Olga Tañon to Receive Legacy Award at the Premios Tu Mundo Awards

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Olga Tañon’s legacy is being celebrated…

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican singer will be honored with the Jenni Rivera Legacy Award at the sixth edition of the Premios Tu Mundo, according to Telemundo.

Tañon, a multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy winner, is being recognized for her more than 25 years in music, as well as her philanthropic achievements.

Tañon has used her voice to seek change, serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and lending her talent for charitable causes including benefit songs, “Somos El Mundo,” “El Ultimo Ádios” and “Nuestro Himno.”

On the Billboard charts, Tañon holds the record for most top 10 hits (27 to be exact) for a female artist on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart.

But Tañon won’t be the night’s only honoree…

The legendary Panamanian-born Spanish singer Miguel Bosé will receive the El Poder en Ti award to honor his “unlimited fame power” that helps thousands of people through different non profit organizations worldwide, such as Fundacion Patrimonio Indigena MX (of which he is president), his Gala SIDA fundraising event in Spain and the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation to fund a full $200,000 scholarship to a Berklee College of Music student pursuing a career in Latin music.

Telemundo will honor TV host Maria Celeste Arraras with the Estrella de Tu Mundo Award in celebration of her 15 years hosting the news show Al Rojo Vivo.

This year, boy band CNCO leads the nominations for the Premios Tu Mundo awards, that will be broadcast live on August 24, 2017 at 8:00 pm.ET from the American Airlines Arena in Miami.

Shakira Receives Humanitarian Award at the World Economic Forum

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira has a crystal heart…

The 39-year-old Colombian superstar, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and founder of the Pies Descalzos Foundation, which provides education for children in Colombia, received a humanitarian award at the World Economic Forum as it kicked off in Davos, Switzerland.

“We should be devastated that, in 2017, there are still 250 million kids under 5 who are still at risk, who will likely be stunted physically and intellectually,” Shakira said in a speech while accepting the WEF’s Crystal Award.

“Now take that in for a second. We’re talking about nearly the population of an entire country the size of the U.S. This is a tragedy for those children and an epic, epic failure for all of us.”

Shakira urged global government, business and academic leaders to advocate for the world’s children.

“We need to apply the brains and strategies of business and the assets and human resources and talents of your companies to do social good and to solve social problems,” she said, speaking passionately in English.

“Today’s babies will drive tomorrow’s business. Their capacity to contribute will shape tomorrow’s societies, will solve tomorrow’s problems.”

The WEF also gave humanitarian awards to violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, whose educational foundation provides scholarships and finances instruments for young musicians, and actor Forest Whitaker, who has worked as an advocate for youth empowerment in violent and impoverished communities.

Shakira Calls for Global Education Reform

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira is calling for educational reform globally…

The 39-year-old Colombian superstar and activist appears in a new video calling for action on education.

“Our future generations will surpass our greatest expectations if we give them the tools to do so,” Shakira says in a video for The International Commission on Financing Global Education (also known as The Education Commission), that coincides with its new report on financing global education.

“They have the talent the potential and the power to change the world for the better. But we know that their future will be written by how we act today… Education is their birthright, not a luxury.”

Shakira, whose Pies Descalzos Foundation has built schools in Colombia, is a member of the United Nations commission, alongside current and former heads of state, Nobel laureates and education experts who include Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, former Mexican president Felipe Calderón, and Anthony Lake, the Executive Director of UNICEF.

The Commission’s report calls for national governments to “reform their education systems to maximize learning and efficiency and to ensure that every child has access to quality education, free from pre-primary to secondary levels, through the progressive and sustained increase of domestic financing.”

That amounts to a tripling of the to over three trillion dollars a year by 2030.

Gomez Named Pantene’s Newest Spokesperson

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is tressed to impress…

The 22-year-old half-Mexican American actress/singer has been named the newest spokesperson for Pantene.

The new role, which the former Disney Channel star announced on Monday morning via her social media platforms, is her latest endorsement deal.

In the past, Gomez has also worked with brands like Adidas Neo and Kmart, as well as served as a UNICEF ambassador.

In an effort to promote the #SelenaXPantene hashtag, Gomez shared a short promo video and a photos of herself getting the Pantene glam treatment via Instagram, touting her “baby hairs.”

Gomez, one of the most bankable stars in music and film, has a combined 120 million followers on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, She’s the latest Latina spokesperson hired by a global beauty brand. Pantene previously hired actress Eva Mendes as its spokesperson in 2011.

Gomez’s appeal transcends her Latina roots, making her a perfect global ambassador.

On the music front, Gomez teased her new single “Good For You” over the weekend, announcing that it will arrive on June 22.

Fonseca Pens Anthem for Change, “Rise Up,” with Jon Batiste

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Fonseca is encouraging the masses to rise up…

The 35-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter has partnered with American jazz artist and composer Jon Batiste to co-write “Rise Up,” the theme song to a special one-day summit of the same name.

Fusion, the television and digital company launched as a joint venture between Univision and Disney/ABC Television, will host its first RiseUp summit on November 19 in Washington, D.C.

The one-day event will bring together global activists, artists, politicians and technologists from around the world.

As part of “RiseUp,” Fonseca and Batiste penned the theme song, which is available on iTunes now.

The track is being called an anthem for change (“Stand Up to the world, rise up for what you care,” says the chorus) with jazz and pop influences. All proceeds from the song will be donated to UNICEF.

Fonseca and Batiste will perform “Rise Up” at the summit during an evening concert directed by producer Andres Levin. It will also feature his fusion band, Yerba Buena.

The RiseUp summit will spotlight recent youth-led movements and activism in places as far-flung as Venezuela, Egypt, Taiwan and Turkey.

Shakira Releases First Image of Son

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Following his adorable feet first moment, Shakira’s newborn son Milan Piqué Mebarak is getting his close-up.

“Meet our baby boy Milan,” Shakira tweeted on Monday, along with a link to the digital charity baby shower she’s holding with UNICEF. The singer was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2003.

But don’t look for Shakira in the photo. Instead, baby Milan gets a kiss from his father, FC Barcelona star Gerard Piqué.

Milan was born on January 22, in Barcelona.

Shakira will be back in the public eye soon… She’ll be replacing Christina Aguilera on NBC’s The Voice as a coach this spring. The reality competition returns for its fourth season on March 25.

Gomez to Release New Single in March

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

In less than two months, you’ll be hitting repeat–peat–peat–peat–peat-peat to a new Selena Gomez single

The 20-year-old half-Mexican American singer excitedly revealed plans to release a new single this March during a special UNICEF charity concert in New York.

It’ll be the first single off Gomez’s new studio album, for which she’s already recorded 18 tracks. But Gomez – who is starring in edgier fare like Spring Breakers, which will have its U.S. premiere at the SXSW Film Conference and Festival – hasn’t yet decided which of the songs will make the final cut.

“Through Spring Breakers and experiencing so much last year it will be interesting to kind of have my fans know everything I went through, through music,” Gomez said of her experiences in the last year, including her on-off relationship with Justin Bieber.

“I think for me, it was actually interesting to see that towards the middle of me recording my record, a big turn happened to me and it was incredible to see how I applied that to music because I’ve never done that before and it’s great,” Gomez said of her new song-writing approach, quite similar to that of her best friend Taylor Swift’s way of writing breakup songs after each failed romance.

Gomez covered Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble” during her UNICEF benefit concert, along with Britney Spears‘ “Baby One More Time” and Justin Timberlake‘s “Cry Me a River“, which incidentally, Bieber covered back in November after his first breakup with Gomez.

Following their most recent and reportedly final breakup following a string of make-ups, Gomez went back to the studios to focus on her music.

Gomez Covers Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River”

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Selena Gomez could be giving ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber a taste of his own medicine…

The 20-year-old half-Mexican-American singer/actress covered Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River” at her third annual UNICEF charity concert in New York over the weekend, only weeks after breaking up with the Biebs. Gomez’s ex performed the exact same song in November following the couple’s first break-up.

“I’ve been through a lot the past few months. It’s been weird and sad and cool,” Gomez told the crowd. She then confessed, “This song definitely speaks to me,” right before performing a stripped-down version of Timberlake’s smash break-up track.

Gomez followed it up with another break-up tune, her bestie Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble.

“It’s by my best friend in the entire world and if anybody has felt anything painful to their heart, they know who this girl is. Sing along if you know it,” said Gomez.

In addition, Gomez offered event attendees her rendition of Britney Spears‘ “Baby One More Time“, possily alluding to her upcoming film with Vanessa Hudgens and James Franco, Spring Breakers, which is reportedly filled-with Spears covers.

Shakira to Host Virtual Baby Shower for Charity

Posted on January 19, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

You’re cordially invited to Shakira and Gerard Piqué’s baby shower…

The 35-year-old Colombian singer and the 25-year-old Spanish soccer star, expectant parents of their first child early this year, are inviting fans to join an online baby shower to benefit underprivileged children.

A UNICEF-hosted website invites those attending the virtual baby shower to buy gifts costing as little as $5, which can buy a mosquito net to ensure a sleeping baby stays safe from malaria — a leading cause of child deaths worldwide. Guests can spend $10 for polio vaccines to protect 17 children, or $37 for a baby scale, and many accessories to be ready to when do boys start to talk.

“To celebrate the arrival of our first child, we hope that, in his name, other less privileged children in the world can have their basic needs covered through gifts and donations,” reads a message from Shakira, a goodwill ambassador for the UN children’s agency, and Pique. “Thank you for sharing this unforgettable moment with us.”

The site also features never-before-seen photos of the couple, which were taken in December.

In a black-and-white image, a shirtless, Piqué poses with his right arm around a pregnant Shakira, who wears a bikini top and hip-hugging skirt that shows off her exposed belly.

A second photograph shows her in a white full-length gown that accentuates her expanding torso.

Shakira is well-known for her philanthropic work in organizations that work for children and education. She founded Pies Descalzos Foundation, which builds schools and education centers in Colombia. She’s also served as a member of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, as well as an advocate for Latino children in the U.S. to help children who become part of undocumented families.

Gomez Named to DoSomething’s Top 20 “Celebs Gone Good” List

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She may be taking on edgier acting roles in films like Spring Breakers, but Selena Gomez is still a celeb gone good…

The 20-year-old half-Mexican American actress/singer is being saluted for her humanitarian work by DoSomething.org.

Gomez comes in a No. 9 on the organization’s list f the top 20 “Celebs Gone Good” for her work at children’s hospitals across the country, as well as her work with UNICEF. Her second-annual UNICEF charity concert raised $200,000 for children in Africa.

But Gomez isn’t the only Latina gets philanthropic props…

Coming in at No. 16, The X Factor judge Demi Lovato. The 20-year-old part-Mexican American actress is being recognized for her work on several anti-bullying campaigns, like “Mean Stinks” and Love is Louder, which helps people dealing with negative self-image, depression and bullying. She also partnered with DoSomething.org for the group’s fifth annual Teens for Jeans campaign.

Lastly, Sofia Vergara ranks No. 19 on the list. The 40-year-old Colombian actress by has partnered with giftiki, a group-gifting platform, to help raise awareness for Dreams without Borders. Every year the non-profit brings orphans from Vergara’s home country to Disneyland. She’s been going with the group since 2006.

Here’s a look at the Top 20 Celebs Gone Good of 2012:

Taylor Swift
Miley Cyrus
Channing Tatum
Lady GaGa
Justin Bieber
Robin Roberts
Pink
LeBron James
Selena Gomez
Ian Somerhalder
Jay-Z & Beyonce Knowles
George Takei
Ben Affleck
Andrew Garfield & Emma Stone
Ryan Seacrest
Demi Lovato
Carrie Underwood
Olivia Munn
Sofia Vergara
Drew Brees

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: UNICEF