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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 31 (Mabuhay) --Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto’s son, Rodrigo Santino, is only three months old, but there is a report that Raymart wants to have another baby soon.
It is said that Claudine asked for more time. She wants to attend to her showbiz career first, which is why she underwent breast reduction surgery. She might also have a liposuction done on her by no less than beauty expert Dr. Vicky Belo.
Raymart and Claudine come from big families. Thus, it’s Raymart’s wish to have more than just one child.
Aside from Rodrigo Santino, Raymart and Claudine have an adopted daughter, Sabina. In time, Claudine said she might want to get pregnant again. But it will be her last. What she wishes for is to adopt another child so that when Sabina comes of age and discovers she’s adopted, she won’t feel insecure, explained Claudine. (MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 29 (Mabuhay) -- Actors Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby are currently in Canada for a series of concerts but will push through with their lawsuit against talent manager and entertainment columnist Lolit Solis when they return next month.
The lawsuit stems from a column by Solis suggesting that the two popular matinee idols are gay, aside from alleging that she saw them in a romantic tryst at the poolside cafe of the Hotel Sofitel on October 12.
The hotel already issued a statement refuting Solis's claim that the two actors were within the premises on the said date.
After the actors' lawyers slapped Solis with a demand letter and a 10-day ultimatum for her to publish a retraction and a public apology, the actors' management, Star Magic, also released a statement.
The statement accused Solis of fabricating the entire incident and making malicious claims that threatened the actors' reputations and their careers. Below are excerpts of the statement:
"Now Star Magic asks the public to be the judge: who was it who made a mountain out of a molehill? Is this a demolition job done on the stars of Star
Magic, whose primary interests are entertain and make an honest living? Who stands to benefit from this wild and incredulous lie?
"Should Star Magic stay quiet while malevolent souls prey on young artists who they promised to protect. Should malicious and ill-willed rumor mongers be allowed to go scott free after injuring the stars' public and private reputations?
"Is it TOO MUCH to expect the truth, some decency and responsibility from our entertainment writers? Star Magic talents are enlightened and cautioned with the fact that mudslinging is a part of the business. Does this give the entertainment writers the license to fabricate stores and propagate a blatant lie? Gossip, as proven by research, is more potent than the truth.
"Star Magic, as promised chooses to take the higher ground, the Moral ground.
"Star Magic joins Sam Milby and Piolo Pascual in making a stand against FALSE and INJURIOUS JOURNALISM.
"Star Magic agrees with Sam's belief as he plainly and humbly said, 'Righteousness Will Prevail'."
Witnesses place Milby at a posh hair salon in the Ortigas area during the time that Solis claims he saw him with Pascual.
The production staff of Timex, the watch brand that Pascual endorses, have also issued a statement attesting that the actor was shooting a commercial for them, along with fellow Timex endorser and actress Angel Locsin, during the time that Solis claims to have seen him with Milby.
Locsin, who is Pascual's co-star in the coming ABS-CBN series "Lobo", also confirmed to the media that she was shooting the Timex commercial with Pascual at the time.
Solis said that she's sorry that her column was interpreted "maliciously" but said that she could not retract her story and insists that she did see the actors at the cafe. (MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 30 (Mabuhay) --Sitti is adjusting to the mixed fortunes of hard-earned fame — as a singer, host, actress, and now, entrepreneur.
Yes, she deals with and juggles her multi-roles quite well — always chilly relaxed and perfectly blended.
Two years since her debut album Cafe Bossa was released by Warner Music Philippines, Sitti is delighted and optimistic as she takes on a fresh start of engaging into other promising careers aside from singing — endorsing and entrepreneurship.
“Life in the industry is very volatile. Nothing is sure or permanent. I know it has been said over and over again, but I guess that is the reality. You can’t be here forever,” she said, referring to the unstable world of show business.
“It’s good to have a steady income for the family. So, you have to explore all possibilities of maximizing what you can do at the perfect timing. I guess starting a business at this age is just taking advantage of what could be the demand at present,” added Sitti, who apparently is applying what she learned from college as a Business Economics major from University of the Philippines.
Just like singing for an audience when she began performing at age 16, getting into franchising at age 22 gives her first-time jitters, but she feels so positive about the new endeavor.
“I am actually overwhelmed than apprehensive,” shared Sitti, when asked about her feelings about franchising Fruitas, a beverage cart business that is gaining popularity amongst starting entrepreneurs and health-conscious consumers.
“I know I have to learn a lot of things about handling this kind of business but I’m confident that having my mom beside me, and getting a solid support-system from franchisor Lester Yu would make managing our Shopwise-Alabang branch easier,” said Sitti, who strongly thinks that franchising is the answer for young entrepreneurs who can not come up with any new and exciting product.
She added, “It also helps that you believe in what you sell. I love Fruitas! In fact, my favorite is the Apple-Mango Shake and the Melon Shake.”
Being a fruit person makes it effortless for her to be the endorser of all the cart-brands of Lush Group, maker of natural drinks under the brand names Fruitas, Buko ni Fruitas and The Mango Farm.
“This is the first time that we are getting an endorser,” said Wilfred Tiu. “We chose Sitti not only because of her soothing voice that, like our products, refreshes and relaxes, but also because we believe that her healthy lifestyle and positive outlook in life would capture the wholesome image that we want our brands to be associated with.”
Lush Group of Companies has 300 stores strategically located nationwide. (MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 26 (Mabuhay) -- After opting not to renew her contract with her old network GMA-7, actress Angel Locsin took the biggest gamble of her career by practically starting over again as a new talent at ABS-CBN.
The change was traumatic. Locsin was almost immediately hounded by several controversies, including the accusation that she was ungrateful to her old network, which made her a star in the seven years that she stayed there.
There was even a scandal that fingered her as the woman in a sex video with a Japanese man, the pirated CD of which was peddled on the sidewalks.
It was later revealed that the actress was actually a Thai model turned soft porn star.
After braving the storm of controversies that came with her career move, Angel Locsin is back at work; ready to take on opportunities that the Kapamilya network has opened for her.
Locsin has her hands full with various projects with ABS-CBN. Her first was a "Maala-ala Mo Kaya" (MMK) episode with Sam Milby, where she delivered critically-acclaimed performance.
She also guested in various Kapamilya shows like "ASAP ’07," "Wowowee," "Goin Bulilit," "Kapamilya: Deal or No Deal" and "John En Shirley."
After the grand Kapamilya welcome that she received, fans and the entire industry are even more excited about Angel’s first major project with ABS-CBN: "Lobo", a teleserye with Piolo Pascual.
The charming actress is all set to do the tapings for the show. She and Piolo had to work hard in preparation for their roles in what ABS-CBN promises to be an exceptional teleserye.
“We enrolled in different workshops. May modeling, paragliding at marami pang ibang magaganap, pero hindi ko muna sasabihin para surprise talaga!” exclaimed Locsin.
From the look of things, the actress seems to be enjoying herself in this new chapter in her acting career.
“So far, I’m having a unique experience here in ABS-CBN. They give us good projects and great directors. At may mairereklamo pa ba ko, nakasama ko po si Sam Milby sa MMK at si Piolo naman sa bago naming teleserye. I’m very grateful to ABS-CBN for entrusting me with this kind of responsibility,” Locsin added.
After these two major productions, more projects are lined up for this fresh-faced beauty, including a movie with Piolo.
Highly anticipated
According to sources, "Lobo" can be considered as ABS-CBN’s most ambitious project to date. The stars are, however, more than prepared for the pressure.
“We’re very thankful [to] ABS-CBN and Star Cinema for entrusting us with this teleserye and we’re making sure that they will not be disappointed. Talaga pong napaka-intense ng paghahanda namin ni PJ (Piolo's nickname) bago kami magsimula ng taping,” said Locsin.
“And now that we’ve started taping, we’re going through a tremendous process,” according to leading man Pascual. “Direk Cathy (Garcia-Molina) and Direk Rory (Quintos) are very meticulous with details, para maging maganda talaga ang aming produkto.”
Locsin and Pascual are aware of the kind of expectations being generated by their teleserye among fans.
“It’s coming very soon. Viewers will not be disappointed, because the whole cast and crew is making sure that this teleserye will be unforgettable,” Locsin said.(MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 26 (Mabuhay) -- THERE is still buzz that Ara Mina would be moving to ABS-CBN.
The bases for these rumors was the recent guest stints of Ara in several shows of the Kapamilya network.
Ara has no existing contract with the Kapuso network that’s why she’s free to accept guest stints on Channel 2.
Ara has a contract with Bubble Gang until next year and we feel she would still renew her contract longest-running gag show on Philippine TV. After all, she’s been a mainstay of Bubble Gang and she’s happy that the show continues to rate well.
But the big question is, how come Ara has not been offered role in any of the telebabad shows on GMA 7? It’s been quite a while since the viewers saw Ara on a primetime show on GMA 7.
The second part of the movie for TV titled “Do-Se-Na” whch is Bubble 12th anniversary offering will be aired tonight on GMA 7. (MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 31 (Mabuhay) --
Sexy star Julia Lopez is on the warpath anew. This time, the object of her wrath is another sexy star, Keanna Reeves.
The feud started when Keanna, whose career was revived when she merged as the Big Winner in the first Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition, belittled Julia as a second rate performer.
Julia, of course, did not take Keanna's words sitting down.
"Siya kasi ang nagsimula ng lahat kaya sumasagot lang ako. (She started it all and I am just answering back)," Julia defended herself.
Keanna and Julia are pitted against each other because of their sexy image notwithstanding their oversized bumpers.
But Julia seemed to gain ground against Keanna. Julia has just been nominated for the Best Comedy Actress category of the 21st Star Awards for Television. The Star Awards is handed every year by the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC). Awarding this year is on November 18.
Julia is nominated for her performance as a dumb beauty in the sitcom "Who’s Your Daddy Now."
She is up against the giants in the comedy category such as Toni Gonzaga (Wazz Up, Wazz Up, Studio 23); Pokwang (Aalog-Alog, ABS-CBN 2); Tiya Pusit (Bahay Mo Ba ‘To?, GMA 7) and Maricel Soriano (John En Shirley, ABS-CBN 2).
"Sana, manalo ako. Imagine, ang lalakas ng mga kalaban ko. (I hope I win. Imagine, my opponents are strong)," Julia said.
However, she overstepped her bounds when she implied that Keanna is "cheap."
"Hindi ko na kailangan mag-escort service para mabuhay," Julia retorted, referring to Keanna's past. Keanna had long admitted having engaged in the escort business to fend for her family.
"Marami na akong pinagkakakitaan kaya huwag na niya akong maliitin. May resort ako. May mga transport business ako. Marami akong business kaya hindi ako kaparis niya. (I don’t need to resort to being an escort service to survive. I have a lot of sources to live by. I have a resort. I have a transport business. I have a lot of businesses unlike her)," added Julia. (MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 26 (Mabuhay) -- “Bakit kaya lagi na lang akong natsi-tsismis na nang-si-seduce? Bakit kaya hindi naman mabalita na ako ang sini-seduce? (Why is it that I’m always rumored to be seducing guys? Why not the other way around?),” asked multi-awarded sexy actress Ana Capri.
She was reacting to reports she seduced and cavorted with actor Mark Anthony Fernandez during their sortie at Lumban town in Laguna Province.
According to the grapevine, Capri took every chance she could to have the actor all by herself because he has been her undying crush ever since.
The actress however explained that the rumors could have been sparked by a performance by her and Fernandez at the town fiesta.
“Diyos ko naman. Ba’t ko naman gagawin ‘yon, e, may respeto naman ako kay Mark. Ganito kasi ‘yon. Di ba, close kami pareho kay Direk Maryo J. de los Reyes.
"Nag-usap kami ni Mark beforehand na ako muna ang lalabas sa stage, tapos, tatawagin ko siya. Nagkasundo kami na magpapaseksi ako sa harapan niya. Na parang patay na patay ako sa kanya dahil ang guwapu-guwapo niya.
"So, nang umakyat na ako sa stage, nagsalita na ako at ipinakilala ko na si Mark. Then, nagsayaw ako sa harapan niya na parang nang-aakit. Masama ba ‘yon? Para lang makuha ang interest ng audience at nang hindi sila ma-bore at panoorin pa kami."
(Mark and I are very close to Direk Maryo de los Reyes. He invited us to perform at the fiesta. Of course, Mark and I were his actors in ‘Impostora,’ so we agreed to do so.
(Mark and I talked beforehand to plan how we could get the audience's attention. We both agreed for me to do a sexy dance in front of him onstage, and look like I'm head over heels in love with him and trying to seduce him, because he’s so handsome. So it was all just an act to delight the audience.)
Capri seemed very upset over the sarcastic and malicious reports that came out because of their performance at the town fiesta.
"Ba’t naman gano’n na lang ang pagbibigay nila ng malisya? Sana naman bago sila magsulat ay nagtanong muna sila sa akin. Madali lang naman akong makausap, e."
(Why do they have to put malice into it? I hope they looked for me and asked about my side of the story before they wrote their reports. I am very easy to talk to.)
After all her protests, in the end Capri couldn't help but blurt out girlishly, “Pero guwapo naman talaga si Mark. (But Mark is really handsome).” (MNS)
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MANILA, Oct 29 (Mabuhay) --
Aspiring singer Danita Paner has accused her mother, former actress Daisy Romualdez, of verbally and physically abusing her.
"Hindi ko lang talaga kaya lahat ng nangyayari sa loob ng bahay. Verbal abuse talaga. Impyerno eh. Sobrang impyerno.Kasi nga mahilig siya manakot eh. Pag hindi ko siya sinunod hindi ako makakapasok sa school, hindi ako makakalabas ng gate," said Paner, who gave an interview to end speculation about her decision to leave her family home and stay with friends.
(I can't take what's happening in our house anymore. It's really verbal abuse. It's hell. Too much hell. She keeps threatening me. If I don't do what she says I won't be able to go to school, I'm not allowed to leave the house.)
Paner complained that her mother is too domineering. She also said that she only wishes for enough freedom to be herself, and has had enough of her mother's efforts to control her life.
According to Paner, her worst argument with her mom ended up with the latter beating her up. The young singer also said that Romualdez is much too aggressive in pushing her into a showbiz career.
Paner said that it came to a point where she was no longer allowed by Romualdez to refuse any project, whether it was a commercial, a guesting or a film project.
"One time before may tinanggihan ako tapos binugbog niya ako kasi hindi, ayoko talaga, pinanindigan kong ayoko," she said.
(One time before I turned down an offer so she beat me up because I didn't, I didn't want to do it, I stood my ground.)
"Ang sabi pa niya ako daw ang nagwawala, ako daw ang nananakot, siya yon eh. Siya yung ganun, hindi ako. Good provider yan kaso dinadaan niya lahat sa materyal na bagay na kung tutuusin hindi ko naman talaga kailangan yon eh. Ayoko nang umiyak. Ayoko nang minumura ako. Ayoko nang laging walang choice."
(She keeps telling people that I'm the one who goes berserk, that I'm the one who makes threats, but that's really her. She's the one who's like that, not me. She's a good provider but she always tries to reach out to me by giving me material things that, really, I don't need. I'm tired of crying. I'm tired of being called names. I've had enough of always not having a choice.)
Paner said that she felt hurt the most by her mother's refusal to send her to college.
"Sinabi niya sa akin tama na raw yung high school and sobrang nung sinabi niya yon sobrang mali talaga. Hindi dapat nanggaling sa kanya yon. Siyempre mommy ko siya tapos sasabihin niya sa akin yon. Ang hirap tanggapin."
(She told me that it was enough that I finish high school and it was too much. What she said was so wrong. It should not have come from her. Of course she's my mommy and then she'll say something like that to me. It's so hard to accept.)
Mother's side
Romualdez had the chance to answer her daughter's accusations also through an interview with "The Buzz". She denied abusing her daughter and denied that she refused to send her to college.
In fact, Romualdez said, Danita had been enrolled in an OB Montessori school and at the Ridley International School but it was Danita who had a problem completing her studies. Romualdez said that Danita kept deliberately missing her classes.
"Ako yata ang nasa impyerno dahil napakasama nang ugali mo. Alangan namang anak ang masusunod. Syempre nanay. Eh lagi naman mali ang mga desisyon niya.
"Hindi kita pinilit na mag-showbiz dahil sinabihan na kita ilang beses na kung ayaw mo Danita mag-aral ka na lang sa Amerika o sa Spain kay Tina. Ikaw Boy (Abunda) ikaw ang manager suko ka na rin, diba? Suko na rin ang Viva. Kung ayaw mo di wag na lang. Wag na lang. Mag-aral ka na lang!"
(I think I'm the one in hell because you have such a bad attitude. And why should the child be the one who has her way. It should be the mother. [Danita] has been making all the wrong decisions. I didn't force you to go into showbiz. Danita, I already told you over and over again that if you didn't want showbiz you could study in America or in Spain with Tina. You, Boy (Abunda, "The Buzz" host) as her manager you've given up on her. Even Viva has given up. If you don't want showbiz just go to school.)
Romualdez also said that those with whom Danita is staying have no legal right to keep her in their custody. She also said that she knows who those people are and that she will be taking appropriate action.
"Nakakahiya kayo. Patay na patay kayo diyan sa anak ko ni hindi kayo napagod diyan. Kilala ko na kayo (You all should be ashamed. You're all so smitten with my daughter even though you never suffered in raising her. I know who you are.).
"Huwag kang magmalaki na 18 years old ka na. Akin ka pa rin, Danita. Walang pwedeng makialam sa iyo. Akin ka, legally akin ka."
(Don't be too proud that you're already 18 years old. You're still mine, Danita. No one else can meddle with your life. You're mine, legally you're mine.)
Romualdez said that she regrets loving Danita too much to the point where she became a spoiled brat.
"Sobrang pagmamahal sa kanya. Pag ako nagmahal nang tao buhos. Buhos talaga. Talagang minahal ko siya (I loved her too much. Whenever I love someone I pour it all out. I really pour it on. I really loved her.)," said Romualdez. (MNS)
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