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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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WHAT a great year it has been for the Music Industry! Phil-Ams in the tri-state area have had a big treat in Filipino entertainment. Since the beginning of 2008 we have had the pleasure of watching our favorite movie actors/actresses, comedians, singers, bands, and even hip-hop dancing.
We’ve witnessed a young Filipina, Charice Pempengco , grace the stage with divas like Celine Dion and TV personalities like Ellen Degeneres and Oprah . Most of the performances have been however mostly pre-recorded music except for a few bona fide singers who have performed with great orchestras and full band, most recent of which were Asia’s Songbird and Asia’s Nightingale of songs.
On Nov. 9, 2008 Martin Nievera , makes a sentimental return as a tribute to his 25 years in show business.
The House of Blues at the Showboat is proud to present the Concert King himself. Yes, a real concert, bringing his 10 piece orchestra from Las Vegas. Lorrie Ilustre is Musical Director; George Bryant (drums);Jim Buck (guitar);Blaise Sison (bass);Carlos Perez (Percussion); Rob Cook (keyboard); Tom Delibero (trumpet);Eric Tewalt (Sax/flute); Kevin Sout (trombone). Back up vocals will be the local and well sought group of Chapter Two, led by Dennis Sy, Cutuy Herrero, and Grace Hernandez .
Regretably, the producers will not be able to recreate Martin’s anniversary concert at the Araneta Coliseum with all his invited artists. But Group Ole offers a special treat to his fans by inviting Asia’s Nightingale of Songs, Ms Lani Misalucha to be his special guest. This would be her 3rd performance this year and fans just clamor for more!
However, this is not the first time Martin and Lani perform together on stage. In 2001, Martin and Lani performed at a sold-out concert at the Showroom, Tropicana ,AC. It was an outstanding and an unforgettable performance by the Concert King and Asia’s Nightingale.
Rehearsals have begun in Las Vegas. Group Ole promises a sentimental, heart warming concert. The repertoire will certainly include Martin’s big classic hits, which fans do not tire of listening over and over again; some new arrangements that have not been heard before; Barry Manilow medley, one of Martin’s favorite singers; songs from Broadway’s Jersey Boys.
Most awaited song perhaps would be his latest Filipino Song “Ikaw ang Pangarap”, the theme song from the teleserye “Lobo”, starring Piolo Pascual and Angela Locsin. This song is also the lead song in his latest all-Filipino CD. “Recording this CD has made me feel like a real and true Filipino” Martin is very proud of this accomplishment and wishes to share this experience with everyone.
MS. Lani MIsalucha known for her versatility and wide vocal range, will delight her fans and the audience with a classical , a Filpino song, a pop song and duet with Martin!
Celebrate and enjoy an afternoon of beautiful and memorable music by Martin and LAni-
Showboat Resort and Casino, House of Blues Music Hall. Doors open at 1:00 PM; Concert starts at 2:00 PM Tickets are still available-please call 917-294-6783 or log into www.groupole.com
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THE Heart of R&B is on a roll – and how! That’s exactly how Star in a Million Grand Winner Kris Lawrence feels about his recent anointment as the country’s hottest singing sensation.
“Life has definitely changed,” he says. “After the contest, I thought I was going to get at least a couple of days to rest, but boy, was I wrong! All the more I got busy in terms of work – singing, guesting stints here and there. But hey, I’m enjoying every minute of it.”
Kristofer Lawrence Cadevida was born in the U.S. September 1, 1982, and grew up in Los Angeles, California. His dad is from Batangas, while his mom is of mixed Filipina, Chinese and Afro-American lineage. His only younger sister, Laurie Kristy, is currently playing the lead role in the long-running hit musical ‘Ms. Saigon,’ in the U.S.
He went to St. Genevieve High School in Panorama City, San Fernando Valley, and eventually studied at California State University Northridge, where he pursued his music studies.
It was in St. Genevieve High where he met Jay-R, who would eventually turn out to be his best friend, mentor, and soul brother. Little did they know then that they would soon turn out to be pop superstars in their native homeland.
The two honed their singing skills when they became members of the First Impression, an R&B-influenced singing group that was pretty well-known in the San Fernando Valley area. It was Jay-R who convinced Kris to fly over to Manila to try his luck as a singer.
“When Jay-R made it big here and eventually won the title Prince of R&B, he kept pestering me with calls,” Kris recounts. “He’d say, ‘Dude, just come over.’ He said there’s this contest back home I should audition for. That turned out to be Star in a Million.” And the rest is history.
During the finals night, Jay-R was so excited about his friend’s impending victory that he stormed to the ABS-CBN studios, hid in the sidelines, and waited for the big moment when he could scream out, pounce on his unsuspecting comrade and engage in some reckless roughhousing – all in the spirit of victory.
Aside from the nonstop guesting stints and on-tour provincial sorties, Kris also sings regularly in the ‘Champions’ segment of ABS-CBN’s regular Sunday noontime show, ‘A.S.A.P.’ He has also inked contracts with ABS-CBN and Star Records.
Even with his newfound success, Kris keeps himself firmly grounded by constantly acknowledging his humble beginnings. “Man, I’ve gone through so much,” he narrates.
“I’ve probably done everything there is to do on earth. I’ve hit rock bottom – being so broke and having no one to turn to. So, with that, I know what’s real and what’s not,” Kris continues.
“I know that if I let this success go to my head, it’s not good. There are a lot of things I’m learning a lot about myself since this showbiz thing happened.”
Watch Kris Lawrence performs on Thanksgiving weekend star-loaded entertaining concert for the entire family showcasing Pops Fernandez, Dolphy & Zsa-Zsa, Geneva Cruz & Zsa-Zsa 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), Lourdess Restaurant and Philippinefiesta.com.
For show information, call (212) 682-6610 / 973 641-5665 or for on-line ticket orders: shop,specialeditionevents. com. Ticketmasters: (800) 736-1420
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