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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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LAST Saturday, December 16 marked the start of the ‘Simbang Gabi’ - A 9-day novena that celebrates the coming of the savior to the world through 9 days of dawn Masses that commences on the midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
It is said that anyone who completes this novena will have their wish granted by the higher ups.
Last year, when Soulworks Records released the first free Christmas EP, Rocky Yuletide 1, many artists and fans wished for a sequel to the 5-song extended play.
Well, the higher ups of Soulworks Records will grant their requests as it will release a sequel to last year’s yuletide record on Saturday.
Rocky Yuletide 2, is this Christmas’ best gift from 11 Fil Am artists to the fans who supported the scene all year round. It is a free album that can be downloaded on the record label’s website - www.soulworksrecords.com and includes a full-color digital album cover complete with liner notes.
10 of the 11 artists wrote original Christmas songs for the project. One song, is an instrumental arrangement of “Christmas Time is Here’ from the Charlie Brown Christmas special.
The artists who lent their time and talent for this great project are: The Kuwagos( ‘Kasama Ka’), Bleud (‘This Christmas’), Binky Veloria ( ‘It’s Christmas Time’), Sheryl Mae and The Astrids (‘Snowflakes Falling’), Then Again (‘Great Expectations’), John Limguangco (‘Pasko’), Sodapop Suicide (‘ Single sa Pasko’), The Happy Analogues (‘Light Up a Christmas Tree’), Trickbag (‘ Falalalala’), Paul Zurita (‘ Christmas Wish’), & Anthony Murgola (‘Christmas Time is Here’).
The album was produced by yours truly, and was recorded at Soulworks Sound. Additional mixes were done by Binky Veloria, Roni Lao and Anthony Murgola.
So make sure you get these free album and bring the holiday spirit right into your iPods, CD players, Cars and living rooms, and oh yes, your hearts.
If there’s a ‘Simbang Gabi’ in your town, city or county, this will be a great companion on the way to the church.
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RACHEL ALEJANDRO has issued a personal letter seeking forgiveness from those she had offended out of her decision to guest recently, along with Geneva Cruz, on DJ Mo Twister’s radio show “Good Times with Mo” on 89.9 DWTM.
In a letter sent to local newspapers, the daughter of Hajji Alejandro extended her “sincere apology to the actors and singers I mentioned on the radio show of Mo Twister as well as the people who care about them who have been affected by the things I said.”
It will be recalled that Rachel admitted (in the radio show’s segment featuring the controversial “forbidden questions” Mo throws at his guests) she lost her virginity to singer and former boyfriend, her very first in fact, Dingdong Avanzado, who is now a family man happily married to Jessa Zaragoza. Rachel was right to have believed she offended some parties as reliable sources disclosed when Rachel bumped into Dingdong and Jessa accidentally in an airport, Jessa intentionally breezed past Rachel completely ignoring her and making sure she felt that.
Rachel’s letter further read: “Please believe that it was not my intention to hurt anyone but seeing that I have, I take full responsibility for my actions. It was a terrible mistake. Why do some people like myself like to put ourselves in scary situations such as going bungee jumping or skydiving? We know we could get hurt or it can be fatal but we do it anyway because we like the rush when we do something daring or dangerous. I guess it felt that way to me when I did that radio show.”
The singer decided to make her apology public because she knew she could not take back what she said. Rachel explained where she is coming from saying, “I dared myself to do something many would dream of doing. All of us have our own opinions but we keep them to ourselves. Thing is, unlike bungee jumping or skydiving where a mistake could only mean harm to ourselves, coming out on that radio show was also hurtful to others.”
She added she disliked fighting with anyone so she made the move to come clean and admit her fault, “I have never been a spiteful person. I dislike fighting or being in conflict with anyone. My track record shows this. You will never see or hear me in any word war with anyone on television. It’s stupidity and arrogance that possessed me to do this. There is not other explanation.”
Rachel stressed that the people she mentioned on the controversial radio show episode “were never unkind to me so it was completely undeserved [because] in fact, they have always been nice. But since I cannot take it back, I can only pray that the people involved will eventually understand and forgive me. Life is too short and precious to waste away on fighting.”
Meanwhile in the same show, Geneva Cruz allegedly revealed that she had a one night stand with Keempee De Leon.
During the press conference of his latest film “Shake, Rattle and Roll 8,” Keempee said he became aware of Geneva’s revelation through text messages he received. He was actually surprised to hear about the likes of Polo Ravales and Vina Morales, to mention just two, who had figured in hot issues because of the said radio program.
Keempee admitted that he, Geneva and then boyfriend Paco Arespacochaga, and Lloyd Umali used to hang out a lot. He also knows KC Montero, Geneva’s current beau. He stressed that they are close friends. He also denied that there ever was one-night stand that happened between him and Geneva
“Ang sa akin lang, kung gusto nilang manggamit ng tao, huwag naman ako. Dahil lang sa show na gustong magrate o ano, kahit paninira ng tao ay ginagawa nila. Nag-aaway-away tuloy ang mga kapwa artista,” he lamented.
He is visibly irked by the one-night stand issue and he hopes that the rest of his fellow artists would think twice before deciding to guest in that radio program. It is important, he advised, to be aware of the possible consequences of their guesting in the show.
“We just used to hang out. You can even ask Lloyd Umali, at si Dessa...nakakahiya rin kay KC...ayaw ko lang kung ano ang iisipin ng tao sa akin. I’m minding my own business and all of a sudden there’s this issue,” Keempee sighed. “Sana isipin din ng mga kapwa artista na kasiraan rin nila yun.”
But is he the type who would brag about the women he had one-night stands with?
“No. Yung personal ko, personal ko. Hindi na kailangang ipamalita at ipagyabang,” he said.
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THE band that brought us hits in the 90’s is back with a new ‘greatest’ hits album.
The album. New Beginnings’ contains re-recorded versions of their best hits, including: ‘However Which Way’, ‘Line To Heaven’ ‘,Just A Dream’, ‘Kaibigan’, ‘Calling All Nations’, ‘Di Na Ako Aasa’, ‘Kailanman’, ‘Lullabye’, ‘Maynila’ & ‘Will I Survive’.
New Beginnings will be launched on January 19, 2007 at the hamed Rock N’ Roll club, The Knitting Factory in Hollywood, California.
The band is fresh from a lineup change and is all set to reclaim the top of the charts.
The current line-up includes original members, Jonathan Buencamino (lead vocals), Paco Arespacochaga (drums) and Jj Buencamino (keyboards), and newcomers Steve Guadiz (lead guitars) and Chot Ulep (bass).
It can be recalled that the Introvoys were the ‘biggest band in the land’ in the early 90’s. Their songs have become part of the lives of their fans who found outlets for their own feeling of love, friendship and pains though their songs.
The album launching is an all ages show and costs $20.Tickets and more info:213-235-7889 or e-mail chot@introvoys.net
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THEY have an ongoing relationship, a beautiful one at that and which many expect will culminate at the altar someday. And right now, lovebirds Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo may have some plans already about getting married.
If ever, will they consider executing a pre-nuptial agreement?
“The thought has crossed our minds; we’ve talked about it pero hindi namin alam kung anong dating nito. Sa iba kasi parang you don’t trust each other that much kapag may pre-nuptial agreement. Basta may usapan kami about what we have, like what’s mine is mine, and what’s his is his,” Judy Ann shared.
On his part, Ryan said he doesn’t believe in a pre-nuptial agreement. “We’re not that kind who’ll resort to that. If we do, we don’t really love or like each other enough. I mean, don’t get married na lang.”
But let’s talk about their reel-life relationship first.
Their muchawaited teamup, “Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo tackles the life of Angie (Judy Ann) and Jed (Ryan) as a newlywed – their adjustments as a couple, their fights, and marital issues, etcetera. What’s interesting to note though is that according to Judy Ann and Ryan, their reel-life characters are not them in their true relationship.
Ryan described that unlike him Jed is spineless and is easily pushed by his wife’s family. While Judy Ann, as Angie, is always stressed out, is a loud-mouth and doesn’t know how to have fun.
In fact, during and after the filming “Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo,” they never felt they are married nor did they see even just a little semblance of what they could be as a married couple. Despite their characters’ marital problems, Ryan pointed out that the movie didn’t scare them about marriage. “We were laughing all throughout (the filming),” he said.
So before one confuses the reel characters of Judy Ann and Ryan to the real showbiz sweethearts, here are a number of interesting things you’d like to know more about them.
First is that every Christmas they would compete as to who gets the best gift. And the winner makes the recipient’s eyes wide open in surprise; he/she is dumb-founded even by the giver’s thoughtfulness and creativeness.
“Without going into particulars, we have a running competition for gifts,” revealed Ryan. “It could have been easier if she’s into brand names or expensive stuffs kasi you just go for the most expensive thing you could afford and that’s it. But with us, it’s all about over-all impact!”
Another is that when they get hitched, the boss according to Judy Ann will be Ryan, while Ryan points to her as the boss.
“Malamang siya…minsan pinag-usapan namin ang tungkol sa credit cards. Sabi niya isang credit card lang ang kailangan namin at siya ang magtatago,” laughed Judy Ann. “Actually ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng credit card para sa mga trips abroad. Pero pang emergency lang ito.”
If ever, Judy Ann wouldn’t mind Ryan really controlling her credit card usage because she admits to being one who sometimes splurge on luxury items. She would go on impulse buying whenever she feels deprived and is tired from work. You won’t find though a closet with her LV collections or whatever; rather Judy Ann, following her mother’s advice, often invest on jewelries.
As for Ryan, he always wants his girlfriend to have a mind of her own. He doesn’t always like being the one to decide on things like what movies to watch, where to go or even where to eat. He’d like her to always to tell him what she wants too.
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EVERYTHING that happens to my life is Godís will. I cannot ask for anything more. I am happy and contended with what I receive from Him,î says Rufa Mae Quinto as she recounts all the blessings she received this year.
Indeed, 2006 has been a very busy year for Rufa Mae with movies, concerts, endorsements, television shows and corporate shows. This only proves her versatility, which is recognized by her public.
She also recently starred in the movies “Oh My Ghost” and “Ako Legal Wife,” which cast her alongside great actors.
She also caused a lot of buzz with her effective product endorsements. Who could forget her in the Canesten cream commercial where she wore a sexy swimsuit revealing her flawless skin? How about the Kiwi commercial where she entertained her suitors but chose the guy who had a clean pair of shoes? The Coca Cola ads had her face in the soft drink crown where the lucky winner became one million pesos richer. The large Bench billboards around the metropolis attract passersby, both males, who covet her and females, who dream of having a curvaceous body like her.
Remember Rufa Mae as a saleslady in the Talk N Text commercial with Vhong Navarro? There are various versions of Smart where she played the housewife of Epy Quizon, who is an OFW and with no less than the King of Comedy Dolphy appearing with her in one of the versions. “I am very thankful to Smart for giving me the opportunity to endorse both Talk N text and Smart. Bihira na magkakasabay yung paglabas mo sa dalawang commercials sa iisang company. I really appreciate this privilege given to me by Smart,” she says.
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