Darren Criss on Kurt and Blaine 'Glee' pairing: "The best thing is they have found each other."

Here's the extended version of my first interview with Darren Criss (I also had a short chat with him at the Globes).

It's become so popular (almost 16 thousand views - thank you, Darren Criss fans!) that it's now one of my most-viewed videos, along with my interviews with Kris Allen, Venus Raj, Adam Lambert, Harry Shum, Jr., and Piolo Pascual.

My Oscars reports

This past awards season I covered the three major awards: The Emmys, the Golden Globes, and the Oscars.

I was the first Filipina TV reporter to cover all three in one year so it's been a humbling and pinch-me-please-unbelievable experience.

I grew up in a small barrio in Batangas where I had to beg neighbors to open their window so I can watch with them when Hollywood awards aired. While at the Emmys and the Globes interviewing big stars, I had an "Am I really here?"moment of panic. I had to get over it quickly because stars were coming and I had a job to do.

People only see the glamourous side of it, but covering an awards show, especially these big ones, involves a lot of painstaking hard work and preparation behind the scenes. But it is fun, I'm not gonna lie.

ABS-CBN.com doesn't allow video embedding so please go to these links to watch my report on Fil-Am producers whose short film won an Oscar, plus Fil-Am nominees Matthew Libatique and Hailee Steinfeld:

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/entertainment/02/28/11/fil-ams-sweep-oscars-best-short-film

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/02/28/11/shell-be-oscars-one-day-pinay-winners-dad


And here's the report I did for Balitang America. Go to the beginning part of this video to see my report. It's weirdly set at the end:

(Photo credit: Benjie Uy)

Filipino American Costars in a Movie About Hollywood Ups & Downs

Q&A with DION BASCO

By Yong Chavez

www.FilipinOnline.com

LOS ANGELES-- Dion Basco comes from a showbiz family. Originally from Northern California, they moved to Los Angeles to follow the performing interests of the Basco siblings. Dion's first acting job at 8 years old was with the late great Michael Jackson in Moonwalker. His credits include NBC's City Guys, Biker Boyz, and The Debut.

Dion's latest movie is Why Am I Doing This?, a comedy depicting the trials and tribulations of struggling actors. Making it in Hollywood is a tough thing to do for anyone, but more so for Asians. In the movie, the subject is deftly handled with a comic touch and infused with realism as many of the scenes are based on the actors' and the filmmaker's experiences in La-la-land. 

"That scene where (writer/director/lead actor Tom Huang) was being asked by the casting director to say the lines in an Asian accent? That happened to me," Dion says with a laugh.

Dion and I talked recently about his movie, his dream role, and his upcoming trip to the Philippines.

Yong Chavez: Your movie asks, Why Am I Doing This? -- as an actor, do you ever ask yourself that?

Dion Basco: (Laughs.) Of course. All actors ask themselves that. But I have an answer: "I'm not good at anything else. I love it. I can't stay away from it." So I'm even more determined to grow as an artist. I'm going into writing and producing.

You're writing scripts?

Yeah. Basically, like our director Tom (Huang),  it comes to a certain point, especially if you're a Filipino actor or an Asian actor, when the roles that come your way are for things like "Sidekick #7"... I've been fortunate to have played a lot of roles but I've never had a lead role. So I'm, like, if I want it I'm gonna have to write it for myself. I wanted to have a role that's not the stereotypical Asian smart guy or the best friend.

What's your most memorable audition so far?

I've had a lot of good auditions. One was in Race The Sun which starred Halle Berry and Jim Belushi. They already hired an actor but they got me after my audition. There's also another one, in City Guys, where the role was originally for a Puerto Rican. So I had my test and there was this Asian young executive. He told me he thought to himself when I came in, "Oh, he'd better be good, I don't want him to ruin my people." (Laughs.) I'm glad I didn't because I got the part. 

Auditioning is tough.

Yeah, but sometimes you're just not right for a part. I'll tell you a horror story. I went to this dance movie audition. So they asked me to dance, but then my shoes were sticking to the carpet so I felt like the most uncoordinated person. Then they said they're actually gonna see me for another role, the older wise guy. They wanted like an Asian Morpheus-type. They asked me to read in an Asian accent, and I did a Filipino accent. They said, "That's not the kind of Asian accent we're looking for." Then they said, "We're gonna put a long, white wig on you and a Fu Manchu mustache. And you're gonna be blind. So read this like you're blind." (Laughs.) They asked me to return several times, each time asking me to do a bunch of other crazy things. And I didn't get the job! But honestly, at that point, I didn't want the job anymore. (Laughs.)

I recently interviewed your brother (Dante Basco, who was the voice of Prince Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender cartoon series). We talked about the Last Airbender film, the casting controversy. What's your take on it?

I haven't seen the movie, but someone told me recently that even in the (script) breakdown, they even specified "Caucasian" for the roles, so that's interesting that they totally switched it around from the cartoon. Some of the Asian parts were made into East Indian, which is part of Asia, so I can't hate on that totally. (Director) M. Night (Shyamalan) is Indian so I could see why he did that, but I haven't seen the movie so I can't say if it's a bad choice. It's just tough to see things that are definitely Asian and they have a big, wide audience, and then Hollywood makes it a white version and they don't give the Asian actors a chance to do it. Unless you're a Jackie Chan or a Jet Li, but that's different.

There was a really funny line in Why Am I Doing This? that goes something like: "The cool Asian roles come only once a year, and John Cho usually takes the first pass at it."

Yeah. It's tough. Plus, casting-wise, John Cho is different from me. He's more strait-laced than I am... I have more of an edge. So they're writing roles for John Cho, and I'm not like him, so it's tough.

Your movie is sort of a funny cautionary tale. It might inspire and warn aspiring actors. What would you tell someone who wants to go to Hollywood?

You better love acting. It's "either you're gonna do this or you're gonna die" type of love. There are so many hardships, so much rejection, so this better be something you really love. And you better be good.

What's your dream role?

A lot. I'd love to play a doctor, a bad guy, a love interest in a great movie, like The Notebook-type character. The guy who falls in love, goes to war, struggles, becomes a man... It's a really good role. I'd also love to do a romantic comedy, an Asian leading role. We don't always have to be the best friend. We could be the guy that the girl wants. It happens in real life. (Laughs.) I have very good-looking Asian friends. We do get the women in real life so why can't it happen in Hollywood? (Laughs.)

I heard you're also shooting a documentary about a trip to the Philippines.

Yes. My brothers and I are going together for the first time. The project could be about our social lives there. Also, my grandmother is, like, the head person in a community in the middle of nowhere. I don't even know the name of the place but I wanna see that, and I wanna go to the beaches.

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"Why Am I Doing This?" is now available on DVD at Amazon.com, Target.com, BestBuy.com, and WalMart.com.

Charice and Lea Salonga on Glee: Make It Happen, Please!

No, as you all know by now, she won't be on Glee.

Yesterday, I was one of those who rejoiced when a Philippine Daily Inquirer article reported that Charice Pempengco will be a Glee castmember. I really thought it was legit because the article quoted Charice's Philippine manager and the Inquirer is a well-respected publication.

"Yay!" We all said. I sent her U.S. manager an e-mail and contacted his office in Los Angeles to confirm. I also called Fox's publicity department. Haven't heard back from them. But it's all moot now, because Charice herself tweeted yesterday afternoon - hours after the Charice-on-Glee news has been posted even by non-Filipino media including Perez Hilton -that it's all just rumors, sadly.

I hope to interview Charice soon to get more info on what really happened. Glee or no Glee, her career is soaring (she's on Billboard 200 Albums at No. 8, after selling 43,000 copies of her debut album) and I hope to get details on her current and upcoming projects.

Anyway, last night's Glee was awesome and the Idina Menzel/Lea Michele number made me think how awesome it would be if Charice AND Lea Salonga get to duet on the show. Come one, Glee, make it happen!

Here's my most recent interview with Lea Salonga. I haven't posted it here; this was done end of April at East West Players Visionary Awards night, before the Philippine elections. Below is my report last year where EWP's leader credits Lea for inspiring other Asians to make it in the mainstream.

Charice Pempengco on "Oprah"

Charice Pempengco has been wowing people all over the world, but the icing on her incredible story must be her appearance yesterday in "Oprah".

Born in San Pedro, Laguna 16 years ago to a loving mother, and as shown in the clip, an abusive father, Charice's Cinderella life is just getting better and better.

After her duet with Andrea Bocelli in Italy, she will match vocal talents with her ultimate idol, Celine Dion, this month at the Madison Square Garden in New York. This last piece of good news, delivered by Celine herself, made the young Pinay (and Oprah!) cry.

If the YouTube clip doesn't work, here's the link to her website where you can view Charice's Oprah performance & interview.

[Thanks to reader Jon dela Cruz for the YouTube link.]

FILIPINOS IN HOLLYWOOD

Hollywood native Carina Monica Montoya recently released a book called "Filipinos in Hollywood." It features amazing photos and tells a fascinating story of Filipinos' past and present presence in Hollywood.

The book retails at $19.99 and can be purchased through Arcadia Publishing, which publishes it as part of its Images of America series. Call (888) 313-2665 or go to http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/ to order your copy.

Oscars

I've watched the Oscars since I was a movie-crazy young girl living in the Philippines way back when Hollywood was just a dream destination.

One of my favorite I-can't-believe-I'm living-in-America moments was covering a pre-Oscars show in 2005 and actually walking the red carpet a couple of hours before the ceremony, thanks to my past Philippine News editor Lara Climaco who gave me that assignment.

In 2006, I also did an exclusive interview with Pia Clemente, the first Pinay Oscar nominee, in her limo ride to the event. You can watch that report here.

My favorite Oscar moments this year were seeing Once collect the Best Song honors, and catching a glimpse of Pinoy actor Dante Basco of Hook in a montage (that's him on the left in an old still photo).

If you haven't seen Once, see it now: It's my favorite 2007 movie, such a simple but hopeful movie with an amazing real-life backstory. I know that other Oscar fares such as No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood are excellent movies showing compelling stories about men, but Once has a heart and soul that you'd like to remember long after the credits rolled. Its stars Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard turn in naturalistic performances. At the Oscars, Marketa's acceptance speech about keeping your dream no matter the odds says it all.

Speaking of movies, before the Oscar telecast, I caught one on DVD called Fierce People, which featured Tagalog dialogue. It's an indie movie starring Diane Lane. It starts out charming then makes a dark and disturbing turn towards the end. The Tagalog dialogue came via a native tribe shaman. If you watch it, when you hear the familiar Tagalog words, tell me if you're elated that the language is featured in a Hollywood movie, or disappointed because it portrays Tagalog-speaking people as savages.

[photo: Dante Basco, USCU Colorado]

PINAY IDOL RAMIELE MALUBAY

If you're a Pinoy and you haven't heard that one of our own is once again on American Idol's top 24, you might wanna get out of that rock you live in.

Kidding aside, how cool is it that Ramiele Malubay (who corrected Simon's mangled pronunciation of her last name during her audition, by the way) came off as one of last night's best performers? Today, she graced TV Guide.com's cover and its resident critic praised her and called her "gorgeous".

The 20-year-old Florida native lists Filipina singers Regine Velasquez and Lani Misalucha as two of her favorite singers in her official Fox bio. Below are some excerpts from it:

What is your most embarassing moment?
My most embarrassing moment has to be when I was singing for an event and right at the beginning of the song I slipped because of my heels.

Do you have any rituals or things you do before you perform?
I pray & hold onto the guardian angel coin with my birthstone on it that my mom gave me.

What album would your friends be surprised you own?
Spice Girls!

What are your personal goals in life?
My personal goals in life are to become a better daughter/sister, finish school, have a better relationship in the love department...just continue to be happy.

If you don't make it on American Idol, what will you do?
If I don't make it on American Idol, I'm still going to continue to sing and go to school for nursing.

PINOY HOLLYWOOD: David Magdael

In this Los Angeles Times special report, Filipino American publicist David Magdael talks about his passion for movies.

Magdael heads the L.A.-based firm, David Magdael and Associates, which focuses on campaigns for documentaries and independent films. One of his most succesful projects was representing Morgan Spurlock's Oscar-nominated (and McDonald's-slamming) documentary "Supersize Me."

In the article he talks about connecting Asian American filmmakers and films with Asian American filmgoers. He is the co-director of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, or VC Filmfest which runs till May 10.

(Magdael and Spurlock's photo from indiewire)

PINOY HOLLYWOOD: JACLYN NGAN

If you watched "Freedom Writers," the inspiring Hilary Swank film that told the real-life story of a teacher and her students at a Long Beach school, then you've seen how talented Jaclyn Ngan is.

In the movie, the 18-year-old actress memorably played Sindy, a hardened Cambodian student, but Jaclyn is actually of Filipino, Chinese and Spanish descent. "Freedom Writers" was her first professional acting job.

Her newest project is “Not All Lost,” a play written by a 15-year-old playwright, Michelle Yoon.

The play will have a world premiere at Greenway Court Theatre in Hollywood, on Friday, April 27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays, April 28, May 5 and May 13, 2007 at 3:00 p.m.; Sundays, April 29 and May 6, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. and Fridays, May 4 and May 11, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. General Admission is Pay-What-You-Can and the show is free for Students.

PINOY HOLLYWOOD: Cheryl Burke

She's Dancing With The Stars' two-time champ, and now, Cheryl Burke is TV Guide's newest celebrity blogger. Here's what she says about tonight's show:


"This week we're dancing the quickstep and I really think people are going to be impressed by Ian's moves. He's really working it this week. I'd tell you what our song is, but I'm going to let that be a big surprise."

Cheryl Burke Trivia:

Birth date: May 1984 in Northern California.

Height: 5' 4"

Cheryl is a middle child. She has an older sister and a younger sister.

Her mom, Sherri Bautista Burke, was from Nueva Ecija.

She finished high school in 2002.

Unfinished Business: "I want to go back to school. I wanna take up something that will help me in my career in the long run, like business management or finance. My mom's best advice to me is 'Follow your heart, follow your dream, but never forget your education.'"

She is currently dating Matthew Lawrence, the younger brother of her former dance partner, Drew. She tells People magazine: "He's a great, smart, wonderful guy. We started dating at the end of December while I was on the (Dancing with the Stars) tour (with his older brother, Joey Lawrence) and we're having a lot of fun."

Despite going through physically exhausting dance competitions for more than 17 years, she has not had any injuries. "Thank God."

She considers being away from home as the hardest part of being a professional dancer. "Sometimes I wish I could just stay home for a whole month and just be with my family and friends, maybe read a book. It's hard living out of your suitcase," she says. "But it's okay."
She still sees more dance lessons in her future. "I'm still learning. I have loads to learn. I have years and years to go."

Her motto: "Live your dream to the fullest."

PINOY HOLLYWOOD: 'LUMPIA' MAKER SERVES ANOTHER TASTY DISH

Maverick Pinoy filmmaker Patricio Ginelsa has premiered a new short film.

The blurb for THE ONES AND THE TWOS reads:
"Young Eli just wants to "get down" and "cut it up" on the "ones and twos". In this town, mobile DJ crews compete for gigs and status. Can Eli stand out and convince his DJ group to believe in him?"

The short film's music rocks and the visuals are stunning. Go see it here.

Ginelsa first gained notice through "Lumpia", a fun movie he started in high school and released in 2004. It featured a lumpia-wielding, Barong Tagalog-wearing Fil-Am hero.

The indie helmer famously wrote and directed two of apl.de.ap's Black Eyed Peas videos, "The Apl Song" and "Bebot".

To know more about Ginelsa, here's a feature I wrote about him in 2005.

Photo credit: J.J. Casas

PINOY HOLLYWOOD: American Idol's A.J. Tabaldo was robbed!

That's what several articles about his premature American Idol departure say.

The 22-year-old Santa Maria, Calif. native was voted off despite getting great feedback on his performances. This talented and determined Pinoy auditioned for Idol five times before finally and deservedly getting the spotlight this year.

He seemed to have a better chance of advancing to the finals than last year's Pinoy finalist, Sway Penala, who was doomed by Simon Cowell's "looking like a pimp" comment during the semifinals.

A.J. could have duplicated Jasmine Trias' success in the contest. Unfortunately, not enough voters called in to support him.

His surprise elimination was slammed by entertainment critics.

Per USA Today: A.J. was "eliminated in favor of vastly inferior singers."

Per the New York Times: A.J. "gave a rousing rendition of Nina Simone's ''Feeling Good.'' Paula Abdul couldn't hide her disappointment."

Per Entertainment Weekly, "the first real shock of American Idol season 6 happened last night, when A.J. Tabaldo got voted off instead of Sanjaya Malakar."

So what did A.J. say about his elimination?

"...I'm glad I went out on a good note as opposed to going out on a week the judges said I was horrible," A.J. said to EW.

Aw, he's so sweet. And really talented, too. I wish we People Powered this guy's AI chances.

AJ's picture from americanidol.com