko. Happy rin ako na I’m working with GMA-7 people here, including Direk Mac, Jay-R and Nadine Samonte, para may makatrabaho naman akong ibang mga tao.” (MNS)
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