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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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LOVEGODS
The Moonbugs bring their Headphone Session right into your living rooms
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IT WAS a hot summer day in Jersey City and Anthony Villardo of The Moonbugs emerged from the back compartment of their Maryland-plated SUV, carrying a medium-sized box with the words fragile printed on its side. “It just came out on time,” he said referring to the box containing CDs of their debut release, Headphone Session.
At that moment, his band-mates: Loyd, Aldene and Ryan came out and started handing out their CD to buyers who were already in-line to get a hold it. “I have been waiting for this for months. Now I have it,” says a Moonbug fan who traveled with the band to catch their NYC show at The Cutting Room.
Headphone Crazy
The album opens with Pushmalt- a song that according to Anthony is an ‘album filler.’
If it is indeed it an album filler, then it is perhaps the best filler since the Eraserheads put ‘Fill Her’ in Cutterpillow. The bittersweet minor chord cannot be given any better arrangement like that - a driving grove that halts to a grind once the vocal comes in, sweetened by a nice bass line and ethereal guitar stabs. It is a filler worthy to be the track to kick-off the record.
The album has many strong points: great recording, tight performances, superb arrangements and amazing song writing. The most notable tracks are When We Are Cats, Sick and Disgraced, Hanging, Destroyer, Lovegod and Psycho Dilemma. Hell, why not put all of ‘em. Add Passion, Beautifull Day and I Wonder.
The band is often labeled as Shoegazer, but upon listening to Headphone Session, there’s more to it than that. Traces of The Beatles, Radiohead, The Cure, The Eraserheads and even Weezer can be found in their music, which is perhaps the best well of inspiration any artist can draw on.
Headphone Session is one of the best Filipino-American releases ever. Those may be strong words given that it’s a debut album. But it only takes a few listens to be able to grasp the truth that The Moonbugs are not the lunar insects that anyone can swat and step on - they are musical heavyweights capable of dishing out more important works that could, well, swat unbelievers to the pulp.
Headphone Sessions is available for purchase at www.themoonbugs.com
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THE past few months has had me thinking so much about the direction of my career. I often wonder if I am getting the most out of my career life, so to speak. I feel blessed, though, because I am in a place where there is a wide variety of choices and it is only a matter of deciding when and where to pursue them.
Therefore, when I felt that a good opportunity started knocking on my door, I decided to seize it.
I must admit that the thought of testing the waters of job application literally gave me cold feet. It has been awhile since I had to go through the process of unending submission of application forms, the nerve-wracking interviews and the agony of waiting for the employers’ call.
What I have learned is that a thorough preparation is needed when one is looking for a job. One of my friends advised me that I have to checkout the job package that I feel is best for me. My friends and I that are going through the same thing are giving each other pointers on what do during employment seeking.
Resume is Vital
Your resume is the first thing that a prospective employer will see. Believe me, even the use of the paper and font tells a lot about your personality. Make sure that you put only the important items in your resume.
Sure, you were the campus beauty queen in high school but if you are applying for an executive chef position in a hotel, your employers need not know that. What I mean is your educational background, skills, certifications that are related to the position and its description to what you are applying for should be in your resume.
Interview Time
If you have been called for an interview, this is what most applicants call the “butterflies in the stomach” time. It is normal to feel that way, after all, the thought of facing someone or even a panel of interviewers armed with tons of questions can be frightening.
Nevertheless, for those veterans in job hunting, this is actually the time where you can present what you really know and have. A job interview is like a courtship process, it’s essential for an applicant to pose questions as well about the organization, the department and the position available to be comfortable that the answers support his/her career goals.
It has been said that it takes 15 seconds for people to form their first impression of you and it takes a huge amount of time for you to change it.
Knowing this in mind, you have to present a good image. You have to be that someone that deserves to be hired. Remember, dress for success. Fashion Tip: I have always learned to wear either black or blue during interviews because I feel that these colors reflect a serious, calm and confident nature.
For a first meeting with a future boss or manager you do not want to be too imposing but nonetheless, you want to command respect as well.
During interviews, avoid speaking in high-pitched tones. Avoid the use of crutched words as well such as uhmms or ahhs. It makes your statements weak and unconvincing.
Look straight into the interviewer’s eyes and be direct and honest in your responses to questions.
You’re Hired
When you get that most awaited call from your employer, the work and effort does not stop there. Sure, it was your credentials that got you the job and the experiences that you have that can help you overcome the daily grind at work, but you have to remain competent and confident in your chosen workplace.
Also, if you have to leave a previous workplace, make sure that you exit from it gracefully by giving a proper notice that you are leaving the company. One of my favorite teachers in college told me these words during our college graduation day which to this day I can still recall;” Do not be satisfied with the knowledge, skills and career attitudes you have right now.
Keep on learning and make an effort to develop them and above all, never run from chances to prove yourself”.
With all the essential ideas above I have learned from others and banking on my previous experiences with job seeking , it has helped me to be prepared and made this a learning and enjoyable experience! And yes, I got the job!
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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NEW YORK - Platinum selling recording artist Kitchie Nadal will be doing a series of shows in New York, New Jersey and Maryland this fall as part of her Same Ground U.S. Tour. The winner of two Aliw Awards as the “Most Promising Entertainer” and “Best Female Concert Performer,” Kitchie was also the recipient of the 18th Awit Awards as “Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist” and “Best Ballad for the song she wrote and composed, the compellingly bittersweet, “Wag na Wag Mong Sasabihin.”
Kitchie Nadal has conquered the Female OPM niche, paved the way for a number of guitar-wielding alternative rock maidens and has proven that being a talented rock musician need not be translated to sex, drugs and alcohol. And while exhaustingly keeping up with the dogged demands of the success she’s earned, she’s stuck to her main priority and graduated with a double major in Psychology and Education.
Kitchie’s phenomenon, which encompasses all age brackets (She also won a Kid’s Choice Award from the Nickelodeon channel this year), is set to move Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in the US as she conquers the US Concert Scene.
The Kitchie Nadal “Same Ground” US tour 2006 is being promoted by Nosaj Entertainment, a New Jersey based Production Company. Her east coast shows will kick off on October 28 at the Avalon in New York City with special guests singer-songwriter Aiza Seguerra, hard rock band S.I.G.H from Long Island, New York, Kate D. and aggressive melodic hard rock group Aikostar from New York City.
The tour then proceeds to Baltimore, Maryland at Frazier’s In The Avenue on October 29. Co-produced by Bionic Leg Music, special guests include Ground 95 (Maryland), Something About Mari (Washington D.C.), metal group Silent Type (Baltimore, Maryland), rock group Circled Sin (Maryland), hard rock band P.I. (Washington D.C.) and indie band The Moonbugs (Maryland).
Kitchie’s series of shows in the east coast will end on November 3 at Tinton Falls Holiday Inn in New Jersey. Joining her are singer-songwriter Alfa from New York City, Frostbyte Band from New Jersey, alternative/punk band Trickbag from Asbury Park, NJ and rock band Bleud from Jersey City, New Jersey.
For inquiries about the tour you can contact Nosaj Entertainment at 800.214.1382, 551.998.6020 or nosajentertainment@yahoo.com.
For more info on Kitchie Nadal: www.kitchienadal.com - www.kitchienadal.net
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IT was her obstetrician-gynecologist who advised Kris Aquino not to confirm the rumor that she is pregnant.
She has yet to have a blood test.
Kris told friends, like Dolor Guevarra, that she felt so excited when her menstruation was delayed for three days. She thought she was finally pregnant. Dolor was one of the first people she informed about her pregnancy.
“But Wednesday next week, Kris will, definitely, know na kung buntis nga siya. Her doctor will either confirm her suspicion.
“Sabi ko nga kay Kris at kay James (Yap) din, hintayin na lang nila ang sasabihin ng doctor,” said Dolor. Joshua, Kris’ 11-year-old son by Phillip Salvador, would be thrilled if he knew he would soon be a big brother. In the past, he did not want Kris to get pregnant, but now he is itching to have a sibling.
Joshua has four siblings by his Daddy Philip. The four are much older than he is. So far, he has only met one of them, Philip’s daughter by former starlet Vivialyn Dungca. (MNS)
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MANILA -- Two celebrity weddings will take place next year.
Maricar de Mesa has reportedly asked both Senator Jinggoy Estrada and German Moreno to be sponsors in her wedding as she ties the knot with basketball player Don Allado. Sweethearts for three years now, Maricar and Don had their house ready. It is where the two plan to start their family.
Maricar first started her movie career with Kuya Germs’ variety teen show, “That’s Entertainment,” on GMA-7. When she became a little older, she tried to take bold roles to the dismay of her conservative parents. Maricar’s dad is an executive of a car company.
We also heard that next year, Danica Sotto, eldest of the two children of Vic Sotto and Dina Bonnevie (the younger one is Oyo Boy Sotto), is set to marry her cager-boyfriend, Mark Pingris.
Danica seems to prepare for domestic life since she put up her own restaurant in Quezon City. She is a graduate of Culinary Arts.
Soon-to-be first time parents Kris Aquino and James Yap might consider having a church wedding, too.
A very prayerful person who recites the rosary five times a day, Kris said in a previous interview that she would want her and James to marry in church before she gets pregnant. Her pregnancy caught her and James by surprised. She was actually preparing to get pregnant next year but she’s happy with how things are going right now. She would need to slow down on her work and would probably just settle for one game show, the “Game Ka Na Ba, Pilipinas?” This won’t be a problem since “Deal or No Deal” will end in September.
She will continue hosting the talk show, “The Buzz” with Boy Abunda and Cristy Fermin. It was in “The Buzz” where Kris confirmed that she is 98 % sure that she’s pregnant.
Kris reportedly said that if her baby is a girl, she’ll name her Oprah, after her favorite international TV host. But if the baby turns out to be a boy, he will name him James, Jr.
Joshua, Kris’ elder son by Phillip Salvador, happily anticipates the arrival of his half-sibling.(MNS)
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