I thought it a good day to share an essay my now 14-year old nephew wrote two years ago for which he won 1st place.  A great reminder to all of us by our younger generation.

What is an American

By: Christian Cortez

2008

Americans, I believe that even though you aren’t born in the United States you can be an American.  An American I believe, is someone who takes pride in living here in the United States, protects it, and does whatever it takes to help make this world a better place.

Where we are today is because of the people in the past who have fought to protect this nation.  There are people out there that died in war to help us have our freedom.  To be a true American you have to help this world, and believe that all of us can make this place better.  We have to appreciate what we have because there are a million kids around the world that don’t even live under a roof, or have any food.  We are all lucky to have a house, family, friends so we should appreciate the values of what we have.

The traditions in America often come from something big that has happened.  For example, Thanksgiving is a holiday that we all appreciate, know and love, but would we have it if our ancestors didn’t sail to America?

Today, people are still sacrificing their own lives to help us, and they are true Americans.  Now, people are donating things to give to the needy and that’s one way to help our world be a happier place.  So if you fight to protect or help and believe in the United States of America, you are a true American.

Linked: www.herheartsmiles.com

Will Help Create Jobs, Support Livelihoods and Contribute To Long-Term Economic Development

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today Citi announced it will provide $1 million in charitable contributions to three local microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Haiti to help restore the country’s microfinance industry which has suffered severe challenges in the aftermath of the earthquake earlier this year. The funds, which will be granted to Fonkoze, FINCA Haiti and SOGESOL, will help drive job creation, support livelihood preservation and contribute to the long-term economic development of the country.

“Enabling Haitians to get small businesses up and running again and restoring people’s jobs are among our most critical challenges moving forward”

Specifically, the grants will help alleviate the MFIs’ client losses while allowing the organizations to increase and extend their outreach to local micro entrepreneurs and small business owners most affected by the earthquake. Today’s announcement is part of the pledge Citi made to provide $2 million in charitable contributions to the relief and reconstruction efforts in Haiti. In addition and immediately following the earthquake, Citi, in partnership with the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), approved a shipment of pre-packaged relief supplies and launched a fundraising campaign to encourage donations from employees and clients across the world.

Citi anticipates that the charitable contributions will impact at least 13,000 Haitians entrepreneurs and their families who are rebuilding their lives post-earthquake. Read more…

“Our children deserve as much truth as we all do, if not more. Their naivete demands it.  They are destined to be greater than us.  Because you truly love them, do not hold that brilliance back ~ encourage & foster their growth which will only lead to our world’s rescue.” ~ Ellen Cortez Alvarez

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: Ted Benito

T:(310) 710-8390

E: paelive@tdrz.net

( Los Angeles , CA .) – APRIL 2010 – Actresses from television, theatre and the cinema as well as the acting Lieutenant Governor of the State of California create an all-Filipina cast for a one-night only benefit performance of “The Vagina Monologues”, the award-winning play based on playwright Eve Enslers’s interviews with more than 200 women. “The Vagina Monologues” celebrates women’s sexuality and strength with humor and grace and has given voice to experiences and feelings not previously exposed in public. The production is set for 4:00pm on Sunday, April 25 at the Aratani Theater of the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, 244 South San Pedro Street , Los Angeles , CA. 90012.

“The Vagina Monologues: Filipinas 2010” will be performed by iconic women who are trailblazers in their respective fields. Despite busy schedules and demanding commitments, these artists will come together in unity and sisterhood to stand up against violence as part of the global V-Day movement. This will be the first, and perhaps only time, such an accomplished cast will share the stage to perform as a collective voice for women around the world. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise monies and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations.

The cast of “TVM:Filipinas 2010” includes up and coming musical theatre actress and vocalist Lara Avengoza (The King and I, A Kid’s Life); Grammy award winning singer/actress Tia Carrere (television “Relic Hunter”, “Nip/Tuck” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and movies Wayne’s World, True Lies, Rising Sun and upcoming film on Hawaiian surf legend Rell Sunn); actress, recording artist and singer/songwriter Becca Godinez (Cabaret, West Side Story, Mame); actress Leslie-Anne Huff (Disney’s “10 Things I Hate About You”, “CSI:NY”, “Greek” and performer with comedy troupe RoomToImprov); recently appointed acting Lieutenant Governor for California Mona Pasquil; actress/recording artist/singer and L.A. Ovation award winner for Miss Saigon Jennifer Paz (Evita, Tommy, The Buddy Holly Story, Les Miserables, The Last Five Years and upcoming East West Players world premiere production of Road to Saigon); Tony, Laurence Olivier, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award-winning (for Miss Saigon) Broadway star Lea Salonga (Flower Drum Song, Les Miserables and singing voice of Disney’s “Mulan” and Princess Jasmine in “Aladdin”); producer and host of L.A.’s only daily Filipino talk show “Kababayan L.A.” Jannelle So; Drama-logue Award (for “Winter Crane”) winning actress Tamlyn Tomita (movies The Joy Luck Club, The Day After Tomorrow and upcoming Tekken, television’s “Heroes”, “The Mentalist”, “Monk” and “JAG”) and actress/singer/dancer Giselle Tongi (recently in “Nobody, Nobody But Juan” with legendary Philippine “Comedy King” Dolphy). (continue reading…)

“It is a beautiful power my children hold over me ~ apparent in their kisses & love that rescue me everyday from…….myself.” ~ Ellen Alvarez

“Let us let go of our fears & work towards Innovating, Pioneering & Creating Firsts. OUR world can no longer hold on to old views that clearly do NOT work. Stop the bashing & finger pointing for we ALL had a hand in it. NOW, let’s all pull together & improve upon the Human Beginning.”  ~ Ellen Alvarez

www.abeautifullie.org

“A Beautiful Lie” by 30 Seconds To Mars

“A Beautiful Lie” Underscores Global Climate Crisis; 30 Seconds To Mars Teams with NRDC & Bonneville Environmental Foundation To Offset Impact Of Filming. It is the first video shot in Greenland 200 miles north of the Arctic circle.

CO2 Levels Highest in Two Million Years: