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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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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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Stamford, CONNECTICUT --- For Alexis Stuecklin, a professional model and aspiring actress who lived in the Philippines until age six, joining the WWE family as a 2005 Diva Search finalist was a dream come true – and she couldn’t have more pride in representing the Filipino people in front of millions of North American wrestling fans each week.
“I’ve always been a huge professional wrestling fan, so having an opportunity to share the ring with WWE superstars like Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, and John Cena is simply amazing!” said Alexis. “And in America, there aren’t many prominent Filipino entertainers, so I’m absolutely thrilled to be representing the beauty and majesty of the Philippines. My mother, who passed away several years ago, was a Filipino farmer, and I still have lots of family on the island. I last visited them at age 17 and I can’t wait to return – hopefully as the WWE Diva Search winner!”
The WWE’s 2005 Diva Search is a national competition among the world’s most beautiful, desirable, and charismatic models and actresses. Last year’s winner, Christy Hemme, not only captured $250K in prize money, a WWE contract, and the hearts of millions of wrestling fans from around the world – she also graced the cover of Playboy magazine and countless other major publications.
After reviewing thousands upon thousands of aspiring WWE divas, the WWE narrowed the field to eight. Along with Alexis, the remaining contestants are Kristal, Ashley, Cameron, Elisabeth, Leyla, Simona, and Summer.
“All the other girls are drop-dead gorgeous and highly motivated to win the competition,” Alexis admitted. “But I can guarantee you, none of them are more motivated than me! I’m hungry, I’m determined, and I’ll do whatever it takes to wrest the Diva Search crown from the other girls. To paraphrase the Nature Boy, ‘To be the woman, you’ve got to beat the woman – and I’m the hottest thing going in the world today! Diamonds are forever, and so is Alexa! Wooo!’”
You can vote for Alexis here: http://divavote.wwe.com
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Center City, PENNSYLVANIA --- Filipino-American MarBarruel III defeated Brian Nietzold of New Jersey in the ninth and final round to rules the just concluded 33rd Annual World Open Chess Championships late Monday here at the Wyndham Hotel at Franklin Plaza. Barruel, pride of Virginia State scored undefeated with seven wins and two draws to received the top purse US$1,000 in the unrated division of seven section US$180,000 guaranteed tournament which organized by Husband and Wife Bill and Brenda Goichberg of Continental Chess Association.
On the other hand, engineer Antonio Noche of Makati City finished in a tie for second to third placers with Daniel Masters of Maryland with 7.5 points apiece.
Another Filipino entries Roger Vicente of Alexandria, Virginia finish with 5.0 points, good for him to shared seventh to 10th placers along with Gordon Houston and Colin Brown of Pennsylvania and Carlo Calderon of New York.
Meanwhile, Eddie Briones of Jacksonville, Florida scored 8.0 points after settling a draw with Kyle Askine of Maryland in the last round to finish in a tie for first in the Under 1600 division with Raynard Simmons, winner over fellow New Yorkers Rosevelt Dume.
Also tied for first is Rommel Tacorda of Jacksonville Florida who notch 7.5 points, the same output of Gennadiy Malyuta of Rhode Island in the Under 1400 brackets.
Sharing the limelight is Narciso Victoria of New
Jersey who demolished Max Malyuta of New York in the final canto to finish in a tie for 5th to 12th placers after accumulating 6.5 points.
Other Filipino woodpushers who participated in the said chessfest coinciding the celebration of 4th of July (American Independence) were chess columnist and sports radio commentator Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., US Master Rico “Kokoy” Salmibagat, Marc Christian
Nazario, Whiz Noche and US based William Aramil, Karl Vicente, John Victoria, Mar Barruel IV, among others.
Super Grandmaster Kamil Miton of England scalped Indian ace Magesh Panchanathan in the Blitz Playoff to emerged 2005 World Open Champion to pocketed the first prize of US$14,000.
Actually, both players was tied at 7.5 points in the Open section after nine round Swiss system, GM Miton, having the higher tie break elected to have five minutes and the White pieces against Magesh’s seven minutes with the Black pieces. -- Marlon Bernardino
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The Philippine Fiesta 2005 has always presented an excellent package of entertaiment presentation for its visitors. From musical artists to movie and television celebrities to legitimate stage performers, the two-day exposition provides a total package of entertainment and cultural shows. The musical and dance presentations, to a certain degree, create the strongest pull of people to the event.
This year, the former child star, Aiza Seguerra, will be one of the featured performers of the musical extravaganza at the Philippine Fiesta which will be held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey on August 20 & 21.
Before becoming one of today’s Filipino major singers with hauntingly soothing voice, Aiza was a child in everyone’s eyes. Ever since she joined the Little Miss Philippines when she was barely three years old, Aiza has proven not only to herself but most especially to her dedicated fans that she is a multi-talented performing artist.
When she was with Eat Bulaga!, Aiza danced (we will always remember the Aiza-walk), sang and even outwitted Tito, Vic and Joey. That is the very reason that most of today’s child performers are still compared to Aiza.
“We chose Aiza to be at the Fiesta because we feel that she has been with us for a long time. Almost every Filipino knows her as we practically saw her growing up in show business,” said Mila Mendez, vice president of the Philippine Fiesta, Inc.
These days, aside from composing songs at home and appearing in television shows, Aiza performs at Naughty Strings, a bar in Tomas Morato, in Quezon City, where she makes her passion for singing alive.
Despite her fame and fortune, Aiza said she has never become vain. She said she likes her hair short and messy, and that she has never been self-conscious with her appearance. The only things that may be considered “exorbitant” in her lifestyle are her pairs of shoes.
After her song, “Pagdating Ng Panahon,” hit big and reaped awards, Aiza has been identified with love songs in acoustic arrangement. But for her, she doesn’t want to classify her songs. While many people want her to stick to a particular genre, Aiza tries not to box her style. Her reason: she wants her music to grow and become more dynamic.
At the Fiesta, however, Aiza will certainly perform her soulful songs with her guitar. Although she admitted that she is a frustrated pianist, percussionist and violinist, she feels that she could easily express herself with a guitar.
“If millions of Filipino fell in love with Aiza’s own musical rendition, come and join the Philippine Fiesta and fall in love all over again,” Mendez added.
For more details about Aiza Seguerra’s performance and the Philippine Fiesta, call at (212) 682-6610.
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