Alden Richards' Birthday Build with Habitat for Humanity Philippines

It was a hot day but they all came out to play for what seems to be a very lovely birthday celebration of Alden Richards, one of GMA's most prized leading men. We went to Bistekville 1 in Payatas Quezon City to help build homes with Habitat For Humanity Philippines, a non government organization that Alden Richards is also a part of. They aim to build houses and make functional communities so residents would be able to fend for themselves and thrive as individuals, better than their economic status before they had homes. 

We started the morning with a prayer with one of Habitat for Humanity's housing recipients. Hosting the event were Arianne Bautista and Stephanie Sol

Habitat for Humanity also had their Online Champions with them joining Alden Richards on the build.

Some of the Online Champions were my friends so don't be surprised if some of them goofed around while I took photos. Ruth, Marj, Dianne, Earth and Rodel on this bit. There were also some volunteers from Ateneo who also joined in.

Alden Richards also chose to spend this day with a build so he can influence more people to join the cause. You can contact Habitat for Humanity and have your friends along. Just pay a fee, all the materials would be provided by them. (Or you can bring your own just ask how you can help!)

Alden Richards just ended his great series Illustrado which is still being replayed over at GMA News TV which is the UHF channel of the said network. that gave him rave reviews too as they felt it was something that wasn't done yet on public TV. He says the purpose of the program was really to put across Rizal's life, with his life, in his interpretation because we obviously have a lot of Rizal films and TV programs in the past. They just presented some angles, some facts that they researched that they feel is important for the public to know. During the build, Alden also felt it was a good thing to be in a cause he believes in during his birthday. He just signed during last year with them together with the Habitat for Humanity Philippines' Executives to become one of their ambassadors together with greats like Manny Pacquiao, Phil and James Younghusband and a lot more.

They were briefed first how to do the build because there were a lot of volunteers that day and they wanted to maximize the time they'll spend there.

Alden Richards suited up and prepared to clear roads filled with debris from previous builds.

Happy Birthday Alden Richards! Thanks for having us spend time with you during this build! 

It was nice to see the residents of Bistekville 1 also participate in the games, gift giving activities that Alden headed. He always wants to give back in his own little way and he thanks GMA Artist Center for arranging this event. He also thanked the kind people of Boardwalk, Zagu, Mogu Mogu, Thai Tea and Kambal Pandesal for helping them achieve their goal thay afternoon, the kids and their community had lots of fun during Alden's visit and they were so glad to have been able to see him in the flesh!

Alden Richards thanked everyone who participated in the build. He also visited a Lola who was bedridden in one of the houses in Bistekville. It was something he said that was very close to his heart.

Some of Habitat for Humanity Philippines Online Champions (like me!) were there too to help with the build. Overall, the long trip to Payatas was worth it! We didn't mind the hot weather, we loved every bit of the experience there. I hope we can see you on our next build! :) 

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Janella Salvador Stars in "Oh My G!"

Kapamilya star Janella Salvador will be starting in a new show called "Oh My G!" this January 19. This is all about her struggles in her teenage life, her school, her relationships, her friends and her faith. This all spurred as some several Carmelite nuns went to Charo Santos and requested a project as a homage to St. Teresa of Avila if I'm not mistaken. They say it's her 5th birth centenary this March.

Fresh from the success of their characters in Be Careful With My Heart, they are going to bring the lessons of humility, love for neighbor and detachment of material things. It's so funny to have seen the same thing could all still apply now after 500 years. With her is Marlo Mortel, Manolo Pedrosa, Sunshine Cruz, Dominic Ochoa, John Arcilla, Edgar Allan Guzman (who's officially a kapamilya), Eric Quizon, Maricar Reyes and Janice De Belen. Although some will die in the first few days, it will play a big part in the series. The question is, will she be questioning the existence of God later on?

Is Janella ready for a lead role? We don't know. She says the persona of her character here is a bit different since she had to be more independent unlike Nikki who had her folks there. Janelle wants to experience different things later on, perhaps to be in theater if her schedule permits. The Oh My G! cast wishes to follow the footsteps of BCWMH and hopes to at least get the same following with the first show. This will be shown before showtime and be in state at the same time slot, so the pressure is there! 

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Use Twitter for FREE via SMART on Pope Francis' Visit!

It looks like everyone's excited about Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines. Well, Smart Communications Inc. and Twitter will make your Papal visit experience even better by giving you free access to the app from January 15 -19, 2015. No joke!

If you are prepaid or postpaid subscribers of Smart, Sun and Talk N Text, you can get this free service by texting the keyword DEARPOPE to 9999. You can then get your wishes, prayers and get in touch with @Pontifex via this social media channel. You can also include your whole experience in different venues on these dates so you can get in touch with the international catholic community via Twitter as there will be a lot of them checking out updates during his stay here in the Philippines. 

Now, there's no more reason why we would not be able to get a glimpse of the people's Pope whether he's here in Manila, UST, Quirino Grandstand or all the way in Visayas for his visit in Tacloban City which is the most hard hit during Typhoon Yolanda or Haiyan (international name). Now isn't this good news? Spread the word and be on Twitter! Let's make this a worthwhile experience while Pope Francis is here and let the world know of his and God's love, compassion and mercy. Make sure you use the hashtag #DearPopeFrancis while you're at it!

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A Different Man: Mark Herras

Who doesn't know Mark Herras? I bet you can probably count them with your hands. This humble man from Sta. Rosa, Laguna always had one thing in mind right after he made it in the GMA's reality talent show Starstruck back in 2003, that is, to help his family. The responsible guy had some mishaps in life, a few in love, but still had a very successful career. He's donned the title of Ultimate Bad boy of the Dance Floor until now but when I saw the Mark Herras last month during his birthday celebration in Enchanted Kingdom, I saw a different man. A different Mark Herras.

I always thought he was like, "A Playboy" much like what he's probably portrayed in show business lately. With his looks, he could have gotten any girl in the world but I had a hunch there was someone who could make him more than the man he wanted to be. I felt that one person changed him, and when he did come out one day on TV and admitted he had her. It's his daughter Ada Sofia Nicolette Herras. I saw her there while Mark Herras was performing for the kids from Silong Tanglaw Foundation, an NGO catering to uplift the lives of street children in Manila. Well, I'm not making this article to make the matter of him being a father controversial, it's just that I actually saw a different Mark Herras that evening - and that made me think a bit. He's really not the same guy, I felt he was more matured, more sure about himself, he got a little tamed. Mind you, he didn't just do this in Enchanted Kingdom to entertain his fans, but more so that the kids from the foundation would be able to see that there's still hope. You can see how their faces light up when they saw Mark Herras dance. They get more excited seeing this humble guy who started from the bottom now has a flourishing career because he worked hard for it. Hopefully, these kids would also follow suit.

He's using his popularity for good things, that's why he maintained his stature as one of GMA's prime actors and still - king of dance floors. I'm not just saying that because he's a good guy but really, who have you seen else that has been able to perform at par with him? Right? During this program, Tess Bomb and Mark also did some games with the kids. They enjoyed that and proceeded to also do some story telling (for the kids in the crowd), and then more dance moves with Mark himself. Now that, was a treat!

The kids were surprisingly talented too. They gave Mark his own "Happy Birthday" song, then danced a couple of his best hits, the ones he also danced all throughout the years. That got Mark smile a bit when he also heard "Average Joe" that evening. He knows he's doing the right thing inspiring more kids, get into worthwhile hobbies, staying in school and out of the streets for a change.

Ending the evening, he only wished one thing for his birthday. He wanted Ada Sofia Nicolette Herras to stay healthy. He mentions, that she's growing a lot fast. He wants his family, to be okay, to be with him all his life. He misses his Dad. He's okay with the Mom of his kid. He's not looking for a real deal love life... but if it comes, he's not really looking. He's so in love with Ada and that's where he's focused. Some of you might not believe him he says but he plans to just enjoy dancing, but fears he might go into a stage where it's already awkward but he says he wants to stay longer in the business. Possibly, grow bigger, more cuts, if he does that he says he might get more projects, more programs as he claims 2015 to be his year. He remembers how his Dad used to decorate the house, he misses that part for sure, but it made him into a different man now. More  so as Ada comes to be the biggest part of his life. He's a different man ain't he? I know, you'll agree with me.

Thank you to GMA Artist Center for letting us tag along to celebrate the different Mark Herras I saw that evening. Happy Birthday Mark, and I wish you all the success you deserve!

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Manny Pacquiao Builds More Homes with Habitat for Humanity

Don Fernando Miranda Zobel de Ayala, 8th Division World Boxing Champ and Congressman Manny Pacquiao with Habitat for Humanity Asia-Pacific Capital Campaign Steering Committee Mr. Charlie Ayco and Habitat for Humanity Philippines managing director and chief executive officer Architect Bong Recio during the signing of the agreement in Makati. 

You know what really got me thinking this week? While the other guy was flaunting all of this cars and plane on Instagram, our own Manny Pacquiao spent his New Year working with Habitat for Humanity Philippines to get more people some needed decent shelter. This great man has been with the Non Government Organization since a few years ago and he now signs the agreement a few more years, plus a donation of a whopping 5 Million pesos to bring more shelter for the people of Glan in Sarangani Province. The amount will be used to build 195 internationally standardized houses that will benefit hundreds of families made of fisherfolk, street and sari sari store vendors from the province and nearby areas. It will be situated in the Pacman-Tata Yap Ville in Barangay Tango.

The humble Congressman Manny Pacquiao also announced his plans to purchase more land in the future so they would be able to build more permanent houses and build communities that can sustain themselves independently. You can see the character differences between Pacquiao and the other boxer, together with Habitat for Humanity Philippines, they can do more. I admire them a lot and thinking, perhaps if we all do builds every now so often, we'll get more people into better homes soon. Check out their channels below and see how you can volunteer and help!

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GMA Artists Celebrate Birthdays at East Avenue Medical Center

Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza

We went to the function hall of East Avenue Medical Center to celebrate the birthday of Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza together with the children and adult cancer patients of the hospital a couple of weeks ago in Quezon City. We've been covering worthwhile events from them lately and this isn't any different. Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza wanted to celebrate their birthdays in a very meaningful way and giving joy, a few things might just do that for the patients in EAMC.

Starting the celebrations, we didn't know what would happen with such a big crowd. Together with the people from East Avenue, they started telling us stories of hope. Like this guy in the photo for instance, he's not just a very spirited professional violinist. Just like the patients in the venue, he too was a cancer patient. He went to the same things that these guys were also going through, the medicines, the confinement, the chemotherapy, he did all that and survived. It was inspiring how I've seen him so enthusiastic to perform for the patients who needed some image of hope, to see him do this was a statement that they too would be able to become someone soon. After they get better, they still have a ton of things to look forward to in life. I felt it that afternoon.

Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza also took time taking photos, playing games and giving away gifts from their sponsors so they could share what they have, no matter how big or small it is to these guys who are going through hardships now. Chynna Ortaleza and I share the same birthday and I was touched to hear from her how she advised them to never lose hope. I felt her sincerity, how she genuinely cared and how she wanted to spend time with them all that afternoon. Ryza Cenon too together with her fans packed gifts the day before so they could get each one of the patients something to take home after the event. Ina Feleo might have been scaring a lot of people on TV shows but I could feel she was happy to spend time with them too. Bettina Carlos' birthday was on the day we did this and she felt it was the perfect way to celebrate it, as much as doing it with her family. They are all going to have projects and more on GMA and movies this coming 2015, so make sure you do not miss the afternoon primetime shows on the Kapuso channel.

 

They didn't miss giving the kids some toys too. GMA Artist Center also supplied pasta, drinks, ice cream and snacks to the crowd so they didn't go hungry.

They also played with the kids via Trip to Jerusalem, Ina, Bettina and Ryza joined in while Chynna served as host.

During the games, Ina Feleo really let loose. She enjoyed playing with the kids and her co stars.

Chynna is seen here taking photos with some of the kids

Bettina Carlos and Ina Feleo helped in giving away the gifts and food to the patients and their guardians

It was a good way to spend their birthdays, actually it was my birthday month too. Thank you so much to GMA Artist Center for having us tag along this charity event with Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza. Thank you also to their sponsors for chipping in to help a very worthy cause. These kids had fun, they'll have a full life because of the things these good people are doing in their own little way. Til the next one!

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