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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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ON November 11, 2006, in Long Beach ,California, a significant event happened at a Fil Am rock concert: The East Coast Fil Am music scene finally connected with their West Coast brethren.
It was during the “Leyte Benefit Concert” when me, The Happy Analogues and Filipino Express entertainment writer and photographer Sheryl Garcia bonded with most of the well -known artists based in California. The experience was exceedingly moving for we were warmly received by the west coasters, and left us east coasters with heavy hearts aboard our plane to Newark the next day.
We were wishing for more time to be with them, but our schedules were so inconsiderate that we had to say goodbye as soon as we said hello.
The concert, a benefit show to promote the recently released benefit album, ‘The Leyte Benefit CD’, was organized by Perf De Castro, Red Garage Poductions and Kapalmuks Productions was a great success. It featured some of the artists on the album including: Piece of Mine (CA), Ben Paltik (CA), Ritchie Lapaz (CA), and The Happy Analogues (NJ).
To complete the lineup were local bands that gave out their support to the cause and to the scene as a whole: Apartment 92, Prettier Than Pink and Sugar Chaos. The highlight of the show, aside from the union of the two Fil Am music scenes was the all-star jam spearheaded by Mr. De Castro and joined in by Pinoy rock greats Jonathan Buencamino and Paco of The Introvoys, and Glenn Jacinto of The Teeth.
I am very blessed to have known these amazing people and scene movers from the west coast because it has been a dream of mine to connect with them ever since the Fil Am music community here in NY & NJ got together. I suppose some dreams are really meant to be fulfilled.
So in behalf of the NY & NJ FIl Am music scene we thank the following:
Perf De Castro, Richard Rosales, Chey, Dennis Diaz, Annette Ortiz, Richard De Vera, Owen Singson, Ben Paltik, Apartment 92, Piece of Mine, Sugar Chaos, Lei, Pam and the rest of Prettier than Pink, Glenn Jacinto, Paco Arespacochaga, Jonathan Buencamino, Chot Ulep, Tim De Ramos, Ritchie Lapaz, Melody Del Mundo and Levan De Guzman, who was so warm and brotherly, it felt we were blood brothers.
I guess the ball is now in our hands to invite our west coast friends and reciprocate the goodwill and love that they have shown us.
Matter of fact, as I am writing this article, a plan is being hatched for a major show in NYC late February or mid-March. It is being dubbed as the major unifying show that will lock the two groups together. Let’s all work and pray that the plan will eventually become a real gig.
Now the barrier between the two scenes is gone. Hence, we should all do whatever it takes to keep it open, warm and welcoming.
Announcement
On Thanksgiving Day, Soulworks Records will re-issue the first Christmas compilation EP: Rocky Yuletide. The EP was released in 2005 and featured performances by The Kuwagos’ chief Gatchie Ignacio, The Happy Analogues, Sugarplum Fairy and myself. The EP will be available as free downloads on the label’s website - www.soulworksrecords.com.
The re-issue of the EP will also prepare the way the release of the new Christmas EP: Rocky Yuletide 2, which is now under production.
The artists included in the new Xmas EP will be announced after the re-release of the first compilation EP.
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WILL Maricel Soriano be the next Lily Monteverde?
Maricel is now into movie producing, just like the Regal matriarch. The actress has produced “Inang Yaya,” with her talent manager Wyngard Tracy and Tony Gloria of Unitel Pictures.
Maricel also acts in “Inang Yaya,” with Sunshine Cruz and Zoren Legaspi. Child stars Ericka Oreta and Tala Santos play Maricel’s ward and daughter, respectively. These lucky girls did not audition, yet they were both very effective in portraying their roles. Did they undergo workshops before acting in front of the camera.
“No,” they both answered. “Basta sinasabihan lang kami ng director kung ano ang gagawin namin. At iyon naman ang ginagawa namin.”
Two new directors are at the helm of “Inang Yaya,” Pablo Bilang-awa and Veronica Velasco, who also wrote the story and script of the movie.
“Inang Yaya” is the touching and heart-tugging story of a yaya who, aside from juggling her hundred and one chores in the house, also serves as yaya to her master (Zoren) and mistress’ (Sunshine) only daughter. Her biggest problem comes when Sunshine asks her to go with them when they leave for abroad where they plan to stay permanently. For Maricel, this means leaving behind her only daughter whom she left behind in the province so she can work in the city. (MNS)
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MANILA -- Kristine Hermosa has yet to meet Diether Ocampo’s son by another woman, Dream. But she says she will love the boy and, definitely, treat him as her own. Sometime ago Kristine even said that she promises to love everyone whom Diether loves and holds special.
“Sa totoo lang, when Hon (how she addresses Diet) showed me a picture of the boy, nakagaanan ko na siya ng loob,” revealed Kristine.
Dream was born before Kristine and Diether became an item.
Kristine does not discount the possibility that they will have their own kids (Yes, they both want more than one child.) before their dream wedding, which will either be on a beach front or in a garden. They consider kids a blessing.
Meantime, the two of them would want to make the most of their respective careers. They plan to accept as many projects as they can. “Pero, siyempre pa, pipiliin naman namin ang mga projects na gagawin namin. We owe that to the public,” Kristine adds.
Her latest movie, “Wag Kang Lilingon,” opens in more than 100 theaters nationwide today. Anne Curtis is also in the movie, which has two episodes. Kristine is in “Salamin,” while Anne Curtis’ is in “Uyayi.”
Will they be together somewhere in the movie?
Kristine replies with a smile: “That’s for you to find out when you watch the movie.”
Two directors are at the helm of “Wag Kang Lilingon”: Quark Henares (“Salamin”) and Jerry Sineneng (“Uyayi”). Producer is Star Cinema. (MNS)
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DOLPHY turned 78 on his birthday last July 25. We heard Zsa Zsa Padilla, his partner of 20 years, is planning to throw an 80th birthday for him next year, doing away with his 79th. Zsa Zsa herself will reportedly take charge of the celebration, which she plans to make into a big event.
Will all of Dolphy’s children attend the occasion? He has 18 kids.
“Dapat lang,” said a kibitzer. “Ito na ang pagkakataon nila para ipakita nila sa kanilang ama na mahal nila ito. Napakabuting ama ni Dolphy sa kanyang mga anak.”
Dolphy treats all of his kids equally. He continues to support many of them, including those who have their own families. But a few, like actor Eric Quizon and his siblings Epy and Ronnie, are financially independent.
Dolphy’s devotion to his family is obviously one of the reasons, aside from the fact that he still loves to face the cameras, the comedy king continues to remain active in showbiz.
“Ang itinigil na ni Dolphy ay ang pagpunta punta niya sa mga bahay ng kanyang mga anak,” the same informer told us. “Sa halip ang mga ito na ang pumupunta sa kanyang bahay sa Marina Bay in Parañaque para batiin ang kanilang ama ng ëMaligayang Paskoí at humingi na rin ng pamasko, kung hindi sila ang magdadala ng regalo for him and Zsa Zsa.” (MNS)
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MANILA -- Claudine Barretto and Robin Padilla were the big winners in the 54th Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) awards night held at the NBN-4 studios, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City.
Claudine, a no-show at the rites, won Best Actress for her role in Star Cinema’s Nasaan ka Man while Robin bagged the Best Actor trophy for Unitel Pictures’ La Visa Loca.
Nasaan dominated the race with nine of the 17 major and technical awards, including Best Picture and Best Director (for Cholo Laurel).
Padilla shared his victory with Till I Met You co-star Regine Velasquez who, in turn, received the Golden Artist special award.
Other Famas winners were Hilda Koronel, Best Supporting Actress (Nasaan Ka Man); John Llyod Cruz, Best Supporting Actor (Dubai); BJ Tolits Forbes, Best Child Actor (Exodus); and Ella Guevarra, Best Child Actress (Birhen ng Manaoag).
Best Screenplay: Ricky Lee and Rafael Hidalgo (Nasaan); Best Story: Nasaan... (Ricky Lee and Rafael Hidalgo); Best Cinematography: Nasaan (Charlie Peralta); Best Editing: Mga Pusang Gala (Nonoy Dadivas and Poy Dineros); Best Sound, Dubai (Arnold Reodica); Best Art Direction: Enteng Kabisote 2 (Mitoy Sta. Ana); Best Musical Score: Nasaan... (Jessie Lasaten); Best Theme Song: Nasaan... (Nasaan Ka Man by Christian Bautista); Best Visual Effects: Exodus (Ignite Media, Inc.).
Special awardees: Famas Grand Award: Manila Bulletin represented by S. Ching Suba; Armida Siguion-Reyna, Lifetime Achievement Award; Eddie Garcia, FPJ Memorial Award; Veronica Samio, Dr. Jose Perez Memorial Award; Col. Apolonio Reyes, Atty. Flavio Macaso Award; QC Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista and Councilor Ariel Inton for the passage of the 0% amusement tax; German Moreno Youth Achievement Award, Jennylyn Mercado and Mark Herras; Dr. Pen Pen, special citation as new director-producer; Jed Madela, special citation for musical excellence. (MNS)
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MANILA -- AFTER eight years of absence, Dayanara Torres returns to the Philippines to be the official endorser of Beverly Hills 6750 Surgery and Skin Institute. The Hollywood actress and former Ms. Universe is in town for a brief three-day promo blitz for Beverly Hills 6750. She met the press yesterday afternoon and she expressed excitement to be back to the country that became her home for five years.
‘The first time I heard about this, I realized it’s the perfect thing for me. Being a beauty queen, I know how beauty would make us feel. I love everything about the place and I’d like to help bring medical tourism to the Philippines,’ she says. ‘I’ve been here. I lived here for five years and have nothing but important memories of a great time here. And for me to be able to let the world know about this great country is just a given.’ She says she can’t thank Beverly Hills 6750 enough for bringing her back to the Philippines. And she’s so honored to represent the company.
According to Dayanara, Philippines is a place she calls home. She says she had no idea she’s going to love it so much to be here. She fell in love with the place from the very beginning. She thought she’d only be staying for a couple of months. She stayed for five years, working hard with so many friends. And she hopes she can come back more often.
Would she consider doing a movie if there would be an offer? ‘I’ve been back into my career for the last three years. I’ve moved back to LA because ‘it’s easier for my career as an actress and things have been doing great. If a project comes up, it’s got to be the perfect project and the only thing I really have to study is I have two kids and they come first,’ says the radiantly beautiful Dayanara. Her two kids are Mark Anthony, 5 and Bryan, 3.
Is it okay for her to work with Aga Muhlach (her ex-boyfriend)? ‘I am open to work. It depends on the project. If it’s a great project, it doesn’t matter whom I’d be working with. If there’s a great project then I’d be back,’ she answered.
When asked who are the people she missed when she left the Philippines, she mentioned Aga, Cesar Montano, Gary Valenciano, her former ASAP co-hosts Pops Fernandez, Ariel Rivera, and Martin Nievera. But because of her tight schedule, it’s not possible for her to meet with anyone of them so she hopes to be able to do when she comes back. ‘I’m back to my career.’ (MNS)
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