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Jhett Tolentino debuts as feature film director in ‘Asian Persuasion’
By Cristina DC Pastor “Asian Persuasion” is the complicated story of Mickey and Avery, a newly-divorced couple. It is also the story of a creative collaboration between a theater impresario and a liquor entrepreneur on a comedic crime story that involves a nutty plot, a romance gone wrong, and catfishing. Theater producer Jhett Tolentino has […]
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Pop star Olivia Rodrigo rallies 20M fans to get their jabs
FilAm actress, singer and songwriter Olivia Rodrigo is using her voice to speak to young Americans about the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19. At a press briefing on July 14, Rodrigo, a Filipino American multiplatinum recording artist, faced White House journalists before she was to meet President Biden and his chief medical advisor Dr. […]
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‘Black Widow:’ An enjoyable spy family drama
By Wendell Gaa Having stayed away from cinema houses since the start of the pandemic early last year, I recently joined my office colleagues to see the premiere screening of “Black Widow” at a movie theater here in Ankara, Turkey where I am currently assigned with the Philippine Embassy. “Black Widow” turned out to be […]
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Two music artists among 395 invited to join the Oscars Class of 2021
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 395 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures, according to a statement from the Academy. Industry insiders say the move to expand membership will promote racial diversity as the Oscar awards appear […]
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Wrestling icon Dave Bautista takes on the zombies
By Wendell Gaa It is enthralling to see how our own fellow FilAm Dave Bautista has evolved from a WWE wrestling icon into a growing force in mainstream Hollywood as a leading action hero. Although I never followed his career closely at the WWE, I grew fond of his stature as a pop cultural cinematic […]
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Actress Lydia Gaston: Seeing herself as she plays Jo Koy’s ‘mother’
By Cristina DC Pastor Whoa! Stage actress Lydia Gaston gets to holler the signature monicker “Josep”! Josep is none other than Jo Koy – real name: Joseph Glenn Herbert — the celebrated Filipino American comedian who broke barriers and with crossover appeal boasts a massive following among Filipinos and mainstream Americans alike. He is co-producing with Steven […]
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Buddies return to save world from extremist foes
By Wendell Gaa Marvel’s “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” (FAWS) which is currently streamlining on Disney+ had been expected by many fans to be a return to form of standard action superhero serial storytelling as opposed to the brilliantly crafted “WandaVision” which was different in style and thematic approach. In many ways, this show […]
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Actor Alan Ariano looks back at ‘Miss Saigon’ a generation later
By Cristina DC Pastor Was it only yesterday when Alan Ariano found himself at 890 Studios on Broadway where about a dozen VIPS sat at a long table to listen to him audition for “Miss Saigon?” It does seem that way to this FilAm stage actor best remembered for playing a psychic healer in the […]
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NUT to film critics: ‘Don’t take things too seriously’
By Joel David When I started looking out for bylines of prolific Filipino writers in English, Nestor U. Torre’s was the one I wound up reading most often. When martial law was declared, he moved from the opposition’s shuttered Manila Chronicle to the Philippines Daily Express, edited by a brother of the First Lady. Yet […]