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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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To tell us what you think about Filipino Express Online or to comment on the stories published here, E-mail us at Filexpress@aol.com
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BEFORE the year ended, several media companies ran Filipino-American year ender stories to give importance to people and events that made the year an interesting one.
From the usual political stories like the Sentosa 27 case, GabNet and some entertainment stories such as Lea Salonga’s return to Les Miz and the phenomenon that is Happy Slip, it is shocking to see how much coverage Filipino American bands and local artists get from this big media companies.
How many Fil Am music stories were in most year ender features? The Answer: Nil. Zero. Nada. Wala.
Indeed, it had been a struggle to get coverage from TV, radio and newspapers in 2007. Could it be that they were not aware of the great things that were happening in the scene last year?
No, we made it sure that they were since we sent them invites. They just did not show up.
Television
ABS -CBN’ / TFC’s Speak Out was one of two FilAm Cable TV shows that gave air time to local Fil Am acts in 2007, the other being the music video channel Myx, also from the same company.
The whole Fil Am music scene is grateful to these shows for giving the spotlight to great hardworking bands in the scene. But just recently we learned that the seminal Speak Out had been cancelled.
Print
Only a handful of newspapers covered the FilAm music scene in 2007: the Filipino Express , The Asian Journal, and Weekend Balita in LA.
It is discouraging to know that there were more FilAm music scene stories in Manila-based papers than in the local FilAm press. Except for the three publications mentioned above, most FilAm papers didn’t give a damn about the FilAm music scene. These Fil Am papers cared more about Filipino based celebrities than homegrown Fil Am acts.
Radio
Zero.
World Wide Web
In the cyber world, there were only two websites that actively covered the FilAm music scene: www.poptimesmagazine.com and its West Coast counterpart– www.Fil-Ammusic.com.
These sites were relentless in bringing the gospel of FilAm music to the world. We just hope that these sites continue in spite of adversaries and low revenues.
In August 2007, the biggest gathering of FilAm artists happened in New York City. So big was the event it had to be split into two nights. August 31 and September 1, 2008 marked the monumental event that saw 19 bands, from all over the US and Canada to celebrate the first anniversary of Poptimes Magazine.
Months before the scheduled event, invites were sent to media companies to ask them to cover the historic event. Not even one responded. The event pushed through anyway and it lived up to expectations- it was indeed historic. Days after, several Asian and Manila-based websites and publications ran stories about it. www.poptimesmagazine.com and the Filipino Express immortalized the event by their coverage. However, the others local newspapers ran stories about ‘Pokwang’ instead.
How could most of the media ignore the FilAm scene? What is with Pokwang that Fil Am artists don’t have?
Fil Am artists are not insignificant. We are here. We are important.
This summer, the biggest compilation album of Fil Am artists- Rock in the Box 2 will be launched. Once again, we will invite them.
Ted Reyes is an independent music producer, musician and journalist based in New York City.
He is also the Editor of the Filipino-American online music magazine - Poptimes Magazine - http://www.poptimesmagazine.com (pls. add link)
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NEW YORK– “The band is an enigma,” says one Filipino- American music journalist in the describing Sodapop Suicide, one of the most exciting bands in the FilAm music scene.
The band seldom plays live and devotes their time mostly in the studio recording songs and honing their craft.
Now the time is ripe for them to release their 2-sided single and their label Soulworks Records will do so this month through free downloads here on this website.
Sodapop Suicide’s singles are Beauty Queen, a Tagalog rocker with a catchy riff and the spacey-ethereal number, Voltes 5.
The band’s songwriting, mostly done by front man Val Guevarra and guitarist Cho Lopez, is a throwback to a bygone era – an era when simplicity meant power, and melody is paramount.
Sodapop Suicide made gigantic waves in 2006 when their single, Sana Naman, from the very successful Filipino- American compilation album Rock in the Box 1, became the first runaway hit of the release.
It was such a hit that when the band performed at the pre launch party at the Knitting Factory NY that year, they almost caused a riot.
In the 2007, the band concentrated in writing and recording their album. By December of that year, they wrapped up their sessions and plotted their single’s release.
“We are finished with most of our songs. There are some overdubs left but we’re confident that the full album will come out this year. We talked to our label and we agreed to release these songs because we just want everyone to have a slice of what we are going to serve later,” says Valter.
However, when asked when the band would hit the road again, Valter could only offer a shrug.
Sodapop Suicide’s free releases are a great way to jumpstart the year not only for their band, but for the Filipino- American music scene as well.
Sodapop Suicide are: Val Guevarra- Vocals/guitar; Cho Lopez – Lead guitar; Badjik Miranda – Bass guitar; Jowell Padilla – Drums
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MANILA - TV host and former Miss World runner-up Ruffa Gutierrez clarified an incident on January 17 at the Embassy Bar in Taguig that supposedly involved her brother, actor Richard Gutierrez.
Ruffa denied that Richard was involved in any violence at the venue, which had been hosting an exclusive birthday bash for eventologist and society columnist Tim Yap.
Ruffa said that she and Richard had dinner at the house of Tim Yap in Forbes Park in Makati and were about to leave when Yap invited them to Embassy.
She said that she and her younger brother at first begged off but finally relented when Yap assured them that attendance at the bar would be exclusive to Yap's personal friends in the fashion world and high society.
However, after Ruffa and Richard had spent some time at the swanky venue, they were told that a group of people were trying to get in the bar and threatening her brother.
"May mga tao, uncouth people, hinaharrass kami, tinethreaten kami, sabi sa amin ng mga tao, 'may grupo-grupo doon gustong suntukin si Richard'," she recalled. (A bunch of people, uncouth people, were harrassing and threatening us. Other people in the place warned us, 'there's a group outside trying to get in saying they want to beat up Richard'.)
Ruffa said that in order to avoid a potentially violent encounter, she and Richard were secured in an empty room at the bar until things were calmed down. The former beauty queen said that Yap and the bar owner apologized to them.
She also quoted a statement released by Yap and the Embassy management: "Embassy is a peace-loving establishment. We will not condone any acts of violence towards anyone, celebrity or not."
The Embassy Bar had been the site for a number of violent incidents. Model Borgy Manotoc (a grandson of the late Philippine strongman Ferdinand Marcos) was linked to one incident, where he was accused of beating up one of the bar's patrons.
Ruffa finished her statement with an appeal to those who threatened her brother on the night in question. (Or was it a warning? She could have been channeling her inner Yilmaz, as in, the only thing missing was a "Speak Softly Love" track. It was probably the only time in history when Ruffa spoke with a look and in a tone more menacing and scary than Annabelle Rama.)
"Sa mga ibang tao diyan na nagpo-provoke sa kapatid ko, sana po tumigil na kayo. Kung nakipag-break man si Richard sa isang ex-girlfriend niya, sana maintindihan ng pamilya niya na si Richard is now dating so many girls. May crush siyang isang taga-ABSCBN and he's focusing on his work...so huwag niyo na pong i-provoke si Richard para walang gulo," she said with an edge to her voice. (To those who keep trying to provoke my brother, stop it. If Richard broke up with an ex-girlfriend, I hope her family understands that Richard is now dating so many girls. He has a crush on someone in ABS-CBN and he's focusing on his work...so don't provoke Richard so we can all avoid trouble.) (MNS)
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MANILA -- CESAR Montano denied that he is mad at good friend and comedian Bayani Agbayani, because he learned that it was Bayani who squealed to wife, Sunshine Cruz, about Cesar’s supposed relationship with a 16-year-old Brazilian model.
"Nahihiya nga ako kay Yani, dahil pati siya nasasali sa isyu na ito," Cesar stated.
Cesar refused to elaborate on the issue, though. But he denied reports that Sunshine now lives in a condominium unit with their three daughters. The house on Scout Ralles, Quezon City is still their official residence.
Cesar is currently busy taping for his new teleserye "Palos" with Jake Cuenca as co-star. Adopted from a movie, also of the same title, starring Bernard Bonnin in the late ‘60s, "Palos" is described as swift, crafty and suave. "Palos," a creation of the Redondo brothers, was a popular comic hero of his time.
Said Cesar, "I’m glad ABS-CBN chose me for this series. It’s my forte– action and drama combined."
"What’s more," Cesar added. "The series will have special 3D effects, sci features and live action... lots of it."
Andy Yan and Ace Wang, actually the trainors of Jackie Chan and Jet Li, were the ones who assisted Cesar and Jake when they filmed some of their fight scenes in Macau, China.
A brilliant story with a star-studded cast, "Palos" is under the direction of known and respected directors Trina Dayrit, Erik Salud and Toto Natividad.
Of the three directors, it’s only Direk Toto who has had the chance to direct Cesar in a movie. It’s his first time to work with Jake.
It was Direk Toto who directed the legendary "Panday, also a comics creation by Carlo J. Caparas, when ABS-CBN adapted it into a TV series. It was top billed by Jericho Rosales and Heart Eva-ngelista.
Guess who’s playing Cesar’s leading lady in "Palos." Well, no less than his wife, Sunshine. Jake, on the other hand, will have ex-girlfriend Roxanne Guinoo for his partner.
Also featured in the TV series is Julia Barretto, niece of Claudine Barretto. She shares many scenes with Giancarlo played by Jake. (MNS)
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MANILA, Jan 24 (Mabuhay) -- CARLO Aquino is still in love with Maja Salvador but insists that he is not courting her anymore.
“I courted her before pero nang sabihin niyang huwag ko na lang ituloy dahil gusto niyang mag-focus sa kanyang career, I stopped.
“We continue to remain friends. We now go out but always in the company of friends. She knows what I feel for her and for now, we are simply friends. I am not pressing her for an answer and she is free to entertain other suitors. Siguro kung mararamdaman kong there is nothing to hope for eh saka ko ibabaling ang pagtingin ko sa iba,” the 22-year-old talent of Viva Artists Agency headed by Verionique del Rosario Corpus divulged.
Carlo has proven his worth as an actor with a string of fine performances on films and television. Just about the only role he hasn’t played yet is a gay one. In fact, it may take a long while before he sinks his teeth into such characterization.
“If you ask me, I don’t mind playing a homosexual. I almost did in the recent episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya pero umalma ang Viva. They felt hindi pa raw tamang panahon para gampanan ko ang ganitong uri ng role. Ang nangyari sa episode sa MMK ay nagkaroon ng shifting of roles between Jiro Manio and me. Sa kanya ibinigay ang gay character role at ang addict brother of Jiro ang ginampanan ko,” he explains.(MNS)
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MANILA -- Sexy actress and magazine columnist Asia Agcaoili revealed that she really misses one of her desires and that is -- hosting.
"I really miss hosting, hosting… oh God I really do miss it," Agcaoili said.
Dubbed as the Sexy Guru, Agcaoili said she will be happy and eager to do any hosting projects that will come her way.
"As in any kind of hosting, I will be willing and I will be happy to do it, so I hope, I really hope that there would be an offer," she said.
The former Viva Hotbabes member also shared that aside from writing for a sexy magazine and doing promotions she is also busy doing out of town shows.
"I’m busy with out of town gigs but I’m not as busy as I'm not as busy as before that I don’t sleep for three to four days. But right now everything is okay and I guess you know there are just times like that."
Agcaoili said that her body and mind right now is somewhat recuperating from a very busy schedule she had before.
"I'm happy yeah it’s like that you let your body recuperate from the meantime and I’m very, very happy," Agcaoili said.
Agcaoili is now part of first Filipino live anime action series "Kung Fu Kids."
According to Agcaoili she will play the role of Sheila, a sexy villain for the said series. The series is topbilled by child actor Jairus "Jomar" Aguino (Lembot). This is the story of Lembot a sickly young boy who learns Kung Fu to defend his self and his sister from the bullies and to measure up to his father’s (played by Wowie De Guzman) expectations.
The kid’s desire to learn martial arts led him to be in the middle of an ancient battle until everyone close to him, his family and friends were placed in danger.
The Kung Fu Kids are the country’s most talented child stars like "Maria Flordeluna’s" Eliza Pineda, Paul Salas, Jane Oineza, Kristoffer Dangculos, Joshua Dionisio and Joseph Andre Garcia.
"Kung Fu Kids" also stars Sid Lucero, Gerard Pizzaras, Wowie de Guzman, Allen Dizon, Matteo Guidicelli, Erich Gonzales, Kian Kazemi, Cheska Billiones, Jhong Hilario, Arlene Muhlach and Christopher Roxas with the special participation of TV host and Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Season 2 Edition guest-housemate Mariel Rodriguez and talented actress Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson.
"Kung Fu Kids" airs nightly on ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida starting this Monday, January 28, 2008.(MNS)
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MANILA -- ROXANNE Guinoo is still evasive when asked if she and Jake Cuenca are still on.
“Basta okay kami,” she says, not wanting to elaborate anymore.
But Roxanne is not at all paired with Jake in “Palos”. As a matter of fact, she says she’s just making a cameo appearance in the show. It’s Valerie “Bangs” Garcia who’s Jake’s real leading lady.
Is she jealous, especially with their torrid kissing scene?
“No, why should I be,” she says. “I know kung anong totoo at kung anong trabaho lang. Ako rin naman, I had a torrid kissing scene with Dennis Trillo in ‘Shake 9’. Dapat lang ihiwalay ang trabaho sa lovelife.”
Roxanne has declared her independence from her folks and she now lives solo in a condo near ABS-CBN, away from their family’s home in Cavite.
“Mahirap kasing magbiyahe araw-araw lalo’t pagod ka sa taping. Now, it’s easier for me to report sa ABS and also, I learn a lot about how to run my life on my own at pati sa pagba-budget sa mga gastusin sa bahay.”
Is it true Jake now sleeps in her condo?
“Hindi po. He visits me, just like other friends, pero hindi siya natutulog doon. Naku, baka ang next tsismis, magka-live in na kami. No way.”
After “Palos”, Roxanne will next be seen in “Maligno” with Claudine Barretto that will replace “Patayin sa Sindak si Barbarba”, and in “Florinda” with Maricel Soriano.
“I’m so happy na makakatrabaho ko po sina Ate Maria at Claudine,” she says. (MNS)
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MANILA - NICOLE Anderson was interviewed in “Showbiz Central” last Sunday about her rift with her mom, Jean Saburit. She said she only agreed to be interviewed “kasi unang nagpa-interview ang mama ko”.
She confessed that “Pag nag-away talaga kami, matindi, parang aso’t pusa.” But she denies that she kicked Jean.
‘Yung tinadyakan ko raw siya, that really hurts me. Sino bang anak ang makakagawa noon sa kanyang ina?”
She admitted their fight started when she came home 30 to 45 minutes late on New Year’s Eve and Jean asked her about her missing Louis Vuitton bag.
“I don’t remember borrowing it,” she says.
Why is her mom so mad at Bianca King?
“Bianca and I are like sisters. She said bad influence daw si Bianca, but earlier naman, she said natutuwa siya because my friends guide me. Nagpapasalamat talaga ako kay Bianca and her family, but at the same time, nahihiya rin kasi nakitira na nga ako sa kanila, na-damay pa sila, eh away naman namin ito ni mama. I’m really thankful I have a friend like Bianca who took me under her wing and took good care of me.”
Her mom is afraid that her boyfriend Jeremy Marquez might get her preggy.
“I really don’t know how Jeremy got into the picture. I met him just once in a small gathering then dinedma ko na siya.”
What would she like to tell her mom?
“Well, the damage has been done. I don’t want to say anything muna. All I can say is I’ve always wanted to please my parents and for them to be proud of me.”(MNS)
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