|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
To tell us what you think about Filipino Express Online or to comment on the stories published here, E-mail us at Filexpress@aol.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WHEN Apple launched the revolutionary iTunes Music Store some years back, it changed how music is marketed and experienced. Its per-song-download format forever erased the concept of “the album” because it allowed people to just buy and get one particular song that they like from an album, and not spend money for other tracks that they don’t care for.
Apple’s business model alerted record companies as well as artists and also changed their view on the general music industry. From the old practice of recording for the sake of an album, artists are more ‘single’ oriented now rather than ‘album ‘ oriented. With this, the world witnessed the death of the concept album, as well as traditional well-loved music media–compact disc and vinyl. Now it is all about singles and MP3s–digital music files that can be downloaded, emailed and just about anything anyone can do to a file that lives in the realm of zero and one.
Music stores today are not actual stores, but virtual. Everything happens online– from the preview of music tracks, to the actual purchase to the delivery of the music purchased straight to the digital music player like the iPod or the iPhone. While this model is the new and conventional model of the new hi-tech generation, there are a few that are not yet to give up the old industry habits. Surprisingly, the number of people like such are growing–again.
The Vinyl
For well-founded reasons, majority of artists today are releasing their works on the original music medium that for generations defined how music is experienced–the vinyl record.
Yes, if one looks at actual music stores, one could find a growing number of new releases on this 12 inch-disc format. And if one looks at electronic stores, more and more people are buying turntables to play these vinyl records. The vinyl is making a big comeback, it could threaten the status quo. I myself is starting my own record collection.
Recently, I was in Redbank, NJ at a music shop that has vinyl releases old and new. I managed to pick up two Van Halen records, two Beatles and a Wings triple LP (Wings Over America). Just looking at the big album sleeve, the artwork, and the smell of lacquer is enough to make me a believer of vinyl again.
After experiencing music in so many formats, compact discs, cassette tapes, MP3s–and now, vinyl, I must say that vinyl is the ultimate music experience. It is music you can actually hold, see and call your own.
The Medium For Artists
Vinyl is the medium for artists because of its size and superior sound quality.
The big format of the record cover allows artists to fully express themselves graphically. Hence, album covers in the age of vinyl mattered. Think Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles. Sure t looks great on Compact Disc, but once you see it in large record format, you will swear that it is indeed a work of art. Legendary album covers were all done with vinyl in mind, not cassettes or compact discs, more so, MP3s!
The sound of a record is superior to anything digital. I can attest to that, being a record engineer myself. It could be argued that it may be psychological, however, for me, it is more than that. It is real. It is its analog nature that gives organic body to musical sounds. It sounds alive and real due to the absence harsh artifacts of the digital world. These are the reasons why more and more artists are releasing on vinyl again.
In the vinyl format, music is experienced like how it should be: Sitting down, with a cold beverage and appreciating the work as a whole–not as singles.
Albums come with a certain flow. Real artists create albums with this in mind, and it can only be experienced fully with vinyl.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MANILA -- There’s a big possibility that Martin Nievera and estranged wife Pops Fernandez will be reunited next year… in a Valentines concert.
“We’re planning a Valentine show. It’s confirmed that we’re planning it… It’s more of something that we wanted to do for so long but we would have these little storms that would come in between which I’m sure you know all about,” Nievera said.
Nievera said “it’s 85 percent sure that we will be doing it in Araneta (Coliseum) on February 6.”
Nievera and Fernandez’s high profile separation and fighting had hogged the headlines. They have two sons, Robin and Ram. Currently, they are now with their respective partners - Nievera is with Katrina Ojeda, with whom he has a son named Santino, while Fernandez’s boyfriend is actor Jomari Yllana. Apparently, the two had ironed out their differences, which became obvious when Fernandez and their two sons made a special appearance in Nievera’s latest music video.
“For people who are separated, for people who don’t think they can go on, move on and still be friends with their ex, I want to show in this video that you really can still have love not just on Christmas, family’s family, I mean God put us for some reason, it must be to have Robin and Ram, so we will be family forever,” Nievera said.
In his new Christmas album titled “Christmas List,” Nievera collaborated with both Robin and Ram. The carrier single of his latest album is “Pasko na Sinta Ko.”
“Robin wrote a song called ‘Forever I’m Yours.’ He blessed me with it. We co-arranged it with [arranger and producer] Albert Tamayo. He wrote all the words. He sang in it. His brother Ram sang as well,” the concert king said. Also, one of the things to look forward to in the album is that his youngest son by partner Katrina Ojeda will come out in the CD, he said.
Nievera said “it feels great” to work with his children. He said the album is “really about family the way Christmas should be.” Prior to “Christmas List,” Nievera also released an all-tagalog CD two months ago. (MNS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MANILA -- After conquering local showbiz, is sexy actress Ara Mina setting her sights on the political arena? The actress revealed that she has been receiving offers to follow in the footsteps of her grandfather, former Quezon City Mayor Mel Mathay, and father Ismael "Chuck" Mathay.
"Humupa na ang ulan ngayon. Marami ang nageencourage sa akin na tumakbo kasi nga 2001 pa lang bumababa na ako. So kilala na ako ng mga tao doon, so sabi ko let's see ano naman kahit sinasabi nilang kailangan kumikilos ka na ngayon for me hindi siguro ganoon kailangan 100% kang desididong tumakbo," she said.
Ara said she needs to think 100 times before deciding on whether or not she will embark on a political career. She said that since she came from a clan of politicians, she is assured that her family will be there to support her decisions.
"Ang dad ko kahit anong gawin ko susuportahan niya ako all throughout hindi nila maiaano 'yon kasi it runs in the blood sa family. Kasi sa generation namin parang nakikita nila yung brother ko na si Chris and ako either lang sa aming dalawa ang pwedeng tumakbo sa generation," she said.
She said that some of those who have asked her to run said she could vie for councilor or even the congressional post for Quezon City's fourth district. She said that if she agrees to enter local politics, she will make sure that she is prepared for the position through further academic study.
Ara Mina or Hazel Reyes-Mathay in real life started her career as a member of local talent show "That's Entertainment." The turning point in her career was when she won the Best Actress Award for the movie "Mano Po" in 2002. She recently became the subject of tabloid gossip after being romantically linked with the country's boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. She currently stars in the hit ABS-CBN teleserye "Ligaw na Bulaklak" where she plays the villain role opposite actress Roxanne Guinoo.
She is also focusing on her food business "Cafe Mina" and will soon launch a healthy drink named "Easy Cleansing" that aims to help prevent colon cancer. (MNS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MANILA -- HEART Evangelista has obviously moved on after breaking up with Jericho Rosales. She’s now imploring him never ever to mention her name anymore when he’s being interviewed. She herself has deliberately avoided mentioning his name.
“As far as I’m concerned that chapter of my life with him has been erased from my heart and mind, totally deleted,” she declares. “I don’t want to have anything to do with him anymore kaya, please, huwag na lang babanggitin uli ang name ko. Tama na ‘yung three years na sinayang ko. Mahaba na ‘yun at masaya na ako ngayon. We should all live in the present and forget the past. Ni hindi ko na nga siya naiisip pa, kayo lang ang nagpapaalala so don’t ever ask me again about him, please, dahil I feel so blessed now at maganda na ang takbo ng career ko.”
And it’s true. Her show with Richard Gutierrez, “Codename: Asero,” is rating very high at 30 percent plus, while that of Jericho, “Kahit Isang Saglit,” rates only 17 to 18%. How sad, to think that it was even filmed in Malaysia. (MNS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MANILA – Businessman Antonio "Tonyboy" Cojuangco has finally broken his silence on rumors that he and actress-model Gretchen Barretto have gone their separate ways allegedly because of a third party.
Cojuangco, owner of broadcasting company ABC 5 and chairman of theater group Tanghalang Pilipino, said his relationship with Barretto is doing fine.
“Everything is fine. She's going to have a show on ABC 5, we're happy about it," Cojuangco told reporters at the sidelines of the launching of a new play titled "Mga Gerilya sa Powell Street" by Benjamin Pimentel.
“My relationship with Gretchen is ever growing. It's always evolving, Right now, I'm happy where it is. The important thing to me is my daughter is also happy in the house and I aim to bring her up the proper way. I hope she grows up a happy, well-balanced individual," he added, referring to their daughter, Dominique.
Tonyboy's and Gretchen's relationship has been a constant target of rumors, with some reports saying that the businessman had driven the actress out of their Forbes Park home because of her alleged relationship with public works and highways executive director Dody Puno.
Barretto has repeatedly denied speculations that she has broken up with Tonyboy. (MNS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six young talented Filipino musicians made the country proud representing the Philippines in this year’s batch of the Asian Youth Orchestra.
The youngsters chosen from more than 1,000 hopefuls who auditioned across Asia are Jose Carlo Tuazon who plays the violin, on viola is David Tagala, Giancarlo Gonzales is on the celli, Vincent de la Cruz on Double Bass, Mahler Villanueva on the French Horn, and Gilbert Asuque on Percussion.
In July this year, all of them hit six Asian cities on a concert tour including China, Hong Kong and Japan, doing their respective duties for the 100 strong Asian Youth Orchestra.
The experience was both exhilarating and terrifying, Mahler Villanueva recounts. But Gilbert Asuque said this experience cannot be replaced by anything else in the world.
The Asian Youth Orchestra was founded in 1990 by famous American-born violinist and conductor Yehudi Menuhin & artistic director and conductor Richard Pontzious, with their inaugural concerts in August 1990.
The 100 members of the Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) are among the finest young musicians in China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Chosen through highly competitive auditions held throughout the region, they are together for six weeks each summer, initially for a three week Rehearsal Camp, then to perform on tour for three weeks with international solo artists and conductors.
In 17 years, they have performed with cellists Yo-Yo Ma, Mischa Maisky, violinists Gidon Kremer, Gil Shaham, Leila Josefowicz, Young Uck Kim, Akiko Suwanai and Cho- Liang Lin, soprano Elly Ameling, pianists Alicia de Larrocha, Cecile Licad, Leon Fleisher and Jon Nakamatsu, the Beaux Arts Trio and trumpeter Hakan Hardenberger.
Among those who have conducted AYO are Sergiu Comissiona, Alexander Schneider, Eri Klas, Tan Dun, Okko Kamu and the orchestra’s co-founders, Yehudi Menuhin and Richard Pontzious.
Some 1,000 to 1,500 musicians in 12 Asian countries and territories audition each year for AYO. The youngest is 15, the oldest 25. When selected, they study with an exceptional artist-faculty from the Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, National, San Francisco and Pittsburgh symphony orchestras, Boston Musica Viva, the Cleveland and Philadelphia orchestras and Monnaie Opera.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
