|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Atlantic City, NEW JERSEY --- The number of concerts that Gary Valenciano has done, so far, in Atlantic City: More than 20. The seats that he may have left unoccupied in a 5,000-capacity concert hall: zero. And the enjoyment and satisfaction that his fans get from his performances: priceless.
While many Filipino singers can belt out high-pitched tunes, there’s only one Gary V. whom people love to see again and again. He truly owns his music and dances, bringing out a discernable quality of an all-time performing artist.
On November 5, at 8:00 p.m., Gary V. will return to Atlantic City, at Xanadu Theater of the Trump Taj Mahal, as part of his U.S. concert tour this year. And to add more delight to it, he will be with Zsa Zsa Padilla, another remarkable singer-actress who has blended well with his performances.
“No one is as live-wire as Gary and as soulful as Zsa Zsa. They are a wonderful mix,” says Mila Mendez, vice president of the Special Edition and producer of the concert.
Born to a Filipino father and a Puerto Rican mother, Gary Valenciano is a Filipino icon in the entertainment industry. Although he has 22 years of experience in the music world and several prestigious awards under his belt, he is one of the very few artists who has had constantly kept himself in the public’s eye.
Since 1983, when he first came out as a lean and lanky 18-year-old who had Michael Jackson’s moves and Al Jarreau’s vocal range, Gary V. – as he is popularly known – has proved to be an unwavering talent, considering thousands of wannabes and one-hit wonders who are now long forgotten.
Over the years, Gary V. has released 25 albums, including “Out of the Dark” for the California-based Graceland Records, “Dancin’ in the Moonlight” for the Japanese market on the EMI-Toshiba label, “Outside Looking In” for the Asian region on the Mercury-Polygram label and I Will Be There for MCA-Universal (Singapore).
In his recordings and live performances, he has worked with some of the most respected musicians and singers in the world, like Brian McKnight, George Duke, Paul Jackson, Jr., Bobby Sandstrom, Kool & the Gang, Ricky Martin, Cliff Richard and Julia Fordham.
As for Zsa Zsa Padilla, she first burst on the music scene after she made the Nescafe commercial song a Filipino household tune in the mid ‘80s.
With a raspy and hauntingly beautiful voice, Zsa Zsa has been repeatedly done concerts with the Philippines’ best talents, like Kuh Ledesma, Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera, Jaya, Ogie Alcasid and the Apo Hiking Society.
She has performed in key cities in the United States, as well as in Japan, Hongkong, Malaysia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Italy.
The November 5 concert tickets are sold at $58, $78 and $98, available at the Trump Taj Mahal box office or charge by phone at (212) 682-6610. Tickets can also be purchased from ticketmaster 800 736-1420.
For more inquiries, call (212) 682-6610, e-mail: sepmgzn@aol.com or visit the Web sites: www.specialeditionevents.com and ticketmaster.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jersey City, NEW JERSEY --- 10 outstanding Filipinos will be honored by the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL) for their contributions to the community.
The awarding, which will be held on October 16, coincides with the 13th annniversary celebrations of PACCAL.
All of the awardees are Filipino immigrants, who are working hard and use their talents to excel in their fields and they have shone brilliantly due to their service to the community.
The honorees are Ed Toloza, Greg Racelis, Emerito Salud, Guillermo Austria, Janine Sitao, Dr. Luz Morabe-Naval, Nino Domingo, Sonia Balandra, and Sixto and Juliana Macatangay.
Toloza, the tax assessor of Jersey City, said, his diverse background made him effective in performing one of the essential functions of government. “I occupy this position with tremendous honor and pride,”said Toloza, a rising star in the community.
A native of Pampanga. Toloza is married to Didi Baello and has three children–Jill , Pierre and Michelle.
Toloza served as former president of the Hudson County Assessors Association, an advisor to PAFCOM, and a member of the Knights of Rizal.
Greg Racelis, a former director of Jersey City Housing Authority and department of economic opportunity, is cited for his exemplary service to the community.
His diverse experience in accounting, auditing and financial management and active involvement in the community made him one of the well-know leaders of the Filipino American community in Jersey City.
His entrepreneurial skills made his West Side Avenue-business Racelis Realty successful.
He obtained his bachelor of science in commerce, from the Far Eastern University in Manila. He is married to Cita Celis and has three successful children.
Salud, is a member of Jose Rizal Lodge, Aquila Legis Fraternity, Kaibigan Inc., National Federation of Filipino American Association of America, and United Filipino American for Social Justice.
He graduated from Ateneo College of Law and presently works for EC-Eye Communication Technology.
Austria, is cited because because of his success in business and involvement in the community.
Austria owns American Pinoy Food Mart, a supermarket catering to growing number of Filipinos in NJ.
He is an active member of San Josenians of the East Coast, Batangas Association of Eastern seaboard, the Garden State Filipino American Association and Batangas City Association.
He is married to Imelda Austria and has four daughters.
Sitao is president and CEO of Jel Employment Services Inc., which began as a general employment agency, It has now become a premier temporary, permanent, and staffing firm in the tri-state area. The firm has grown into a multi-million industry, helping Filipinos get jobs in hospitals, homes, and offices.
Dr. Morabe-Naval is an expert on internal medicine and liver disease in Hudson County. The State of NJ has issued a Senate resolution recognizing Dr. Naval for her medical service.
She obtained her post-graduate medical education at St. Barnabas Medical Center of NJ and her medical degree at the Manila Central University.
She is an active participant for Operation Medical Awareness for Seniors and gave free medical check-ups on health fairs for Filipino community.
Domingo is a former aide to Jersey City Deputy Mayor Ador Equipado and director Kevin Sluka and State Senator Edward O’Connor.
He was a charter president and active member of Garden State Filipino American Association.
He was an overall charter chairperson of the Filipino American Catholic Action of St. Michael’s Church and St. Paul Pastoral Council, former grand marshal of Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Passaic, NJ and adviser of Performing Arts Philippines.
Sison is the owner of FDS Enterprise, marketing various products. He is also a licensed business and English instructor.
He is the president of Sta. Maria Ilocos Sur Association, vice president of Garden Sate Filipino American Association, and was elected board member of Philippine Independence Day Council in New York for next year.
Sison is married to Evelyn and they have two sons.
Balandra is a respected civic and religious leader. “My primary goal is to unite our community and to be involved as much as possible,” she said in an earlier interview.
For eight years, Balandra had been the president of Filipino American Catholic Action, and PIDC parade vice chair in 1995. She was a former president of San Lorenzo Ruiz Association of America in NJ and a former chairperson of Santakruzan 2004
She works as an accountant in New York.
Sixto and Juliana Macatangay are exceptional parents of 11 children, blessed with 40 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Their indefatigable sacrifices and unconditional devotion in raising their children amid obstacles have made them a special couple.
The couple both hailed from the southern part of Luzon and had worked professionally in the U.S. to give a better future for their children. They are also active in many community programs.
“Raising children may seem like no special feat to some people, but raising almost a dozen career-driven and civic-minded members of society is worth many an accolade,” the Macatangay couple said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
El Segundo, CALIFORNIA --- Continuing its ongoing strategy to become the leading international programming provider in the United States by offering a robust programming lineup to a variety of diverse ethnic markets, DIRECTV is now offering two new programming choices for Filipinos living in the United States – TFCDirect and FilipinoDirect.
In addition, as part of the DIRECTV FilipinoDirect programming package, viewers will receive the No. 1 rated TV station in the Philippines, GMA Pinoy TV.
Now available exclusively as part of the DIRECTV WorldDirect™ programming service, the TFCDirect package will offer a six-channel bundle that includes The Filipino Channel (TFC), Cinema One, ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), Pinoy Central TV, and two audio channels, DZMM and DWRR for $22.99 per month. The FilipinoDirect package, which includes everything available in TFCDirect, will also include GMA Pinoy TV for $32.99 per month.
“The launch of TFCDirect and FilipinoDirect on DIRECTV is a double bonus for the more than two million Filipino-Americans living in the U.S.,” said Aaron McNally, vice president, International, DIRECTV, Inc.
“For the first time ever, TFCDirect, the No. 1 Filipino TV package in the U.S., will be offered on an all-digital, nationwide distribution platform via DIRECTV. And we will bundle this programming together with the debut of the long-awaited GMA Pinoy TV, to form the premier Filipino package in the U.S., FilipinoDirect.
“The launch of these exclusive packages on DIRECTV’s WorldDirect service underscores our commitment to serve ethnic populations across America with the absolute best programming from their home countries and to achieve our goal of becoming the leading provider of international programming in the U.S,” he said.
GMA Pinoy TV, the most awarded TV station in the Philippines, offers a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week network that delivers family-oriented Filipino/English-language programming composed of news and general entertainment.
The channels available in TFCDirect offer dramas, sitcoms, game shows, movies, 24-hour news, music, sports and talk radio entertainment in English, Tagalog, Ilocano, Cebuano and Illonggo.
Customers who want to subscribe to either the TFCDirect or FilipinoDirect programming package must first subscribe to the DIRECTV® BASIC ($9.99/mo) or DIRECTV® PREFERRED CHOICE™ ($29.99/mo) international base packages, or to any TOTAL CHOICE® ($41.99/mo. or above) or DIRECTV PARA TODOS® ($29.99/mo. or above) base package.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
