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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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DID you know that one of the most watched videos on the Youtube universe is done by a Filipina?
Yes. The videos of a New York-based Filipina-American named Christine who goes by the name ‘Happy Slip’ is the hottest stuff on Youtube since Lonelygirl 15.
Her videos on the website are filled with comic sketches, that include references to her Pinay upbringing. She writes, directs, stars and shoots her own hit videos that are being followed and watch by more than a million people worldwide.
On one of her episodes, a goofy AD about the coming Youtube meet in NYC, she got 721,295 views even though it was only posted barely a week ago. In the video, Christine plays ‘the music to ‘Heart & Soul’ and improvised on its lyrics to promote the coming event on 7/7/07.
721,295 views! Wow! It’s like going on national TV!
Such is the power of the video sharing site. Regular people could easily become stars and cultural icons.
Christine is a great comedienne. She stars on all of her videos doing multiple roles. In one video, she played herself, her mother and her father, while they talk about her video blogs.
Though she must have been born and raised here in the States, she never forgets her Filipino roots. In fact she uses them a lot in her sketches, especially when the sketch involves her Pinoy-bred parents (all played by her, of course).
Even her screen name is a direct reference to her Pinay sensibilities,
According to her, ‘Happy Slip’ is actually the undergarment - ‘half-slip’ pronounced with a heavy Filipino accent. She says on her personal website, www.happyslip.com, that her mother always reminded her when she was young to never forget to wear her ‘Half -Slip’. Of course, any Pinoy would imagine how her mom would say it: ‘Oi Christine, don’t Porget yur Happ-i-Slip”.
Actually, she grew up knowing that what her mom was saying ‘Happy Slip”.
Now, thanks to Youtube, ‘Happy Slip’ is now a household name. It has gotten so big, it even has merchandize for sale - including a dog T-shirt!
Cyberlife is where anything is possible. And Christine has proven that to be true. She is a legitimate star now and even without the Hollywood glitter and B.S, she would manage to soar more than where she is now with her pure talent and a little technology.
Watch her videos on Youtube: www.youtube.com/happyslip or visit her personal website at www.happyslip.com.
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JUDY Ann Santos opened her “Bida ng Buhay Ko” 20th anniversary special at the Big Dome recently with a vavavoom dance number while singing a Beyonce, Fergie and Pussycat Dolls medley. She came on stage fully covered then she removed her cover to reveal her sexy outfit that made the crowd roar with approval. She later said she rehearsed that seductive number for four days.
Her boyfriend Ryan Agoncillo hosted the affair with the help of Bianca Gonzales and Phoemela Baranda. While her family members are being interviewed singing champs Jed Madela, Rachelle Ann Go, Mark Bautista, Kris Lawrence and Christian Bautista all sang special songs for her.
Zsa Zsa Padilla introduced the portion which featured the various soaps Juday did through the years. Makisig Morales and other kiddie stars sang the theme song of her first TV show, “Ula, Ang Batang Gubat,” followed by Gladys Reyes for “Mara Clara,” Jericho Rosales for “Esperanza,” Pow Chavez for “Sa Puso Ko Iingatan ka,” Aiza Seguerra for “Basta’t Kasama Kita,” TJ Trinidad for “Krystala” and Angelika de la Cruz for “Sa Piling Mo.”
Erik Santos and Sarah Geronimo sang the theme songs of some movies she did like “Paano ang Puso Ko,” and “Kahit Isang Saglit”.
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MANILA, Philippines -- Police escorts assigned to Ruffa Gutierrez and her family will be pulled out in a month, a radio report said.
In a report aired on the government station Radyo ng Bayan on Monday, Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Calderon was quoted as saying that the arrangement was only temporary and that Ruffa fully knew about it.
This comes amid a public apology issued by Ruffa’s estranged husband Yilmaz Bektas and his assertion that he would not attack or harm the TV host-actress in any way.
Should Ruffa require further protection, she must seek a private security agency, Calderon was further quoted as saying.
Ruffa had sought PNP protection after she alleged that Yilmaz had threatened her with harm through text messages. He allegedly sent separate text messages to other members of her family hinting that something bad would happen to Ruffa.
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RUFA Mae Quinto and Erik Santos have called it quits.
It was a sad ending for the love affair between the sexy star and the champion singer as they broke up even before they could celebrate their first anniversary as sweethearts last June 13. Eric even planned the surprise party for Rufa Mae in her house when she celebrated her birthday last May 28. That was where the controversial picture of Gretchen Barretto and John Estrada was taken.
Erik cried when he was interviewed on “The Buzz” regarding the breakup, while Rufa Mae was composed and serious, not her usual bubbly self, when she talked about the split on “Showbiz Central” last June 17.
Erik says he and Rufa Mae are still okay, but Rufa Mae’s revelation on “Showbiz Central” told a different story.
According to her, there are some matters that she and Erik need to address privately so they could still make a go of their relationship, or give it another try. But as far as Rufa Mae is concerned, the relationship is over.
“Sa umpisa pa lang ng relasyon namin, lagi na lang kaming iniintriga. Hindi pa man namin nalalagpasan ang isang intriga, may kasunod na agad so parang hindi na maganda ang nangyayari,” the sexy actress told host Pia Guanio.
She also admitted that she and Erik seem to have different priorities. While both recognize the need to give attention to their respective careers, Rufa Mae says Erik seems to be focused on his career and his family, while Rufa Mae is set on having their own family in the future. While she and Erik have not discussed wedding plans yet, Rufa Mae says it’s about time for her to think of having a family. After all, she’s not getting any younger.
When write-ups came out saying that Rufa Mae and Erik have reportedly called it quits, Rufa Mae said she tried to talk to Erik. But he had not been answering her calls and refused to talk to her. She didn’t want to say her piece on TV regarding the break- up without talking to Erik, saying she didn’t want it to look ugly.
“Ayoko naman na magpalitan kami nang hindi magagandang salita o mag-away kami sa TV. Hindi naman maganda iyon. Kaya nga gusto ko mag-usap muna kami. Kaso ang naging dating yata sa kanya ng paglabas ng mga write-ups na nagsasabing break na kami ay nakikipag-break na ako sa kanya. So instead of talking to me, basta na lang niya ako hindi kinausap. Hindi nga niya ako binati noong first year anniversary namin,” says the sexy actress.
The “Bubble Gang” girls look unlucky in love. Ara Mina broke up with Polo Ravales while Rufa Mae have called it quits with Erik. (MNS)
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MANILA -- Jodi Santamaria is a happy mom to Thirdie or Moymoy (Panfilo Lacson III), who is one year and six months old. The boy is the spitting image of his dad, Pampi, the third son of re-elected Senator Panfilo Lacson.
Moymoy was the little boy with Senator Lacson in his TV ads during the campaign period. “The three of us,” said Jodi, “were also with Daddy (Senator Lacson) in his campaign sorties. Actually, it was a family affair. ‘Yung pangangampanya ni Daddy. The entire family was almost always with him.
“Nakakatawa nga si Moymoy, at home na at home sa pangangampanya. Nakikipag-kamay din,” she related.
How’s Senator Lacson as a father-in-law?
“Napakabait niya,” Jodi replied. “’Di nga lang palakibo. Mahiyain.
“He’s strict with his children,” she added. “Pero respetado siya ng mga ito.
“Sa kanyang mga apo, du’n mo makikita how lenient he can be. He loves it when he’s playing with them. Nakikipaghabulan siya sa kanila. Si Moymoy laging hinihintay na buhatin siya ng kanyang Lolo at i-swing in the air.”
Jodi and family live with the Lacsons. But next month, they are transferring to their new house in BF Homes in Parañaque. It’s an old house situated on a 415 sq. m. lot. But they had it renovated.
“Hands-on kaming mag-asawa sa pakikialam sa mga pagbabagong ginawa sa bahay,” Jodi related. “Mula sa pintura, kung anong tiles ang gagamitin, lahat lahat. Ngayon nagsisimula na kaming maglagay ng mga kasangkapan at iba pang kailangan sa bahay.”
* * *
Until now, according to Jodi, the drama series, “Tabing-Ilog,” remains close to her heart. She just loves George, the character she portrayed in the defunct show. George is a feisty girl.
For a while, Jodi’s career had to take a backseat when she got married and gave birth to Moymoy. Now she is in the cast of “Walang Kapalit,” which also stars Claudine Barretto, Piolo Pascual and Bobby Andrews. She finds her role as Cynthia challenging as she is suffering from bipolar disorder. She looks forward to traveling with the rest of the cast of “Walang Kapalit” to promote it in Europe.
Jodi remains one of the endorsers of the clothing brand, Petit Monde.
She turned 25 last June 16. (MNS)
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MANILA, Philippines -- A co-manager of the band Rivermaya confirmed frontman Rico Blanco’s departure from the group, however, not without expressing disgust over the singer’s statement in his “letter of resignation.”
“We confirm that Mr. Rico Blanco has written us a letter of resignation from Rivermaya. We are unable to give an explanation for this action since Mr. Blanco’s statements are inconsistent with the facts. For the record, Mr. Blanco did not make any announcement of his leaving Rivermaya “as early as 2005”, or in 2004 or 2006, for that matter,” a statement from the band signed by Lizza Nakpil, Rivermaya co-manager, said.
“On the contrary, he actively participated in and benefited from our plans and activities, not to mention the record-breaking number of awards, local and foreign concerts and endorsements during those years,” the statement added.
The statement bewailed Rico’s assertion against his ties with his managers.
“While our artist-management contract was automatically and validly renewed, the same letter contains a bewildering and inaccurate declaration that neither Mr. Chito S. Roño nor I have been his managers since 2003,” the statement said.
“’Inexistent and of no force and effect’ were his words to describe a relationship that has spanned 14 years since the start of his career in the music business,” it added.
According to the statement, Rivermaya had done its best to dissuade Rico from leaving the group.
“…we have done our best to deal with the situation with professionalism and to dissuade Mr. Blanco from pursuing a rash course of action, that would delay if not cost all of us our successful entry into the international market. Unfortunately, and despite our best efforts, Mr. Blanco has decided that he no longer shares our vision of a Rivermaya that can spread its wings into Asia,” the statement read.
The statement further said that Rivermaya management had no idea of Rico’s plans and their course of action after the singer-composer’s departure.
“Mr. Blanco has not made it plain as to what he plans to do next and we have not been able to correctly assess our options or courses of action to take, given his leaving the band,” the statement further said.
Despite Rico’s exit, Rivermaya will not disband, the statement said. However, it would still need to finalize their plans in facing this “monumental” challenge as it said, “No one member of Rivermaya is greater than the whole.”
“Be that as it may, Rivermaya is not ready to turn its back on its fans and the many relationships we have built in the Philippines and in the rest of the region.,” the statement stressed.
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SCREEN heartthrob Sam Milby is presently veering away from having a relationship with anyone because he’s so much into something more spiritual, the former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate said.
Sam is in a period when he is very much into developing his heart for God, which for him will make everything easy, “including finding the right girl” for him.
The biggest success to come off the “Pinoy Big Brother” fame revealed he’s currently doing a one–to–one discipleship, which is part of his becoming a renewed Christian.
During the press conference for his UniSilver endorsement in Quezon City, Sam stressed to some members of the entertainment media that he is taking his course to Christ serious. Does this mean he wants to become a pastor? Not to that point, he implied.
“I’m really trying to build a relationship with God and that’s the only way to feel complete, if you have God in you. After that, I think that’s the time I would be ready for a relationship with someone,” shared Sam with the press people who attended his contract signing last Monday which extended his endorsement deal for UniSilver accessories.
The event was held at Moomba Restaurant in Q.C., with other big stars Jay-R and love tandem Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu also signing their respective contracts with UniSilver. The said product presented their new endorsers to the public along with a set of trendy designs of 92.5% genuine silver jewelry.
Sam was direct in answering the status of his lovelife at present, “No lovelife. I’m excited about being a Christian and my soon–to–be–built house. I’m planning to put up a big party to celebrate my place’s completion soon.”
One of ABS–CBN’s hottest properties because of his heartthrob appeal, voice and acting promise, Sam has also become one of today’s hottest endorsers. His presence alone generates some form of fan hysteria.
He recently got praises for his good acting in a “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episode. Plans to record a new album are in the works.
But through it all, Sam remains focused on his goal to really renew his faith in God. He added, “I’m going to need a lot of work to really get there and fully know God. Everything follows after the process of renewing my faith is done. I’m proud to say I’m Christian.”
As for his eye for women, that would have to wait momentarily. Besides, he’s sure to have memories to fill his mind about it. During his chat with the press, Sam came to a point when he admitted that he was not attracted to Asian women before. And only when he came to the country and joined the “Pinoy Big Brother” experience that he realized how pretty Asian women are.
“After four to five months of being here, I realized magaganda pala ang mga Pinay,” he closed.
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