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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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“Baler” cornered the most awards at the recently concluded 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival Philippines awards night. The most important citation was the film’s winning the Most Gender Sensitive Film category. According to the jurors, the Gender Sensitivity Award goes to the film which deals with equality among men and women and tackles gender issues with fairness.
“Naipakita ng ‘Baler’ ang tamang perspective ng isang pelikula para masabing gender sensitive ito lalo na sa portrayal of the characters. We are proud of ‘Baler’,” said one of the jurors.
Even prouder was Mark Meily who directed “Baler” and saw the equality he should provide the men and women of his script and the actors and actresses he would instruct to put in free movement and thought on the roles they would portray.
“Lagi naman akong fair sa gender treatment sa pelikula ko,” said Meily who was jubilant in raising the trophy his film won, even when he reached his table and shared the award with his production staff.
Grace Alfonso, chancellor of the UP Open University and a member of the panel of jurors, said they saw elements in the film that made the concept of patriarchy crumble, specifically in certain scenes which showed the protagonist’s strength of character. There was also an effective use of “silent strength”—a characteristic displayed by the woman (Anne Curtis who played Feliza Reyes who fell in love with a half-Filipino, half- Spanish soldier essayed by Jericho Rosales) and defied her rebel father, who according to the other judges, presented herself emotionally in such manner, far from the typical crying and shrieking seen in most of local movies.
Other members of the jury for the Gender and Development program in films were director and scriptwriter Pablo S. Gomez, Ateneo professor Danton Remoto, acclaimed actor Herbert Bautista and Barangay Pansol’s Punong Barangay Dominic Flores.
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Year 2008 saw sexy celebrities not only on the big and small screens, but even on fashion ramps and publicity prints. But unlike the showit- all boldness in the past, last year’s hottest stars chose to display their finely chiselled physique, shapely curves, and flawless complexion in various ways: posing for glossy magazines, endorsing health and beauty products, doing a musical number, or playing a role. That’s sex appeal with pizzazz!
10. Luningning. One writer describes Luningning as the only reason he continues to watch Wowowee. Luningning's sexiness on television can be described as "wholesome," appealing not only to the adult audience but to the young Luningning- wannabes who dream of a dance showdown with her.
9. Bianca King. This La Salle-College of St. Benilde filmmaking major seems to have mastered the art of playing baddie while looking hot at the same time. Kinda like the way the veteran actress Rosa Rosal used to essay her vampy contravida characters in the old black and white Tagalog films—scheming, evil but sizzling-hot sexy. Another reason for Bianca making it to the list is just how natural her sexy curves are. Not an ounce of fat; sexiness untouched by cosmetic science, just as nature intended.
8. Daiana Menezes. Our bella amiga from Brazil came to Manila in 2006 and fell in love with our country. We Pinoys reciprocated by making her our favourite Brazilian. After taking over the job fellow Brazilian model Ariani Nogueira left in Eat Bulaga!, Pinoys have delighted in Daiana's sexy charm, her flawless curvaceous bod, twisted Tagalog, and her love for almost anything Pinoy.
7. Anne Curtis. Svelte and sexy, this half-Australian, half-Filipina Kapamilya is considered by her fans (both male and female) as a real goddess when it comes to beauty and sexiness. Her Angelina Jolie bee-stung lips add more to her striking sex appeal in her beach scenes in When Love Begins, in her different magazine spreads, and in the publicity photos and trailer of her show Dyosa.
6. Michelle Madrigal. Petite and sexy, this oliveskinned stunner always turns heads every time she dons her sexy swimsuit. As Berbola in Dyesebel, male televiewers wait for her prosthetic hair to be swept aside so they can catch a glimpse of her breasts—as if that could happen.
5. Marian Rivera. FHM Philippines' sexiest woman for 2008 wowed her audience with her sexy samba moves in Marimar in 2007. After that, this half-Filipina, half-Spanish Cavitena's male followers excitedly glued their eyes to their TV screens for Marian's role as Dyesebel, the topless mermaid who swam her way to everyone's heart.
4. Ehra Madrigal. The bosomy Kapuso got the number 6 spot in the FHM Philippines' 100 sexiest women list. But her fans think she should be on the number one spot, or at least a higher ranking than 6, since she was on the cover of the leading men's magazine twice (2006 and 2008) and was also in the top 10 of the 100 sexiest list of FHM twice.
3. Katrina Halili. Two-time FHM sexiest Filipina, three-time FHM cover girl, two-time FHM calendar girl, Belo Medical Group image model and said to be the reason behind the Dra. Vicki Belo-Dr. Hayden Kho breakup. Need we say more? But the first StarStruck alumna to be on the cover of the country's leading men's magazine fell short of the number one spot in this little survey by PEP. The respondents think it has something to do with the way she shifted herimage from bad and sexy to a wholesome underdog goodie.
2. Angel Locsin. She has always been considered one of the sexiest stars in local showbiz. In fact, she was FHM Philippines' sexiest woman of 2005, the Philippines' hottest woman of 2008 by Maxim Philippines, and was also given the "Road Distraction Award" by the first Supreme to the Extreme Awards for her very sexy Folded & Hung billboards. Her Lobo "nude" scenes (after shape-shifting from wolf to human) were much discussed in fan web forums, as well as by tabloid columnists who noted how Angel's present home studio, ABS-CBN, has finally recognized and tapped her sex appeal.
1. Cristine Reyes. She might have landed the cover of FHM only in 2007, but the adoration and excitement for Cristine continued until 2008. And as the year ended, her male fans just can't get enough of her in Eva Fonda and Banana Split. Some of the male respondents of this little survey by PEP opined that flawless and voluptuous Cristine is sure to grab the top spot in next year's Philippines' sexiest list, if the right projects continue and if some minor tweaking on her image-packaging will be done.
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MANILA -- No, it’s not what you’re thinking. Yes, Rachelle Ann Go–known as the Ultimate Champion–is in
love, but not just with a special someone. Rather, Rachelle is also in love with life and especially her career. And why shouldn’t she be, considering the blessings she received in 2008?
Her fourth album, the classic rock covers collection "Rachelle Ann Rocks Live," turned Gold rather quickly.
Buoyed by the first single "Honestly"–and the succeeding single releases–the album earned a loyal following among music lovers of all ages. She also took home a number of awards and performed in several
sold-out concerts.
As a way of thanking everyone who supported her and helped her reach that level of success in 2008, Rachelle is set to perform at the Music Museum on January 30 and 31 in a very special concert titled "Rachelle Ann Falling In Love." It promises to be just as big a success as her previous concerts, including the one she mounted in support of her latest album.
Big names in the music industry are rumored to be making special guest appearances in the show, although at the moment nothing is set in stone. However, people are already speculating that both her ex-boyfriend Christian Bautista and present love Gabriel Valenciano might share the stage with her.
Still, there’s only one way to find out who will be performing with Rachelle as she takes the Music Museum stage. Buy tickets and see just what she has in store! (MNS)
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MANILA -- There is no truth to rumors that Shaina Magdayao underwent breast augmentation surgery, according to the young actress’s rumored boyfriend, John Prats.
"I can attest to that lagi ko siyang nakakausap. Alam ko naman ang nangyayari sa buhay niya. Nafla-flatter [siya] na napansin na may na-enhance daw sa kanya and she's really happy about that pero ‘yong nagpa-retoke hindi ‘yon,” Prats said.
Reports on Magdayao’s alleged breast augmentation began after she was launched as the lead star of afternoon series “Komiks Presents: Mars Ravelo's Dragonna.” As Dragonna, a heroine with dragon-like powers, Magdayao gets to wear a revealing costume.
Would Prats agree if Magdayao decided to undergo cosmetic surgery?
"Ako hindi talaga kasi ako nakikita ko siya as perfect na siya and siya din ‘yong tao na alam ko naman na hindi niya kailangang gawin ‘yon. Proud na ako and happy kung ano siya," Prats said.
Prats, who spent Christmas Day with Magdayao family, started to date the actress last quarter of 2007.(MNS)
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MANILA -- Singer-actress Yasmien Kurdi has joined the vegetarian cause by posing for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' (PETA) new ad campaign.
In one of the two PETAads, a braless Kurdi, wearing a white tube top, sits on top of a cage, caressing a chicken. The ad's slogan says, "Respect chicks. Go vegetarian." In the other ad, Kurdi and a white chicken are inside a cage endorsing the phrase, "Try to relate who is on your plate. Go vegetarian."
Kurdi is urging citizens to go vegetarian since they are "on average, fitter and trimmer and have more energy and stamina than people who dine on fat-laden meat, dairy products, and eggs."
"I'm asking people to liberate their diet and give vegetarianism a try," she said. "With so many delicious alternatives now available, it's easier than ever to enjoy great food without causing animal suffering."
Kurdi ranked among the top contenders in PETA's search for Asia's sexiest vegetarian, the PETA said. The group added that vegetarians have a "much lower incidence of ailments such as heart attacks, strokes, obesity, and certain types of cancer."
"Eating meat is responsible for immense animal suffering as well. Pigs, cows, and chickens are confined to dark, filthy warehouses, where they are deprived of everything that is natural and important to them. Animals raised on factory farms routinely undergo debeaking, tail-docking, and castration--all without any pain relief," the PETA said.
Kurdi became famous after she played the role of Charming, the ugly daughter of Bakekang in the TV series, "Bakekang." Her second album, "Love Is All I Need," was released in 2008. (MNS)
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MANILA -- CALL it wishful thinking. When it was announced that KC Concepcion was joining the movies, Alfred Vargas secretly wished that someday he would be given a chance to work with her.
Says Alfred: “I have always admired her beauty and positive attitude in life. I still have to meet her in person and I already find her full of warmth and sincerity. She impressed me as somebody who is down-to-earth. When Richard (Gutierrez) was finally chosen to be her leading man, I sort of envied him but I have to admit na bagay na bagay silang dalawa. I also admire KC for her non-showbiz endeavor like caring for the indigent children all over the world. I believe she is a very caring person.”
So, one could not imagine the joy Alfred felt when he was presented with a New Year gift: a role in the movie, “When I Met You,” where he will play KC’s boyfriend! But of course, we all know that KC will end up with Richard in the story.
Still, it is giving him sleepless nights. “Pinaghahandaan ko nang mabuti,” Alfred says with a big grin. “Ayaw kong mapahiya sa kanya.” (MNS)
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