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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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It is a daunting task to even think about the Filipino- American music scene without thinking about Pedro Gil.
The band has become synonymous with the scene itself and has continuously inspired new artists to come out and represent. They are uncompromising when it comes to their music and focused when it comes to their goals.
Poptimes Magazine finally caught up with Pedro Gil and managed to pick their brains for everyone in the scene to share.
While the band had lineup changes in the past, it is important to note that this interview may perhaps be the final interview the band will ever give with their bandmate Mike still in the band. As of presstime, we have been informed that he left the band.
No official statement has come from the Pedro Gil camp yet, but we all wish them the best and we hope that they will continue to make music for all of us to enjoy.
Here's the full interview:
Czara Dela Llana- Lead vocalist. Give us a brief genesis of the band.
Czara: Pedro Gil is the lovechild of two bands formed in the late 90s: Six Years Into and Two-Headed Chang. After 6yi and 2hc disbanded, the remaining members from both bands merged and continued to make music.
Andrew: What Czara said.
Mike: What's a genesis?
Charles: A genesis of the band? Andrew is Phil Collins, and Czara is Peter Gabriel. Mike likes the stu-stu-studio, Heath is a sledgehammer, and I can feel it coming in the air tonight.
What's new with the band?
Czara: We have a new drummer, Heath. He kicks ass. Also, our original bass player, Janina, has returned; she is now on keyboard/noise duty.
Andrew: Just a kickass drummer.
Czara: Oh and plus our live shows are so bloody awesome now. Literally. Bloody. Awesome.
Mike: A badass drummer.
Charles: I have a new bass. His name is Joey FAT-TONE. R.I.P. my old bass, Lance Bass. We had a many intimate nights together. Now I'm dancing with the Fat-tone!
What can Pedro Gil offer the young Fil-Am music scene?
Czara: Good music. It's extremely difficult to find kickass bands with real music these days; I think Pedro Gil has always written great stuff. Also, we can be really fun drinking buddies.
Andrew: Hopefully, good indie pop music.
Mike: Hang out with us you will see why you can never call us Fil-Ams, with emphasis on the Ams.
Charles: Candy in the form of rockin' pop songs. Then when their sweet tooth can't take it anymore, we have slow love songs that act like Novocaine at the dentist's office.
To be continued.
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MANILA -- Comedienne- actress-singer Rufa Mae Quinto and singer Jessa Zaragoza are on the warpath again, after eight long years.
Zaragosa, who was a popular singer with a string of monster hits in the 1990s, vented her disappointment and called Quinto a liar through a phone interview from her home in California.
The whole fracas arose from statements made by Quinto in the YES! interview, where she revealed the depths of the heartache she felt after her then-boyfriend Dingdong Avanzado was "stolen" by Zaragosa. Rufa Mae and Dingdong became an item eight years ago before he married Zaragoza. Zaragoza denied Quinto's claims.
"Unang-una, nung mga panahon po na yon, wala pong inagaw, wala pong inagawan at wala rin po akong sinira na relasyon nila ni Dingdong noon... hindi po siya girlfriend ni Dingdong Avanzado," said Zaragoza.
'Indecent'
Asked to specify exactly what went on with Quinto and Avanzado then, Zaragoza declined saying she didn't know how to give a description that would not be construed as offensive.
"Ang hirap pong umisip, magsabi ng disenteng salita kung paano ko po mailalarawan ang relasyon niya noon kay Dingdong. She was seeing other men aside from Dingdong, nahuli po siya ni Dingdong.
"Ganun po ang set-up nila, hindi po seryoso, hindi po girlfriend-boyfriend exclusive. Paano siya seseryosohin ng isang lalaki kung siya ay nanlalalaki," Zaragosa said.
Zaragosa clarified that her reaction is more out of concern for her four-year-old daughter who might be affected by Quinto's claims.
"Masama loob ko kasi inatake niya po kami, inatake niya ang pamilya ko... ayoko pong bilang magulang balang araw na tanungin po ako ng anak ko "Mom, is it true na inagaw mo si Daddy sa babaeng ito, may inagrabyado kang tao."
Zaragoza also denied Quinto's claim that they used to be the best of friends. As a parting shot, Zaragoza gave this message to Quinto: "Nalulungkot ako para sa yo dahil ang integridad at katotohanan, wala ka no'n."
'It's my life'
Quinto said that she wasn't surprised by Zaragoza's negative reaction but explained that in doing the YES! interview, she was only telling her life story, as a way of breaking with the past and starting anew.
Quinto said that it was never her intention to hurt anyone and appealed to the audience to read the interview more carefully, so it would be clear that she made no personal attack against Zaragoza and her family.
"Past is past, kuwento na lang. Hindi lang naman siya eh, lahat ng na-involve po sa akin," said the sexy comedian.
She said that she has no regrets over the interview, explaining that she has the right to talk about the story of her life as she sees fit.
"Istorya po ng buhay ko yon, feeling ko po hawak ko po ang kwento ng buhay ko at kahit anong mangyari hindi ko po babaguhin yon. Buong loob lang po ako nagsabi ng totoo sa nangyari sa buhay ko," she said. (MNS)
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MANILA - WHEN Gretchen Barretto met with Star Cinema managing director Malou Santos at ABSCBN sometime last week, it was to discuss the launch of Gretchen’s first album for Star Records, another ABS-CBN subsidiary which Malou also heads.
It was in the course of their talk that Malou mentioned to Gretchen if she would consider doing a movie for Star Cinema. "Maski isa lang,"
Gretchen, if you recall, did a movie for OctoArts Films two years ago, titled "Karma," a Metro Manila Film Festival entry.
Gretchen told Malou: "Allow me to talk it over with Tony Boy (Cojuangco, her partner for more than 10 years now). Kapag sinabi niyang, ‘yes you can,’ then it’s a go for me."
"In that case," Malou reportedly suggested, "ask him, too, if he will allow you to do a teleserye for one season (13 weeks). Just like what you did for ABS-CBN almost three years ago."
Luckily for Gretchen, Tony Boy gave her the blessing to accept both offers.
"Actually," said a source, "this year will be a busy year for Gretchen. She has renewed several of her endorsements, including the one for a clothing line. Noong kinakausap ko siya, she was having a pictorial for her print ad."
By the way, in Gretchen’s new CD, Tony Boy has a contribution. He recorded a song. (MNS)
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MANILA -- It's no exaggeration to say that Sarah Geronimo has die-hard fans in the US. During one of her SRO concerts in America, one Pinay who had earlier been rushed to hospital insisted that she be brought to watch Sarah perform. She got her wish, arriving at the concert in a wheelchair.
Then there was this professional photographer who presented Sarah with an album of pictures he shot during her last US concert. “The album was so beautiful,” she says. “I wasn’t aware he was taking my pictures. I was so thankful.”
Pinoys abroad never tire of Sarah. She has played to packed audiences every time she flew over to entertain them. They follow her programs on The Filipino Channel. They can’t get enough of her.
This March, her fans in the US and Canada will once again get the chance to see their idol perform live. Sarah will be performing with the same barkada of singing champions that has been doing successful concert tours overseas.
Before she packs her bags and flies off, Sarah goes on stage with Rachelle Ann Go, Christian Bautista and Erik Santos at the Araneta Coliseum on February 13.
After that, you’ll see a lot of Sarah when her print and TV commercials are launched. (MNS)
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MANILA -- RACHELLE Ann Go was not aware that her ex-boyfriend Christian Bautista issued a press statement to a broadsheet columnist that they have parted ways. She was surprised when she heard about it. That’s why when she was asked regarding their break up, Rachelle just followed whatever was stated in her ex-bf’s press statement.
She said that she felt somehow that their relationship was headed for a split-up since even in her dreams, she was seeing signs pointing to a breakup. Rachelle also couldn’t explain why their relationship failed.
There was no third party involved and they didn’t have a big fight that could lead to a failed romance. Besides, contrary to the belief of many, they didn’t break for the sake of their careers. They wouldn’t do such a thing just to make their careers shine.
But even if Rachelle and Christian are no longer an item, they still work together. They are a part of Viva Records and ASAP Live’s Valentine Concert “Ol 4 Luv” together with Sarah Geronimo and Erik Santos give their all on February 13, Wednesday, 8 p.m. at the Big Dome (Araneta Coliseum). Also joining are special guests including stand-up comedian Pooh and sizzling dance group G-Force. (MNS)
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MANILA - Albert Martinez finally realizes his wish to turn into a movie producer. It’s a pity that he could not direct the movie himself, as he is busy with a teleserye. Albert has tapped Maryo de los Reyes to direct the movie, which will be titled "Rosario."
To play Albert’s leading lady is young star Valene Montenegro, who is 17 years old.
"Valene will play her age," said Albert. "But she will portray my wife, too. Parang period movie itong ‘Rosario,’ in the mold of one local epic movie, like ‘Oro, Plata, Mata.’"
Valene, according to Albert, auditioned for the role. And she’s good, he revealed. He didn’t know until after the audition that Valene is a granddaughter of the late actor, Mario Montenegro. Valene’s grandma, Letty Alonzo, was a former actress, too.
"’Rosario’ supposedly happened during the period in Phillippine history when younger women married older men," Albert added.
Also in "Rosario" is Roxanne Guinoo.
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GMA 7 News and Public Affairs captured 2 gold medals, 2 silver, and 2 bronze at the New York Festivals Awards Ceremony.
“Reporter's Notebook” (RN) hosts Maki Pulido and Jiggy Manicad shared a Gold World medal for the episode “Batang Kalakal.”
“I-Witness” (IW) host Sandra Aguinaldo won a Silver World Medal for “Iskul Ko, No. 1”; co-host Howie Severino also won a Silver for “Huling Hala Bira.”
“Emergency” host Arnold Clavio received the UNDPI Bronze medal for “Mga Batang Nagsusunog.” Clavio's award was given by the United Nations Department of Public Information.
Reporter Jun Veneracion won a Bronze Medal for “Engkuwentro,” aired on RN.
Lastly, “SOP,” “Pinoy Idol” and “Sis” director Louie Ignacio won a Gold World Medal for the “Power to Unite” music video, which was produced by Elvira Go for the National Bible Quiz Inc.
Ignacio, Manicad, Pulido, Aguinaldo, Clavio, Veneracion, along with executive producers Johnson Tam of RN and Ella Evangelista of IW, traveled to Manhattan to personally accept the awards at the gala held at the Tribeca Rooftop on Friday.
GMA 7 and QTV merited an unprecedented 14 nominations in this year's festival. Other finalists include QTV's “At Your Service, Star Power,” “Sana'y Muling Makapiling” and “Sapulso,” and GMA 7's “Art Angel,” “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” and “Tok! Tok! Tok! Isang Milyon Pasok!”
“GMA has never had [14] nominations before at the NY fest,” said Nessa Valdellon, vice president for Public Affairs. “No local network has brought home five medals. It's an unexpected blessing.”
ABS-CBN, the Kapamilya network won a Silver for Broadcast Promotion for “Boto Mo, Ipatrol Mo.”
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