Blogamole › Cultura

By Astrid Rivera

Scarlett Johansson is no stranger to the spotlight, but earlier this month the Avengers star was placed onto a very uncomfortable stage by a group of dangerous hackers. Right before Johansson's scheduled trip to East Africa, these hackers allegedly broke into her phone and leaked private nude photos of the star on the Internet.

The actress, 26, has never appeared fully nude in a film and instead of ignoring the situation has taken to the media to defend her right to privacy. She sat down for an interview with CNN while in Kenya for the first time since the photos were divulged and was adamant about the right to privacy for all, even high-profile celebrities such as herself.

Johansson said,

"Who doesn't want to protect their own privacy? Just because you're an actor or make films or whatever doesn't mean you're not entitled to your own personal privacy. If that is sieged in some way, if feels unjust. It feels wrong."

She hasn't been the only one to get hacked; other celebrities like Paris Hilton and Disney darling Vanessa Hudgens have all been the victims of hackers. But unlike these other celebrities, Johansson saw the opportunity to use the situation as a precautionary tale to others and as a platform to take a stand against these hackers.

As soon as these photos hit the web, the actress fought back with the help of the FBI and a group of skillful lawyers. The question remains, who are the hackers? And how exactly were they able to get access to this sort of personal information? One thing is sure, these hackers better watch out because ScarJo is not backing down!

Putting the issue of her nude photos aside, the beautiful actress got back to business and acted upon her duties as ambassador for Oxfam. An active ambassador since 2004, she traveled to Kenya to stress the intensity of human suffering happening in many parts of Africa. She documented her experiences on CNN and the Huffington Post and by doing so, hopes to spread the word on the urgency for change in Africa.

This was a life changing experience for Johansson, who was deeply touched by all of the stories and people she encountered in refugee camps. She reveals,

"What struck me the most is the fact that people are just surviving, they are sort of in a state of limbo."

ScarJo is just another incredible example of how the power of fame can be used to help others in need. Maybe other celebrities will start taking cues from this amazing movie star (Paris Hilton anyone?).

Check out Scarlett's adventures in Kenya!

Tags Avengers, Blogger: Astrid Rivera, CNN, Huffington Post, Oxfam, Paris Hilton, popnews, Scarlett Johansson, Vanessa Hudgens

By Michael Lopez

A few weeks back President Barack Obama pledged his support for Hispanic Heritage Month and now he’s carrying through on that promise. Appearing at a live online roundtable today, the Commander-in-Chief answered questions about immigration, the DREAM Act, and even the possibility of a Latino President.

"I am absolutely confident that within my lifetime we will have a Latino candidate for president who will be very competitive, and may win," Obama stated at the conference.

Though, by the sounds of it, the President didn’t believe that candidate would come from the Republican party (or at least not now). Obama went on to explain how the GOP lacked leadership on topics like immigration reform.

"Only a few years ago, you had some Republicans who recognized that we needed to fix our immigration system," Obama said, referring to his predecessor, George W. Bush. "Right now you do not have that kind of leadership coming from the Republican party."

But that of course begs the question, what would Obama and his fellow Democrats do to help with the issue? The Prez was quick to bring up the national DREAM Act again, which would give undocumented college students and military personal a path to citizenship. He said he has continually pushed Congress to pass the bill and that he is more than ready to sign it.

Obama also addressed issues like Puerto Rico’s statehood (which he believes will remain a commonwealth) and Cuban relations.

"We are open to a new relationship with Cuba," the President went on to say. "If the Cuban government starts taking the proper steps to open up its own country and provide the space and the respect for human rights that would allow the Cuban people to determine their own destiny."

All of Obama's remarks toward the audience did sound very encouraging. But will he follow through on his promises to help the Latino community? Perhaps the real answers will reveal themselves after the 2012 Presidential Election.

Would you vote for Obama in the next election? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Barack Obama, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cuba, Cultura, DREAM ACt, Hispanic Heritage Month, Immigration, Politics, President Obama, Puerto Rico

By Michael Lopez

For the past several years, Hollywood's Stand Up To Cancer charity has raised millions for those struggling with the deadly disease. But, as we all know, cancer isn't just centralized to the United States. It affects people all over the world and has a strong presence in Latin America. That's part of the reason SUTC has extended its campaign into Spanish-speaking countries with Unido Contra El Cancer.

Ana Maria Polo is one of the first high-profile Latinas to attach herself to the cause. Known as the Hispanic Judge Judy, Polo hosts a hugely popular Español court show called Caso Cerrado and is seen as a role model for her sharp wit and legal expertise. Now she's using her fame to help spread awareness.

"In 2008, five years after being operated for breast cancer, I saw an event on television that was on all the channels. It was Stand Up to Cancer," she said. "When I looked into it and saw what it was all about, I realized that we Latinos need to be more informed about that organization."

You can see clips of Ana Maria on the UCEC website, sharing her story and encouraging viewers to pledge their support (by purchasing a sporty t-shirt). But Polo's colorful video is just part of the online UCEC experience. Visitors can also learn about medical breakthroughs, read cancer-related blogs, and sign up for UCEC tweets.

Interestingly, Ana Maria's news comes on the heels of some discouraging stats. According to Reuters, Latinos are less likely to get checked out for cancers than Anglo Americans (which makes the awareness campaign even more important). Their study showed that Hispanics are generally 26 percent less likely to screen themselves for colon cancer than Anglos.

Heather Orom, a researcher who was mentioned in the study, seemed to think that language barriers may play a role.

"It seems very plausible that this is not happening for Latinos because of access barriers and language barriers," she said. "We don't know if those messages about family history and risk are resonating culturally with Latinos."

Hopefully some stern lectures from Judge Polo will ease their discomfort about getting checked out.

Has anyone in your family been impacted by cancer? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Agentes De Cambio, Ana Maria Polo, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cancer, Cultura, Health, Stand Up To Cancer, Unido Contra El Cancer

By Michael Lopez

Sure she's a proud Latina of Mexican descent, but that doesn't mean that Demi Lovato has mastered her culture's native tongue. Speaking with Jimmy Fallon this week, the pop star opened up about her sub-par Spanish skills.

When asked if she spoke Español, Demi emphatically replied, "Not at all!"

"I've memorized songs in Spanish before," she went on to say. "I had a song called 'Lo Que Soy' which is 'This Is Me' in Spanish… I decided to sing it half English, half Spanish. But my brain like would not memorize it, the day before, I was like I might need a teleprompter!"

But that doesn't mean the Lovato won't stop trying. She belted out a bilingual version of her hit "Skyscraper" at the recent ALMA Awards, though many gossip sites poked fun at her "pronunciation issues."

We have faith that Demi will eventually master the art of Español. Perhaps she can even enroll in language classes with her famous BFF!

What's the next language that you would like to learn? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Celebrities, Cultura, Demi Lovato, Jimmy Fallon, Música, Skyscraper, Spanish

By Michael Lopez

Penélope Cruz, Shakira, William Levy…What do these celebs have in common? Sure they’re all Latino, but they also all have killer smiles. In fact, a new study is reporting that millions of Latinos across America have great smiles and place a lot of emphasis on good dental care. Armed with that knowledge, brands like Crest and Oral-B are now looking to target Hispanics with an onslaught of new marketing campaigns.

Procter & Gamble (which owns Crest and Oral-B) helped fund the new dental survey, which polled over 2,000 Latinos throughout the U.S. Of those who participated, 80 percent said they believed people with nicer smiles are more successful. Interestingly, 60 percent of those surveyed said they would rather be confident about their teeth than their body weight.

But the real goldmine for P&G came from the stat that showed the strong emphasis Latinos place on oral care. A majority of the participants said that they are less likely to leave home without brushing their teeth than washing their face or combing their hair (we prefer doing all three).

The study also alluded to a great deal of self-consciousness among Latinos and oral hygiene. More than 90 percent of those surveyed said they are worried about the health of their teeth and four out of 10 are embarrassed of their less than white smiles.

P&G is hoping to change all that with a new line of products that they’re aiming specifically towards the Hispanic community. The Crest & Oral-B Complete Collection includes whitening toothpaste, advanced flossing materials, and a "dual-action" mouthwash for fresh minty breath.

"We at P&G understand the unique needs of the growing Hispanic community and offer a vast collection of products tailored to [their] specific needs and habits," marketing director Dennis Legault said. "Our new Complete products provide noticeable improvements in oral health and appearance."

And just to prove they mean business, P&G is setting up Crest Complete booths at several high-profile Hispanic Heritage Month festivals. Look for them in cities like Dallas, Miami, and L.A.

Do you believe in good dental hygiene? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Crest, Cultura, Dental Care, Hispanic Heritage Month, Oral-B, Procter & Gamble

By Michael Lopez

Hispanic Heritage Month is in full bloom and this past week, even more notable Latinos received honors at the HHM Award ceremony in Washington D.C. Stars like Juanes, Eugenio Derbez and Luis Enrique made very memorable appearances at the Thursday event, but none got more attention than honoree Roberto Gomez Bolaños, aka "Chespirito!"

Roberto has been entertaining audiences across Latin America for over 50 years and the crowd seemed thrilled to have him at the event. Known for his childlike "Chespirito" character, the 82-year-old Bolaños suffered several heart attacks in recent years and has been keeping a low public profile.

In fact, many thought he would not show up in person to receive his Hispanic Heritage Award honor. But proving that he's still ever the prankster, Roberto surprised everyone by appearing on stage alongside his wife Florinda Meza.

To add to the fake-out, "Chespirito" even recorded a faux video that was played for the live audience. In it, he apologized for not being there in person because of health complications. But as the lights went on, there he was, smiling in his wheelchair.

"Thank you, thank you so much, this is incredibly beautiful," he tearfully said from the stage. "This award is a huge distinction that I appreciate for all its value. It is immense for me."

Another surprise appearance came from Juanes, who also has been very low pro since "taking a break" from music a few months back. Now sporting longer hair and a rather dapper suit, he showed up to accept the evening’s Vision Award.

Legendary musician Ruben Blades was on hand as well and spoke passionately from the stage about the ongoing immigrant struggles in America. Tr3s faves William Levy (still sporting the chrome dome) and Maite Perroni hosted the event, which honored notable Latinos in the fields of entertainment, sports, business, and medicine.

Which Latinos do you feel deserve to be honored this month? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Award Shows, chespirito, Cultura, Hispanic Heritage Awards, Hispanic Heritage Month, Juanes, Maiti Perroni, roberto gomez bolaños, Ruben Blades, William Levy

By Michael Lopez

It's that time of year again. A time when 700-pound women mingle with 115-year-old great-great-grandmas. Yup, the Guinness Book of World Records team has announced their newest entries and quite a few Latinos have made the list.

New Yorker Victor De Leon was able to make the cut though. At just 13-years-old, he's officially the "Youngest Person to be a Professional Video Gamer." Nicknamed "Li'l Poison," Victor has been dominating consoles since the age of two! He's already kicked major butt in the annual Halo tournament and now has a contract with Major League Gaming, making him a button-mashing force to be reckoned with!

One contender who we were really rooting for was Edward “Niño” Hernandez. Colombia's “Smallest Man” fought hard to make it into this year’s book. But alas, he was trumped by Nepal's Khagendra Thapa Magar, who measures just 26 inches.

Of course, the Latino community could still have a shot at the "World’s Oldest Woman" prize. Brazilian-born Maria Lucimar Pereira recently celebrated her 121st birthday, putting her a full six years ahead of the current titleholder (an American named Besse Cooper). The problem is, since Maria is indigenous, proper birth records could not verified. Thus, Guinness has refused to acknowledge her entry.

In addition to Victor de Leon's, the Big Apple earned another notable Guinness title this past year. Last August, the city built "The World’s Largest Piñata." Measuring over 60 feet tall, it was made in the shape of a giant Pretzel M & M and we're sure it doled out tons of chocolatey candies.

On the music side of things, Tr3s faves The Black Eyed Peas got themselves a pretty astonishing record. Their smash single "I Gotta Feeling" recently became the biggest-selling download in the UK, exceeding over one million purchases.

And finally, what Guinness Book of Records story would be complete without a "World's Hairiest Man" mention? Yes, the Latinos dominated that category too with Mexico's Larry Gomez keeping the title and proudly displayed his body full of fuzz. But, it's important to note that there's a new furry contender on the block. Thailand's Supatra Sasuphan nabbed the 2012 "Hairiest Child" moniker for her feathery facial mane.

Which Guinness records do you find the most fascinating? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Black Eyed Peas, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cultura, Edward Hernandez, Guiness World Records, Larry Gomez, Maria Lucimer Pereira, Odd News, Victor De Leon, video games

By Harry Pagancoss

There I was, standing under the back porch of a friend’s house while waiting for the rain to stop. I had been invited to a BBQ and the weather had just gone from great to bad in a matter of minutes. Nonetheless, we all agreed to believe the weatherman's nice afternoon prediction and chose to faithfully wait for the sun to come out.

In the meantime, I stared at big avocado tree in the backyard. It was filled with fruit, all green and shiny. Immediately, I wanted to see if there were any ripe ones around; my mouth was watering just thinking about what I could make with them. After venturing under the rain, I found three beautiful avocados, which I immediately took to the kitchen to make one of my favorite things to eat: guacamole.

Guacamole is not a dip, it is a salsa, which is implied by the word mole. It is a composed word: aguacate + mole and comes from the náhuatl: Ahuacamolli. In essence, it is creamy aguacate, or palta, mashed together with other delicious and fragrant ingredients to make a mole, or salsa. Being a salsa, you can eat it in many ways, from topping meats or fish to a dip-like appetizer. Because it is so delicious, it has also become quite famous.

Nowadays, it seems that guacamole is everywhere. Restaurants now carry guacamole this, guacamole that or even offer a side of guacamole for an extra charge. Admittedly, I am a lover and a fan of all things guacamole and thought it would be the right time to offer you a simple recipe, which is the one I made with my three, freshly off-the-tree aguacates at my friend’s house.

Roasted Corn Guacamole
2 lb.  avocados without the seed
fresh corn of two corncobs
5 tbs finely chopped red onions
2 tbs finely chopped chile serrano (deseeded)
1 large tomato (deseeded)
2 tbs lime juice
nutmeg
3 tbs finely chopped cilantro
olive oil to drizzle
2 tbs red wine
salt to taste

Place the corn on greased baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Season with a little salt and pepper. Broil in a preheated 400F oven for 10 minutes or until corn is slightly browned. Remove and let cool.

Mash the avocados with some salt and lime juice. Add all the other ingredients and toss together. If you want it chunky, do not mash too much. Serve with totopos (nachos) or over your favorite steak, burger or chicken.

You can make it in advance and place it inside a tight container in the fridge for up to a week. She may not be Lady Gaga, but my Lady Guaca also goes well with pretty much everything.

Share your comments: hpagancoss@facebook.com

What do you put in your guacamole?

Tags appetizers, avocados, guacamole, Harry Pagancoss, Lady Gaga, Recipes

By Michael Lopez

In case you haven't noticed, President Barack Obama has put a much stronger emphasis on acknowledging Hispanics these days. Is it because he feels more drawn to the Latino struggle? Or is it because he wants some votes in the next election? That remains to be seen. But what is worth noting is the White House's big plans for Hispanic Heritage Month.

The President and First Lady kicked off HHM with an appearance at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Awards. Better known as the CHCI's, the gala brought out Tr3s faves like Luis Enrique and even Prince Royce (who sang the national anthem). Notable honorees of the night included civil rights leader Orson Aguilar and Chris Weitz, who directed the critically-acclaimed A Better Life.

At the reception, Obama made a impassioned speech to the 3,000 CHCI guests, emphasizing job creation and the national DREAM Act. The DREAM, if passed, would give undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship via college or the military.

"I will do everything in my power to make the DREAM Act a reality," Obama said. "The truth is reforming our immigration system is central to repairing our economy."

And, per a recent White House press release, the HHM acknowledgements do not end there. Prominent Latino members of the Obama administration will be writing posts on the White House blog and video interviews with community leaders will be available on the President's website.

Additionally, FEMA will conduct a "Hispanic Heritage Month Preparedness Summit" on Thursday, followed by a special message from First Lady Michelle Obama at the evening's HHM Awards. Later in the month, the Oval Office will hold a special screening of the documentary Citizen USA, which profiles modern-day immigrant issues in America.

When summing up Hispanic Heritage Month, the White House website made a point to include a snippet of Obama's famous interview with Jorge Ramos where he said,

"Hispanics constitute the country's largest and fastest growing minority group. They have had a profound and positive impact on our country through, among other things, their community's strong commitment to family, faith, hard work, and service. Our country was built on and continues to thrive on its diversity, and there is no doubt that the future of the United States is inextricably linked to the future of the Hispanic community."

Do you think President Obama sincerely cares about the Latino community? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags A better life, Barack Obama, Blogger: Michael Lopez, CHCI, Cultura, DREAM ACt, Hispanic Heritage Month, Politics, President Obama, Prince Royce

By Larry Yepez Jr.

Grammy Award Winner Alejandro Sanz team up with Miami artist Leonardo Hidalgo to honor firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11.

In the opening night of  Hidalgo's exhibition "Remembering heroes of America", Sanz donated a colorful guitar, which will be auctioned in order to raise funds for The Benevolent Association -benefiting firefighters.

Present at the opening of the Expo were the city of Miami's firefighters, who supported Hidalgo's impressive work.

Leonardo Hidalgo, an internationally known pop artist based in Miami, tells the story of 9/11 from a unique and artistic uplifting perspective through his eye popping vibrant color large scale paintings.  The private opening reception took place this Friday, September 9, 2011.

Hidalgo has created a visual feast of 12 large-scale paintings exploring the meaning of good and evil, freedom, liberty, the force of divine justice and superheroes.  In these painting he wants to honor the memory of the lives lost in the attacks of 9/11, the firefighters, police rescue units and the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives to defend our liberty.

The exhibition will be open to the public through September 25, 2011 at CAFEINA Wynwood Lounge in Miami.

Tags 9/11, Alejandro Sanz, Blogger: Larry Yepez Jr, Cafeina Wynwood Lounge, Firefighters, Leonardo Hidalgo, nydf, september 11, world trade center