Richard shows how

They say that if you want to be “immortal,” you do any or, if possible, all of the following:

• Write a book,

• Have a child, and

• Plant a tree.

Being an environmentalist (a recipient of a Fr. Neri Satur award no less, which was named after the priest who died fighting illegal loggers and protecting the forest in Bukidnon), Richard Gutierrez opted to do it backward — plant a tree first, that is. Well, he can always do the two others later, if not sooner. I guess he would have a child (within wedlock, I’m sure) and then write a tell-all autobiography.

A few days ago, Richard, along with his Ate Ruffa, led his star-friends (actually, those managed by his mom, Annabelle Rama) in a tree-planting activity using endemic tree species (kamagong, narra, etc.) in Montalban, Rizal, organized by Earth Day Network and Kabataang Sambayanang Kristiyano. The group included Ana Roces, Bubbles Paraiso, Carla Humphries, Inah Asistio, the Madrigal sisters Michelle and Ehra, and TJ Trinidad.

“We need to reforest,” said Richard. “If the youth don’t do it now, the next generation will suffer from the effects of global warming.”

Did you know that, according to statistics, the combined forest area lost every year is about 163,000 hectares, which is roughly the size of Cavite province?

Aimed at inspiring interest in environmental causes, the tree-planting activity was a kick-off to 2009: Planet Philippines, a GMA News & Public Affairs documentary showcasing the country’s wilderness and its unparalleled biodiversity. It’s hosted by Richard, just like the previous GMA docus Signos and Full Force Nature which focused on the importance of preserving the gifts of Mother Nature and for which Richard got his Fr. Neri Satur award (together with esteemed people like Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, Bishop Julio Labayen, Joey Ayala, Kidlat Tahimik, Kim Atienza, Timmy Cruz and the late Francis Magalona, called the “environmental heroes”).

2009: Planet Philippines is airing tomorrow night, Sept. 6, on GMA starting at 10:30.

Briefly noted

• One year to the day after her blockbuster concert at the Araneta Coliseum, Sarah Geronimo will return to the same venue on Nov. 7 in a show titled Sarah Geronimo...The Next One, also produced by Viva Concerts & Events. More projects are lined up for Sarah, including a movie with Judy Ann Santos for Viva Films, a weekly TV show on ABS-CBN and a provincial 18-concert tour. Sarah’s latest album is doing well in the market. It carries the hit song Dahil Minahal Mo Ako which has climbed to No. 1 in the MYX Channel countdown.

• Did you know that Mark Bautista is a fried-chicken lover? “That’s why I always drop by Mang Inasal and order take-out,” said Mark who has just signed up with the outlet as its first endorser. Mang Inasal opened its first outlet in Iloilo in Dec. 2003. Since then, it has opened dozens of branches nationwide. “We’ll have more than 200 outlets by the end of 2009,” said Edgar Sia II, president and CEO of Mang Inasal Philippines.

• Two Pinoy films are screening in the Focus on World Cinema section of the ongoing Montreal World Film Festival (Aug. 27 to Sept. 7), Joel Lamangan’s Dukot (Desaparacidos) and Ronaldo Bertubin’s Last Viewing. The former stars Iza Calzado, Snooky Serna, Emilio Garcia, Gina Alajar, Robert Arevalo, Felix Roco, Raquel Villavicencio and Allen Dizon; and the latter, Janice de Belen, Leandro Baldemor, Sherwin Ordoñez, Tommy Abuel and (introducing) Maro Panganiban as Janice’s daughter. Both films are represented by Ignatius Films Canada.

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