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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 August 18, one of my favorite bands in the whole wide world, Bagwis, will launch their debut album entitled ‘Imulat Mo!’.
This great Chicago-based band is kind enough to invite my band, Bleud to play on their CD launch party that night. It has to be a blast since we haven’t been to Chicago at all. And to share the stage with this amazing world musicians is nothing short of a dream come true.
We have played with Bagwis before when I launched the Rock in the Box compilation CD last year here in New York. Bagwis’ track in that CD, ‘Hele’ is one of the most popular songs in the compilation. It is a mixture of ethnic sounds, hip hop and some jazz too, which totally rocks.
Joining Bleud and Bagwis in Chicago is another Jersey group, Binky Bianca and AC19 from Chicago. We will be arriving in the windy city on Saturday(August 18) and since the gig won’t be until 8 PM, we have pretty much the whole day to enjoy the city.
Deep dish pizza
Bleud’s drummer, Jay Estrada told us that above anything else, we ought to try the real Chicago deep dish pizza. I agree for nothing really makes you feel that you are on tour other than food. Although I had tried the deep dish at a small diner here in Jersey, I believe nothing beats the original.
So what else should we do?
For me Chicago is forever linked to the romance of mafia stories. I have seen the movie Untouchables and I can’t help but long to see the places used in the movie. The train station with a big clock, and the corner store where a bomb exploded in the beginning of the film.
Being a big sports fan, I also would like to visit United Center, where his airness Michael Jordan made his mark and created his legend. It wouldn’t be bad at all if I take a picture of that life-sized statue of his in front of the arena.
Wrigley Field is another place. Home of the Chicago Cubs. It would be nice to see the ballpark that continues to draw loyal fans from all ages. It is famous for its brick wall fences covered with vines.
Here’s the official release of Bagwis about their show:
BAGWIS CD RELEASE: Album launch at the Vittum Theater • 1012 N. Noble in Chicago • Doors open at 6 PM.
The collective is proud to announce that “imulat Mo!” our first self produced and self released full length album will be available on Saturday, August 18th.
In celebration of the Imulat Mo! CD release, our collective along with our community partners and friends will be organizing a show which will include some other of the most highly praised pinoy bands in the states including Bleud (NYC), Binky Bianca (NYC), and our Hamlin House brothers ACI9 (Chicago). Tickets are available at the door for $15 and will include the CD album
The event will be presented by the Committee on Pilipino Issues (CPI), a community based Filipino organization dedicated to promoting community awareness and support for human rights across the many sectors of our community including immigrants, youth, women, LGBTQ, and working people. CPI is the home of BAGWIS’ community work and political movement building in Chicago.
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RUFFA Gutierrez is excited that her first fantaserye starts airing today after “TV Patrol”, “Kokey,” about an alien who lands on earth and is befrien-ded by a little boy (Joshua Cadelena), who happens to be the son of Ruffa and comedian Redford White. “It’s the first time I’m acting again at sana panoorin naman ng tao dahil it’s a very wholesome family show,” she says.
Is it true she’s now dating a rich and powerful suitor who’s connected with a big multi-national company? “Well, they’re all rich and powerful dahil I won’t give the time of day naman to people who don’t have the same lifestyle as I have. But that’s not true as I’m not entertaining anyone as of now kahit maraming nagrereto sa’kin ng kung sinu-sino na gusto raw akong i-date. Hello. Puwede ba, sa dami ng trabaho ko, wala na akong time sa ganyan.
I’m taping ‘Kokey’, I’m shooting ‘Despe-radas’ and later this month, magi-startdin ang ‘My Monster Mom’, meron pa akong ‘The Buzz’ and I’m attending to Rampa For a Cause. Ngayon pa lang uli ako nakakabuwelo sa career ko, kaya dito muna ko. Isa pa, hindi pa talaga tapos ‘yung sa’min ni Yilmaz so I’m not ready to get into another relationship.”
So she still gets in touch with Yilmaz? “For the sake of my two daughters. Kung minsan, hinahanap ang Bubba (Papa) nila, so I call up Yilmaz then I give the phone to them at sila ang nag-uusap.” (MNS)
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MANILA, Aug 7 (Mabuhay) -- Vina Morales didn't allow a microphone malfunction to stop her winning performance in the recently concluded IKON Philippines at the Le Pavillion, Pasay City.
Vina was able to keep her poise and continue her dance steps in spite of the technical difficulty, which endeared her even more to the audience.
By winning the soloist category of the reality song competition, Vina has earned the right to represent the Philipppines in the IKON Finals that will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The show will be aired on RPN-9 on August 12, wherein she will be competing against representatives from Indonesia and Malaysia.
Vina sang her hit "Let's Dance" from her album Total Control. Her competitors bossa nova artist Sitti sang "Ikaw Lamang" while jazz temptress Skarlet sang her song "Skarlet" complete with a horn section and dancers leaping into the air. Each of them gave amazing performances in the finals of IKON Philippines.
Kjwan, on the other hand, won the band category with their hit "Invitation" culled from their second album Two Step Marv. Other band finalists that night were True Faith, which performed their song "Basta, basta" from their live album while sang their trademark "Jeepney" which remade the Manila sound.
The complete roster of talents who participated in IKON Philippines included Grace Nono, Julianne, Noel Cabangon, Top Suzara, and Chris Cayzer for the soloist category. As for the band category, The Dawn, Chicosci, Sponge Cola, Greyhoundz, Kapatid and Chilitees participated in this competition.
After her winning performance, Vina told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), "Nakakanerbiyos yung nangyari sa mic. Pakiramdaman kami ni [musical director] Louie Ocampo. Then I felt that God told me, ‘You can do it.' And I got the energy from the crowd."
When asked about her current boyfriend Cedric Lee, she said she'd rather not comment on it. But had this to say, "Mahal ko yung trabaho ko. Whatever goes on in my personal life, ‘pag show time you can rely on me. I have to be professional. I do it to entertain people and that's what I'll do."
In the middle of the interview she gets a congratulatory call from German Moreno and Pilita Corrales. Kuya Germs said, "We're so happy. We'll keep on praying for her in the KL Finals." Pilita, her Cebuana kababayan said, "There's no one like Vina. You could see from her performance that she gives it her all."
Judges in the IKON Philippines finals include guest judges, Jose Mari Chan and Danny Javier. Regular judges are Vince Parr of WOLFPAC, Wally Gonzalez of Juan Dela Cruz and songwriter-producer Eugene Villaluz.
Malaysians may already be familiar with the Cebuana's lovely face and her equally lovely voice. Vina's soap opera Darating Ang Umaga, wherein she co-starred with Eula Valdes, was aired in Malaysia several years ago. She also lent her voice for the theme song of the ABS-CBN teleserye Pangako Sa ‘Yo, which was also aired in the nearby country.
The winner of IKON Philippines said she hopes the country will pray for her as she represents the country in Kuala Lumpur. Vina will also have a U.S. concert tour titled Showgirl from September to October. (MNS)
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MANILA, Aug 6 (Mabuhay) - THERE are a lot of personal things which Maricel Soriano would rather not talk about with the press.
For example, she would rather not discuss her sons, Marron and Tien Tien. She explained that they have reached a stage where they have become sensitive when they read something about them or if they hear her discuss them on TV.
"Gusto ko naman silang bigyan ng respeto, kahit pa sabihing mga anak ko sila," said Maricel.
Maricel does not also give any clue when she and Edu Manzano would have their marriage annulled. To date, she is still officially and legally Mrs. Eduardo Manzano.
She also never talks about her niece, Meryl Soriano, who is giving birth in September to her first baby, a boy, by estranged husband Bernard Palanca. Instead, Maricel refers anyone who wants to discuss Meryl to Bec Bec, Meryl’s mom.
How’s your lovelife?
Maricel’s reply: "My love is universal. Just that."
One thing Maricel freely talks about is the fact that she’s happy and she looks happy. Doesn’t she?
Maricel said her first team-up with Aga Muhlach in the movie "A Love Story," Star Cinema’s 14th anniversary offering, as great. She was amazed with the instant chemistry they had on their first shooting day. And as their working relationship progressed, they became more at home with each other.
"I think it helped a lot that we have Maryo de los Reyes for our director. We’ve worked with him individually in so many films, kaya alam na namin ang kanyang style. And vice versa," Maricel said.
"Mararamdaman ng manonood how well ang naging samahan naming lahat – yes, including Angelica (Panganiban) – when they watch the movie.
"Kaya naman kami na ang unang magsasabing maganda ang pelikula," Maricel further stated. (MNS)
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MANILA, Aug 7 (Mabuhay) -- TV hosts and newscasters Julius Babao and Tintin Bersola’s only daughter, Antonia, may only be two years old but the girl, who has a number of endorsements to her name, became a subject of an ugly rumor two weeks ago when news went around that she had died.
The rumor said that Julius accidentally dropped Antonia while the two of them were in a high rise building.
Tintin quickly corrected the report and announced that Antonia is safe and sound.
Because she is not busy with any TV show at the moment, Tintin is again eager to get pregnant. Antonia would appreciate having a baby brother or sister. (MNS)
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MANILA, Aug 6 (Mabuhay) -- PBB runner-up Wendy Valdez says it’s not true that advertisers refuse to sponsor her show, “Margarita,” because of her negative image. “Marami po kaming commercials,” she says. “I really don’t know kung bakit patuloy na may naninira sa’kin. I just want them to know I’m not a bad person.”
ABS exec Bong Osorio adds: “As a matter of fact, puno ng advertisers ang ‘Margarita’. What we just want to clarify is that the show is not for adults, as there are some quarters complaining why it’s aired on the 6 p.m. slot. Wendy may be playing the role of a dancer in it, but the story is not about a burlesque dancer. It’s not about sex but about a brave young woman who faces so many struggles and hardships in life and triumphs over them for the sake of her family.”
“The show actually teaches good values about persevering in life no matter what the odds,” says Wendy. “Hindi naman ito hubaran. ‘Yung eksenang nagsasayaw ako, pang-attract lang ‘yun sa viewers so they’d watch.”
Won’t her colleagues in PBB be envious of her as she’s only a runner-up and yet she now has her own show? “Huwag silang mainggit sa’kin dahil napakahirap ng pinagdaraanan ko ngayon. Araw-gabi ang taping namin at dinudugo na ako sa hirap. Puro dramatic scenes pa naman and I really feel them, so after each take, namumugto talaga ang mata ko and I lose my voice. I’m just thankful to my co-stars, Beth Oropesa and Rio Locsin dahil ang huhusay nila and I learn so much from them.”
She was scared of appearing in public after PBB. “Baka kasi sigawan ako uli gaya ng nangyari sa Araneta. But I was surprised dahil when I went to a mall. Nagpapa-picture ang mga nakakita sa 'kin at iba naman pala raw ako in person.”
So what’s the status between her and Bruce Quebral? “He’s courting me at mahal ko rin siya, pero hindi pa talaga kami. Career muna, di ba?” (MNS)
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