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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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OVER Sunday family dinner, the inescapable topic of Manny Pacquaio versus Oscar Dela Hoya was at full blast. My dad, my brothers Mon and Jim expressed their worries about Pacquaio’s fate on December 6. They believe that Pacquiao, a 6-1 underdog, will be put to sleep by the bigger, heavier and more powerful Dela Hoya. They believe in this so much, they actually fear for Pacquiao’s life. “He could die in there,” I heard my dad say.
My brother Mon, a boxing fan for decades, expects a brutal and hard fight that will see the destruction of the Filipino fighter in no more than six rounds: “Oscar is a world class fighter and will fight in his natural weight. This is Manny’s biggest mistake. He shouldn’t have agreed to fight Oscar,” he said. “Dela Hoya bears the hopes of all of Mexico, and he will put Pacquiao to rest,” he added.
My brother Jim, on the other hand, believes that both are proud and determined fighters, so he expects nothing less than a classic– a classic bout that regrettably Oscar will win.
Don’t get me wrong here, they are Pacquiao fans all the way and they will root for the Pacman. However, according to them, they are just being realistic. There is just no way, Pacquiao can beat Dela Hoya. “My heart beats for Pacquiao because he is Pinoy. But Dela Hoya will win,” Jim said.
I don’t think so. I think 360 degrees away from what they think. I told them my prediction and of course, they all exclaimed their disapproval. My fearless forecast was: Pacquiao wins via split decision.
Not only did I predict the outcome, I even told them that it would be an ugly, boring fight. How could I say such, they all asked. I could say so because I believe that:
1. Boxers cease to be athletes/sportsmen when they reach the $1 million and over mark. They become businessmen.
2. Boxers in Dela Hoya and Pacquiao’s stature and wealth are aware that they can command millions of dollars per fight, hence they have this rule– The million dollar boxer rule: “A boxer must be ‘whole’ and healthy to collect their hefty paychecks after the fight.”
These are two of the most compelling reasons, why most high-prize fights disappoint and why Hagler vs. Hearns on April 15, 1985, remains and will remain the greatest multi-million dollar fight ever. On that night, Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns fought like they were amateurs hungry for recognition. They were actually two of the most famous boxers then, and millionaires when they fought. But they slugged it out like their next meal depended on it. It was the only time when two rich boxers became athletes again and never cared if they get their prize money with their noses still in place or not. They fought with reckless abandon that is why it was a legendary night.
Consider Dela Hoya’s previous fights– They barely shook the canvas more so the boxing world because Oscar is the epitome of the businessman fighter. He fights with business in mind not with boxing. The pure boxer/athlete Dela Hoya last showed up in the ring against Fernando Vargas in 2002.
Pacquaio, however, still has the boxer/athlete in him. Though he has crossed the million-dollar mark, he still boxes partly for the fun of knocking people out and that is good for the fans and the sport although he is beginning to show signs of crossing over to the dark side of business, especially when he decided to get it on with the larger Dela Hoya.
I predict that Dela Hoya will lose, because with his loss, more business opportunities will suffice for him and for Manny. I am not implying a dive, but Oscar’s instict for business and self presrvation will pave way for this kind of fight. That’s why, there is no better time for Manny to summon the street fighting man in him than on December 6. At least make Dela Hoya count his millions wobbly.
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MANILA – CHERIE Gil is so slim she looks much younger than her real age. She turned 45 last June but looks more like someone who’s only in her late 20s. She usually plays glamorous contravidas (remember her as Lavinia Arguelles in “Bituing Walang Ningning” and as the ice queen villain in “Lastikman”?), but she’s now totally deglamorized as Amanda, the grieving mother of a wayward son (Ryan Agoncillo) who gives her so many heartaches in the remake of Carlo J. Caparas’ “Pieta.”
“Making ‘Pieta’ is meaningful to me as I’m doing the role originally played by Tita Chato (the late Charito Solis),” she says. “She was my mentor when I was starting in showbiz in such films as ‘Beerhouse’ and ‘Sugar Daddy.’ I really learned so much from her. I’m also happy to be doing another novel of Direk Carlo Caparas as it’s also in a novel of his, ‘God, Save Me,’ that I won a best supporting actress award when he turned it into a movie.”
Since “Pieta” is now a teleserye, Directors Toto Natividad and Don Cuaresma expanded it and gave a back story to the character played by Cherie, Amanda. She’s shown as a young woman (Alessandra de Rossi) who had sad experiences with two men, Miguel (Baron Geisler) and Delfin (Joross Gamboa). One of them could be the father of her son Rigor (Paul Salas as a boy, Ryan A. as a man). Later on, when Amanda becomes Cherie, Miguel and Delfin are played by John Regala and Jestoni Alarcon, respectively.
Cherie admits she and violinist husband Roni Rogoff have separated after 14 years. They were married in 1994. “I tried my best to be a dutiful wife and I lived with him wherever he was working, like New York and Venice,” she says. “He also tried to live here in Manila for a while, but we have drifted apart and we were moving into different directions since I can’t leave my work here as an actress. It’s hard to have a long distance marriage. There’s no third party involved. We parted amicably. Our children, Bianca (12) and Raphael (10) are currently staying with him in Israel where they study in an American school. I can visit them anytime I wish to and they can also come here as they please. My son, Jamie (21), is with me here. May kumukuha sa kanya sa showbiz but he doesn’t like it. He’s more inclined to music.”
Cherie says their petition for divorce has been officially granted by the courts abroad last August. (MNS)
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MANILA -- Heart Evangelista is happy that as "Codename: Asero" ends, she’ll have a new show right away where she plays the title role, no less, "Luna Mystica."
"I’m thankful sa pagtitiwala sa akin ng GMA-7 and I promise to give my best in ‘Luna Mystica’ to prove na hindi sila nagkamali sa trust nila sa akin," she says.
"Asero" will be ending in two weeks and the last few episodes are all action-packed. They’re shooting a lot of fight scenes involving Richard Gutierrez and all his foes. In the story, Richard as Asero and Heart as Emily see each other again after being separated for a long time. They go out and end up in bed, even if Heart is already about to have her wedding with the villainous Paolo Contis.
"Bale nag-overlap ang tapings ko for both ‘Asero’ and ‘Luna Mystica’ kasi right after ‘Asero’ ends, pasok na agad ang ‘Luna’ kaya halos wala akong pahinga," adds Heart.
"Pero okay lang as I’m enjoying what I’m doing at matagal din naman akong nakapahinga noong panahong bakante ako at wala kahit isang show."
She has one personal project, though, and this is to help patch things up between two of her co-stars in "Luna Mystica: Pauleen Luna and Michelle Madrigal.
"Mahirap naman kasing nagte-taping na kami, nagdededmahan pa sila," she says. "Gustong kong pagbatiin sila hindi na sila mag-iwasan sa set." (MNS)
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MANILA – HAVING another baby doesn’t coerce ex-couple Paolo Paraiso and Mylene Dizon to tie the knot.
Unlike other couples who were forced to get married because of unexpected pregnancy, Paolo and Mylene said they will not walk down the aisle until they both feel that they are ready for it.
“Ayoko ko naman pilitin na magpakasal just because meron kaming mga anak,” Mylene said, which was congruent to Paolo’s statement in a separate interview,
“Sa ngayon napagisipisip ko na ayoko sana maging reason dahil buntis siya ulit. Maganda kung magkakabalikan kami dahil mahal naming ang isa’t isa at ready na kami na magsama,” said Paolo.
Mylene and Paolo have a two-year-old son named Tomas. Mylene is again four months pregnant with Paolo yet they refuse to get married.
“I want to wait for that time, that feeling. Ayokong pilitin, gusto kong dumating ng kusa na I’m ready and so is Paolo. Ayokong makinig sa mga suggestions, ayokong makinig sa pagbubuyo lang ng mga tao. Gusto kong manggaling talaga sa puso ko,” the sexy actress said.
Despite their refusal to say “I do,” the two shared that their relationship as friends right now is going stronger. Paolo said he will try to surpass the care he gave to Mylene during her first pregnancy.
“Healthy naman siya sana tuluy-tuloy na hanggang sa manganak. So sinusubukan kong kahit papano tapatan o higitan kung paano ko siya inalagaan nung first time.”
“Paolo always asked kung meron daw ba akong hinahanap na pagkain kung may kailangan daw ba ako. Pag nagtetext si Paolo always sweet, ‘always mom, are you okay? Do you need anything? Are you hungry?’ Mabait talaga siya eh. Suyo-suyo naman kahit papano,” Mylene shared.
However, according to her, the special treatment Paolo is giving her is not enough for them to be a couple again. She said she is not closing her doors for Paolo yet she has to feel his sincerity first.
“We are good friends, so were trying to keep it at that, kasi etong dalawa na ang magiging anak namin marami ng changes ang mangyayari. Hindi ko alam ang mangyayari sa akin kapag nandiyan na ang mga bata. Baka lang you’ll never know, panahon lang talaga ang makakapagsabi kung saan papunta itong relationship naming,” she said. (MNS
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Sultry actress Cristine Reyes suffered minor bruises after she slipped while taping for ABS-CBN's weekly entertainment gag show "Banana Split."
Reyes said she had bruises on her elbow and leg and even banged her head after she slipped and fell while shooting a scene.
"Naka-heels ako, nadulas ako nag-slip ako -- malas. Noong nadulas ako tumatawa pa ako, naiiyak ako sa sakit at natatawa ako kasi nakakahiya talaga ang pagkadulas ko," she said. [I was wearing high heels. I slipped and fell. I was even laughing although the pain made me teary-eyed. I was laughing because the fall was really embarrassing.]
Reyes denied rumors that she and her fellow Banana Split girls Angelica Panganiban, Roxanne Guinoo and Valerie Concepcion did not get along.
"We're all friends. Super kulit kami kahit magkakahiwalay ang dressing room namin. Bonding kami at sa sobrang kakulitan ito nga nadulas ako at nabagok ako.”
She also described the other Banana Split girls as “nice and sweet.”
Reyes, who just finished taping for hit television series "Kahit Isang Saglit" with Jericho Rosales, said she has no time for love after breaking up with actor Dennis Trillo.
The actress maintained she is happy despite being loveless. She also pointed out that she is too busy fulfilling her showbiz commitments to even think about her love life.
Aside from “Banana Split,” Reyes is set to do another film, "Eva Fonda," opposite actor Jayson Abalos. She plays the lead role in the movie. She is also endorsing a brand of clothing.
"Hindi naman ibig sabihin na single ka ay malungkot ang Christmas," the actress said.
The younger sister of Ara Mina said she is wishing for good health and more success in her career.
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After naming Himala as one of the Top 18 Asian Films, CNN has now short listed the Nora Aunor starrer as one of the ten films vying for its APSA Viewers Choice Award. In the online poll of CNN, the public can vote for the 1982 Filipino movie directed by the National Artist for Film Ishmael Bernal and written by Ricky Lee. Voting is ongoing until October 31, and the results will be announced during the Asia Pacific Screen Awards to be held on November 11.
Directed by the late Ishmael Bernal, Himala (Miracle) is about a young girl who claims to have seen apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Her tragic story is witnessed by a cynical filmmaker who makes a documentary about the faith healer who brings life to her sleepy town.
This movie from the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines is described by CNN as having "austere camera work and a haunting score that underline the harsh conditions that her people endure."
Himala is facing tough competition because it is up against other noteworthy films, namely Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon from China, The Seven Samurai from Japan, Gabbeh from Iran, Gallipoli from Australia, Pather Panchali from India, Spirited Away from Japan, Oldboy from South Korea, Infernal Affairs from Hong Kong/China, and Chungking Express from China.
Another Filipino film, Pisay (Philippine Science) has been nominated in the Best Children's Feature Film category of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Written and directed by Auraeus Solito, this Cinemalaya 2007 entry is topbilled by a young cast ably supported by Eugene Domingo. It tells the different stories of young students studying at Philippine Science High School during the Martial Law years. Pisay will compete against The Black Balloon from Australia, Mahek from India, Siri Raja Siri (King Siri) from Sri Lanka, and Taare Zameen Par also from India.
The APSAs is an international cultural initiative to honor films that best reflect their cultural origins and demonstrate cinematic excellence. The 2008 Asia Pacific Screen Awards will be held on November 11 at Australia's Gold Coast. This award-giving body was instituted last year to honor cinematic excellence in the Asia Pacific region. The nominees for this year's official selection were chosen from over 180 films from 43 countries. - Philippine Entertainment Portal
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For the last segment of the October 25 episode of Eat Bulaga, two performers returned to television after dealing with their current health conditions.
With his band Pupil, Ely Buendia performed "Disconnection Notice," prompting audience members and the Dabarkads to get up on their feet and dance wildly as the vocalist sang the lyrics "Turn off the lights now / Turn off the lights now."
Sporting a much leaner frame and his trademark shades, Ely even showed off some dance moves as he performed on the GMA-7 show earlier today. It will be recalled that the former vocalist of The Eraserheads experienced chest pains during their August 30 reunion concert at The Fort. He had to be rushed to the hospital and undergo his third angioplasty to widen his blocked blood vessels.
After performing the song, Francis Magalona then appeared, inspiring yet another round of wild applause and cheers. Kiko, as he is often called, has not been hosting the noontime show for the past 85 days to give him a chance to undergo chemotherapy for his leukemia.
As soon as the TV host rapper stepped on the Eat Bulaga stage, he told the crowd: "I'm back home!" Francis then sang the Eraserheads song "Superproxy" with Ely. The Master Rapper could not hide his excitement in performing once again as he declared, "Ladies and gentlemen, it's good to be back home!"
The two ended their song number with a bear hug. Julia Clarete and Keempee de Leon met with Ely and Francis on stage. When asked if this means that they will be back to doing gigs, Ely replied, "Definitely!" while Francis pointed out, "Mga dalawang rehearsals na lang, magho-host na uli ako dito sa Eat Bulaga."
Before ending his gig, Ely made it a point to promote Pupil's album titled Wild Life.
"Napansin ko lang ang ganda ng photography diyan," says Keempee about the album's back cover featuring the photos of Ely and his bandmates. "Rinig ko si Francis Magalona raw ang photographer." Francis M could only smile at the compliment. - Philippine Entertainment Portal
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MANILA – Actress Agot Isidro may be one of the freshest faces to grace Philippine primetime TV but if she had her way, she says she still hopes to find time away from acting and concentrate on her first love -- singing.
“I miss it but right now I can't act and then do singing engagements as well. When I'm in a teleserye, I spend a lot of time doing shoots that last way into the night so I can't really sing because I stay up late," the actress-singer said.
Isidro, who is part of the recently concluded ABS-CBN teleserye “Lobo”, said she is part of another supersecret TV project. She said that after her newest show, she’s hoping to concentrate on her singing career again.
“Maybe after this project. Maybe first quarter next year I want to come out with an album again,” she said.
Isidro says she has is more health conscious because of her punishing schedule and regularly works out in a gym.
“Naggi-gym ako. Addict ako. Kapag wala akong ginagawa mga five to six times talagang addict,” she said.
The actress said that she’s attending classes, does weightlifting and has her own personal trainer.
“Twice a week., I do that nagli-lift ako ng weights then I do spinning iyong cosmic cycling… tapos nagyo-yoga din ako,” she said.
When it comes to her diet, Isidro said that she mostly eats seafoods and vegetables.
“I don’t eat meat, I eat fish lang. Sometimes chicken. I don't eat white rice, just brown rice,” she said.
Isidro also shared a fondness for body massages and spas. When it comes to fashion, Isidro said that she’s really trying to wear classy clothes.
“Ako ang pumipili, kasi 10 years from now ayaw kong pagtawanan iyong sinuot ko ngayon so gusto ko medyo leaning into classic iyong mga damit ko tapos may accent lang ng konting trendy but accent lang iyon,” she said. (MNS)
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