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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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To tell us what you think about Filipino Express Online or to comment on the stories published here, E-mail us at Filexpress@aol.com
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WHAT we got in our scene is talent. Talent that commands attention, and yes, big talent fees.
We got great artists that deserve the same treatment and fees as their Philippine-based counterparts.
We got more than a handful of amazing artists from New York to LA that are ripe for the big time -- only if producers and the powers that be are willing to even consider them.
It is time. It is time for the Fil-Am artist to vacate the ‘Opening Act’ position and move to the top of the bill.
True, we import popular artists in the Philippines because they are likewise famous here because of TFC and GMA Pinoy TV.
But what if our local Fil-Am artists get the same exposure as these Philippine-based artists get?
What if TFC and GMA PINOY TV show locally (US) produced variety shows that showcase these wealth of talents?
What if our local ethnic papers cover the local artist rather than Dina Bonnevie and her battle for the new ‘Mano Po’ Movie or the Regine-Ogie alleged breakup?
What if, for once, we show pride and interest in our local Fil-Am artists not only when they succeed, but also when they are struggling?
What if we start looking at our local artists the way they should be looked at - stars, and not as a co-worker, or as a classmate, or a neighbor, or Tito Juan’s nephew or cousin.
The time is now.
We will never really know what we got until we lose it. Hence, we should be aware that what we got now are talents that could eclipse any group of artists in the world.
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GRETCHEN Barretto met the press recently in connection with her comeback movie ‘Matakot Ka Sa Karma ‘ under OctoArts Films and she was asked when is she going to get married. The press members are curious to know when is she finally walking down the aisle wearing a white gown. Is a wedding happening next year?
‘If it comes, it comes. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t,’ says the comebacking actress. She added that she doesn’t need anyone’s permission if the wedding is pushing or not. Neither does his partner Tony Boy Cojuangco need a permission since he’s an adult. In fact, Gretchen disclosed that Tony Boy is turning 55 this year.
‘You know why I am happy today and why I can be happy because I know now na may bagay na hindi dapat ipinipilit. May mga bagay sa buhay ko noong araw na ipinilit ko. Hala, pumalpak lahat. Now I want to get married for the right reason. I want to get married because I am truly in love. Truly in love na I can close my eyes and say I don’t want to get married because I am pressured by the people. Or because the people are thinking that I don’t want to get married,’ says Gretchen.
‘The decision will come from me on the right time. I want the situation to be right kasi hindi naman natin maloloko ang tao, eh. It will come, in time. Ang kulang na lang ay maglakad ako patungong altar in a beautiful gown. Other than that, I am a very satisfied wife.’. (MNS)
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MANILA - The never-confirmed but much-talked about alleged relationship of Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid has reportedly ended, sources revealed.
Jealousy is said to be the cause of the split-up and both parties are reportedly guilty of it. According to the source, somebody close to the couple who refuses to be named, Ogie took offense already about the super sweetness of Regine with leading man Robin Padilla, so much so that a simple promo always ends up in a lip-to-lip kissing. Regine, for her part, was said to have cried buckets of tears after Ogie decided to ignore her plea for him to stay and be with her during her concert. Ogie instead opted to proceed with his trip to Australia to visit his children.
Because of her heartache, the source said Regine is flying to the US on Nov. 16 to take a much-needed break. And to hold her hand while she’s nursing her pain are her parents who are both going with her on this trip, the source ended. (MNS)
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MANILA — Sandara Park admits she’s the jealous type. She got jealous when she learned that her boyfriend, Joseph Bitangcol, is having a kissing scene with Roxanne Guinoo in an episode of Shake, Rattle & Roll 8 that they are doing for Regal.
She also got jealous when a female Japanese singer requested to have Joseph as her special guest in a mall show. Why, doesn’t she trust Joseph? “I do, kaya lang, malandi siya, e,” she sighs. “Nagpi-flirt pa sa iba.
“But I was told hindi naman daw nagdikit ang lips nila ni Roxanne when they did a kissing scene.” So what would she do if Joseph did flirt with others? “Okay lang, andiyan naman si Katrina (Halili),” and she points to Katrina who’s being interviewed by other writer in another table.
“Di ba, kami na raw dahil may video kaming naghahalikan?” Is it true? “Biro-biro lang ‘yon. Hindi naman nagdikit ang lips namin. Lokohan lang.” How was it working with Katrina, Mark Herras, Jennylyn Mercado and Polo Ravales in Super Noypi? “At first, nahihiya pa ako, pero puro naman sila mababait kaya naging comfortable ako agad, pati sa direktor namin, Quark Henares. I am glad may entry ako sa Metro filmfest at sasama ako sa parada. I play a superhero here na may power to produce fire and ice basta ginusto ko.”
“It’s fun to do an action-fantasy movie like this.” Was she threatened by the emergence of Chinese girl Kim Chiu at ABS-CBN? “Noong una, I felt, lagot na kaming SCQ stars, kasi may PBB stars. Pero it turns out hindi naman ako dapat matakot kasi ABS continues to give us projects. Joseph and I are paired in Crazy for You so magkasama pa rin kami sa isang soap.” (MNS)
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NEW YORK - The debut album of New Jersey’s premiere alt-punk-rockers, The Kuwagos is scheduled to be released this month. The self titled album was produced by Gatchie Ignacio and Ted Reyes, and will be distributed by Soulworks Records.
It contains 11 incredible tracks that has cemented the band’s reputation as one of the most exciting groups in the scene: Gusto Mo, Matulog Ka, Di Ako Lalayo, Eh Ano Ngayon, Ikaw lang, Jeepney and Maynila to name a few.
The album took almost a year and a half to complete due to some lineup changes and some song re-arrangements. But it is guaranteed to be on your CD players or iPods for a long time.
Most of the songs were penned by guitarist/vocalist Gatchie Ignacio, and most of them are in Filipino.
Ignacio’s songs often deal with the trivial realities of relationships like Matulog Ka, Eh Ano Ngayon, and Ikaw Lang. Yet, two of his songs tackle the issue of Filipinos working and living abroad: Maynila and Tabo.
The productions of these two tracks are enough to hook you up to the band. The former has that ‘antique’ quality, while the former has a tongue and cheek feel and features a heartfelt piano solo by one of Jersey’s finest singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists - Binky Veloria.
One song, written mainly by drummer Marc Lacsamana - Jeepney, is posed to be another potential hit in an already hit-laden collection. The song has all the fun and mundane subjects that define the Kuwagos both as a band and as individual personalities.
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NEW YORK – Atlanta, Georgia’s premiere Filipino-American band, Titofelix is giving away their newly-released album, All Good Things for free.
It may be an unconventional way to market an album, and a band, but Titofelix believes that their move to have their new record available for free download is a valuable statement to the Fil-Am music community. Their philosophy is that nobody wants to shell out $10.00 for a band that people haven’t heard of yet, so it’s best to share their music free of charge and get to know the music and the band in the process.
All Good Things, is the 3rd record of these Fil-Am alternative group. Their debut album Faux Pas and their sophomore effort, Character Flaw, cemented their stature as one of the best Fil-Am bands in the US.
Recently, the band’s song, ‘Salutations’ made it into the East Coast compilation album Rock in the Box and has become one of the most popular tracks in the album.
Titofelix is composed of four talented musicians: Marc Cordon on rhythm guitar and vocals, PJ Sobremonte on bass/vocals Robeen Dey -on lead guitar/vocals, and Jay Opalia on drums.
Fil-Am music fans can download the album at the band’s website www.titofelix.com
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