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By Michael Lopez

Arizona suffered an unspeakable tragedy Saturday when Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and a number of bystanders were shot at a public meeting in a Safeway parking lot in Tucson. But the tragic event that left six innocent people dead, including a federal judge and a 9-year-old girl, and 14 others wounded also spurred tremendous acts of heroism.

Giffords' newest unpaid intern, Daniel Hernandez, who had only worked for the congresswoman for five days before the mass shooting, is one such hero. As soon as Giffords was shot, Hernandez immediately rushed to her side to tend to her wound and elevate her head — while bullets were still being fired. His quick thinking and bravery played a major role in saving the Democratic lawmaker's life, and serves as a great example of selflessness and courage.

"It was probably not the best idea to run toward the gunshots," Daniel told AZ Central, "but people needed help."

The accused gunman, 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner, shot Giffords in the head at close range while she spoke to constituents at a "Congress on Your Corner" event, then opened fire on the crowd, according to witnesses and police. Though his motives were not entirely clear, it is believed that he held a longstanding grudge against the congresswoman. He was arrested at the scene and now faces multiple counts of murder and attempted murder for the mass shooting.

Hernandez stayed with Giffords throughout the entire ordeal, cradling her head until help arrived. When it was over, Daniel accompanied her on the ambulance ride to the hospital, holding her hand and providing essential details to paramedics. He told ABC News that he tried his best to keep Gabrielle alert by saying things like, “just grab my hand to let me know that you’re okay.”

It will be a difficult journey back, but Gabrielle is expected to recover from her injuries thanks, in part, to the bravery of Daniel Hernandez, a 20-year-old Mexican-American University of Arizona student who is openly gay and serves on Tucson's city commission on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues.

"I look at the true heroism of Congresswoman Giffords, [District Manager] Ron Barber, [Community Outreach Coordinator] Gabe Zimmerman, who lost his life, and Pam Simon who was wounded," Hernandez told reporters. "Those are the real heroes — true public servants who spent their whole lives helping others."

Who are the heroes in your community? Tell us about them in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags arizona, Daniel Hernandez, Gabrielle Giffords, Health, Jared Lee Loughner, Politics, Tucson, Tucson massacre

By Michael Lopez

How cool would it be to see Pitbull slide down your chimney in a big red suit and fluffy white beard? Well, that may never happen, but the native Miami rapper did spread some Christmas cheer around his old stomping grounds in the city's Wynwood neighborhood.

According to the Miami Herald, Pit's company, PlanetPit.com, the city of Miami and the nonprofit Imaginate Foundation gave away more than 500 toys — including Barbie and Bratz dolls, footballs, BMX bikes and even pre-paid cell phones — to children ages 1 to 16 at the annual Toy A-Way event at Roberto Clemente Park last Saturday. The holiday event also featured bounce houses, music and plenty of edible treats.

A merry Armando Pérez (Pitbull's real name) even tweeted about the event:

“This is what Christmas is all about yeeooowwwww!”

Any fan of Pitbull knows he’s a festive and generous guy. “Santa Pit” has also given away a stocking of prizes each day through his “12 Days of Christmas” campaign. For his generosity and community involvement, Armando certainly earned a spot at the top of our good deed doers list.

What have you done to help needy families in your community this holiday? Brag below or @MTV3.

Tags 12 Days of Christmas, Armando Perez, Christmas, Health, Holidays, Miami, Pitbull, Toy A-Way

By Michael Lopez

The holidays aren't about wish lists, must-haves and Black Friday sales. The true spirit of the season is all about giving. And we are proud to report that many celebs are setting a fantastic example with their generosity and charity work.

Sure, Christina Aguilera has had a bumpy few months with all of her divorce drama, but the Burlesque star has donated her time, CDs and signatures to a United Nations World Food Auction benefitting hungry people around the globe.

Don Omar could have easily spent Thanksgiving at his east coast mansion counting the cash he made from Meet The Orphans. Instead, he went to the Isabella Geriatric Center in New York and served hot food to the community’s elderly residents. Rumor has it, he even got some 85-year-olds bumping to that new “Danza Kudoro” track!

Even Selena Gomez is getting in the spirit. Recently named UNICEF’s youngest ambassador ever, the Disney tween queen just held a sold-out concert with her band, The Scene, and donated all proceeds to the organization. When speaking about her charity work with Latina, Gomez said,

"Every day, 25,000 children die from preventable causes. I stand with UNICEF in the belief that we can change that number from 25,000 to zero."

Remember that Mexican telethon we told you about the other day? Ricky Martin wasn’t there just to run into an ex-novia. He actually donated his time, image and voice to the televised event, which earned more than $350,000 for children with disabilities.

Add to that Shakira’s champagne campaign to finance schools in Colombia, Gisele’s environmental workand Gustavo Dudamel’s mission to give kids musical instruments, and you’ve got some very charitable Latinos.

Now we have to ask ourselves: What are we doing to make a difference? We may not all have millions to work with, but we can donate our time and our efforts to help our communities. We can volunteer at local hospitals or homeless shelters, donate old clothing and toys, or just drop an extra quarter in the charity jar at the supermarket. Every little bit helps — and it may even make you feel better than getting that big wrapped gift from Santa.

What charitable organizations are you most passionate about? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Celebrities, Charity, Christina Aguilera, Don Omar, Health, Ricky Martin, Selena Gomez

By Michael Lopez

Our thoughts are with the people of Haiti right now, in more ways than one. Not only is the country still struggling to rebuild after that devastating earthquake, but they are now facing a deadly cholera epidemic that has led to over 1,000 deaths! And with cases now being spread to the Dominican Republic, both nations are on high alert.

Classified as a bacterium, cholera is an intestinal infection that is usually transmitted from unsanitary foods or contaminated drinking water. Common symptoms include vomiting and severe stomach pains, which (if untreated) can be fatal.

Image: Getty Images

Sadly, medical care is hard to come by in some of Haiti’s most impacted regions. Death tolls are continuing to rise and so is the frustration of many of its citizens. The lack of proper aid has led to riots and protests from survivors of lost family members.

Though groups like Doctors Without Borders and the U.N. have sent teams to help, complete containment of the virus is still a ways off. When speaking of the severity of the situation, a rep from Medecins Sans Frontieres said,

"If the number of cases continues to increase at the same rate, then we are going to have to adopt some drastic measures to be able to treat people,"

The Dominican Republic is also prepared for drastic action, as they got their first recorded cholera case on Tuesday (November 16) from a visiting Haitian tourist. Since then, the country has set up stop points on its borders, thoroughly cleaned its rivers, and chlorinated its water supply.

Another way the Dominican government is hoping to battle the outbreak is by urging tourists and locals to stay away from street-based food vendors. Reps from the Center for Disease Control agree with the decision, stating,

“Food vendors often work in urban environments with unhygienic practices – they have food sitting in warm temperatures for many hours which can permit rapid bacterial multiplication.”

Thankfully, global organizations like UNICEF are continuing to send medical response teams to the areas that need it most.

Do you have relatives in Haiti or the Dominican Republic? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Cholera, Cultura, Dominican Republic, Epidemic, Haiti, Health, UNICEF

By Michael Lopez

It’s amazing how big of an empire you can build from white squiggly lines drawn around celebrities. In the past year, Chisme king Perez Hilton has kicked off three new sites (in addition to running his hugely popular PerezHilton.com) and is now ready to launch his very own fitness blog.

Image: FilmMagic

And he is definitely qualified to report on keeping trim. In the past three years, Perez has shed over 60 pounds, which he credits to a healthy diet, seven-day workout regimens, and plenty of walking in the neighborhood.

What can blog fans expect on the all-new FitPerez site? Diet tips from the rich and famous, dirty fast food secrets, and exclusive interviews with celebs like Bruno Mars (all with Hilton’s signature sarcastic touch).

Of course if vegan tips aren’t exactly your thing, you can always indulge yourself with his fashion site (CocoPerez), animal blogs (TeddyHilton), or “after dark” Chisme updates (UnratedPerez). Very ambitious stuff, which kind of makes us wonder if we should start a health-related site...Blogamole Lite anyone?

Source: [AP]

Are you a fan of Perez Hilton’s new sites? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Chisme, CocoPerez, Fitness, FitPerez, Gossip, Health, Perez Hilton, TeddyHilton, UnratedPerez

By Elis T. Ortiz

Hoy (August 11), el famoso cantante y compositor argentino Gustavo Cerati cumple 51 años. He’s been in coma for the past three months after suffering a stroke. Cerati underwent an operation earlier last week, but remains in critical condition.

The voice of arguably one of the best rock en Español bands ever, Soda Stereo, who then became a solo powerhouse in Latin music, is truly a living legend. With a cult following that has spanned decades, millones de fans esperan su regreso al escenario.

Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery. Nuestros mejores deseos en tu cumpleaños, Gus!

Leave your thoughts for Cerati in the comments below or share them with us at @MTV3.

Tags Birthday, Gustavo Cerati, Health, Soda Stereo

By Simone Hilliard

Gustavo Cerati's niece may have spoken too soon when she reported last week that her beloved uncle was in stable condition. 

It seems the Soda Stereo musician (who has been hospitalized at Fleni Clinic since May after suffering an ischemic attack while performing in Venezuela) underwent surgery once again on Tuesday (August 3), according to the clinic's medical director, Claudio E. Pensa. 

The medical report states:

"Pacient Gustavo Cerati has undergone surgery to treat the hydrocephalus profile related to his hemispheric stroke. The current situation continues to be critical and he remains in a coma."

The report also asks that new medical reports be issued at the family's discretion and only when there are pertinent changes to his condition. 

While publications like Argentine newspaper El Nueva Dia are reporting that the singer has passed, Cerati's family members have asked the media and fans to avoid spreading rumors and assured them that Gustavo is receiving "spiritual help" and that he is "very well taken care of."

The family released this statement on the musician's website:

"Between so many good wishes and people's positive energy, us and Gustavo's natural force, we believe and trust that his health will slowly improve."

Tr3s continues to keep the musician in our thoughts and continue to wish he, his family, and his supporters well.

Leave all your well wishes in the comments, or @MTV3.

Tags Chisme, Gossip, Gustavo Cerati, Health, latin, Soda Stereo

By Simone Hilliard

Team Blogamole breathed a collective sigh of relief today; Gustavo Cerati is breathing on his own, according to a statement released by the musician's niece, Guadalupe Mujica.

After suffering from a transient cerebral ischemic attack (mini-stroke) and undergoing emergency brain surgery earlier this year, the former Soda Stereo frontman remains "clinically stable" with "no significant changes in his health," she concluded.

Guadalupe also revealed that "the hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluid in the brain) is controlled.”
Cerati was hospitalized in May after suffering from the  mini-stroke and fainting during a concert in Venezuela.

Gustavo remains hospitalized at the FLENI center in Belgrano, Buenos Aires, to continue his recovery and medical treatment.

Tr3s will continue to keep Cerati and his family in our thoughts and prayers. 

Leave your well-wishes in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Chisme, Gossip, Gustavo Cerati, Health, latin, Soda Stereo, Update

By Simone Hilliard

He's BACK! Luis Miguel has recovered and is ready to reclaim his career, having just announced a series of Fall concerts at Las Vegas' Caesars Palace September 15, 17, and 18 for the 2010 Mexican Independence Day festivities.

Luismi refused to address any speculation regarding his health and well-being after his plastic surgery scare earlier this year that left fans thinking the crooner had possibly died.

Looks like he's back at it, thanks to his wonderful nurse and girlfriend Daisy Fuentes who was with him every step of the way!

Tickets for the sure to be sold out shows go on sale this Saturday (July 24) at 10am through Ticketmaster and range from $95- $250.

Source: [Latina]

Are you excited for Luismi's return? Let us know below or @MTV3!

Tags Chisme, Gossip, Health, latin, Luis Miguel, Tour, Tr3s

By Michael Lopez

"Now, stepping up to the plate at Baltimore’s Oriole Park, First Lady Michelle Obama!" Not the first name you’d expect to hear a baseball announcer say at a MLB stadium, but that’s exactly what the crowd heard!

Last week, Michelle Obama made a public appearance to spread awareness for the “Let’s Move” campaign, geared towards fighting childhood obesity. In fact, her participation marked the start of major partnership with Major League Baseball that will include top Latino sluggers as spokesmen!

Carlos Gonzalez from the Colorado Rockies, the Anaheim Angels’ Joel Pineiro, Matt Garza from the Tampa Bay Rays and more will be featured in PSAs spreading the word about healthier eating and outdoor exercise.

When speaking to participants in the stands, Michelle said, "We've got to get you guys focused and moving. When these players were kids they found a sport that they loved. They practiced and practiced and practiced until they were better at it than anybody else. We want you guys to do the same thing."

“Let’s Move” is a relatively new program (it was launched back in February in cooperation with the USDA) and inspires kids to engage in physical activities and enjoy a healthier diet of nutritious foods. And seeing how beautiful the summer weather is, we couldn’t think of a better message to spread to right now. So put down that Xbox, go outside, and have some fun!

Find out more about “Let’s Move!’ at http://www.letsmove.gov/.

Tags Agentes De Cambio, childhood obesity, Health, Latino, Let’s Move, Michelle Obama, Sports, Tr3s