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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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The Pedro Gil Interview- Conclusion
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How would you describe your music?
Czara: Quite frankly, I am always stumped whenever this question arises, and my illiteracy shows up, front and center; I can't find better adjectives than "cool" or "awesome". It's a problem for me. Maybe the guys can describe it better.
Andrew: I don't know.. and I'm in the band. Go figure.
Mike: There's really no description. It's always been a collaboration of people merging sounds that have influenced them through the years.
Czara: One of our good friends, Le-Van de Guzman, made up a genre for Pedro Gil music. But I forgot what it is. There's no point in me pointing this out huh?
Heath: I agree that the music is indescribable. It's a mixed bag of various influences infused into the music.
Influences?
Czara: Julie Plug, Alcoholiday, Oasis, The Stone Roses, Ride, Dashboard Confessional, Eraserheads, Barbie's Cradle, New Kids on the Block, Menudo, The Care Bears
Andrew: New Wave, Indie, Punk (old & new school), Reggae, Hardcore, Jazz Mike: U2, Oasis, Identity Crisis, Ricky Martin, and Robby Rosa
Charles: Pedz Narvaja from Teeth, who taught me some bass tricks when I was just starting out. Alex James from blur, who taught me to utilize the bass in a technical happy pop way, Paul McCartney for his precision and style, Jaco Pastorious and Flea and Nathan from Bamboo equally for their mindblowing basslines.
Heath: The Police, Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Motley Crue, Poison, Skid Row, Warrant, Superchunk, Descendents, The Get Up Kids, Braid/Hey Mercedes, Sunny Day Real Estate, Led Zeppelin, The Appleseed Cast, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, DJ Shadow, Madlib, The Rza, Alkaline Trio, The Suicide Machines, Less Than Jake, Mineral, Texas is the Reason, Face To Face, The Aquabats, Blink-182, Weezer, Thursday, TBS, The Promise Ring, The Cure, The Flaming Lips, Jimmy Eat World, Smoking Popes
How do you approach songwriting?
Czara: Lyrically, I write what I feel, when I feel it. Recently, I've been writing songs during my commute home from work. Musically, it's piano- driven, bare-bones and unstructured. We then arrange the songs during rehearsal; by the time it's done, the song has mutated into something else. Everyone in the band has input and is encouraged to contribute to the songwriting process.
Andrew: It all depends. Sometimes I come to rehearsal with the music done and all Czara has to do is add the words and melody and the rest of the guys add their parts. Sometimes I have music that's not quite done yet and the guys help out and finish the music. And the other is we just jam and come up with something new and hopefully we don't forget till the next rehearsal. Note: always bring a recorder.
Czara: And a "white blackboard".. Hahaha.
Mike: It's the magic of a group of people creating an orchestra of what they feel at a given moment.
Charles: With a handshake and a "bro" hug, ask if he wants to have a beer with me, then offer to pay for his dinner. And hopefully get his number by the end of the night.
Heath: Usually just jam with a band for hours.. make a rough cut of a track from that.. get on tape.. then chop and arrange it from there. Sometimes it's magic where you start with nothing then 15 minutes later you have a great song done.
Are your songs geared towards a specific market and thus work on a set formula?
Czara: We write music we love to play. I'm a firm believer that if you write music because you love music, it extends to the audience, because they can see right through all the crap. Formulas and market specifications are something we never consider when writing.
Andrew: Not really. We write nice melodic music, so we want everybody to enjoy our music.
Mike: I'm not sure if Music can ever be sold or enclosed. Once you approach Music with a target in mind or a set formula, then you're enclosing the capacity for the Music to grow. You become boxed into a definition, rather than music it becomes a style, a label. I don't really know what I'm talking about, really..
Charles: I want to make the Thrifty Swap Meet crowd jump up and down and smile all day.
(Follow up to no. 4) if not, how far can your songwriting go? Will there be a time when Pedro Gil's songs would reach a self-indulgent peak?
Czara: Pedro Gil's always evolving. Not only because we've had band members come and go, but also because we pull from all aspects of music and make it our own. It also helps that our musical influences vary. Reaching a self-indulgent peak? Never. We'll always be self-indulgent. It's all about ME. Don't get it twisted. Haha.
Andrew: I hope not.
Mike: Music has no ending, and beginning for that matter. It's just music. An ever evolving entity.
Charles: I'd like to reach Twin Peaks. Because the fire walks with me.
What music do you hate?
Czara: I refuse to be genre-specific because I'll listen to anything. If it sounds good, bring it on. I get sucked in by a good melody, but I stay loyal because of the words. I love Whole Foods.
Andrew: Music is music man and I'm not telling, hehe.
Mike: I used to say I hate country music, I hate this and that, but I believe I've outgrown that mentality.
Charles: To be honest, the only time I hate music is when I find the room spinning after too many drinks and this non-stop house music just pounds into my brain when all I can think about is my bed and my stuffed penguin. Other than that I LOVE LOVE LOVE.
Heath: Trance.
Tell us about your albums
Czara: Our first full length is still in the future. I would like to meet it someday. We've released two DIY demos (Blurry All the Time, 2002 and New Love Songs in Broken English, 2004). There will be a six-song EP released soon; stay tuned for that.
Andrew: What Czara said.
Mike: I heyv a lot of albums, lots of fitchures in it.
Charles: They fill my room, ever since I was 12. theres nothing more to it than that. See Czara's answer for PEDRO GIL albums.
What are Pedro Gil's plans?
Czara: Take over the world? Yeah, that sounds just about right. Kidding aside, we want the songs recorded and released. I believe that's the biggest request from everyone. The audience needs to be able to bring something home and distribute to their friends. Also, I want to give my grandkids some proof that gramma was cool when she was younger. So, yeah.
Andrew: Write more songs. Finish the EP/Album. Play more shows. Hopefully get signed by an indie label (wishful thinking).
Mike: Take over the world then take over Pedro Gil.
Charles: Burst through the scene like the Hulkster rips his yellow sando open!
Any plans to play in New York?
Czara: Yes, please. Summer 2008, hopefully.
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MANILA -- DURING the presscon for KC Concepcion’s first foray into acting, she was asked about Richard Gutierrez.
”Ay, naku, hintayin na lang po natin mangyari ‘yon bago natin pag-usapan,” she says.
She also denied she and Richard had a date once.
”I never dated Richard,” she stressed. “We were in a group, a big group. It should never be an issue since I have a lot of boy friends, kaibigang lalaki.”
She likewise clarified that Richard was never the reason why she and Director Lino Cayetano broke up.
”I am not that kind of girl (two timer). And I will never allow anyone to make me seem like that kind of girl. I was never like that and I never would be like that,” she clarifies.
Direk Lino who is said to be based in Singapore now was said to have been seen with his ex (what a mad, mad world), Bianca Gonzales.
“I don’t have anything to do with that,” she says. “Wag n’yo na akong isali dyan.”
When asked if she’s happy that Direk Lino and Bianca are back into each other’s arms, she simply said: “Yes.” (MNS)
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MIRAMAR, FL -- She began her interest in music and singing when she was just two years old. One of her favorite tunes then was La Bamba, yet as she was growing up she showed a liking to songs with depth and meaning such as Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting."
Parents Roger and Alice gave their full support towards their daughter's passion and at the same time making sure that Ramiele was given the right foundations in education, where she is studying to become a nurse.
Throughout her growing years Ramiele performed in family gatherings and party invitations. When she was 12 years old she performed at debutante celebration in a 5-star Orlando hotel. She later participated in regional singing competitions where she had won two silver prizes and the Championship.
Now 19, has the time come for Ramiele?
Ramiele auditioned for the American Idol in Miami last August 2007, where she was picked by the producers among thousands of participants.
Based in Miramar, Florida, she worked hard with the support of her family in practicing and honing her vocal skills and style. A difficult and tough schedule laid ahead, as Ramiele, a nursing student, balanced her school work and practice schedules. The family later decided Ramiele needed to concentrate in preparing for the big challenge and agreed to continue with her studies later.
With the support of of parents Roger and Alice, amid the cheering of younger sister May, Ramiele pulled through. The moment of truth came on Jan. 30th at the American Idol Season 7 auditions in Miami in a face-off with none other than Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson.
Ramiele was prepared. Before Ramiele joined the auditions she said she just want to see Simon, Paula, Randy and go to Hollywood. She maintained her confidence and was positive in everything. She was ready of Aretha Franklin's " Natural Woman" Ramiele proved her mettle as almost everyone thought. Except for Cowell.
"I think you're a good singer," started Cowell. "I dont think you're a contemporary singer, I think you're more like a hotel singer!"
For all but her facial expression, the comment did not faze Ramiele. She maintained her confidence. She was there to be the next American Idol.
"I think you are phenomenal," interjected Abdul.
"I was impressed," said Jackson.
In the end Ramiele was voted in to compete in American Idol 7.
"Welcome to Hollywood!" exclaimed Jackson. (Story by filamvision.tv)
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MANILA -- SAM Milby is set to leave for a three-week concert tour in the US and Canada with Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz, right after the showing of his post-Valentine movie, "My Big Love" with Toni Gonzaga and Kristine Hermosa.
"My Big Love" opens in 100 theaters nationwide starting February 28.
"I’m excited about our show in Ohio (USA), my hometown. I promised my mom (a Filipina) I won’t disappoint her and our kababayan there," said Sam. "This early, I’m rehearsing for the show, not necessarily for the one in Ohio lang, in between my promo for ‘My Big Love.’"
"My Big Love" is Sam’s third movie with Toni, the first two being "You Are the One" and "You Got Me," both directed by Cathy Garcia Molina.
But it’s his first team up with Kristine in "My Big Love," with Jade Castro at the helm.
Direk Jade megged the much-acclaimed indie movie, "Endo (End of the Contract)," topbilled by Jason Abalos and Ina Feleo. The director started as a scriptwriter, though.
Did you know that Toni and Sam almost became sweethearts? In fact, they had a mutual understanding (MU, for short) for three months.
"I admit that Toni is the first girl in showbiz I truly got attracted to.
"Hanga ako sa kanyang pagiging host noon sa first ‘PBB (Pinoy Big Brother)’ where I was a housemate," Sam revealed. "Funny, but when I told Uma (Khouney, another former ‘PBB’ housemate) about it, sabi niya, she seems like a tomboy."
How ironic since, according to Toni, among the male housemates in the first "PBB," Uma was her crush.
It was Toni who cut off the budding relationship between her and Sam, according to the latter. Both of them became so busy that they just didn’t have time for each other.
"Toni and I are happy, though, that the supporters of our love team have remained intact," Sam said. "They continue to support us. And what an overwhelming support they are giving us."
"You Are the One" and "You Got Me" both made the P100-million mark during its run in Metro Manila alone.
Similarly, added Sam, they’ve got good reviews from the critics. They just cannot thank them enough, he further stated.
About co-star Kristine, he considers it a pleasant experience working with her. "She’s not only beautiful but a good performer as well," Sam said. (MNS)
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MANILA -- JERICHO Rosales’ big love (aside from Heart Evangelista) is singing which the former hunk considers a passion.
In 2005, he and Jeans were born. The debut album, “Loose Fit,” was released in Malaysia on March 2006 under EMI Malaysia. Manila caught up five months later.
Jeans is tight with great songs tucked under its belt but soon found itself struggling to hold attention against a battalion of bands already guarding the field.
The management decided that he go solo instead but to set the record straight, Jericho will still be joined by his Jeans band in some album productions.
The first single from the self-titled album is Paglisan, a remake of 90s band, Color It Red. His edgy version of the song is also being played on the drama series, “Pangarap na Bituin.” Other revivals include Tito Mina’s funky “Ikaw Pa Rin” and Joshua Kadison’s hit “Beautiful In My Eyes” which the actor dedicates to Heart, the love of his life.
Four of his original compositions are also featured. These are Ngayong Gabi., Tuwing Nakikita Ka, Coming Out and Kasama Ka.
“Singing changed my career so much. One or two years from now, I’m gonna be acting again and will probably be active doing both. Right now I just need to establish things properly. I got to be prepared in anything I wanna do but God is good and his timing is perfect.
Singing, on the other hand, has defined my career very well. And it showed me where to go and what I wanna do,” Jericho shares. (MNS)
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MANILA -- IN GMA7’s newest teleserye, “Joaquin Bordado,” Iwa Moto is more daring than in her past roles. Her oozing personality makes her a candidate for stardom, especially now that she’s becoming a favorite of both the male and female fans.
She denies that she’s competing with Katrina Halili. In fact, she considers Katrina her best friend and a sister, having come from the same studio, GMA 7.
Meanwhile, is she not afraid that leading man Robin Padilla might court her? She simply smiled. Although she’s told that they will have kissing scenes in the series, they have not shot them yet.
“I’ll cross the bridge when I get there,” she laughs, as if giving Robin a dare.
Meanwhile, when Robin was teased about Iwa, all his reaction was: “Puwede ba?”
Well, he can try Iwa. (MNS)
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MANILA -- FORMER Viva Hotbabe Sheree is seven months pregnant.
A few months ago, during a show at the Araneta Coliseum, friends saw Sheree and noticed a slight bulge on her tummy. But those who’ve seen her thought she was simply gaining weight.
But recently, the sexy star could not hide her delicate condition anymore. According to our sources, she has admitted her pregnancy and the father is her long-time boyfriend, Pinoy Idol third placer Gian Magdangal.
While there is no talk of marriage yet, Gian, who’s a cousin of Jolina Magdangal, is not running away from his responsibilities. In fact, he has professed his love for the sexy star. (MNS)
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