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For the past 20 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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Charismatic Outreach Ministries Foundation, Inc. (COMFI)’s production of “Father on Earth: Father in Heaven” which was shown at the CREATE Charter School on April 22 was a truly inspired and spiritual journey of the final days of Jesus of Nazareth.
The play had two acts. Act One, “Ang Pagbabalik ni Nonong (Nonong’s Return)” depicts a modern day family. The patience and virtues of the younger son is tested by his father’s deteriorating health. The entire act was performed in Tagalog.
History was on display, literally and spiritually, when Act Two, “The Cup of Suffering”, came on, as the Lord Jesus Christ took over the stage, the cast, the crew and the audience.
COMFI faithfully portrayed The Greatest Story Ever Told. Tino Aquino Capili directed a stirring and traditionally accurate depiction of the days leading to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
The cast of the play was composed of COMFI members, many of whom were on stage for the first time. By their performances, one would have never known.
Anthony Ian Castillo as the possessed boy sprawled on the ground and gyrated as if demons truly possessed him until they were cast out by Jesus Christ. Kristina Micu portrayed a sympathetic and convincing Mary Magdalene, the prostitute who reformed her ways when presented with Jesus’ compassion.
Equally convincing was the mob that wanted to stone her and to crucify Jesus. Their loathing for Jesus and his followers was so hot and intense that one literally wanted to jump on stage to protect Mary and stand side by side with the Lord Jesus Christ, which is so often easier said than done and is part of the play’s message: to have one’s life, choices and actions be a reflection of one’s faith.
Ramil Clores turned in a strong performance as Pontius Pilate. Virgil Conanan was frightening and ghastly as Satan, bringing shivers to the crowd, and in particular to the young people.
Last and certainly not the least, Paul Vincent Castillo put in a beautiful performance as Jesus Christ. He brought to life Jesus’ teachings and represented the Christian qualities and values that earnest Christians strive for, namely peace, generosity and abundance of love to name a few.
If you were to ask the cast and crew of COMFI, “Father on Earth: Father in Heaven” was God’s work, and the final product was a testament to such inspiration. The Lord’s Divine Blessing was on display in CREATE Charter School Auditorium on April 22nd and everyone who was witness was touched by it.
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MAHARLIKANG Pilipino USA has signed up with the New York-based AL modelling agency.
Joining the modelling agency would allow Maharlikang Pilipino pageant winners to model for Pilak, Estilo Pilipino, and during the Washington, D.C. Independence Day Committee on June 3, 6 and 10, respectively.
The winners of the male beauty pageant will head to Washington, D.C. for the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day, There, they will meet with fashion designer Claudio Javellana who made it to the top in Sydney, Australia.
The trip to the nation’s capital was arranged by Mary Anne Herrera, Maharlikang Pilipino USA State Coordinator for D.C.
To grace the Independence Day celebration in D.C. are Maharlikang Pilipino USA-Virginia Victor Ecarma; Maharlikang Pilipino San Francisco Jerald Luciano Mutia; MP Massachusetts Grady Justice; MP Florida Charles De Beaux; MO Nevada Orvee Pruna; and MP 2006 of East Coast USA Carlo Garcia.
The Maharlikang Pilipino USA 2006 delegation will have their send-off party on May 20 at 119 Fowler Avenue, Jersey City.
The winners and organizers will fly to the Philippines to participate in the pageant’sGrand Finals on July 1 at Marikina Complex Theater.
Maharlikang Pilipino USA will also launch its first Calendar Boys and Tri State Beauty Queens on September 8, coinciding with the Founder/Executive Producers birthday.
The even will be held at Puccini’s Restaurant in 1064 Westside Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey.
Organizers of this project is the Young, Beautiful and Rich Executive Committees namely Drs. Eugene Marcos, Leo dela Cruz, Tony Mendoza, Jose Marmol, Tata Fontanilla, Engrs. Zaldy Bayan, Nick Tabajonda, Alex and Neng Angeles and fashion designer and consultant Joel Adriano, Erno Hormillosa choreographer pageant director and John Militar as the official photographer.
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CAMBRIDGE, Massachussetts -- Iskwelahang Pilipino (IP) will stage a production of “Tayo na... Sa Antipolo” (Let’s go... to Antipolo), a two-part presentation of dances, music and acting, as the school’s 30th anniversary offering.
It will be held on June 24, 2006 at the Kresge Auditorium at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in this city.
IP’s Director, Cris Castro said weekly rehearsals for the dances and rondalla have been going strong, with beautiful and colorful costumes also in production, some arriving directly from the Philippines. “Costume fittings and varied production activities like making replicas of the ‘Higantes of Angono’ are keeping parents and other volunteers busy,” Patty Yusah, language and culture teacher, said.
She added that this “Pearl Anniversary” presentation incorporates the “Paalay Festival” and the “San Isidro/Carabao Festival.” It will be a festival of festivals with the traditional celebration of Mayflowers and celebration to honor the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.
For complete information about “Tayo na... Sa Antipolo” call (781) 275-8225 or visit www.ipbahay.org. IP is a nonprofit organization founded in Boston in 1976 by a group of parents who wanted to create an environment where their children would have the opportunity to learn about Filipino heritage.
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