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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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NOBODY Said It Is Going To Be Easy
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There will be detractors. There will be hardships. There will be tears. Yet, what joy will any victory be without adversity and pain?
Our Filipino-American music scene is on the brink– it hangs in a balance that could tip towards life or death. It is so dynamic, just as life itself. New artists are being born, while existing ones are facing their ends. Emerging scene players are pulsating with possibilities, while old timers are now looking back at the days gone by. The very scene that we hold dear is faced with a question: What will become of the future when the ones making it happen now fade into the horizon?
Every little community in our scene from San Francisco, to Chicago, to Maryland, to New Jersey has to answer. The ones who have gone before us and laid the foundations of the scene that we now know, have given their appreciation to all of us who have continued what they have started. However, nobody can ignore the writing on the wall: Our tenure is not forever. Who then will take the beloved scene to heights only we can imagine?
The Midwest recently showed us that the future of the scene could very well be in their hands. They built a community there so vibrant, one could not help but marvel and join. CPMS (The Chicago Pinoy Music Scene) is the future knocking at our doors.
The West Coast has always been a bulwark of the scene, recently, however it seems that it is struggling to cope with the question about their future. For one, there is an apparent schism between Northern California and Southern California. Some bands are disillusioned with the whole idea of a unified scene. Others are pursuing their individual paths. Whatever happens to the West Coast scene will greatly affect the whole– The region is the most identified with the Philippines, in both citizenry and establishments. A ruined West Coast could spell doom for the entire scene.
The South East is also a point of interest. These recent months have been their quietest so far. Bands have disbanded, shows have become scarce and general Fil Am music activity is at a low. The home of Pinoywootstock, a source of strength for the entire Fil Am scene in the past, seems to be in a passive phase.
What about the North East? What about us here in New York and New Jersey?
Although we can safely say that the North East has recently been the place with the most activities, it is also haunted by its own future. For most of us who are doing all we can to keep things going, nothing could alleviate the worries that tomorrow might bring.
Scene players here are anticipating an uncertain future. The reason being, there aren’t any new blood interested to carry the torch.
Now, if we here in the North East are facing extinction in the future, we are determined not to fade without one last crescendo. That crescendo is Rock in the Box 2 and Poptimes Magazine- printed.
The very idea of Rock in the Box is synonymous to the meaning of being in a community. The 2nd volume of this idea is more all encompassing, given the variety of the contents and the vast geographic differences. Hence the slogan: 15 artists. Six States.Two Countries. One Scene. Meanwhile, Poptimes Magazine's only mission is to record and bear witness to it all.
If due to the lack of prospects to handle the New York and New Jersey scene in the future, we indeed fold, we would do so with honor and pride. We will take comfort in the fact that we did all we could and we did it well.
More so, we do hope that in the coming years, when one looks at aging copies of Rock in the Box 1 & 2, scratched up CDs of NY/NJ bands as well as torn pages of Poptimes Magazine, one would think that at one point in Filipino-American history, we were all part of a magnificent thing.
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MANILA -- Whenever Dina Bonnevie is asked to comment on the supposed ongoing romance of her son, Oyo Sotto, and Kristine Hermosa, it’s obvious that she’s not comfortable with it.
Dina would even ask back: "’Di ba may asawa na siya (referring to Kristine)?"
In fairness to both Kristine and Oyo Boy, they insist that they are just friends. They have only gotten closer, Kristine explained, because they co-starred with Oyo’s dad, Vic Sotto, in three "Enteng Kabisote" movies.
"Nakakatawa nga," said Kristine. "’Di ba, ang role ko sa ‘Enteng’ ay asawang engkantada ni Mr. Vic, at anak namin si Oyo."
Kristine and Oyo are together again, this time in the teleserye, "Reyna ng Banyera," which airs daily on ABS-CBN.
Kristine has a new movie, "My Big Love," co-starring her with Toni Gonzaga and Sam Milby. "My Big Love" is a feel good romantic movie produced by Star Cinema. The film, likewise, marks the first mainstream vehicle to be directed by Jade Castro. Direk Jade’s first work was the critically acclaimed "Endo," an indie movie, starring Jason Abalos and Ina Feleo. "My Big Love" stars together for the first time Kristine Hermosa, Toni Gonzaga, and Sam Milby.
"Actually, ako lang ang ‘di pa nakaka-trabaho either si Toni o si Sam. Silang dalawa yata nakagawa ng two movies na magkasama ("You Are the One" and "You Got Me," both for Star Cinema).
"It’s a different kind of love story," direk Jade said. "It’s heartwarming. It will make every moviegoer feel light and easy when he leaves the movie house, which is just what we need in confusing times like this."
As the title implies, "My Big Love," is a story of a literally big guy torn between two beautiful ladies. The guy is played by Sam, who is transformed into a huge guy through prosthetics.
"This concept has been with us for the past three years," said direk Jade. (MNS)
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MANILA -- MARIAN Rivera is elated to be the first “Dyesebel” on TV. This enduring tale of a beautiful mermaid, that started with Edna Luna in the Gerry de Leon 1953 big screen version, will start on March 17 after “Marimar” ends on March 14 with a special live telecast.
“Panay ang training ko ngayon sa swimming kasi I don’t want to use a double for my underwater scenes,” she says.
And because her teamup with Dingdong Dantes was such a hit in “Marimar”, Dingdong will again play her leading man in Dyesebel, the role of Fredo originated by the late Jaime de la Rosa. Joyce Bernal will direct them once again.
Marian will really be very busy as she is also the personal choice of Dolphy to be the leading lady in the first movie he’s doing with Vic Sotto. This will be a co-production of Vic’s own M-Zet Productions, Dolphy’s RVQ Productions and APT Entertainment of Mr. Tony Tuviera, to be directed by Tony Reyes who directs all Vic’s movies, including the hit “Enteng Kabisote” franchise.
“I’m excited to work with the country’s two top comedy kings,” Marian gushes. (MNS)
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MANILA -- A stunning newcomer better known as a host and VJ is Katherine "Kat" Alano. Born on July 9, 1985 in Birmingham, England, her dad is Pinoy and her mom is British.
"I was a year old when my parents worked in Hong Kong and that's where we stayed for 15 years," she says.
Then her parents split and she moved with her mom and younger brother back to England, where she finished high school in Norfolk at 18. She then decided to visit her grandma in Batangas City and while she was there, she joined the search for Bb. Lungsod ng Batangas and won in the pageant. She then auditioned at ABS-CBN and was hired as a VJ for Studio 23.
From there, she was made a co-host in "Wowowee," did three movies ("Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo," "First Day High," and "Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo"), one teleserye ("Ysabella"), several TV commercials, and is now hosting "VIP Pass," Thursdays at 9 p.m. on Cinema One and is also an MTV VJ.
What about a story that she was taken out of "Wowowee" because of a fight with Willie Revillame?
"No, I left because I wanted to grow," Kat said. "Willie and I are now in good terms. Hosting is really my passion and I'm happy now with my VJ work in MTV and my hosting 'VIP Pass' where I get to go to awards nights, movie premieres, and other big events to interview celebrities."
Who are the most interesting celebs she has interviewed?
"Aga Muhlach is very pleasant to talk to, the same with John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo, but I had the most fun with Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo. They're great as a couple."
Eri Neeman was Kat Alano's rival in a VJ hunt. "Tinalo niya ako," he says. "But now, we're together in Cinema One."
Eri co-hosts "Cinemanews Weekend Edition" with Bianca Gonzales, Fridays at 9 p.m. Before this, he was doing segments for "Wazzup Wazzup" on Studio 23. He broke into showbiz when he joined Studio 23's search for Summer Beach Bums in 2006. He is now a DJ for Wave 89.1 and has also gone into acting and played a photographer in "Lobo." Eri is managed by Arnold Vegafria and he just signed up a contract with Regal Films.
Eri's real name is Ari.
"Pero you know naman what's ari in Tagalog, di ba? So, pinagtatawanan ako kaya I changed it to Eri."
The second of three kids, he has a German-Jewish dad and a Pinay mom. He grew up in Angeles City where his dad worked in Clark Field. In college, he enrolled at Holy Angels University.
"But I didn't know what to take up. I started with engineering, shifted to business, then I want to Manila and tried modeling at naging VJ nga ako." (MNS)
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MANILA -- Guess what Sam Milby gave his alleged lady love Anne Curtis? An expensive high definition camera, that is.
It was Anne's birthday last February 17. But Sam failed to greet her personally, as he was shooting for "My Big Love." It was on the set of their drama series, "Maging Sino Ka Man," that he finally greeted her and gave her the gift. Last Christmas, Sam also gifted her with something special.
When asked if the two of them are really sweethearts, Anne answered: "What you see is what you get." (MNS)
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MANILA -- Sexy comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto found her name making headlines anew when she was spotted sitting beside First Gentleman Mike Arroyo inside a plane bound for Hong Kong. As expected, rumormongers quickly surmised that perhaps there's something going on between the two well known personalities.
"It's true. Totoo po na nakasabay ko po siya sa flight papuntang Hong Kong. Magkatabi po kami, tabing-tabi," confirmed Rufa Mae.
However, Rufa Mae quickly explained that everything was purely coincidental; with both parties completely oblivious that they'd be sitting beside each other throughout the flight.
Stating her point, Rufa Mae explained, "Nagkataon lang na nagkatabi kami. Hindi naman ako ang nagbu-booking," she smiled, pledging her innocence.
"Hindi ba, ‘pag nagtsecheck- in ka? Hindi ko naman alam kung saan ako iuupo or something. Pero ‘wag naman po sana nating bigyan ng malisya dahil Hong Kong lang naman po ‘yon. Kaya ko naman magbayad ng first class, twenty- two thousand."
Coincidentally, both Rufa Mae and the First Gentleman left the country to take a much needed respite. But while the president's husband was off to escape further controversy brought by the much talked about ZTE scandal, Rufa Mae's reason, on the other hand, was simply to unwind and recharge her batteries.
Putting her point across, Rufa Mae stressed beamingly: "To relax ha, kaya nag-first class naman ako. Sa kaka-first class ko, ‘yan tuloy ang napapala ko!"
"Sabi niya, 'Hija, ano nga ulit pangalan mo?'" recalled Rufa Mae, who revealed that she was wearing a pair of shades thus concealing her true identity.
Mike Arroyo's face lightened up the moment Rufa Mae took her shades off. "Tinanggal ko ‘yong shades ko. So, sabi ko, hindi si Rufa Mae po. Sabi niya sa akin ay ‘Oo, kilala kita,'" the first gentleman reportedly acknowledged good-naturedly. (MNS)
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TALENTED Pinoy director Jun Lana will direct two episodes of Singapore TV's Incredible Tales. Now in its fifth season on Media Corp's Channel 5 every Wednesday night in Singapore, Jun has been given the responsibility to write and direct two episodes for possible telecast next month.
The Filipino director was chosen based on his first mainstream directorial job for Regal Films' Gigil starring Katrina Halili and Alfred Vargas.
Incredible Tales is hosted by MTV Asia's VJ Utt and dramatizes true stories accounts that are normally categorizedas urban legends. On its third season, the suspense program shifted its focus from Singaporean urban legends to stories covering its neighboring Asian countries as well.
Jun is directing the episodes about the local version of the White Lady and Flying Vampires. Filipina actress Juliana Palermo will play the role of a Flying Vampire in the episode while Niña Jose will essay the role of the White Lady.
The other local stars who passed the auditions for this English-language series and will be part of either episodes are Frank Garcia, Say Alonzo, and Lance Raymundo.
Jun is a Palanca-winning scriptwriter turned director. Several scripts that he has written for film include Jose Rizal (with Ricky Lee and Peter Ong Lim), Soltera (with Jerry Sineneng), Bagong Buwan (with Ricky Lee), at Mga Pusang Gala (with Rudy Vera).
Apart from megging Gigil , he also directed the digital film Roxxxanne.
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At work or play, the "Papaya" dance craze in the Philippines has people all over the nation dancing to a unique set of moves. It has simple steps -- clap clap, shuffle shuffle, point your fingers in the air!
The "Papaya" dance craze has taken over the Philippines since it began as a gimmick on a television game show, where a correct answer clinching the elimination round "Papaya." Host of the "Game Ka Na Ba", (Are You Game?) show Edu Manzano said the song has a great effect on people.
"This song just kind of tickles people in the right way. It brings a glint through your eyes, a smile to your face, and a kind of sway to your hips," he said.
The daily exposure helped Manzano popularize the dance across the country. He even released an album entitled "The World's Greatest Dance Steps," including a remixed version of the "Papaya," a 1970's R&B tune originally composed by Urzula Dudziak. The album has sold more than 80,000 copies.
The craze reflects the Filipinos' fun-loving attitude despite political turmoil and economic strains, Manzano said. The craze has become so contagious that a supermarket chain has made it part of its staff's daily regimen. From the fish section to the shoe department, salespersons were gyrating to the "Papaya."
"When we get a bit tired from work, the dance helps us relax," said Ricky Albot, who mans the fruit and vegetables section.
The shoppers appreciated the light-hearted attraction, "It's fun, they're an added attraction to grocery shopping," said shopper Josie Agtas.
In Boracay island, a tourist hotspot, resort staff at One-MGM (My Greatest Moments) hotel welcome their guests with a "Papaya" dance number.
"We just discovered that dancing the "Papaya," when we started to share it with people from London, from Germany, we saw that it clicked. There's a special something," said Rey Fuentes, One-MGM's general manager. He added that the perky dance cut across all ages, professions, and cultures.
The tune's catchy beat and steps have gripped dance floors across the Philippines and inspired groovers and less likely venues, including a church, an embassy and a jail.
A clip of U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney shuffling to the Papaya alongside Manzano is a popular clip on You- Tube, with more than 30,000 hits since it was posted four months ago. About 1,700 "Papaya" dances, starring children and young people, as well as Transformer toys and Ronald Mc- Donald, have been posted on the video-sharing websites by enthusiasts.
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