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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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DURING my youth, the ideals of the miracle at EDSA penetrated deep into my budding soul. The values it taught me, then, were as important as the values I received from my parents. The concepts of truth, justice, peace, camaraderie, democracy, love and spirituality became living, breathing things in the persons of my EDSA heroes. Juan Ponce Enrile, Fidel Ramos, Cory Aquino, Gringo Honasan, Rene Saguisag, Joker Arroyo, Butz Aquino and even the teen-aged Kris Aquino were my role models.
Whenever we pass by that avenue from Kamuning to Boni, months after the divinely-inspired revolt, I always got inspired to be a good Filipino. I felt that I couldn’t betray my heroes by bailing out of the ideals that they fought for. I couldn’t allow myself to slack around and besmirch my Filipino-ness and I couldn’t even spit my Bazooka Bubble Gum on that hallowed highway.
In my 10-year old mind, EDSA was Jerusalem.
The gradual breakdown of my Jerusalem started perhaps a year after the monumental revolt. I remember waking up early with my father telling me that classes were suspended. Apparently there was something dangerous happening at some area near EDSA - it turned out to be a mini revolt headed by two of the original EDSA heroes of mine: Honasan and Enrile.
In the afternoon, we saw fighter planes all over the murky Kamuning sky. The planes were shooting rockets at targets we didn’t know. It was all confusing. My understanding of peace, love and camaraderie began to falter. It wasn’t the only time.
More of these uprising happened through the years, and little by little, my appreciation for EDSA dissolved along with the ideals that it represented.
Now, 21 years after the Miracle at Epiphanio De Los Santos Avenue I no longer have any love for my heroes and their principles. They all turned out to be traditional politicians after all. They switched allegiances and loyalties depending on what would give them more benefits, they have become corrupt and avaricious, and even the once adorable Kris Aquino had been booted-out of my crush list.
I am in America now, and happy to be where I am. Perhaps my love for the Philippines will go only as far as its culture, beauty and my being a Filipino, but my respect for its government and its politicians had gone dead.
Perhaps this is how it is like to be played. Played like puppets by politicians posing as heroes and servants.
Today, as I look at news feeds from Manila, nothing has changed. These same trapos who have become friends, enemies and vice versa over the years are yelling promises again at Filipino voters. They even evoke the miracle of EDSA as a selling point. It is so tragic, it makes me laugh already.
The last time I was at EDSA was in 2001. I remember I just came from a party and quite had a lot to drink. It was almost 3 AM. I wasn’t driving, but I told my friend, who was driving to pull over. He managed to stop the car at the corner of Ortigas and EDSA.
No it wasn’t a Hallmark moment, or anything cheesy like that. But I felt my stomach grumble and soon, my eyes were moist. I opened the door, leaned towards the sidewalk, and in one hard thrust, let all the red wine, beer, tequila, coke and sisig out of my system. I felt so much better. After all, EDSA is just a highway.
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AFTER his two movies made it big in 2006, Sam Milby once more captures the audience with his big-screen reunion with Toni Gonzaga in “You Got Me.”
“Before I was really surprised and happy that ‘You Are the One’ was well-received by fans and viewers. Now that I’m re-teaming up again with Toni, we promise that we will bring you new surprises and new twists in the movie that will make you feel warm and tingly all over!”
In the movie, Sam plays Lt. Kevin Robles, a geeky, quite police officer who stands by Lt. Amor Santander, a role that Toni plays to the hilt!
“Toni here is marvelous. She does her own stunts, does not care if she gets bruises and all. She was amazing!” Sam excitedly tells us.
“In fairness to Sam, since we did ‘You are The One,’ his Tagalog improved a lot pero he is still the same Sam na magaling umarte, very open to instructions and really studies his role,” according to Toni.
“Ako I’m just really happy that for this movie I’m still with my ‘You are The One’ family,” Sam explains, “including Direk Cathy (Garcia-Molina) and Toni. Then now, we have a new addition, Zanjoe (Marudo) who is also very good in this movie.”
“You will definitely fall in love, there are many kinds of love in this movie, but what you will definitely learn, is that you have to risk for love in order for you to fall in love, and when you’re in love, you should definitely be happy!”
“This is our Valentine’s gift to all the Filipino viewers who have been supportive of Star Cinema movies for the longest time. I hope they get to enjoy the experience as much as we enjoyed while shooting it,” Sam ends with a killer smile. “You Got Me” opens on February 28!(MNS)
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KRIS AQUINO was rushed to the hospital because of “complications due to pregnancy.”
In an interview with TV Patrol, Kris’s friend and co-host, Boy Abunda, confirms reports that Kris has been rushed to the hospital. “Totoo ‘yan. Nasa ospital po ngayon si Kris. Siya’y itinakbo ngayong tanghali dahil masama ang kaniyang pakiramdam. Halo-halo na siguro ito, ‘yong stress. Hindi naman kaila sa mga kaibigan natin na mahirap ang pinagdadaanan ni Kris.”
Kris is seven months pregnant with her second child and her first baby with husband James Yap. Her first child, Joshua, was fathered by actor Phillip Salvador.
Abunda Boy said, “Totoo ‘yan. Nasa ospital po ngayon si Kris. Siya’y itinakbo ngayong tanghali dahil masama ang kaniyang pakiramdam. Halo-halo na siguro ito, ‘yong stress—hindi naman kaila sa mga kaibigan natin na mahirap ang pinagdadaanan ni Kris.”
He added, “She is being advised by doctors to stay in the hospital for mga tatlong araw [para sa] kumpletong pahinga, complete rest.”
The show’s entertainment reporter, Marie Lozano, announced that Kris was rushed to the hospital: “Diumano, sinugod si Kris sa ospital dahil sa diumano’y pananakit ng tiyan, na sinasabi ng mga duktor na false labor.”
“False labor” refers to a pregnant woman’s experience of irregular, mild contractions that do not cause the cervical dilatation necessary for childbirth. In other words, the abdominal pains are akin to those surrounding childbirth but do not in fact lead to childbirth. “False labor” can be caused by stress, whether physical, pyschological, or emotional.
Showbiz insiders can only speculate about how the recent controversy surrounding Kris and her marriage may have caused the Deal or No Deal host extreme emotional stress.
THE BEGINNINGS
Kris Aquino was noticeably aloof and cold to her husband James Yap during her advance birthday celebration on The Buzz last February 11. (Her birthday falls on February 14.)
The usual bubbly Kris was unusually silent when James appeared on the show she co-hosts with Boy Abunda. And when James tried to kiss her, she did not even look at him. James landed a peck on her cheek instead.
When James was asked to give a birthday message to Kris, he answered, “Sana mapalaki natin si baby James na buo ang pamilya.” The couple had planned to name their firstborn James Yap, Jr.
Kris admitted last Sunday, February 18, on The Buzz, that she was having marital problems with her basketball player husband.
She explained, “Naglabasan lang naman lahat ng ito—noon may konting bulung-bulungan before my birthday—but noong birthday ko, umiyak ako. Akala ng lahat super-happy sa birthday, di ba? ‘Tapos nakita ng lahat na may tensiyon na namamagitan sa amin ni James.
“Umpisahan ko by saying na umamin naman ako sa iyo na mga tatlong linggo talaga na may problema kami and before coming here [last week], nag-aaway kami. Ang ano ho doon is kung hindi siya mag-greet sa akin on my birthday, maraming magtatanong. Kung mag-greet siya, dapat ang hinarap namin sa inyong lahat nakangiti kami, pero hindi namin nagawa kasi nga tao lang kami. Siguro part of what I am, I’ve always tried my best to be truthful and to be honest.”
Kris also said, “Humingi ng tawad ang asawa ko. Hindi ko sinasabing 100 percent napatawad ko na pero inunawa ko. Siguro, this is the only instance in my life na there was a man who owned up to whatever mistake he made.
“And kung sino man ang magdya-judge sa akin, kung may pamilya kayo, mauunawaan ninyo na kahit sinong misis bibigyan ng pagkakataon ang asawa niya dahil mahal niya ang asawa niya.” Before the show ended, James came in to give his side.
James remarked, “‘Yon nga, talagang nagkaproblema kami so humihingi talaga ako ng tawad sa kanya. Sinabi ko na, ‘Gagawin ko ang lahat para mapatawad mo ako.’ And siyempre gagawin ko dahil mahal na mahal ko ang asawa ko ‘tsaka si Josh ‘tsaka ‘yong baby so handa ako kahit mahirap.”
James turned to Kris, “Babe, sorry talaga na, ‘yon nga, nasaktan kita pero sinasabi ko nga na handang-handa ako na pagbayaran ito. Kahit anong mangyari, ipaglalaban kita ‘tsaka hindi ako gi-give-up... ‘Tsaka gusto ko lang sabihin na nahirapan ako talaga. Hindi ako sanay sa mga ganito, so talagang hindi na mauulit.”
CLAMOR FOR KRIS.
Kris is considered one of the industry’s gems. She is a sought-after product endorser, successful TV host, and a blockbuster actress. She is seen six days a week—twice on weekdays for Pilipinas GAME KNB? and Kapamilya Deal or No Deal.
At 36 years old, Kris has endured a very public life—and an even more public love life. In 2003, her spat with ex-boyfriend Joey Marquez made it to primetime news. Kris was interviewed by TV Patrol anchor Korina Sanchez, while Joey was being interviewed in Saksi.
Kris cried, and her public cried with her.
Now that she is in the middle of another controversy, her adoring public will probably watch over her, helping her through it all.
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LONG ISLAND CITY, NY – Aegis Band, this very popular Philippine band is known for the throat-wrenching high notes belted by sisters Juliet and Mercy Sunot, will be performing at the LaGuardia Community College (31-10 Thomson Ave.) on March 16, 2007, with special guests Kayumanggi Band and Higher Ground.
The show is being produced by Apholo Star, Miracle Production and Edsun Entertainment
It’s been said that no other pop band comes close to Aegis when it comes to establishing a certain connection with the audience.
They’ve conquered the Philippines, from north to south, east to west, and now, way beyond. With songs like “Dukha” (originally sung by the group Judas),”Bulag, Pipi at Bingi”, “Himig ng Pag-ibig”, “Laki Sa Layaw”, “Pagsubok”, “Bayan Ko”, “Ang Buhay Ko”, “Lupa”, “Panahon”, “Baleleng”, and “Miss na Miss Kita.” , the band is sure to stir emotions.
Fil-Am audiences touched by Aegis’ songs express a feeling of oneness. Is it the high notes? The bravura performances or the sentiments? It is but the true expression of the Filipino spirit, how the words pierce into solid Pinoy hearts.
Let Aegis’ Juliet and Mercy Sunot (vocals), Stella Galindo (keyboard), Rey Abenoja (guitar), Rowena Pinpin (bass) and Vilma Goloviogo (drums) prove themselves again as musicians of outstanding talent and ability, see them rock New York!
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ALFRED Vargas feels lucky to be the leading man in the first Filipino-Malaysian TV series co-production, “Muli,” that starts airing on Monday afternoon, right after “Daisy Siete.”
He plays Lukas, a software engineer who leaves his pregnant wife (Marian Rivera) with his aunt (Odette Khan) in Manila to work in Kuala Lumpur. Little did he know that his aunt will maltreat his wife while he is abroad. In Malaysia, he meets Cheryl (Carrie Lee), the girlfriend of his boss (Tony Eusoff), who is being forced by her conservative Chinese family to marry a man she doesn’t love. When his boss dumps Cheryl, they fall in love with each other but fate separates them.
“It’s a beautiful love story that will surely capture the interest of our viewers,” says Alfred. “I stayed in Malaysia for one and a half months to tape it with Director Mac Alejandre. It’ll be shown there in March and I have to go back there to help promote it.”
Is it true Carrie is the reason why he broke up with LJ Reyes? “No. Walang kinalaman si Carrie. It’s a mutual decision on our part. Hindi naman kami nag-break. Cool off lang. We still communicate with each other. Noong Valentine’s Day nga, magkasama rin kami sa dinner with my family.”
Some folks say this is just a gimmick to boost the promo of “Muli.” “No, I wouldn’t use my personal life to promote a TV show. What happened was when LJ and I had a vacation in the US last December, araw-araw kaming magkasama kaya we got used to being with each other often. Then when we came home, buong January, we both got busy. I was taping ‘Muli’ and ‘Magic Kamison’ and she’s busy with her own soap and her studies at La Salle. We don’t have time for each other at di na kami nagkikita. (MNS)
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WILL Vina Morales agree to campaign for ex-BF Miguel Zubiri who’s now running for the Senate? They were on when he ran for Congress and she stayed in Bukidnon then to help in his campaign.
“I did it then for free, labor of love,” she laughs. “Siguro ngayon, dapat, may bayad na. But seriously, hindi na lang siguro ako papayag para walang intriga. Let’s face it, he’s married now (to Audrey Tan). May kanya-kanya na kaming buhay and it’s more peaceful that way.”Vina came with her Chinese boyfriend to the grand presscon of “Maria Flor de Luna.”
What can she say to those who frown on her BF for being a married man. “Well, I can’t please everyone. I respect everyone’s opinon at sana, they’ll also respect mine.” If you want to see Vina’s new BF in person, he’ll be there when she does the repeat of her “Showgirl” concert at the Araneta Coliseum this coming Saturday. (MNS)
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