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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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(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)
I CAN feel it. Summer is fast approaching the end of its run.
Slowly, the green is going and auburn is coming. The humidity rate is dropping along with some leaves. The days are becoming shorter.
It is another one of those summers that deserve to be remembered along with the Summer of ’96, ’06, and ’07.
In the summer of ’08:
– I decided to change my lifestyle and include health matters into my system.
– I made Bayonne Park a second home
– The Happy Analogues shot another music video on the way to Maryland
– Washroom Compositions were made available for free
– Bleud played and visited Virginia Beach
– The Kuwagos recorded their singles
– We attended the Belmar Seafood Festival
– The legendary Soulworks meetings took place for RITB2 Weekend (Ronnie, Gatchie, Jonze, Sheryl)
– The Crash Mansion crash
– Sheryl and I finally got our iPhones
– The Analogues played their first Philippine Fiesta in Secaucus
– Rock in the Box 2 the album was released
– Historic Rock in the Box Weekend became perhaps the most successful show of the year!
– We reunited with artist friends from all over North America
– Poptimes Magazine Print was Born
– The Kuwagos shot their first music video at Kristine and Jerwin’s house in Neptune, NJ
– Friendships were fixed and renewed
– Sheryl’s sister and nephew arrived
– My brother Jim was inducted into the New York State Bar
There are so many things that happened, I am sure there will be a part two of this list.
Anyway, I made good use of my iPhone since I got them and took photos of some of the moments of summer. Visit the photos page on my site: www.tedreyes.com
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MANILA – Controversial actor Gabby Concepcion said that he is doing well despite the problems he is now facing. Concepcion said that he is hoping that everything will eventually turn out right.
"Everything is doing well... sana maayos ang dapat ayusin. Hindi naman natin gusto itong mga bagay na nangyayari pero kapag nangyari we just have to face it," he said.
Concepcion said that he is very thankful to all his friends, fans and supporters who have stuck with him through thick and thin.
"For as long as we speak the truth I don’t think we can go wrong," the actor said.
Concepcion is now facing a legal battle after his ex-talent manager, FLT producer Rose Flaminiano filed a P22 million civil suit against him on Tuesday, September 15 at the Quezon City Trial Court.
Flaminiano, with her lawyer Atty. Bonifacio Alentajan, filed the case "Specific Performance and Damages with Application for Writ of Preliminary Injunction and Prayer for Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)" against Concepcion and his lawyer Atty. Raymond Fortun. The TRO aims to prohibit Concepcion from doing political or commercial endorsements, as well as doing television projects and films. The case, according to Atty. Alentajan, will serve to teach people to respect contracts.
"Anuman ang ating nilalagdaan, ay dapat igalang natin. Marriage contract man ‘yan o management contract, basta lumagda na tayo, bigyan natin ng kahulugan at igalang natin ang ating lagda kahit sa anumang klase ng dokumento," said Alentajan.
The case filed by Flaminiano stemmed from Concepcion's legal action that asked for the termination of his contract with the talent manager. Concepcion said that he is rescinding his contract with the producer because of transparency issues and money matters. Concepcion, through his lawyer Atty. Fortun, sent last week his former manager a formal letter seeking the termination of their contract.
Gabby on "Iisa Pa Lamang"
Concepcion is currently busy with his hit television series "Iisa Pa Lamang" with Claudine Barretto and Diether Ocampo.
He could not hide his excitement as he shared developments taking place in the final weeks of the series. (MNS)
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MANILA -- MARIEL Rodriguez agreed to be a lingerie model for the first time. Her series of photos wearing provocative sleep and underwear shows her in really sexy poses.
“I only agreed to do so because the line I’m endorsing, Hot Pink, is owned and designed by my sister Kaye and her husband, Carlo Garcia,” she says.
What does her boyfriend Zanjoe Marudo say about it?
“Nothing. E, siya rin naman, Bench underwear model, di ba? Alangan namang magalit siya sa akin. At saka, ang sexy naman ng mga kuha sa’kin. Proud nga ako, e.”
Is she really hot?
“Yes, I’m hot in Hot Pink. Actually, noon ko pa ginagamit ito when I was in PBB Celebrity Edition. Lahat ng bras and lingerie I wore there, puro Hot Pink, pati ‘yung cotton slips for everyday wear na pambahay. Very comfy kasi.”
Mariel’s career is truly on a roll as she’s working everyday.
“Monday to Saturday, I’m in ‘Wowowee’, then on Saturday, nasa ‘Entertainment Live’ din ako, and on Sundays, I tape for ‘Varga’ which is shown on Saturday rin kaya tuwing Sabado, I can be seen in three shows from noon to evening. Wala na akong day off.”
So when does she see Zanjoe?
“We’re paired in ‘Varga’ so lagi kami magkasama sa taping. Or he visits me sa ‘Wowowee’ then we have lunch together.”
What does she like in him?
“His sense of humor. Akala mo, serious, but he’s really funny. At saka mabait siya, very attached sa family niya. But don’t ask us muna about weddings. I’m only 24 and he’s 26. Marami pa kaming gusting gawin sa buhay. Enjoy muna kami going out together now.”
Is she aware that a gay impersonator is aping her?
“Yes, si Pretty Trisha. Kuha niya pati pagtawa ko. Okay lang ‘yun. Sa Entertainment Live nga, lahat ng girls sa audience, isinisigaw ang pangalan ng cohost kong si Luis Manzano. Ang mga boys, sinisigaw sina Toni Gonzaga at Bianca Gonzales. Sa’kin, ang sumisigaw, mga bading. O di ba? Gay icon na ko? Ang nakakatuwa, everywhere I go now, people call me ‘Varga’. Pag may tumatawag sa’kin ng Mariel, I just make kaway. Pero kapag Varga, with matching smile talaga kasi I’m flattered and proud that they’re watching our show. First time ko ma-identify ng ganun for a character I’m doing.” (MNS)
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MANILA -- Sexy actress-model Francine Prieto is looking for love but not in the showbiz circle.
Prieto, who justed turned 26, said that while she is focusing on her career she is also open to a relationship.
"Hindi ko alam kung kailan ko gustong mag-asawa pero depende kasi. Kung dumating siya ngayon, di din pwede kasi marami pa akong dapat gawin. Bahala na si batman," explained Prieto.
"Ayaw ko ng parehas kami ng trabaho. Kasi kung parehas kami ng trabaho tapos maghiwalay kami, parang hindi ko kaya na magkikita kami sa ibang (showbiz) event, mahirap," she added.
Prieto celebrated her 26th birthday in advance with her family and closest friends. She said she’s working hard on many projects for the sake of her family.
"Marami pa akong gusting mangyari sa buhay k. Lagi kung inuuna para sa family ko. Gusto kong maginhawa kaming lahat. Gusto kong mabigyan sila ng business," she said.
Prieto started her career as a member of the defunct show "That's Entertainment." She did sexy roles in movies but her biggest break was when she played the character of Queen Avria in TV show "Etheria."
Prieto is now busy doing her comic role for a gag show and also part of a television series with Richard Gutierrez. (MNS)
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MANILA -- As soon as he returns from shooting Pinoy Fear Factor in Argentina, Ryan Agoncillo will immediately start working on his new teleserye Pieta. The TV host/actor/model will reinvent himself into a brusque action star, far different from the nice and clean image he has been known for. He will also be starring opposite award-winning actress Cherie Gil who will play his mother.
Known for hosting shows like Talk TV, The Explorer, and Y Speak, Ryan first ventured into acting in the superserye Krystala as leading man to Judy Ann Santos. His relationship with the drama princess eventually blossomed into a true-life romance that led to their engagement last May. Their tandem has proven a hit with audiences, as seen in the box office success of their movie Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo and its sequel Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo, and as well as on the small screen in the teleserye Ysabella.
Pieta was originally a 1983 movie by Direk Carlo J Caparas which featured the late Ace Vergel in the lead role. The film spawned a sequel in the following year, Pieta: Ikalawang Aklat, starring Bong Revilla Jr.
Pieta follows the story of a mother’s enduring love for her son who is beset with pain and revenge. Ryan will portray Rigor, a young man who grew up in the slums with only his mother by his side. Having witnessed chaos and violence all throughout his childhood, Rigor will learn to adapt to the rules of his tough environment. He will find himself inside a crime organization where he will come face-to-face with the man who holds the key to his dark past.
Ryan is set to immerse himself in an intensive acting workshop with top-notch director and acting coach Laurice Guillen. Ryan will also be taking martial arts training and doing workouts to get into shape for his character Rigor.
Pieta will be directed by action film director Toto Natividad who helmed past teleseryes Panday and Palos (MNS)
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MANILA -- NOT many know that it was Dolphy who discovered Ronaldo Valdez for showbiz.
In an interview with Boy Abunda, Dolphy revealed that prior to his putting up his own film firm, RVQ Productions, he first co-produced movies with the late Fernando Poe, Jr. They named their film company, RR Productions, a combination of the first letters of their real names. The late FPJ was Ronald Allan Poe in real life. Dolphy’s real monicker is Rodolfo Quizon. Together, they produced a number of movies, some of which co-starred Dolphy with FPJ’s wife, Susan Roces.
"One day," Dolphy recalled, "Susan suggested that we do a movie na may bago siyang leading man. Kasama pa rin ako. I told her okay, I will discover one for you.
"I scouted for one in many places. Then, one day, while I was in the house looking out the window, I noticed a number of kabataan playing basketball. One of them attracted me. That was Ronaldo.
"I talked to him and asked him if he would want to be an actor. Sagot niya, kung pupuwede ho, bakit hindi?
"So, I asked him to go with me and we went to where Susan was. Pinaupo ko si Ronaldo and told Susan to take a look at him from where she was.
"Sinilip niya si Ronaldo. Kaagad ang naging reaction ni Susan: ‘Wala na bang iba?’
"When I took a second look at Ronaldo, I found out why she reacted the way about Ronaldo. Not only did he look not so presentable, hippy na hippy siya. Which was the look among the youngsters of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s.
"So, I advised Ronaldo to clean up. I even lent him one of my suits and a pair of shoes. Saka namin binalikan si Susan. And true enough, Susan exclaimed: ‘Iyan pa."
Susan and Ronaldo, according to Dolphy, did about four movies together. He was last seen as the father of Aga Muhlach in the movie, "When Love Begins," which also starred Anne Curtis and produced by Star Cinema. (MNS)
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