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For the past 20 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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AFTER the symptoms of “American Idol” addiction gets flushed once and for all, it is very refreshing to know that Filipino-American artists will take center stage in our lives once again. This summer alone, an array of big projects to bolster the Fil-Am entertainment scene is in the works. Here are but a few:
Leyte Benefit CD
Former Rivermaya founding member and guitar virtuoso Perf De Castro, now based in California, will be launching a compilation CD to benefit the victims of the Leyte landslide tragedy. The CD, featuring 14 great artists is in the production stages and is slated for a summer release. Participating bands in the Leyte benefit CD are:
“Nothing left to say” - A.D.D/Dave Aguirre (L.A.) “Goodbye Rye” - BASTI ARTADI/PERF DE CASTRO (SF, L.A.) “Beautiful World” - BEN PALTIK (L.A.) “Field Trip” - BLEUD ((NJ) “Beautiful Pain” - HAPPY ANALOGUES (NJ) “Di Ako Lalayo” - THE KUWAGOS (NJ) “A New Day” - PERF DE CASTRO (L.A) “Better Days” - PIECE OF MINE (L.A) “Manila” - RAINCROWD (L.A) “I think I’ll Try” - RITCHIE LAPAZ (L.A) “Armageddon Man” - RUBBERBAND (NY) “Save me” - THE THIRD ELEMENT (MD) “Devil’s Eyes” - TRICE GOMEZ (Sydney, AUS) “Karma” - ZIGBIN (NJ)
Rock in the Box
On a similar vein, 12 of the best Fil-Am bands and artists will also come together in one album: Soulworks Records’ compilation CD “ Rock in the Box”.
The album will feature 12 original songs by carefully chosen acts from all over the United States. It is the first of its kind here in the US and in the Philippines as well. Yes, the album will be released din the Philippines, a few months after the American launch.
‘It is such a great selection of music from these great bands. Though, mostly rock, some key artists also contributed sounds from a different genre, which is good for the album’s balance and variety.’ says J.G Antiporda, VP of Soulworks Records.
The album will be launched via a New York City gig sometime in late June or early July.
The complete lineup of artists is still being held by the label, and will only be announced in the last week of May.
It’s ‘Pop-times’ once again
Poptimes Magazine, the online magazine about Fil-Am music will go full blast this month.
The eMag will be uploaded to a better server with bigger bandwidth, it will be adorned with a fully functional phpbb forum, where all things Fil-Am music can be discussed., and it will be updated bi-monthly with exclusive interviews of notable Fil-Am bands and artists as well as news coverage, reviews and some fiery editorials.
The people behind Poptimes Magazine believe in the possibility of bringing Fil-Am music to the mainstream. That is why a key feature of every issue to showcase a song by a Fil-Am artist for all the world to hear. The song is free to download and enjoyed.
In the current issue, the featured single is ‘Gusto Mo’ by Jersey band ‘The Kuwagos’.
Artists can send in their press releases or their music if they want to be featured.
The eMagazine was started in late 2004 as a free delivery PDF. It gained widespread support among the Fil-Am music artists and fans alike from both sides of the US – East and West, until it briefly closed for a while due to a controversial guest editorial, which earned the wrath of some key players in the industry.
Now, roughly eight months after it shut down, all is well in the Fil-Am music scene and with Poptimes Magazine as well. You can all visit the website at www.poptimesmagaizne.com.
Fil-Am Music’s Year
This is just the tip of the iceberg. There will be so many releases, events, and happenings this year, the whole community is guaranteed to raise a proud and happy smile.
It is hard enough to pull stuff like these in a highly competitive American entertainment scene. That’s why we should all embrace all these projects and support our very own.
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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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Charmaine Hunt |
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NEW YORK --- Multimillionaire Donald Trump handed over pink slips to two Apprentice contestants in last Monday’s episode on NBC: Tarek Saab, and the Filipina-American Charmaine Hunt.
Trump fired the two hopefuls when their team Gold Rush was defeated by Synergy in a marketing project involving the grand opening of a hair saloon in California.
Goldrush could not function as a team due to a deep rift between Tarek and Charmaine, which resulted in their team’s defeat and their eventual firing.
Synergy, the opposing team, sold $1000 plus worth of services and hair products, while Goldrush only sold a measly $700 in services only. Charmaine’s team failed to sell any hair products to generate more revenue.
As for their price, Synergy was sent to New York’s Steinway Hall to meet with legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach and write a song with him.
Charmaine got nailed for getting caught in the stylist’s chair with three hours left to go on the task. While Tarek was sent off mainly because of his rampant insubordination to any project manager in his team.
Trump, who obviously flirted with the Filipina-American, fired Charmaine first, then turned to Tarek for a double-firing episode.
Charmaine Lim Hunt was born in Madisonville, Kentucky. Her mother emigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines upon receiving an offer to teach 2nd grade in Madisonville. Her father moved to Kentucky for a job, and the two met while moving into their apartment complex. They later married, and her mother had Charmaine at the age of 38.
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MANILA --- Weeks after Ryan Agoncillo sent out an e-mail to the media in reaction to Piolo Pascual’s interview that commented on the former’s relationship with Judy Ann Santos who was the latter’s onscreen partner years ago, Ryan was tight-lipped on questions regarding the issue save for saying that “I stand by what I said.”
Ryan, whom the press met a couple of weeks ago in lieu of his just-released album, “Lovespeak by Ryan Agoncillo” under Vicor Music Corporation, also brushed off queries on Piolo with “It (the Piolo issue) is not part of this project so I won’t comment.”
This did not deter the media, though, from hinting on the subject via indirect questions. A common one was why Ryan did not launch the album at “A.S.A.P.” (where Piolo is a regular host) but on “Eat Bulaga” instead.
“I myself thought the album would be launched at ‘A.S.A.P.’ until the last minute. During the week approaching the launch, I was informed by my manager (Noel Ferrer) and Vicor that the change was made to ‘Eat Bulaga.’ I no longer asked them for details because I trust they know what’s best for me and the album,” says he.
But would he accede to promoting the album in “A.S.A.P.” if invited to do so? When was the last time he was in “A.S.A.P.?”
“An invitation is an invitation and I will discuss that with my manager when it happens. It’s been awhile since I was seen in ‘A.S.A.P.’ but only because that’s a variety show and I don’t really sing nor dance,” says he.
Ryan, however, was generous with words in talking about his album. “LOVESPEAK” has Ryan speaking his thoughts out on record on the different faces of love. These thread the mostly OPM Classics found here done by big stars as Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Basil Valdez and Side A.
“I never thought I’d have an album kasi hindi naman ako marunong kumanta. I was a musician when I was still studying but I only played the guitar and drums in bands I was part of then. Buti na lang the concept of the album—making statements—suited me or I wouldn’t have done it. At this point, I already know what I can and cannot do and falling under the first is making statements on love which I do in the album,” says he.
According to Ryan, the idea for the album germinated from a CD he recorded years ago that contained snippets of an interview that had him delving on certain stags of his love life.
“I was 20 years old then and was rambling. This time, I wanted an output that would reflect wisdom gained by someone who has been in quality romantic relationships. Because of my job as host of ‘Y Speak,’ I know, too, that my stories about falling in love and getting heartbroken are not-your-average types. This is the reason why some of my statements here may seem hazy vis-a-avis message of the song because I could be citing parallelisms. But I have faith that anyone who has gone through the things that I did would understand,” he says.
The first single off the album is “No Ordinary Love” recorded by Judy Ann Santos. Ryan couldn’t help grinning whenever this fact is brought up.
“I always tease her about it. I didn’t know kasi she would be doing the song. Ang sabi niya sa akin on the day she recorded, ang recording niya is for one of her endorsements. I only found out about her participation when the album was launched in ‘Eat Bulaga.’”
He adds: “We get a good laugh whenever I bring up the subject with her kasi I always point out that she was, once upon a time, a multi-platinum recording artist. I still play her albums in my bar (6 Underground in Makati) from time to time and when I do, she would always punch me in the arm!”
Is ‘No Ordinary,’ er, their theme song?
“I guess so if ‘theme song’ means a common favorite song that speaks about love. Besides, I’m a fan of Jennifer Love Hewitt kaya nga I was very excited when I got to interview her in the U.S. Anyway, what Juday and I really enjoy listening to—the one that gives us good vibe when we’re on the road traveling—are songs by Jack Johnson particularly ‘Better Together,’” says he.
When asked to describe his relationship with Judy, Ryan says that it has “a lot of quality, a lot of texture.”
“May masayang part, may malungkot din. But one thing I can say about her is that she stands up for our relationship. She’s the type where action speaks louder than words and that’s why our relationship blossoms,” Ryan says.
Apart from promoting the album, Ryan has been concentrating lately on his acting career. He is in the thick of finishing work on the digital indie film, “Umaaraw Umuulan;” a tribute movie in honor of Ryan’s director-friend Direk Luigi Santiago and bankrolled by the Bautista showbiz siblings of Herbert, Hero and Harlene.
There, too, is the teleserye remake of “Bituing Walang Ningning” where Ryan plays ‘Nico’ which was essayed in the original by no less than Christopher de Leon. Later, he will also start shooting “Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo” opposite Judy Ann Santos to be helmed by Direk Joey Reyes.
Outside the spotlight, the KBP Golden Dove Awardee for Best Talk and Magazine Host is still into photography, biking and managing his bar.
As last ditch attempt to get him talk about Piolo, someone asked Ryan if he still means what he wrote in his e-mail that should he meet Piolo he would “put him in his place.”
“I stand by what I said.” (MNS)
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IT’S confirmed! Snooky Serna and Nino (Rufino) Mendoza got married last Saturday (April 29).The civil wedding ceremonies were held at a condominium unit somewhere in Ayala Avenue, Makati City.
According to a reliable source, only a handful of their close friends were present during the exchange of vows. Snooky’s mother, Mila Ocampo, was reportedly absent, as well as Snooky’s eldest child Sam.
Boy Abunda, Cristy Fermin, Pinky Ama-dor, and the owner of the condominium unit stood by as principal sponsors.
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