Rizal Gov. Jun Ynares with daughter Cassandra, father-in-law Ramon Revilla, Sr. and wife Andrea Bautista Ynares.

Gov. Jun Ynares, together with his beauteous wife the former award-winning child actress Andrea Bautista and their two-year-old daughter Cassandra, had an intimate dinner with friends from the entertainment press last Thursday night at Annabel’s Morato. It was not just to catch up with showbiz happenings but it was an occasion for the young and hardworking governor to let his friends know of what he has done for his province.

He is only on his first term as governor of Rizal but already Gov. Ynares (the son of former Gov. Ito Ynares and Gov. Nini Ynares) has achieved a lot to make his province real proud of him. He has amassed awards for his province and himself, one of them his being named by the Department of Health as “Outstanding Local Executive.” Gov. Ynares was particularly cited for his significant role in his government’s Voluntary Blood Donation Program.

DoH-CHD Region IV Director Gerardo Bayugo said in his commendation letter that Gov. Ynares, a doctor by profession, was recognized for his effort in providing safe and adequate supply of blood to poor patients in public hospitals, “through advocacy, recruitment and retention of blood donors from Rizal Province.”

Dr. Bayugo took note of the Provincial Government’s support to DoH’s Voluntary Blood Donation Program. Gov. Ynares is himself a regular blood donor, received the Regional Sandugo Award 2009 at the commemorative celebration of the National Blood Donors Month, held at the One Esplanade in Pasay City.

In a related development, the provincial chief executive also received his “Diploma of Service” from the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). At the Blood Donors’ Recognition Ceremony held at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, the PNRC West Rizal Branch cited Gov. Ynares for his real definition of volunteerism.

Under his leadership, Rizal has grown and improved impressively, especially in its education, health, development and tax collection programs. For its human development program, the province was bestowed the third straight top plum by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), together with the Philippine Human Development Network (PHDN), the New Zealand Agency for International Assistance (NZAIA) and the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

In accepting the award called “Gawad sa Makataong Pag-unlad Para sa mga Lalawigang May Mataas na Kaunlarang Pantao,” Gov. Ynares cited the provincial government personnel for their hard work and commitment towards genuine public service.

The Rizal Government also received recently a Presidential Award from the Philippine Hospital Association (PHA) for steering the health programs in the province to greater heights, despite its limited resources.

Rizal, which has ranked second in the list of the Top 10 Least Poor Provinces in the country based on the latest official poverty statistics, has also posted zero hunger rate and the lowest malnutrition incidents.

Indeed, everyone especially the Rizaleños should take their hats off to Gov. Ynares for steering his province towards progress and development. And if he has been doing well in his job, it is because he draws a lot of inspiration from his wife Andeng (who comes from the famous Revilla clan in showbiz if you didn’t know)and their daughter Cassandra. During our dinner, the governor dotingly fed the charming and energetic girl with her favorite pasta dish.

By the way, Gov. Ynares is seeking reelection as governor of Rizal.

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3rd Philippine StarBall another rousing success

The 3rd Philippine Star Ball, held recently at the ballroom of Shangri-La Makati, was chaired and organized by the dynamic Michaela “Pinky” Puno, wife of DILG Sec. Ronaldo Puno, with the help of Jojo Cariño, president of the Council of the United Professional Dance Teachers of the Philippines Inc. and sponsored by the Department of Tourism, First Gentleman Foundation, PCSO, and PAGCOR.

This year’s competition had more than a hundred high caliber dancers who flew in from all over the globe to participate. They showed their skills in the five Latin dances namely cha-cha, samba, rhumba, paso doble, and jive; and the five international style standard dances namely slow waltz, tango, fox trot, Viennese waltz and quick step.

Pinky Puno had a hot jazz number with her partner Slava Sergiev and six Filipino dancers. The well-applauded number was choreographed by well-known and sought-after choreographer Taliat Tarsinov.

The general public will be privileged to watch this world-class dance competition when it is shown on ABS-CBN on April 11. Don’t miss it!

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Gerald wants to reach out to people in need

ABS-CBN Star Magic talent Gerald Anderson turned 21 recently and he celebrated his special day with a big party, but he really wanted to do was a charity work with Cancer Warrior kids. Gerald’s desire has always been to reach out to people in need (because helping others gives him self-fulfillment and joy) but his hectic schedule always gets in the way.

Gerald had many reasons to celebrate his birthday the big way. Barely four years in showbiz, the actor has managed to reach the stature of being one of the most in demand young actors today.

From a dancer in a boy group and from playing teeny bopper roles, Gerald has matured in that he has tackled various significant roles, like David Garcia in the toprating teleserye “Tayong Dalawa” where he was seen intensely fighting for love, and in “Tiagong Akyat,” where he showcased his agility and action skills.

Now, Gerald takes part in the battle for Kim Chiu’s (his off- and on-screen leading lady) attention in Primetime Bida’s “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo.” Incidentally, his movie with Kim Chiu, “Paano na Kaya,” was one of Star Cinema’s opening salvo blockbuster films. He also did a superb performance as tourette syndrome patient in an episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya” where he was given recognition in the Sisa Awards as Outstanding Featured Male Character in a Drama Program.

This March, the 2010 People of the Year awardee is set to do a mini-series for “Your Song,” and will also be part of the Heartthrobs US Tour. Also a sought-after product endorser, Gerald’s list of endorsements include Clear Shampoo, Enervon Multivitamins, Fit N’ Right fruit drink, Smart Telecom, Voice Combo Sandwich, Bench Apparel, L-Time Studio, Dermablend Guava Tea Tree Soap, Bench Fragrance, Unisilver Jewelry, DirecTV, ABS-CBN Interactive, Asian Eye Institute, Puma shoes, Faces and Curves, Emporio Armani eyewear and George Bantolino by Mary Pauline Salon.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on March 14 go to actor Paolo Contis, Dindi Gallardo, Rudy Fuentes, Louie Reyes, Remy Aquino, Marilen Nolasco-Espiritu, Linda Buenviaje, Carmelita Salvador, Elenita Bolipata, Jhing de Leon of BPI Family Bank España Branch, Angelo Gabriel “Gabe” Matias Pizarro and Percy Lapid. Happy wedding anniversary to Lito and Ligaya Fernandez and Carlo V. Martinez and the former Mina Malinab.