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Summer movies at the consulate
The consulate will hold its annual Sinehan sa Summer film series on August 31 and September 1 in recognition of the emerging generation of outstanding Filipino independent filmmakers. The two-day festival features the following films: August 31 “Muni-muni” (2008, 13 mins) by Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr. A screenwriter talks to some fictional characters and muses […]
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Filmfest awaits entries till Oct. 1
The International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM), which will happen on November 11 to 17 at the Quad Cinemas 34 W 13 Street, is still accepting submissions through www.iffmnewyork.com. Press the “click to submit, withoutabox” button on the top page. The following are the categories: • Global Narrative Feature Films • U.S. Narrative Feature Films • […]
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‘Amigo:’ An ambiguous friendship
By Elton Lugay John Sayles’s “Amigo” tackles a little known episode in history: the 1899-1902 Philippine-American War. “I felt like there was a kind of vacuum, that a conversation was not being had about this moment in both Filipino and American history that needed to be restarted,” said Sayles at a recent forum held at […]
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Disney’s not the Final Destination for FX veteran
“Final Destination 5,” which opens August 12, features thrilling visual effects by Academy Award-nominated Filipino American FX master Ariel Velasco Shaw. As the visual effects supervisor of the horror film franchise, Shaw oversaw the film’s many elaborate special effects, including those used for the terrifying collapse of a suspension bridge. A Hollywood veteran with over […]
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2 win Pinoy Idol
Mass communications graduate Criselda Bernardo from Bacolod, and Michelle Semana, a civil engineer from Zambales were proclaimed winners of the worldwide search for the Pinoy Singing Idol, now on its second year. The two New Yorkers won $1,000 each and a round-trip ticket to Manila to join other finalists from Australia, Canada, Dubai, Hong Kong, […]
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Job hunting – on Broadway
By Elton Lugay Backed by her solid stage musical experience in the Philippines, Rachel Alejandro is bracing for Broadway. She and husband Carlos Santamaria are newlyweds who decided to make Manhattan their second home. “We both thought New York is a good place to start our life together,” Rachel who has been a longtime U.S. […]
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All-Filipino cast in Sondheim tribute
The Philippine Development Foundation USA will hold a fundraising gala on November 7 at the Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center with a concert tribute to Stephen Sondheim headlined by Tony winner Lea Salonga. Lea (“Miss Saigon,” “Les Miserables,” Disney’s “Mulan” and “Aladdin”) is joined by an impressive cast of Filipino American Broadway stars: Joan Almedilla […]
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A Rockstar on and off Broadway
By Elton Lugay When Mig Ayesa snagged the role of 1980s rocker Stacee Jaxx in the Broadway musical “Rock of Ages,” no one would have thought that this Fil-Australian singer suffered a bad stutter as a kid. “When I spoke, I couldn’t say the Rs or Ws, Ts or Ds,” he revealed to The FilAm […]
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Which Streep are you?
By Elton Lugay “Streep Tease” debuted recently at Joe’s Pub on Lafayette Street to sold-out performances. Roy Cruz, the producer and creator of the show, said he felt bad turning away “so many people” unable to get tickets. The show is a testament to Roy’s fixation with the greatest actress of her generation, the phenomenal […]