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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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ROCK IN THE BOX 2: THE BIGGEST YET HISTORIC TWO-NIGHT FILIPINO- AMERICAN MUSIC EVENT IN MANHATTAN EXPECTED TO SET A STANDARD
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(Ted Reyes is a musician, composer, record producer and journalist based in NYC. If you have any comments you can visit his website at www.tedreyes.com or email him at tedreyes@mac.com)
NEW YORK– How often do we go out on Labor Day weekends and scour the clubs in Manhattan to look for Filipino- American rock bands from all over the country playing their guts out? For many, never– but for Fil-Am music fans, every time for the last three years.
This coming Labor Day weekend (August 29 and 30) is no different.
However, it is certain that this year’s gathering of Fil-Am artists will be historic for one reason – it will be the biggest yet.
Twenty-nine artists from New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, California, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Toronto will get together to celebrate Filipino music in North America– it’s the Rock in the Box 2 Weekend.
The first night will be on Friday, August 29 at Rehab NYC (25 Avenue B) featuring:
Jason Castillo – New York
Wallows – New York
John Violago – New York
Bagwis – Illinois
Lucidblur – Illinois
Bleud – New Jersey
Indiagos – Indiana
Earplug – Maryland
Sodapop Suicide – New Jersey
The Third Element – Maryland
Kayumanggi – New York
Daybreak – Illinois
Blue Mellon Pop – New Jersey
The second night on Saturday, August 30 at Crash Mansion (199 Bowery) will be the launching of the Filipino- American compilation album, Rock in the Box 2. The show will feature the artists in the new compilation:
ACI9 – Illinois
Binky Bianca – New Jersey
Then Again – New Jersey
Circled Sin– Maryland
P.I. – Washington, D.C.
Rayzed – California
Steel Polly – Maryland
Noizytoyz– Toronto
Out of Luck – Toronto
Trickbag – New Jersey
Qwadra – New York
Diablo Royale – New York
These artists will be joined by:
Alfa Garcia – New Jersey
The Kuwagos – New Jersey
The Happy Analogues – New Jersey
This unrivaled gathering is so big, ABS-CBN’s Filipino music channel MYX will be covering the spectacle. Likewise, numerous members of the newspaper media are expected to be present.
“It is a monumental gathering,” said Gatchie Ignacio of Soulworks Records.
“It is perhaps the only time when a contingent of Filipino-Americans and Canadians this huge will be together for the sake of music and the community.”
In the past three years, New York has been the focal point of Filipino music in North America thanks to Soulworks and the premiere online music magazine Poptimes.
In August 2006, the first Rock in the Box compilation album was launched. It marked the first year that the New York Fil-Am music scene hosted an event like such.
On Labor Day Weekend 2007, Poptimes Magazine celebrated its 1st year anniversary with the first two-night concert in New York City. It was the biggest gathering on record with 24 artists from all over the US and Canada.
That record is set to be broken this coming Labor Day Weekend.
Special discounted two-night passes are available for online purchase at www.soulworksrecords.com These special-passes are only $20 compared to $15 when you purchase the two tickets individually.
The special offer is only available online and will be discontinued on August 24 – one week before the show.
For more info soulworksrecords@mac.com
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MANILA -- IS Heart Evangelista jealous of KC Concepcion?
Richard Gutierrez resumed taping their show, “Codename: Asero” after shooting with KC and when they were taping a kissing scene, Heart couldn’t seem to concentrate. After three takes, Richard decided to ask her: “Did you miss me?” Heart reportedly just said “Heh!” to him.
At the start of “Asero,” they were being linked romantically, especially after she broke up with Jericho Rosales. But after Richard started shooting “For the First TIme” with KC, she seems to have been forgotten and all the stories about Richard are linking him to KC.
As for Richard, it’s obvious that, for him, his being linked to his leading ladies is all part of his work. Although he’s very busy with his showbiz career, he doesn’t neglect doing more socially-relevant things.
He continues to be a supporter of Greenpeace for environmental protection. He’s also sending three students to school as his scholars for World Vision. (MNS)
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MANILA -- Actress-host Ruffa Gutierrez said that she no longer has insecurities, and that she is happy with what she has.
"Wala (akong insecurities). I'm very secure with myself. And with all the blessings coming my way do you think na, you know, I should still be insecure? Baka magalit na ang Diyos sa akin. I can say na wala talaga akong insecurities," the actress said.
Despite this, Gutierrez admits that there is one thing that sometimes gives her cause for concern.
"Siguro ang only insecurity ko ay ang makapagtapos ako ng pag-aaral ko," shared Gutierrez.
Even if she did not finish college, she has learned a lot from working so early in her life. She has been working since she was 13 years old.
"So kahit wala akong master's mayroon naman akong career at may work naman ako," Gutierrez said.
The actress said she hopes to go back to school again someday.
"Yeah, hopefully one day, why not," she said.
Gutierrez said that there is no perfect person on earth, and that if she lacks something it is fine with her since she is already blessed with many things.
Sharmaine Ruffa Rama Gutierrez, simply known as Ruffa, was Miss World 1993's Second Princess.
Aside from being an endorser, Gutierrez co-hosts ABS-CBN's weekly entertainment show "The Buzz" with Boy Abunda and Cristy Fermin. (MNS)
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MANILA – KATRINA Halili is really hot these days. And controversial, too.
She’s said to be the reason why Angelica Panganiban and Roxanne Guinoo were pulled out from the cast of the Metro filmfest entry, “One Night Only,” and are now replaced by Diana Zubiri and Iya Villania.
“Natakot yata silang suporta lang sila sa’yo sa movie,” one writer tells Katrina during the presscon of “Obra,” GMA-7’s new drama show on Thursday nights. “At nainggit ding ikaw, binigyan ng solo presscon ng OctoArts pero sila hindi.”
“Wala naman po akong kasalanan dun,” she says. “Siguro they have valid reasons kung bakit umayaw sila. But it’s been made clear to me by Director Joey Reyes na pantaypantay ang roles naming lahat and they’re not playing supporting roles dahil each of us, may kanya-kanyang highlight sa movie. Yun naman pong presscon for me, hindi lang for ‘One Night Only’ kundi para sa pagpirma ko ng contract sa OctoArts to do other films like ‘Miss X.’
How about the news that Gov. Vilma Santos rejected the idea of being in the remake of “Miss X”?
“Siyempre po, I respect that. Maganda sana kung may cameo siya dahil siya ang original Miss X, pero sobrang busy daw siya talaga as governor, kaya hindi siya puwede. Understandable naman po ‘yun at huwag nang palakihin pa dahil I’m sure hindi naman niya ko pinepersonal at all.”
What can she say to reports that some GMA stars are questioning why she’s the first star to be featured in “Obra” when there are more senior stars than her?
“Ay, huwag naman silang magalit sa akin. Tanungin na lang nila ang management dahil I didn’t ask for this kundi kusang ibinigay sa akin.”
Well, we can’t blame the other GMA stars if they’d feel envious since Katrina was not even a runner up in “Star- Struck 1”. She was just number 8 among the contestants, and yet, her star is bigger now than the winners. How lucky can she get, indeed.
How about the rumor that she’s now going steady either with Marvin Agustin or with ABS-CBN’s Joross Gamboa?
“Marvin and I were together in Virginia sa States to promote GMA Pinoy TV and since then, dinadalawdalaw niya ako, type daw niya ako, pero nali-link din naman siya kay Diana Zubiri, di ba? So I don’t think serious siya. As for Joross, mga tatlong beses na kami lumabas, but it’s a group date. Wala namang ligawang nangyayari kasi wala naman siyang sinasabi. Sa totoo lang, wala akong lovelife ngayon. Trabaho muna.” (MNS)
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MANILA – FORMER Ms. Earth Canada Riza Santos denies the rumor that Vic Sotto sent her feelers if she’d be available for a date while they’re shooting “Dobol Trobol, Get Redi 2 Rambol”.
“That’s not true at all,” she says. “I read nga I’m given daw special treatment, which is also not true. He treats everyone equally.”
How come some say Pia Guanio even confronted her about it and even prohibited any kissing scene between her and Vic?
“Ano ba ‘yan? Part lang ng intriga ‘yan. I’ve never even met her. She shot for the movie, but on a different day kaya we never met. We have no kissing scene ni Bossing simply because it’s not indicated in the script. Hindi naman kasi kailangan. But if it’s necessary, being an actress, then I have to do it. You know, I’m really just thankful that I’m part of ‘Dobol Trobol.’ Si Tito Dolphy is a favorite of my mom from way back and Bossing Vic naman is a favorite of my relatives here. Kaya when they found out I’m doing a movie with our Comedy Kings, sobrang tuwa nila for me at makakatulong daw talaga ito sa career ko.”
She says she’s quite conservative, but how come she has a scene in the movie showing her in a skimpy bikini?
“Well, we’re shooting a scene na nagsu-swimming ako sa pool so okay lang to wear a bikini. Even in Canada, I wear a bikini when I swim, so no problem. But in my values, I’m really conservative, like it’s my principle that I will only give myself to the man I’ll marry.”
In other words, she’s still very much a virgin.
“Of course, it goes without saying.”
What does she think is the quality of both Dolphy and Vic, both ladies’ men, that make them attractive to women?
“I think it’s their having a wonderful sense of humor. Talagang very witty sila. Even for me, having a guy who makes me laugh is a plus factor.”
Meanwhile, Dolphy and Vic are glad that working together in “Dobol Trobol: Ready to Rambol” gave them the chance to really know each other better. It’s obvious they have mutual admiration as they have nothing but praises for one another.
“It’s been a long dream for me na makasama siya kasi hanga talaga ako sa style niya,” Vic says.
“I don’t want to be compared to him kasi malayo na ang inabot niya, sa edad pa lang, 80 siya, tagilid na ko. He’s really the Master at dapat lang tawaging Comedy King. Walang puwedeng pumalit. Working with him, napatunayan kong napakahusay niyang makisama, maging sa fans. Kung minsan, tulog na tulog yan, darating ang fans sa set, babangon siya para lang magpa-picture then balik uli sa tulog.” (MNS)
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MANILA -- Filipino- American actor Sam Milby said that he is trying his best to speak straight Tagalog to expand his horizons as an actor.
Milby admitted that he is still having a hard time speaking Tagalog, which is why he continues to study the language.
“Ang gusto ko, matuto. Kasi lahat ng mga roles ko iyong nanggaling sa States. Parang ayaw ko ng ganyan. Limited talaga iyong mga roles ko,” the actor said.
He said if he becomes good in Tagalog he can do more roles for television or movies.
“Kahit saan na ako, kahit sa Mindanao,” he said.
He said that he was studying Tagalog but needed to stop when he started to shoot his hit movie “My Big Love” with Toni Gonzaga and the television series “Maging Sino Ka Man.”
Right now, Milby is honing his Tagalog for the television series “Dyosa” which stars his special love Anne Curtis. "Dyosa" premiered August 11 after ABS-CBN’s contest “The Singing Bee.”
In an earlier interview with Milby, he said that he and Curtis are still in the courting stage.
Sam or Samuel Lloyd Lacia Milby in real life started his career when he joined the first ever season of "Pinoy Big Brother".
This early in his career he already received various recognitions such as 2005 Most Promising Male Singer, 2006 Prince of Philippine Movies by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Foundation, Best New Male Artist in the 19th Annual Aliw Awards, Best New Male TV personality by the Philippine Movie Press Club in the 20th Star Awards for Television and one of the ten Most Well-Liked Male TV personalities by the South East Asian Anak TV Seal.
Aside from appearing in commercials, he is also busy doing concerts here and abroad. He will have his first solo concert in September at the Aliw Theater.
He is set to do a concert with other Heartthrobs from October to November in Europe. (MNS)
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