La Greta returns on TV

It will be false modesty if Gretchen Barretto says her life is “just okay.”

The singer-actress has a lot of reasons to be thankful for these days and she can’t help but express how blessed she is. Take note, however, that when Gretchen says so, she not only refers to financial blessings but also to her revitalized acting career, her happy family life (with partner Tony Boy Cojuangco and their daughter Dominique) and her more positive outlook in life.

Gretchen recently returned to the TV screen in one of her finest performances in a special episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya. She is also working on her much-anticipated teleserye, Magkaribal, with co-stars Bea Alonzo and Derek Ramsay. Then there’s that La Greta factor that intrigues and interests the public without fail.

So, can we blame La Greta if she is conscious more than ever of her looks and health? Acknowledged as one of the most beautiful faces in Philippine movies, Gretchen has to live up to this expectation if only to continue inspiring her fans, teasing her critics and empowering her disciples.

Fortunately, Gretchen does not keep the secrets in achieving the beautiful life to herself. She recently revealed that to maintain her youthful glow, she has been using select beauty products such as Glutamax for six months now. “Kaya nga kutis mayaman ako,” she jokes in a recent interview.

Although she can certainly afford more expensive soaps, Gretchen opts to be practical without compromising results. Flawless almost to the point that her skin can make mere mortals want to cry, Gretchen points out that she will be sticking by her latest endorsement because of its edge over the rest.

“Yung iba kasing produkto, pumuputi ka nga pero maputlang klase ng puti. Ayoko ng ganun. Gusto ko may glow,” said she whose services have been sought by many companies because of her credibility as endorser.

When someone suggested that maybe it was the talent fee that convinced her to endorse the brand, Gretchen truthfully, but ever so tactfully, replied, “Hindi naman lahat ng bagay nadadaan sa talent fee. I don’t need to endorse something I don’t believe in.”

Looking at her brand new Jaguar, the girl speaks the truth. 

Green City, Green Arts

Artists, cultural workers and environmentalists join hands with millions all over the world to celebrate Earth Day on April 22 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex with the theme Luntiang Lungsod, Luntiang Sining (Green City, Green Arts). The sun-up to sundown event starts 5 a.m. Reveille Band music and a Bike-a-thon then ends with a closing show participated in by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Philippine Madrigal Singers, Ony Carcamo and other artists.

There will also be a Green Gym featuring aerobics with Asian traditional movement to be led by Slimmers World. At 7 a.m., a Human Mural forming the logo of Earth Day shall be created on the CCP Front Lawn. This will be followed by a Poetry on Water exhibition by the Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines at the Harbour Area. The Buganda Drumbeaters visit the Green Stations that feature hands-on demo and lectures on composting, waste segregation, health and wellness tips at the shaded alley between the CCP Main Building and the Production Design Center. The public can also experience Slow Food through cooking demos and featured food items at the different restaurants at Harbour Square Plaza. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will distribute free seedlings to the public. Watch critically-acclaimed Cinemalaya short films with environmental themes to be screened at the CCP Dream Theater. At the CCP Lobbies, check out an exhibition on Climate Change and a Creative Industry Market where one can learn how to create artistic products with recycled material. Wear the funkiest and most creative-looking hats in the Hat and Fan Making competition. At 5:30 p.m., the closing program includes performances by the Philippine Madrigal Singers, ventriloquist Ony Carcamo and his pet Dodo Bird and Gorilla, BP Kids, Bulacan Brass Symphonic Band, BJ Forbes and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) with Maestro Olivier Ochanine.

Earth Day at the CCP is held in cooperation with Haribon Foundation, Wiener Foundation, GMA 7, Net 25, Department of Tourism, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Tanggol Kalikasan, Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines and other partner organizations.

For details, call the CCP Earth Day Committee at 832-1125 loc. 1611.