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By Michael Lopez

Yes there are tons of entertainment award shows happening at the moment. So many in fact, that we’re running out of initials to label them by! For us, the EMA’s stand for MTV’s upcoming Europe Music Awards, but in Hollywood this past weekend, they stood for the Environmental Media Awards. Honoring eco-friendly movies, TV shows, and stars, the gala brought out celebs like Eva Mendes and Rosario Dawson.

Image: EMA

Seeing how this particular awards show is all about helping the environment and keeping things ‘green’, we’ll let them slide on the whole copycat EMA thing. And we’ve got to admit, they definitely took their cause seriously. The meals were completely organic and served on compostable dinnerware. Plus, the whole event was sponsored by Toyota’s Prius.

Not so much of a competition, the EMA’s sought to recognize entertainment properties that spread the message of keeping it green. One obvious honoree was Avatar, which we think did a great job of stressing the importance of nature (sadly no Na’vis were on hand to accept the award). Shows like 30 Rock and Wilmer Valderrama’s Handy Manny were also recognized for their contributions.

Though Rosario and Eva didn’t take home any awards, they did catch a lot of attention for the shimmering dresses they wore on stage (biodegradable perhaps?). Joanna Garcia also presented (with Lance Bass), giving top honors to mogul Ted Turner. When speaking at the podium, Turner delivered some inspiring words for anyone wanting to get involved in ecological causes,

"Even people who are not conserving, they know about it, and knowing about it is really important, because you can change. You can change from somebody who doesn't care much about the environment to somebody who's very concerned about it."

Source: [Huffington Post]

What environmental causes are you most passionate about? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Avatar, Award Shows, Ecology, Environmental Media Awards, Eva Mendes, Health, Joanna Garcia, Rosario Dawson, Ted Turner

By Michael Lopez

What do you do after you’ve been successfully rescued from a dark and dreary mine shaft? Throw on your sunglasses and celebrate! The whole nation of Chile was riding high this week after “Los 33” made it up safe and sound after being trapped for 69 harrowing days.

Image: Telegraph UK

“Los 33” represents the 33 men who endured the two-month underground hardship. Buried 2,300 feet below the Earth’s surface, the miners had to survive with no sunlight, very little food, and the knowledge that a proper rescue attempt would take months to pull off. But they most certainly endured.

The exact cause of the collapse is still under investigation and Chilean President, Sebastian Pinera, has vowed to punish anyone whose negligence may have led to the catastrophe. Thankfully (for now) the miners were much too excited to hold grudges, praising their rescuers and flashing big smiles for the cameras.

There were a few minor hospital visits (mainly for dehydration and dental issues), but otherwise “Los 33” seemed very ready to celebrate with their new fans. And they have got A LOT of new fans. Over 3,000 Chileans cheered in the streets of Santiago as a huge screen broadcast live footage of the rescue.

And the “Los 33” fame goes way beyond their hometown. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid soccer team has invited them for stadium visits, Don Francisco wants them on Sabado Gigante, and there are even talks of a TV movie dramatizing the entire ordeal.

Of course, the people who were happiest to get them back were their families. News cameras captured tears, hugs, and joyous reunions between the miners and their loved ones.

We say, take a couple of weeks to rest, recover, and relax with your relatives…Then start thinking about those million dollar TV deals.

Source: [Yahoo]

Were you captivated by the Chilean miner rescue? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags chile, Chilean Miners, Health, Los 33, Sebastian Pinera

By Michael Lopez

We all have a topic that we really “give a damn” about. Whether it’s health care, homelessness, immigration, or whatever. In Ricky Martin’s case its hate crimes, particularly those committed toward the gay and lesbian community. And now he’s speaking up about it with a host of other high-profile stars.

Partnering with the Give A Damn campaign, Ricky has recorded a special video with Elton John, Glee’s Idina Menzel, and more about spreading the word about this type of violence. Did you know that hate crime related incidents occur every hour of every day in this country?

Amazing, but true. And by visiting the Give A Damn website you can find other informative videos, blogs, and data about issues not receiving the attention they deserve. Celebs like Kim Kardashian and Kelly Osbourne joined the campaign as well and recorded their own testimonials about topics near and dear to their hearts.

The site also includes a section for Personal Stories, where anyone can comment about experiences they’ve had with a particular issue. Obviously with the topics of cyberbullying and suicide more prominent than ever now, it’s great to hear about another online destination where those struggling can share, vent, and have their voices heard.

What topics do you Give A Damn about? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Agentes De Cambio, Cyberbullying, Elton John, Give A Damn, glee, Health, Idina Menzel, Kelly Osbourne, Kim Kardashian, Ricky Martin

By Michael Lopez

Welcome to a whole new way to be charitable. Back in the day, groups of stars would get involved with causes via telethons, auctions, or whatever. But now Eva Longoria Parker has taken giving into the modern age, with the first ever celebrity Twitter auction. And get this, so far she’s raised over $540,000!

Image: WireImage

This particular charity is to help aid children and those continuing to struggle in Haiti. By donating a set amount of dollars, you can not only make a difference, but get your favorite celebs to Tweet you a personalized message! And you can even get them follow you in the Twitterverse.

With over 750,000 Followers, it’s clear Eva’s a master of all things Twitter. Obviously, she would have been our first choice for a personalized message, but if you preferred another A-lister, you could’ve hooked up with Mario Lopez, Nicole Richie, or Lala Vasquez, all of whom were involved.

It’s clear Eva was very touched by overwhelming response, Tweeting,

“Thanks again to all of U that bid & won auctions @ http://TwitChange.com -our team is working hard behind the scenes for each of you all! Xo”

And remember, it’s not too late to donate. If you’re interested in helping those less fortunate in Haiti, please visit TwitChange.com.

Which celebs would you to have follow you on Twitter? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Agentes De Cambio, Celebrities, Charity, Eva Longoria Parker, Haiti, Health, TwitChange, twitter

By Michael Lopez

Still dreading the start of the new school year? Leave it to Juanes to make back-to-school a cheery event! What could be cooler than taking notes on charitable paper? That’s right, amongst all the other charitable events he's responsible for, the Colombian rocker also has an artistic line of notebooks designed to benefit his charitable foundation.

Set up through Juanes’ Mi Sangre project, the new notebooks feature guitar imagery, doves, and lyrics from his most famous songs. And better yet, every time you purchase one, part of the profits will be donated to aid victims of Colombian land mines.

"The foundation hopes the product will increase visibility of the conflict and open the hearts of young people to messages of peace, love, and reconciliation", said Jaunes. “The notebooks have slogans including, ‘We have a right to live in peace’, ‘I beg you for one second of peace’ and ‘Change hate for love.’"

They’re also really unique and a heck of a lot more interesting than those Mead binders we’re all used to. Even if you’re done and graduated, the notebooks still make great tools for sketching, journaling, or coming up with lyrics we can send to Juanes for his next big hit!  We know we're dying to get our hands on one!

Source:[Colombia Reports]

Would you buy a Juanes notebook? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Agentes De Cambio, Back To School, Charity, Health, Juanes, Mi Sangria Foundation

After suffering from a transient cerebral ischemic attack (mini-stroke) and undergoing emergency brain surgery last month, an Argentine clinic has reported that Soda Stereo frontman Gustavo Cerati has “severe brain damage" and is breathing with the assistance of an artificial respirator.  Conflicting reports from various news sites state that Cerati is still in stable condition and is in fact breathing on his own.

Cerati arrived in Argentina after having been transferred from a hospital in Caracas, Venezuela and is now at the FLENI center in Belgrano, Buenos Aires, to continue his recovery and medical treatment.

The head of the FLENI Clinic gave the new prognosis, announcing that medical examinations revealed that there is "severe brain damage to the left cerebral hemisphere and damage of the secondary brainstem."

The tomography of Cerati made after he arrived in Buenos Aires revealed he suffered "an extensive stroke at the left cerebral hemisphere."

The musician is currently receiving antibiotics due to a respiratory infection.

Fuerza Cerati!! MTV Tr3s will continue to keep the Soda Stereo icon and his family in our thoughts and prayers.  Leave your well-wishes to Cerati in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Gustavo Cerati, Health, Soda Stereo

When Miss Universe 2009, Stefanía Fernandez speaks, people listen. And that’s exactly what the Latino Commission on AIDS was hoping for today when they invited la bella Venezolana to speak at a press conference esta mañana en Nueva York to commemorate World AIDS Day.

Miss Universe showed her own commitment to fighting the disease by taking the HIV test in front of the cameras, adding:

"It is important to me personally and the Miss Universe Organization to show our commitment and solidarity with those impacted by HIV/AIDS."

Este evento comes at un buen momento, as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) shows that Latinos are affected by AIDS more than any other racial or ethnic group, with 42% being diagnosed with AIDS within 12 months after learning of their positive HIV status compared to 34% late diagnosis among white non Hispanic and 35% among blacks.

What's one way we can fight la epidemia del HIV/AIDS?  Edúcate!  One of the main objectives of the Latino Commission on AIDS has been to help educate families on this dreadful illness.  Como una reina de belleza, Stefanía Fernandez has committed to fighting HIV/AIDS in the name of all the young Latinas en el mundo.

"Parents and their children need to speak open and honestly about HIV/AIDS and help breakdown the stigma that lies with it today... Young girls need to love themselves and take control of their bodies. It’s their lives and I want to make sure they understand that no matter what their status is, they can go on to lead a long and healthy life."

World AIDS Day is a day of hope, solidarity and commitment in recognition of the tremendous challenges of this worldwide pandemic.  Let's unite today to recommit ourselves to promoting prevention and education related to HIV/AIDS en nuestras comunidades!  For more information on protecting yourself from sexually transmitted diseases and getting tested, check out www.GYT09.com.

Photos via Latino Commission on AIDS

Tags Agentes De Cambio, AIDS, awareness, Health, HIV, Miss Universe, Stefania Fernandez, the Latino Commission on AIDS, World AIDS Day

No mi gente... Carlos Santos wasn't back in the classroom. But he was taking un examen muy importante. For the second time in less than a year, Carlos was tested for the HIV/AIDS virus. He took part in a kick-off event in New York City sponsored by the Latino Commission on AIDS to commemorate National Latino AIDS Awareness Day which is held on October 15th.

We asked Carlos why he felt it was so important to be tested for HIV/AIDS.

"Getting tested is quick, easy and more importantly, saves lives."

Oh and did we forget to mention that Carlos was not alone when he was tested? Mariela Lucas, Miss Dominican Republic U.S. 2008, also showed her support by getting tested as well. Ms. Lucas told the audience that she feels its even more important for young Latinas to empower themselves by getting tested and taking care of and control of their own bodies.

"It’s unfortunate that Latinos are a 28% of those are known to be living with HIV/AIDS. I hope and need to wake up young girls with certain responsibilities such as protection, getting tested and spreading the word."

For more information on getting tested and educating yourself on sexually transmitted diseases, check out www.GYT09.org.

Tags AIDS Awareness Day, Carlos Santos, Health, Health, HIV, Latino Commision on AIDS, Mariela Lucas, pro-social