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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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AMID legal and personal dispute, Rose Flaminiano, manager of Gabby Concepcion, expressed condolence to the actor's family after the untimely death of the actor’s father.
In an official statement released by Flaminiano, she said: "Nakikiramay ako sa buong pamilya sa pagpanaw ni Mr. Concepcion. Meron man kaming hindi pagkakaunawaan ngayon ni Gabby, namaalam si Mr. Concepcion na maayos ang aming relasyon. I am setting aside whatever is between me and Gabby at the moment and pay my last respects. Maraming salamat po."
Gabby earlier related in one of his interviews that his father's vulnerable condition was greatly affected by the controversy he has with his manager.
Last week, Flaminiano filed a P22-million "breach of contract" suit against Gabby who wants to immediately terminate his contract with the manager due to alleged "irregularities" in their contract and lack of transparency.
In the column of Ricky Lo, Gabby said he "found out that Rose had been calling up his father although he pleaded Flaminiano to spare his dad in their tussle."
"I told her that we could sort out the problem between the two of us, without her bothering my dad. But she didn't heed my call. I told her, 'I will not forget this, if something bad happened to my dad'," Gabby added in his interview.
Flaminiano meanwhile denied that she was calling Rollie Concepcion, Gabby's father. She said the last time she talked to Rollie was after Gabby's concert at the Music Museum. According to her, she will visit the wake of Gabby's father.
Rollie died of heart attack last Tuesday. His poor health condition was one of the reasons why Gabby returned to the country. There were times when Gabby turned emotional in some of his interviews when asked about his father's health.
Rollie's remains lie at the chapel of the family-run O.B. Montessori de San Juan, Montessori Lane corner P. Guevarra St., San Juan City. (JRDB/Sunnex)
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MANILA -- THERE’S a rumor that Gretchen Barretto has definitely called it quits with her partner of 14 years, Tonyboy Cojuangco.
“Pinalayas siya ni Tonyboy dahil napuno na sa kanya after the John Estrada kiss candal at ‘yung pagkaka-link niya kay Dodie Puno,” says one source.
“Pero mali ‘yung unang balitang pinalayas siya from their Forbes Park home dahil ibinili na ni Tonyboy si Gretchen ng sarili niyang house sa Dasmariñas Village. Their daughter, Dominique, chose to stay behind with her dad.”
But two people close to Gretchen-manager Boy Abunda and someone who refuses to be named-called her up to verify the news. She denied that Tonyboy threw her out of their Dasma home.
“I’m still here. Hindi nga ako lumalabas kasi maysakit ako,” she allegedly told them.
“Kahit gaano kagrabe ang nagiging away namin, never pa akong pinalayas ni Tonyboy.”
Another source said Lani Mercado earlier invited her to attend the birthday party of Bong Revilla on Wednesday at C3 Event Place in Greenhills and Gretchen said yes.
“But with this turn of events, baka hindi na lang magpunta si Gretchen dahil tiyak na siya ang puputaktihin ng mga reporter doon for an interview,” adds the source. (MNS)
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ACTRESS-singer Vina Morales admitted that she is pregnant with Chinese boyfriend Cedric Lee.
In a report from an entertainment website, Vina allegedly disclosed the news publicly in an exclusive interview with Cristy Fermin on "The Buzz" taping last Wednesday.
Vina is two months pregnant and very happy to share that she will be a mother soon.
The 32-year-old actress also stressed that having a child is a blessing for her and there is no reason for her to hide it from the public.
However, Vina related that the father of her baby has a complicated life. She lamented that Cedric is separated from his wife yet their marriage is not annulled. Vina was also once called by the wife as "homewrecker," but the actress was immediately defended by Cedric.
Cedric said the actress is not the first woman she had a relationship with after he and wife separated. He added that, "Vina will not knowingly, willingly, and purposely enter the relationship that would cause the break-up of a family." He also said he already issued an annulment case against his wife.
Vina came back from her show in Japan last September 23 with co-Kapamilya stars Sam Milby, Chokoleit, and Erik Santos. Reports said Vina first blurted her pregnancy to one of her co-artists who performed in Japan.
Meanwhile, Vina's condition will not stop the actress to do shows abroad. She was one of the artists who applied for a visa to Guam or the special show of "ASAP '08" next month.
The full exclusive interview of Vina will be aired on "The Buzz" this Sunday. (JRDB/Sunnex)
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MANILA -- Some people believe that Piolo Pascual is the reigning King of Primetime Bida for he has proven that he’s an actor worth his salt time and again. Indeed, he continues to widen his horizons by venturing into his third indie film titled "Manila," a tribute to two of the most critically-acclaimed filmmakers in the Philippine cinema, the late Ishmael Bernal and Lino Brocka.
Inspired by "Manila By Night" and "Jaguar," the two part movie portrays an honest depiction of the cruel realities of street-life in the slums of Manila. Far-removed from his poster boy image, the country’s ultimate heartthrob plays a role of a drug addict and then a bodyguard of a merciless city official who betrays his loyalty. Now in its post-production stage, Piolo, who also happens to be the co-producer of this indie film, feels very happy that he was able to finish filming it just before he started "Land Down Under" by Star Cinema.
Incidentally, his sense of pride extends to his co-stars in his latest artistic endeavor particularly Rosanna Roces who plays his mother in the first part of the film (where all the scenes are shot in full daylight). Despite the controversial actress’s pasaway image, Piolo reveals that Rosanna has been nothing but professional from the moment she learned that she was going to be a part of the cast.
"May call time siya na 3 a.m. She was there on time, never kaming na-delay because of her. She even visited our set before siya mag-shoot, twice, just to have a feel of how it is to be a mother kasi first time kaming magka-trabaho. And she's so supportive, napakasarap niyang ka-trabaho, ang gaan," he says.
Apparently, their first scene together proves to be a challenging one because Rosanna has to drag Piolo from the hospital to their home while viciously hitting him in the process (perhaps somewhat reminiscent of Osang’s terrible mother-daughter relationship with Roxanne Guinoo in Sineserye Presents Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos). After taking several shots of the brutal sequence, Piolo explains that a little pain on his part was to be expected.
"Only because it had to be realistic. Yung eksena kasi madaming shots eh so she was compelled to hit me a couple of times, more than five times. Yung iba daya na kasi syempre nahihiya na din siya."
With such a promising plot, it seems that both Piolo and Rosanna are out to wow indie film enthusiasts as they are both respected artists in the entertainment industry. (MNS)
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MANILA -- It seems no one can really put a good talent down. The best example is Richard Gomez.
Richard has not been quite active in showbiz for the past few years. If he is given the chance to do work on TV, his role is almost always the kind which, sad to say, does not befit his status as an actor.
But he is not the type who would complain about the work he is offered, as what seems to matter to him is that he is busy. He has never totally turned his back on showbiz even if there are other things which keep him busy, such as sports, business, and, of course, family.
In the coming days, Richard will be busy again. Aside from playing a challenging role in the top-rated series, "Codename: Asero," Richard will soon turn game show host in GMA 7’s "Family Feud."
"Family Feud" will mark his first time to host a game show. It excites him, he said. He promises to do his best.
Before the year ends, he will appear in a movie with Sharon Cuneta for Star Cinema. The movie, which might be filmed abroad, will have Lauren Dyogi at the helm. (MNS)
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MANILA -- When death is near, who will come to pick you up? Death is as certain as it is unforeseen. The movie "Sundo" tackles the often talked about phenomenon of dead relatives and friends who come to pick up their loved ones who are in the brink of death.
In "Sundo," seven passengers on a trip to Manila escape death and their respective "sundo" by a twist of fate. Soon, they realize that the price they have to pay for gambling with the spirit of tragedy is the hardest and most ruthless battle they will ever come to face.
From the production and creative team of "Quija," GMA Films proudly presents its latest horror-suspense thriller "Sundo." Robin Padilla leads the dynamic pack of fine actors as Romano, a military operative who resigns from the military and goes into seclusion in Baguio upon learning that he has supernatural gifts. He has the ability to see ghosts who come to pick up their loved ones who are on the brink of sudden, tragic deaths.
Joining Robin is Sunshine Dizon who plays the role of Louella, Romano’s childhood friend who harbors affection for him. Meanwhile, Rhian Ramos stars as Isabel, Romano’s younger sister who, with the help of Louella, uses her blindness as an excuse to bring his brother out of seclusion. As they travel back to Manila, Romano, Louella and Isabel are joined by four other individuals, all of which have the least idea about the series of tragedies that will come their way.
Katrina Halili is Kristina, an aspiring actress who hitches a ride with Romano. Glydel Mercado plays Lumen, Louella’s neighbor who is mourning over the recent loss of her husband.
Staging a comeback in this movie is Hero Angeles, who plays the role of Eric, the son of Lumen who is haunted by the death of his father, and soon by another being who is very dear to him. Finally, Mark Bautista portrays the character of Baste, Louella’s trustworthy driver whom Romano tries to save from danger.
As the group manages to avoid a tragic incident on the road, a series of catastrophic events eventually follows. In Romano’s hands lies the fate of the rest of the passengers as he ultimately uncovers the mystery behind the premonitions. Will he be able to save his companions from their imminent death or will it be too late?
At the helm of GMA Film’s newest masterpiece is director Toppel Lee, whose ingenuity and knack for directing brought us the smash hit "Quija." Likewise, moviegoers are in for a hair-raising and mind blowing screamfest as the movie prides on effective visuals and sound effects enough to keep viewers at the edge of their seats. It’s a toss between life and death as the stars of "Sundo" struggle to defeat the wrath of the evil spirit and survive the looming threat of death in their lives.
Join action star Robin Padilla and the rest of the cast in their grisly race against death and the retribution that awaits them in "Sundo" soon to hit theaters nationwide. (MNS)
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Brillante Mendoza’s Serbis won the Best Director and Best Actress awards (for Gina Pareño) in the Pacific Meredian International Film Festival of Asian-Pacific Countries in Vladivostok, Russia last Sept. 13 to 19.
Serbis had its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and Regent Entertainment has acquired the US distribution rights and have confirmed that Serbis will open theatrically in select cities in the US in November. It will have its US premiere as an official selection in the New York Film Festival next month.
Regent said with the release of Serbis this year, it is possible that it will qualify for the Best Foreign Language Film category in the Golden Globes awards and critics awards like the Los Angeles and New York Film Critics Awards.
Mendoza’s Foster Child was released in France last February by Ad Vitam and the DVD will be released this month. Tirador acquired by Swift Distribution will be released in France next year.
Thailand’s Sahamongko Films plans to release Serbis later this year. Other territories which acquired Serbis so far are Benelux with Paradiso Entertainment, Singapore and Brunei with Cathay, Portugal with Lusomundo, Greece with Seven Films and in Israel with United King.
Earlier this year, Mendoza’s Tirador won the Caligari Prize Award in Berlin’s Forum section and the Best Film, Director and Netpac Awards in Singapore. Foster Child won the Signis Award in Las Palmas and the Best Film and Best Actress (for Cherry Pie Picache) awards in Singapore.
Brillante will attend the New York screening of Serbis on Oct. 12. He will also serve as instructor at the Asian Film Academy (Sept. 25 to Oct. 12) in Pusan, Korea. Director Hou Hsiao Hsien will be this year’s Dean of the AFA.
In November, Brillante will sit as a member of the jury in the international competition section of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Greece where Serbis will be screened in the Independence Days section with Francis Pasion’s Jay. Paolo Villlaluna and Ellen Ramos’ Selda is in the main competition section.
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