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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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THE entertainment arena has, in many ways than one, incredibly changed the destined path of quite a number of people, sometimes leading them a life more colorful than a fairy tale story or somewhat patterned after the most melodramatic sequences of a fiction novel... all because of their phenomenal talent.
Take the case of Pops Fernandez, (born Maria Cielito to now deceased actor Eddie Fernandez and former actress Dulce Lucban), who started performing professionally at age 15 with a distinct singing talent all her own. Since her first recording ("Dito" under OctoArts in 1982), to entering the movies where she made some 18 films or so (and gave her a Best Actress Award in "Linlang" from the Famas and a Best Supporting Actress for "Zsa-Zsa Zaturnah" from Urian), to being one of the most in-demand product endorsers, to being an entrepreneur via her clothing line labeled "Pipay", to a woman of substance after a failed marriage and a couple of failed relationships, up to being the undisputed Queen of the concert stage, has indeed, lived her life with such topsy-turvy phases in kaleidoscopic hues - still, undoubtedly attaining supremacy in almost everything she does and ultimately adding even more luster to her already glittery existence.
True enough, the wholeness of this perfect specimen of women pulchritude has mellowed like aged wine and her prolific 25 years of experience in the business could be cleverly expressed through the very essence of her music. Her age, which is inevitably challenged by life itself, and her talent being honed in aggrandizement by time, Pops was able to withstand the quintessence of challenges and failures that made her stronger and firm in her dispositions.
These sorts of life's aspects and much more aptly developed her total persona. Her vocal range attains a wider range with ballads rendered with such emotional depth and artful expression and belted in effortless manner hitting high notes with her richer and sultrier voice.
Then came "Divalicious", the Concert Queen's most touted show last year to celebrate her 25 years in showbusiness was presented to a literally filled-to-the-rafters audience at the Araneta Dome. The considered a-bit-ambitious project, a vivid reminiscence of her successful career, was loaded with a voluminous number of songs (totaling 34) and at least a very ostentatious display of wardrobe changes (about 14 all throughout the show).
The "Divalicious" concert wasn't only a celebration of her silver milestone as an entertainer but also a way of expressing her gratitude to people who, in a way or the other, had been instrumental and vital part in building her career not only as a public property but as a private person, as well and, most of all, to all her devoted fans world-wide who have always been supporting her no matter what.
What even made "Divalicious" sentimentally moving, aside from her special guests who were personally close to her, was the special participation of her sons Robin (who played the guitar) and Ram (who rendered the male vocals) in one of the show's heart-stopping number: when the Concert Queen sung Jim Brickman's "The Gift" with them. It wasn't for anything but just a family affair (minus Martin) to the extreme delight (or shall I say, empathy) of the crowd. With Robin and Ram sharing the limelight, there couldn't be a much moving sight than them especially when Pops openly declared her two sons to be: "My heroes, my greatest gifts."
"Divalicious" gave back the public's attention to Pops after having temporarily "eclipsed" by more intriguing news about her and her supposedly romantic life (after Martin). Unfounded or true, the waiting fans that "thirst" for her limelight comeback couldn't care less. The well conceptualized, magnanimously produced, and lavishly costumed "Divalicious" concert bursting with only the best sounds and dance steps of the 80's and the 90's, was truly a perfect showcase reminiscent of the 25-year-span of the Concert Queen's stint in the limelight.
After being shown in various parts of the world, in parts or whole, "Divalicious" is East Coast bound! Pops Fernandez, in her capacity as one of the country's longest reigning singer-performers and the one and only Concert Queen, travels to Atlantic City armed with her "Divalicious" repertoire to spend an entertaining Thanksgiving weekend with her "kababayans".
Pops, together with Comedy King Dolphy, sensuous chanteuse Zsa-Zsa Padilla, voluptuous performer Geneva Cruz, "Star in a Million" singing sensation Kris Lawrence, the R&B Prince of the Philippine tin pan alley Jay-R, and the new generation's Jukebox King April-boy Regino, is part of the grandest BACK2BACK Concert of Pinoy talents on Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.
Also gracing the show are Dolphy's equally talented sons headed by actor-director Eric Quizon with his brothers Jeffrey, Boy2, Ronnie, and Vandolph. Their specially prepared production numbers form part of the event's tribute to Dolphy's four-score-birthday celebration and his long successful career span in the entertainment business.
What better way to spend the Thanksgiving weekend than watching a star-loaded entertaining production package for the entire family showcasing Filipino talents in the grandest of concerts on Saturday, Nov. 29 at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City brought to you by Special Edition Press, Inc. ERJ Productions and Trump Entertainment Resorts. Supporting the event are ABS-CBN-Global, The Filipino Channel, Philippine Airlines, The Garden State Travel Group of Companies, Northwest Airlines, Western Union, DirectTV, United Staffing Registry, Inc., Tancinco Law Offices, Asian Journal Publications, Perlas ng Silangan, Tiketan online(Carouselpinoy.com) and Philippinefiesta.com.
To buy your tickets early, please call Ticket Hotlines: (212) 682-6610 / (973) 641- 5665 or Ticket Master at 1-800- 736-1420. Admission Prices are at $48, $88, $108, and VIP @ $128. Tickets are also available in most Filipino stores. Show Info: (212) 682-6610 or contact SEP, Inc. through e-mail: sepmgzn@ aol.com. Online orders are available through: shop. specialeditionevents.com
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BY popular demand and special request, Asia’s Nightingale of Songs, Miss Lani Misalucha, will join the Concert King Mr. Martin Nievera, as a special guest on his 25th year anniversary celebration on Sunday, Nov. 9,2008, at the House of Blues Music Hall of the Showboat Resort and Casino.
Critics agree that Martin and Lani’s duo performance in the local and international scene exceeds all expectations. In 2002,Martin and Lani wowed the audience at a sold out concert at the Showroom of the Tropicana in Atlantic City. Their musical rapport and performance on stage make the fans and concert goers scream for more and don’t seem to get enough. Lani is a classic diva known for her versatility. She can soar high; do pop rock and jazz and most impressive of all, her own rendition of the aria “Nessum Dorma” always earns applause and a standing ovation.
If you have not seen the concert king and Asia’s nightingale of songs together in a spectacular concert , now is the time –Sunday, Nov. 9,2008, at 2:00 PM. Gates open at 1:00 PM.
For tickets, pls. go to your local Filipino stores or call: 914-659-9670;917-294-6783 or www.groupole.com
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A UNIQUE windmill was invented by a Filipino couple , who has recently returned to the Philippines after living and working in Europe and the United States for over three decades. The invention, named Logutz Vertical Windmills, is a source of alternative energy, and provides a solution to problems of ever-increasing costs of fossil fuel, pollution and global warming.
Leonardo L. Gutierrez, a professional electrical engineer and his chemist wife Ofelia, grew tired of experiencing poor electric service in their newly constructed home on a family farm in Pampanga. So they found a solution by inventing a new breed of windmills. Giving to credence to the old adage, "necessity is the mother of invention," they constructed different prototypes of windmills and finally came out with the unique, sturdy and more efficient Vertical Windmill. The working prototype is now installed in their backyard. It powers the lighting requirement for the whole residential compound including a chapel wherein local children are being taught catechism every Saturday.
The Logutz Vertical Windmill can be seen from the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) after the Dau Exit on the right side coming from Manila and just before entering the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).
Engr. Gutierrez said the Windmill is designed to withstand strong winds like typhoons which are prevalent in the Philippines. The steel or concrete tower can be reinforced with extra strength down guys necessary to withstand the strongest typhoon on record.
The Logutz Vertical Windmills are designed with wind blades rotating with a vertical shaft. The vertical shaft is extended down to the electric generator on the ground for easy access. The design allows for upgrading of capacity by installing more than one set of vertical wind blades on top of the other within the envelope of the Steel or Concrete Tower thereby multiplying the capacity by the number of sets of wind blades.
Why is the Logutz Windmill unique? No other vertical windmill in the world is designed with features that enhance the torque generated by its vertical wind blades. These features make the LOGUTZ WINDMILLS more efficient than other Vertical Windmills.
The Logutz Windmills will benefit prospective users at areas with unimpeded swift wind flows. To generate enough energy to light one or two houses, the windmill needs at least a total of four hours of swift flowing wind. The swift wind flow does not need to be continuous. Even only 10 minutes intermittent wind flows with at least a total of four hours will generate enough electricity for lighting purposes for household lighting.
The Logutz Windmills are perfect for home owners who need electricity for lighting and small home appliances with maximum demand of 4000 Watts at 120Volts or 220Volts.
For more information, please contact Engr. Leonardo L. Gutierrez at 0920-268-9708 or via email at LOGUTZWindmills@ gmail.com.
Note: Patent is pending for the Logutz Vertical Windmills.
About LeoGutz Engineering: LeoGutz Engineering is the manufacturer of the LOGUTZ VERTICAL WINDMILLS and other inventions such as the Logutz Permanent Magnets Alternators, the carabao-driven Power Power Plants, the Cogon Grass Power Cutter, etc. This Engineering and Manufacturing Company is owned and managed by Leonardo L. Gutierrez, P.E.E. and his family. It is a startup company and fabricates all its working prototypes in his garage at Little Assisi, Sapang Biabas, Mabalacat, Pampanga, Philippines.
About Leonardo L. Gutierrez, Inventor: Leonardo L. Gutierrez is a Registered Professional Electrical Engineer with long and extensive experience in Electric Power Engineering. He started his engineering career as a Professional Electrical Engineer for a Generation and Distribution Power Company and the concurrent Head of Engineering Department of a University both located in Central Luzon.
He was the Pioneer Engineer and Consultant on the Total Rural Electrification in the Philippines. He managed the Engineering Services for the Regional Electrification Project in Tabouk, Saudi Arabia before migrating to the United States in 1990. In the U.S. he worked as Senior Electrical Engineer for different Engineering Companies on Power and Industrial Plants including in one Oil Refinery in New Jersey. His projects included Simple and Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plants that brought him to South America and Republic of Georgia among others.
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