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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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LAST week, when I was in midtown Manhattan, I happened pass by the rows legendary music stores along 49th street. which is is a musician’s heaven in the middle of Time Square.
All the instruments from classic relics to new models are there, all the best brands from around the globe are on display, as well as the latest state of the art recording and sound production rigs. For me, every time I pass by that area, it was like putting a kid in a barn full of toys. I was drooling like a typhoon.
But the great thing about it is that life in America allows me to go into the store, try the instrument of my desire, take the plastic money from my wallet, and buy the darn thing. It’s that easy if you are living and working in America. Unlike in our economically challenged Philippines where starting a band is like sending a child to college while on welfare.
Back in the Philippines, where I started my musical journey, I could have afforded an American-made guitar by eating ‘tempurang Alamang’ for a year. Instead, I settled for a “Mitsubishi” brand guitar made in the “Republic of Raon”.
I could have bought myself an Apple Powerbook for recording provided I used my Pamana College Plan check for my entire collegiate life. I remember very vividly how my bandmate asked his dad for a British-made bass guitar bearing a hefty P55,000 price tag.
“Dad I want that bass, could you buy me that?” My bandmate tearfully asked his journalist dad.
“ Hmm, P50, 000... son, I’ll just make one for you.”
Instruments were so expensive then, we learned how to improvise and “make” instruments out of ordinary things ala The A-Team and McGyver. Our mic stands were made of discarded plumber’s pipes, our PA system was a clunky Karoaoke multiplex sing-along system and our drum set was a drum set by night, but water drums by day. Our gears were crude, but thankfully, it didn’t take away the fun of making music.
Band life in the Philippines aside from using the crummy instruments, involves some crummy lifestyle too. During my band days there, I was always on an empty tummy just to save for rehearsal studio rentals. And the only full meal on a rehearsal day is a piece of Pan de Coco, and a softdrink, usually coke, that was to be drunk in a plastic bag with a long straw.
All those nutritional compromise for rehearsal time in a real studio located near the outer façade of swampy Nepa Qmart. It was the cheapest studio for P100 an hour. It was so cheap, cockroaches and rats rave and groove with the music that was being rehearsed.
Gigs were as miserable as the rehearsals. We seldom got paid, and often played the closing spots of the clubs – 3 am usually. But we were all well fed with crispy chicken necks, cold, hardened rice, and coca cola in bottles decorated with Christmas labels in the middle of May. We got unlimited water and free smokes too.
But the great thing about is was the fun. Nevermind the hassles of high prices and maltreatments, coz we did really rock, and enjoyed every second of our bandlives.
It may have strained our pockets and caused unbelievable angst and anxiety to our parents, but it got all of us to where we always wanted to be -- rocking in New York City.
Ted Reyes is a journalist, composer, musician and record producer based in NY. For comments about this column or submissions for music or film review etc. you can email him at tedreyes@mac.com or visit his website at http://www.tedreyes.com.
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MANILA --- Congratulations to Alessandra de Rossi. The horror movie she made in Singapore, ‘The Maid,’ premiered in 20 theaters with a one-night only midnight screening last week and it earned a whopping $400,000, equivalent to P13.2 million pesos.
OctoArts Films has purchased the rights for its release in the Philippines and they expect to show it in local theaters by late September.
It will be recalled that Alessandra starred in the OctoArts offering, ‘Spirit of the Glass,’ at the Metro Manila Film Festival last year and will again be one of the stars of their offering this year, ‘Kutob,’ with Rica Peralejo and Dingdong Dantes. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Andrea del Rosario’s management contract with Viva is expiring in November but it’s being renewed two months in advance.
“I’m really grateful to Viva dahil ito ang nagbigay ng big break sa akin when I became a Viva Hot Babe and was launched in ‘Lupe’,” she says. “Kundi sa Viva, hindi ako magkakaroon ng pangalan at hindi ako makakapagpundar ng sarili kong bahay. Dahil dito, I’m signing up a new three-year contract with them.”
As part of her new contract, Viva helped her get an important role in the latest incarnation of the classic soap, “Gulong ng Palad.” She plays the role of the villain Mimi, first played by Patria Plata in the ‘50s version and, on TV in the late’70s, by Beth Bautista. She will make life miserable for heroine Luisa, now played by Kristine Hermosa. “Enjoy ako sa role ko,” she says. “Inaagaw ko si Luisa from her husband, Carding, played by TJ Trinidad.”
Andrea was linked to Hollywood action star Vin Diesel. She met him by chance in Los Angeles two years ago. Vin has acknowleged that they are friends but it seems someone got envious of their friendship and sowed some intrigues about them.
“I heard that when a Filipino correspondent interviewed him, he said that ‘I hate that Filipina actress,’ referring to me. So I called him up and asked ‘Did you really say that?’ He denied it but I told him ‘I hate you, too.’ Then he called me again and said, ‘What are you talking about? I don’t hate you or anybody.’ I said I’m sorry for overreacting, but after that, wala na. Hindi ko na siya tinawagan uli. Isa na lang masayang experience na na-meet ko siya.”
Whatever happened to the Polish model who was her boyfriend some months ago? “He has left for Milan and Germany. Wala naman kaming serious commitment kasi nga he’s often out of the country, so he’s free to date others at ganoon din ako. But he says he’ll come back for me next year.”
She seems to be partial to foreigners. Before this, she went steady with a French guy for three years. “That was serious and when it ended, I was heartbroken. After that, sabi ko, I’d focus on my career na lang. I also had a boyfriend from New Zealand. Hindi naman sa mahilig ako sa foreigners. Sila ang mahilig sa akin. They like my strong personality and being liberal minded. Ako naman, ang gusto ko sa kanila, they give me freedom to be myself and have my own identity. Hindi gaya ng Pinoy na maraming ipinagbabawal.”
Andrea just returned from Dubai doing shows with Luke Mejares. She’ll next go to the U.S. to do shows with other Viva Hot Babes. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Has Bing Loyzaga made true her threat to call it quits with husband of 15 years Janno Gibbs if she discovers that he has not stopped his womanizing?
We learned from a reliable source that Bing, a few weeks back, threw Janno out of the house. And with reportedly their eldest daughter Alyssa’s blessing. The teenage Allysa allegedly advised her mom to cut clean her relationship with her dad if Bing really cannot take his ways.
The Gibbs have another daughter, Gabbie, who is four years old.
One of the most in demand singers on TV and in the concert scene, Janno is the son of actor Ronaldo Valdez and the former Baby Ylagan, who is the only daughter of the late Gerry de Leon and former singing sensation Fely Vallejo.
Former Sampa-guita Pictures’ contract star Liberty Ilagan is Baby’s half-sister.
Janno has a younger sister, Melissa, who was also a member like him of German Moreno’s former talent discovery show, “That’s Entertainment.”
Bing’s dad is former basketball icon Caloy Loyzaga, who now resides in Australia. She has an elder sister, Teresa Loyzaga, who used to appear in movies, too.
Bing was also a mainstay of “That’s Entertainment.” In fact, it was there where Bing and Janno fell in love.
Bing was about 15 years old when she got pregnant with Alyssa. She immediately left for Australia. Janno decided to follow her. They got married when they returned to Manila.
For a while, their relationship seemed ideal. Like Janno, Bing, who can also sing professionally, resumed her career. She became active not only as a singer but as an actress, too.
Then, one day, she decided to just quit showbiz. She would often be seen tagging along with Janno to showbiz functions.
A close friend surmised that was obviously the time when Bing felt Janno was not being totally loyal and sincere to her. “Kaya, kung baga sa basketball (where her Dad Caloy excelled), mina-man to man niya si Janno.
“For sometime,” our source continued, “it worked. Until na-feel niya siguro that she could start trusting Janno again. Kailangan nga naman niyang asikasuhin ang mga bata.
“Pero, totoo ang kasabihang mahirap putulin ang kung baga habit na. After threatening Janno so many times that if he doesn’t behave she will be forced to throw him out of the house, hayan tinutoo na niya.”
From the same source, we learned that some of the women whom Bing felt Janno has romantic affairs with are celebrities, like them.
Indeed, if you recall, there was one time when reports went around that Bing confronted a very popular singer who was constantly being paired with Janno in concerts and recording. The singer denied it.
This time, Bing’s object of jealousy, we heard, is a sexy newcomer on television.
Janno is a mainstay of two TV shows, “Eat Bulaga” and “Nuts Entertainment. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Cesar Montano is serious in pursuing his dream of cultivating an international career.
“I’m considering two top agents to represent me then I’ll get my own lawyer to handle legal matters for me,” he says. “I have an offer for a new TV show here but I can’t accept it kasi hindi ako puedeng matali rito as I’d be going back and forth to the U.S. to establish my presence there and study speaking English with various accents like Mexican, Japanese and Italian English.”
Before he left, Cesar attended the launching of the latest product he’s endorsing, Pau Liniment from Aldrtz Corporation. As someone who works out in the gym daily, Cesar says Pau is very helpful in alleviating his muscular aches and pains. And why did Aldrtz choose him as their endorser?
“We consider it an honor to have Cesar as he’s an award-winning actor-director,” says Aldrtz executive Cris Alvela. “He has excellent talent, attitude and integrity we Filipinos can be proud of. Pau is now number 1 in Visayas and Mindanao. With his help, we know we can also succeed in Luzon and Metro-Manila.”
And why did Cesar agree to endorse Pau? “I only endorse products I believe in, lalo na ito na gawang Filipino talaga and made from herbal extracts.”
Do you know that Cesar got offers to endorse two brands of beer but he turned them down? “I’m urging him to get them because the talent fee is awesome,” says his manager, Norma Japitana. “With my commission, I can already buy myself a husband. Pero ayaw niya talaga.”
“I’m an athlete who promotes clean living,” says Cesar. “Tapos makikita ako ng kabataan na umiinom ng alak, so ano ang iisipin nila: are you telling us to be athletic or to drink liquor? I have to be true to what I believe in.”(MNS)
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MANILA --- Ciara Sotto is glad that her love team with Paolo Ballesteros is getting good feedback. “It just started sa biru-biruan but viewers seem to like it so, heto, we’re now paired in the episode ‘Love-an o Bawi’ of Season 9 of ‘Love to Love’,” she says.
She has not had a new boyfriend after she broke up with John Lloyd Cruz. “I want someone older and more mature sana kasi John Lloyd is younger than me. But it seems nalilinya yata ako sa mas bata sa akin as Paolo is also two years younger than me. “
Are they on? “No. We’re still on the stage na we’re trying to get to know each other better.”
What qualities of Paolo does she find likable? “His sense of humor. He reminds me of my dad (Sen. Tito Sotto), kahit nakaupo lang, nagpapatawa pa. He also knows how to shower you with attention. He plays badminton with my family and wala namang objection sa kanya ang parents ko.”
We turn to Paolo and ask him what qualities of Ciara does he like. “Her being very simple and humble. Hindi maarte. Also, maasikaso siya when we’re together sa ‘Eat Bulaga’. Since she’s majoring in voice, she also coaches me when we sing, lalo na when I do the second voice. Dahil nga sa kanya kaya ako kanta nang kanta ngayon sa show.”
Next week, they’re leaving with the ‘Eat Bulaga’ troup for shows in the U.S. “When you travel together daw, that’s when you get to know each other better,” says Paolo. “Two weeks kami sa U.S. and I know we’ll enjoy our stay there. We did advance tapings na nga for ‘Love to Love’.”
In “Love-an O Bawi’, Paolo plays a rookie cop who wants to handle big cases but is instead assigned to be a traffic cop. Ciara is a promdi who wants to be a singer so she applies as a housemaid in the house of a big recording executive (Ian Veneracion). Ian is suspected to be involved in record piracy so Paolo uses Ciara to spy on him, but Ciara has a cousin, Jopay Paguia of the SexBomb, who falls in love with Ian. Also appearing in this episode that starts on September 4 are Al Tantay, Lito Legaspi, Kristine Jaka, Rodel Velayo, Eva Papaya and Renz Valerio.(MNS)
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MANILA --- Dawn Zulueta looks so beautiful on her sixth month of pregnancy. She’s wearing an empire cut gown to conceal her growing tummy. It’s good her husband, Anton, allowed her to go back to work.
“He did, but with a heavy heart,” she says. “He’s asking me bakit kailangan ko pa to work again and I told him I enjoy what I’m doing. Also, my doctor has given me the go signal. The first three months, delikado talaga, but now, I can work again basta hindi lang stressful. E, I’d be taping naman one day a week lang at hindi nila ako pinupuyat. After taping today, I’ll go back to Davao na. In the story, I’m in Devas and Lira will ask my advice on how to solve the various problems faced by Encantadia.”
She’s due to deliver her baby boy in late November or early December. “Excited na kami, as we waited for him for seven years. But we don’t have a name for him yet. Naghahanap pa kami.”
By next month, she’ll not be allowed to take the plane anymore. “Stay put na ko rito sa Manila until I deliver the baby. We’ll be spending Christmas here and go back na lang to Davao kapag malaki-laki na siya. Anton will be coming over so we can take the training for Lamaze delivery. I want to experience all the pain of giving birth by natural method and I also intend to breastfeed.”
What can she say to Agot Isidro, who’s also been waiting to get pregnant for sometime now? “I want to tell her susunod na siya. Basta she just keeps on praying to the Lord and He will give her a baby.” (MNS)
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MANILA --- Don’t look now but Rica Peralejo declares she is ready for a second chance at love. She hopes to find the right man before Christmas. “Para naman maging masaya ang Pasko ko,” she says with a smile.
It has been a year since she broke up with Bernard Palanca, with whom she went steady for four years. Up to now, she and Bernard are mum about the real reason they parted ways.
Rica admits to having a number of suitors. "Na mababait naman," she adds. "Pero, ewan kung bakit ni isa sa kanila ay walang nagpatibok ng aking puso. Ganunpaman, I’m not losing hope that I will soon find him. Sana nga lang, ASAP."
When told that there is a report that Bernard now has a new girl, allegedly a commercial model, Rica lights up. "I’m happy for him. And I wish him the best," she says. (MNS)
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