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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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THE ACADEMY awards wrapped up their show two weeks ago and like everyone else, I am playing catch up. I rented Oscar winner for best film Crash and spent two hours watching the film, and two days trying to absorb its message: Our hearts are coated with prejudice.
Yes, we are all racists and that’s the way it really is. We can try to be modern civilized people and strive to be politically correct in our views, but deep within the chambers of our souls, there’s a bigot whispering.
The stereotype
Stereotyping based on skin color is deeply embedded in our beings.
Growing up in Manila, I have been exposed to racism by my own people towards foreigners in our native land. We all call foreigners names. From ‘Intsik Beho’, to ‘Amerikanong Hilaw’, to ‘Baluga’, to ‘Bumbay’. We have our own system of stereotyping people of foreign decent.
To us, the Chinese are money-hungry, racists, who will do the best they could to prevent their kids from ever marrying a Filipino. We believe that South Asians, like Indians and Pakistanis are smelly, interest-hungrymoney lenders, who look at Filipinos as a people who are doomed to fail.
We think of African Americans as gun-toting, lazy, scary people, who always call Filipinos as ‘Chinamen’. We take it to heart that Caucasians are tyrannical bigots, who believe that anybody who has a skin shade darker than theirs are inferior forever, and deserving of a burning cross lunged into our breasts.
In America, the prejudice is more intense; this is the multi-racial capital of the world.
In New York City alone, one can see all the races represented inside a Queens-bound 7 train: White, black, red, and yellow, all of humanity in one car. And right there and there, the race card is always at play.
Throughout its history, this country has struggled to be correct and colorblind. But racism proves to be branded into the human heart and the only way that we become free of it is when the heart finally retires. Slavery may have been abolished hundreds of years ago, yet we remain slaves to our own prejudices.
Crash pointed some of the most common racial stereotyping here in America:
All Asian people are Chinese, who can’t speak English. All Latinos are Mexicans. All Middle Eastern-born people are Arabs and terrorists. All African-Americans are ‘gang members’. All white people are supremacists
To see these characters in Crash act out their prejudices is no surprise at all. Because once we look deep into ourselves, we discover that WE are these characters.
How many times have we, clutched tightly on our messenger bags as we come across a Hip-hop-clothed young African-American? How many times have we commended a Cuban for the wonders of Mexican Burrito? How often have we changed the pace of our speaking to accommodate an Asian person? How frequent have we assumed that the Muslim person we sit with on the train has a bomb on his backpack? And how regularly we accuse our Caucasian bosses of discrimination for not getting a longer lunch break? All the time.
Filipinos are not spared from brutal stereotyping. The country may have produced outstanding, world-class artists, leaders and citizens, but we are still the first choice when foreigners are in the hunt for household help. ‘ Wanted: English-speaking Filipino housekeeper. Stay-in. Good Salary. Kind Masters’.
We can be on denial and reject the world’s view on us, but that is human nature and there’s nothing we can do. We are doomed to suffer these horrible prejudices for as long as we live. As the film proves: ‘We are not safe from other people’s prejudices as much as we are not with our own.’
In the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been raging since, David slew Goliath. The Bosnian ethnic cleansing in the 90s, the Armenian genocide and the ‘Shoah’, are a few of the many failures of humanity to exercise racial tolerance. Now, bigotry of this magnitude is under check. But the battle has moved back to schools, offices, restaurants, and villages.
Tolerance
Somehow, there’s this thing that make us transcend the pre-conceived negative perceptions we have on other people, and make us embrace them instead of shunning them.
The designer of humanity may have implanted us with seeds of bigotry, but that designer also tucked in tons of understanding and tolerance to balance our judgments. The left side of the heart may be the home of ill will, but the right is the abode of love and acceptance. True, we are cursed with innate racism, but we have also been given the gift of tolerance.
And this gift is the key that will let us see people beyond the stereotypes and open the door to a better world where all humans co-exist in spite of our bigot hearts.
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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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Postscripts to Oscar
CRASH! That’s it! One word! It seemed that the title of the movie that won Best Picture on March 5, Sunday’s 78TH Annual Academy Awards held at Kodak Theaters in Hollywood also described the whole proceedings of the show.
I grew up watching the Oscars and really, this year’s show was a disappointment. I didn’t think that none could ever beat the Chris Rock-hosted show last year, but this one has to go down in Oscar history for being the worst in terms of pacing and entertainment.
I was already on my second cup of latte before they could announce the best in costume design, just to keep me from falling asleep. I was really bored out of my wits. Touted to be the night of all Hollywood nights, it just looked like another movie premiere night.
Alright, they still had the traditional red carpet parade with the movie stars in their finest designer gowns but it felt like something was missing. Okay, I have to comment that there were two stars that wore gowns that really awed me.
The gowns worn by Jennifer Garner, a plunging beaded gown by Michael Kors and Jessica Alba, which is a gold Versace halter gown. They looked absolutely gorgeous, particularly Jennifer Garner who just gave birth to her daughter by Ben Affleck last November. Beyond that, it was all blah.
There was just not the glitz and glamour it usually bring to viewers like me. And it didn’t help that the movies that were nominated this year weren’t drawing the highest number of viewers at the box-offices last year.!
I am not at all surprised that Nielsen Media Research reported that ratings for this year’s Oscar’s telecast dipped by 8-10 percent from last year’s show. I love Jon Stewart on The Daily Show but he is just not cut out to be an Oscar’s host. He is way better being funny and talking about politics. Oh please, can they bring Billy Crystal back? But don’t get me wrong, much as I didn’t like the presentation for this year’s show, there were a couple of saving graces.
Reese Witherspoon getting the nod for Best Actress! How cool is that! She was really effective playing June Carter Cash and her speech was so touching and genuine, but I wouldn’t mind too if Felicity Huffman took home the award for she really did justice to her role in TransAmerica.
I have yet to watch Capote so I am not in a position to comment on Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s acting which netted him the Oscar for Best Actor. But I felt that both Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain) and Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line) tackled their roles with such intense passion. If it’s any consolation, at least they were nominated. Maybe, next time, they will get their chance at that elusive Oscar.
George Clooney, winning for Best Supporting Actor in Syriana, Oh heavens, be still my heart, I am in love! He looked so dashing! Ang Lee, Best Director( Brokeback Mountain),He deserved the award! Proud to be of Asian descent! Of course, there’s the segment “In Memoriam” which never fails to touch me as the Academy paid tribute to the men and women who were behind and in front of the cameras. Anne Bancroft (aka Mrs. Robinson,The Graduate), Robert Wise (director, Sound of Music, my all-time favorite movie!), Richard Pryor, Pat Morita (Karate Kid), to name a few.
Yeah, I was bored! What can I say? I would still watch the awards show, though, next year and the year after that. I can’t just quit you(the Oscars!). I hope that they will just always live up to being the greatest show on earth. Come on people, you can do better than that! The show’s presentation every year is as unpredictable as the winners they choose. That’s Oscar! That’s Hollywood! You’ll never know what you can get.
Expect the unexpected. See you all at the movies!
And a Guy Named Piolo
Now that Rustom Padilla admitted on national TV that he is gay, everyone is saying that other actors whose S/O are also in question should come out in the open. This leads to pointing fingers towards Piolo Pascual. Poor Piolo, being the most successful young actor in the Philippines, he is always under public scrutiny. I think they should just leave that part of Piolo’s life alone. Whatever he does off camera should just be his, what matters most is that he is a fine actor and singer.
I was never a fan of Piolo, it’s actually my sister Vicky who is a die-hard Piolo admirer, but I started liking him as an actor after I have watched several of his movies, notably, Dekada 70, Kahit Isang Saglit, Milan, etc. He often gives sterling performances for every role he essays on the big-screen.
He need not talk much but it is his eyes that seems to captivate the movie audience, “lalaking Nora Aunor”. I was able to watch his latest movie, opposite Judy Ann Santos, titled, “Don’t Give Up On Us”. As expected of Tagalog romantic films, the plot is predictable, boy-meets-girl, troubles in between as they both had to deal with their issues, eventually realizing that they are meant to be together(sigh, I wish my lovelife is as easy as a Pinoy movie script!).
Nonetheless, you come out of the theatre feeling good about life and love after watching it. I believe the DVD copy of the movie is already selling in most Filipino stores here in US or you can even order it online. Get a copy or borrow it especially if you like Judy Ann and Piolo, or even just to see some of the finest Philippine sights as most of the scenes were filmed on location in Baguio, Sagada Mountains.
By the way, Piolo’s CD Platinum hits is also out in the market. My good friend Leny bought me one when I was in Manila. This 15-track CD plus a bonus cut live version of “Kahit Isang Saglit” is necessary for every Piolo fan. If you previously owned some of his CDs, you have to have this copy if only to hear his versions of “Don’t Give Up On Us” and “Together Forever”(an original Rico J song).
I know Piolo is not in any way in league with Martin N.and Gary V. but he does carry a tune well. Moreover, the depth of emotion he expresses in every song he sings is enough reason to make me listen to his CD repeatedly. Truly, Piolo has found his niche in the Pinoy showbizlandia.
Happy Day to All!
Thess Bacsal is a writer and lives in California. For your life and love’s concerns, email her at filexpress@aol.com
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NEW YORK --- The talented Julie Danao-Salkin, who was most recently seen as Yoko Ono in Broadway’s Lennon The Musical, is back in new play by Anne Nelson, Savages.
Anne Nelson is a playwright, author and lecturer. Her first play, The Guys, which was one of the first plays to address 9/11 attacks, was produced nationwide and starred the likes of Bill Murray Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, and Helen Hunt. It was also made into a film starring Sigourney Weaver and Anthony Lapaglia.
Savages, Nelson’s second, is based on a true story of Major Littleton Waller, a Marine who was court-martialed in the Philippine-American War. Set in Manila in 1902, the play takes place on the night before the Marine major is to receive his verdict for war crimes. Waller, also being desperately ill from malaria, is given assistance by John Hanley, a naive young corporal and Maridol Amaya, a Filipina nurse. The drama develops as the characters interact and present contrasting views on the war.
Julie Danao-Salkin was effective in her portrayal of Amaya. Garbed in a traditional baro’t saya, Maria Los Dolores or “conveniently” shortened Maridol, embodied what most Filipinos must have been like in those times. Consistently ready to accommodate anybody in need, friend or foe alike, and often lacks the unshakable confidence to express what they truly feel.
Although all characters are fundamental to the play, the part of Maridol is an integral to both the major’s and corporal’s character development. Her tenderness and strength combined, comforted the ailing Waller and strange as it may sound, the fusion of her callowness and intelligence opened Hanley’s eyes to understand some realities of the situation. Danao-Salkin sufficiently interpreted these traits.
Savages is a must-see for every Filipino. Not only does it showcase an amazing Filipino talent, it also tells our story, and our history. Watching the play will somehow help us understand the causes of circumstances surrounding our lives as Filipinos and give us an appreciation of our heritage and ourselves.
Ms. Danao-Salikin, was born in Quezon City, Philippines but was raised in Miami, Florida by an Ilocano father, and a mother form Masbate. Her theater credits contain some of the most sought-after shows in Broadway: Rent, Miss Saigon, Saturday Night Fever, and Aida. The multi-talented artist, aside form being a full-time actor is also an amazing singer-songwriter. She has penned a number of songs, ripe enough to be compiled in a full-length album. She is scheduled to visit the home country this summer with her husband Jonathan Salkin
The complete performance schedule for Savages (March 8 through April 1) will be: Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. at the Lion Theatre, 410 West 42nd St. (between 9th and 10th Avenues). All Tickets will be $18.00. Students and seniors: $15.00.
Visit Julie’s website at www.juliedanaosalkin.com
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MANILA --- Angelica Panganiban admits that she has reconciled with boyfriend Carlo Aquino. The two of them broke up for almost two years.
“Ako, kahit noong break kami ni Carlo, I know, deep in my heart, that he will be the only one I will love. Sana, siya na nga ang makatuluyan ko,” declares the 19-year-old actress.
Carlo, for his part, says, he only realized how important Angelica is to him when they separated. “Mantakin mo namang we were together for mga five years. Fourteen lang siya noon, 15 naman ako. Sa tagal ng aming relasyon, pati mga parents namin naging close sa isaít isa. They were greatly affected when we broke up,” he opens.
Like her, he is hoping that the two of them will end up together. “Sa tagal na namin kasing kilala ang isaít isa, palagay ko, walang dahilan kung bakit di kami dapat magkaroon ng happy ending,” he ends with a smile. (MNS)
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ETHEL BOOBA swears she’ll never reconcile with cager Alex Crisano. “Tama na ‘yung minsan niya kong naloko, ‘no?” she says. “Kapag naulit pa, kagagahan na ëyon.”
This is the reason why no matter how hard Alex tries to win her anew, she’s very adamant in turning him down repeatedly. Recently, there was an altercation in a bar when Alex was insisting on talking to her and she kept on refusing him so the bouncers intervened and drove Alex away.
“E, pasaway naman talaga ‘yang Alex na ‘yan,” says someone from GMA who obviously has no love lost for Alex. “When they were still on, Ethel would also take him to our location kapag sa Cebu o sa Davao ang taping ng episode. One time, sa plane, he insisted to sit sa business class when economy lang ang tickets namin. The flight attendants were telling him to transfer sa economy pero ayaw niyang pumayag. He can afford daw na magbayad. The flight attendant told him dapat ginawa na niya ‘yon even before he boarded the plane. Napahiya lang siya sa mga tao kaya he eventually joined Ethel sa economy seats.”
Alex then tried wooing Rufa Mae Quinto, who’s a sexy comedienne like Ethel and is the original Booba. “Wala na raw kasi itong Rudy Hatfield kaya siya naman ang eentra rito dahil pareho silang basketball player. Kaya lang, hindi man lang siya naka-first base kay Rufa Mae who’s now very close na ito kay Duncan Ramos?” our source adds. “So ang ginawa niya, ‘yun namang younger sister ni Ethel na si Boobita ang niligawan at sila na raw ang on ngayon. Now, isn’t that sick? Ethel has threatened to disown Boobita if she’d continue to have a relationship with Alex.” (MNS)
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Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA --- French actress Virginie Ledoyen, 28, is attached to star in “Seed of Contention,” the first feature from Los Angeles-based Leaudouce Films. Filipino-American writer/director Ana Marie Laperal, 27, will direct from her original script.
Ledoyen will play the lead role of Mila, a Spanish woman caught in the harrowing travails of World War II Manila. She joins award-winning Filipino-American actress Donita Rose, 30, who will play her sister. The script is currently out to A-list actors for the male lead.
Inspired by a true story, “Seed of Contention” recounts the journey of Dean, an American G.I. in World War II Manila, who escapes prison camp and returns home to his Spanish wife, Mila, who finds herself in the throes of occupied Manila. The mounting pressures of war and struggle for survival ultimately compel Mila to make a decision that deals unexpected repercussions on everyone’s lives. The film’s tone and theme are reminiscent of “The English Patient” and “Cold Mountain.”
Says film’s writer-director Laperal: “Virginie was my only choice to play Mila. Apart from bearing an uncanny resemblance to the real Mila, Virginie possesses the talent, range, and sensibility to fully incarnate this complex character. She is an enormously gifted actress and a wonderful person. We’re all very pleased to have her on board.”
Best known to U.S. audiences for her role opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Danny Boyle’s “The Beach,” Ledoyen is one of France’s most popular and critically acclaimed actresses. She can currently be seen in Jean-Paul Rappeneau’s “Bon Voyage” and Pascal Laugier’s “Saint-Ange.” She can also be heard as the voice of Angelina Jolie’s character in the French version of the animated feature, “Shark Tale.”
Principal photography on the private equity-financed film is expected to commence early next year in the Philippines and Guam or Hawaii, and scheduled for general theatrical release in late 2006. Laperal will also produce with Leaudouce Films principal Delia Lujan executive producing.
Established September 2003 in Los Angeles, Leaudouce Films, LLC has a mandate to develop, produce, and finance feature motion pictures and co-productions between North America, Europe, and Asia. The privately held company is slated to go into production on its first three features within the next two years.
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Was Rustom’s coming out episode staged to boost ratings?
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MANILA --- Rustom Padilla’s confession that he is gay elicited varied reactions. Some think he should be admired for coming out but some say he need not have done it so dramatically on national TV, shedding copious tears and maligning his dead father for beating him up.
“Aiza Seguerra acknowledged her gender without being so melodramatic,” someone observes. “At hindi siya ang naunang umamin kundi ang apo ni Inday Badiday na si IC Mendoza. Also, there was former child actor Eric Lorenzo who even admitted that he’s now a transsexual.”
The difference, of course, is that Rustom was once a big romantic lead in movies like “Sana Dalawa ang Puso Ko,” “Maruja” and “Hindi Magbabago.”
“Hindi mo naman kailangang umamin,” says another writer. “It’s common knowledge that two top actors and one TV host are gay, but they do not flaunt it in public. Obviously, may arrangement na between Rustom and ‘Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition’ that he’ll stage his coming out in the show, kasi even before it started airing, may announcements na sa gossip columns na he’s going to reveal big secret on the show. ‘Yon siguro ang dahilan kaya siguro nilagay ang portion na you’re supposed to tell your big secret to your best friend inside PBB and Rustom is so lucky si Keanna Reeves ang natoka for him to confide to dahil pambalanse ang comedy ni Keanna sa kadadrama niya.”
Another writer says she feels so bad for Carmina Villaroel. “Lumalabas na niloko lang siya ni Rustom nang pakasal sila dahil all the while, alam na pala niyang bading siya. It’s good Carmina found a real man in Zoren Legaspi at may sarili na silang mga anak ngayon.”
The question now is: Where does Rustom go from here? Won’t his admission on TV only bring him more problems? “Baka naman bigyan siya ng chance ng ABS to direct for them,” someone quips.
Mother Lily wants to get him right after he leaves PBB to do a comedy about a mother with three gay sons to be directed by Joel Lamangan. The other two are John Prats (who has a contract with Regal) and Jiro Manio. “Naku, buti kung ibigay ng ABS si Rustom sa kanya,” says one writer. “Sa kanila nagladlad si Rustom, dapat doon ito maunang magpelikula.” (MNS)
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