news columnists express week entertainment archive
July 30 - August 5, 2007 | Volume 21 No. 31

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.

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.




To tell us what you think about Filipino Express Online or to comment on the stories published here, E-mail us at Filexpress@aol.com



AN EARLY TREAT FOR FIESTA GOERS!
Moxie Band
AN exciting treat is in store for early birds at the “Philippine Fiesta in America”. At exactly 12:00 noon on Saturday, August 18, the grounds at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus New Jersey welcome one and all once more to the grandest, brightest celebration of all things Filipino.

Big-name Filipino stars Piolo Pascual and Pops Fernandez with Jun Polistico and Pokwang will formally open the event together with other distinguished guests. Among those invited in the cutting of the ribbon are government officials from the Philippines and various counties in New Jersey. This will immediately segue into an opening extravaganza featuring some of the most promising local Fil-Am performers whose diverse talents are currently making ripples in the entertainment scene and may well be on their way to win the hearts of even bigger audiences.

Fresh: As the name implies, these energetic young performers fuse different styles of dance, creating innovative moves that can only be described as fresh!

Moxie Band: A rising Pinoy band from Jersey Shore helmed by talented songwriters Will and Shon - Moxie, as the name implies, is a band with the will to aspire for greater things. Indeed, the band’s charity performances and opening acts show promise of more dynamic performances to come.

Rhythmology: Skillfully using the universal language of dance to entertain and inspire, these creative ambassadors of rhythm have showcased their considerable talent all over the East Coast - from New York and Jersey to Maryland and Philadelphia.

Zeps: This hot young Puerto Rican from Brooklyn comes to you straight from the underground scene! With a claim to fame as an underground freestyle champion, this vibrant disciple of the beat recently performed overseas in Norway with one of the top hip hop dance teams known as the Soul Stars and the Philippine all stars.

Amalia Bueno: This soulful siren made her start at a very young age, performing in talent shows, school choirs and pageants. Determined to share the inspiration she draws from her family and friends, her intense musical numbers invite you on a journey through her personal thoughts and emotions.

Project D: “D” family that stays together…dances together! This talented clan of young performers express themselves through an eclectic variety of dance numbers comprising ballroom dancing, latin, jazz, ballet, funk, and hip hop.

Bdubez: This business savvy producer, mananger and CEO of Brigada is himself a rising artist. Heavily influenced by his relative, Mike Swift, Bdubez wants to make himself heard through music as well. Since 2003 , this Brooklyn native has been artist, promoter and producer, all in one. These exciting acts are just a prelude to the exciting events in store at the “Philippine Fiesta in America”, where Filipino businesses showcase their goods and services to the US Market. For more information on becoming a Philippine Fiesta sponsor, exhibitor, advertiser or attendee, please contact (212) 682-6610 , or e-mail at sepmgzn@aol.com or info@philippinefiesta.com. Tickets are $18 at the door. Limited $50 VIP tickets are also available. Visit www.philippinefiesta.com.

back to top

Fil-Am Bridal Shop Honored For Its
Creative Enterprise
By Rita Villadiego

MANVILLE, NJ -- As Villa’s Bridal Gallery basks in the glow of its 10 years anniversary, its luxurious, elegant and brilliant bridal gowns are on display at 200 South Main Street here, to promise a graceful and memorable wedding.

Villa’s collection of wedding gowns captures the subtle power of woman’s spirit—luscious, silky fabrics of satin with floral handwork of brilliant beads, flowing trains, stunning backs and great bubble or circular skirts.

As brides and groom plan their faithful vow and celebrate love, planning it could be thrilling and challenging for lovers as they anticipate their dreams turning into reality.

“I found this shop online and it offers a large selection of gowns. I like their designs and they can also make a design for me,” said Cristina Nitka who is engaged and is set to marry this October.

“I like a lot of beads and a full train, and fullness of gowns,” she added.

Romance is in the air this summer, fun is all around, Villa’s Bridal shop features Casablanca gowns which are very popular and affordable. It shows dream-like and terrific beading patterns, floral accents, sophisticated and chic gowns in a movement of angelic silk. The full ball gown skirts radiate charm and feminity.

Erlinda Villa, started her shop in her own home in 1997. She pumped an initial investments of $8,000. When clients flocked to her shop, she opened the bigger shop and bridal gallery in 1999. In her first year, she earned $100,000. Her business has grown into a multi-million enterprise, its cash register keeps on ringing, booming and attracting clients who are dreaming of a romantic wedding. As many shops sell skyrocketing prices of gowns, Villa competes well because her designs are elegant and classic but very affordable.

Villa’s creativity and talent enabled her to service mainstream American clients and be successful in the competitive world of bridal designs and sales. She used to work as a pattern maker in a dress factory in New York. Determined and hardworking, she decided to put her own enterprise because she wanted to earn more to save for the future.

back to top

Ang Nobya Ko’ng Arabyana The Second
Time Around

THE REJOICE for God The Greatest Artist Acting Group (RFGTGA), is re-staging Ang Nobya Ko’ng Arabyana at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Consulate, 556 5th Ave., New York, New York, on Friday, 24 August 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Ang Nobya Ko’ng Arabyana is a one-act Tagalog comedy that satirizes a peculiar attitude of some of our kababayans who seem to forget about their native land (and in worse cases, the loved ones they left behind) once they have experienced life in a foreign country.

“Ang Nobya…” features a cast of seven young stage actors, namely Krissy Micu, Rachele Anne Lipa, Mark Angelo Lladas, Jose Alberto Diaz, Lloyd M. Capili, and Alf Hansel Labis. Except for Alf (who is being introduced in this play), all cast members have participated in a number of stage presentations, such as Looking for William, Father on Earth… Father in Heaven, Ang Pagbabalik Ni Nonong, and the most recent Sandcastles on the Hill.

Tino Aquino Capili wrote and directed the play.For more information, please call Gayle Gregorio – 908 265 0022; Mayet Diaz – 201 435 6478; Dar Gubatina – 201 779 2476; and Benjie Cuento – 201 993 0087.

back to top

The Filipino Express Newspaper
2711 Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07306
T: (201) 434-1114 | F: (201) 434-0880
E: Filexpress@aol.com

home | archive | advertise | classified | photo album | calendar

© Copyright 2008 - 1996 Filipino Express Inc. All Rights Reserved.