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For the past 21 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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THERE is absolutely nothing derogatory about the term ‘front-act’.
In fact, it is tantamount to what the Marines believe when they boast on being ‘first in the line of battle’.
Marines go in front of any other unit of the military in times of war. They secure beachheads, they clear mountain bases, and they procure enemy-infested villages so that the big wigs, the colonels and generals, can later on pose for photographs when victory is achieved.
Fil Am artists are like the Marines whenever there are big Pinoy artists heading for the States.
Producers rely on the local Fil Am artist to draw the local crowd and set the stage for the big stars to party on.
Otherwise, these big stars would only have people watching TFC or recent immigrants for their audience. That’s why it is imperative that producers get local bands that have a sizable draw to secure a successful turnout.
This doesn’t take anything away from the big Pinoy artists.
Superbands like Parokya ni Edgar, Rivermaya, whose catalogue of hits have become a part in every Fil Am home can easily fill up any venue in Manhattan.
But in a producer’s mind, there’s nothing wrong with putting more sardines in a packed sardine can.
In the case of ‘not- so- super Pinoy bands/artists’, the need for local artists to open their shows become a matter of financial life and death. It could spell the difference between profit and loss, success and failure.
In recent years, the Fil Am music community have seen numerous artists from the Philippines playing shows here in the States and they can’t help but notice that the local bands opening up for them rarely change. The reason?
These local Fil Am bands are so good that they bring their followers anywhere they play - including the ones that they play as opening acts.
These great artists like, S.I.G.H, The Kuwagos, Warholsoup, Rubberband, Qwadra, Blue Mellon Pop, Bleud, PI, The Moonbugs, Circled Sin, Piece of Mine, Pedro Gil, The Jumping Jacks, Noizytoyz, Trickbag, The Happy Analogues, Kamandag, Kayumanggi, Ben Paltik, Alfa, Jay Legaspi, Binky Veloria, Jing R.A., The Grudge, Grim Bottle, Aikostar, are headliners in their own right. And to serve a noble cause, they become like the Marines and pave the way for their Pinoy counterparts.
Just how long these great artists will remain openers for Pinoy acts remains a question to this day. But they won’t be forever openers for sure.
Time will come that the word opening act would be replaced by the ringing sound of ‘back-to-back’.
And like every Marine who trooped to secure beachheads and trenches and survived to became colonels and generals later on , Fil Am bands will get to the see the day when they become co-headliners with Pinoy-based acts, and be certified headliners all over the world.
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WHEN Richard Gutierrez learned Angel Locsin and former boyfriend Oyo Boy Sotto have headed for splitsville, the first thing that came into his mind was, “Attack!” he said, half–meaning it, when asked of his reaction when he heard of the break–up.
“Seriously speaking, I’m not part of their relationship so I cannot speak about it. What they had was purely theirs. I was there for Angel as a friend and as someone who has known her from way back since our first team–up,” he told the Manila Bulletin last Sunday at the SOP studios.
However, here’s a thought to ponder for Richard–Angel fans though: “I must say Angel looked like she bloomed even more after the break-up,” Richard observed. “I’ve never seen her become this beautiful as she has been recently.”
Richard listened to Angel when she needed an ear, he admitted. “I just listened to her. Yes, she talked some about her past but not all the details and I respect her for that.”
Publicity stunts aside (because Richard and Angel are promoting “The Promise”), Richard said he felt more drawn to Angel’s beauty the last couple of days. When asked about the state of his long-distance relationship with model Georgina Wilson who now studies in Australia, the “Captain Barbell” star disclosed, “Magulo eh. You know how difficult it is when you’re in a long distance relationship. Mahirap eh! We only get to talk every chance we get which is very hard with all the work I have to take care now.”
AFRAID OF OVER-EXPOSURE
Having been all over GMA-7 as he is now with the regular “SOP” cast, Richard is going to try and control his visibility. “I’m working with my team para ma-miss naman ako konti ng tao kasi ayoko namang maging over-exposed.”
Richard is preparing for a 15–day US vacation with his family. “I initially asked GMA7 for a one-month leave which is something I do each time I’m through with a teleserye like what I did after ‘Mulawin’ and after ‘Sugo.’ But they just couldn’t allow me that so I’m settling for a two-week break with my family lang, all of us except for Raymond.”
Richard was supposed to get his rest for one-month but filming “The Promise” got in the way. “I’ll take the few days off pa rin. Just to rest at maging normal lang na tao sa LA and New York for a while.”
Before he leaves for the States however, Richard will start taping the real-life animé adaptation of “Lupin,” GMA’s newest prime time offering due for release in March. “I am very excited to play Lupin because this is the closest I’ll ever get to playing James Bond and Robin Hood because he’s not only against the bad guys, he also steals from the rich and gives it to the poor.”
ON ‘BEING RICHARD GOMEZ'
Richard is flattered when people compare him with Richard Gomez. The comparison came up since Richard and Angel are doing the same love story Goma and Dawn Zulueta did in “Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit.”
“I am very flattered when people compare me to Richard Gomez regardless of what they might be saying it’s still Richard Gomez that they are comparing me to. Just to be mentioned under the same breadth is more than enough for me,” Richard stated.
He also disclosed “The Promise” to be the most challenging drama film of his acting career. “I learned that physical preparations for a movie pale in comparison with emotional preparations because this movie must be the most difficult I’ve done so far and I have learned a lot while making this film.”
Regarding his steamy loves scenes with Angel, Richard said he had to what he had to do. “If you read the script, you’ll understand why our characters needed to be passionately involved in that love scene.”
In the future, should other movies requiring him to bare more for the sake of realism, Richard has only this to say, “I will do whatever it takes if the script really calls for it.”
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HOW true is it that the marriage of Kris Aquino and James Yap is on the rocks? It looks like Kris is not hiding it.
When she celebrated her birthday on “The Buzz,” she deliberately avoided James when he tried to greet her with a kiss.
“In fairness to James, he’s trying his best to humor Kris pero si Kris ang parang nagmamatigas,” says an observer. “Everyone’s praying maayos ang gusot nila lalo na nga’t buntis si Kris with their first baby.”(MNS)
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JENNYLYN Mercado is glad to do an action role as Super S in GMA-7’s new drama-fantasy series, “Super Twins.” “We also had to train in the martial arts before taping this and I’m glad may training na ako before in ‘Super Noypi’ kaya hindi na ako masyadong nahirapan,” she says.
What can she say about the rumor that she underwent breast enlargement? “I already denied it but no one seems to believe me kaya bahala na lang ang ayaw maniwala. It’s true that I had a breast operation kasi inalis ang lumalaking cyst sa left boob ko, hindi dahil nagpalaki ako.”
Is it true she doesn’t get along well with “Super Twins” co-star Nadine Samonte?
“I really don’t know kung bakit gusto kaming pag-awayin when we treat each other like sisters. Magkaibigan na kami since our ‘Starstruck’ days at nagtutulungan pa nga kami in doing difficult action scenes sa taping.”
Patrick Garcia is also in “Super Twins” but not as her love interest. He’s actually paired with Camille Prats. What can she say about the story that her fans do not approve of Patrick for her? “Hindi naman maaalis ‘yon kasi a lot of them are still hoping magkakabalikan pa kami ni Mark (Herras.) Basta ako, I’m happy with Patrick dahil mabait talaga siya, marespeto, a real gentleman.”
What will they do on Valentine’s Day? “I’m busy on that day kasi may Valentine show ako with Janno Gibbs at Zirkoh Timog that night. Siguro manonood na lang siya.”
So is she happier now with Patrick than with Mark then? “Yes, I’m happier with Patrick. But please don’t ask me to compare them anymore kasi hindi maganda. Basta I wish Mark well and sana lagi kaming maging friends. (MNS)
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TV host/ actor Luis Manzano has denied that he is courting Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA) scholar Irish Fullerton.
Manzano, son of Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos and Optical Media Board chairman Edu Manzano, was linked to the Filipino American singer after they were seen together in a bar in Cebu.
Manzano, however, said his visit to Cebu coincided with a concert of the Top 6 PDA scholars.
Fullerton and Manzano can be seen regularly on ABS-CBN’s weekly variety show ASAP ’07. (MNS)
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TWO of the hottest Philippine heartthrobs and one spicy comedian heat up the Manhattan Center in New York on April 13, 2007. Superstar hunks Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby teaming up with popular funnywoman Pokwang to regale the Big Apple with a two- hour show of song, dance and laughter.When it comes to entertainment, this trio delivers with panache.
Well loved by advertisers, Piolo Pascual is one of the most bankable endorsers of Filipino products. His face is a familiar sight in TV, print, and non traditional advertisements throughout the Philippines. As one of the most recognizable multitalented icons of Philippine entertainment, Piolo has gained local and international acclaim for his films and concerts. Rising rapidly in a successful career spanning a over decade of television, film, and concert performances, Piolo has won the adulation and hearts of millions of fans worldwide from his stunningly good looks, astounding vocal talent, and Hollywood-caliber acting. A veteran of films as diverse as the internationally acclaimed “Lagarista” (“The Film Biker”) to the romantic “Don’t Give up on Us”, Piolo sets the bar when it comes to acting in Philippine Cinema. Piolo’s recording career gained momentum as a member of the singing group “The Hunks”. Moving on to solo recording, his hit album “My Gift”, led to a major concert at the Araneta Coliseum that clinched his status as a solo recording artist.
Coming from a Filipino-American background, Sam Milby brings the best of both worlds wherever he performs. This former competitive ice skater from Ohio shot to fame in the Philippine version of “Big Brother”, where, in a lucky turn of fate (for both Sam and his adoring fans) he was chosen to replace a contestant who had to leave the show for personal reasons. During his stint as a “housemate”, he won the hearts of many through his Fil-Am charm and his down-to-earth demeanor; what really struck home though, was his rendition of a self-composed song performed in duet with fellow housemate Say Alonzo. This simple acoustic performance in the Big Brother house established Sam as a talented recording artist. Today, Sam is a celebrated entertainer appearing in several feature films, concerts and, like Piolo, is one of the most sought after product endorsers in the Philippines.
A clever, gifted comedian with an impeccable sense of timing that never fails to elicit peals of laughter, Pokwang is one of the fastest rising comics in Philippine entertainment. She has acted alongside some of the industry’s biggest names in film. She recently starred in the remake of Agent X-44 alongside fellow comedian Vhong Navarro. Pokwang is currently one of the most visible stars in Philippine television, appearing in comedy legend Dolphy’s “Quizon Avenue” and the sitcom “Aalog-Alog”.
The New York concert is produced by Special Edition Press, Inc. (SEP) headed by Nanding and Mila Mendez. SEP is committed to continue its mission to provide excellent entertainment to Filipinos in the United States. From its years of successfully producing concerts in the East Coast, SEP has developed an impeccable knack for finding the right blend of entertainers and venues that result in memorable crowd-drawing spectacles.
For advance tickets sales, advertise and sponsor, please contact: (212) 682-6610, e-mail: sepmgzn@aol.com or visit www.specialeditionevents.com.
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