Thursday 21 January 2016

Ricky Martin Visits IOM Cambodia Counter-Trafficking Project

International pop star Ricky Martin travelled to Cambodia in March 2008 to learn first hand about IOM's activities in the fight against child trafficking and sexual exploitation. "This is a fact-finding mission for us," said Angel Saltos, executive director of the Ricky Martin Foundation. "He wanted to see for himself."

During his week-long visit, Ricky met with IOM Chief of Mission Iuliana Stefan and later travelled to the remote Cambodia–Vietnam border district of Kompong Ro with Project Coordinator John McGeoghan and Minister of Women's Affairs Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi to find out about IOM's holistic counter-trafficking prevention activities, and to meet victims and local villagers.

The project, which is funded by Finland and implemented in close cooperation with the Cambodian Ministry of Women's Affairs (MoWA), addresses the trafficking of child beggars to Vietnam.

It provides awareness-raising to vulnerable villagers, basic legal training to the local authorities, agricultural training and technical support to poor farmers and has implemented a village banking system and an emergency fund.

In partnership with the Provincial Department of Education Youth and Sport, it has also established a vocational training centre to train victims and vulnerable young women in garment factory sewing
skills linked to real jobs in the province and in Phnom Penh.

Having traveled the 200 km from Phnom Penh to Kampong Ro, Ricky visited the IOM-sponsored public-private linked sewing skills vocational training centre, where he met with the director and
centre staff and chatted with the trainees.

"Exchanging stories with the girls and boys that attend the vocational training was enlightening. In their smiles, the Foundation witnessed true hope and felt reassured that they are receiving skills in order to have a better future. It also prevents them from falling prey to exploitation," said Ricky.

In the past two years, nearly 500 trainees have passed through the centre and most are now in full-time employment.

The Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF later joined villagers in community awareness raising activities focusing on the dangers of irregular migration and the illegality of child trafficking for begging in Vietnam.

Ricky enjoyed meeting the villagers and spent an hour distributing T-shirts and hats to local children. He also spent time with destitute villagers receiving emergency assistance and social services from IOM-UNICEF trained social workers.

"Creating awareness campaigns is essential to win the fight against child trafficking. With this visit, we reaffirmed that educational campaigns between different sectors of society and with a call to action component are powerful. I am convinced that solutions organically flourish if we work in alliances," added Ricky.

At midday he settled down with villagers for a local lunch and afterward worked up a sweat learning traditional Rom-Vong dancing from local villagers and the Minister of Women's Affairs.

"Dancing was amazing, lots of fun... Music and philanthropy reconnects humanity," concluded the Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF.

The Ricky Martin Foundation advocates for the well-being of children around the globe in critical areas such as social justice, education and health. People for Children, their flagship programme, condemns child exploitation.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Ricky Martin Foundation (RMF) have signed a global cooperation agreement aimed at raising awareness and combating the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children. The global agreement will allow IOM and RMF to put in place joint projects to combat human trafficking all over the world, with special emphasis on children and minors.

What Ricky Martin Told His Son When Asked, 'Dad, Was I In Your Belly?'


HANDOUT VIA GETTY IMAGES

Ricky Martin is the proud father of twins born via a surrogate, and it’s no surprise that the Puerto Rican star has some heartwarming answers for when his curious 6-year-old boys ask him about their birth.

During a radio interview with Luisa Fernanda on the “Enrique Santos Show” on Univision MIX 98.3, Martin spoke about his new single “Adiós” and opened up about the most “difficult question” his kids have ever asked.

Matteo and Valentino came into the singer’s life via gestational surrogacy in August 2008, at the time Martin took a hiatus from his career to raise the boys. When asked about the “most difficult” question they have ever asked him, the star revealed one of his sons had inquired about his origins.

“‘Dad, was I in your belly?’ and I told him, ‘you were in my heart and you are still in my heart’,” Martin told Fernanda. “So I explained further, because I couldn’t just leave it at that: ‘There was a woman that I adore with all my heart that helped me bring you into this world. She lent me her belly so that you could come and when you were born she put you in my arms.’ And he said ‘ah, ok’ and he kept playing,” the singer added.

The Boricua star also addressed rumors that he had a daughter on the way.

“You have to be careful what you say because they asked me ‘would you like to have a daddy’s girl?’ and I said ‘of course’,” Martin said. “The next day they said ‘Ricky is going to be the father of a little girl!’”

Despite not having another baby on the way, the star said he was definitely looking forward to seeing his family grow in the future.

“If you ask me if I want to be the father of a little girl, [I’ll say] not one, four!’,” Martin said. “I’m just getting started with this fatherhood thing and I’m going for more, I come from a big family and I like noise and chaos in my house.”

Ricky also spoke about the children he helps in the recently inaugurated Tau Center in Puerto Rico. On the subject of school, the singer admitted that he had good grades but didn’t like attending due to bullying.

Ricky Martin: I am ready to get married now



Ricky Martin said he was looking to 'connect' with someone

Singer Ricky Martin has said he hopes to get married, and that marriage is “important”, but that a connection is more important than looks.

The 43-year-old broke up with Carlos Gonzalez Abella in January last year, and now said he hopes to walk down the aisle with someone he connects with in future.

He said: “For me that paper is important. I also love the romanticism behind it.

“I am single now after seven years. I meet people. I’m fine. I meet very handsome men. I like to have a conversation, looking into someone’s eyes and finding out their sense of humour. I’m not saying you have to be an Adonis, but you have to connect.”

The singer, who has six-year-old twins Matteo and Valentino who were born using a surrogate in 2008, said he is careful who he brings into their family home.

He told the Sun: “We’re all men. It’s in our DNA to go for it. But I have two boys and I cannot bring different men every day into my house.”

On Carlos, he said: “He comes to see the kids. There was a year of silence but now we’re buddies.

“I try to keep my life very civilised, that’s what I need for the well-being of my children.

“The first year as a single father with twins was insanity. I had eye bags down to my knees but it was the most beautiful year of my life.”

Going on, the Livin’ La Vida Loca star said he hopes his family will only get bigger.

He said: “I am only starting. I want a bigger family. Let’s see what happens next year.

“I’m also seeing the possibility of adopting. But in some countries as a single man it’s kind of difficult, if not impossible. But it’s worth a try.”

100 fast facts about Ricky Martin

1. Ricky was born Enrique Martin Morales on Christmas Eve, 1971, in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

2. He is actually a Jr. since his dad is also named Enrique.

3. Ricky is a Capricorn.

4. Ricky's dad's nickname for him as child was Kiki.

5. Ricky's favorite pet is a dog.

6. Ricky says his favorite food is "anything" Puerto Rican.

7. His mom's name is Nereida Morales.

8. Ricky's parents were seperated when Ricky was just 2 years old.

9. Ricky's dad is a psychologist.

10. His mom is an accountant.

Kết quả hình ảnh cho general information about Ricky Martin

11. His parents' divorce was anything but amicable: his dad once asked Ricky to choose between he and his mother.

12. Hurt and angered by his dad's ultimatum, Ricky stopped talking to his father for more than a decade.

13. Father and son reconciled a few years ago.

14. Growing up, Ricky loved all kinds of music. "I listened to Boston, Cheap Trick, Journey, David Bowie. When I was a kid, my brothers and I were all into rock, rock, rock."

15. Ricky was introduced to Latin music by his mom. "One day she got tired of rock," he recalls with a smile. "She said, 'I can't stand it anymore!' and grabbed us by the ears and took us to a Celia Cruz concert. It really affected me."

16. From the beginning, Ricky loved to perform, becoming active in local plays and in choir as a boy.

17. At the age of 6, he scored parts in commercials and became very comfortable in front of the camera.

18. Wanting to excel in his craft, Ricky started taking singing and acting lessons before he was 10.

19. The first time Ricky auditioned for Menudo, he was rejected for being "too small" and "too young".

20. Ricky tried out again, and was rejected again.

21. Third time's a charm! Ricky was selected to join Menudo in 1984 at the height of the band's fame. Overnight, he went from an anonymous 12-year-old to a heartthrob performing for tens of thousands of people in stadiums around the world.


22. His nickname in the group was "New Ricky".

23. Ricky wanted to be in Menudo to learn the lifestyle of an entertainer.

24. With Menudo, Ricky traveled all over South America and to the U.S., Italy, Japan, Guam, the Philippines and Spain.

25. Ricky was with Menudo for five years and non-stop recording, rehearsing and performing.

26. English, Menudo mean "something small" or "change."

27. After five years, he was rotated out of the youth-driven band.

28. Ricky says he learned an important lesson from being in Menudo: How to be disciplined!


Kết quả hình ảnh cho general information about Ricky Martin

29. Post-Menudo, Ricky graduated from high school and traveled to New York to study and reflect on his early fame. In all, he took a one-year break.

30. In 1990, Ricky reentered the record biz as a solo artist, signing with Sony Records.

31. "Ricky Martin," the 1992 Latin album, earned him solid reviews and eight gold records in México, Chile, Argentina, Puerto Rico and the United States.

32. Ricky released his second album, "Me Amaras," in 1993.

33. Wanting to try his luck in the acting biz, Ricky picked up and moved to Los Angeles the same year he released "Me Amaras."

34. After a few additions, Ricky snagged the role of Miguel on "General Hospital" and instantly became a daytime television heartthrob.

35. After "General Hospital," Ricky earned the coveted lead role Marius in the Broadway production of "Les Misérables."

36. Ricky dubbed the Spanish version of Disney's "Hercules."

37. His third album, "A Medio Vivir," in 1995, was produced by Robi Rosa and KC Porter, and sold more than 600,000 copies in six months.

38. Ricky repeated that success with "Vuelve," which was certified gold on July 7, 1998.

Kết quả hình ảnh cho general information about Ricky Martin

39. "Vuelve" has sold more than six million copies worldwide.

40. Ricky has sold over 18 million albums as a solo artist.

41. Ricky entertained more than 275,000 fans in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1996. It was his largest audience ever.

42. More than a billion viewers in 187 counties witnessed Ricky's electrifying performance of "La Copa de la Vida" at the 1999 Grammy Awards.

43. Ricky's full-length Latin recording, "Vuelve," won the Grammy for Best Latin Pop Performance.

44. "La Copa de la Vida" or "The Cup Of Life" was the official song of the World Cup France '98. It has reached No. 1 in more than 30 countries.

45. Ricky says he'll never stop singing in Spanish, but recording an album in English was always part of his plan.

46. "Ricky Martin," his first full-length English-language recording, took over two years to produce. "I was not going to release this album until I was completely content with what I'd be presenting," he admits.

47. Ricky's confident that America will devour his English-language debut as much as the rest of the world ate up his Spanish-language offerings. "With all humbleness," Ricky says, "I think we'll sell 10 million copies."

Kết quả hình ảnh cho general information about Ricky Martin

48. Honesty is what Ricky wants to get across to the world with his lastest album. "I cannot wear a mask. This is Ricky Martin. That's why the album is called 'Ricky Martin.' As simple as that. We want to keep it simple. Like Albert Einstein said, 'Let's make it simple, but not simpler than what it is.' And this is me."

49. Ricky wanted to release the single "Livin' La Vida Loca" as a way of saying "Hey! Boom! I'm here! Check this out!"

50. Ricky loves the multinational, multidemensional attitude of the song:"[It] has a little bit of Latin, a little bit of ska, a little bit of rock, and there's even a little bit of the '60s, sort of a James Bond sound."

Ricky loves the multinational, multidemensional attitude of the song:"[It] has a little bit of Latin, a little bit of ska, a little bit of rock, and there's even a little bit of the '60s, sort of a James Bond sound."

51. "Livin' La Vida Loca" was co-written by fellow Menudo alumnus Robi Rosa.

52. Many people advised Ricky Martin against recording with international icon Madonna because of their contrasting music styles.

53. When the two pop powerhouses did meet in the studio, Ricky wasn't concerned with getting a song that would go on his album. He just wanted to have fun!

54. The meeting did produce a song for the album:"Be Careful" (Cuidado Con Mi Corozón"). And it perfectly blends Ricky's Latin life and Madonna's techno experiences.

55. Madonna wrote the song and Ricky translated a couple of the lyrics into Spanish.

56. Schedule is so packed that the two singers can't pin down a date to film a video.

Kết quả hình ảnh cho general information about Ricky Martin

57. The second radio-released single will most likely be "She's All I Ever Had."

58. Don't expect Ricky to record an all electronica album anytime soon. "I don't want my voice to sound too technical; I want it to sound like me. The way I feel is, I don't have to sound perfect, but my emotion has to nail it."

59. Another standout duet on "Ricky Martin" is "Private Emotion," featuring the sensational Swedish songstress Meja.

60. Ricky loves to boast about the "dream team" that helped put the album together, including Jon Secada, Emilio Estafan, and Desmond Child.

61. Sony, Ricky's record label, was so hyped to release "Ricky Martin" after his electrifying performance at the Grammy's that CEO Tommy Mattola purportedly quarreled with Madonna over delays in the recording of "Be Careful." Madonna wasn't pleased and allegdly walked out. Ricky managed to calm the ruffled feathers, and Madonna came back to finish the song.

62. Ricky was more excited about performing at the Grammy's than actually bringing home an award because the audience was one of the most demanding of his career.

63. Ricky Martin has many famous fans now, including Sting, Madonna, Beck and Pavarotti. Says Ricky: "To get the acceptance of your peers really means a lot."

64. Ricky felt his successful Grammy performance was a key to getting support from his record label's top brass. "I knew they'd come to me someday," says Ricky. "After the Grammy's, it was 'Yo, this is mine!'"

65. To calm his nerves before the monumental performance, Ricy said to himself, "Dude, you've been doing this for 15 years. Just be yourself."

66. Ricky also had an extended yoga session to ease his pre-Grammy jitters.

67. Ricky has one goal when he steps in front of an audience: "Make them go crazy!"

68. Ricky is the spokesman for Puerto Rican tourism, and appears in television commercials touting the tropical island getaway.

69. Ricky Martin Mania is spawning an industry of wannabe Rickys.

70. Ricky recently turned down a role in the film version of "West Side Story," opposite Jennifer Lopez, because he felt it promoted negative stereotypes of Puerto Ricans. "It's kicking my culture. And I'm not gonna feed that."

71. Ricky joined Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson and Gloria Estefan in Modena, Italy for Luciano Pavorotti's annual benefit, Pavorotti & Friends, for the non-profit organization Warchild.

72. Ricky recently opened a Puerto Rican restuaranct, Casa Salsa, in Southbeach.

73. Yes, he is a perfectionist. "I want to listen to my music in 30 years and say, 'Great album!'"

74. Ricky's musical tastes today are as diverse as when he was a child. "I listen to everything. I'm like a sponge!"

75. "The Godfarther" is Ricky's favorite flick.

76. Intelligence is the No.1 quality Ricky looks for in a girl.

77. Ricky thinks that Victor Hugo, author of "Les Meserables," is "a genius."

78. Ricky counts on his family, especially his mom, to keep down to earth in the face of worldwide popularity. "My mother pulls my ear every time she sees I need it."

79. Ricky will continue touring this summer.

80. When he has time, Ricky loves to indulge himself with a day of skydiving



81. Ricky is used to being very affectionate with his family. "If I walk into my father's house and I don't give him a hug, he'll say something."

82. Ricky does play favorites when it comes to his own music. His favorite song on "Ricky Martin" is the sensual and yearning, "I Am Made of You."

83. One of the reasons he likes "I Am Made of You" is that it "describes perfectly where I'm at today in my spiritual search."

84. Ricky received the honor of meeting and being blessed by Pope John Paul II

85. Ricky makes music and performs live with the hope of having a lasting effect of his listeners. "I want them to feel free, liberated."

86.Ricky likes to support AIDS causes since he's seen many friends succomb to the disease.

87. Ricky is so phenonmenally popular in Puerto Rico that his presence on a city street can draw upwards 20,000 people. Recently, he had to take a helicopter to a press conference in downtown San Juan from an airport that's a five-minute car ride away.

88. Ricky wants his success to help bust stereotpes about Latinos and Puerto Rico. "It's all about breaking stereotypes. For me, that fact that people think that Puerto Rico is "Scarface," that we ride donkeys to school - that has to change."

89. Ricky calls himself a romantic.

90. Ricky thinks a rose can say more than 1,000 words.

91. On his success, Ricky says simply: I'm flying! I'm flying!"

92. There a hundreds of fan Web sites devoted to Ricky.

93. When Ricky feels stressed he practices yoga.

94. Though raised Catholic, Ricky is studing other religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism.

 

95. Ricky served as an altar boy for years before joining Menudo.

96. Ricky says honest is his best quality.

97. His worst quality: stubborness.

98. Ricky doesn't like to talk about his private relationships, though he admits he has an on-again, off-again girlfriend - rumored to be Rebecca de Alba, a Spanish TV personality. "And that's all I'm sayin'," he insists.

99. Ricky's favorite designer is Georgio Armani.

100. Ricky's favorite actor is Robert De Niro.

Ricky Martin Biography

Pop singer Ricky Martin was a member of Menudo as a teenager and is now known for such solo pop hits as "Livin' La Vida Loca" and "She Bangs."

Kết quả hình ảnh cho general information about Ricky Martin

Synopsis

Born December 24, 1971, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ricky Martin began appearing in commercials at age six. He was a member of teen singing group Menudo until he turned 18. After finishing high school, he appeared on stage and television while also pursuing his solo music career. His debut English album and single were hugely successful. He continues to make music in both Spanish and English today.

Menudo

Born Enrique Jose Martin Morales IV, he began appearing in commercials on local television around the age of six. He auditioned three times for the teen singing group Menudo before finally earning a spot in 1984. In his five years with Menudo, Martin toured around the world, singing in several languages. He reached the group's age limit of 18 in 1989, and returned to Puerto Rico just long enough to finish high school before moving to New York to pursue a solo acting and singing career. His debut solo album, Ricky Martin, was released in 1988 by the Sony Latin division, followed by a second effort, Me Amaras, in 1989.

Acting Debut
Martin traveled to Mexico to appear in a stage musical; the gig led to a role as a singer on the 1992 Spanish-language telenovela, Alcanzar una Estrella, orTo Reach a Star. The show proved so popular that he reprised the role in a movie version of the serial. In 1993, Martin moved to Los Angeles, where he made his American TV debut in the NBC sitcom Getting By. In 1995 he acted on ABC's daytime soap opera, General Hospital and in 1996 he starred in the Broadway production of Les Miserables.

While Martin was actively pursuing his acting career, he was also recording and releasing albums and making concert appearances. He had become well-known in his native Puerto Rico and among the Latin/Hispanic community as a whole. His third album, A Medio Vivir, came out in 1997, the same year that he lent his voice to the Spanish-language version of Disney's animated feature, Hercules. His fourth album, Vuelve, released in 1998, featured the hit single, "La Copa de la Vida" ("The Cup of Life"), which Martin performed at the 1998 World Cup soccer tournament in France, as part of a showcase broadcast to 2 billion people around the world.

Growing Fame
At the Grammy Awards in February 1999, Martin, already a global pop sensation, gave a sizzling performance of "La Copa de la Vida" at Los Angeles's Shrine Auditorium just before picking up an award for Best Latin Pop Performance for Vuelve. He followed that star-making Grammy night with the release of his phenomenally successful first English single, "Livin' La Vida Loca." His album Ricky Martin debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart. Martin was also featured on the cover of Time magazine and credited with helping to bring a growing Latin cultural influence into the mainstream of American pop music.

To add to the phenomenal popular success of his debut English album and single, Martin was nominated in four categories at the Grammy Awards, held in February 2000. Although he lost in all four categories—to veteran male pop artist Sting (Best Pop Album, Best Male Pop Vocal Performance) and Santana, the band led by resurgent guitarist Carlos Santana (Song of the Year, Record of the Year)—Martin delivered another red-hot live performance, a year after his triumphant Grammy debut.

In November 2000, Martin released Sound Loaded, the much-anticipated follow-up album to Ricky Martin. Its hit single, "She Bangs," earned Martin yet another Grammy nomination, for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

After Sound Loaded, Martin continued making music, both in Spanish and English. His greatest Spanish-language hits were compiled on La Historia(2001). This was followed two years later by Almas del Silencio, which contained new material sung in Spanish. The album Life (2005) was his first English-language album since 2000. The album did reasonably well, reaching the top 10 of Billboard's album charts. Martin, however, has yet to be able to recapture the same level of pop success he achieved with previous albums.

Recent Projects

Ricky Martin published his autobiography Me in 2010, which quickly turned into a best-seller. Around this time, he also teamed with Joss Stone for the duet single, "The Best Thing About Me Is You," which proved to be a minor hit. Martin soon released a new album of songs mostly in Spanish, Música + Alma + Sexo, which climbed almost to the top of the pop charts and became his latest No. 1 recording on the Latin charts.

In 2012, Martin made a guest appearance on the high school musical seriesGlee. He also returned to Broadway that April for a revival of the hit musicalEvita by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. He plays the role of Ché, who helps narrate the story of Eva Peron, one of Argentina's most legendary figures and wife to leader Juan Peron.

Personal Life

Martin is the father to two twin boys, Matteo and Valentino, born in 2008 to a surrogate. Once evasive about his private life, Ricky Martin came out in 2010 on his website. He wrote, "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am." Martin explained that his decision to go public with his sexuality was inspired in part by his sons. He is currently dating Carlos Gonzélez Abella.

An activist for many causes, he founded the Ricky Martin Foundation in 2000 as a child advocacy organization. The group runs the People for Children project, which fights child exploitation. In 2006, Martin spoke in support of a United Nations effort to improve the rights of children worldwide in front of the U.S. House International Relations Committee. Martin, through his foundation, also supports efforts by other charitable organizations. For his philanthropic work, Martin has received numerous awards, including the 2005 International Humanitarian Award from the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

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