Ms. Suzette R. Andrews receives the 2009 BBL Award from Sen. Loren Legarda and Ms. Monica R. Aveo.

After planting a thousand tree seedlings in Luneta when she was newly elected senator in 1998, Sen. Loren Legarda returned recently to the national park, this time to “plant seeds of hope for all Filipinos.”

The senator reminded those in attendance, her staunch supporters and the beneficiaries of her outreach program dubbed “Lingkod Loren,” that “it is here at Luneta that I planted a thousand of trees in 1998 as part of my environmental advocacy. Since then, over two million trees had already been planted. Tonight, I ask you to join me in planting the seeds of hope for all of us.

She pointed out that with typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng bringing down Filipinos on their collective knees, “there is no better time than now to show their resiliency in getting back on their feet. We grew up with the adage that it is during trying times that new hope swells among people with convictions and who truly believe that they would emerge stronger by facing the challenges before them.” She added that no Filipino should wallow in poverty, without food and shelter, reduce to inhuman conditions.

Her outreach program at the Luneta was her way of helping alleviate the suffering of the typhoon victims, Loren said.

The indefatigable senator presided over the outreach program that included a well-attended job fair and a medical mission that also provided free breast screening and mammograms, and free eye check-up, Libreng Tawag for families of OFWs and Libreng Gupit. And although she had said earlier that she’d rather not talk about her political aspirations at that time, she did announce something significant in the program that concluded the event: That she was running as vice president in the 2010 national elections. She did not, however, say with whom she was going to partner. In the earliest surveys her tandem with fellow senator Chiz Escudero, with her as presidential contender, was always on top. She has given up her presidential ambition.

Speaking in Filipino all throughout her speech, the senator laid bare a veritable platform of governance anchored on a strong anti-corruption stance, honest-to-goodness public service, and a strong commitment to help mitigate the effects of climate change, something she is very passionate about.

She also unveiled a multi-pronged approach in helping the Philippines prosper economically, achieve lasting peace in war-torn Mindanao (by the way, in the audience were many of her Muslim supporters), and to improve the quality of life for Filipinos.

There was also a film showing on climate change and disaster risk reduction. Entitled “Ulan sa Tag-Araw,” it features actors Chin Chin Gutierrez, Roy Alvarez, Beverly Salviejo and BJ “Tolits” Forbes. The independently produced docu-drama, with her as presenter, is part of the senator’s continuing efforts to promote public awareness and gain multi-sectoral participation in the crusade for the environment. The film, launched to bring her green campaign to the attention of a wider audience through popular media, tackles the significant social, economic and health impacts of climate change in the Philippines.Aside from educating viewers on the severity of the climate change, “Ulan sa Tag-Araw” calls upon Filipinos to learn how they can help in forwarding the environmental cause.

BBL 9th awardee

Incidentally, Senator Legarda presented recently the 2009 Bessie B. Legarda (BBL) Memorial Foundation Award to Suzette R. Andrews, breast cancer survivor and publisher of The Big C magazine. With Loren during the awarding was Ms. Monica R. Aveo, BBL president.

Ms. Andrews received the award during Woman Today magazine’s ninth breast cancer awareness advocacy event dubbed “Enjoy Pink – A Toast to a Pink Life” held at Market! Market! Activity Center in Taguig City.

Andrews is the 9th BBL awardee whose esteemed roster includes Stefanie Jeffrey, M.D., head of Stanford Medical Center’s Breast Cancer Center (2000); Linda Panutat, head of the breast cancer support group Bosom Buddies (2001); pioneering breast surgeon Diana Cua-Balcells, M.D. (2002); broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez (2003); journalist and head of the breast cancer support group ICanServe Foundation Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala (2004); actor/scriptwriter Bibeth Orteza (2005); actress Maritoni Fernandez (2006); and breast cancer survivors Tessie Pamintuan (2007) and Teresita Tobiano (2008).

The Bessie B. Legada Memorial Foundation was established by Sen. Legarda in memory of her mother who succumbed to breast cancer.

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Page models invade Palawan!

Zara Aldana and the Page Xclusive models were among the few special celebrity guests at the recent birthday celebration of Palawan Mayor Edward Hagedorn. The event was held at the Palawan Coliseum. The group is composed of Zara, Bernice Tan, Zandra Palma and Kriska Gonido, who are all beauty queens. They were with Ricky Chang, CEO of Page Jeans International.

Mayor Hagedorn complimented the group with their performance. He even went onstage to thank them for coming all the way from Manila on his birth anniversary. Also with the group were business tycoon Hari Uttam and Palawan investor Rajan Gidwani. The girls clarified that these gentlemen are not their benefactors who are rumored to have provided them with the controversial Jaguar that they use whenever they have gigs.

Speaking of gigs, the Page Xclusive models are busy with their mall tour to promote their second dance CD under Galaxy Records. This November, they will be shooting the music video of their three singles: “Jai Ho,” “Oh Lord” and “Papi Caliente.” The CD with the MTV will be released on a special package this coming Yuletide season as their thanksgiving gift to supporters who made their “Page Xclusive 2” dance CD album a success.

Incidentally, the Page Jeans management is officially opening Season 4 of their search for the next Page Image Model 2010. So you are 16 years old and above, and with a pleasing personality just present yourself to any Page outlet and fill out an application form.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Nov. 3 go to Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, US-based singer Amapola, Mrs. Mabel Abano, Evelina Ramos-Cabett, Atoy Perez, Eric S. Tagle, Pamela Joyce J. Escobedo, Babylyn Velasco, Josefina Javellana, Nikola Xandra, Nikolai N. Vicencio, Maria Manna T. Merk, and MB’s assistant sports editor Willie Caballes.