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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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The wall has been breached
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IT is amazing how little things can cause gigantic effects – like a beach pebble’s ripples creating a tsunami, an atom splitting to cause a surge of energy as intense as the burning sun, or a small hammer toppling the Berlin Wall.
Yet, before the big result caused by little things, there occurs an initial spark: the tiny splash created by the pebble piercing the water’s surface tension, the inaudible pop of the atom when it splits, or the first cracks of cement as the hammer breaches the wall.
The same is true in the effort to build a Fil-Am music industry.
Believe it or not, the entire Fil-Am music scene is divided into two: The East Coast and the West Coast scenes. Both are healthy scenes populated by top-class artists, creative movers and loyal fans. Both know the existence of the other but too pre-occupied to pat each other’s shoulders. They are like twins separated at birth, grappling for ways to reconnect. Both know the existence of the other but too pre-occupied to pat each other’s shoulders. This has been the case, at least until last week.
If the two scenes are divided by an invisible wall, last week, that wall has been breached -- not totally, but a visible crack has been spotted on the surface of the invisible wall.
The hammer that made the breach: A Fil-Am music community living under the pages of a Filipino-American Online Music Magazine – Poptimes Magzine.
Since its birth last week, the Poptimes Magazine forum has been littered with East Coast bands and artists like Alfa, Bagwis, Blue Mellon Pop, Bleud, Rubberband, Moxie, Trickbag. Binky, The Kuwagos, Sodapop Suicide, The 3rd Element, PI, Nerojoc, Tito Felix, The Moonbugs, Warholsoup, Jamguys and Circled Sin.
They have been sharing trade secrets, posting shows and interacting with Fil-Am music fans. Now, quite a number of West Coast fans and not to mention artists have registered and started to mingle with their East Coast brothers. Most notably, Perf De Castro, Locomotiv, Ten Times Karma, Sugat Band and Pedro Gil.
It is such a joy seeing both scenes comparing notes, listening to songs, and discussing things from the technical to the downright silly. It is as if the Poptimes Magazine forum has become the soldering lead that connected two hot wires forming a long stretch of conduit from LA to NYC, allowing the flow of a united Fil-Am music.
The forum is not exclusively for musicians and fans. Filipinos and Fil-Ams interested in all forms of art should be in there too. In fact, threads were started to host graphic artists, computer gamers, and filmmakers and writers. This would not only broaden the scope of the scene, it would also be a great networking venue devoid of any corporate hang-ups – just real people.
Admittedly, with only a few bands in and a handful of fans, it is far from all-encompassing, but it is a good start. Soon, if this flow continues, the two separate scenes will cease to exist and instead, morph into a living music industry – the dream.
Currently The Poptimes Magazine administrators is now working on vastly improving the website. Very soon, there would be a photo section, where users can post their photos, a Poptimes streaming radio and Poptimes TV. By the end of 2006, if all plans work out and membership increases, the website will become the one-stop site for all things Fil-Am art – dream number two.
Incidentally, the June issue of the online Magazine will be a summer sizzler issue – Swimsuit. There is considerable buzz already surrounding the upcoming cover and mind you, it will be a hot cover. So hot the cover will be, some people in the forum have asked the editors to offer raffle tickets for those who are lucky enough to be in the shoot.
To register in the community, log on to www.poptimesmagazine.com
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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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THE CITY government of Manila on Thursday banned all cinemas in the Philippine capital from screening the controversial film “The Da Vinci Code,” saying it was an attack against the dominant Roman Catholic religion in the country.
A resolution was signed by a majority of the city councilors just hours after it premiered in major cities across the country, Asia’s bastion of Catholicism.
“This is the sentiment of the city of Manila,” said council member Benjamin Asilo.
He said the ban will take effect on Friday, the second day of the film’s screening in the Philippines.
The resolution said the movie, which was based on US author Dan Brown’s explosive novel, is “undoubtedly offensive and contrary to established religious beliefs which cannot take precedence over the right of the persons involved in the film to freedom of expression.”
It stressed that the country’s Revised Penal Code states that “it is a crime to exhibit films which offend a religion.”
Asilo, who authored the resolution, said malls and cinema owners in Manila who defy the ban risked being fined, or their owners imprisoned.
Those caught selling pirated DVDs or VCDs of the movie could also be jailed for up to six months, Asilo warned.
In Metro Manila, the movie can still be seen in 16 other cities and municipalities which, unlike the capital Manila, did not impose a ban.
But the Hollywood movie will not also be shown in all SM cinemas throughout the Philippines, as the country’s largest chain of shopping malls keeps off from its screens films with an R-18 rating, reports said.
The government’s censor bureau earlier this week allowed the film to be shown but gave it an R-18 rating, meaning it is restricted to adults.
The movie takes a leaf from Brown’s book which put forward the theory that Jesus Christ was married to the biblical prostitute Mary Magdalene, had children and that the sacred blood line still exists today in secret.
Members of the politically influential Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines have also branded the movie as blasphemous.
The Philippines is Asia’s bastion of Catholicism, with over 80 percent of its 84 million population belonging to the religion.
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THE multi-awarded international theater singer-actress Ms. Lea Salonga has embarked on her newest and most significant role to date — that of a mother — with the birth of her brand new healthy baby girl yesterday (Tuesday, May 16) at the Asian Hospital in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Lea’s husband Robert Chien was beside her all the way from the time she was admitted to the hospital at around 2 a.m. until after she gave birth at 12:12 p.m. by normal spontaneous delivery. She was awake during the entire birthing process.
“She is very strong, and a very good patient. She’s very obedient,” Dr. Ma. Teresita Henson, Lea’s obstetrician-gynecologist, said. “We were right on schedule. She came in at 2 a.m., we gave her epidural at 7 a.m. and I told them she’s gonna give birth at noon. And she did! She did everything I instructed her to do,” the young doctor said.
The baby weighs 6.10 lbs. and is 49 cms. long. She’s fairskinned and looks a lot like her daddy Rob, according to Lea and her mom Mrs. Ligaya Salonga who was also present during the momentous event. Lea’s brother Gerard Salonga and his wife DJ were also there to share in the joy of the arrival of the newest member of their family.
Lea’s baby was also attended by Dr. Mike Celdran, her own pediatrician when she was a baby. The proud parents have picked the name Nicole Beverly for their first-born. Nicole has been Lea’s favorite name ever since and Beverly is the name of her husband Rob’s late mother.
“I haven’t slept a wink. I started experiencing labor pains at 11:53 p.m. We were admitted to the hospital at around 2 a.m. She came out at a little past 12 noon, and still I haven’t slept,” she told us shortly after she and the baby have been wheeled inside her private suite at the high-end Asian Hospital in Alabang, a few minutes away from their residence at Ayala-Alabang Village.
Rob, who also haven’t slept a wink, could only smile unbelieving when he was told that the baby looks like him. We asked him how he felt seeing the baby, “it was amazing,” he said. Rob was there the whole time documenting the event on video and he said, “Lea was really strong. She told me she didn’t feel pain at all. It was the pushing that was hard. The baby seemed to not want to get out at first. It was pretty crazy out there,” he told us with a smile of relief while waiting for the baby to be presented to the waiting family members at the hospital’s huggery (nursery).
Mrs. Salonga, whom Lea greeted lovingly “hello Abu” (short for Abuelita, because that’s how Mrs. Salonga wanted the baby to call her) when they saw each other again after the baby’s arrival, answered her back with an equally loving “hello mommy!”
The brand new grandmother was excited and kidded everyone with the title “official daddy,” “official mommy,” “official uncle” and “official aunt” said that the event calls for a celebration.
Gerard said Lea called him up the night before to tell him she has been experiencing labor pains already. But they decided not to call their Mom that late to let her have a good night’s rest. Lea called Mrs. Salonga first thing in the morning to tell her that she was already at Asian Hospital.
Lea plans to breastfeed her baby all the way. Baby Nicole will be baptized here in the Philippines, probably before she goes to the US in July to be met by Rob’s family back there, they told us.
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There are probably thousands of reasons why New Yorkers and even tourists visiting the Big Apple would say “I Luv New York.” The melting pot of different cultures from all over the world, the city mystifies people as it invites them to live and experience New York even for a little while.
Moreover, it has been known as a place of romance, the perfect backdrop for GMA Network’s newest drama series “I Luv New York.”
Directed by Louie Ignacio, “I Luv New York” puts together the country’s popular love, teams from two generations – “the younger pair of Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado and the ‘90s well–loved tandem of Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal.
The story revolves around how each character finds his or her partner and discovers their lives are intertwined by fate. Baste, played by Mark Herras won in the TV contest “Laban O Bawi” which became his ticket to travel to California to look for his long lost biological mother. Unfortunately he landed in New York City where he met Natalie (Jennylyn Mercado) who ran away from home because her parents fixed her to marry a young and wealthy businessman. Without any money, she ran into Albert (Marvin Agustin) for help and comfort.
Polly played by Jolina Magdangal needed a job badly and was lucky enough to be hired by Albert as his secretary. But the two have nothing in common, thereby producing chaos and wacky scenarios between them!
“Until now, the loveteam of Jolina and Marvin is still nakakakilig.’
I discovered while filming this sopa opera that everything I’ve seen on television about them were true. Iba ang rapport nila na kapag pinagsama mo ulit sila there’s an immediate magic. “Hindi mo na kailangang i-coach. Lalabas ng kusa,” commented Louie.
With regards to Mark and Jen, their tandem has moved on to a more matured level. Despite the negative intrigues that have befallen them, they became stronger and more charismatic to their fans or viewers in general. Bottomline, both love teams in the series will make people fall in love with the show as they also fall in love with their respective partners.
“It’s really a place you can fall in love with especially if you’re a shopping addict,” smiled Louie. “But personally, my high is the Philippines. I’ve been to New York three times already and I always get homesick when I get there. I wanted to comeback immediately but this was work so I had no choice.”
Other actors in “I Luv New York” are real–life lovebirds William Martinez and Yayo Aguila as Joaquin and Susan, Baste’s parents; Caridad Sanchez as Baste’s grandmother; Tirso Cruz III and Carmi Martin as Edward and Diane; Natalie’s parents, Isabel Oli, Gabby Eigenmann, Krizzy Jareno, Alfred Vargas, Mike Tan, LJ Reyes, Kirby de Jesus and Neil Ferreira.
“I was able to balance their exposures through their respective characters. Each of them had their moments...the only pressure I had was that I wasn’t given a second unit to work with,” the director lamented. “Then sa New York, merong union so I have to finish everything within 12 hours maximum. I used New Yorkers as my production crew.”
Working in New York without his production team in the Philippines was very challenging for Louie. But he was proud to share that he was spoiled in New York. He was given three cameras and all the lighting equipment he requested were granted.
“This is really one of its kind and I’m confident about its future ratings...this is my comeback soap opera after ‘Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin’ with Angelika dela Cruz and Sunshine Dizon,” expressed Louie who is en route to canning two seasons of “I Luv New York.”
Working in a foreign country, Louie’s rules were simple — “actors should come on time because he hates tardiness; actors should have read their scripts before coming to the shoot. New Yorker life is fast–paced so they should work early and finish early too.”
Another aspect of working in “I Luv New York” that Louie was proud of too was not turning the whole drama series accidentally into a travelogue!
“That was my fear before. Pero ginawa kong backdrop lang siya ng soap opera. Tumakbo ang istorya na ang backdrop mo is New York City. So hindi mo masasabing namamasyal lang kami at kinunan lang dun. Nagdradrama sila na ang background nila New York City.”
He added that he also made sure that the scenes he shot in the Philippines were as scenic and beautiful like the tourists spots he captured in “I Luv New York.”
“My scenes in the Philippines are very Amorsolo. Magaganda ang scenes ko na kahit it’s in the province and you’re poor, sa labas ay isang pinyahan kaya maganda!”
With regards to his directing style, he confessed to giving “I Luv New York” an American feel. He was also inspired by the styles of Korean telenovelas.
“This is also fast-paced and it’s a quality film! First time kong mag shoot na 24p camera ang ginamit kaya ang mahal. I introduced this or the first time on televsion and they’ll see the texture which is like a film. This is the look for the soap that I wanted to achieve,” remarked Louie.
So what did NYC teach Louie?
“First, it taught me about its lifestyles. The New Yorkers are friendly people but their lives are really fast–paced! Bawal ang mabagal,” he replied. (MNS)
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PIOLO Pascual may not exactly know how to “classify” or “define” his relationship with rumored apple-of-the-eye Rica Peralejo nowadays, but suffice it to say that Piolo seems to be the happiest person alive these days.
“I am very happy, really. Rica and I are close. We’re very good friends and we’re getting to know each other so much better now. I’d like to think that we’re looking at each other at a different level now. You can say, romantic level. And for me there’s really nothing wrong with that,” he told us after the press conference held last Monday at the Palm Grove restaurant in Rockwell for his 4th year as Timex Watches endorser (this time, together with Angel Locsin).
Piolo said his Mom, to whom he is very, very close with, has given her seal of approval to the young lady. “They get on well,” Piolo said, and the fact that they will all be leaving for Europe for a working vacation for one month as one big happy family will not help deny the issue at all.
“Yes, next week, we will be leaving for a vacation in Europe. I’ll be working for two weeks, concerts for TFC in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Athens, Oslo, and Madrid. Rica will be part of the shows. After that, my Mom, my sister, and me, with Rica will be vacationing in Italy, Germany, Sicily and Amsterdam. It’s my Mom’s 60th birthday, so this will be a treat for her,” Piolo said.
Rica, by the way, will be going with them alone, meaning, without the company of her loving mother Alice. “Mommy Alice has entrusted Rica to us,” he told us with that impish smile.
Piolo said a lot have given him their two cent’s worth as far as Rica’s involvement in his life is concerned but he says “I’m happy with my life. Even the network tells me to be careful because of the image. But I told them nobody can control the happiness of a person. It’s been four years. I’m just happy now,” Piolo said meaningfully.
The handsome actor said that his friendship with Rica now is borne out of the fact that they are more mature and both unattached. He also belied rumors that it was all hatched out of a betting game he entered into with co-Hunks performer Bernard Palanca (a former boyfriend of Rica who is now happily involved with Meryll Soriano) during one crazy drunken night. “Hindi po totoo yun. This closeness came about because of the soap opera ‘Sa Piling Mo.’ We see each other always on the set. It’s inevitable that we get to know more of each other,” he stressed.
Piolo said he and Rica may not go out a lot, the first time they went out on a group date at that, was last week and they went to Greenbelt. “But we talk a lot. The best thing about Rica is she’s very true to herself. What you see about her is what you get. I admire a lot about her,” he said.
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