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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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Rock in the Box 2: The Artists
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ONE night, eight people are gathered in a small dining table inside a nice townhouse in North Jersey. There is pasta with white sauce on the table, along with freshly baked garlic bread, some wine and pizza. It is by no means a formal dinner. It is more akin to a group study where laptops are open and humming, papers are scattered, and the sound of pencils shredding lead on white bond papers blends with the crackle of toasted crust, laughter and music.
The eight people in the meeting represent different sectors in the Filipino- American music industry and they are in caucus to select the artists, and songs that will make one of the most highly anticipated albums this year– Rock in the Box 2.
After deliberations and tallying, the meeting ends, and a final roster is at hand. Rock in the Box 2 is on the way.
“It is not an easy task”, says J. Antiporda, Soulworks Records VP. “ Selecting 16 out of 100 songs to make the record is a task that will give anybody sleepless nights for quite a while.”
Given the volume of submissions that the record label, Soulworks Records, received from artists, it is indeed a daunting task to trim the fat to come up with the lean portion that will best represent the Rock in the Box series.
“Rock in the Box has become a brand in the scene. It is a compilation album that everyone wants to get into”, says Rich Saguirre, another A&R for the label.
With the success of the first Rock in the Box released in 2006 and featured 14 of the best East Coast bands and artists, most new artists clamor for a yearly box.
Antiporda adds that there should not have been a Rock in the Box 2 this year at all. The label just bowed down to the public’s demand. “They have asked the label to make the box a yearly release. But the label just can’t do it since it takes a lot of work to produce it. However, last year, the requests were just overwhelming so we gave in and agreed to produce the sequel this year, 2008. The original schedule was 2009.”
The Artists
Here are the artists that will make Rock in the Box 2.
*Note: According to Soulworks Records, the list may be subject to change in case the label and artist/s fail to agree on contractual and or production matters. If that happens, the disagreeing artist/s will be replaced. The label reserves the right to do so.
ACI9 ( Illinois); Carpools (California); Steel Polly ( Maryland); Noizytoyz (Canada); Then Again (New Jersey); Stella’s Notch (California); Out of Luck ( Canada); P.I. (Washington D.C.); Qwadra (New York); Rayzed (California); Super Kabote (California); The Mary’s (Georgia); Binky Bianca ( New Jersey); Mike Christian (New York); Trickbag (New Jersey); Circled Sin – (Maryland).
Production and Launch
The label disclosed that the first quarter of 2008 would be devoted to the production of the album. In addition, if production turns out well, a summer album launch is expected.
The launch might echo the two-night show like the 1st anniversary shows of Poptimes Magazine, according to some label insiders. The first night could be a gig that would gather the artists featured Rock in the Box 1, and the next night will be the launch proper for Rock in the Box 2. Though these plans are from the label, there are no specifics yet.
Despite the bad news of Fil Am bands breaking up or losing members, 2008 could still be a great year after all.
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MEGASTAR Sharon Cuneta has started shooting “Caregiver,” her comeback under Star Cinema and her first film to be directed by the revered and award-winning Chito Roño.
Sharon already has a full schedule for the shoot of “Caregiver.” They are set to leave for London on February 15 where 75% of the film would be shot. Direk Chito wants to finish all the Philippine scenes of the movie so when they come back from London, post production work could already start.
Seventy five percent of the film would be shot in London and in Prague (which will be made to appear as London in some scenes). They have a very tight shooting schedule because they are working on a very tight budget.
Sharon also has to finish shooting some commercial endorsements since the clients want to break-in the commercials before she leaves for London.
The megastar wants to apologize to the Sony BMG Records people because she can’t give them a schedule for the promotion of her album “Isn’t It Romantic Volume 2" because all her schedules had been devoted to the filming of “Caregiver.” But she hopes to make it up with them upon her return from London. (MNS)
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MANILA -- Without fanfare, Ruffa Gutierrez has been quietly turning over the funds that were raised during RRRampa for a Cause. The bazaar and fashion show was held on September 16 last year.
Ruffa, together with her brothers Richard and Raymond, called on their celebrity friends to help out in the event. Ruffa said they were able to raise about P1.7 million.
"Last year, we made P1 million which we gave to Unicef and the Philippine Red Cross. So, this year we decided to hati-hatiin yung mga naipon namin, yung na-i-raise naming funds. Make-A-Wish Foundation was P200,000. World Vision was P700,000. UNICEF, P500,000. And then, Asilo de Milagrosa in Cebu is P100,000," Ruffa detailed.
Ruffa met with Make-AWish Foundation last Monday, January 14 at Sapori Trattoria restaurant in Greenhills. Ruffa was with her parents, Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama when they handed the cheque to Make-A-Wish President Ramon ‘Booie' Segovia. The cheque amount of P200,000 will help around 15 to 20 children in their wish-granting programs.
"We would like to thank Ms Ruffa Gutierrez and her brothers who joined her also in RRRampa for a Cause. You know they make use of their celebrity status for positive socially relevant issues like helping our kids, most have cancer. With their donation, we would be able to grant wishes to our kids and make their lives more meaningful," Booie Segovia said.
To which Ruffa replied, "As for me, I believe that me, my brothers, Richard and Raymond and our family, we're just instruments of God. And I don't think that we should be glorified. We're being used as a tool to help others because I wanna use my being a celebrity, especially this year, to help others because God gave me a second chance to make a comeback for a reason. I just wanna enjoy my fame, and I wanna enjoy it in a good way."
Ruffa added that she was also available for any wish granting activities of Make-AWish.
Recently, Ruffa was joined by her brother Richard at the United Nations offices in Makati City to give their cheque to UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund). Also with them were Ruffa's kids, Lorin and Venice, and their mom Annabelle. Rhian Ramos, a close friend and Richard's co-star in his Captain Barbell show also joined them.
"Parang advanced birthday celebration ‘to sa UNICEF. I'm just so happy, I'm just so blessed na yun, kasama ko yung family ko dito ngayon. At siyempre, gusto ko pasalamatan lahat ng mga artista from both networks na sumuporta sa event namin to make this all possible. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng kapwa artista. Sana patuloy ang pag-unite natin para makatulong," Richard excitedly said.
"It's really great to be reaching out, to be helping out and to be part of this event," the star of Kamandag said.
"I feel so blessed with my family that we were able to raise a lot of funds to help our children. But we are all just instruments of God for this event. He was the One who made this possible. He was the One who gave us inspiration." (MNS)
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MANILA -- Gretchen Barretto, partner Tony Boy Cojuangco and their daughter Dominique welcomed New Year in San Francisco and Boston, USA.
Tony Boy had his second operation for payloma on the throat in Boston on January 3. He’s not supposed to talk for a while and needs to rest. After eight weeks, they’re supposed to return to the US for another check up. They have to return to Manila as Dominique will be resuming her classes.
Gretchen is all set to be active in showbiz again. Not as an actress, though, but as a recording star. She has already finished recording an album of 12 songs. But the launching of this would have to wait as she’ll be busy taking care of Tony Boy while he is recuperating from his operation. (MNS)
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MANILA -- HOW protective is Sarah Geronimo’s mother when it comes to allowing boys to court her daughter? Could she be the reason why up to now, we still have to hear someone texting love notes to the former Star of the Night singing sensation? Is Sarah who is turning out to be a statuesque beauty not allowed to entertain suitors and have a boyfriend?
Sarah has only a short reply to make when asked about not having a special someone on Valentine’s Day.
“Wala po akong boyfriend dahil wala pong nagpaparamdam.”
Sarah, who has done three teleseryes, prepares herself for a Valentine concert together with Erik Santos, Christian Bautista and Rachelle Ann Go entitled All 4 Love at the Araneta Coliseum on February 13. Each one of them will redefine the meaning of love through songs very familiar to our ears.
Special guests will be comedian Pooh and G-Force, a sizzling dance group. It is presented by ASAP Live and Viva Concerts and Events with Marvin Querido as the musical director. (MNS)
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NEW YORK – The Neuro-scientist Daniel Levitin wrote that the world has no sound. Only humans and some animals perceive it– it is all in the head.
Sounds exist only in the brain. In the physical world, the sounds we hear are mere frequencies caused by vibrating molecules– no pitch, no timbre– just waveforms of energies.
If things do have a sound of their own, independent of animal perception, how would they sound? No one knows for sure except for the sound of molten steel.
If molten steel has its own sound, it will sound like Diablo Royale– probably the hardest rocking Fil-Am fronted band in Brooklyn.
Diablo Royale music is pure rock– dying to collide with anyone’s head and give that head an explosive butt.
There is plenty of Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest, ACDC, Black Sabbath, Guns N’ Roses and Megdeath in their sound, and it serves them well– their adherence to the classics removes them from a path leading to crappy, soul-less Nu metal bands.
In action
We attended a gig featuring Diablo Royale at the Blue Room in Secaucus, New Jersey a couple of weeks back. And from the onset, I could tell that the band is driven to succeed.
Even before the first power chord rang, the band hoisted up a banner announcing their band to the whole wide world: DIABLO ROYALE!
The band wasted no time and played songs from their self-titled debut album released in February 2007: Casanova, Remedy, Don’t Mind Me, Dead at 21, and more. The set was a sonic avalanche. Thunderous, fiery, sweaty, and gritty, just how rock should be. With a big sound like theirs, a tinge of cockiness on stage would comes naturally, and it sure works for them – except perhaps for a little too much on the part of the bassist, who went as far as scolding the Secaucus crowd for not responding wild enough to one of their numbers. It is the crowd’s fault for sure.
The band is picture perfect for their music. They all appeared and performed like the rock gods of yore, claiming souls with their tight trousers, seething guitar licks and syrupy screams.
The band was started by guitarists Eric Choy, Gerard Steixner and drummer Mike Sankari in 2005. They searched for new members after formulating the band’s concept and direction. Soon the trio found Filipino-American singer Adrian Barrios and bassist Jason “Sweet” Leaf. In 2006, they hit the studio to record.
The vocalist
The band’s lead singer, Adrian, is a Filipino American, and is very proud of his heritage. He came to the US in 1998 with only two things in mind: to work and to rock. He is doing both right now.
Back in the Philippines, he had bands that played hard rock music. He said he emulates and admires Wolfgang’s lead vocalist Basti Artadi ever since he started doing music.
“I am a huge Wolfgang fan”, he said.
Adrian wants to break Diablo Royale into the Fil Am scene, since most of the band’s gigs are in mainstream clubs and events.
“It would be awesome to share the stage with Fil Am bands and contribute to our scene”, he added.
Contrary to initial impressions, Adrian speaks fluent Filipino.
Visit: www.diabloroyale.net
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MANILA - “Past is past, I’m moving on now.” This is what Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2 ex-housemate Baron Geisler said after his embarrasing behavior inside the house following a bout of drinking on Christmas Eve.
Dubbed as the "Wild Child," Geisler said he is now looking at the positive side of what happened in his life after he was kicked out of the PBB house.
Geisler, youngest brother of Philippine taekwondo champion Donnie, said that people will not see a different Baron Geisler this year but a better person.
Geisler also thanked his fans for their unending support and for not judging him.
Baron joined showbiz in 1994 through ABS-CBN's teen program "Ang TV". A year after he was being launched as a member of the elite Star Circle Batch 5.
His television and movie career budded and he was best known as the wacky and easy-going 'Fonzy' in the series "Tabing Ilog".
He even won the 2005's PMPC Best Single Performance of an Actor in "Maalaala Mo Kaya."
Geisler career started to decline in 2002 when he turned to alcohol to forget the pain of his father’s death and hated the fact that his career lagged behind his colleagues.
His mother had no other option but to send him to rehab. While inside the facility, he decided to put his life in order.
Baron admitted that he had a problem and felt that he would be able to transform inside the PBB house, which is why he joined the PBB Celebrity Edition 2.(MNS)
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MANILA -- After a promising start with the Viva Hot Babes, statuesque Jen Rosendahl is cutting her ties with the group and going solo.
“I think I have to move on. Kasi, kailangang subukan ko naman ang nag-iisa. (I need to try to go solo),” Jen said.
Rosendahl said her contract with Viva Entertainment had just ended, prompting her to reevaluate her career.
“Wala naman pong masamang nagamitan sa amin ni Boss Vic del Rosario. Nakapagpaalam naman po ako nang mabuti sa kanya. (There was no bad blood between men and Boss Vic del Rosario (Viva's top honcho). I was able to explain to him everything before I went out of his company),” she said.
She said she already misses her colleagues in what was once the country's hottest girl group.
“Siyempre, marami kaming pinagsamahan kaya hindi gano'n lang basta-basta ang paghihiwalay namin. (Of course, we've gone through so much already and our breaking up wasn't that easy),” the ex-Babe said.
The sexy star said she wasn't insecure about Viva Entertainment decision to recruit new members to the all-female group.
“Mas marami nga, mas maganda. At saka, kailangang bigyan ng break ang iba pa na deserving. (The more, the merrier. Besides, deserving talents should be given breaks).”
Now that she has gone solo, she expects a lot of adjustments in her career including a possible singing and acting career.
“Nasanay na ang tao sa amin na kumakanta kaya ipinagpapatuloy ko ang talent ko na 'yon. Marami pang mangyayari sa akin, alam ko. (People are already attuned to us singing and dancing so there's no point in putting them aside. There are a lot of things that will still happen in my career, I know).
“I can still go sexy. But I want to do other things like dramatic acting which some people helped me realize,” she said.
Jen confesses that she's a lot more relaxed now than when she was moving around with a group.
“Wala nang adjustment sa schedule and character of my groupmates. (There's no more adjustment to schedule and characters of my former groupmates).”
She says that going freelance is one of the most exciting decisions she has made for herself. “Mas sariling kayod kaya mas exciting. You just depend on yourself. (Individual initiative is more exciting),” she said. (MNS)
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