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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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Wowowee: What’s inside the bayong?
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Desperate people + Disguised Hope = A bomb waiting to explode
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Would somebody please tell ABS-CBN to stop promoting Wowowee as a charitable institution? That is, if the show would still continue after last Saturday’s deadly stampede.
They, instead, should remind the viewers and supporters that it is nothing but a game show. A game show whose primary concern, aside from entertainment, are the daily ratings.
If its main purpose is to help the poor, then they should give everyone of those present during that fateful Saturday some employment. Hire them. Or if the show is really that charitable, just hand them the cash right away -- no questions asked, no games to play.
There they were, the ABS-CBN executives, on the stage, after the tragedy, still marketing the show as “the hope” of the masses. Please, stop this!
A total of 74 people perished in the stampede, 200 plus were injured; everyone of them hoping to get some financial aid that the show, through its host, Willie Revillame, promised.
I am not saying that the network, or the show’s top honchos are responsible for the deaths of the unlucky 74. They are not. But, if they will continue to brand the show as the “only hope”, then there will be more deaths in the years to come.
The Philippines is desperately impoverished; the tragedy would show that very clearly.
People climbing over the gates and unknowingly stepping upon the fallen in a last-minute effort to save their own lives and get the P5,000 that was supposedly due to them.
We must not forget that these people are always in survival mode; what happened at the ULTRA was nothing new to them. Everyday of their lives, they go out to hunt for food. And they have come to a point when, survival mode is their default mode.
You can blame them from pushing down the gates, or going over the roofs, or for staying there and forcing their bodies into gates that have already been closed. You can even blame everything to them.
But to them, it’s all part of their daily struggles. To them, survival is all in a day’s work. It is a life and death situation.
The sorry reality in the Philippines is that the masses have pinned their hopes to a game show, and that they have placed their tomorrows into a “bayong”, which contains the same uncertainty as their own lives have - It could be zero or it could be a million.
But to set the record straight, there’s nobody to blame except the whole situation our country has.
We have the poor, who could barely eat. Then we have this show, which offers the “quick way out” of their poverty. And we have a government that cares more about who’s in power and how to stay in power, than the desperation that is prevailing among its people - The result is definitely going to be tragic. Lest we all forget, let me remind you all: “Wowowee” is entertainment. It is not the Red Cross, nor the Salvation Army. It is not, and it will never be the “only hope”.
And, that to me, is what is inside the “bayong”.
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Ted Reyes is a musician, composer, record producer and journalist based in NYC. If you have any comments you can visit his website at www.tedreyes.com or email him at tedreyes@mac.com
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MANILA --- ABS-CBN is determined to make the great stories of the komiks age rise again. After all, wasn’t there a time when Filipinos preferred reading komiks than watching television or going to the cinema?
Well, ABS-CBN, this early, has purchased several materials from komiks writers Pablo Gomez, Elena Patron, Hal Santiago, Rod Santiago, Vic Poblete and Nerissa Cabral.
“Inday Bote,” starring real-life sweethearts Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo, will be “Komiks’” pilot episode on Saturday, February 4.
“Inday Bote” was written by Pablo Gomez. Years ago, it was made into a movie by Regal Films. It was top billed by Maricel Soriano and William Martinez. Richard Gomez was introduced in the movie. Juday said she has seen the movie “Inday Bote” several times. Maricel happens to be her favorite actress, but she made sure that she did not copy the Diamond Star’s performance in the movie. With the help of director Erick Salud, Juday said she did her own interpretation of the Inday role. How about Ryan? Does he think he can approximate the performance of William, a natural comic?
“Mahirap siyang gayahin,” he answered, “pero, siguro namang convincing ako.”
Ryan’s first stint as an actor was in the movie, “Kutob.”
Did we hear it right that Ryan plans to quit his job as one of the hosts of “Magandang Umaga, Pilipinas”? But this is not the reason he was absent from the morning show for a couple of days. He got sick, he said.
Currently, Ryan has a lot of commitments. He realized that he needs to know what to focus on otherwise his career and his health will suffer.
Is it true that he will soon be doing a movie with Judy Ann?
“Nothing is final yet about that project,” he answered. “We’re still ironing out some kinks.”
Meanwhile, Ryan denied the report that he will move to another studio. It will be recalled that Ryan was formerly a talent of GMA-7. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez has squelched rumors that she has been shopping or entertaining offers for a new recording contract outside Viva Music.
“Though I am not saying that I have already renewed my contract with Viva, I am definitely not exploring options outside the company - at least not yet,” says Regine during the pictorial for her Valentine concert with Ogie Alcasid. “Viva and I are still negotiating for my stay so that means, officially, I am still with Viva Music which, I must add, I’ve had good working relationship with so far.” The superstar singer-actress speculates that talks about her leaving the company sprung from news that her contract with Viva is set to expire soon if not already. Labels with international affiliations are said to be battling out among themselves since late last year to get Regine’s name on dotted lines.
The Songbird continues to be Viva’s banner artist despite talks that young singing contest champions are beginning to entrench on her throne. She is set to release a new CD under the company dubbed “Covers 2” which is predecessor to the Double Platinum (approaching triple) output in Dec. 2004. “Covers 2” will also contain rehashes of popular songs predominantly from the 80’s and 90’s as “Piano In The Dark” and “Hold Me In Your Arms” (the banner single).
Having already achieved the point when she can already experiment with her undertakings, Regine is currently in the thick of rehearsals for “Forever After” slated for the Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 10 and 11. Conceptualized as a ‘fantacon-sierto,’ it promises a storyline that will musically take its audience to a magical land of fairies and witches with comedic relief courtesy of guests Ai Ai de las Alas and Rico J Puno.
“It’s time for me to do something new,” she says. “Nakakasawa na rin yung paulit-ulit na mga kanta so here, almost 80 percent of the songs are ones na hindi pa naririnig ng mga tao. Besides, Ogie and I just had a concert together last year so it’s pointless to work together again so soon without a fresh concept. Hindi ba, fresh ang pag-play ng character ko dito bilang fairy?”
Refreshed, meanwhile, is how Regine describes her current disposition since late 2005 gave this workaholic accidental respite. If usually, she is the frenetic multi-media commodity who would hobble from taping to shooting to recording to rehearsals to brainstorming sessions to contract signings on daily basis, she had enjoyed some free time while waiting for cameras to finally grind for her upcoming Star Cinema film with Piolo Pascual.
“Nakakapanibago nga kasi sanay ako ng naglalagare,” she says. “Pero buti na din yung nangyari kong semibakasyon kasi at least nakapagrecharge ako. I will be needing all this energy when Ogie and I take ‘Forever Afterí on a U.S. tour this summer.”
Working for the nth time with Ogie, she says, is no stress at all. “Weíve been friends for so long that chemistry comes simply effortlessly. Walang ego, walang arteóand definitely no dancing for me as far as ëForever Afterí goes,” she jokes.
“Forever After” is bankrolled by Starmedia and Aria Productions. The concert is being directed by Rowell Santiago while script is by Ricky Lee and musical direction by Raul Mitra. (MNS)
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MANILA --- ANNE Curtis has maintained her closeness with the family of her former boyfriend, Richard Gutierrez. To date, she attends every Gutierrez gathering she is invited to.
Anne was at the 21st birthday party of twins Richard and Raymond. The event coincided with the blessing of Richard’s new unit in a plush condominium in Fort McKinley, Taguig.
“Ini-imbitahan ako ni Tita Annabelle (Rama, Richard’s mom). I always make it a point na pagbigyan siya,” said Anne.
Anne is aware that Richard is now going steady with commercial model Georgina Wilson, a niece of Gloria Diaz. She’s not intimidated, said Anne, because she has also moved on. Contrary to reports, she and boyfriend Paolo Araneta have not broken up. They were together when she went to Australia with her family during the holidays.
Anne is currently doing an episode with Geoff Eigenmann in the new series on ABS-CBN, titled “Komiks.” The episodes in this series are based on komiks serials. Their episode is titled “Mamíyang Gabi,” written by Elena Patron. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Shaina Magdayao plays the most challenging role of her career in “Agua Bendita” to be shown soon in ABS-CBN’s “Komiks,” that of twin sisters with totally different personalities.
“It’s not easy pala to play dual roles,” she says. “As Agua, I’m the good girl. Mahinhin, mabait. As Bendita, I’m the maldita type, scheming and villainous.”
She’s paired with Rayver Cruz of Anime, with whom she earlier did “Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin.” “They say we have good chemistry on screen kaya pinagsama kami uli rito and now we play the lead roles at hindi lang kami support. Rayver is the blind playmate of Agua when they were children. But he left at pagbalik niya, he has regained his eyesight and he meets Bendita who pretends to be Agua. That starts the main conflict in the story.”
The show’s director, Erick Salud, says he sees great potential in the Shaina-Rayver love team. “They look good together on screen, both young and vibrant. Magandang personality and they are also good performers kaya I’m sure magki-click sa viewers ang tandem nila.” (MNS)
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MANILA --- THIRTYSOMETHING Vina Morales will not mind becoming an old maid. If it is God’s will, then it is okay, she says. But she still wants to have her own family.
Of Vina’s three sisters, only one is married, Shiela, who is the wife of Federico, the only son of German Moreno. Shiela and Federico are blessed with four children. “Beautiful children,” Vina says of her nephews and nieces.
“Everytime I see them together na haping hapi, parang naiinggit ako.”
She does not deny that she has fallen in love so many times. When she was in her teens, she went steady with Keempee de Leon, who, like her, was also starting a film career in Viva Films. He was her “puppy love,” she says.
When she turned 18, rumored boyfriend Robin Padilla served as her escort. It was a turbulent love affair. Robin, at that time, already had children by his wife, Liezl.
“I now realize that you can get over what you thought is true love in time.
“With Robin, I felt I found a dear friend kung kailan parehong nadagdagan na ang aming edad. When we made a movie together after his incarceration (for illegal possession of firearms), we felt closer.
“We still are close. Kahit ngayong married na siya sa kanyang wife na si Liezl and even if we seldom see each other,” Vina says with a smile.
Everyone thought Vina had found the man of her dreams in Bukidnon Congressman Miguel Zubiri. “Pero ganuon nga siguro,” she says, “kahit mahal níyo ang isa’t isa, if you are not meant for each other, ‘di ito nag-e-end up happily as you would have wanted.”
There’s sincerity in Vina’s voice when she says she’s happy for Miguel, who got married to Audrey Tan last year.
Did he invite her to his wedding?
“Do you think pupunta ako, halimbawang inimbitahan niya ako?” she smiles.
After Congressman Miguel, she fell in love with foreign businessman Roy Ofek, who is now married to former bold star Angela Velez. The couple now has a baby.
So, how’s Vina’s lovelife now?
“Zero,” she replies, “although may mga umaaligid. One of them appears to be serious. He is a foreigner. But until, sabi nga, we really get to know each other well and decide to wed, ayoko pa ring umasa. Baka lang mabigo ako uli.”
Vina, together with good friends Rachel Alejandro and Geneva Cruz, will topbill a concert called “How to Get the Guy,” at the Music Museum on February 10, 11 and 13. They will have for special guests Derek Ramsey (February 10), Luis Alandy (February 11) and Jay-R (February 13).
“How to Get the Guy” is written and directed by Floy Quinto (who also directs “Star Talk” on GMA 7). Mark Lopez is musical director and Goercel handles the choreography. It’s produced by ALV Talent Circuit, Inc. and Global Resource Creative Exchange, Inc.
Sponsors are Everbilena, Bioessence, Shopwise, Triumph, San Miguel, Swatch, Tokyo Tokyo and Smart. Tickets are available at Music Museum, Ticketworld Outlets, Greenbelt Cinema 1 Boxoffice, ALV Talent Circuit Office and GR Creative Exchange (722-8847 or 722-4757).
Vina, Geneva and Rachel say the concert will be a “love party,” as they will be doing 21 production numbers showing love in its various stages. The trio will sing about heartbreak, finding love and love overcoming all obstacles. They will also dance.
“It will be a one-of-a-kind concert,” Vina promises.
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MANILA --- Teen singing sensation Yasmien Kurdi denies any rumors linking him to Champ Lui-Pio, vocalist of the pop rock group Hale.
“We met during an MTV-sponsored event and we just introduced ourselves to each other. He just said, ‘Hi, I’m Champ of Hale and I introduced myself. That’s that,” shared the former Starstruck Final Four contender whose sweet, charming voice is behind the original hits “I Know” and “In The Name Of Love.”
She continued, “Ex-girlfriend ni Champ ‘yung friend ng friend ko and wala po akong lovelife ngayon. Nothing is going on between us. Ako nga po yung nahihiya sa kanya dahil sa mga naglalabasan. May nagsabi pa nga na nakita raw kami nagde-date na hindi po talaga totoo. Napalaki lang talaga at ginawan ng issue.”
Rumors linking Yasmien to the heartthrob band vocalist have been spreading over the past few weeks. Both of them are currently in the limelight following successful debut albums which made them stars of the OPM mania which is hitting the airwaves and record bars these days.
Yasmien’s 10-song debut album is said to have reached the Gold mark and is coming out with its third single entitled “Umaambisyon,” a song described by Yasmien herself as a comedy-flavored pop-rock. She also helped in conceptualizing the song’s music video which involves comedy actors, and will see her the one courting a guy instead of the other way around. The video is soon to be shown on the boobtube.
Yasmien is also busy completing the tracks for her second album expected to be out by October of this year. A guitar player who actually writes her own compositions, she will be contributing a couple of her songs to the upcoming album under GMA records.
Asked how she feels about Hale’s music, she answered, “Their music is cool. I like them. But the coolest band for me is still Parokya Ni Edgar. They (PnE) gave me a copy of their latest CD as a birthday gift and I’m very happy about it.”
Meanwhile, when queried on how she is assessing the fact that her singing career is in a better swing than that of Jennylyn Mercado who beat her during their Starstruck Finals night duel, she just pointed out, “I believe there’s no problem with that because we don’t have the same kind of music. She’s into pure ballad while I’m into pop or pop rock. She’s alto and I’m soprano. We’re not competitors now I believe unlike when we were in Starstruck.” (MNS)
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