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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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Chat With An Ex-Ehead (Conclusion)
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Marcus: Ely texted that "It's graduation time" he was a year ahead of us at the University and so after a year or so, I graduated myself.
Ted: Do you miss being an Eraserhead? What do you miss the most?
Marcus: Nope I don't miss it.
Ted: Do you still cover EHeads songs?
Marcus: Yeah, if we play New York we will play "Ang Huling El Bimbo" for you guys ha ha ha!
Ted: That would be nice! hahaha! Are you still in contact with Buddy, Ely and Raims? You still hang out, or jam perhaps?
Marcus: We communicate almost telepathetically as I don't have a phone. Ely is keeping himself "guarded" most of the time but there's no problem with Buds and Raims.
Ted: In his Poptimes Magazine interview, Raims said that an Eheads reunion will never happen. Do you think so? Why? If not, why not?
Marcus: Never is a big word. I think that's just his way of avoiding to expound on the question...maybe...I don't know what's gonna happen either.
Ted: How would you like to be remembered? As an ex-member of one of the most influential bands in Pinoy rock history? Or just a cool surfer who wrote and played in a cool band?
Marcus: I want to be remembered as both an Eraserhead and a cool surfer with a cool band and more, because people haven't really seen some of my other stuff.
Ted: How would you like the Eraserheads to be remembered?
Marcus: I have my memories thank you but I think it's not my problem how we are going to be remembered by you. I mean it's not my problem.
Ted: I see. How do you see the future of Pinoy rock?
Marcus: You are staring at it. I mean all the bands now from my generation and all the other new bands who are now busy in the "scene" are the future of Pinoy rock.
Ted: What's your take on music piracy? Do you believe that it does more good than harm or it is just evil.
Marcus: My take is still the same as my views on it in 2002, at least make the album sleeve/art a "collectible", that way you upgrade people's taste I might be wrong but that was my thesis for my unreleased Kamonkamon. It's evil and it's available everywhere, it's good because the common tao gets access to information for a lesser price.
Ted: What do you think of the current political situation?
Marcus: Yeah, I've been updating myself with the current events and I'm just sitting on the fence for now, so to speak. I'm just watching things to unfold on their own and not really thinking of committing myself to any particular side. Obvious na naman eh. Parang ansarap abangan.
Ted: Do you have a message for Fil-Am music fans and Poptimes Magazine readers?
Marcus: Pls. experience "Behold, Rejoice Surfernando Is Hear Nah" from MarkusHighway, dahil kayo ang inspirasyon ko dito. Mabuhay Noypi!
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MANILA -- The launching of “Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita” was presented like a party hosted by Dina Bonnevie, who plays Evita, a powerful jueteng queen in the story. Her rival, Glydel Mercado, then suddenly appeared as a gatecrasher and they acted a scene where each of them tried to disparage one another in a sophisticated but insulting manner.
The show’s trailer is truly impressive, particularly the pilot episode shot with hundreds of extras and with a helicopter. But the star that was most interviewed that night was Patrick Garcia, who plays a supporting role as a law enforcer who goes undercover to get into Dina’s dangerous lair. This is understandable as many writers want to find out his stand about the Jennylyn Mercado brouhaha.
First of all, Patrick made it clear that he never went to the U.S. as earlier reported. “It was a plan for me to go there to continue my studies but I never got to pursue it since I still have projects with GMA-7,” he says. “I haven’t left our country at all. Minabuti ko na lang munang manahimik at lalo ang lumalala ang issue kapag sasalubungin ko ang init ng ulo niya’t sagutan kami nang sagutan sa media.”
So what’s the real score between him and Jen?
“We haven’t talked. She changed her number and I can’t call her. I want to visit her at her home but I’m not sure how she’ll treat me. I might not be welcome. I don’t even see her in our church. I’m really confused about what happened to us. She has many complaints. I try to understand that it’s part of her pregnancy. Naiiba ang takbo ng emotions niya. Pero wala naman kaming formal breakup. It’s only in interviews with her on TV that I learned we’ve split up daw. I was really caught by surprise by the things she said. Mas maganda sana kung nagusap na lang muna kami para hindi lumala ito. I tried to talk to her pero siya na ang umiiwas. I’m not turning my back on her at handa pa rin akong ibigay what she and our baby need.
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MANILA - REGAL Entertainment is back with the wackiest movie of the year in “Manay Po 2 (Overload) ,” a spin off a smash hit with the same cast, John Prats, Polo Ravales, Jiro Manio and Cherry Pie Picache, with the addition of Rufa Mae Quinto.
When the role was again offered to John, he was hesitant at first, thinking that doing it would typecast him to gay roles. But, upon reading the script, it gave him a different high. After all, John is so at home with gays. He started young in the industry and working with gays is no problem. He thinks most of them are talented and intelligent, and there is no dull moment working with them on the set.
In the story, having three gay sons is a blessing for the mother, played by Cherry Pie Picache. But complications arise when love gets in the way.
The cast also includes Christian Vasquez, Mike Tan, Giselle Sanchez, IC Mendoza, Marco Alcaraz, Rubi-Rubi, Alex Castro, among others. It is written by Dinno Erece and directed by Joel Lamangan. (MNS)
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MANILA -- Showbiz royalty KC Concepcion has confirmed that she will have a television drama special entitled "I AM KC" in April.
"Generally mayroon kaming hiningi from ABS-CBN kung pwede mag-birthday offering, kasi sayang naman kung wala kaming offering sa audience, sa tao kasi birthday ko April 27, so ang ginawa ng ABS-CBN binigyan kami ng apat na iba-ibang genre for Saturday drama. So each weekend for four consecutive weeks starting March 29 may isang drama or comedy or fantasy na magaganap," Concepecion said.
KC, Maria Kristina Cassandra Concepcion in real life, is the daughter of Megastar Sharon Cuneta and former actor Gabby Concepcion.
During her first taping day, Concepcion shared some details of the special's pilot episode.
"Ang title niya Binibini, isang babaeng parang palengkera na laging sumasali sa mga beauty contest, beauty pageant nandoon ang nanay niya. May mga surprises sa buhay nila na hindi nila ini-expect at doon mangyayari iyong drama na nandoon sa comedy," she said.
To make her drama series more special, Concepcion will be joined by comedienne Ai-Ai delas Alas for the first episode, which will be directed by Wenn Deremas.
"Natutuwa nga ako kasi kasama namin dito si Ms. Ai-Ai, who is my super idol kasi super favorite ko ang movies niya especially with Direct Wenn. So iyong makasama ko si Direct Wenn at si Ms. Ai ai tapos nanay ko pa sobra, first time ko ding mag-comedy kasi," Concepcion said.
In "I AM KC", the new actress will be working with different actors since the episodes will be of different genres.
"Sa comedy si Ms. Ai-Ai, then may fantasy since pambata si [Makisig Morales] ang kasama namin (pero) hindi ko panama-meet. May isang musical kasama namin si Vhong Navarro. Iyong sa light romance hindi pa confirmed at naghahanap pa ng cast for that," she revealed.
Concepcion said her inspiration to do the project is her love of her fans and supporters.
"Marami akong natutunan at sila talaga ang nagbibigay sa akin ng inspiration, ng energy para gawin lahat ito. Dahil kung wala din pong nanonood eh ano pa ang work namin so sila din po ang reason kung bakit ko naisip at napagdesisyunan kong pumasok talaga kasi kung wala, sila walang sense ang trabaho ko."
KC Concepcion also spoke on the controversy regarding her decision to wear a bikini and pose for the summer campaign of a clothing line she endorses.
"Basta inisip ko na lang okey, I am in my 20s, kung di ko gawin ang bikini shoots ngayon kailan pa at saka hindi ko talaga inisip na magagawa ko ang shoots na iyon. Anyway nasa beach naman kami and any woman should be proud of her body, I'm very happy na nagawa ko na iyon," she said.
But on matters of the heart, KC Concepcion chose to keep mum. When asked about rumors that actor Richard Gutierrez is wooing her, she replied, "No comment, no comment talaga. Basta kung ano na lang ang sinabi niya doon sa ibang shows, iyon na lang po iyon. Kasi pareho kaming busy talaga and although, sobrang bait niya talaga at hindi siya papayag na malimutan siya. Iyon na lang ang masasabi ko kung ikaw iyong babaeng iyon talagang hindi mo makakalimutan sinisiguro niya iyon kahit wala siya dito."
Aside from her acting stints, Concepcion will also be busy with her commitments as UN ambassador, which includes visits to Mindanao. Concepcion was appointed by the United Nations as the World Food Programme Ambassador in the country.(MNS)
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GMA-7's 'MariMar,' television's record-breaking teleserye posted a 52.6 percent rating last March 14, Friday, the highest rating in TV history in recent years. The two-hour finale of Marimar broke its own record of 49.5 percent last November 16, 2007. More importantly, Marimar's 52.6 percent beat the 52.1 percent rating posted by Darna on April 14, 2005.
Marimar's final episode— featuring the wedding of Marimar (Marian Rivera) and Sergio (Dingdong Dantes) with the live telecast of the wedding reception—posted an even higher rating of 57.5 percent in non-cable households. GMA-7 had another Marimar special dubbed as Marimar Memories. This special took the No. 2 spot in the daytime race with 28.4 percent. GMA-7 left no stones unturned to make sure that the finale episode would be unforgettable.
The Studio 3 of GMA Network Center was spruced up in soft pink hues for motif. It was almost like a real wedding. No wonder, fans glued to the top-rating show. Of course, advertisers were not shortchanged because "Mari Mar" delivered in the ratings game.
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Fil Am to appear on the official Idol US Tour 2008
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NEW YORK– It was elimination night on American Idol last Wednesday, and lady luck smiled at the FIlipino-
American finalist, Ramiele Malubay, once again as millions of voters decided to catapult her to the Top 10.
Not so lucky was Southern- rocker-chick Amanda Overmyer, who was voted out by the viewers. Overmayer was at the bottom three along with Kristie Lee Cook and Karly Smithson, but the axe fell on the husky-voiced singer.
Ramiele will be the third contestant of Filipino heritage to make the Top Ten. She will join the elite list of Fil Ams who made it in the past: Camile Velasco and Jasmine Trias.
Being included in the Top 10 means that Ramiele will be on the "American Idol" 2008 Tour, and perhaps make her own album as well.
Although Ramiele can breathe a sigh of relief now, it didn’t come easy for the singing sensation from Florida. In the past two weeks, she had trouble choosing the Beatle songs that would showcase her vocal prowess and thus resuling in mediocre performances.
“She could have been in the bottom three,” says Anna, an Idol fan. “Her performances were lackluster and I wouln’t be surprised to see her in the bottom three. But I guess guess she’s still lucky.”
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MANILA, Philippines - Actor Tonton Gutierrez said he would do everything to help his manager Lolit Solis patch things up with his stepmother Annabel Rama, Startalk reported Saturday.
“I’ll do everything para magkaayos sila. I hope na very soon maayos na ang lahat," he said in an interview with Startalk.
Asked if he is worried about the Lolit-Annabel feud, he said: “Hindi. Nakausap ko nga si Nanay (Lolit) e. Sabi ko ‘Nay ano yung lumabas na balita? Sabi niya ‘Naku anak, wala yan maaayos din yan.’"
Tonton is Eddie Gutierrez’ son with actress Liza Lorena.
The Annabel-Lolit rift stemmed from the alleged snubbing incident between former beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez and actress Lani Mercado. Ruffa narrated the incident in a showbiz talk show, which she co-hosts. Solis defended her talent, Lani, in a radio interview with Ogie Diaz. The talent manager’s sharp comments irked Annabel. In an interview, Annabel challenged Lolit to a fistfight but the latter declined, saying she does not want to fight Annabel, who is her friend for more than 30 years.
In another interview, Annabel asked Lolit to issue a public apology but the talent manager and host of Startalk once again declined. “Hinding-hindi ko gagawin ang public apology because I don’t think I have done something wrong," Lolit said in a phone interview with Showbiz Central last Sunday.
Lolit insisted that she did not mention the name of Ruffa in her interview with Ogie. Diaz wrote an article on his interview with the talent manager that saw print in a tabloid. - GMANews.TV
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