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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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SAN DIEGO – The 10th Congress of GABNet USA elected its new national council and laid down the new focus and direction for the largest and oldest continuously operating all-women's organization led by women of Philippine ancestry. Members from seven cities attended the three-day gathering.
Candice "Kuttin Kandi" Custodio, world-famous hip hop artist, was voted GABNet National Chair-Elect. Her formal oath-taking will take place at an event to be designated by the organization.
Kuttin Kandi, as Ms. Custodio is known in the hiphop communty, is a world champion hiphop dj and a renowned spoken word artist. She is one of only half-adozen female dj's who "battle" in both national and international competitions. More importantly, Ms. Custodio is a committed activist and community organizer who utilizes hip hop to educate, build solidarity, create awareness and fight for social justice, especially among the youth. She was recently a 2007 Black Lily Music and Film Festival Recipient alongside Jill Scott and Toshi Reagan and received the Social Change in Music Award.
"I am extremely honored to have been given this opportunity," said Ms. Custodio, "I have been involved with GABNet as a supporter and a member since 2000 and I look forward as National Chair- Elect to join my sisters in the struggle and usher in a new era of activism for the organization."
As National Chair-Elect, Ms. Custodio continues GABNet's tradition to cull exceptional women leaders from a variety of women's sectors; they include the novelist Ninotchka Rosca, union organizer Clytie Causing and Professor Annalisa Enrile.
GABNet member Rebecca Dean saw Ms. Custodio as the "perfect" choice. "Kandi is a tireless activist who has always brought GABNet's work for women to the public," said Ms. Dean, "from the stages of hip hop to the community and to class rooms, Kandi has always encouraged us all to feel the joy of resistance."
Catherine Judge, another Congress attendee, said, "we as an organization are very excited about Kandi's new role. As an artist who combats misogyny, sexism and racism, Kandi demonstrates the kind of alternative feminist culture which GABNet has always represented and instilled in its members. We know that she and the newly elected national board will continue to strengthen women's work and put it always front and center."
Ms. Custodio heads an impressive national council that includes union organizer Jollene Levid as GABNet secretary-general; Executive Director of the University of California San Diego Women's Center Emelyn de la Pena as campaign director; youth organizer Ivy Quicho as organizing director; writer and paralegal Olivia Quinto as education director and civil engineer Laureen Abustan as finance director.
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to help the Victims of Typhoon Frank - in Collaboration
with the Home-Reach Foundation, Inc. and the
Consulate General of the Philippines, New York
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Charity Golf Event
Sunday/October 5, 2008 starts at 11:00 a.m.
Come and join us for a Charity Golf Event For The Benefit of Project Tulong to help the Victims of Typhoon Frank in Collaboration with the Home-Reach Foundation, Inc. and the Consulate General of the Philippines, New York. The event will be held at the Pine Ridge Golf Club located at 2 Golf Course Drive, Coram, N.Y. 11727 Tel. (631) 331-7930. Shotgun starts at 1:00 pm. Reservations are on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE basis, and limited number of available slots.
Registration, lunch and program begin at 11 am. Shotgun starts at 1 pm. Golfer includes check in & bag service, lunch, and 18 holes of golf with cart, free sleeve of balls, practice range, dinner awards, trophies and prizes. The net proceeds of the event will be donated to the families and victims of Tropical Cyclone “Frank”.
For more information, please call Robert Zarate (631) 816-4372; Dr. Edgar Lerias (631)697-2830; Ramon Villongco (631) 742-3479; Dr. Pepe Recitas (516)603-8751; Nimia Lacebal (973) 338-1204; Nena Lozada Kaufman (917) 582-1212; Dan De Guzman (973)
768-5677; Bill Rebong (917) 902-2408; Linda Pelayo (212) 967-5784; Nelson Perez (646) 387-8522; Andy Zapata (551) 404-2552 or Philippine Consulate General at 212-764-1330 Ext 306 or 310.
You can also email Robert Zarate at zaraterobert@hotmail.com or visit our website at www.projecttulong.com
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THIRTEEN years ago, it would not be imaginable ... this movie idol singing live in a concert venue. But, things change. Gabby Concepcion has gone back to his turf after more than a hiatus that spanned over a decade where not only did he turn his back on showbiz Manila but changed gears - took up a real estate course and made it big in the Bay area. In fact, evidence of his success in this other biz is his acquisition of two homes in the U.S. - a sprawling residence equipped with a stable of horses in San Ramon, CA and another one in Florida.
It was here in the U.S. of A where the handsome actor did personal appearances and live performances. Three or four songs at the max and doing duets with female vocalists. But the main thing was his presence which was enough for his adoring fans. But the self-imposed exile caused by legal problems resulting fromthe 1994 Manila FilmFest scam and marital strife was not enough to keep him away for good.
GMA Films made an offer for a comeback film and it was accepted but alas, by the time Gabby got to the homeland, he signed up with GMA’s archrival, ABS-CBN and since then has made his comeback on television. He debuted in an episode of the long-running Maalala Mo Kaya hosted by network president, Charo Santos and now leads the cast of Iisa pa Lamang, a daily drama series with Claudine Barretto. He says he is committed to doing the film with GMA Films but the when and what is still uncertain.
Meanwhile he took centerstage for three nights, two of them at the Music Museum no less. This happened during the my recent visit to the Homeland. I watched the final night, (Friday, August 15) at the invite of his producer. Not surprisingly, the venue was packed. In the audience was co-actor, Ara Mina, his daughter Gabrielle (by Grace Ibuna) and his wife, Genevieve Yatco Gonzales.
Gabby I must say looked dashing in his Rajo Laurel suit. He sang several solos and did a duet Init sa Magdamag with Claudine Barretto and later with Pops Fernandez. After the show, I joined Mr. Concepcion, his kin and friends at a late dinner in Greenhills.
No doubt, fans are hoping for a Sharon-Gabby team-up or a Gabby-KC movie. The first is highly unlikely considering the megastar’s resistance but the latter is a possibility depending on KC’s mom.
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