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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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MANILA, Oct 23 (Mabuhay) -- Fresh from a concert tour in the United States, comedian Ai-Ai de las Alas fended off the latest showbiz intrigues in her usual self-deprecating manner.
De las Alas said she was disappointed to hear that actress Snooky Serna labeled her the most "plastic" personality in local showbiz. Serna issued the statement in the Forbidden Questions segment of DJ Mo Twister's radio show.
"In fairness sa akin, busy akong nagtatrabaho, busy akong nagsho-show habang siya busy siya sa paninira sa akin," she said.
De las Alas also downplayed reports that she upstaged pop star Erik Santos during the singer's concert. She said she always gives her all in every performance, which is what the audience should expect in her own concert next month.
She joked that US singer Beyoncé even scheduled her concert in the Philippines earlier so she would not be upstaged by de la Alas.
"She wanted me to move it but I told her, 'No. I can't. I have many friends. How about you?'" she said in jest.
Beyoncé's concert in Manila is scheduled on November 7. De las Alas's concert, titled "The Greatest Perfomance of My Life", is scheduled on November 16.
De las Alas recently renewed her contract with ABS-CBN. She is set to play the lead role in the TV version of her hit movie "Volta" and will join drama princess Judy Ann Santos in a new sitcom. (MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 22 (Mabuhay) -- Matinee idol and former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Sam Milby is threatening to sue talent manager and entertainment columnist Lolit Solis unless she retracts a story she wrote in a tabloid.
In her story published in Pilipino Star Ngayon, Solis claimed that she saw Milby and fellow matinee idol Piolo Pascual at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City as they were "being sweet to each other, exchanging whispers with their cheeks nearly touching" (translated from the original Filipino text).
Solis said that she only saw the two actors--hounded by persistent rumors that they are lovers--by "accident" after she got lost in the hotel on the way to another meeting.
Milby however categorically stated over ABS-CBN's "The Buzz" on Sunday that Solis' story is a complete fabrication.
The matinee idol said that he has to draw the line at Solis' claims and threatened to sue her unless she publishes a retraction and makes a public apology.
Milby also told Abunda where he was at around 3 or 4 in the afternoon of October 12, the time that Solis said she saw the two actors on their "date".
"Well, we finished shooting. I'm shooting the movie. The day before we finished shooting the movie around 3 AM then I went home. Then I slept and 3:30 I was at home and then at 3:30 I left to go to Essensuals Toni & Guy in Galleria. Robinson's Galleria. And then from 4 PM on at around maybe 6, 6:30 I was there in Tony & Guy. And then right after that I went to Alabang, Gold's Gym. I had a shooting for the movie again," Milby said.
Milby said unlike the blind items and rumors he faced in the past, Solis' story is something he will not allow to pass.
"You know if it's, this I think is below the belt, yes. I am upset, yes. Because you know if it's her opinion, if she has an opinion about me that's fine. She doesn't know me. But if she's gonna completely fabricate a story and makes something up, that's wrong," he said.
Milby also said that he's wondering why Solis would even bother to make such a story up.
"I mean what are you [Solis] getting out of this, honestly? Because you know it's made up, you know it's completely fabricated so I don't know what you're getting out of this. I'm sorry, I don't want to judge you, I don't know you but I don't know what you're getting out of this," Milby told Solis through the TV camera.
The young actor said that he first ignored the news when it first came out, thinking it was the usual rumor. However, Milby said that he was later shocked by Solis' claim that she saw him and Pascual, and that the two actors fled after they saw her. According to Milby, that incident simply has no basis in actual fact.
"Actually when I first heard about it parang wala lang. It's another you know it's another issue, it's part of the business. But when I heard that she'd been pointed na she saw Piolo and I at Sofitel Hotel, she says she saw us, being sweet to, she says she saw us, it's completely made up. I don't know where it came from," he said.
Speaking to the camera, Milby reiterated his demand from Solis. "Ms. Lolit, I don't have anything against you because I don't know you, I don't know you personally but what you did is below the belt. You completely fabricated this story so I am, I'm demanding for you to, [publish a] retraction and a public apology and that's it or I will sue."
Milby, a professing Christian like Pascual, was asked by Abunda to give a message to his mother who is in the United States.
"Mom, don't worry. Just pray and the truth will come out and righteousness will overcome," he said.
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN's Star Magic, the management company that handles both Milby and Pascual, has been in talks with lawyer Joji Alfonso for possible legal action.
According to Alfonso, what Solis wrote in her column is a crime.
"Ang title pa nga 'di ba 'naglalampungan' (Didn't the column's title say 'naglalampungan')? So what do you mean by that? And the insinuation that has been created is mayroon silang ginagawa (they were up to something). So anong gustong palabasin? Iyon. That shows malice. It's really below the belt. Piolo and Sam don't deserve this. In fact, if they deserve anything at all, it's a retraction because it's not true. It's the story itself and the way it was presented, that's libelous," said Alfonso.
In the Filipino language, "naglalampungan" refers to acts of emotional or physical intimacy between lovers, ranging from the exchange of affectionate statements to actual necking. The term almost always carries a sexual charge and is used to refer to behavior that arouses social disapproval or even disgust.
Solis' most controversial brush with the law was right after the 1994 Manila Film Festival Scam, where she and actress Ruffa Gutierrez were embroiled in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to rig the results of the film festival in the awards for Best Actor and Best Actress.
Solis later admitted to switching the names of the real winners for Best Actor and Best Actress (Edu Manzano and Aiko Melendez) for her talent, Gabby Concepcion and Ruffa Gutierrez. (MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 23 (Mabuhay) --
ANNE Curtis celebrates her 10th year in showbiz with the press at TGIF Rembrandt last Friday and with a show for her fans at Market Market on Sunday, October 28, 5:30 p.m.
It was in 1997 when she was 12 that she's introduced as the lost princess in Peque Gallaga's "Magic Kingdom." She later went on TV with GMA-7's "Ikaw Na Sana," "TGIS" and "Anna Karenina."
As a teener, she starred in the horror film, "Ikalabintatlong Kapitulo," then Viva moved her to ABS-CBN where she did teleseryes like "Hiram," "Kampanerang Kuba" and "Maging Sino Ka Man." She's now doing Book 2 of "Maging Sino" and has also started "Weddings" with Zanjoe Marudo and Derek Ramsey. On the big screen, she's shooting "Waiting for Love" with Aga Muhlach who she has dreamed of working with since she's in her early teens.
Anne has written a letter to all her fans. We quote it here in parts: "10 years have passed. What a journey it has been. I grew up in a business that brought me happiness from deep within. Lessons I have learned. Trials I have overcome. Learning from each mistake and realizing some growing up had to be done.
"I learned that work is not just all play. May it be acting, modeling or hosting, I shall never take it for granted but strive hard to do my best and never forget to thank the Lord for it is because of Him that I am so blessed. I lift my life and career to my Father and give Him all thanks and praise for the glory He has done. With all sincerity and from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I love you all and God bless you and your families always."
Anne is currently linked to Sam Milby. "Never naging kami. Maybe, in the future, who knows? But we always hang out. Since I started my walk with God as a Christian, I feel I have to concentrate on God more now at gusto ko, my next boyfriend, mas mahal muna niya si God kaysa sa'kin."
How does she feel about Lolit Solis' story that she saw Sam with Piolo Pascual in Sofitel? "He's not gay. I've spent a lot of time with him at hindi ako dense kaya maaamoy mo naman 'yun, no? Isa pa, he already said he wasn't in Sofitel then as he was having a haircut then went to the shooting of his film." (MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 24 (Mabuhay) --
JEAN Garcia finally admits: "Yes, na-harrassed ako, but not in Surigao kundi sa Pampanga where we had magdamagang taping of 'La Vendetta'."
"After the taping, walang tulog, diretso ko rito sa presscon ng 'Hide and Seek'. Buti na lang maganda pa rin ako."
How come it's said she's a drunkard who does naughty things when intoxicated then forgets all her indiscretions when she's sober, which is said to be what happened in Surigao? "I dare you, mag-inuman tayo, tingnan natin kung malalasing ako't mawawala sa sarili. In fairness to me, maski noong unang panahon pa na I was younger, natsismis ba kong nagpunta sa disco o bar at nagwala ako dahil nalasing ako? Never akong nagkaroon ng record na ganyan.
"Humarap nga sa'kin ang taong nakakita na nagwawala ako habang lasing. And these days, araw-araw akong nagtatrabaho, I can't afford to be an alcoholic at baka ngarag-ngarag ang hitsura ko."
Her daughter Jennica and screen partner Mart Escudero have admitted they're now on mutual understanding. What can she say about this? "Gusto ko si Mart kasi mabait naman siyang bata. I've met his father at hindi raw siya bad boy. Alaga nga niya ang anak ko maski sa set. Pag umuulan, pina-payungan niya. Pag malamig, sinusuotan niya ng jacket. Conservative din si Mart kaya alam kong they won't go beyond the bounds of decency.
"Sabay nga kaming nagsisimba sa Baclaran to pray na maging hit ang movie naming 'Hide and Seek'. This is the first movie raw na meron talagang biological mother and daughter playing major roles kaya I'm glad naging magkasama kami ni Jen in her very first movie. Mag-ina rin kami sa story, mag-inang minumulto dahil hindi namin alam na may series of murders na naganap sa lumang bahay na nalipatan namin." (MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 23 (Mabuhay) -- Comedian-host Janno Gibbs admitted missing former Eat Bulaga! co-host Gladys Guevarra.
"Pag nanonood ako ng Eat Bulaga!, hinahanap ko. Parang I miss her sa Eat Bulaga! sa mga shows," said Janno.
This recent statement of Janno is a far cry from the stingy words he said against Gladys some four months ago. Both Janno and Gladys soon exchanged barbs against each other, which consequently strained their friendship and professional relationship.
The gap started when Gladys lashed out at Janno for allegedly making fun of her during live shows and at Nuts Entertainment. The spar was even more compounded when Janno accused Gladys of spreading the rumor that he gave EB Babes member Lian Paz a Hello Kitty stuffed toy as a present.
A few weeks later, Janno seemed to have simmered down and admitted that he already apologized to Gladys through a text message though he was yet to receive a reply from the female comedian.
The issue experienced a natural death when both parties ceased talking about the conflict during interviews. Soon after, the controversy was totally forgotten when it was reported that Gladys has found love in the person of New Jersey, USA-based Philip Peredo. Currently, Gladys is in the States taking a vacation with Philip.
Months after the issue, Janno has obviously got over the rift.
"Ako yong napapanood ko sa TV na may boyfriend [si Gladys], ako I'm very happy for her," said Janno.
He also hinted on the possibility of salvaging their derailed friendship. "Wala namang problema, e, ano lang, 'yong magkalinawan lang. Pareho naman kami siguro wala namang galit. 'Yong friendship, time 'yan, e. Pero 'yong issue sa akin, wala naman," he mentioned.
Moving on to more personal matters, Janno happily shared that his relationship with wife Bing Loyzaga is starting to normalize though a lot of hard work is still very much needed to finally smoothen all the rough surface.
It is common knowledge that the couple has gone through some domestic disputes.
"Okay, very okay," shared Janno while crossing his fingers,
Cautious not to preempt and spoil his good fortune, Janno added: "Ayokong pangunahan, ayokong maudlot pero so far, very okay. Siyempre ako hoping. Ayoko ngang pangunahan, e, pero masaya ako na ano kami, parang close na close.
"Hindi ko masasabing talaga perfect, balikan na talaga, kami na ulit. Hindi ko masasabi yon nasa kanya yon, e," ended the host of GMA-7's new game show Kakasa Ka Ba Sa Grade 5. (MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 25 (Mabuhay) -- The mother of sexy comedienne Ethel Booba is satisfied with her daughter's performance inside the Pinoy Big Brother house.
"Medyo natutuwa ako dahil hindi siya depressed, parang wala iyong problema niya hindi katulad ng nasa labas siya parang ang dami niyang problema. Doon focused lang siya sa activities sa loob," Emy Gabison said.
Mrs. Gabison said that her daughter is now revealing her true character as a funny and responsible person.
"Masaya siya doon. Masipag siya at ginagawa, kina-career niya ang lahat ng mga tasks," the proud mom said.
She added that she is particularly proud that Ethel won the PBB "Touch the Color" game, which is similar to twister. Ethel (Ethel Gabison in real life) was declared Pinoy Big Brother’s Head of Household after winning the game.
As head of household, Ethel is entitled to take a shower on Big Brother’s Special Shower Room, immunity from being nominated by other housemates for a week and power to automatically nominate a housemate.
Mrs. Gabison said she hopes that Ethel will become the Big Winner of PBB's Celebrity Edition Season 2.
Ethel is a former talent of GMA Network and achieved fame as one of the hosts of "Extra Challenge." She earned notoriety after a sex video of her with former beau Alex Crisano leaked on the Internet.
Ethel was widely reported to have backed out of joining PBB Celebrity Edition Season 2 due to love troubles. She later changed her mind and decided to enter the house. (MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 22 (Mabuhay) --
KAPUSO talent Biboy Ramirez vehemently denies that his girl-friend, 17-year-old Jackie Rice, a "Starstruck" winner, is pregnant.
Biboy jumps over the fence with his decision to participate in the "Pinoy Mano Mano Celebrity Challenge," a new reality show on ABS-CBN hosted by Cesar Montano and Bayani Agbayani, who are boxing enthusiasts both.
Cesar said he has been interested in boxing ever since he can remember. He would join boxing bouts not necessarily to win but to please himself.
"Iba ang excitement kapag nasa ring ka," Cesar related.
Bayani, on the other hand, is a good friend of Manny Pacquiao and has seen all of the boxing champ's matches, except for the last one when Manny beat Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas. Bayani was in Barcelona, Spain for a personal appearance commitment the time of the Pacquiao-Barrera rematch.
In "Pinoy Mano Mano," Biboy will go against fellow celebrities TJ Trinidad, Jordan Herrera, Rico Robles, Michael Roy Jornales, Rico Barrera, Joem Bascon and Eric Fructuoso.
"When it is my turn to mount the ring, Jackie will be in the audience," Biboy said.
"Pinoy Mano Mano" will start airing on Saturday, October 27, after "TV Patrol Sabado." (MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 23 (Mabuhay) --
PATRICK Garcia is pushing through with his plan of studying film direction in a New York school next year. He plans to leave in January and he will be away for three months. He has told his manager (Arnold Vegafria) of his plan.
"I want to grow as an artist and since I am an artista, it would be nice to learn something like directing. Who knows, we might find that I could be a good storyteller," says Patrick who dropped by the taping of "Bubble Gang" last Monday. He says he's just paying Jennylyn Mercado a visit, who was the featured guest artist last Monday.
Patrick hasn't received an offer to appear in a digital film but he would want to give it a try. Given a chance to direct, who are the stars he wants to direct and what kind of movie he wants to do? He answers: "Jennylyn Mercado and Mark Herras. Nakita ko ang chemistry nila. They have good chemistry. Gusto ko love story kasi gusto ko pakiligin ang mga tao."
He already told her girlfriend that he wants to direct her and ex-bf Mark Herras. He has yet to get Mark's reaction but when told Mark says he'd be glad to accept the role if he's given the chance. (MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 23 (Mabuhay) --
TO show her support against music piracy, singer Kyla (who did the nation proud when she properly sung the national anthem at the Pacquiao-Barrera fight in Las Vegas) will not sign any album of hers that is fake or pirated.
"Pasensiyahan na lang and I will request them to please buy the original," she says at the launch of her new album entitled, Heartfelt.
It is an album full of revivals as Kyla does her own version of Always and Forever (Luther Vandross), Over the Rainbow (by Patti Labelle and one of Kyla's favorites), the wedding song, For You (Kenny Lattimore) With This Tear (Celine Dion) and Michael Jackson's One Day In Your Life.
"We asked people who frequent karaoke bars for the songs they wanted to be included until we came up with a list. There were so many to choose from. I also included an R&B favorite, Wait For You sung originally by American Idol finalist, Elliot Yamin," she adds.
The cut, For You, is dedicated to her boyfriend, basketball star Rich Alvarez. "Actually, lahat ng kanta ay iniaalay ko sa kanya," she admits.
When are they going to exchange wedding vows?
"Wala pang plano but we both hope doon mauuwi ang lahat. Rich, as well as my parents, are my source of true inspirations."
The album also features a 10-page colored pictorial of Kyla photographed by Mark Nicdao, one of today's most sought-after lensman. It shows Kyla in different moods: classy, elegant and sexy. The "new look" of Kyla truly becomes her.
Incidentally, there is a bonus track of the classic song, Somewhere Over the Rainbow (alternative version) in the album. Kyla loves the song so much and has been singing it since she was 14. "The song makes me relive my childhood," she confessed. "I also love the song because of the beautiful message it conveys."
It can be remembered that through Over the Rainbow Kyla showed her vocal range in a showdown at Regine Velasquez's Reigning Still concert at the Big Dome. It was even cited in Wikipedia that her superb performance made her end up winning the audience's approval as "the heir apparent to Regine".
On her recent trip to Las Vegas for the boxing event and singing Lupang Hinirang, she confessed: "Nanginginig akong talaga dahil sa sobrang lamig. This is the first time I sung the national anthem as a professional. The last time I sung it was during my high school years where I lead my classmates for the morning ceremonies.
"I feel very fortunate to be chosen to sing it before a huge crowd and watched by millions of televiewers. It is one shining moment in my singing career that I will cherish forever."
Kyla's limited stay in Las Vegas did not give her the chance to go shopping. "Sayang, there was a sale going on and the prices were cheap. I was completely mesmerized by the beauty of the hotels in Las Vegas. We toured around and they (the hotels) were simply fabulous." (MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 23 (Mabuhay) -- Lucky in love, lucky in life: that's how Angel Aquino describes herself right now.
For almost two years, she's been with former "Magandang Umaga, Pilipinas (MUP)" TV host, Liu Villaruz.
"So far, we are doing fine. Maski mga bata (she has two kids with her ex-husband) like him," she said.
When it comes to her career, Angel also cannot ask for more. "Ang iba, bonus na," she revealed.
Angel is in the indie movie, "Batanes," with Iza Calzado. Her TV show on Studio 23, "Us Girls," with Iya Villania and Cheska Garcia, is going on its third year.
Now here comes "Tablescapes, Life on a Plate," which Angel is co-hosting with US-educated chef, Bruce Lim. It is a cooking show but with a twist, according to Angel.
The twist, Angel said, is that "Tablescapes," which started airing last Monday (Oct. 22) on Studio 23, is also a travel show as it will allow viewers to see the most beautiful places in the Philippines that have never been explored before.
Furthermore, the show is set to change the TV landscape as it will also introduce the most popular dishes of the different provinces, teach different table settings, show home decorations and their proper use. Plus "Tablescapes" gives an exciting glimpse of a famous celebrity's lifestyle, their favorite food, dining places and many more.
"It's Chef Bruce who takes care of the cooking, naturally," said Angel, "while I'd probably also assist him, mas mabuti sigurong sabihin na ako ang official taga-tikim ng mga niluluto niya.
"But, at the same time, I will learn more about cooking from him. Eto naman 'yung unang purpose of the show: ang may matutunan ang mga viewers nito sa kung ano ang mapapanood nila."
Chef Bruce was educated in the US where he worked with some of the world's most renowned chefs and food experts. Before the start of the show, Chef Bruce toured the different provinces of the country and had the opportunity to showcase his cooking skills.
Chef Bruce wants those from the provinces they visit to show their specialty and he will then make his own version of it.
A graduate of Grand Diploma in Cuisine and Pastry from Le Cordon Bleu in London, Chef Bruce has worked at the MGM Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Tablescapes" is the brain child of Pinggoy Generoso, who directs the show. Unit director is Toffie Nerviza. (MNS)
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