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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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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
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NEW MUSIC ON SOULWORKS DIGITAL MUSIC STORE
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SINCE the Soulworks Records Digital Music Store (www.soulworksrecords.com) was put up a month ago, many Filipino and Filipino-American music fans have purchased their favorite local music there. Initially, the store offered releases by Soulworks artists like Bleud, The Kuwagos, and the Happy Analogues. Now, even non-Soulworks artists are selling their music on the site.
This week, the store will sell two new releases: Lost Poetics’ EP Running in My Veins, and the 10th anniversary re-issue of the cult classic Shindig by The Freesouls. Lost Poetics is one of the most promising Fil-Am bands based in Chicago, and their EP proves the point. Six beautifully crafted tunes tell of the band’s virtuosity and musical prowess. All the songs are winners: Break Me, Broken Promises, Gillian’s Lullaby, Inside of me, Don’t Let Go, and Second Crusade.
Fans can purchase the whole album or individual tracks using their credit cards via the secure and industry standard online payment system, Paypal. Single song downloads are only for $0.75.
Meanwhile, the Freesouls are re-issuing their seminal Mersey-sound Pinoy rock debut called Shindig. The album was originally recorded in 1996 and released in 1997 by BMG Records, and has become an album that influenced many bands in the same genre. Many critics and Pinoy rock fans have testified that even before Orange and Lemons, or The Bloomfields, The Freesouls were there.
The Freesouls spearheaded the retro movement in the mid-nineties with their British invasion sound and retro get up. They were the original Pinoy group that sported mop tops, corduroys and turtle necks during in a time when The Eraserheads ruled the airwaves.
Now, that important debut album that spurned the hit single Shindig is being re0issued after undergoing through re-mastering. The Shindig re-issue was re-mastered here in the US using the original master from the 1996 recordings. As a bonus to underground fans of the band, two new songs from ex-Freesouls members are included: Ugoy by Couch, whose members, André Laurena and Jeff Antiporda played drums and bass, respectively for the Freesouls. Another song is The Happy Analogues’ End Notes, penned by ex-Freesouls guitarist and vocalist Ted Reyes. (Me)
Though the Souls disbanded in 2000, there are many online fans clamoring for a Shindig Re-issue as well as the release of their shelved 2nd album for BMG. The supposed second album is called Flowers for the Soul and has a solid number of hits never before heard by the public.
As of this time, Soulworks announced that Flowers for the Soul is being re-mastered and will be released on CD, vinyl and also available for digital download very soon. Flowers for the Soul was shelved by BMG for an undisclosed reason in 1999, which resulted in the band’s demise. Shindig: Re-Mastered is available on the Soulworks Digital Music Store for $0.75 per track. Full album purchase is also available with a digital album sleeve.
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MANILA – MARIAN Rivera and Dingdong Dantes were the special guests at the finale of "Showbiz Central" last Sunday and the fans of their love team were screaming wildly inside the studio as Pia Guanio interviewed them to promote their movie "One True Love." Pia asked Marian if she's not affected by the intrigues accusing her as the culprit in the Dingdong-Karylle breakup.
"Naapektuhan ako pero nadadala ko pa naman," she says. "Ang importante, patuloy na maraming nagmamahal sa akin," she points to her fans, "at ang dami ko pa ring projects. Aside from 'One True Love,' I'm also in 'Desperadas 2' and 'Shake, Rattle & Roll 10'. May bago pa kaming soap ni Dong at ang dami ko ring bagong endorsements."
Is it true she has built a 12-door apartment in Cavite? "Yes, for investment. Kasi ganun din ang mother ko, e."
How much does Dingdong support her? "He has always been there. Hindi niya ako pinababayaan. Kung maibibigay niya sa'kin hindi lang ang dalawang kamay niya kundi pati paa niya, gagawin niya para suportahan ako."
How about Dingdong? How much does Marian support him? "Kitang-kita ang suporta namin sa isa't isa lalo na in this movie which is very crucial for us kasi first movie namin ito after two hit TV shows," he says. "Alam namin, maghihiwalay rin kami baling araw but I'm thankful nandun ako when she started sa 'Marimar' na naging turning point sa buhay at career niya and I've always been there to guide her."
What's the best thing about Marian? "Lagi siyang may bagong ipinakikita. Ako nga, I always wonder, like in this movie: Ano naman kaya ang ipakikita niya rito?"
Pia asked them to play a game. Pia will ask a question and instead of them answering for themselves, Dingdong will answer for Marian and vice versa. But obviously, no one understood the mechanics of the game, not even Pia herself, because when she asked questions, Dingdong and Marian still answered for themselves and not each other.
To Dingdong: What do you do that makes Marian blush? Instead of Marian answering Dingdong who answered: "When I tell her: you look good today." To which Marian said: "Kasi mababaw na tao lang ako."
To Marian: What among the things you've given to Dingdong did he appreciate the most? Dingdong is supposed to answer but again, it's Marian who answered: "Shorts." Dingdong added: "A pair of short shorts. Pang-asar lang kasi alam niya hindi ako nagsusuot ng ganun." (MNS)
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MANILA -- HOW does Regine Velasquez feel now that her beau, Ogie Alcasid, is playing a girl in "Desperadas 2"? Has she seen him in drag?
"Oh yes, lagi niyang pinadadala sa’kin sa cell ang photo niya tuwing may shooting silang babae siya," she says at the launching of her new album, "Low Key," her first with Universal Records.
"I’m proud of him, very pretty siya. Magaling ang nagme-make up sa kanya. Actually, siya na ngayon ang pinakamaganda sa kanila. Talbog na niya ang mga co-stars niya (Ruffa Gutierrez, Rufa Mae Quinto, Iza Calzado and Marian Rivera). Ako raw ang ginagaya niya kapag kailangang niyang magkilos babae."
How does she feel about Ogie’s kissing scene with his leading man, Carlo Guevarra?
"I told him that when he told me may wedding scene sila. Sabi pa niya, bakit? Sabi ko naman, may wedding, e. ’Di may kiss the bride. Okay lang naman. Part ng trabaho niya ‘yun as an actress. Actress daw, o."
Will she and Ogie be going to Sydney to visit Michelle and his daughters come Christmas?
"No. He can’t leave kasi nga may entry siya sa filmfest, ‘di ba? He’ll join the ‘Parade of Stars’ tapos, may awards night. E, baka siya ang manalong best actress, malay natin."
How about her, how is she preparing for her "Totoy Bato" series with Robin Padilla?
"I’m doing boxing now as part of my training para if they want me to do some action stuff when we start taping the show, ‘di ready na ako. Enjoy talaga ako kasi I’m so tamad, e masarap pala ‘yung may sinusuntok- suntok ka sa umaga. Pampatanggal ng stress, lalo na kung mainit ang ulo mo. It also helps me to lose some weight kasi nagpapapayat talaga ako for our ‘Divas 4 Divas’ concert nina Kuh, Zsa Zsa and Pops sa Araneta Coliseum."
Regine’s new album is titled "Low Key" as it features her in a much toned down performance.
"I’ve long wanted to do this kind of album na no birit, hindi ako sumisigaw, something more tender and heartwarming so, finally, heto na ‘yun. It has 18 songs na piling- pili. Hirap na hirap kaming pumili kasi ang daming magandang songs. It this would click, then, I hope there will be a part 2 kasi ang dami ko pang gustong i-record na songs sa ganitong paraang smooth and easy."
The songs are "Tell Me that You Love Me," "And I Love You So," "Id Rather Leave While I’m in Love," "I Never Dreamed Someone Like You Could Love Someone Like Me," "No Walls, No Ceilings, No Floors," "Good Friend," "How Can I Tell You," "Of All the Things," "Longer," "At 17," "She’s Always a Woman," "Never Be the Same," "Strawberry Fields Forever," "Weeping Willows," "Leader of the Band," "Walk in Love," "Clouds across the Moon," and a bonus Yuletide track, "Christmas" with Jim Brickman.
The album comes in a beautiful package of two discs with minus one. You can get free collectible Regine posters when you buy it. Regine will launch it formally in "SOP" on November 23. (MNS)
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MANILA -- Singer Nancy Jane (or formerly known as actress-model Nancy Castiglione) shared that she was “laughing and crying at the same time” when she first found out that she is having twins.
“I’m having twin boys, I think. My last ultrasound we were really trying to check the sex of the babies. ‘Yong isa parang halatang halata na lalaki,” said Jane who is now five months pregnant.
Jane said she was surprised to discover that she and her boyfriend of two years are now expecting babies given that she is afflicted with a medical condition wherein it would be hard for her to conceive. She said there is no immediate plan to tie the knot yet, adding that they would rather focus on the babies first.
“We know we love each, we know we want to be together so parang feeling namin we can put that in the backseat first maybe after (the babies are born),” she said.
“He’s the love of my life so I’m happy that we’re starting this whole life together as parents,” she added.
Jane is scheduled to give birth in Canada but she promised to go back to the country where she has stayed for the past 10 years. (MNS)
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MANILA -- Actress Alessandra "Alex" de Rossi admitted that she is already thinking of getting married despite the fact that she is not committed to anyone at the moment. The truth is, De Rossi said that she is not even going on dates.
"Wala, wala. Actually noong nakaraang gabi pinagdarasal ko na din na gusto ko na talagang mag-asawa. Parang wala lang. Sumasagi lang siya sa isip ko na posible na siyang mangyari," De Rossi explained.
The actress clarified that she will not just marry a man who suddenly comes into her life.
"Hindi pa ako ready ngayon. Dapat makilala ko muna siya ng matagal," she said.
De Rossi said that she wants to fall in love again.
"Hindi ko na alam ang feeling ng in-love. Nakalimutan ko na talaga at gusto ko siyang ma-feel ulit," admitted the actress.
The actress has been through failed romantic affairs in the past. She said that she will try her best to make a future relationship work. She also said that she will not think twice and dump a man if needed.
"Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pwede kong gawin next time dahil baliw baliw din ang lola niyo. Hindi ba kapag may pinaglalaban ako. Pero tignan natin basta next time isang mali lang drop na kaagad hindi na pwede 'yung pagbibigyan mo tapos paulit ulit. Tapos dumadami ang kaaway mo dahil sa kalandian niya," de Rossi said.
'Dragonna' wannabe Alex, the younger sister of actress Assunta de Rossi revealed that after her guest appearance in ABS-CBN's "I Love Betty La Fea" she is now gearing up for her latest television project entitled "Dragonna" with Shaina Magdayao as the lead star.
"I'm Dragonna wannabe. Ako si Alice ang mortal na kaaway ni Rona (Magdayao). Kami ay mortal na magkaaway bata pa lang, dahil sa school pa lang tapos paglaki sa boyfriend naman. So talagang hindi na talaga kami magbabati. Tapos one day malalaman ko siya pala si Dragonna so gagawa ako ng paraan para maging ako si Dragonna," she reveals.
De Rossi said that she is enjoying her work despite hectic schedules. The actress said that she will opt to work to save money that she could use when the time comes that she would need to take a break. (MNS)
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MANILA -- MARK Anthony Fernandez is elated to be the leading man of Heart Evangelista in "Luna Mystika". He has really come to his own after being Regine Velasquez's love interest in "Kim Sam Soon".
"It's a joy to work with Heart kasi magaan siyang katrabaho," he says. "I can feel na she really welcomes me to be her leading man. I'm also thankful to the public kasi sa kabila ng naging pagkukulang ko sa career noong araw, at kahit may asawa't mga anak na ako, they still accepted me again sa pagbabalik ko. At siyempre, thankful ako sa GMA-7 for trusting me and giving me another chance."
How come there was a report that he also had an encounter with Richard Gutierrez in a bar recently and Richard also tried to strangle him like Aljur Abrenica?
"You know, that's unfair for Richard as he's my friend. Walang nangyaring ganun sa amin. Siguro, kung nakita man nila kaming horsing around, kasi nagbibiruan kami that night, iba na agad naging conclusion ng ibang tao. But nothing bad happened between us. Nakikipag-boxing ako pero laro lang ang lahat. Ang saya-saya nga namin that night."
In "Luna Mystika," Mark plays Dexter. He first met the ugly Luna as a child when he was blind, then he goes to city and when he grows up, he returns to their province to look for Luna. Luna's prettier twin sister, Celestina (both Luna and Celestina are played by Heart) presents herself as Luna as she's in love with Dexter, but Dexter can feel that Celestina is not really Luna. When Dexter rejects Celestina, this causes a huge conflict between the two sisters and leading the beautiful Celestina to hate the ugly Luna so much. (MNS)
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Congratulations to Yul Servo for the winning Best Actor achievement for his role in for Maryo J. delos Reyes’ Torotot at the 35th Brussels International Film Festival. He is doubly happy since his other film, Brutus, was named Best Asian Film during the filmfest.
“Tuwang-tuwa kasi ako bago binanggit yung Best Actor parang sabi ng jury, hindi sila nahirapan sa pagpili sa akin kasi lahat nag-agree sila. Lahat ng international jury. Natuwa ako, habang lumalakad ako, parang nanginginig yung tuhod ko…parang aatakihin din ako, e. Nagpapalpipate yung puso ko,” he recalls.
In Torotot, Yul plays a man who suspects that his wife (Precious Adona) is having an affair with another man. His best friend (played by Baron Geisler) had previously committed a crime of passion when he murdered his wife (played by Maui Taylor).
Produced by Viva Digital, Torotot is directed by Maryo J. delos Reyes, who is also Yul’s manager. The director of Brutus, Tara Illenberger, also attended the film fest to accept the award of Best Asian Film. Shot in Oriental Mindoro, this Cinemalaya 2008 entry is about Mangyan children who transport illegal logs by floating them down the Lisap River. Yul is cast as the doctor-turned- NPA leader who accompanies the two children.
More than 25 countries participated in the 35th edition of the Brussels IFF. This competition, which started in 1974, has already recognized Yul in the past. In the 2002 edition of the Brussels IFF, Yul shared the Best Actor award with Joel Torre for the five-hour film Batang West Side. This Lav Diaz film also bagged the Best Picture trophy that year.
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