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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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IF ever there’s going to be a turning point in the Fil-Am music scene this year, especially here in the East Coast, it will surely happen next month - August.
For in that month, some of the best records will be released and this year’s major shows will be held. What are these major events? Let’s break it down.
Rock in the Box
Fil-Am music’s second major compilation of the year, after the Leyte Benefit CD, will be launched via two-major gigs in New York City: The Rock in the Box album pre-launch entitled “Fil-Am Summer Music Slam” at the Knitting Factory on August 5, and the album launch on August 12 at the Cutting Room. What’s in the box? Yes, rock is what’s inside the box.
More specifically, 14 songs from 14 Fil-Am artists and bands that really rock:
Fall Away by Florida-based Fil-Am band Titofelix; Maryland band the Moonbugs with When We Are Cats; Jersey City’s own, Bleud, with Every Other Day; Bergenfield’s The Kuwagos with Eh Ano Ngayon; Alfa’s Meaningless Conversations; Sodapop Suicide’s Sana Naman; Virginans The Speaks with High; New York’s very own Rubberband with Wordpad; Jay Legaspi’s Said Unheard; Hele by Chicago-based group Bagwis; Queens natives Blue Mellon Pop with I’m Sorry; Grim Bottle’s As I Am; Baltimore’s The 3rd Element with Place; and Alaala by Jersey band The Happy Analogues.
The album is a milestone in the whole Fil-Am music scene not only due to its sheer power and beauty but also for being one of the very first and successful projects in today’s scene.
Produced by yours truly and executive produced by Ed Sunico for Soulworks Records, the album not only highlights the unfathomable depths of Fil-Am talents, it solidifies and pushes the whole scene towards recognition and acclaim. So for al those who want to contribute to the growth of Fil-Am music, support the album and be there at the gigs.
Album releases in August
Aikostar
This August will also see the release of Aikostar’s debut album. The heavy prog-rock band have withheld the release of this much awaited album for months due to personal reasons. But now, it’s the way to finally see the light of day.
The Moonbugs
Likewise, Germantown, Maryland’s local heroes, The Moonbugs, is also scheduled to release their debut album called Headphone Session . The album contains the very essence of the Moonbugs’ music - Shoegaze .
Other Gigs in August
Bag of Tricks at Bistro San Miguel on August 11.
Featuring four of Jersey’s best rock groups: Bleud, The Kuwagos, The Happy Analogues and Trickbag. Buzzfest in Toronto, Canada on August 25.
Featuring our very own Fil-Am band from Washington, DC - PI, representing the Fi-Am Music scene. Poptimes Magazine Radio and TV.
The fastest growing Fil-Am music eMagazine is scheduled to launch big shows this month: Poptimes Magazine Radio’s Weekly Mix with DJbrijo, and Poptimes Magazine TV’s 5 Minutes that rock. www.poptimesmagazine.com
These events will definitely put the Fil-Am music scene in the spotlight, and on the verge of a complete breakout, especially if our local media and kababayans join in and give their complete support.
Since when have we seen such activities like such? A while, I must say. Biut now things are happening right in front of our noses. There will be no more excuses.
It has been a great 2006 so far for the scene and I am very proud to say that this paper, The Express, has been a major force in its development.
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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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WHENEVER I come across someone who tells me they are in a long distancerelationship, I cannot help but automatically think that 99 percent of long distance love affairs never work out.
I know, it really does sound cynical but I feelthis way because I have observed so many friends that have been in that situation, and the result is almost always the same. It never works out.
However, there are still a lot of couples I know who went through this phase in their relationship and they are still together. With the same demands in our own lives, we might even find ourselves in a similar situation.
A long distance love affair can also be applied to couples who live and work in different zip codes from one another and at such distances that driving for long hours or catching a plane is the only way to see each other.
When family, work or other personal matters necessitates physical separation from each other, this would definitely mean hard work on both you and your partner to make sure that your relationship remains intact.The adjustment from being with your partner at all times to being by your lonesome again means many changes in both your lives. The hardest part is when you are the one that is being left behind. It is similar to breaking up, but not necessarily putting the brakes on the relationship because you are still together.
Luckily, we are gifted with the benefits of living in the age of high technology and this leaves couples who find themselves in this kind of situation comforting thoughts that things will work out for the best.
The incurable romantic in me is the one that wants to dwell on making sure true love works so I have asked friends around who have been in this kind of situation for some tips. They weregenerous enough to share with me some of the things they did to make sure theyovercome the barrier of a physical separation with a loved one.
I-Techie Gadget mo
Many of them have sworn (especially my guy friends) with the use and wonders of phone calls, instant messages, webcam and texts! They reasoned out that these types of communication make it easier for a geographically challenged relationship. Always keep each other updated with what is happening in your lives. Even the most mundane of things is fine to tell each other. Make sure you have a broadband or high-speed type of internet and a good telephone/mobile service provider (AT & T, or SBC? pareho langyun!) Remember, the key words are, always be seen and heard!
Surprises, Surprises
This is the time to surprise each other! Anything from sending each other gifts with stuff that would make him/her think of you or mailing a card or letter that speaks of your love for one another. In addition, if one of you is blessed with a talent like writing poems or songs, painting or drawing, then its time to brush up on those skills and send one to your “honey”. For couples who practically have to endure long driving, make sure that you always plan something nice for a weekend, or take a day off from work and go somewhere different for some R and R, or better yet, if there’s an option to either change residence or workplace just to be closer to one another, just do it!Love is worth it!
Mag- Photo Session Lagi
I do not mean going to a professional photographer all the time just to have your pics taken or airbrushing photos so it will look good but just make sure that the pictures you send or post are new and nice. Or, you can even send him a scrapbook or collage of your pictures together so when your “sweetheart” gets to see it, the wonderful memories of the two of you being together will be in his/her mind( ok, it’s time to upload new pics sa MySpace at Friendster account mo!)
Give a Time Frame
You have to let each other know the time when the two of you will be together again. It is not enough to tell each other, “let’s just go with the flow na lang and take it from there”.(Ok, I can see guilty hands being raised!) Commitment will be the key word here.
None of us is sure about the future but words that speak of plans within a period means that there is something special and exciting to look forward to.
If Hindi Meant To be
Sometimes though, despite the most beautiful intentions and numerous methods to keep love alive, niggling doubts will inevitably start to surface, and this is the time to talk it out with your significant other. Never leave anyone hanging as to the status of your relationship. Have the courage to tell one another if its time to let go. If one of you wants to make a break, make it a clean one. It is just fair for both parties concerned.
Being miles away from someone that you love is truly difficult. The distance and separation can pose many frustrations for the two of you, but remember that since there is more work involved in this kind of situation, the importance of the person and that relationship increases in your life.
On the other hand, this also means more time and chance for you. Make yourself busy by spending time with your family, hanging out with old friends and making new ones, focusing on your study or career goals and exploring many worthwhile activities.
Putting your life on hold just because a significant other is not around is a major mistake.
Be prayerful and stay positive. Keep in mind that if true love is really meant for the two ofyou, things will fall exactly where and when you want it and distance will never be an issue.Happy Day to All!
(Thess Bacsal is a writer and lives in California. For your life’s concerns, comments and suggestions, email her at july19rn@yahoo.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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ANDREW E (the ‘E’ stands for his last name, Espiritu) has been entertaining Filipinos with his own special brand of music since 1991, when his first record “Humanap Ka Ng Panget” was released. The combination of his catchy storytelling rap style, those irresistible beats and the naughty and often hilarious lyrics made Andrew unique in Philippine pop culture, and his career took off like gangbusters. Of course, he did have his detractors, the fuddy-duddies who complained about his double-entendre lyrics.
Radio stations edited out some of the words on “Andrew Ford Medina.” “Binibirocha” was another song that was criticized for its allegedly suggestive lyrics. And what was Andrew’s response to all this ostracism? He wrote a song about it! “Bastos Daw” became another huge Andrew E hit.
Andrew’s career soon branched out as he began to star in comedy films based on his songs. Most of these movies also featured a beautiful female costar, and of course Andrew always got the leading lady! He now has more than 25 films under his belt.
BAP Media, a in New York based multimedia marketing and promotions company is responsible for the Andrew E. US Tour. Andrew E. will be touring though-out the United States this summer. Cities includes, New York (his host city), New Jersey, Washington DC, Virginia Beach, Chicago, Las Vegas, San Francisco, LA, San Diego, Jacksonville Fla., Orlando Fla. and possibly Alaska and Seattle Washington. The tour is being sponsored by Viva Pinoy Pack and San Miguel Beer. For more information about the tour, tickets and venues please call 631-841-5999 or visit www.bapmedia.com
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THE Black Eyed Peas did what coup plotters and other destabilizers have so far failed to do.
Performing two of their hits most popular among Filipinos, the award-winning hiphop group brought the Palace down.
Filipino-American Allen Pineda aka Apl.de.ap, together with another Pea, William Adams aka will.i.am, went to MalacaÒang Thursday to receive the Presidential Medal of Merit.
The decoration is conferred upon individuals, Filipino or foreign, who, among others, have gained “prestige for the country in an international event, in the fields of literature, the sciences, the arts, entertainment, and other civilian fields of endeavor that foster national pride and artistic excellence.”
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita conferred the award for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was down with flu.
The two other members of the group - Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson and Jaime Gomez aka Taboo were not around.
“It’s a great honor to be in the Palace. I’m grateful to the Filipinos supporting the Black Eyed Peas. This was a big day for me,” Pineda, who donned a white and red tie-dyed barong and white and red rubber shoes, told reporters later in an interview.
Palace employees, some with children in tow, guest students, and journalists thronged into the Ceremonial Hall as soon as it was announced that the Grammy award-winning hiphop group was coming.
The crowd cheered as soon as the intro for the Peasí first song, “The Apl Song,” whose Filipino lyrics and backing melody are based on the song “Balita,” an original composition of the 70s Filipino folk rock group Asin, came on.
Gamely giving in to requests for a second song, Pineda and Adams launched into “Bebot,” which triggered some dancing onstage and had normally staid Palace officials toe-tapping.
“Bebot” is the Filipino slang for girl and talks about various aspects of the Filipino lifestyle. The hit tune is in the group’s latest album, “Monkey Business.”
Ermita said he admires Pineda, who hails from Sapang Bato in Angeles City, for being proud of his Filipino roots.
Pineda also thanked fellow Pea Adams for adopting him when he first set foot in the US.
Adams said he admires Pineda for his courage and for his persistence to pursue his dreams.
“He brought the Philippines to the whole world,” Adams said.
The Black Eyed Peas are in the Philippines for a concert on Thursday to raise funds for victims of the February landslide in Leyte that left more than 1,000 people dead.
The concert is also part of the Peasí “Monkey Business World Tour.”
“We’ve always had a good welcome here in the Philippines,” Pineda, who is of Filipino-African-American descent, told the Inquirer in an article. “It feels good to perform in front of an audience that embraces us so strongly.”
The group came from a concert in Taiwan. (MNS)
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MANILA-- Sarah Geronimo’s career as an international recording star has officially started with the release of her first international album, “Becoming.”
The album was produced by Carlo Nasi and Christian de Walden, whose name is synonymous with success in Europe and Latin America. In order for him to work his magic touch on Sarah’s album, Viva Records flew in de Walden (who even brought in his own equipment) and Italian mixing engineer Luca Vittori. They also assembled a cast of musicians and arrangers from the US, Europe and Manila as backup.
It is the first time ever that Viva Records has gone all-out, literally sparing no expense just to ensure the quality of an album.
“Becoming” will first be released in Manila, followed by Japan, then the rest of Southeast Asia. There are also plans to release it in the US and in some parts of Europe.
“It’s another big step for Sarah,” says Vic del Rosario, Sarah’s manager and big boss of Viva Entertainment. According to him, a lot of people will be surprised not just by the technical quality of the album which is perfectly suited for international release but by the sound, which is different from anything Sarah has ever done before in her career.
“Maraming maninibago sa sound. May birit pa rin, pero mas controlled at mas mature na ang boses niya ngayon,” says del Rosario.
There are a total of 14 cuts on the album: “I Still Believe in Loving You” (carrier single); “Iingatan Ko (Ang Pag Ibig Mo)”; “You Mean the World To Me”; “Carry My Love,” a Spanish song (original title: “Amor Cobarde”) adapted into English by Lori Barth; “After Love”; “Baby Blue”; “Alaala Mo”; “And I’m In Love Again”; “Kaibigan”; “Don’t You Worry”; “Magliliwanag Rin Muli”; “Is This Love”; “Peace Is All We Know” and “So Heartbroken.”
The album was recorded and mixed by Vittori at Flamingo Cafe Recording Studios in Los Angeles, Subside Studios in Fiuggi, Italy and Amerasian Studios in Manila.
Additional engineering was done by George Landress, Fabio Angelini, Walter Clissen, Tony Peluso and David Bacon, giving the album that “international sound.”
This is clearly an important album, not just for Sarah, but for Viva Records as well, as it takes its first stab at conquering the international market. “If thereís anyone who can do it, itís Sarah,” says a Viva insider who has been closely following the young singer’s career since she crowned herself champion of “Star for a Night.”
Everyone at Viva is optimistic that this is the album that will establish Sarah as a singer to be reckoned with not just in the Philippines, but in other parts of the world.
And how is the object of all this pressure taking the new challenge facing her?
“Kung ninerbyos po ako sa mga dati kong albums, lalo na ngayon,” she says, while still managing to keep that trademark smile on her face. “Iba kasi ito, international album na kaya nakakakaba. But I really did my best here, kaya sana suportahan ng mga tao.”
“Becoming,” which is sponsored by Zed Philippines, Jollibee, Skechers USA, Islander, G-Shock, Video City, Kolin (Definitely Better), Crowne Plaza Galleria, Manila Bulletin and 90.7 Love Radio, will be available in all major record stores nationwide, from Viva Records. (MNS)
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LIKE the many storms expected to hit the archipelago this rainy season, actress and singer Antoinette Taus also brought with her a kind of a storm in the realm of showbiz when she arrived in Manila from California recently. But unlike mother nature’s storm that can be predicted, hers wasn’t intentional or planned and predicted!
According to her, the main purpose of her trip was just for a vacation. She denied rumors saying she came to disturb the relationship of her ex boyfriend Dingdong Dantes and his current girlfriend Karylle. If ever, her second priority while in the country was to accept any role or project her manager Annabel Rama and Jun Lalin will give her and not to win back Dingdong!
Rumors about her and Dingdong Dantes’ getting back together was sparked when news that the latter reportedy asked a common friend for her number surfaced. Despite Antoinette’s telling their friend not to give her number, Dingdong was allegedly insistent.
“The fact that I’ve said good-bye to the relationship, tapos na yun kaya wala ng gulo-gulo. Umuwi ako a year and a half after the last time I was here so kung manggugulo ako bakit ngayon lang? I feel bad na nagkakaroon ng issue eh wala naman. I’ve let go and I’ve moved on and he is part of the past already...kahit nang nasa States pa ako we kept in touch but we don’t call each other all the time. I have no intention na guluhin ko sila professionally or personally because I’ve respected their relationship. Kung nag-uusap kami ni Dong nandun yung respect to their relationship and walang malice. We’re just friends nows,” Antoinette said.
With regards to seeing themselves in a TV or movie project, she asserted that there wouldn’t be any problem at all since all of them are professional in their respective fields. If ever they’ll work together and intrigues start to circulate, this is something she’d understand.
“Wala akong angsts or animosity against them so I have no problem working with any of them. For me it’s a job and if we can really learn to be friends then okay...sa tagal ko na sa States natuto na akong i-detach ang sarili ko sa mga bagay na ganyan. Saka sa dami rin ng mga pinagsasabi sa akin sa past parang for me kahit ano pang sabihin nila alam ko naman yung totoo so hindi na ako naapektuhan. Kung pagtrabahuin man kami at intrigahin okay fine gumawa sila ng intriga. Basta wala kaming ginagawang masama wala kaming reason na maapektuhan,” she explained.
Is she still friends with Karylle?
“Friends kami before for years and I also opened up to her about Dingdong. Since naging sila ni Dingdong I don’t know if I can say that we’re still friends now,” replied Antoinette.
For two years straight, Antonette has been living in California with the goal of breaking into Hollywood. Before coming over to the Philippines she shared that she has already recorded some songs which she hopes to make into an album soon. She is also closely collaborating with a team of veteran and independent music producers. And she’s also scheduled to look for an agent when she returns to the US.
“The opportunity to make it in Hollywood,” was Antoinette’s answer when asked about the reason why she hasn’t been home for years. The doors are open and I’m working with different people and it’s really looking good and I don’t want to turn my back on that. I know that here it’s immediate money, immediate fame, immediate work and at the same time this is my home, Pilipinas. In Hollywood kasi it takes sacrifice and hardwork. Ayaw kong mag giveup.”
Given the chance, she would like to try and make it in singing and acting for television and the movies. She also admitted that she’s very driven at the moment to succeed there.
Known as one of the teeny-bopper singers in the country years ago, she confessed that the soulful singer in her was brought out when she was honing her singing talent in the States.
“Mas lumabas yung soulful and R&B side ko. This is something I’ve always wanted to do as a singer! Kasi dito I grew up in theater and very pop and girly yung mga songs ko before.”
Is she seeing anyone right now?
“Well, I can be in a relationship now but I choose not to be. Kasi I’m very focused on my career. Kailangang ibigay lahat sa career...hindi ako bumalik dito para balikan ang sinuman. I’m here to see friends and family!”
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