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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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AFTER releasing an all-English record with the Happy Analogues last May, I started to miss writing in the native tongue.
Believe me, most Fil-Am songwriters could attest to the fact that it’s a lot more difficult to write stuff in Filipino than in English. Perhaps the fear of sounding cheesy is the main reason why it is so.
In the old days, back in Manila, our record label - BMG Records, always made it imperative for us to write in Filipino. ‘Money is better spelled in Tagalog’ as we used to say.
But when I migrated here in the States, I thought I would forever write in English, which I did.
The first project I did was a solo album back in 2003 called ‘Weekend Painless’ containing 13 English tracks. Somehow, I needed that break from writing in Filipino(Tagalog) after my stint with the BMG bosses. It did feel good to express myself in a language that’s equally rich and powerful.
The next album I did was with my first band here in the States - Bleud in 2005. The debut album, ‘Musings of a Caffeine Addict’ included three Filipino songs, which were remnants of my BMG days: ‘ Babolgam Music’, ‘Field Trip’ and ‘Bye Bye Na’. After that came the work for my other band, The Happy Analogues. It is true that the band got under fire for releasing a Fil-Am CD devoid of anything Pinoy. We did get nasty messages accusing us of trying to be American or British under our brown skins. We’ve been branded as sellouts by some of our contemporaries, which hurt us the most.
But that I guess is the price for trying to break into the American mainstream. Yes, we did that in purpose. We made the album all-English to inch closer to that elusive dream.
Now after all the mayhem, I started to write new songs in Filipino, and it sure feels amazing. Once again, I am using such crisp words like ‘ Tumitibok’, ‘Lumulundag’, ‘Pangit’ and ‘Pag-ibig’.
Filipino is beautiful. It could be funny and heartfelt when used correctly. As a matter of fact, I kind of found a new liking to using deep words that are not being used commonly in the streets. Words like ‘Tilamsik’, Wagas’, ‘Tantanan’, and ‘Bingid’. Somehow they drive the message home better than using the vernacular.
I suppose, being an artist here in America, where the majority of your audience only speak English, it is a great challenge to write great lyrics in Filipino. But I must agree that doing so is totally rewarding. It somehow frees you up to really say what is in your heart without the pressure of pleasing everyone in this great nation.
That is why I admire Fil-Am artists who released albums written in pure Filipino. Artists like The Kuwagos and Rubberband are great models for upcoming Fil-Am artists.
On the other hand, the Happy Analogues also deserve applause for braving criticisms to be able to get a crack at American recognition. Because if the Analogues make it to the mainstream, it would definitely be for the pride of all Filipino-Americans and Filipinos back home.
Then everybody is happy.
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“INGRATE,” “monster,” and “malaki ang ulo” are examples of the negative write-ups circulating about Angel Locsin nowadays. Some reports even went as far as narrating instances where the actress was said to have raised her voice to a couple of staff members of Asian Treasures—a telenovela on GMA-7 in which Angel plays the lead alongside Robin Padilla.
GMA-7 Program Manager Redgie Magno answers the issues coming out about one of their top stars, including the alleged non-renewal of contract with GMA-7 Artist Center.
NOT SO ANGELIC? Asian Treasures fight director Val Iglesias, a veteran in his field, was said to have been one of the “victims” of Angel’s reported outbursts on the set. Angel supposedly screamed at Val for making her do hard stunts. She was said to have been complaining that she was already tired.
Also, two make-up artists allegedly experienced the same thing with Angel. They ended up quitting, reports said.
“Totoo na tumaas ang boses ni Angel, pero hindi pasigaw,” said Redgie about the incident with Val.
The GMA-7 executive imitated Angel: “Tatay Val, ikuha niyo na lang ako ng double. Hindi ko na kaya.”
She explained that Angel ended up doing the fight scenes with close-ups and that a body-double was used for the harder stunts.
“Hindi namin alam kung paano kumalat. Normal lang naman ‘yong [di pagkakaintindihan] sa set,” Redgie commented.
Redgie explained that the two make-up artists left the show for different reasons.
“The first one kasi hindi nagkasundo sa presyo. ‘Yong professional fee nung make-up artist, ang GMA-7 ang nagbabayad, hindi si Angel. ‘Yong second, hindi ko alam. Basta nagpaalam na lang,” she explained.
BAD PRESS. The reports also said that Angel losing the Marimar project was GMA-7’s reaction to the actress’s prima donna ways. “She should be brought down to earth,” a network executive allegedly said.
Redgie was quick to deny this.
“Noong napapag-usapan ang Philippine version ng Marimar, matunog ang pangalan ni Angel. Siya ang best bet namin for the role, pero wala pang official offer dahil at that time, hindi pa nabibili ang rights. Pero habang nagne-negotiate, nag-iisip na rin kami ng cast,” she clarified.
She added, “Wala pang official offer na nagaganap, Angel already signified her intention to study abroad. Bakit pa namin sa kanya io-offer? Kaya nagpa-audition kami.”
The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported last June 25 that Angel voiced out her concern because of all the negative publicity that she’s getting. The actress was said to have been hurt and slighted that her home network was not exerting much effort in protecting her.
Redgie cleared the air: “Lumalabas na kami daw ang nagpapakalat ng negative write-ups. Walang rason para gawin namin ‘yon. Kami nga rin marami kaming naririnig na sinasabi daw ni Angel, na kesyo hindi niya kailangan ang GMA-7 pagbalik niya galing London, tutal siya raw ang nagpa-number one sa GMA-7. Endorsements na lang daw ang aasikasuhin niya dahil mas malaki ang kita kaysa soaps. Pero hindi kami naniniwala because hindi ganoon ang pagkakakilala namin sa kanya.”
Angel got her big break in Mulawin, a Kapuso fantaserye topbilled by her and Richard Gutierrez. Since then, she has made some ten movies with different film outfits and three teleseryes with GMA-7: Darna, Majika, and Asian Treasures. Becky Aguila, with whom Angel had a falling out with before, and Artist Center (GMA-7’s talent management arm) are managing her career.
“Nag-usap si Becky and Ma’am Wilma [about the tirade of intrigues],” said Redgie. “Sabi ni Ma’am Wilma, ‘Let me investigate internally within the staff. Sabi ni Becky, ‘The damage has been done. It’s beyond repair.’”
Redgie was referring to Wilma Galvante, GMA-7’s senior vice president.
KAPUSO. Another issue that has been brought up is Angel’s contract with GMA-7. The Asian Treasures star’s contract with the network as a talent and as one of their stars in Artist Center has expired. The network, of course, was said to be willing to renew both contracts.
“Before, ilang beses humihingi si Ma’am Wilma ng meeting kay Becky. Postpone nang postpone. Kesyo busy daw siya sa Angels. Pinaghihintay niya ang SVP,” noted Redgie. Angels is the movie that Angel co-produced with Becky under Eagle Eye Productions.
Rumor has it that Angel is not renewing her contract with Artist Center. Is this true?
“Ayaw na daw ni Becky ng co-management,” she confirmed. “At sila nagbalita sa press na hindi sila magre-renew sa amin.”
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MARVIN Agustin is being linked romantically to Angel Locsin and since the lead star of “Asian Treasures” is leaving for London soon to study fashion design, the press are curious if Marvin would dare follow Angel to Europe. She will be away for two months. Will we see Marvin packing his bags and make a beeline for the airport enroute to London?
“I would love to follow her but it really depends on my schedule,” says Marvin who considers it a big challenge to play the role of an ugly hunchback in the TV version of “Mga Mata ni Anghelita,” which is a popular radio program that was made into a movie starring the late child actress Julie Vega. After starring in “I Love New York” where he played a handsome guy and an action role in “Asian Treasures,” Marvin gets the role of his life in playing a hunchback in “Mga Mata ni Anghelita,” the newest GMA teleserye on the telebabad block premiering on July 2, Monday.
The actor also denied rumors that she and Angel are planning to buy a condo. Even Marvin was perplexed with this rumor. Why buy a condo when she and Angel are not an item? Well, they are being rumored to be playing sweet music together although someone in the know claims Angel and Marvin had called it quits. They supposedly were on for a month.
Angel is experiencing a barrage of negative publicity because of her “alleged” refusal to do the role of “Marimar” and since Marvin is being linked to her, the actor was asked to react on Angel’s sorry state.
“I guess Angel should not be judged because of one work that she can’t do,” says Marvin. “We know Angel as a person, how good- natured, sincere and loving she is, especially to the people who are close to her. Let us not forget all the good things that she has done just because of a situation that was brought about by a professional decision, not a personal decision. I guess we have to respect Angel,” says Marvin in defense of the lead actress of “Asian Treasures.”
For his role as a hunchback, Marvin has to use prosthetics which takes two hours to prepare so he has to be on the set of “Mga Mata ni Anghelita” earlier than usual to get himself readied. It’s a big sacrifice since the prosthetics needs to be glued on his face, and it stays there for 24 hours no less, or as long as it’s needed.
“But I’d do anything for a good role and beautiful story. When we talk of values, this show really has a lot.” (MNS)
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AIZA Seguerra grew up a Kapuso star in “Eat Bulaga.” But now, she’s doing her first teleserye with ABS-CBN, “Ysabella,” playing the role of Judy Ann Santos’ best friend who defends the title roler from her tormentors. Is it true she has broken up with her model-girlfriend named Cindy?
“No, we’re still together,” she says. “May nag-akala lang na wala na kami when I said gusto ko nang magka-baby.
“And it’s true. I want to have my own child. Hindi ‘yung ampon. Gusto kong ma-experience magbuntis at ‘yung ma-nganak. I want to deliver the natural way, pero I don’t want to get pregnant the natural way kundi by in vitro fertilization na kukunin ang sperm sa isang male donor.
‘Yun kasi ang kahili-ngan ng mother ko since I’m an only child, ang mabigyan ko siya ng kahit isang apo man lang. But the procedure is very expensive, so pag-iipunan ko muna. I want a donor na pogi at matangkad, para naman maganda lumabas ang magiging baby ko at taller than me.” (MNS)
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Do you know three Private Joyce stores in Metro Manila? They are located in SM Manila, SM San Lazaro and SM Sta. Lucia.
All three establishments, which specialize in women’s apparel, are, of course, owned by popular bombshell Joyce Jimenez, now a holder of a marketing degree from the Griffin University in the Gold Coast of Australia. She finished her four-year course in three years.
Explained Joyce: “But before I went to Australia for further studies, I attended school for four semester at the Thames International Business School, where my classmates were much, much younger than I am. I’m nearing 30, so you have, more or less, an idea how old I was five years ago.
“You have to be determined to get what you want before you really can acquire it. In my case, I had to give up my showbiz career temporarily to finish my studies. And I’d say it’s worth it.”
Joyce is currently vice president for marketing of her own business. She plans to put up stores in key cities in the country. A new addition to her product line are fragrances named Private Joyce Bath and Body Lotion, Private Joyce for Her and Private Joyce for Him.
With her business definitely getting successful, is Joyce turning her back in showbiz?
“Not at all,” Joyce replied in an interview during a presscon for Circulan 4, a herbal supplement which she is currently endorsing with Gretchen Barretto, Luis “Lucky” Manzano and Christopher de Leon. “In fact, if you notice, I’m becoming more visible again, especially on the small screen. I’ve been guesting recently in many shows in both networks.
“I’d consider doing movies, too. Showbiz will remain one of my greatest loves,” she stated. (MNS)
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LAST Sunday, June 24, ang big TV launch ng Ysabella, ang pinakabagong soap opera sa ABS-CBN nina Judy Ann Santos and real-life boyfriend Ryan Agoncillo. Sa ASAP ‘07 ito ginawa with Juday doing two production numbers: ang opening at ang special number about her forthcoming soap.
Sa first number niya, sinamahan siya ng mga tinatawag na soap princesses of ABS-CBN na sina Anne Curtis, Heart Evangelista, and Kristine Hermosa, among others. Sa Ysabella segment, mga co-stars niya naman ang kasama niya.
Si Ryan, nagbigay lang ng VTR, kasama ang isa pang leading man ni Juday na si Derek Ramsey.
Nang hapon din ng Linggo, nakatsikahan ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Alfie Lorenzo, manager ni Juday, sa Imperial Palace swimming pool area habang ginaganap ang last press con ng Tiyanaks.
Ang una naming tinanong sa kanya: Bakit wala si Ryan sa ASAP at nag-VTR na lang siya?
“Mabuti na rin ‘yon para hindi sila magkita ni PJ [Piolo Pascual],” sagot ni Alfie.
Gusto raw talaga ni Juday na maayos na ang problema ng kanyang boyfriend at ng kanyang perennial screen partner. Kaso, she wants it privately, hindi naka-broadcast on TV.
“Mahirap na, baka ipilit ng staff na si PJ ang mag-open ng segment ng Ysabella tapos nandoon si Ryan. Alangan namang hindi lumapit si PJ sa dalawa? Magiging pilit,” paliwanag ni Alfie.
Naitanong din namin kay Alfie kung walang nagmi-mediate or nagbu-broker para magkaayos ang dalawa.
Ayon sa talent manager, meron naman daw at tiyak na magkakaayos ang dalawa. Pero siguro now is not yet the time.
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RICA Peralejo went back to school this June and she now enjoys being a regular college student at the Ateneo majoring in creative writing. How do her classmates treat her? “When I first came to class, wala akong makeup and I was dressed up just like any ordinary student. I wasn’t recognized.
“They’re expecting kasi na matanda na ako, kasi 25 na ko at mga 17 lang sila,” she says. “So far, okay naman sila. Enjoy talaga akong pumasok sa totoong school.”
Is it possible for her to have a younger boyfriend among her classmates? “Why not? May mga crush ako roon. And feeling ko, crush din nila ko.”
Won’t she find it hard when she starts taping for “Pangarap na Bituin”? “My classes start at 7:30 a.m. They end either at 9:30 a.m. or 12 noon, so no problem as I can tape na in the afternoon.”
Regal Entertainment producer, Mother Lily Monteverde calls her the Horror Diva after her fine performance in “Tiyanaks.” “Wow, bago ‘yon, a!” she exclaims. “Hindi na Queen of Horror. But ‘Tiyanaks’ is really the most spectacular horror movie I made dahil pinakamarami ang scary special effects dito.
“Memorable din ito for me dahil reunited ako kay Direk Mark Reyes na direktor ko sa ‘TGIS’ ten years ago. Dito ko rin nakatrabaho ang GMA talents like Jennylyn Mercado, Mark Herras, JC de Vera at si Ryan Yllana whose company I really enjoyed sa set. Maganda naging bonding naming lahat ng buong cast.”
Did she really take the audition for GMA-7’s “Marimar”? “No, I did not. Nagtataka nga akong may nakakita raw sa’kin dun. Sa ‘Darna’, nag-audition ako, but not in ‘Marimar’.” (MNS)
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ACTOR-DIRECTOR Dingdong Dantes once again admitted that he felt disappointed when people behind Judy Ann Santos’s recent anniversary concert didn’t seek him out. But he said that it’s not as severe as reports make it out to be.
“Hindi pa kami nagkakausap [ni Judy Ann] about it,” he told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) last night, June 26, at Hard Rock Café in Makati, during Sony BMG’s tie-up event with the Philippines’ Dangerous Drugs Board and National Youth Commission to raise awareness against drugs and its effect on the youth.
“Well, inamin ko naman na nagtampo ako. But I do understand na baka nagkaroon lang ng problema or misunderstanding kaya hindi nila ko na-invite or nasabihan kahit lang for a video greeting,” explained Dingdong.
Judy Ann had earlier expressed that she hopes Dingdong won’t take the incident against her. Juday reasoned out that she’s not fully aware of all the plans since the people behind the event were the ones taking care of production details.
“I’m sure it’s not her fault and I’m not blaming anyone din naman. Nangyayari talaga minsan ‘yung mga ganyan. But I would really love to be there or to take part of the celebration since I respect Judy Ann a lot,” enthused Dingdong.
But there are some who say that the handsome young actor is not particularly close to Judy Ann, that their relationship was strictly professional and, therefore, he has no right to feel bad for being excluded.
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