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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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Suicide And The Music Scene
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LAST week one of the best bands in the FilAm music scene, Sodapop Suicide, unleashed two songs to the world.
This is a great thing in our music scene. We need more songs from great artists like them. You see, songs are the lifeblood of the music scene. So, as long as there are new songs coming in, the scene would never die.
It was in 2005 Val Guevarra, still a solo artist calling himself Sodapop Suicide, started recording his music. Among the first ones he recorded then was the hit song ‘Sana Naman,’ which landed on the prestigious Filipino-American compilation album, Rock in the Box released the following year. Right away, the FilAm music fans discovered Val’s knack for writing simple yet memorable songs.
During those early sessions, Val recorded four other songs along with ‘Sana Naman:’ ‘Style Mo Bulok’, ‘Lost alcohol
and cigarettes,’ and ‘Kalawakan’
Slowly, Val formed the band, first employing the services of guitarist Cho Lopes, who also plays with The Kuwagos.
For a period of time, the duo of Val and Cho played the circuits often with session bassists and drummers.
In 2006, the band finally sealed their roster by acquiring the steady drumming of Jowell Padilla and the solid foundations of bassist Juan Miranda.
As soon as the band became comfortable with one another, they began writing and arranging new songs to be added to the four tracks that Val already recorded. They recorded Rebound, Beauty Queen, Voltes 5, and Tunay. With the release of their singles, the band is expected to hit the road and play a lot this year, which is what their fans are missing.
“I am very happy that the band has new songs out. It only means that they will be out to play more this year,” says Jane, a Sodapop fan since 2006.
It is exciting to see the New York / New Jersey scene again spearheading the surge of Fil-Am music as it always did since 2004, when the new wave of bands began to emerge.
The release of the Sodapop singles mark only the beginning of another historic year for the scene as almost all the bands here are having new releases.
•Bleud are releasing their latest 6-song EP on February 9.
•Rumor has it that The Kuwagos are in the studio recording a comeback EP . It would be their first outing as a three-piece band if the rumor holds true.
•The Happy Analogues are in the final stages of their production for their sophomore album due out in mid-2008.
•Another Jersey band, Then Again are set to release their EP in March.
•Blue Mellon Pop and Qwadra are all due to release records this year.
The weather may be gloomy here, but the scene is definitely as bright as it can be.
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What pots and pans are they talking about? Same creative materials were struck with a rhythmic beat by souls that long to vibrate tunes to the world. Such indigenous musical instruments later became the foundation of a group of musicians from Bulacan that thrived under the influence of a wide genre of music.
“Apo ni Enteng”
Kayumanggi, then known as Apo ni Enteng deriving its name from their grandfather Enteng, started during the era of “Battle of the Bands” where most radio stations in Manila, during the early 90s, capitalized on the on-going trend to funnel-in talents from all over the country. In every town and city, each fiesta would be breaking grounds for talented artists longing for recognition. In such era, what celebration did not have “Battle of the Bands” as its main attraction, either for entertainment or fund raising?
The intensity for new small town bands in the early 90s was so much that the musical world was literally divided just into two categories. In that time, aside from the band break outs, hip-hop was also equating the radio spectrum. No wonder, a bunch of guys from Bulacan picked up their pots and pans and started drumming their way to the stage.
In 1994, Kayumanggi won the American Idol of those days, yes a Battle of the Bands competition, in Taytay, Rizal that would start a career in the most pirated industry in society. At that time, aspiring artists dream of becoming big (in fame and money) because there was none yet of the pirated CDs in Quiapo that would discourage them from pursuing a dream. What was clearly in the air was the rush for the gold by being the “new band in town”.
Blending in this band boom of the 90s, the group quickly toured the country for more competitions. (Rule of thumb was to win in the most number of contests so that talent scouts will start to notice the band). And so they did get noticed.
Getting in and out
As fast as they were getting into the scene, they also quickly waned in enthusiasm towards the end of the decade as the brothers have prioritized finishing college. But as a musician will always be a musician, they immediately regrouped after their separate academic endeavors to form what would now be known as ‘Kayumanggi”. But at this time, the music scene had already morphed into something else.
In the Philippines, there is an “uso uso” (fad) attitude where everybody gets overdosed and quickly gets saturated by a trend. By the turn of the decade, solo artists started to rule the airwaves leaving less room for the group. Later, the group would realize that such was a blessing in disguise as better opportunities were waiting for their talents.
Lunch time TV
“Chowtime na”, a popular lunchtime TV show on IBC 13 in the Philippines just had the perfect spot for the guys.
Kayumanggi became a regular performer of such show watched by hundreds of thousands of Filipinos nationwide via satellite. Their efforts started to pay off when, finally, hobby turns into profit when sponsors started to come. The group carried big brands such as Accel and Converse.
Kayumanggi in US
In March 2006, after the lapse of a major entertainment contract in the Philippines, the group decided to rock the shores of America.
Kayumanggi composed of three brothers. They are Edward Valerio – drums, Mackie Valerio – lead guitarist, and Lester Valerio – bass guitarist.
Kayumanggi is now here in the US reaching out to Filipinos, whose color has given them their name. They now bring to Filipino gatherings a new blend of homegrown experience born out of rich musical influences from back home.
Following their gigs are the producers in the industry of entertainment, Ed Sunico of EdSun Entertainment, John Ynayan of Newstar Philippines, and Herbert Y. Magtoto of Pinoy Chronicle Ed.
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Vincent Bueno won the grand prize in Europe's most popular TV musical competition, Musical! Die Show (Musical! The Show ) in Austria.
The only Asian contestant among the 10 competitors, Vincent beat Eva Klikovics and Gudrun Ihninger in the finals to win the title as well as 50,000 euros (P3 million) and the biggest break of his singing career.
The three finalists sang two songs each, one being their favorite among their past performances and the other song, their first performance.
Vincent, Eva, and Gudrun also performed duet and group numbers during the finale.
Vincent first performed "Grease Lightning" from the musical Grease, following it up with "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera,a number which he already performed. Vincent was the second performer among the three finalists.
Gudrun performed "Only You" from Starlight Express and "Mein Herr" from Cabaret, while Eva performed "The Winner Takes It All" from Mama Mia and "All That Jazz" from Chicago.
Vincent, the only finalist who received standing ovations from the audience for both of his solo performances at the end of the almost 2-month competition was declared the winner.
All Vincent could do after hearing his name as the winner was to shout and say "I love you" in Deutsch.
Musical! Die Show started with 10 contestants chosen from 400 aspirants. The first round of elimination started on November 23, 2007 and from then on, one contestant was eliminated each week. The elimination process is determined through votes from televiewers from Austria and other European countries.
Vincent wowed the viewers and even the judges of Musical! Die Show from the moment he performed his first musical number-"Hair" from the musical of the same title showcasing his powerful voice, impressive stage presence, and electrifying dance moves.
Aside from "Hair" and "Music of the Night," the viewers watched in awe as Vincent performed memorable songs from other hit musicals, like "I Wanna Be Like You" from Jungle Book, "Superstar" from Jesus Christ Superstar, "Why God Why?" from Miss Saigon (a homage to his Filipino roots since fellow Filipino Lea Salonga first portrayed the Tony Award-winning musical title character), "Singin' in the Rain" from the musical of the same title, and the German version of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!" from Mary Poppins.
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MANILA -- Angel Locsin is very evasive when asked about the real score between her and Luis Manzano. Maybe because this could adversely affect her team up with Piolo Pascual in "Lobo."
"We’re happy," she says.
"Pero hindi kami. Masaya lang kami na we got to know each other. Kasi mahihirapan na naman ako sa time ko, eh pareho naman kaming mas priority namin ang trabaho. We do go out, I don’t deny that naman. So enjoy lang kami sa gano’ng sitwasyon. We’re just friends."
So will they be each other’s date on Valentine’s Day?
"I don’t know. Ako, may taping for ‘Lobo.’ Naka-block off na ‘yon so I really have to work," Angel says. "Pero kung magyaya siya to go out after that, why not? We’re both single naman, ‘di ba?"
Can she say that Luis is the guy who’s closest to her now?
"Siguro. But I’m also close naman to PJ (Piolo) na hindi ko lang katrabaho sa ‘Lobo’ kundi also a good friend na nakakashare ko when I have a problem," she says.
When it comes to work, Angel tells, "It’s a great experience. Marami na siyang acting awards and he is able to guide me well in interpreting my role in ‘Lobo.’"
About her working relationship with Angel, Piolo said "she’s so down to earth at hindi maarte kaya masarap katrabaho and easy to get along with. Also, level-headed siya. Despite her success, her feet remain firmly planted on the ground. Her values haven’t changed at all."
"Also, as an actress, napansin ko sa workshop pa lang namin that she knows her craft, so when we do a scene, we explore together kung paano mas mapapaganda. We get along fine kasi pareho kaming devoted sa trabaho. Makikita rin on screen na maganda ang chemistry namin as Noah and Lyka, the lead characters in ‘Lobo.’ Very credible ang pagkaka-develop pati sa aming love story dito kaya sure akong viewers will like it." (MNS)
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MANILA -- Is it true Erich Gonzales is the reason why KC Concepcion broke up with director Lino Cayetano?
"Huh? Bakit ako?" Erich asked at the presscon of "Kung Fu Kids" where she is paired with racer Matteo Guidicelli.
"Wala naman po akong kinalaman doon, bakit ako ang sisisihin?"
The grapevine says that even when direk Lino was going steady with KC (who was still studying in Paris at that time), he also tried to woo Erich who he got to work with in "Mga Anghel na Walang Langit." But Erich allegedly rejected him as she knew he’s on with KC then. We’re told KC learned about this only when she came home to Manila and this is why she broke up with the young director. How true is this?
"Ay, wala po akong alam diyan, labas po ako diyan," Erich insisted. "Wala naman po si direk (Lino) sa ‘Kung Fu Kids’, so huwag na siyang isali rito. His love life is not my business. Let’s just talk about ‘Kung Fu Kids’ kasi happy ako sa role ko dito,” Erich remarked. (MNS)
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A record nine short films from the Philippines have been invited to the prestigious 30th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France from February 1 to 9, 2008. Regarded as the "Cannes" of short film festivals, the festival is the most important cinematographic event in the world dedicated to short films.
The films, mostly by maverick Filipino filmmakers, will form part of the Asian Panorama section of the festival. Short films from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam will complete the list for this year.
Making the cut are Raymond Red's Anino, Mes de Guzman's Batang Trapo, Cesar Hernando's Kagat ng Dilim, Tad Ermitaño's Local Unit, Lawrence Fajardo's Kultado, Mark V. Reyes' Last Full Show, Jeck Cogama's Putot, John Torres' Salat and Khavn de la Cruz's Rugby Boyz."
Clermont-Ferrand's audience numbers and the presence of film professionals make this the second cinema festival event in France, after Cannes. Thousands of filmmakers, film experts and spectators gather to meet there from all over the world as films mixed with the digital medium compete in the national and international sections. Its international film market is abuzz with promotion and distribution network where producers buy short films.
Anino, about a commercial photographer whose camera is stolen by a street urchin, features actors Ronnie Lazaro, John Arcilla and Eddie Garcia. It is the first Filipino short film to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2001.
Batang Trapo is about two siblings who sell rags to vehicle drivers. It won L'Etoile d'Or at the Marrakech Film Festival in 2002. De Guzman's other work, Ang Daan Patungong Kalimugtong, a full length film that recently won Best Picture at the Cine de Los Pueblos del Sur in Venezuela in South America and gave him an URIAN trophy for best director in 2005.
Kagat ng Dilim was shown at the Singapore Film Festival, Archipelago Film Festival in Rome and will be shown at the Asian Hot Shots Festival in Berlin in January. It is based on a true account in 1950 about a group of Huk guerrillas whose members disappear one by one and then found with bite wounds on their necks, leading to rumors that there is a vampire in their midst. Popular actor Piolo Pascual plays the lead role. Hernando's first short film, Maalinsangan ang Gabi, was the first Filipino film to compete at Clermont-Ferrand in 1993.
The other entries present contrasting stories of hope and desperation, love and lust, and a few presents the dark side of Manila.
Local Unit is set in the year 2072 where silicon computers have been superseded by biocomps—cloned brains sustained by nutrient fluids. Ermitaño is a video and media artist and Local Unit is his first digital short feature.
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MANILA -- FORMER VIVA Hot Babe Sheree was supposed to be launched in Viva’s “Scorpio Nights 3”.
The project never took off so she grabbed the offer of Director Jun Lana to play the title role in his new film, “Roxxxanne”.
“The role is good at title roler pa ko, so I accepted it,” she says. “I play a girl who rents an apartment owned by Jay Aquitania’s family. I don’t know that Jay is a closet queen in love with a pedicab driver, Janvier Daily. To cover up his sexual preference, Jay invents a lie about me na nilagyan ng sex video. This leads to an explosive series of events that erupts in a violent climax.
"When the movie was premiered in U.P., puro positive ang feedback sa pelikula at sa performance ko kaya happy talaga ako sa ‘Roxxxanne”.
Inspite of some delicate scenes of sex and violence, the film was approved without cuts. It’ll be shown starting February 2 at Robinson’s Galleria Indie Sine.
Why did Director Jun Lana make a movie about a sex video?
“Our country is dubbed as the texting capital of the world,” he says. “About 200 million text messages are sent everyday and the cellphone is no longer just a communication device but also a powerful and social tool. It’s also used for violating someone’s privacy. Sex videos involving celebrities and even ordinary people continue to circulate through cellphones. ‘Roxxxanne’ takes a look at how this seemingly harmless device can change our lives and affect us, whether in a good or a bad way.” (MNS)
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MANILA -- Shaina Magdayao plays her first mature role as a 23-year-old PMA soldier in "Lobo."
"It’s my way of saying goodbye to teeny bopper roles since I’m already 18," she says.
She has a kissing scene with Piolo in "Lobo" and this is the first time she’s doing such a scene.
Shaina says, "I asked my Ate (Vina Morales) about it and she said if I want to make good as an actress, hindi puwedeng puro lagi na lang ako pasweet, so I consented to do it."
So how did it feel while they were doing it?
"Siyempre, I was so tensed and nervous before the take, but I trusted Piolo kasi he’s like a kuya to me. Sweet and tender naman ang kiss at hindi torrid. He’s a real gentleman and was very careful kasi na-feel naman niyang nanginginig ako, pero na-take four pa rin ang eksena bago na-good ng director namin," she says.
Shaina attended both presscons of "Lobo" even if she was told by her doctor to rest in bed for two weeks after she had an accident while taping "Lobo."
"We were doing a fight scene and I’m supposed to do some kickboxing. Nagkamali ang ikot ng leg ko and I felt excruciating pain in my back. May naipit na ugat daw or something sa likod ko kaya I was taken to the hospital. Hindi na ako pinabalik sa taping at mag-rest daw nga ako ng two weeks," says Shaina. But I feel okay now, so trabaho na uli."
Now that she’s accepting mature roles, does this mean she’s ready to go sexy?
"Konti lang, hindi naman yung bold. I agreed to do the pictorial of Manual Magazine in February, pero hindi naman sobra. Tama lang for my age. Kapag sobra na, hindi ko yata kaya." (MNS)
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