|
|
|
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 THE BUSINESS SIDE OF MUSIC
PLAYS SOUR NOTES
|
|
|
|
NEW YORK– Music as an art form is powerful. It moves people, injects new ideas and enriches culture. It is the art form so close to the human emotion, that no other medium could make a person happy, sad, or anything in between as effective as the masterful combination of melody, rhythm and rhyme.
However, with its power comes an aspect that often times mar its inherent beauty: business. Yes, as much as it is an art form, music is a business. And this inescapable side of music more often than not puts a halt to the symphony and leaves music lovers with a taste of bitter dissonance.
Case in point, the current Rivermaya problem. Last week, Rivermaya members, Mark Escueta, Japs Sergio, Mike Elgar, and Jason Fernandez announced that they are leaving the stable of their long-time manager Lizza Nakpil. The announcement came a year after ex-Rivermaya member Rico Blanco left the band.
According to sources, the four current Rivermaya members are accusing Ms. Nakpil of receiving royalties that are supposed to be for the band members, a charge that Ms. Nakpil vehemently denies.
Ms. Nakpil, on the other hand, thinks that her band’s revolt is due to a Rivermaya “reunion” concert proposal by some promoters that carries a hefty price tag, which she turned down. The concert, according to her, would bring the ex-members of the band: Rico Blanco, Bamboo, Nathan Azarcon, Perf De Castro and Mark Escueta, to play for a show that promoters are saying would pay them P42 million. The denial came because Ms. Nakpil believes that the band was not a disbanding group for members to hold a reunion.
Mr. Escueta, who appears to be leading the charge against Ms. Nakpil declined to comment on this issue. He, however, said through a text message that Ms. Nakpil is no longer representing Rivermaya. Mr. Escueta’s move to bolt out of Ms. Nakpil’s management resulted in a toss up on who owns the Rivermaya name. Escueta implied that his band will continue to use the name and thus could enter a deal with promoters offering the huge payday. Mr. Escueta’s plan to go on and use the Rivermaya name is evidenced by his application for a patent for the name at the Philippine Intellectual Property Office.
Ms. Nakpil, however, clarified that she owns the name Rivermaya ever since she started the band back in the early 90s.In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Ms. Nakpil said: “No one from the band can claim it. Compared to other bands, Rivermaya is a different animal. Chito Roño and I formed the band. We had the idea, held auditions, and found the members— Bamboo (Manalac), Nathan (Azarcon), Rico (Blanco) and the others. We put the team together. It’s not like other bands that formed and looked for a manager. They were hired to make them band.”
Perhaps, according to sources, Mr. Escueta wants to do the reunion, but with the legal complications surrounding who owns the Rivermaya name, he couldn’t, so he decided to leave with the other members.
When I asked Ms. Nakpil if she is planning to rebuild Rivermaya with new members, she said that it the thought of it has occurred. Meanwhile she plans to take good care of the Rivermaya trademark, which she claims to be worth millions. So, it is all about the money. “ I am afraid so, said Ms. Nakpil. “The name ‘Rivermaya’ is worth millions and that seems to be the reason for this conflict. The reason I call this a comedy is because it’s gone as low as Jayson signing an affidavit that I just work for him and ‘Rivermaya’ belongs to him. You have to laugh at loud at that.”
At the end of our conversation, Ms. Nakpil vented out her frustration: “I had always hoped Rivermaya’s last chapter would be one of drama, at least with some sense and substance. Now it’s been reduced to a farce. But God has always had a bizarre sense of humor, let’s take everything with a smile.”
For many fans of the band, legal things like this bear no weight. To them Rivermaya means good music, nothing more. But they often fail to recognize that there is so much money in big bands like Rivermaya that the music they love is nothing but consumer products no different from the toothpaste that they use, or the burger that they eat.
This is not a new story, however. Throughout the history of pop music, money is perhaps the number one reason why so many great bands folded. The Beatles, for one, succumbed to this. Messy business deals caused turmoil within John, Paul, George, and Ringo that they just decided to call it quits and end their magical mystery tour. If this sort of money matters ended the greatest band in history, it could happen to any band.
The question for artists though is when does mere applause cease to give meaning to their music, and when does money begin to replace the thrill of a clapping audience? For start up artists, the biggest satisfaction is audience approval. They love what they do so much, they write and play for free. They even pay for recording and other expenses without expecting any monetary returns as long as they hear their audience clap or sing along to their tunes. But does this pure love for music die as soon as the first royalty check arrives?
John Lennon once said that he makes so much money from his Beatle songs that he writes them with a specific material purchase in mind. “Let’s write a swimming pool,” he told Paul McCartney during a songwriting session in 1964. The Beatles in 1966 have grown tired of audience appreciation so much that they decided to quit touring. They never again heard fans clapping, dancing and screaming for their songs. But they still released albums. And those albums made them more money.
This, however, does not downplay the importance of money in the life of artists. Money is very important as it supports their livelihood and allows them to create more work. But how can artists balance the rewards of money, and artistic integrity through critical and popular acclaim? When does money take over art as the primary motivation for creating?
When the Eraserheads reunited for a one time-million peso show a couple of months back, many insiders believe that they all did it for the money. In fact, sources say that the members couldn’t even stand each other, as shown in their separate dressing rooms at the concert site. Some observers even noted that days after the show, when Ely Buendia recovered from the heart ailment that halted the concert, the other eHeads weren’t even communicating with each other. They simply returned to their normal routines, that is, their own bands, after they got their checks.
The fans, however, want more. They want a new album, another show. And just for the band to repair burnt bridges and return to the original quartet that loved making music just for the sake of it. It ain’t happening, unless perhaps there’s another lucrative offer.
It takes rare artists to balance money and art. And those who do are rewarded with great artistic legacies and nice palatial homes on hilltops overlooking oceans. Those who don’t are left wrestling with lawsuits.
Ted Reyes is a musician, composer, record producer and journalist based in NYC. If you have any comments you can visit his website at www.tedreyes.com or email him at tedreyes@mac.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MANILA – CLAUDINE Barretto is the latest endorser,of Belo Essentials, specifically for their Belo Whitening Creams. Her TV commercial was launched last Friday at Steak Town, which also happened to be the last night of her soap, “Iisa Pa Lamang.” So what’s in store for her after “Iisa”?
“I’m meeting next week with Star Cinema and Star Magic for a new movie and another TV show,” she says. “May mga naka-line up na stories but we don’t know yet which one we’ll choose.”
How come it was earlier reported that she’s planning to move to GMA-7? “It was reported but it’s not true. Akala tuloy ng iba I’m just bluffing to get a better deal from ABS, but the truth is GMA has no offer at all.”
Ex-BF Mark Anthony Fernandez has been quoted saying he’d like to work with her again. How about her?
“Why not? Kung maganda ba talaga ang project, e. Kaya lang, we’re now in rival stations so ewan kung paano mangyayari ‘yun. He’s one of our best actors so it’ll be nice to work with him.”
How is it being a mother?
“Ang sarap. We have one girl, Sabina, and one boy, Santino, and they bring us so much joy. Hindi mo mapapalitan ang sarap ng maging isang magulang. Raymart (Santiago, her husband) and I take care of them ourselves. Kapag may trabaho nga ako, I sometimes bring them to the set like when I taped my TV commercial for Belo Whitening Creams.”
So why did Dr. Vicki Belo choose Claudine as their newest endorser?
“Claudine has been with us for five years and we felt she’s the best one to endorse our Whitening Creams, the latest in our line of Belo Essentials that started with Belo Soap endorsed by Lucy Gomez, Facial Wash with Zsa Zsa Padilla and Sarah Geronimo, Regine Velasquez with our Whitening Lotion, and Bea Alonzo with our Whitening Toners,” says Dr. Belo.
“We now have a complete line of products for the body and the face. Natagalan ‘yung sa face kasi we use only natural food extracts as ingredients. Ilang tries muna before we perfected it at ako mismo ang unang gumagamit. The creams come in an elegant container complete with a scooper so you don’t use your fingers na may bacteria.”
“We’re happy to report na o 1 and 1/2 year lang sa market ang Belo Essentials and from being no. 6 last year, we’re now no. 2,” says Crystalle Henares, daughter of Dr. Vicki who manages their product. “Our products are now the favorite pasalubong of balikbayans to their relatives abroad kasi it’s perfectly suited for the Filipino skin. It’s now marketed in the U.A.E. where there are many Filipinos and will soon be available also in the U.S.” (MNS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MANILA -- Sarah Geronimo wowed her thousands of fans, including showbiz stars, who filled the Araneta Coliseum to watch the highly successful major solo concert of the young singer dubbed “The Next One.”
Her co-Kapamilya stars such as Billy Crawford, Maja Salvador, Shaina Magdayao, Rayver Cruz and John Lloyd Cruz, her leading man in the box-office hit “A Very Special Love,” joined her onstage to perform at the packed Big Dome.
“Ako po ang pinakaworry ko lang ang concern ko ‘yong mapasaya ko ang mga tao. Hindi importante kung gaano karami [ang dumating], performance lang po talaga. ‘Yong mapasaya ko sila,” Geronimo said.
“Maraming, maraming salamat po. Sana po ay napasaya ko kayong muli at sana po maulit muli. Thank you very much,” she added.
ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. president Charo Santos- Concio and Star Cinema’s managing director Malou Santos trooped to the Big Dome to watch the concert. Geronimo’s friends from show business including Mark Bautista, Jericho Rosales, Anne Curtis, Luis “Lucky” Manzano, KC Concepcion, Eric Santos, Gabriel Valenciano and Rachelle Ann Go were also among the crowd.
“Isa ‘yon sa mga dahilan kung bakit pressured na pressured ako tonight kasi alam kong darating sila pero hindi ako pinabayaan ni Lord. Thank you very much for your support,” Geronimo said when interviewed by reporters after the concert. (MNS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MANILA -- Kim Chiu is set to do a teleserye again with Gerald Anderson and Jake Cuenca in ABS-CBN’s upcoming primetime soap “Tayong Dalawa.” The former “Pinay My Girl” said she cannot wait to take her dramatic prowess to the next level.
“Hindi na katulad dati na comedy and makulit lagi ‘yong dating ko. ‘Yong character ko kasi ngayon ugly duckling siya noong bata pa siya. Tapos habang tumatanda, kung anu-ano ginawa niya para lang mahalin siya ng ibang tao kasi longing siya for the love of her dad kasi hindi siya nito mahal for some reasons na dapat abangan ng viewers. Kung bakit hindi siya mahal ng dad niya at lagi siyang binubugbog. So malalim yung pinaghuhugutan nung character,” she explained to ABS-CBN.com in an exclusive interview.
Chiu is determined than ever to give “Tayong Dalawa” her best shot.
“Mas mature na kami ni Ge (Gerald) dito kasi ka-love triangle namin si Jake Cuenca. So iba naman yung magiging atake namin dun sa struggles nung characters namin. Nahiya nga ako kasi parang kuya ko na siya (Jake). Pero yun, nagwo-workshop naman kami and masaya ako na may bago na naman akong matututunan sa mga co-stars ko ngayon.”
But there’s no denying the fact that Chiu’s acting skills have improved since she first entered show business.
“Siguro talagang mahal na mahal ko lang ‘yong trabaho ko. Kasi kung hindi ko mamahalin ‘yong trabaho ko, hindi ka rin niya mamahalin. Masaya lang ako, aarte lang ako, kung ano ‘yong role ko gagawin ko siya… At least may makukuha akong sweldo,” she said.
Looking back on her days when she was just starting, the bubbly actress admitted that learning the ropes of the business was no easy feat.
“Noong first time kong sumalang sa cam sa pinakaunang Love Spell (My Boy, My Girl), nakakahiya kasi sobrang magalaw ako habang nagsasalita sa harap ng camera. Kaya galit na galit sa akin si Direk Jerry (Lopez- Sineneng) at ilang beses ako sinabihan na, 'Stop moooving!' Sabi ko, ‘Ano ba ‘to, naiiyak na ako. Paano ba hindi gumalaw, eh magalaw akong tao.’ Tapos dumating na sa point na hinawakan niya ‘yong tuhod ko, ‘yong likod ko, at saka nakaclose up ‘yong cam para lang mag-steady ako. Pagkatapos no’n, humagulgol lang ako sa dressing room, sobrang nahiya ako,” she recounted.
But with her countless acting stints and continuous workshops, Chiu now has the kind of talent and confidence worthy of a true drama princess when facing the camera.
“Masaya ako na natuto rin ako eventually kasi mayroong times na naga-guide ko na ‘yong mas bago sa akin ngayon. Kahit papaano nabibigyan ko sila ng tips na parang, 'Uy ‘wag ka magalaw baka mapagalitan ka.’ ‘Uy dito ka humarap kasi ayun yung camera mo, nandito ‘yong sa akin.’ Masarap ‘yong feeling na kahit papaano matulungan ko ring mag-adjust yung iba.”(MNS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MANILA -- Young actress Alessandra "Alex" de Rossi shared that she would love to play the role of a woman who lost her sanity or someone with a mental disorder.
"Ang gusto ko ay baliw... or parang tipong artist na very dark ang personality yung mgatipong pumapatay. Yun pala ay may sakit lang sa utak," de Rossi said.
De Rossi said that she has already graduated from doing teeny boppy roles and added that she personally dislikes doing teens' characters.
"Ayaw ko na yung may clip dito sa ulo, hindi talaga bagay sa akin," the actress said.
Good actress
De Rossi is known for her notable villain roles. She said that praises heaped on her acting help her to give her best.
"Okay din kasi nai-intimidate sa iyo ang mga bago," de Rossi said.
The actress said that she prefers to be spontaneous when it comes to acting.
"Iba iba kasi ang acting ng artista. Ang iba kailangang pag-aralan at iba kailangang mag-research. Ako, as natural as possible ang gusto ko. Kung ano ang ma-feel ko yun lang yon. So hindi magwo-work saakin ang workshop at training, hindi siya makakatulong. Gusto ko on the spot. Kung pwedeng huwag mag-rehearsal ay gagawin ko," she said.
She said that being naturally friendly, motherly and acting as a breadwinner also help her to play serious roles.
The actress also shared that she evades doing kissing scenes especially if they are not needed in the story.
"Yung kissing scenes as much as makakaiwas ako iniiwasan ko pero minsan kasi kailangan. Hindi ko siya gusto at hindi din ako proud na kahit gwapo pa ang lalaki. Pero kapag crush ko talaga ay proudako ng konti at pinagyayabang ko ng konti," she said.
The award-winning actress actress is busy doing television projects after she made a decision to move back to her mother station ABS-CBN. She recently played a special role for ABS-CBN's hittelevision series "I Love Betty La Fea" with actress Bea Alonzo as Betty.
De Rossi shared her excitement over her decision to transfer to ABS-CBN after reports surfaced that she refused to be part of GMA-7's series "La Lola" because of her recent tiff with actress Rhian Ramos, one of the lead stars of the series. (MNS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MANILA -- Oyo Boy Sotto and Kristine Hermosa are obviously keeping their romance low profile, although they are often seen everywhere together. They avoid showing irritation whenever they are asked about their relationship, but there are times when Kristine would comment curtly: "Ba’t ako na lang ng ako ang tinatanong n’yo tungkol sa pagibig? Why don’t you ask ‘yung isa (apparently referring to Diether Ocampo), kung may bago na rin siyang mahal?"
Kristine used to play the leading lady of Vic Sotto, Oyo Boy’s dad, in Vic’s Metro Manila Film Festival entry. Now Vic got Carlene Aguilar for his partner. Explained someone connected with the production: "If the film was a sequel to ‘Enteng Kabisote,’ Vic would have surely had Kristine for her partner. Kaso, ang entry ng MZET at APT Production ngayon is ‘Iskul Bukol.’ Kaya, bukod kay Carlene, kasama rin ni Vic sa pelikula sina Joey and Tito. And, of course, sina Miss Tapia and Bibeth Orteza." (MNS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MANILA -- MARK Herras topbills the horror indie film, "Sapi" which is about possession and the full length film directorial debut of TV commercial director Arnold Argano. He's in good spirits at its presscon because his two-episode stint in GMA-7's Sunday afternoon show, "Dear Friend" that reunited him with Jennylyn Mercado proved to be a toprater. "It's good to know na naroroon pa rin ang dating fans and supporters namin eager to see us together again," he says.
In "Sapi," he plays the husband of Aiza Marquez who plays Isay, a girl who gets impregnated by an evil spirit. The movie ends with him agreeing to look after the child like his own. Would he do something like this in real life, like in the case of his former sweetheart Jen who gave birth to a child sired by another man, Patrick Garcia?
"It depends," he says. "In 'Sapi', Aiza is my wife and, in the story, I was hypnotized by a powerful faith healer, Nanding Josef, for me to accept the situation without any complaint as he transferred his powers to me. Pero kung sakali ring in real life, I'm not capable of having my own kids, I'll just adopt siguro. But I will never agree na magkaanak ang misis ko sa iba."
But supposing he and Jen reconcile, will he accept her baby like his own?
"As of now, I'm not ready. I don't know, baka puwede naman. I'll cross the bridge when I get there. Sa ngayon, I'm not sure what to answer. I'm not even sure kung puwede kaming magkabalikan o hindi. Well, let's just say na maraming puedeng mangyari and under the sun, anything is possible naman, if the Lord wills it."
Wasn't any old romantic feeling between them rekindled when they did "Dear Friend"? "Wala naman. I don't think pareho kaming meron ganung expectation. We're just doing our work."
What did he feel when he saw Jen's baby, Alex Jazz?
"Well, natuwa ko. He was smiling while he was asleep. And I'm happy for Jen kasi happy siya with her baby."
Does he agree with Jen's decision not to allow Patrick see their baby?
"Well, it's her choice, di ba? We don't exactly know kung ano nangyari sa kanila, but I trust Jen. Mukhang nag-mature siya agad when she became a mother. Her main obligation naman is with her child, not with the father. Kasi parang little angel niya ang baby niya. Ako naman, I never ask her about Patrick or why she decided to severe all ties with him. Kung ayaw ba niyang ipakita, ano magagawa natin? But I'm sure, baling araw, makikita rin ni Patrick ang anak niya. Huwag na lang pilitin sa ngayon as I don't think she's ready. Bayaan muna siyang lumamig kasi di naman biro what she went through."
Will he be ready to help Jen raise the baby?
"Jen said I'll be a ninong. So, as a godfather, siyempre dapat lang akong maging ready to help her and her baby."
Mark is also in the new GMA-7 primetime series, "Luna Mystika," where he plays the role of Kamilo, an engkanto who falls in love with Celestina, one of the two characters played by Heart Evangelista. After this, he is reunited with Jennylyn in the new sinenovela, "Paano Ba Mangarap," which originally starred Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon. (MNS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
