On Thursday at the Harbor Tent of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, celebrity advocates will join the launch of Mongol Pencil’s advocacy campaign “Isang Milyong Mongol Para sa Isang Milyong Pangarap,” which promises to be star-studded. Mongol, which has become synonymous to pencil, is distributed locally by Star Paper Corp.

Special guests are Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, DepEd Sec. Jesli A. Lapus and Mrs. Socorro C. Ramos of National Bookstore.

Tapped to join the campaign are several popular celebrities, among them award-winning and respected TV personality and talent manager Boy Abunda, Diether Ocampo, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Tim Yap, VJ Joey Mead, JC Buendia, and Raymund Isaac.

Boy is really enthusiastic to join the campaign, expressing how together “we can all strengthen the future of this country. I know that Filipinos are some of the most creative and talented in the world and that the children need all the help and support they can get to realize their full potential.”

Diether, renowned actor, entrepreneur, model and founder of the K.I.D.S. Foundation, a non-profit organization that advocates children’s rights, was one of the first to sign as an advocacy ambassador and partner of Mongol Pencil’s advocacy campaign. Diether said, “It was an honor to be part of this project. K.I.D.S. Foundation is proud to be in solidarity with companies that are committed to serving as agents of change. I have long been an advocate of children’s rights and promoting literacy among our disadvantaged youth is exceedingly important.”

The National Bookstore Foundation has also been promoting literacy and readership awareness among children and so it wasn’t surprising to know that NBS’ matriarch Mrs. Socorro Ramos eagerly threw her support to Mongol Pencil’s advocacy campaign. “It is a laudable campaign and National Bookstore has always carried Mongol Pencil on its shelves. It is an excellent product and every Filipino child needs to have access to learning tools,” she said.

Tessa and Tim, who will be hosts of the program, also expressed excitement for being part of the advocacy campaign of Mongol Pencil. “I grew up using Mongol Pencil and I was a creative child. I know that having the right tools can help inspire children’s creativity,” Tessa said. On the other hand, Tim said, “I wish we had more noteworthy projects like this. We all need to do our part to advance and promote children’s rights. I am proud to be an advocacy ambassador.”

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Angelos in ‘Joyful Musical Mission’ at the Meralco

The charming boys of the classical pop quartet Angelos will lend their voices to “A Joyful Musical Mission,” a pre-Christmas concert to be held on Thursday, Nov. 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the Meralco Theater.

Angelos, composed of George Sison-Tagle, Miguel Aguila, Paolo Libiran and John Louie Abaigar arrived a few weeks ago from a successful US and Canadian tour where they performed before SRO crowds in several cities and had the honor of singing for former US President Jimmy Carter during his birthday celebration in Georgia. They were also able to perform together with Lani Misalucha at the Las Vegas Hilton, where producer Angelo Giordano took notice and offered them their own show at The Strip.

Recently, the Angelos were awarded Best Concert Performance by a Group at the 22nd Aliw Awards. With so many blessings coming their way, it is no surprise that the group gamely agreed to perform for the fundraising concert which will benefit the Mission Angels which aids Filipino SVD missionary priests in their travel needs when they are assigned abroad, and the Joy in Living Foundation which assists cancer patients, survivors and caregivers through psychosocial and spiritual care.

Also featured in the concert are musical geniuses violinist John Lesaca, saxophonist Eddie Katindig, UP College of Music Dean Ramon “Montet” Acoymo, diva Pinky Marquez, and BI Commissioner Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan. The concert repertoire will consist of inspirational classical and contemporary pieces which are perfect for this holiday season.

“A Joyful Musical Mission” is sponsored by Meralco, Philippine Savings Bank, King Louis Farm, with media partners Manila Bulletin, RPN 9 and CrossOver Radio. Tickets are available at Via Mare Café and Oyster Bar in Rockwell, Makati, DnD Tea Bar in V Mall, Greenhills and the Pain and Wellness Clinic at the Manila Doctors Hospital.

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Biggest bazaar ever south of Manila opens Nov. 27

The biggest bazaar ever to be mounted in the south of Manila will be held on Nov. 27-30 at the Cuenca Community Center & St. James Parking Lot in Ayala Alabang Village. Dubbed the St. James Great Christmas Bazaar, it is now on its 18th year and there is no entrance fee.

It is the biggest bazaar so far since it has about 600 concessionaires offering a wide variety of quality products from manufacturers and exporters from all over the country like Davao, Cebu, Palawan, Sulu, Bicol, Iloilo, Baguio, Pampanga, Quezon, Bulacan, Laguna and Batangas which will be sold at reasonable prices, the bazaar committee said.

The venue will be transformed into a virtual Shoppers Paradise. Products range from holiday foods for gift-giving, home and Christmas décors, native and imported bags, toys, shoes, ethnic products and handicrafts, paintings, silver jewelry, over-run of men’s, ladies’ and children’s clothes, accessories, sculptures and many others. Major credit cards will be accepted.

The highlight of the bazaar will be a grand raffle with valuables prizes such as TV sets, DVD players, and others.

Proceeds from the bazaar will be for the benefit of St. James Foundation.

The bazaar committee is composed of Mimi and Nikki Valerio, chairpersons; Manny Gonzales, president of St. James Foundation; Ricky Presa, Parish Pastoral Council President; Edza Gonzales, Titang Montelibano and Msgr. Ernie Joaquin, parish priest.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Nov. 26 go to Monette de Villa, Ms. Evelyn Alvaran-Cruz, Tony Boy Cojuangco, Mrs. Josephine Cojuangco-Reyes, Atty. Emma M. Rosqueta, Edmundo M. Reyes, Randy Santiago, Frederick Peralta, Timmy Cruz, US-based Jun Banaria and Gabriel Munson, Jr., David Siytangco, Aimee Singson, Edmundo Bayota of Luna, La Union; Jackie M. Aquino, Nita Tolentino of San Francisco, CA; Nena del Rosario of Sparklers, Wilfredo Jose, Babidi Rubio, Gail Goodrich P. Garcia, Victorio Soliven, Mitos Araneta of Alfredo’s, Anthony Vijungco, MB’s Jet Nuesca Martin, Raquel Hizon, Jonas Valdecañas, Camille Silayan, Norvina Flores of Tagum City, Joross Gamboa, and Sheryn Regis.