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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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WHAT is Manny Pacquiao’s reaction now that he’s being referred to as the new FPJ (Fernando Poe Jr) by several action stars and stuntmen who co-star with him in the movie “Anak ng Kumander,” his initial venture as film producer?
“Nagpapasalamat naman ako sa tiwala nila sa akin. Sa akin naman, hindi ko naman iniisip ang sarili ko na bagong FPJ. Natutuwa lang ako na nakakapag-produce na ito at nakakatulong pa ako sa mga taong nangangailangan. Marami akong natutulungan,” says the Pambansang Kamao when interviewed on the last shooting day of his movie where he is paired with Ara Mina.
How are you and Ara now? Have you talked in length after the intrigues that came out that threatened to drive a wedge between the two of you?
“Nakapag-usap na kami at wala nang problema. Nagkaintindihan na kami. Unang una, nahihiya kami sa isa’t isa dahil sa mga tsismis na naglabasan na hindi naman totoo. Sabi ko, pasensiya na dahil may movie na pino-promote kaya nagkaroon ng intriga,” says Manny.
He also told Ara not mind to the negative publicity that had been coming. As long as they know the truth, there’s no reason for them to be affected. Whatever it is that had come out, Manny said that they ought to keep their cool. Otherwise, the people might say totoo ang tsismis. “Just don’t mind the intrigues,” says the boxer.
Is he mad at Cristy Fermin, who had been writing not so nice things about him? Is there no room for them to be friends again?
“Wala naman akong ginawa sa kanya. Ayoko nang palakihin iyan dahil ako, nagsusulat din ako ng column, pero hindi ako bumabanat nang masyadong personal. Hindi ako tumitira sa mga tao na sariling interes ko ang pambanat ko. Kung bumabanat man ako, hindi naman sa akin kundi galing sa mga pangyayari,” he answered.
Would you like to rekindle your friendship with the mainstay of The Buzz?
“Wala naman problema sa akin. Wala naman akong sinabi sa kanya na kahit na isang masakit na salita. Siguro nabuyuhan siya. Siguro may nagsabi. Wala akong magagawa. Kanya-kanya naman tayong opinion. Huwag lang sobra kasi pag sobra na, siyempre may batas tayo na dapat sundin,” says Manny.
Are you saying that it is possible for you to file a libel case against Cristy?
“Kung may below the belt na paninira o kung anu-ano diyan, siguro siyempre alangan na di mo idedepensa ang sarili mo. Basta ako, hindi ako nang-aaway. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit masama ang loob nila sa akin,” added Manny. (MNS)
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MANILA -- Edu Manzano continues his winning streak with his recent victory as Best Game Show Host in the just-concluded 21st Star Awards of Television. Edu won for the ABS-CBN show “Pilipinas: Game Ka Na Ba?” Edu thanked former “Game Ka Na Ba?” host Kris Aquino for the chance to take over the show.
The endorser of Lucky Me, Liveraide, V Go Energy Drink, among others has been getting accolades, not only as host, but as head of the Optical Media Board and recording artist of Universal Records. Edu’s efforts in fighting piracy won international recognition when he got the Asia Pacific Enforcer of the Year award in Beijing recently.
His retro dance album, “Papaya,” which contains revivals of hit songs, has been certified platinum. The sight of Edu moving to the rhythm of the Papaya dance has endeared him all the more to viewers who appreciate how he can let his hair down while maintaining the dignity and respect expected of a game show host and OMB chair.
Meanwhile, the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed charges of physical injury Mansawi Usman, Anisah Tomawis and Rasadodin Bandrang filed against Edu for lack of merit. The court ruled that the three made false claims, “knowing fully well that Edu Manzano was legally exercising his mandate of his office” (as OMB chair) at that time.”
The case stemmed from an incident at the Metro-walk Building last year, when Edu reportedly punched and kicked the respondents during an antipiracy operation.
Prosecutor Camilo Dumalo has recommended that cases of perjury be fixed against Usman, Tomawis.
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MANILA -- Kris Aquino and her husband James Yap with their two sons, Joshua (father, Philip Salvador) and Baby James, had their new house on Valle Verde III in Pasig City blessed.
The three-storey house, according to talent manager Dolor Guevarra, who is close to Kris, has an impressive main kitchen, aside from a dirty kitchen. The main kitchen is huge, as spacious as the living room and is air-conditioned.
"Katuwiran ni Kris," related Dolor," that part of the house is where she will almost always be. Nahihilig siya sa pagluluto.
"She also plans to have her cooking portion in her lifestyle program, ‘Boy & Kris,’ taped in her house. Kaya televiewers will, wika nga, have an access to her kitchen."
Kris and James have their own dressing rooms in their new house. "Natawa si Kris dahil ‘di raw ma-accommodate lahat ng personal na gamit nila ni James," related Dolor. "Suggestion ko nga kay Kris, ipamigay nila."
Kris has this habit of not bringing anything from her old residence (in this case, a big unit at the plush Oakwood Condominium in Makati) – be it appliances, furniture and fixtures – when transferring to a new house. We guess she gave all her old stuff as giveaways to her friends and the staff of her shows.
It was reported that Kris spent more than P15 million just for the construction of the house. (MNS)
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MANILA -- Forget about the libel case that matinee idol Piolo Pascual filed against talent manager and 1994 Manila Filmfest scam mastermind Lolit Solis. With his fighting words and the court case he filed, the actor already proved how brave he could be when defending his honor.
What's even more interesting is that he actually got more than a bit unnerved by a kissing scene with young actress Shaina Magdayao, the younger sister of singer-actress Vina Morales, as the actor himself revealed.
It was the very first kissing scene in Magdayao's career, making Pascual her "first kiss" onscreen.
When asked by what it was like to be his co-star's first reel-life kissing partner, the actor replied:
"Actually nailang po ako for me sabi ko sa kanya alagaan na lang niya ako kasi hindi naman ako sanay, mahirap na."
Wait. Did we hear that right? He asked his much younger, more inexperienced co-star, who was the female in the scene, to take care of him?
"Mahirap naman eh. sabi ko alalay lang. Mahirap na eh. Baka mapagalitan ako ng nanay ko. Medyo noong una po kinabahan ako, naintimidate ako sa kanya. After mga take 3 sabi ko okay naman."
Five-year deadline
Moving on to marital matters, hosts Boy Abunda and Cristy Fermin asked the actor when he plans to finally settle down.
"Gusto ko po sana in five years kung ibibigay na ni Lord ang perfect mate gusto ko po talaga. Pinagpe-pray ko po, sobra-sobra," the actor replied.
When asked about any special people in his life right now, the actor kept silent about the details. He only mentioned that there's a very special woman in his life right now, the most special woman in his life, but refused to reveal her identity.
She was only referred to by the codename "Princess Sapphire" during the interview.
Pascual also said that the past few months have been the longest that he's been away from his 10-year-old son Iñigo, who lives in the United States. Iñigo is Pascual's son by a former girlfriend. Father and son have been apart since March this year.
Asked whether he would allow his son to go into show business as well, Pascual said that it would be fine by him, but Iñigo would have to finish his studies first.
"Kung gusto niya ako matitira sa bahay, ako nagaayos ng damit niya siya magtatrabaho para sa akin. Ganoon na lang," Pacual said.
Pascual will mark his 10th anniversary in showbiz with a concert at the Araneta Coliseum on November 30. (MNS)
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MANILA -- DON’T be surprised if Richard Gutierrez is smiling from ear to ear these days. His “Kamandag” is rating a consistent 42% above every night, making it one of GMA7’s highest-rating shows.
“And generally, maganda ang feedback so all of us in the show are very pleased and we’re confident tataas pa ang rating in the weeks to come as the story gets more and more exciting,” he says.
He’s only happy that he was chosen by GMA Films to be Marian Rivera’s leading man in the first movie she’s filming after “Marimar” hit it big.
The number one actor and the number one actress of GMA7 are now paired in GMA Films’ special Valentine presentation, “A Very Special Love.” Supporting him and Marian are JC de Vera, Ehra Madrigal and Paolo Paraiso. Marian has yet to shoot as she still has to go to the U.S. with “Marimar” partner Dingdong Dantes to launch GMA Pinoy TV in Las Vegas.
Doesn’t Richard miss Angel Locsin who’s usually his partner in the Valentine flicks he’s been doing almost yearly for the past three years?
“After we shot that commercial in Thailand, I haven’t heard from her anymore. I’m sure busy kasi siya at busy rin naman ako. But I’m very positive this new tandem with Marian will also be accepted warmly by the public. At least, bago naman ang makakasama ko rito.” (MNS)
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