Add-a-Tree Project by UNTV

Climate change is now severely being felt all around the globe. Its effects are massive and the environment is at stake.

It is for this reason that UNTV has planned to launch a worldwide tree planting project on October 10, 2010. This is part of UNTV’s Isang Araw Para sa Kalikasan campaign and shall be participated in by its regional news bureaus not only here in the Philippines, but around the world, as well.

Initially, UNTV met with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to start the gathering of necessary information and materials that will support this endeavor.

The partnership between the station and the natural resources department marked the said event as formal and legal and takes effect for 3 years.

Areas to be covered in the tree-planting activities were identified through UNTV’s close coordination with all the regional field offices of the DENR.

This campaign expects around 50,000 seedlings to be planted along the identified critical watersheds nationwide. Volunteer groups or individuals will be mobilized to participate in the tree planting activities for the specific tree planting sites.

As this is a global campaign, UNTV news bureaus in other countries shall also conduct their own tree-planting activities simultaneously with the activities here at home.

We believe that thru this simple act, UNTV will be able to contribute and encourage people to care for the environment and make a difference, even for just one day.

And even though the tree planting itself will only happen for just one day, UNTV will not leave it at that. The planted trees will be nurtured and taken care of for at least three years or until its roots are strong enough to sustain life by itself.

The project, as mutually agreed upon by UNTV and DENR may be extended or renewed for another 3 years or until the areas covered have attained the desired number or volume of trees enough for the watersheds to reacquire life and get rejuvenated.

The sports event was held at the Cuneta Astrodome on August 1, 2010, spearheaded by UNTV top official, Kuya Daniel Razon.

Kuya Daniel Razon enters the court of Cuneta Astrodome for the PBA Legends vs. Hoopsters benefit game. Photo by Kenji Hasegawa

PBA player Vergel Meneses is being introduced by Kuya Daniel Razon. Photo by Kenji Hasegawa

PBA Legend Freddie Hubalde enters the court. Photo by Kenji Hasegawa

On the web, there are several news and media coverage of the said benefit event, here are some of them -

Bogs laments ‘wrong form of shooting’

During the press launch for this Sunday’s special game pitting past PBA stars against selected amateurs known as Hoopsters, the former Crispa star pointed out that players must be re-educated when it comes to shooting.

He sets as the correct example the style of Koreans who have been beating the Filipinos in recent international meetings.

“Siguro dapat maturuan ang mga kabataan ng right form of shooting. Sana magaya natin ang mga Koreans na walang set-shot, puro jump shots,” he told sports and entertainment scribes last Tuesday. [Manila Bulletin]

PBA Legends vs UNTV Hoopsters ngayon na

MANILA, Philippines -  Masasaksihang muli nga­yong araw ang mga alamat ng Philippine basketball sa kanilang pakikipagharap laban sa mga kabataan na nag-aasam ring maging professional basketball players, ang mga Hoopsters sa Cuneta Astrodome sa ganap na alas-6 ng hapon.
Maglalarong muli ang mga PBA Legends para sa benefit game na inorga­nisa ni Daniel Razon, ang “Hoopsters Meet The Le­gends: Kahit Isang Araw Lang” na ang pangunahing layunin ay matulungan ang mga kabataang naghihirap sa buhay para sa libreng edukasyon sa kolehiyo. [Philstar.com]

MANILA, Philippines — It will be another great treat for the local crazy basketball fanatics when the star-studded Philippine Basketball (PBA) Legends goes up against broadcaster Daniel Razon-led Hoopsters team in a charity match on Sunday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

The event, dubbed as “Hoopsters meet the Legends”, is aimed to generate funds for Razon’s scholarship program.

The PBA legends composed of Bogs Adornado, Atoy Co, Philip Cezar, Freddie Hubalde, Orly Bauzon, Paul Alvarez, Jerry Codinera, Kenneth Duremdes, Jun Limpot and Vergel Meneses will face Razon’s Hoopsters team that is made up of Cyril Santiago, Jon Jon Apuya, Jeff Versoza, Julius Casaysayan, Anton Tolentino, Jeffrey Sanders, Mark Tyer, Michael Balang, Kheem Camba, Glen Labung, Jan Ewald Santiago ,Rainier Cabrera and Jong Egea.

The Hoopsters versus Legends game is Sports 37 Productions’ follow-up to a fun run event last January 31 held for the benefit of scholars at La Verdad Christian College in Caloocan City of Kamanggagawa Foundation.

“This is an interesting event. We’ve seen the Hoopters. They have the talent to play for the teams in the UAAP and NCAA,” said Adornado.

Game time will be at 4 p.m. – by Marlon Bernardino

Isang Araw Lang: Takbo para sa Libreng Kolehiyo, a project of the UNTV executive and host Daniel Razon, aims to raise funds to support the free college program that Razon himself had started almost a year ago in La Verdad Christian College.

The marathon was attended by random class of participants of which reports said that only some 50,500 were registered to run and those who were not able to participate were not yet counted in. The number is attributed to many believing in the goal of the project and the advocate behind it.

Some of the attendees were athletes from Kenya, students of Philippine National Police Academy, Marikina Runners Club and other professional marathoners. UNTV personalities were able to join the event as well.

The free college program that Razon and the Kamanggagawa Foundation have been upholding consists of a scholarship package for the beneficiaries. Aside from full-time scholarship, the program includes free uniform, free books, and free meal. This free college program is available to those who can pass the exam yet cannot afford the financial demands of other colleges.

The marathon took place in the loop grounds of SM Mall of Asia, varying from 21km half-marathon run for the athletics, 10km for a challenge run, 5km for a discovery run, 3km for fun run, and 1km family run to 3meters for the kiddie run.

The winner of 21-km half-marathon is a Kenya National Willy Tanui with P30, 000 cash prize and this had been his 2^nd title in competing in the country. His topped as well the Cebu City marathon last January 10 this year. Second place winner is another Kenyan, Kiberess Kember with P20, 000. Coming third is Miscelle Gilbuena with P10, 000, becoming the lead female runner of the event.

A tie-winner in 10km run were Alquin Bolivar and Nhea Ann Barcena with P20, 000 each. The 5km and 3km resulted in only one winner being declared and it was Justin Tabunda with total of P17,000 cash price.

Adjennie Delos Santos won the 10km women’s race with P10, 000 cash prize. Finally, the 3km race winner is Luisa Yambao with P7,000 to bring home.

The event is a potential material for Guinness Book of World Records entry for having such a large number of participants. Some quarters believe that the Takbo para sa Libreng Kolehiyo (Run for Free College) marathon can beat world records if and only organizers will submit this to the Guinness World Records committee.

However, to achieve the record breaking status in Guinness is the least in the priority of the man behind the successful fund-raising event. The only intention of Kuya Daniel Razon of UNTV was to gather funds for the benefit of financially poor college students.

Razon believes that quality education should be given to anyone who is worthy.

Takbo para sa Libreng Kolehiyo project was under the advocacy of Isang Araw Lang (Just One Day) that Razon himself had initiated for his charitable projects.

Isang Araw Lang advocacy is turning a year this 2010. It encourages people to serve the community even for just a day. (Robert Clarita)

Organized by Sports 37, a TV program in UNTV 37, the latest benefit activity is being mounted to support Kuya Daniel Razon’s massive call, Isang Araw Lang.

The Isang Araw Lang Takbo Para sa Libreng Kolehiyo encourages people not only to have a healthy lifestyle by exercising, but also by instilling the virtue of sharing goodwill with people, as proceeds of the marathon will directly benefit students of the La Verdad Christian College, the only such school which provide free tuition fees, uniforms, food and accommodation to deserving students.

The exciting marathon will be divided into five categories where family and even kids are welcome. The categories are: Half-marathon Run 21 km, Challenge Run 10 km, Discovery Run 5 km, Fun Run 3 km, Family Run 1 km, Kiddie Run 300 m.

Kids between seven to twelve years old can join the 300 meter run. Those who are between 13 to 70 years old can join either in the Family Run, Fun Run, Discovery Run and Challenge Run while the Half-marathon Run are only for runners between 18-70 years old. Participants are advised to do proper stretching and jogging before they step on the starting line.

A daily exercise will save any runners from injury, however, exercise need not be a chore rather it should be fun. So you may want to bring a friend or a family member with you while you practice for the big day. After all, you are doing it not only for your own good, but also for the benefit of the countless students who deserve a scholarship grant. Mark your calendar as this event will surely be a record breaking sports activity in the history.

For registration forms and race route maps you may visit http://sports37.net/

To help clean the environment, the Bible Readers (BREAD) Society  took Kuya Daniel Razon’s cue by cleaning up hazardous wastes in Little Baguio, San Juan in response to the Isang Araw Lang campaign.

The clean-up drive initiated this month focused on cleaning different broken light bulbs and fluorescent lights that contain mercury, a potent neurotoxin. Aside from these, the group also collected broken Christmas lights.

The enthusiastic youth of the BREAD society went house-to-house to collect the aforesaid materials and at the same time, spread public awareness regarding the ill-effects of broken lighting. Little Baguio  Barangay Captain Allen Silvano shared his appreciation for this endeavor under the Isang Araw Lang advocacy.

Kuya Daniel accepts Platinum Award for Isang Araw Lang: The Album

Manila, Philippines – To have an album that sold more than 12,500 copies just in one day is a phenomenal event that never happened before in the Philippines’ music industry ever since its inception many years back. Yet an occasional singer, Daniel Razon, was the one who made this phenomenon possible with his Isang Araw Lang album.

Razon, also an occasional movie actor and director, is a UNTV executive and program host.

Three months earlier, Yahoo Philippines reported that Razon won with the same album a gold record award just on the day it was released on August 17 this year.

As certified by Able Music International and the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI), a platinum certification was awarded to Daniel Razon on November 30, 2009, the night he was celebrating his launching of his second coffee table book titled, Wild. Wild is Daniel’s compilation of the wildlife photography of that was launched in the event titled, Up Close.

Mr. Public Service as he is known, has already sold more than 20,000 units of his second commercial album, Isang Araw Lang. Razon can now be lined-up with other prominent singers in the country in terms of recording achievement like Martin Nievera and Lea Salonga, who are themselves platinum record awardees.

Mon Del Rosario, one of the top composers in the country reportedly regards Razon’s music as something that is easily heartfelt as he sang the songs from the heart. Del Rosario gave this assessment during the presentation of “Up Close.”

Known as Kuya Daniel, after his UNTV show, Good Morning Kuya, friends and followers alike marked their belief in his advocacy and humanitarian projects as they see in him the essence of being a true public servant.

A major beneficiary of the platinum awarded album, Isang Araw Lang, for example,  is the pool of scholars from his free-college project, while the beneficiaries of the Up Close event is the Movie Writers Welfare Foundation (MWWF), whom Razon had been supporting for months.

UNTV owner, Juno Henares, noted this distinct public service spirit in Razon. Kuya has many projects which are characterized by sharing of resources to the public especially to those poor and needy although he is not a government official – much less a politician.

With his massive number of friends and followers to his advocacy, his album had become very much in-demand in no time at all even prior to its launching date via advanced request copies. Hence, after three months of making a historical gold record award of the album, Razon had garnered the platinum record of the same album.

Up Close showcased all of the people in entertainment industry who are close to Kuya Daniel’s heart to give their greetings and support. Jay Sonza, Cito Beltran, Ben Tulfo were just some of his colleagues in broadcasting who attended the event. The veteran actor-comedian Roderick Paulate who is a close friend of Razon also gave his support along with fellow entertainers, Ara Mina and Faith Cuneta, representing MWWF.

A special person greeted Razon in the night of the event. Incidentally, Daniel Razon is the vice presiding minister of the Members Church of God International, locally known as Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path). His uncle, Bro. Eliseo Soriano, is the Presiding Minister in the church. Bro. Eli spoke before the audience of the good-nature of Daniel whom he had trained from childhood up to now, and of his faithful service in the ministry. Razon had marked his 26th year of service in the church on November 28, 2009.

Able Music International, and Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) are the award giving bodies of platinum record to Daniel Razon’s Isang Araw Lang. While Up Close was presented by Bible Readers Society International, and Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International, Inc. The platinum record awarding took place at the Palacio De Manila, M. H. Del Pilar. (Photo Credit: Eldon Tenorio)

A candid photo of Kuya Daniel Razon surrounded by well-wishers, art aficionados, fans, and supporters of the Brush and Shutter Exhibit at Tala Gallery.

Being the nephew of world-renowned photographer Bob Razon, Kuya Daniel Razon has inherited  his uncle’s eye for great photography. Being also the nephew of internationally-known preacher Bro. Eli Soriano, Daniel Razon  inherited the phenomenal preacher’s compassion for the needy.

Fusing both together, he has come up with Brush and Shutter, a celebration of photography, painting and goodwill.

The three-day Brush and Shutter exhibit happened on September 28-30 which features more than 50 breathtaking photographs of Mr. Public Service himself. The photographs were then captured on canvass by some of Tala Gallery’s artists and displayed alongside Daniel Razon’s snapshots.

This one-of-a-kind photography/painting exhibit is for the benefit of the La Verdad Christian College in Manila, which will offer free nursing and mass communication courses to deserving underprivileged students.

Kuya Daniel was positive that the public service deeds the campaign will embark on benefiting the KFI  will continually grow in number.  He thanks the supporters of the cause and states his gratitude to God Almighty and Bro. Eli Soriano.

“Once again, I thank God.  In behalf of Bro. Eli Soriano, who has been very supportive of everything that we have been doing and is our mentor who taught us to open our hearts and our minds in doing good to others, especially to those who belong to the household, we thank those who supported this event. Thank you very much and we thank God. To God be the glory,” states Kuya Daniel Razon.

All eyes and ears are on Mr. Public Service as he addresses the excited crowd at the PBA Benefit Game for the Isang Araw Lang campaign.

Coca-Cola Tigers coach Kenneth Duremdes supports the noble cause.

PBA stars strike the signature Isang Araw Lang pose in support of the campaign.

On September 25, 2009, popular basketball teams Alaska Aces and Coca-Cola Tigers were cheered on not just because they blazed their signature moves on the court. Loud applause and hoots were given them for supporting Kuya Daniel’s noble Isang Araw Lang campaign.

To further help finance the free college project under Kamanggagawa Foundation’s  wing, Kuya Daniel Razon organized a special basketball game with the Philippine Basketball Association. “Thanks to the PBA that they have now embarked in public service,” remarks the public servant in his privilege speech before the exciting game began.

The game ended with a bang as the aces won with 100-97,  who strategically called for time-outs and managed a three-point shot breaking the tie.

Just when people think the reasons to go nuts about basketball have all been said and done, the Isang Araw Lang campaign comes along; a selfless movement that aims to help the needy and underprivileged and gave people one more reason to “love the game.”

A fraction of the whole: A photo showcasing some of Isang Araw Lang's contented spectators

A UNTV correspondent interviews a delighted movie-goer who brandishes her ticket for everyone to see

Kuya Daniel meekly poses and takes time to meet-and-greet supporters and fans.

Kuya Daniel Razon shows us his passion for acting and directing in this beautiful full-length digital film. A vibrant mix of action, comedy, and drama, this directorial-debut of veteran newscaster turned lead actor was a success globally.

The film was so well-received that immediately after the movie screened, people were already talking about a follow-up.  “I know that there must be a follow-up project for this. It is very successful and very impressive,” said  Rey “PJ” Abellana, one of Kuya Daniel’s co-actors who think that a sequel is more than just a good idea.

Internationally hailed for its unique approach – incorporating Biblical values to modern filmmaking– the Isang Araw Lang: The Movie is most commended for its being a philanthropic endeavor. The  film’s proceeds were forwarded to the many charitable movements of the Kamanggagawa Foundation Inc. The gross ticket sales funded for the daily needs of those who stay at the Kamanggagawa Foundation Transient Home,  the Philippines’ first free transient home.  Aside from the daily community help the KFI extends such as free bus rides, free Metro Rail Transit rides for the senior citizens, and free medical, job-hunting, and even legal help at the UNTV office, the proceeds were also used to start something big – a free college education for mass communication and nursing students! For Mr. Public Service Kuya Daniel Razon the end goal is not to get much acclaim for a film – the film is only the vehicle for which good deeds begin.