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The Queen of Kundiman, Sylvia La Torre: After 70 years in showbiz – Tuloy pa rin ang ligaya

Wednesday, 30 September 2009 00:24 Cynthia de Castro | AJPress Los Angeles

The radio program, Tuloy ang Ligaya made Sylvia La Torre a household name in the Philippines in the early 1960s. It spawned the phenomenal noontime TV show Oras ng Ligaya, which catapulted her to become the most popular female celebrity in the country at the time. And now, 70 years after she won in her first singing contest at the age of five, Sylvia La Torre continues to reign as the Philippines’ Queen of Kundiman. Tuloy- tuloy pa din ang ligaya!ylvia La Torre

Born in June 4, 1933, Sylvia is the daughter of kundiman and opera singer Leonora Reyes and famous Sampaguita Pictures director Olive La Torre. Leonora gave Sylvia her first voice lessons. At the age of 5, Sylvia joined her first amateur singing contest and emerged as the champion, defeating much older competitors at the Savoy Theater in downtown Manila.

Stars of Yesteryears: The life and loves of Pinky de Leon

Tuesday, 15 September 2009 20:37 Cynthia de Castro | AJPress Los Angeles

While most girls her age were worrying about pimples, doing school homework, and playing games, Pinky de Leon was already raising two kids.

"I eloped when I was 16 years old. Nagkagulo ang buong Pilipinas dahil nawawala ako, since parehong artista ang parents ko, sila Gil de Leon and Celia Dizon," the beautiful star laughingly admitted to Asian Journal. "At that time, my mom and dad had just separated. Maybe, it was my way of getting out of a painful situation. It may have been a form of suppressing the pain. Hindi ko alam; hanggang ngayon hindi ko alam kung bakit ko nagawa iyon," Pinky said.

Pinky gave birth to two children, Tony Boy and Michelle Lejano, while still in her teens.

Anna Maria Perez Tagle:ON HER WAY TO FAME!

Tuesday, 08 September 2009 22:05 Cynthia de Castro | AJPress Los Angeles

(5 votes, average: 4.80 out of 5)

Anna Maria Perez Tagle:ON HER WAY TO FAME!

After winning the Oscar in 1980, the movie, Fame, was further immortalized as a TV show that aired between 1982 and 1987 and a musical that ran on Broadway and West End. The story follows a talented group of dancers, singers, actors and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts, a creative powerhouse where students from all walks of life are given a chance to live out their dreams and achieve real and lasting fame,

On Sept 25, the remake of Fame will be shown in theatres across America and then worldwide. Filipinos will be proud to know that one of the casts who dance, sing and cry their way from "audition" to "graduation" is Fil-Am Hollywood actress Anna Maria Perez de Tagle.

Forever Youthful - Aurora Salve, Movie actress-turned- health care professional

Tuesday, 01 September 2009 22:18 Cynthia De Castro / AJPress Los Angeles

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Forever Youthful - Aurora Salve, Movie actress-turned- health care professional

In the early 70’s, the devoted fans of the love team of Guy and Pip (Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III) became enraged when Sampaguita Pictures came out with a movie, With These Hands, which starred Pip with a beautiful new actress, Aurora Salve.

"Nagalit talaga mga solid Noranians noon, kasi ang gusto lang nilang ka-partner ni Tirso ay si Guy," recalled Aurora Salve with a smile, during an exclusive interview with Asian Journal in Los Angeles. "Kaya, binigyan ako ng bagong movie screen partner, si Rudy Fernandez, with whom I made several movies. Sa TV naman, si Walter Navarro ang naging madalas kong ka-partner," she added.

Asian Americans want in on health care debate

Tuesday, 01 September 2009 22:16 Joseph Pimentel / AJPress Los Angeles

President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul is currently the hottest issue, so expect the debates to heat up even further in the next couple of weeks.

By then, President Obama will be back at work committed to pushing his universal health care legislation and some members of the House of Representatives and Senate Republican leaders, who oppose it, will step up against it.