UN children’s agency UNICEF confers the formal title of UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador to actress, model, television host, recording artist, and entrepreneur Anne Curtis.
Curtis is the new addition to a long list of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors around the world that actively support and promote children’s rights, such as Gary Valenciano, David Beckham, Orlando Bloom, Millie Bobby Brown, Jackie Chan, Priyanka Chopra, Ricky Martin, Leo Messi, Liam Neeson, Shakira, and Lilly Singh.
“UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors are well-known personalities who are willing to do their utmost to mobilize support for children. They are volunteers who demonstrate a high level of commitment to children and to the organization. Anne’s dedication to UNICEF and the rights of children has shone through her many projects and initiatives that promote awareness and raise funds,” Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF Philippines Representative says.
Anne’s relationship with UNICEF started when she became a major donor in 2009. Her closer involvement with UNICEF led her to being appointed as a celebrity advocate in 2014. Anne’s special projects with UNICEF include the Heroes for Children runs to support children’s First 1,000 Days, fundraising through her international marathons, and a children’s book that encourages reading and instilling confidence in one’s self.
“I am honored and committed to raising awareness on the issues and rights of children. Children should be our priority and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they have a bright future ahead of them. There is still much more to be done but I believe we all can play our part to bring smiles to children’s faces,” she says.
During her stint as a celebrity advocate, she visited Leyte province in 2015 in the aftermath of super typhoon Haiyan, and Samar province in 2017. She has also kept herself updated on UNICEF’s various programs through briefings with program experts in the areas of Education and Health & Nutrition.
Anne will continue her support to UNICEF’s various advocacies, including education, Violence Against Children, and adolescent health and development, among others.
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Joseph Marco as Bong Go in MMK
Bong Go’s life story was featured in ABS-CBN’s Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) last Saturday with young actor Joseph Marco as the former Special Assistant to the President and Philip Salvador as President Duterte. If you missed last Saturday’s episode, you still can watch it on iWant,ph (just log on and hit MMK Feb. 9 episode).
Also, Anvil Business Club’s young Filipino Chinese entrepreneurs invited Go on Feb. 1 to be the special guest of their outreach program in Caloocan City.
With him was actor/friend Cesar Montano. Go with the young businessmen distributed some 10,000 tikoy to families in barangay Camarin and Barracks.
The Anvil officers that joined Bong Go were Chairman Wilson Lee Flores, President Patrick Cua, Honorary Chairman Reynold Siy, Honorary Chairman Marcelo Co and Project Head Joeben Tai. Bong Go also made sure the recipients would have free eggs and cooking oil for cooking the tikoy.
Anvil’s civic project of sharing 10,000 tikoy is the young Filipino Chinese entrepreneurs’ way of wishing the whole Philippines a prosperous new year. Anvil has many economic and civic projects, like free college scholarships, disaster relief donations and the annual Sept. 28 Teachers Day honoring all Philippine teachers on this birthdate of great teacher Confucius.
Also present at Anvil’s tikoy-sharing project were Caloocan Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan, Presidential Commission on Urban Poor chairman Alvin Feliciano, Councilor Dean Asistio, Councilor Enteng Malapitan, Councilor Lanz Almeda, Councilor Carmelo Africa, among others.
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Grand homecoming for Catriona Gray
A homecoming fit for a queen is what awaits Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray when she returns to the Philippines. Gray, who is based in New York City during her reign, has been fulfilling her duties as Miss Universe and is set to fly back to the country on Feb. 20. Alongside her Binibining Pilipinas family, Gray will hold activities with select media and VIP guests, and participate in charitable activities with the BPCI Chair, Stella Marquez Araneta.
Gray’s philanthropic work and passion to give back remains a priority this year as Miss Universe.
Her return to the Philippines will provide an opportunity to visit and support organizations close to her heart such as LoveYourself, an organization focused on advocating for HIV/Aids education and testing; and Smile Train, an international charity that supports 100 percent-free cleft repair surgery and care for children in underprivileged communities. Additionally, Gray is expected to visit Tondo, Manila where she has been supporting Young Focus Philippines, a group that helps provide access to education for children living in the area.
A highlight of Gray’s return to the Philippines will be the Grand Homecoming Parade that will provide fans and all Filipinos the opportunity to see Miss Universe.
The Grand Parade will take the reigning Miss Universe to the streets of Manila and Makati on Feb. 21. Catriona will again be welcomed with a homecoming parade in Araneta Center on Feb. 23.
Gray will return to the Smart Araneta Coliseum where her journey to the Miss Universe crown began when she won the Binibining Pilipinas Universe title.
A fan appreciation event will be held. Additionally, people can expect a celebration as grand as the one given to Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, who ended a four-decade hiatus for the Philippines in the international beauty pageant.
While Pia rode a float that resembled her blue crown during her homecoming parade in 2016, Filipinos and fans everywhere are already anticipating what Catriona’s float will look like.
With her crown-clinching performance on the Miss Universe stage, her now world-famous “lava walk,” and slow-mo turn, Ibong Adarna and Mt. Mayon inspired gowns, as well as a memorable final word that encouraged seeing the silver lining in every situation, Catriona has captured not just the crown, but the hearts of millions of people worldwide.