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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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AT last my all-time favorite super hero flies back to the big screen and takes his adventures to a new generation of fantasy lovers - Superman Returns.
Based from the trailers I have seen, I am confident that this new Superman film from Warner Bros. will not disappoint. In particular, I am not disappointed with Superman’s updated getup - a scaly-latex-like blue overall that really looks smooth and strong, unlike the old costume from the late Chris Reeve versions, which was made up of, I believe, spandex.
I didn’t like the old spandex getup due to it’s perceived weakness. In Superman Two, you can actually see Superman having underarm wetness in some scenes, which is not very super. Now with the heavy latex, we won’t be able to see spots like that.
The effects are much better than before, of course given the latest CGI and green screen techniques, there’s no excuse for lousy special effects. Superman’s flight sequences look impeccable, his heat vision and super-speed scenes look magnificent, and his outer space visuals look very impressive.
I also have high hopes for the film’s overall direction because knowing Brian Singer’s previous super hero works -- the first two X -Men movies -- I am confident of a good storytelling and character development.
I believe he would never make a mistake like in Superman 4 when Superman gave Lois Lane a cruise around the Solar System with Lois just in her office clothes.
In the trailers, it seems that Superman has gone AWOL from his super hero duties on earth. It looks like- Superman has gone to outer space in search of his life’s meaning.
Is he be confused? Is he nursing a broken heart because Lois dumped Clark Kent? Can Superman’s heart be broken? Or maybe he got really pissed and tired of helping the humans with their troubles - especially in New York-like Metropolis, where you can get blamed by a person you just saved from jumping atop a skyscraper; ruined suicide plans,. Or never get thanked after saving people from certain disasters.
Once, I was branded as a ‘perv’ for grabbing a chick to prevent her from tipping over inside a PATH going to Jersey, after she lost her balance.
OK, I admit I was wrong for saving her via her bosoms. But that was just my Spiderman-ish reflexes and she should have thanked me for saving her from pure embarrasment instead of being smirked upon and called a ‘perv’.
I have always wanted to be Superman. When I was a kid, I put a large towel on my back and wear red fishermen’s boots then stand in front of an electric fan and imagine I was hovering smoothly over Makati. I have called our bald neighbor Lex Luthor a million times, and even attempted to jump from our balcony in Kamuning, and fought with my self like Superman did in Superman 3 -- I always ended up beaten.
I have always wanted to be able to fly like Superman, shoot laser beams from my eye like Superman, be able to breath really ‘cool’ and freeze a lake like Superman, and be able to wear briefs on top of my pants like Superman.
But now, as an adult, and having fully understood the limitations of mere humans, I have dropped all these Super power desires but for one - I still want to have X-Ray vision.
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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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MTV, the world’s largest television network and the country’s favorite music channel, co-hosted the longest running music awards event in the Philippines – The 19th Awit Awards. Together with the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI), MTV staged the event at the Casino Filipino (NAIA) in Paranaque City on June 15, 2006.
The show featured powerful performance collaborations by some of today’s hottest groups. The awards kicked off with a double act between Sandwich and the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band, in a performance of Sandwich’s hit single “Sugod”. Nominees for Best New Group Pupil, Dicta License, Stonefree and Hale performed in a solid production number. A moving duet medley featured MYMP, Sitti, Totop Suzara and Jedd Madela. The bands rocked again as 6cyclemind, Urbandub and Bamboo performed together as nominees for the Best Rock Recording category.
Other performances included song siren Regine Velasquez singing a medley of Gary V and Martin Nievera’s hits, in lieu of the Parangal Award, which Gary V and Martin received jointly. The Dawn sang Salamat for twenty years of rocking the local music industry. The show ended on a high note, with Orange and Lemons performing their hugely successful single “Pinoy Ako.”
MTV’s involvement in the awards added a new spark to the well established event, by injecting the Awit Awards’ traditional show format with the channel’s zest and youthful energy. MTV is proud to have celebrated this momentous occasion with some of the country’s finest musicians and music lovers from all over.
Catch The 19th Awit Awards on-air on MTV on MTV Presents on Sunday, July 2 at 8pm, with replays on July 6, Thursday, at 8 pm, and on July 8, Saturday at 4 pm.
MTV Philippines is on Channel 41 for free TV or non-cable subscribers and Channel 22 for Sky Cable subscribers. You can also ask your cable operator for channel designation. For ultra-hot MTV downloads for your mobile phone, text MTV to 688 (for Smart subscribers).
Judges’ scores were tabulated and verified by by Isla Lipana & Co. (formerly Joaquin Cunanan & Co.)
Congratulations to all the winners !
19TH AWIT AWARDS WINNERS
(Artist, Record, Label)
1.)Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist: Barbie Almalbis for “Just A Smile” (Warner Music Philippines)
2.)Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist: Gary Valenciano for “Break Me” (Universal Records)
3.)Best Performance by a Duet: Nina and Thor for “The Closer I Get To You” (Warner Music Philippines)
4.)Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist: Bamboo for “Hallelujah” (EMI Music Philippines)
5.)Best Performance by a New Female Recording Artist: April for “Stay Real” (EMI Music Philippines)
6.)Best Performance by a New Male Recording Artist: OJ Mariano for “Maghihintay Sa’yo” (Star Records/Reddmon Production)
7.)Best Performance by a New Group Recording Artist: Pupil “Nasaan Ka” (Sony BMG Music Entertainment)
8.)Best Instrumental Performances: Renato Lucas and Raul Sunico “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan” (Ivory Music/Tawid Publications)
9.)Album of the Year: “Light, Peace, Love” by Bamboo, produced by Christopher Sy, Bamboo and Angee Rozul (EMI Music Philippines)
10.) Song of the Year: “Hallelujah” by Bamboo (EMI Music Philippines)
11.) Best Selling Album of the Year: “Live!” by Nina, produced by Ricky Ilacad and Neil Gregorio (Warner Music Philippines)
12.) Best Ballad Recording: (TIE) “Much Has Been Said” by Bamboo (EMI Music Philippines); “The Day You Said Goodnight” by Hale (EMI Music Philippines)
13.) Best Rock Recording: “Hallelujah” by Bamboo (EMI Music Philippines)
14.) Best World/Alternative Music: “Akin Ka Na Lang” by Itchyworms (Universal Records)
15.)Best Rap Recording: “6 In The Morning” by Dice and K9 (Viva Records)
16.)Best Jazz Recording: “Let Go” by Mon David (Candid Records/Isla Multi-Directional Music Productions)
17.)Best R&B Recording: “Asa” by South Border (GMA Records)
18.)Best Song Written for Movie/TV/Stage Play: “You’ll Be Safe Here” for Spirits by Rivermaya (Warner Music Philippines)
19.)Music Video of the Year: “You’ll Be Safe Here” by Rivermaya (Warner Music Philippines), directed by Pedring Lopez
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NEW YORK–The Filipino Express caught up with newly married Barbie Almalbis. Yes. It’s confirmed. Barbie Almalbis tied the knot with Martin Honasan, son of former senator Gringo Honasan at a very private Christian ceremony held at her house last May 21. Barbie was named Best Female Artist in the Awit Awards, where she also acknowledged for the first time that she’s married. In her acceptance speech she thanked her manager, her recording company, Warner and her husband.
The couple has denied reports of Barbie’s pregnancy. They both felt that it was the right moment that’s why they went a go for it. Martin, 30 and Barbie, 28 are planning a church wedding either at the end of this year or early next year. Here’s how the interview went.
SG: Did you grow up In a musical family?
BA: Yeah, I grew up In Roxas City and my family was very much into music. Everyone on my mom’s side played instruments and some wrote music, so I picked up the guItar at 11 and played a bIt of pIano at 5. I had a few organ lessons during summer and a some sessions for basic guitar, but I mostly learned from my mom and lola. I also sang for my famIly when I was little and performed in school.
SG: Can you tell us briefly about your journey towards becomIng a recordIng artist.
BA: I started writing songs at 14 and played guItar almost everyday. I had a couple of bands from high school and into college, then a bass player named Ricci Gurango and I formed Hungry Young Poets and we got a regular Monday gIg at Freedom bar In Quezon CIty. That’s where Sony MusIc spotted us and signed us up. We released our fIrst and only H.Y.P. album In 1997.
SG: Why did HYP break-up?
BA: At around 1999, we left Sony MusIc and moved to Warner wIth our manager Tommy Tanchanco and drummer Franklin Benitez, but RiccI stayed and formed his new band Mojofly. In 1999, we formed BarbIe’s Cradle and eventually got a new drummer and an additional lead guItar player.
SG: How about Barbie’s Cradle? Why did you break-up?
BA: Around May of last year, I wanted to leave and maybe rest or pursue somethIng else, so I spoke with our then manager, Wyngard Tracy, and then my bandmates. We were all in good personal and musical terms, so it really wasn’t because of anything negatIve that I wanted to leave. It was sad for us and other people, but I was very sure about my decision to leave, though I didn’t yet know exactly what I was gonna do next--more like a step of faIth.
My former bandmates and I stIll see each other around from time to time and they were so kind to record a song wIth me in my Solo album-. It was one of the last songs we were working on as a band. I am now workIng wIth my first manager Tommy T.(now joIned by hIs wife Ynel), former drummer FranklIn BenItez, and bass player, RichIe Ramos. We just released my first album.
SG: Are the other ex-members of Barbie’s Cradle pursuing other musical interests?
I think they still do a few projects together, but they all have gone theIr separate ways too. Wendell GarcIa does a lot of SessIon work and also backs up Pido. Rommel de la Cruz replaced the former bass player of the band Freestyle. Kakoy Legspi plays guitar for his band Salindiwa, which he was a part of even during Barbie’s Cradle days.
SG: Who are the other artists/bands that you started with that are still around?
BA: Well, one of our first big gigs was opening up for the Eraserheads. They’ve disbanded but their singer and songwriter Ely Buendia has a new band called Pupil, and we’re now doing a project collaboratIon for Juicy Fruit.
SG: How was it doIng the Eraserheads song “Overdrive?”
BA: I’ve been a big fan of the Eraserheads since they started...we also got to open for them when our band (Hungry Young Poets) was new and I got so excited...It’s really a treat to be working wIth Ely Buendia’s new band Pupil cause he’s a great songwriter.
SG: You also did a duet with a Filipino-American band The Speaks, how was the experience? Working wIth The Speaks was also a great experience cause we got to spend time workIng on the song, recording, and doing live and tv gigs. They’re really cool down to earth guys:) The song became such a hit here too, It was great!
SG: Who are your favorite non-Filipino artists/bands?
BA: P.O.D.
SG: How about Filipino artists/bands?
BA: Rivermaya, Cynthia Alexander, Kitchie, Ugoy-Ugoy, Cambio, Bamboo
SG: What Is your take on pIracy?
BA: Piracy has done much damage to the recording industry and I’m happy that more and more people are turning away from it now.
SG: Have you done shows in the US ? Do you have any future plans?
BA: I only got to play In the states when I was in highschool (In Northeast Bradford HS, PA) and we performed In school events...hehe:) but that doesn’t count:)...Yeah, We dream of playing there soon:)
SG: Any message to your Filipino-American fans/listeners?
BA: Hey everyone! Thanks for being a big blessing to us here, and for supportIng the music scene! Enjoy kayo and God bless you all!!
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GABBY Concepcion (remember him?) is eager to do a teleserye, according to Dolor Guevarra, who has just arrived from the US with her talent, Eric Quizon. She had a talk with Gabby and she discovered that he is a successful real estate broker in Vallejo, California.
For seven years now, he has been married to a Filipina nurse who was born in the US.
“Kaya lang kung gagawa daw siya ng teleserye, gusto niya sa US ito i-shoot,” said Dolor. “Mukhang wala siyang balak bumalik dito. Although, he also specified, that he and his former talent manager, Lolit Solis, have kissed and made up.”
Dolor and Eric left two weeks ago to attend the 60th birthday celebration of Eric’s mom, Baby Smith (screen name: Pamela Ponti). After Eric’s mom and dad Dolphy separated, she opted to live in the US.
“Sa Stockholm (in California) siya naka-base,” related Dolor. “She owns a day care home, which is doing very well. May manliligaw siyang Amerikano who looks like Frank Sinatra.”
Dolor had a chance meeting with Dolphy’s other son, Manny Boy, father of comedian Boy 2. He now has a new family. Manny Boy and his Filipina wife and two sons also live in Vallejo, California.
Manny Boy used to be married to a granddaughter of the late comedian, Dely Atay-atayan. She is Boy 2ís mom. (MNS)
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AT the press conference last Monday of Miriam Quiambao’s new show “Pinoy Meets World” on GMA 7 (which begins showing on Sunday), the former beauty queen cried after a string of sensitive questions from the media.
While everyone presumed that she got offended by the probing questions, a source said that Miriam cried simply because the pains of her separation from her Italian husband are still too fresh to speak of.
“She is just camouflaging her pain by immersing herself with work but deep inside, Miriam is still grieving over her failed marriage. After all, it’s been only a few months,” the source said.
However, in a TV interview Miriam said that she and her former husband remain friends.
Beauty queen having an affair?
Most probably, the management office of this beauty queen does not know that there are rumors circulating that their frontliner is allegedly involved with a married man.
Reliable sources revealed that another beauty queen is actually taking up the cudgels for the wife of the guy the first beauty queen is allegedly involved with by trying her best to tell on the seemingly demure lady.
Sources also say the beauty queen is often seen accompanied by this mystery “married” man who is not from show biz in her tapings, guestings, but nobody takes notice because she has successfully projected a very wholesome image.
Wonder how the beauty queen’s managers will react should they find out? It will also be remembered how the management years ago had to turn down the application of a bold star seeing her as unfit to be a candidate? And now this with someone right at their own backyard?
As they say, “abangan ng susunod na kabanata.”
High profile manager, unfriendly to a friend?
When a high school friend of this male recording artist called him to say he has a video tape of the singer’s first TV appearance, the famous male celebrity was so thrilled and naturally asked if he could have a copy of that.
To his suprise, the friend offered the original video tape for him to own. Out of gratitude for the generosity of his high school friend, the male superstar offered his friend complimentary tickets to a show he will be doing and told the friend to call his management office for instructions on how to get his tickets.
Of course, the friend called, but was surprised for the reaction of the manager whom he was able to talk to. The manager who told him they can’t give tickets to him because, “Kung mga relatives ko nga, hindi ko binibigyan ng ticket, ikaw pa,” the manager was quoted as saying.
He is the ‘Pirate to the stars’
If you think all actors are hell-bent in supporting their co–movie stars against piracy, think again. Our source has met this ‘pirate to the stars’ recently who disclosed that he is a businessman who mainly sells pirated DVDs to very famous TV and movie personalities.
The source alleged that the moviestars buy pirated DVDs discreetly. How? The stars allow him inside the privacy of their multi–million vehicles where they get to freely choose which pirated discs to purchase.
Host irritated with his co-host
This popular male TV show host is starting to lose patience with his female co–host. The reason? The female host has been having too many hosting lapses.
The male host is begining to feel exasperated because his co–host is often mistaken about her facts on their guests. Since some of the guests are high profile personalities, all the more does the male host thinks that his co–host should shape up.
Otherwise, he will lose his temper.
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