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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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Portrait of an artist as a criminal
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IN a small folk house in New York City, Janet packs her Martin acoustic guitar into a hard shell case, which is adorned with hundreds of overlapping stickers. She seals the guitar case, stands up, and goes to the waiting room backstage, where thick throngs of supporters are waiting for her to sign autographs on their ‘Janet CDs.’
Staring at the crowd, she could not help but marvel at the solid fan base she has created with her extraordinary talent both as a singer and songwriter. She knows after this monumental gig at the folk house, that her ship will finally sail: At last. Janet’s star will rise.
Of course, it should be exciting for any artist to achieve such revered standing in the New York folk scene, but for Janet it is a mixture of glee and apprehension. She could not fully immerse herself into the joy of the moment without feeling the stifling effects of paranoia. Because it has now become clear to her that her success could be her undoing. Her fame could be her fall. For behind the glitter of a promising music career lays the fear of loosing it all in an instant. Her fear is justified: Janet is an illegal alien.
She came in to the US on a student visa in 2000 and finished Music theory in 2002.
She tried for some jobs but was often rejected due to her lack of proper work documentation. Having lost options, and with her student visa now expired, the prospect of going back to a future-less life in Manila loomed like a black sun setting on her horizon. So after careful deliberation, she decided to over-stay her visa and live in the dark alleys of the undocumented world. She then ended up being employed by an agency in Queens and gave her an opportunity to work as a dietary aid in a Jewish hospital.
It was then when she started her musical journey. She saved some money to buy herself a guitar, started writing music on her day-offs, and hit the club circuit doing open mics and amateur nights around the City.
In 2004, people began to take notice of her gifts. She has become a favorite among the college crowd in NYC, and has graced numerous music festivals even from as far as Seattle, WA.
In 2005, a freelancing record producer became interested in her work and offered to record her for a full- length album. But it was not to be so; immigration law forbids illegal aliens from entering into binding contracts like a recording contract therefore, she had no choice but to turn it down.
Fully aware of her status, she saved up money from her day job in the hospital and some paying gigs. She then recorded her CD, independently, without any contractual agreements with producers and labels.
Now, her CD is hot copy, and demands for her music and live performances are peaking up.
So huge her CD has become, she had to leave her day job to be able to keep up with her schedule. Her music has hit a nerve among music fans and she has become the next big thing in the underground folk scene.
Offers from major labels come in everyday, and she knows that she is passing on huge opportunities due to her immigration status. But that’s how the world operates and she must be content with being the most popular unknown in the scene.
In December 2005, when the US House of Representatives passed a bill turning undocumented aliens into felons, her hopes of breaking out was put into jeopardy. It is hard enough already for her to break into the mainstream given her undocumented status and the bill, if passed, will make it impossible for her to even sell a single CD or play a small show, because the bill intends to make the people who support illegals criminally liable as well.
So what will become of Janet if this House bill turns into a law? Janet believes that if it does become law, then that will be the time for her to pack her bags, head back home and start anew. If it means the end of her American dream, she’s ready to painfully embrace it with a sorrowful soul.
She came to the country with a dream. A dream that is very much on the way to becoming a reality. But given the advent of these anti-immigrant bills and anti-immigrant sentiments from conservative members of the House of representatives and a lot of right-wing Americans, it is easy for her to envision her dream to go down the drain with her.
Janet is not a border-crosser, nor a criminal on the run. She is a law-abiding, honest and hard working artist, whose only mistake was not having enough time and money to make the necessary adjustments to make her stay in America a legal one. No doubt she has the talent to make it into the mainstream American music scene, as proved by her multitude of fans, which is made up of a mixed group of people from different races.
Sadly, many legislators and citizens view people like her otherwise. To them, she is a dangerous, law-breaking, resource-draining individual, who deserves to be punished like a common criminal. As her fans fade out into the cold night after the great show, Janet sits on a bar stool, a bottle of beer on one hand, a cigarette on the other, and an eye towards an uncertain future that cannot be assured by certain success.
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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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ONE of the things I have always looked forward to whenever I get the chance to travel back home to the Philippines is to indulge myself to a lot of homemade cooking and to try out the food in several restaurants that my family and friends have told me about.
We Pinoys truly take pride in cooking and serving food well. In fact, have you noticed that often we are only halfway through eating our lunch and all we can talk about is what to serve and eat for dinner? It is a given that a Filipino party or gathering is never complete without tons of food.
Being in Manila recently, it took a lot of willpower not to succumb to eating too much.
My goals were to sample a little bit of every food to satisfy my cravings and more importantly to enjoy the company of the people I went out with.
My family and I dined out at several restaurants that mostly offer traditional Filipino dishes. Although, I did not miss a lot of Filipino food since there are restaurants here in the US that specialize in Filipino cooking, but nonetheless, it was still a treat for me and for everybody.
Seafood Wharf ---a restaurant in South Drive beside Luneta Park in Ermita, Manila. It offers a wide variety of fresh seafood that you can choose from and once you have picked what you want, you can ask them to cook it for you in any dish you want it prepared. I have always loved eating adobong pusit (squid adobo), so I tried their version, pusit Norway is how they called it. It was quite good for I liked how they made the squid tender yet still firm, unlike with others, but it was not as spicy as I thought it would be. My family loved it though, for they do not like their squid adobo spicy. I am biased, though for I still believe that my dad’s version of adobong pusit still tops my list. In fact, I always tell my family that if there is a guy that can cooked adobong pusit the way my dad does, I will marry that person in a heartbeat!
Anyway, if you find yourself on a plane en route to Manila, you should not miss out eating at this place. They have generous servings of their entrees as well, you really get your money’s worth. It also offers a view of the Manila Bay, a swimming pool and even a children’s playground, Seafood Wharf is for the whole family to enjoy!
Dencio’s Restaurant ---It was my mom’s birthday so naturally I wanted to bring her and the family to a restaurant with a relaxed and casual atmosphere yet with a good selection of food. We were trying to get into another place but it was taking them so long to find us a place so my brother Rodel suggested that we try Dencio’s which was just close by .
The minute we walked in, we were greeted with friendly service crews. The restaurant had that “homey” feel to it, just what I wanted. We ordered several dishes but what stood out for me were their Pancit Dencio’s (noodles with meat, seafood and vegetables) and Sinugba (combination of their appetizers which included grilled blue marlin, barbecued chicken, lechon kawali (pan-fried roasted pork), to name a few. It was such a pleasant dining experience we had at Dencio’s (by the way, I was told that it has several branches in the Phils, the place that we went to can be found at Sct. Albano, near T. Morato ,Quezon City - actually, just across from ABS-CBN studio compound.). Good food and good service, what more could you ask for?
Mangan --- a term used by Pampanguenos to mean “kain na” in their dialect. (Thank you Tita Minda for help with the term!). It is the name of a very popular restaurant found mostly at huge shopping malls. This eatery has an ambiance that fuses traditional Filipino setting(oil paintings of famous Filipino people hanging on their walls, antique framed windows) and a modern decor(contemporary chairs and tables can be found in this restaurant).
I believe I went to this restaurant several times on separate occasions and different branches as well, while I was in Manila. I have ordered their okoy (shrimp fritters), which is fried to golden brown and crisp to perfection. They also offer breakfast, lunch and snack dishes such as champorado (chocolate rice), arroz caldo (chicken rice soup), lelut balatong ( mongo beans dessert -- hey E, thank you for this!), dinuguan with puto (pork blood stew with rice muffin), among others.
They have pandesal panini with several choices for fillings. I chose one with the quesong puti (white cheese) inside but I only ate half of it for the quesong puti was just too rich for my taste.
The food selection was satisfactory and their prices were so affordable, you will keep coming back for more (And I did!)!
Barrio Fiesta ---One of my fondest memories as a young girl is that everytime there was an important occasion in the family, we often celebrated it dining out at Barrio Fiesta.
And so, the first time we went out to have dinner after my arrival in Manila, we all decided to go to Barrio Fiesta. Because of the numerous food choices, my mother took the liberty of ordering for everybody. We had Sinigang na Hipon (Shrimp in Sour Soup), Bicol Express (thinly sliced strips of pork with chilies simmered in coconut milk) and Kare-Kare (oxtail stew cooked in rich nutty sauce and served with vegetables.). Barrio Fiesta still has the same quality of food and service they have been known to offer all these years. A family get-together plus good food equals--- priceless moments! Happy Day to All!
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Thess Bacsal is a writer and lives in California. For your life’s concerns, letters and suggestions , email her at july19rn@yahoo.com
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MANILA --- People close to Gretchen Barretto cannot tell if she will attend the wedding of her younger sister, Claudine Barretto to Raymart Santiago, on March 27 at the Tagaytay Highlands. They say that it looks like she’s still waiting for Claudine to make a public apology.
“E, nabanggit na ni Claudine sa isang write-up na isang tao siyang mahirap mag-apologize,” says a kibitzer.
The rift between the two started when some members of the Barretto family said something against Gretchen on national TV.
She would rather not elaborate on the matter. It was supposed to be a family tampuhan which was blown out of proportion because it was made public.
She felt so hurt with what her family including Claudine did to her. She still cries every time the topic is mentioned.
“Nasaktan talaga ng labis si Gretchen. Ang feeling niya kasi nag-iisa siya against everybody na mga kapamilya pa naman niya,” adds the same source.
Claudine requests that her niece, Dominique, daughter of Gretchen and Tony Boy Cojuangco, will be allowed to attend her wedding.
The Entourage
Here’s the complete entourage of the Santiago-Barretto nuptials. Principal sponsors are Mayor Edmundo Jose Buencamino, Glenda Barretto, Gualberto Duavit, Vicky Belo, Joseph Estrada, Charo Santos-Concio, Felipe Gozon, Wilma Galvante, Eugenio Lopez III, Marichu Maceda, Juan Manahan, Mercedes Nakpil, Fumeo Ohkohara, Constancia Angeline Nubla (a.k.a. Coney Reyes), Perfecto Palafox, Susan Roces-Poe, Greg Pastorfie, Virgie Ramos, Rodolfo Quizon (Dolphy), Hermogenes Santiago, Boots Anson-Roa, Wellington Soon, Malou Santos, Vicente Sotto and Helen Sotto.
Reily Pablo Santiago, Jr. and Reynovich Reyes (best men); Marjorie Barretto Baldivia (matron of honor); Maureen Brennan (maid of honor); Bobby Andrews, Albert Reyes, Rowell Joseph Santiago, Randy Gerard Santiago, Dennis Esteban Baldivia, Mark Joseph Barretto, Miguel John Barretto and Pocholo de Leon (groomsmen); Bienne Andrews, Melissa Racela, Michelle Antoinette Barretto, Marilou Santiago, Rhea Joven, Assunta Ledesma, Jenny Miller and Ana Ciara Sotto (bridesmaid).
Secondary sponsors are Joshua Gabriel Joven, Andrei Christopher Barretto, Anton Joaquin Barretto, Ryle Paolo Santiago and Johann Daniel Joven, (junior groomsmen); Aynrand Danielle Baldivia, Alexandra Nicole Barretto, Julia Francesca Baldivia, Giselle Andra Torres and Claudia Isabelle Baldivia (junior bridesmaids); Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales-Muhlach (candle); Edu Manzano and Yvette Oca (veil) and Benjie Paras and Maricel Soriano (cord).
Miguel Lucas Barretto IV (ring bearer) and Leon Marcus Baldivia (coin bearer); Raiko Ranier Santiago (bible bearer), Ryan Leonardo Santiago and Raphael Louis Santiago (escort); Sabina Natasha Santiago (flower girl).
Raymart’s mom is former actress Cielito Legaspi. His dad is the late movie director Pablo Santiago.
Claudine’s parents are Mike Barretto and Inday Barretto. (MNS)
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ACCLAIMED Filipino director Lav Diaz emerged victorious at the 20th Fribourg International Filmfest in Switzerland on Sunday, a TV Patrol World report said.
Diaz’ nine-hour film “Heremias” won the Special Jury Award among 10 nominated films in the competition.
“Heremias” is a story of a gentle human being whose quiet and simple life is changed by circumstances that plunge him into disillusionment, shattering his view of the world and faith in man, and ultimately, leading him to question the justice and existence of God.
Diaz was also recognized in the Swiss-based fest “for inventiveness in directing and screenplay, for renewal of cinematographic language and for thematic audacity.”
Diaz first garnered international attention at the Berlin International Film Festival Forum in 2000 with his film “Hubad sa Ilalim ng Buwan” (Naked Under the Moon).
Since Berlin, Diaz has essentially turned his back on commercial cinema and has become known internationally for his long form works “Batang West Side,” which runs five and a half hours, and “Rebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pililpino” (Evolution of a Filipino Family), which runs 10 and a half hours.
His last commercial film was “Hesus Rebolusyonario,” a fascinating political thriller set in a Manila of the near future.
He is also well-acclaimed as a scriptwriter. The script he wrote about life in the Big Apple, Westside Avenue, won a Palanca Award.
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Pinay theater artist goes for Hollywood music gold
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Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA --- Another Filipino’s star shines bright as she tries to breakthrough into the Los Angeles music scene.
Leila Florentino, who starred as Kim in Broadway’s Miss Saigon is now making waves as a singer-songwriter in the highly competetive American music landscape. She recently released her critically acclaimed debut album ‘Sail’.
Born in Quezon City, Philippines, she comes from a family of artists. “I was raised by my wonderful parents who brought me up in a very supportive, artistic environment,” she stated in an exclusive interview with the Express. Leila’s father is an award-winning playwright, while her mother is an art dealer.
She learned singing and playing the piano at a very young age. Now, she mostly plays the guitar alongside great musicians such as David Kemper, John Philip Shenale, Dan Schwartz, Danny Frankel, Dave Raven, among others.
“Spare, enigmatic, evocative,” these are just some of things critics and fans have been saying about ‘Sail’. The guitar riffs are flowing, melodies haunting and lyrics so meaningful, Leila has proven that she is not only an amazing singer but a wonderful songwriter as well.
The transition from Broadway actress to singer-songwriter wasn’t an easy one. “So many people had preconceptions of how I should run my career and my life. Sure they would help me; only if I did what they wanted me to do. It was so frustrating. I felt misunderstood and exhausted.”
Now, everything is paying off. She is doing something that she loves and being recognized for it too.
Leila’s music can be described as adult alternative in the likes of Norah Jones, Tori Amos, Aimee Mann and Dido. Her influences include Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, David Gray and Elliot Smith.
When asked if she would want to pursue a career in the Philippines, “absolutely,” she replied Leila used to be a member of folk group Himig ng Lahi as well as the U.P. Concert Chorus. It has been thirteen years since she last visited. “My husband and I plan to visit with our five year old daughter Tess, as soon as time allows.” Her daughter is also taking piano lessons.
Catch Leila and her band on April 12, 2006 at Tangier, 2138 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles CA, with British author, composer and folk musician Mark Abis and The Darin Wood Comedy Hour. Purchase her CD at www.cdbaby.com or www.amazon.com.
For more info on her, visit her website at www.leilaflorentino.com or www.myspace.com/leilaflorentino
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CONCERT King Martin Nievera is frustrated with singing assignments he gets from ABS-CBN Sunday variety show, “A.S.A.P.” that he pioneered and hosts, saying he’s “not being utilized the way the show could.”
“I and other veterans of the show, of late, only perform one or two numbers in the show. Most of the air time is given to others who do songs I have been doing for years. An example is an eight-minute Broadway segment by the Champions. And there I am backstage thinking, ‘But I’ve been doing Broadway songs for years!’ It seems it’s easier for Sam Milby to be given a portion of his own than for me who thought up of the show’s name to do more songs,” says Martin during an interview.
Some of the songs assigned to Martin, he says, do not even maximize his proven singing mettle. He cites his assignment last Sunday; a version of Adam Sandler’s novelty hit tune, “Grow Old With You.”
“‘A.S.A.P.’ gave me that number in line with the Claudine Barreto-Raymart Santiago wedding. I tried listening to the study tape but I turned it off. It’s a throw away number----really frustrating ,” he says.
Martin is especially dumbfounded with the scant exposure considering that he infrequently hosts the show as he has been busy doing shows abroad.
“You’d think that they would want to use me as long as I am there but no. Sometimes they do not even acknowledge that I’ve been gone and had just returned. Once, I came back to ‘A.S.A.P.’ during the week of my birthday and after three months of absence. But was that given due acknowledgment? Was I welcomed as warmly as one would expect? Hardly,” he says.
Even some of the significant things he has done voluntarily for the network are little noticed by the show. One is his effort in a show in Japan to drum up donations for the ABS-CBN drive for a recent calamity.
“Only once was it mentioned in ‘A.S.A.P.’ and done so in passing. Looking back, I only wanted it mentioned sufficiently so that the Japanese who donated money would know that I did give it to the network. Sometimes I feel that I have to achieve something really momentous abroad before I’m given real attention again here,” he says.
The Concert King acknowledges that perhaps “A.S.A.P.” prioritizes new singers because they need the exposure more than he does.
“Still, I hope they don’t forget that we paved the way for these young ones. In fact, it was much harder for us because we did it without the help of reality star searches. The dues we paid were stiffer,” he says.
Martin believes that more exciting spot concepts could be cooked up for him especially since Gary Valenciano, his singing rival for years, also hosts “A.S.A.P.”
“Yet they don’t make us do numbers together! I mean, when was the last time people saw Martin and Gary doing a song together? ‘A.S.A.P.’ is even trying to be politically correct about it in that if Gary does the opening number, then it’s me who must close the show or vice-versa. Whoever said that should be the rule? Certainly not I,” he says.
When asked why he thinks this has been happening to them, Martin is at a loss.
“I don’t know. What I do know is that the only reason I and the rest of the seasoned stars are being retained in ‘A.S.A.P.’ is because we keep the show authentic,” he says.
It’s not as if Martin’s stellar power has diminished. A fundraising show he will be for free at the Manila Peninsula dubbed “Martin Sings For Gaia” on March 29 sold out 3⁄4ths of the venue-capacity within days of word-of-mouth buzz and long before it has been publicized in media.
How does Martin describe this situation with “A.S.A.P.?”
“I’m one of the players who can do three-point shots. I’m available yet nobody passes the ball to me. I’m not asking for special treatment-----in fact, I wouldn’t even be bringing this up if not for people texting me, asking why the situation is what it is. All I’m saying is that if ‘A.S.A.P.’ values my being in the team, then they should use me, not bench me,” he says.
According to Deo Endrinal, “A.S.A.P.” Business Unit Head: “We talk to the manager of all our artists by start of the year. Going by the advice of Martin’s this year, he was declared to only be here during the last two weeks of April and then on May. Since we program our content in advance, we have no choice but to incorporate him in pre-planned numbers for other artists in times when he’s here outside the availability notice he gave us” says he.
As for Martin’s frustration over “Grow Old With You,” Deo speculates that the singer was probably not told when the study was handed to him that the song is very special to Claudine and Raymart. “Otherwise----- and I’m sure of this-----he would probably imbued his singing with much more feelings than he already did,” says Deo.
When asked about how “A.S.A.P.”’s celebrated Martin’s recent birthday on air, Deo said that the Concert King was away on the actual natal date (Feb. 4). Even so, “A.S.A.P.” hosts still greeted him on the show.
“He arrived two weeks after that, on Feb. 17, so it was a little too late to do a full-blast birthday bash. Also, the day after his birthday was when the ULTRA stampede happened. Going by propriety, the show cannot be too celebratory in face of such tragedy,” Deo says.
What about Martin’s statements on Sam Milby’s segments?
“Sam’s segment is on momentary basis to promote his album and movie. I’d like to think that when it’s Martin who needs the push, he gets the same from us if not more because he deserves it and we love him. Everybody just takes turns, that’s all. “
Deo adds: “We cannot draft ‘A.S.A.P.’ line-up of numbers according to what each of its mainstays can offer. We have 30 very talented people out there and to always maximize each would be tedious. It’s like how things are in a family: Sometimes the younger ones are given the spotlight, sometimes it’s the seniors who get it. Giving way is how the family stays strong, happy and alive.” (MB)
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KOREAN star Sandara Park is contemplating marriage at 21.
Yes, to her boyfriend, Joseph Bitangcol, who also happens to be her leading man in the soon-to-be released comedy-romance-drama, ‘D Lucky Ones.’
“I was thinking since we are in love and the next step is marriage, why don’t we do it soon?” she explains. “Pero, iyon nga, some, especially those behind our respective careers, are discouraging us. Kaya, we are taking our time.”
She describes her role in “D’Lucky Ones” as more daring than in “Becoz of You,” a three-in-one movie which also starred Hero Angeles. The two other episodes starred Diether Ocampo and Kristine Hermosa and Heart Evangelista and Geoff Eigenman.
“I have a scene here where I wore a two-piece swim suit. Naka-trunks din sa eksena si Joseph. At first, pareho kaming conscious sa aming suot. It was our first time to see each other in such suits. Dyahe talaga ko. I became conscious of my small breasts,” she states.
She adds, “Magkakaroon din kami dito ni Joseph ng kissing scene. A more torrid one, I supposed.”
This particular scene is yet to be shot, she says. “Kinu-condition pa kami pareho ni Direk Wen (Deramas).”
The presence of Pokwang in the movie gives her much comfort. She sees her as a friend since they were also together in “Becoz of You.” She makes her laugh. Pokwang plays her mother in the movie.
Also in the cast of “D’Lucky Ones” are Eugene Domingo and Franzen Fajardo, former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate.
Sandara has a problem which all of her co-stars, especially Joseph, are all aware of. Suddenly, she has become the sole breadwinner of her family. This includes her mom, a Korean who cannot express herself in Tagalog, and two siblings. Her father, also a Korean, left them for another woman. She learned from a movie reporter about her father’s infidelity. To her horror, she discovered that he has two children with his mistress.
That was the reason why her plans to study in Korea last year did not push through. They had to come back to the Philippines as her mom could not face the truth that her husband had given her up for another woman. “In Korea kasi that’s a no-no,” she declares.
When their dad left them, their lifestyle also suffered. They now live in a smaller condominium. Her two siblings are no longer studying.
“I don’t know if I should hate my father. Dahil bukod sa iniwanan na nga niya kami, I’m being harassed pa by someone whom he owes a lot of money. To top it all, my father faked my signature when he made his creditor a promissory note,” she exclaims.
Has she talked to her father?
“Not lately. And I don’t know if I would want to talk to him, much less, see him,” she replies.
Is it true that the guy who is currently linked to Snooky Serna is a band member?
She is having her marriage to Ricardo Cepeda annulled. They were married nearly 15 years ago at the Philippine Westin Plaza.
The couple has two daughters who are both Snooky’s look alikes. Young as they are, they already know the situation between their parents.
She wants that the girls stay with her. But she assures Ricardo that he can visit and borrow the girls anytime he wants. (MNS)
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