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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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ON Saturday, May 5, 2007, we will be launching our debut CD called ‘Lilacs and Politics’ at the Rebel in New York City. We will be joined on-stage by our very good friends in the Filipino-American rock scene , as well as Filipino-Canadian scene., not to mention our family of friends and supporters on Poptimes Magazine.com.
This is in fact my first CD launch here as an artist. My other band, Bleud, didn’t have a launch party for our debut album, ‘Musings of a Caffeine Addict’ back in 2005. Perhaps there was no tight scene yet like what we have today because we have no Poptimes Online community yet to tap for support. Back then, Bleud was a new band in a scattered music scene so we decided to just have the CD without a grand launch party..
Now, we, The Happy Analogues, are reaping the fruits of the tight family/community that Poptimes Magazine created. Since the birth of the online Filipino music resource in 2006, Poptimes Magazine has provided a home to artists and fans who have been disorganized before. It has forged many friendships and relationships among the members, and it has launched a few great careers too in its less that a year existence.
Last January, The Kuwagos broke the barrier by launching its debut album in Bergenfield. New Jersey. It was actually the first album launch party done within the walls of Poptimes Magazine. And it was one of the most successful launches in recent Fil-Am music history.
The Kuwagos’ achievement only made us, The Happy Analogues, more convinced to have our own CD launch party.
So if you want to witness the joy of being inside a living music scene, come on May 5 and see how united artists and supporters are from all over North America. You will see performances by Toronto’s own Noizytoyz, Washington DC’s PI, Maryland’s Circled Sin, New York’s Qwadra and Blue Mellon Pop, Jersey’s Bleud, The Kuwagos, triCKBag, Binky Bianca and Sodapp Suicide. Plus you get a chance to be part of the Poptimes family. And most of all, you get to see The Happy Analogues play live.
Here are the info:
The Happy Analogues CD Launch Party
Where: The Rebel NYC
251 West 30th Street. New York, NY
When: Saturday, May 5, 2007 - 6 PM
Tickets are for $10.
This is an 18+ event. 21 to drink.
ID required.
Now is your chance to meet your very own local bands who have made quite a splash in the Fil-Am music scene recently. Likewise, it is also the perfect time to show your support for your local artists.
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IT was just a year ago when Kim Chiu won the Pinoy Big Brother Teens, changing her life forever. She’s now one of ABS-CBN’s prized properties after her “Sana Maulit Muli” with Gerald Anderson scored as the number one ABS show nationwide.
Her love team wih Gerald, called Kimerald, has its own legion of followers. She considers “Sana Maulit” her biggest accomplishment so far. Initially, some quarters were wary that the tandem was entrusted with a major project but they proved their worth as “Sana Maulit Muli” ranked number one with its highest audience share on primetime television.
Kim is now one of the most in-demand endorsers of her generation. She is the face of the tri-media campaigns of Ph Care Pure N Fresh, Whisper and Jollibee. She is also endorsing HerBench, Sheene, Glamlab Fragrances Collection, Bantex Slippers, Chocoblocks, Sepa Accesories, Monami Pens and Advance Notebooks. “Sana Maulit” has ended but Kims’ fans can still watch her regularly in “Aalog-Alog.” She is also busy promoting the “Sana Maulit Muli” soundtrack where she recorded a song, “Mine.” Kim is also about to start shooting a movie under Star Cinema with Gerald. And after the success of their first teleserye, a follow-up is definitely in the drawing boards..
About the real score between her and Gerald, Kim requests the movie press not to rush them into a relationship. “If we’re meant for each other, ‘yun naman ang mangyayari,” she says. “But as of now, we’re both still very young so dapat lang na mas priority muna namin ang aming career. Ewan nga kung bakit lagi kaming pinipilit umamin, e wala pa naman kaming aaminin.”
When they spent Holy Week in Hong Kong, didn’t they become closer? “We stayed in Panda Hotel, malayo sa Kowloon. Sabay lang kami sa subway. He with his dad, me with my Ate Lakambini. When we to Kowloon, hiwalay na kami sa shopping. Magkasama lang kami the whole day sa Disneyland. It’s my first time to get out of the country at masaya naman. Kahit doon, Pinoys who see us recognize us and call us Jasmine and Travis, our names in ‘Sana Maulit Muli’.”
On her 17th birthday last April 19, Kim thanked everyone for the support that made her what she is now. She knows that the best way to repay them is to continue being herself - simple and humble despite her success. And what’s her birthday wish?
“I wish to stay in the business for a long time,” she prays. “I don’t want to be a flash in the pan at gagawin ko ang lahat para hindi ako pagsawaan ng tao.” (MNS)
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MANILA – A happy Oyo Boy Sotto has invited the public to support his television projects.
Sotto stars in a new summer special of the Kapamilya network’s Sunday mini-series “Love Spell.”
“I hope everybody would watch and support ‘Love Spell’ this coming Sunday (April 29),” Oyo said.
In the episode titled “Sweet Sixty,” the young actor portrays the role of Bong, a landscape artist who falls in love with Rose (Sarah Geronimo).
“I will be playing the role of Bong. I was hired by Doña Rosing (Gina Pareno) to landscape their garden because the roses died. I don’t have an idea that when Tita Gina kisses the rose she transforms into a beautiful, young Sarah Geronimo. In this story I will fall in love with Sarah. So they have to watch and find out who will I end up with… Tita Gina or Sarah,” he said.
The show has a powerhouse cast that includes Gina Pareno, Sarah Geronimo, Roxanne Guinoo and Jake Cuenca. It will air every Sunday starting May 6 on ABS-CBN, right after “Your Song.”
Sotto also invited televiewers to watch him in another hit ABS-CBN mini-series, “Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko,”
Sotto is the son of actress Dina Bonnevie by her former husband, comedian and TV host Vic Sotto. (MNS)
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FOR Sheryl Cruz, reprising the role of Vilma Santos in the TV remake of “Sinasamba Kita” is a dream come true.
“I saw the film when I was a child at gandang-ganda ako sa acting ng lahat, especially my ninang, Vilma Santos,” she says.
“I never thought that one day, I will be playing her role as Divina, which is a bida-kontrabida role as the strict elder sister of Nora, played by Lorna Tolentino in the movie and now by Valerie Concepcion in the remake. Tuwang-tuwa talaga ako that GMA-7 assigned me this very demanding role and I promise to do my best para naman I won’t pale in comparison to my ninang who is really an accomplished actress.”
Which should really be the case so she wouldn’t be attacked by the diehard fans of Ate Vi who were so vocal when they didn’t like Rica Peralejo’s performance in Ate Vi’s role in the TV remake of “Palimos ng Pag-ibig.” “Siyempre, ayoko namang mapulaan o malait ako kaya ginalingan ko talaga. I really appreciate the fact that GMA-7 also entrusted me to sing the female version of the popular title song, with Ogie Alcasid doing the male version.”
The new version directed by Joel Lamangan is an updated version of the 1982 movie originally directed by Eddie Garcia. ”But the core essence of the story remains the same,” adds Joel. “It’s still about the basic conflict of two sisters and the two men who love them.”
Once again, Sheryl is asked if her marriage to Norman Bustos is okay as she seems to be staying here for good. “Of course, it’s okay. As of now, he’s seriously considering retiring here. We bought a condo unit at the Fort and a townhouse in Montgomery Place.”
What can she say about Sunshine Cruz’s lament that she hasn’t helped her husband Cesar Montano’s bid for the Senate? “Let’s just say that I’m praying for all movie stars who are running in the coming election na sana, magtagumpay sila.” (MNS)
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MANILA-- The infant son of actress and TV host Kris Aquino is showing signs of successfully fighting off an infection, as well as improving health.
Baby James Aquino Yap Jr. is now in stable condition after being born premature at 35 weeks. He remains inside an incubator while his health continues to be monitored.
Pediatrician Arnel Nuguid earlier revealed in a medical bulletin that baby James showed signs of infection shortly after birth on Thursday. The baby was immediately given antibiotics for treatment.
Hospital sources said the baby’s latest C-Reactive Protein (CRP) test result was negative, indicating that the antibiotics were working against the infection. The CRP test is used to determine whether infection is present.
Sources also say that the baby’s platelet count has increased since his last blood test. This means that he is now at less risk for internal bleeding.
Premature babies usually have low platelet count, indicating a lack of clotting factors in their blood. (MNS)
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MANILA -- Critically-acclaimed film director Marilou Diaz Abaya has revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in January this year.
Abaya said that she is mindful of her health and undergoes medical checkups.
She recalled how she first suspected something was wrong: “I’m an avid swimmer. I swim about four to five times a week. So I’m very sensitive particularly about my breast because that affects how I swim. So when I first felt the lump, I said I was in trouble.”
The prize-winning director said she felt no fear upon learning about the cancer. “I was not frightened. I was not fearful. And so when I was told I had breast cancer, I said, ‘ Wow I have time!’ because I could have been in an accident or bird flu where you only have 24 to 48 hours.”
While she accepts the possibility that she might have only a few months left to live, Abaya said she has not given up on her chances of getting healed.
“It’s kind of like being told you’re on death row. And just like when you’re on death row, there’s clemency and you have hope. My cancer came at a very good time,” she said.
The 52-year-old Abaya has directed some of Philippine cinema’s most unforgettable films including Brutal (1980), Moral (1982), Karnal (1984), Ipaglaban Mo (1996), Sa Pusod ng Dagat (1998), Jose Rizal (1998) and Muro-Ami (1999).
She struggles to maintain her normal routine despite her illness.
Abaya continues to teach at her Film Institute and Arts Center in Antipolo, Rizal despite the fatigue and weakness she feels as a result of chemotherapy.
Abaya holds the record of being one of the two most awarded women directors in the history of the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS). To date, she has four FAMAS Best Director trophies.
Abaya has also received 13 awards and 5 nominations in international film festivals including the Asian American International Film Festival; Singapore Film Festival; the Hawaii International Film Festival; and local award-giving bodies like the Gawad Urian, FAP (Film Academy of the Philippines), Metro Manila Film Festival and Star Awards. (MNS)
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SUNSHINE Cruz admitted she is control of husband Cesar Montano’s finances mainly because, “I have to really see through our finances,” she said in a recent press conference for Cesar and Chavit Singson’s senatorial bids held at Plaza Ibarra in Timog, Quezon City.
She further explained, “Kakaunti lang ang pera namin kaya natural na imonitor ko ang gastos namin at gastos sa kampanya. Kaunti na nga lang kaya dapat pag-igihin namin ang paggastos.”
Talks of Sunshine being in full command of Cesar’s finances buzzed over the past days since the election fever reached its peak. To a certain extent, the former sexy actress disclosed the talks were true, “but only because we don’t have much resources and I have to take care of what we have.”
What Sunshine promised the movie industry though, are more movies after all that’s about the election blows over. Along with Governor Singson, Sunshine will produce more movies “to give more of our colleagues work especially those na matagal na sa industriya na hindi na masyadong nabibigyan ng trabaho.”
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