Action & Event-ure:
I first met Gary Valenciano (also known as Gary V) last year when we were preparing for the launch of UNICEF Champions for Children. I felt so honored to be working closely with a music superstar who also uses his stardom to help other people, especially the underprivileged children. In his outreach activity at a daycare center in Baseco, Tondo, Manila, I remembered how he enjoyed spending time with the children. When we were reminding him of his next schedule, he even asked for more time with the kids. He then sang (a capella of course)
Tayong Dalawa and the children instantly sang with him in the chorus part. It is as if I heard a voice from heaven joined by a chorale of innocent little children. I just can't explain how I could sense the innate goodness glowing in his face, in his voice, in his movements, in his personality. Before I admired Gary V as a performer, but now, I admire him more than that. I admire him as a person, a very good person.
Gary V and Donita Rose during the launch of Champions for Children in May 2009.
And after several months, we worked together again to celebrate his 12th Year Anniversary as UNICEF Ambassador and kick-off the second phase of UNICEF Champions for Children campaign. I wasn't expecting that he could still remember me since Gary V meets lots of people everywhere, but to my surprise, I was proven wrong. =) And last February 17, we facilitated Gary V's Media Day for UNICEF. He first guested in Mornings@ANC at the Studio 6 of ABS-CBN Broadcast Center and then joined the Media Roundtable at Alex III Tomas Morato with the representatives of UNICEF, Josef Poe of Champions for Children and Kuya Butch and 3 sponsored street children of ChildHope Asia, an NGO supported by the program. Here is more info about Gary V's 12 years of UNICEF ambassadorship and the Champions for Children campaign.
UNICEF Ambassador Gary V searches for 6,000 new Champions for Children
Gary Valenciano, now on his 12th year as UNICEF Ambassador, is looking for 6,000 new Champions for Children to help him advocate for children’s rights and make a difference in the lives of Filipino children.
“Now, more than ever, the children need everyone’s help,” said Gary Valenciano (also known as Gary V). Gary V and UNICEF are looking for 6,000 new Champions for Children this 2010 to address the needs of Filipino children and give them the chance to survive and thrive.
After hours of nosebleed at our Mandarin class, we slowed down a bit with Omar Laoshi (teacher in Mandarin) introducing the use of maobi (paintbrush) to write Chinese characters. Oh my, we thought it’s really stress-free, but it’s not! Aside from the fact that there’s a proper but uncomfortable technique on how to hold the paintbrush (which may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome hehe!), we felt disappointed seeing that our Laoshi’s work looks like a real calligraphy while our creations may have a hard time to be differentiated from vandalism! Haha =D Our Laoshi said, it just takes lots of practice. Oh well, I hope we’ll have the time to perfect not just our writing, but our speaking and listening skills as well or we’ll end up being anemic at the end of the term! =)
