There has not been any Filipina yet who played a leading role in a mainstream Hollywood movie,” Jelynn Rodriguez stressed during a press conference held for her recently. She is here in the Philippines to promote her original web series “Acts of Love & Sex” which can be seen on http://www.joost.com/39iqds2/t/Acts -of-Love-Sex.

She is right. Oriental actresses who have played lead roles in Hollywood movies were mostly Vietnamese, Koreans, Japanese and Chinese.

It is a comfort however that Jelynn Rodriguez has been gradually joining the mainstream of Hollywood movies. For instance, she played lead roles in “Bars Starz” and “Grissly Park.” And she played supporting roles in “Jack Rio” and “How To Make Love to a Woman.”

A singer, dancer and choreographer, Jelynn has also appeared as host in several TV shows, like Disney/ABC Network, Soapnet; Altitude TV – interviewing the biggest rock bands today; TV Guide channel, and AMC’s Date Nite.

Regarding her love life, “I am dating,” she said and she introduced her boyfriend travelling with her.
Her web series is about how the younger generation treats love and sex. How they express themselves and how they relate to one another.

“I am here to ask for the support of Filipinos. We have been watching all those movies and other shows starring Americans and other nationalities, and it is time we also watched our own,” Jelynn stressed.

Jelynn has worked with various Hollywood stars such as James Caan, Josh Duhamel, Christine Applegate, and Molly Sims, in television series such as “Las Vegas” and “Samantha Who?”
In the new, original web series “Acts of Love & Sex,” she plays a Filipino/Japanese/American woman. The show is fun, engaging, and oh-so-sexy comedic drama about the triumphs of love in the 21st century.

Created by web pioneer Thomas Bacon of the Innovative production company Purple Truck Media, “Acts of Love & Sex” is cutting edge, interactive entertainment. Set in Los Angeles City, “Acts of Love & Sex”  follows a multi-cultural group of friends that face the same life-changing decision about love. Also co-starring in the show with Jelynn is Shalim Ortiz of NBC’s “Heroes.”

As one of the first leading Filipino American characters in an original web series, Jelynn said “she hopes that ‘Acts of Love & Sex’ will break stereotypes and broaden opportunities for Filipino actors by introducing Filipino culture in the show.”

With her emerging celebrity status in Hollywood, and the help of even more Filipino audiences’ support, Filipino/Asian-American actors and recording artists can continue to have open doors, and gain a major impact in Hollywood.

Jelynn had also played the role of Kim in “Miss Saigon.” Jelynn grew up as a Filipino folk dancer with the Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts and Education Center.
Jelynn is a pure Filipina, her parents being both Filipinos.

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Veterans Bank sponsors ‘Battle of Ising’ exhibit

Veterans Bank is one of the major sponsors of the “Battle of Ising” Exhibit and Catalog written by Marie Silva-Vallejo, as a tribute to its former Vice-Chairman, Atty. Peregrino Andres, who was an officer in the Battle for Ising (present-day Carmen, Davao del Norte). The author’s father, Lt. Col. Saturnino Silva, played a key role in this battle.

“The Battle of Ising” exhibit chronicles the seven-day ordeal of the 130th Infantry Regiment of the 107th Division of the United States Forces in the Philippines (USFIP) from May 3 to 10, 1945 in their valiant bid to prevent the Japanese forces from occupying northern Davao and parts of Agusan. The exhibit is a product of a two-year research in local and foreign archives and substantial first-hand accounts from the 22 living Battle of Ising veterans who were interviewed.

The Exhibit is open to the public at the Davao Museum of History and Ethnography at the Davao Insular Village Phase 1, Lanang until June 11, 2009.

“The Battle of Ising” Catalog written by Ms. Marie Silva Vallejo extensively compiled the documents, images, and interviews related to the historic event. Vallejo hopes that the catalog becomes a significant addition to the few existing publications on WWII Mindanao. In the introduction of the catalog, Vallejo also hopes that the “tribute to the 130th Infantry Regiment will spark a deep interest to continue the celebration of our forefathers’ deeds and research into Mindanao’s proud past.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 13, go to actress Lani Mercado, Josephine de los Reyes, painter E.R. Tagle, Marisoc Nueno, Sanda Jane Graham, Jayson Pineda, Sarah Banga, sisters Lita V. Parlan and Betty Valdez, Gilda Tanjutco, Gerry Perez, and Rose Martillo… Happy wedding anniversary to Rep.  Mat and Florence Defensor…