[ChairC]

Sarah’s early Christmas gift
By Gabby Libarios
Manila Standard
18Oct05

In the mad, mad world of show business, where every player is as opportunistic as the next politician, very often do you encounter individuals who put principle before expedience.

One such person is pop singing sensation Sarah Geronimo, a young girl with a big talent and a bigger heart.

Since that golden moment at the Araneta Coliseum when Sarah was declared the first ever winner of Star of the Night in 2002, manna from heaven has been falling down on her in sheets, the most recent of which is her highly successful, pack-to-the-rafters concert at the Big Dome last Sept. 30.

So the teen princess, who now has her own show on ABS-CBN called Little Big Star, strongly feels that it is just right to give something back to society as a sign of her overflowing gratitude.

And Unilever Philippines has the right fit for her.

To highlight detergent brand Surf’s ongoing raffle promo “Gift Love on Christmas: Isang Milyong Pamaskong Handog ng Surf,” the corporation has tapped Sarah to sing “Ang Bango ng Pasko.”

“I was really happy and excited when I found out that I was going to record a Christmas song,” says Sarah, whose dream is to have a Christmas song she can call her own. “It has been my dream since I was a child.”

Composed by Mike Villegas and written by Chit Datu, this Filipino Christmas song is redolent of hope, love, and the general lighthearted feeling of the holidays.

According to senior brand manager Darlene Chiong, Sarah is the perfect choice for this new project. “There are lots of singers that we thought of, but it was really Sarah Geronimo who stood out from the rest. She was our choice from the beginning.”

Villegas, the composer commissioned by Unilever for the song, feels the same sentiment. “Young and vibrant, Sarah embodies the youthful spirit of Christmas,” he says. “Christmas is the season of giving. Especially for the less fortunate kids, the holidays bring warmth and hope for a better life. If ever we forget what Christmas is about, all we need is to take a look at the children around, especially those in need.”

Initially, this venture was hatched as part of Unilever’s yearly gift-giving activity for cause-oriented groups and other foundations. “We thought of this project because we wanted to multiply our aid by thousands,” says marketing manager Benjie Yap. “And we wanted our loyal customers to part of the giving as well. The more entries they send, the more donation goes to our beneficiary.” On top of this, an early Christmas gift of P1M awaits the lucky winner of the raffle.

Surf’s ongoing raffle promo is solely for the benefit of SOS Children’s Village, an international child care agency, which has been providing long-term residential-type child care program, including free education, for less fortunate kids since 1967. At present, the foundation houses 800 youth in seven children’s villages in the country: Lipa, Tacloban, Calbayog, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Alabang.

Aside from the P1M financial aid to SOS, Chiong notes, Surf has committed to donating additional P10,000 for every P100,000 entries from the promo. “The nice thing about the promo is each consumer has the chance to contribute without shelling out any extra money. The entries are their means to help,” continues Chiong.

The promo mechanics are quite simple. “All that’s required is for entries to be accompanied by wrappers of any Surf variant. Place these wrappers along with a piece of paper, with your name, address, telephone, and signature in a white legal-size envelope with the promo title,” Chiong explains. “Drop entries in drop boxes at selected supermarkets, groceries, and public markets nationwide. Entries may be also be sent to Unilever Philippines, 1351 UN Avenue, Ermita, Manila until Dec. 3.”

Gift Love promotion culminates on Dec. 17 at the Paskong Pasiklab in Philcoa, Quezon City, where Sarah, together with other special guests, spearheads a free concert called Paskoncert sa Pasiklab. Announcement of the P1M winner will also take place during the event.

“I am really happy that they (Unilever) gave me this opportunity,” beams Sarah. “For this rare chance, I can inspire and bring meaning to the most wonderful and special event of the year.”

http://www.manilasta...fe03_oct18_2005

[FiLiPiNaY]

awww, that's soo nice!!! Sarah is just awesome!!! haha...........thanks for posting kuya!!!! :thumbs: :good: ^ ^

[pnoi_integra]

thanks kChairC!

[lovejoy]

thanks po Kchacri!

[Jordan]

THANKS PO :thumbs:

[baybeeh_kaye]

maramig salamat poh sa artciel :thumbs:

[cardsakis]

"There are lots of singers that we thought of, but it was really Sarah who stood up the rest."
:thumbs: Great idea!

[aimy]

[From the article, and I quote:[So the teen princess, who now has her own show on ABS-CBN called Little Big Star, strongly feels that it is just right to give something back to society as a sign of her overflowing gratitude.]


Nobody can deny you cannot feel the sincerity of how Sarah say "Thank You" to everyone.....her fans or not. That's SARAH GERONIMO!

:x

[Shielah]

thanks sa article!!! ang ganda!!!

[gnn]

“Young and vibrant, Sarah embodies the youthful spirit of Christmas,” .... “Christmas is the season of giving."

... and not only embodies youthful spirit but a EVER-GRATEFUL SPIRIT for she's one who's been showered with the abundance of gifts by the Almighty...

... therefore just one fitting figure of a GIFT for all of us... worship

Thanks to the article... :thumbs:

[marbie]

:thumbs:

[ChairC]

.. pahabol for this article

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/chair_C/SAG/MStandard_SG2_18Oct05.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/chair_C/SAG/MStandard_SG1_18Oct05.jpg