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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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IN the late 80’s and early 90s, the British music scene burst into the world scene once again. In a time when the charts were being dominated by American grunge bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, a handful of British artists took it upon themselves to counter the American grunge assault and invented, Britpop.
While the term Britpop was not coined by any of the founding British artists but rather by the British tabloids, it would become the name that would define a movement that had far reaching influence.
Fed-up by the grunge invasion British alternative rock bands decided to shun the “Yankee music” from across the Atlantic and came up with a counter-assault. The music, first and foremost did not tackle any of the prevalent grunge themes of alienation and despair, instead, it was all about being a Brit. In other words, it was British music for British people.
Bands like Blur, Suede, Pulp, St. Etienne, and later on, Oasis wrote and sang songs about what is important in the Britain the they were living in. Most of these bands even employed thick cockney accents to expound the fact that music can be as British as the Queen. Their subjects are often small town British stories or anything common in their culture. It was “Nationalist Rock” at its rockiest form. Damon Albarn of Blur once said that their music is anti-Grunge. It was everything that Kurt Cobain was not. It was about their “British-ness.”
All Brits young and old admired these Britpop bands’ adherence to their national identities. Perhaps they realized how rich their musical tradition is. After all, their musical heroes are equal, if not, greater than their American counterparts: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath–these are not lightweight artists but generation defining groups that happen to be British.
Most appealing, however, is Britpop’s resolve to sing about what they really are, instead of abstract and heavy emotions as perpetuated by grunge. It is appealing because it makes sense for Filipino-American artists as well. Filipino- American artists should represent and bring forth their “Filipino-ness” to the American audience. Like the Britpop bands, we as a people have a lot to tell, and if we put these stories to words and music, it would introduce Filipino culture to foreign ears more than any medium there is.
Nothing is too mundane and too trivial in representing our heritage. Yes, we could sing in English, but with Filipino concepts. In the rock scene, The Kuwagos did this in their debut album back in 2007 and it is a marvel to behold. Chicago’s Bagwis did this too when they released Imulat Mo. Now, my band the Happy Analogues will follow suit with our new album, School Tales, which will tackle school life in the Philippines. I know there are many Fil-Am rap artists like Deep Foundation and Apl De Ap, who propagate Filipino ideas through their music and we should all emulate them. If we write music that comes from what we really are, then everything will fall into place and we will be recognized and not be seen and judged as just a bunch of brown-skinned Asians trying to be American or British.
Ted Reyes is a musician, composer, record producer and journalistbased in NYC. If you have any comments you can visit his website at www.tedreyes.com or email him at tedreyes@ mac.com
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MANILA -- He may be 80 years old but there's no stopping the King of Comedy Dolphy from continuing to bring joy to his millions of fans in the Philippines. The country's King of Comedy Dolphy shared that 2008 has been very good to him and to his family.
In an interview, Dolphy said he considers 2008 as a milestone, not the least of which because he turned 80 this year. He said he was thrilled to work with Comedy Prince Vic Sotto in the movie "Dobot Trobol" and was happy with the success of the Quizons' World Tour.
"Actually kararating ko lang. Nag-tour kami ng anak ko sa North America sa Canada, Lumalabas kami. Nag-eentertain, masaya. Masaya na nagta-trabaho ka at kasama mo ang anak mo," the veteran comedian said.
Dolphy said he is now gearing up for the teleserye "Utoy" with Makisig Morales playing the lead role. He said the new TV series will be shown anytime next year.
Dolphy said that this Christmas, he’s only wishing for good health and good life for all the Filipinos.
"Ang wish ko lang ay gumanda ang buhay nating mga Filipino at sa buong mundo. Galing ako doon talagang matindi ang nangyayari sa Amerika, maraming nale-layoff may recession. Tayo nga may recession dito pero okay naman tayo," explains Dolphy.
He added: "Well sa mga kapamilya lalo na yung nasa ibang bansa maligayang pasko sa inyong lahat at huwag kayong malulungkot at kaya niyo ‘yan kung anumang recession ang mayroon kaya natin yan at matatag naman tayo. Sanay tayo sa hirap at matiisin."
This Christmas, Dolphy is planning to spend his time with his family here in the country. (MNS)
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MANILA – Concert Queen Pops Fernandez shared her excitement for her upcoming reunion concert with her ex-husband and the country's Concert King Martin Nievera. Fernandez said that Nievera is also thrilled with the comeback show.
"Actually, excited kami pareho to work together again. Always naman even from before... because we automatically, siguro it's the chemistry that we both share kapag nasa stage na kami. Everything is different," Fernandez said.
The singer admitted that until now she still gets emotional with the idea of working again with Nievera. "If some of the viewers are excited about it, I think I'm equally if not a little bit more excited about it," she said.
Fernandez said that she is happy to find out that her former husband accepted the project without asking too many questions. "Okay siya akala ko dati noong na-offer sa kanya akala ko parang may masasabi siya o question siya o whatsoever pero wala," she said.
The Concert Queen also joked that she will be more excited if she will get the same talent fee that Martin will get from accepting the project. "Kailangan equal para mas excited kami," Fernandez joked.
Fernandez is now happy with her boyfriend actor Jomari Yllana. She said that Yllana will also have a special part in the show that will take place next year. "He will help out behind the scenes as a producer," the singer said.
Fernandez was very happy to share that Yllana, who is a self-confessed fan of the Pops-Martin tandem, is suggesting new ideas for the concert. "Akala ko dati kapag nababanggit ni Jom dati na fan siya ni Martin and Pops akaka ko binobola lang niya ako. Pero ngayon ko nakikita na super excited siya. Fan pala talaga siya, ang dami niyang alam about us. He's one na so interested with coming up with something new about the project," she said. (MNS)
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MANILA – MARIAN Rivera got emotional when she was asked at yesterday’s presscon of “Desperadas 2” if it’s true that she’s pregnant.
“Hindi ako buntis!” she stresses. “Ang dami kong blessings na natatanggap, why will I waste them? I won’t let such a thing happen to me, na maging pabaya ako. I love my career so much and if ever, five years from now, mabuntis nga ako, di ko ‘yun itatago and I will tell you myself about it.”
It was at this point that tears started welling. “Lahat ng nagmamahal sa’kin, tinawagan ako to ask: buntis ka ba? May malisya kasi ang sagot nung isa (she’s referring to Karylle who wasasked about it in a TV interview). It’s so easy for her to say na ‘Hindi ko alam’. But instead of answering, ngumiti lang siya na parang nambibitin. I admit, nasaktan ako. Na-offend ako. If it’s the way na gusto niyang mapag-usapan siya, bahala na ang Diyos sa kanya. Basta ako, hindi ako nang-aapak ng tao. At gusto kong ulitin, hindi ako buntis!”
Marian apologized to her co-stars in “Desperadas 2.” “Sorry, instead ang movie ang pag-usapan, ako pa ang nagging issue. And to those who’re saying boyfriend ko si Dingdong, iisa lang ang masasabi ko: lahat ng naging boyfriend ko, inaamin ko dahil proud ako. Kung kami talaga ni Dong, aaminin ko rin.”
Marian is just back from her show in the U.S. “Parang bakasyon na rin yun kasi I was able to go shopping at nakapamasyal din, hindi lang puro trabaho,” she says. “E, before I left panay ang shooting ko. I want to extend sana my stay there pero hindi kasi marami pa kong commitments dito.”
Marian is one of the stars with two entries in the Metro filmfest: “Desperadas 2” and the “Nieves” episode of “Shake Rattle & Roll X” where she plays the title role. Other stars with two entries are Diana Zubiri (“Shake X,” “One Night Only”), Carlo Aquino (“Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat,” “Baler”), Nina Jose (“Shake X,” “Desperadas 2”), Nova Villa (“Dayo”, “Desperadas 2”) and Wendell Ramos (“Shake X,”“Desperadas 2”).
Marian says both of her films are comedy. “‘Desperadas 2’ is a sophisticated sexy comedy about five women who happen to be half sisters at isa nga si Ogie Alcasid doon. The ‘Nieves’ episode naman is more of a horror-comedy. Ang role ko is killer ng masasamang engkanto, pero funny ang approach with Jennica Garcia and child actor Robert Villar of ‘Dyesebel’ as my sidekicks. Memorable sa’kin ito dahil dito ako naaksidente sa set. Kasi, may character ng kapre at yung gumanap na actor, si Raul Dillo, talagang sobrang taas, more than 7 feet yata. And when he came to the set fully made up, natakot ako and I tripped doon sa ugat ng isang malaking puno kaya nafracture ang little toe ko. Pero tinuloy pa rin ang shooting kahit injured na ako at sobrang tawanan pa rin kami sa set.” (MNS)
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MANILA -- After the successful US premiere of his newest Star Cinema movie "Love Me Again: Land Down Under", Piolo Pascual shares how the Pinoy audiences abroad reacted to his first movie outing with leading lady Angel Locsin.
“We had a screening last week in LA (Los Angeles) and Frisco (San Francisco). Both screenings were well attended naman. It was fun to have a premiere in the States. It was also our first time that we got to watch the film also. Mas active yung tao kasi they were excited. They were reacting in every scene. They were just screaming and crying at the same time so it was fun. We had a blast,” he recalls.
After their teleserye Lobo ended earlier this year, Piolo says he has looked forward to doing another project with Angel.
“We've become more comfortable of course after Lobo. We were together almost every day for eight months. With this movie, we got to know each other better because we had a lot of downtime. It was really better for us that we got to do a movie right after Lobo,” Piolo shares.
The matinee idol also shares that he and Angel finally found the opportunity to bond and become closer while doing the movie.
“Our working relationship is very different now. It’s changed a lot. We’ve become more comfortable. In Lobo, it was straight-out drama and puyatan. I never had a chance to really bond with her or even get to know her better. But with the movie, we had time both in Bukidnon and Australia so we really had time to talk and just have fun. We were really more comfortable now while doing the movie,” he adds.
Piolo, who plays a cowboy in film, also admits that his character in the movie is almost the total opposite of his role in Lobo.
“It’s very different. I played a soldier in Lobo and I was very stiff and very formal. While in Love Me Again: Land Down Under, I played a cowboy. I had to learn how to ride a horse. Character-wise, he was very free-spirited, so very, very contrasting yung characters,” he says.
In order to accurately portray his role, Piolo willingly learned how to be a cowboy while shooting scenes in Bukidnon.
“The whole movie is unforgettable. I mean, the shooting in Bukidnon and the outback in Australia. There’s no one favorite moment talaga,” he admits. (MNS)
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MANILA – Actress television host Rica Peralejo said that all she wants to do for the coming year is to hone her hosting skills.
"This year wala naman akong plano aside from just doing good in school, and ‘yung hosting ko siguro. Learning more, getting better," the actress said.
The former child actress said that she is currently busy with her studies and her everyday hosting job for ABSCBN's popular morning show "Umagang Kay Ganda." Peralejo said that to focus on her studies, she has to set aside some showbiz projects.
"Yung movies, teleserye I really have to put them off for a while, like two more years na lang and I will be graduating. And when I graduate maybe I can, if my heart calls for it pa din... we will see. Malayo pa naman," Peralejo said.
Peralejo is taking up creative writing at Ateneo de Manila University. As for her holiday plans, she wishes to spend Christmas in cold places like Tagaytay or Baguio.
Just recently Peralejo confirmed that she is now happily in love with her new found sweetheart. Peralejo shared that her boyfriend is not from show business. The actress also declined to disclose the identity of her new boyfriend out of respect for his privacy. Peralejo described her new love as a God-fearing person and someone who possesses the qualities of her dream man. (MNS)
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MANILA – JOROSS Gamboa admits that he really went out with Katrina Halili before. “Yes, but those were (just) exploratory dates, parang getting-to-know-each other. Wala lang. But it didn’t prosper because we both got busy,” confirms the handsome star.
How does he feel that Kat is said to be very close to R & B singer Kris Lawrence these days? The voluptuous star even admitted that she invited Kris to their home in Palawan last Halloween.
“It is okay. As I’ve said, what Kat and I had before was just initial stage. We were just starting to go out. I can see they’re very close and I’ll be happy for them if ever. Kat naman remains a friend.”
Recently, his past flame Roxanne Guinoo figured in a controversy with ex-BF Jake Cuenca when they were in Guam. Asked for his opinion, Joross calmly answers: “Honestly, I didn’t believe the news. Based on how I know her, she wouldn’t do something like that. Remember, we were on for a year so I would know. What I can say about Roxanne is that she can fall in love so deeply. During our time, no physical violence happened so it’s really hard to believe what came out in the news.”
Joross’ message to Roxanne? “Sana, anuman ang pinagdadaanan niya, malampasan niya. I wish her all the best.”
On the career front, Joross is clearly on the upswing. Aside from the sexy comedy “One Night Only,” which is an official entry to the forthcoming Metro Manila Film Festival, he is also part of the indie movie, “Sumpa.” He’ll be pitting acting skills with the seasoned Mark Gil. The good-looking heartthrob also plays an important role in the Cristine Reyes’ soap Eva Fonda, at ABS-CBN 2. (MNS)
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MANILA – VALERIE Concepcion might be a single mom but she says that the first time she got inside a motel was when they shot the OctoArts entry "One Night Only" in Tripoli Motel in Marcos Highway.
"It's only when we shot the movie there na nakita ko ang itsura ng loob ng isang motel," she says. "Meron pala siyang sariling garage where you can just park your car then tapos diretso na kayo sa kuwarto!”
In "One Night Only," she plays Vicky, a liberated young woman who's fond of the good life. While gallivanting in Boracay, she meets Jon Avila but nothing happened to them as she got drunk. So when they meet again in Manila, she asks Jon to take her to a motel for a night of good sex. What does she think of her role?
"I'm really curious how some girls can do one night stand. Ako, walang kaipokritahan, hindi ko kayang maimagine ang sarili ko na makipag-one night stand lang and then, wala na. Iba kasi 'yung you make love with feelings of affection for each other. Sa akin, what happened to me before was may mutual feelings kami ng jowa ko. Ayoko nung sex without love." (MNS)
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MANILA – Television host Willie Revillame shared his happiness about all the blessings he received in 2008. Revillame said that ending the feud with actor-host Joey de Leon is one of the important things that happened this year.
"Alam mo importante na dapat lang walang away, walang gulo. Ang hirap na ngayon ng buhay, tapos magkakagulo pa tayo. Ano ang mangyayari sa buhay natin?” Revillame said.
“Dapat life goes on. You have to move on. Kapag ikaw ay nagkaka-problema go, go, go,” he added.
Revillame said that he tries to learn from all his experiences.
"Alam mo ako negative or positive, I will accept that. Kasi ganoon lagi ang buhay. Hindi ka pupuwedeng lagging masaya. Mayroon dumarating sa buhay mo na nakakapagiisip ka, para matuto ka. Kung may positive may negative sa buhay," he added.
Revillame, the host of ABS-CBN’s popular noontime show “Wowowee” said that the people will have to watch his show especially because of their new games.
“Masaya, mas marami kaming gagawing pa-premyo at madaling mapanalunan,” he said.
Asked if he is planning to enter the world of politics by joining the 2010 polls, Revillame replied: “No way ang politics sa akin. Text text lang ako.” (MNS)
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