Jennifer Lopez Partners with UNICEF for Special Halloween Fundraiser for Hurricane Maria Relief

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez is helping to collect treats this Halloween for the victims of Hurricane Maria…

The 48-year-old Puerto Rican superstar is enlisting kids in collecting donations through “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.”

Lopez teamed up with UNICEF for the annual fundraiser, which this year asks kids to use the entire month of October, along with Halloween night, to help gather aid for the devastation left by Hurricane Maria.

Donations will go directly to Puerto Rico, J.Lo‘s family’s home island, which still is without electricity more than a month after the storm.

Michelle Centeno, senior officer of humanitarian emergencies and executive communications for UNICEF U.S.A., explained, “While conditions in Puerto Rico remain challenging, UNICEF U.S.A. is there, working to support children and families as they rebuild. The scale of need demands that we all play a role in this ongoing effort, and work closely with partners to put children first.”

Lopez appeared in a UNICEF ad calling for children to help them make a difference, holding up the little box any American can remember receiving when they were younger in public school during the weeks prior to Halloween.

“When you trick-or-treat UNICEF U.S.A, you get to be a hero no matter what your costume is. You get to help save other kids around the world,” Lopez pleaded.

Erika Ender Inducted Into the Latin Song Writers Hall of Fame

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

She’s the woman behind the song of the summer… And, now Erika Ender has earned her place in Latin music history.

At the fifth annual La Musa Awards gala last week — hosted by Jane the Virgin‘s Jaime Camil – the Panamanian-Brazilian singer/songwriter was inducted into the prestigious Latin Song Writers Hall of Fame, the youngest inductee in the hall’s history.

Along with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, Ender is co-writer of the biggest hit of the year, “Despacito,” featuring Justin Bieber, which spent 16 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.

Born in Panama to a Brazilian mother and a U.S.-born father of German ancestry, Ender speaks fluent Portuguese and Spanish, and moves easily between cultures.

Before “Despacito,” she had written hits for Chayanne, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Gloria Trevi, Ednita Nazario and Los Tigres del Norte. She also is a TV personality in Latin America, where she has been a judge for a Latin version of American Idol.

Along with Ender, Ana Gabriel, Roberto Livi, Martin Urieta, Carlos Vives and Camilo Sesto were also inducted into hall of fame.

Each was presented at the James L. Knight Center with the coveted hand-crafted trophy, originally inspired by “the muse” of the late Cuban songwriter and poet, Elena Casals.

Additionally, Vives was presented with the Icon Award, while Wisin, the late Julio Jaramillo and “La Bamba” garnered the Victory Award, Legacy Award and Song of All Time, respectively.

Amid a political climate currently riddled with anti-immigrant rhetoric, as well as the devastating aftermaths of hurricanes Irma and Maria throughout the Caribbean, Urieta offered words and sentiments in support of immigrants, while Nazario performed a brilliant tribute to the island of Puerto Rico.

The Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame is dedicated to educating, preserving, honoring and celebrating “the lives and music of the world’s greatest Latin songwriters, composers and lyricists in every genre while developing and inspiring new generations of music creators through master classes, workshops, scholarships and digital initiatives.”

Monica Puig to Help with Recovery Efforts in Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Monica Puig is giving back to her community…

The 24-year-old Puerto Rican tennis player and Maria Sharapova will head to Puerto Rico next week to help with recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria.

Monica Puig

Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion, and Puig, who won Puerto Rico’s first Olympic gold medal in any sport at the 2016 Rio Games last summer, will go to the island Monday to distribute portable stoves, medicine and other supplies.

The agency that represents both players said Wednesday that Puig has raised more than $125,000 to help storm victims, while Sharapova is donating proceeds from her candy company for the rest of 2017.

The storm swept across Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, causing at least 48 deaths, according to the official tally. It caused widespread flooding and knocked out the entire power grid for the island of 3.4 million people.

Daddy Yankee Named Music Choice’s Most Demanded Latin Artist

Posted on October 4, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Daddy Yankee is the No. 1 (music) choice in Latin Music…

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican singer-rapper has received a special award for being the Most Demanded Latin Artist on Music Choice on-demand.

While celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, the music video network also recognized Yankee’s humanitarian relief efforts in Puerto Rico and Mexico.

To help his native country, the “big boss” traveled to the island and partnered with the organization Feeding America to provide food and water to towns that are extremely destroyed by Hurricane Maria.

At the moment of knowing the news, Yankee was speechless, but then he thanked Music Choice for the recognition and said “This is a great accomplishment.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda Organizing All-Star Charity Disaster Relief Single for Puerto Rico

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Lin-Manuel Miranda is making music for a cause close to his heart…

The 37-year-old composer, lyricist, playwright, and actor, best known for creating and starring in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals Hamilton and In the Heights, has organized what could be an all-star charity single to raise money for disaster relief in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

Miranda hasn’t revealed the song’s title yet, but it will be available on October 6, according to CNN.

Miranda, whose parents came to the United States from Puerto Rico, said he “called every Puerto Rican I know” to contribute to the song. Two of the people participating are singer Ruben Blades and Hamilton castmate Anthony Ramos, who each belt out “Puerto Rico” in brief previews Miranda posted to Twitter.

“I had the idea at 3 in the morning. … The initial demo was me singing in a bathroom,” Miranda told CNN. “To every artist, I’ve said, ‘Can you help out on this song?’ And they said yes. Without even hearing the song, everyone’s joined in.”

“Puerto Ricans, that’s 3.5 million American citizens, just like Texas, just like Florida. I know there’s a tendency for fatigue because we’ve just been through two hurricanes. And we can’t be fatigued when it comes to our fellow Americans,” Miranda told CNN of the crisis in Puerto Rico, where many people are still without power and running short on basic supplies.

Miranda said his family in Puerto Rico is “all right,” but “there were a few terrifying days where nobody heard from anyone.”

Marc Anthony Among Artists to Perform at “Unidos Por Puerto Rico” Concert & Telethon Event

Posted on September 27, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Marc Anthony is ready to unite for a cause…

Puerto Rico’s First Lady, Beatriz Rosselló, announced the resumption of “Unidos Por Puerto Rico” concert and telethon event, with the 49-year-old Puerto Rican salsa singer among the featured artists.

The charitable initiative was originally organized in early September to help those affected by Hurricane Irma and now joins the effort to raise funds for damages caused by Hurricane Maria.

In addition to Anthony, the concert-telethon will feature Luis Fonsi, Juan Luis Guerra, Ednita Nazario, Olga Tañón, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Zion & Lennox, Carlos Vives, Maluma, La Secta, Tito el Bambino, Vico C, Nicky Jam, Jowell & Randy, Pirulo y La Tribe, Víctor Manuel, Wisin, Ozuna and Yandel, among others.

The artists will also unite for a song and video titled “Isla Bendita“, which will honor the event.

“United for Puerto Rico” will air on October 22 directly from Puerto Rico through more than 20 Spanish Broadcasting System radio stations and on television through Telemundo, Univision and Mega TV in the U.S.

“Puerto Rico needs us now more than ever after suffering the scourge of two consecutive hurricanes,” said the Rosselló in a statement.

To make a donation for the victims of Irma and Maria visit www.unidosporpuertorico.com for more information.

Daddy Yankee Taking Collections for Hurricane Maria Relief Efforts in Puerto Rico

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Daddy Yankee is rallying fans to help his homeland…

In the wake of Puerto Rico’s catastrophic flooding and island-wide power outages caused by Hurricane Maria, the 40-year-old Puerto Rican rapper is urging his fans to help those who have been affected by the storm.

“#NYC please bring tonight bottles of water, diapers, batteries! At my concert at the @FordAmpConey #ConeyIsland let’s support my island,” Daddy Yankee wrote on Twitter, adding an emoji of Puerto Rico’s flag.

On Sept. 19, before Hurricane Maria made landfall, he sent a message of love to his home, saying Puerto Rico “contigo en mi” heart.

Daddy Yankee is performing at the Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk in New York Thursday night (Sept. 21) before heading to Illinois (Chicago on Sept. 22) and Connecticut (Mashantucket on Sept. 23).

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