Sunday, February 28, 2010

Guest Motivational Speaker, IADT 2010 (video)

left: Starley Murray (celebrity makeup artist and Emcee of this event)

I was recently very flattered and pleased to have been asked to form part of the Panelists at the International Academy of Design and Techonology. We were there to share our "stories" respectively and answer questions from students looking for careers in our fields. I take it as a tremendous honor and responsibility to help steer this young talent in the right direction and, hopefully, inspire them to go for it! One of my favorite quotes is from Seal "In a world full of people, only some want to fly..isn't that crazy!" I say be one of those who wants to fly..I know I do!
A very sweet introduction by the Emcee and me explaining how I feel one is rewarded when one makes the right, usually more difficult, choice.
"Everything Happens for a Reason!"
Sacrifices lead to more rewards: HSN!
Great Advice from the VP of the 2nd largest Talent Agency, ICM.
A son's approval..and a brother's dream,LOL.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

TV Spokesperson, HSN, (Mariposa by Sharif)

Last September I started my DREAM job as a TV Spokesperson on a National Cable Network, HSN. If you "Search" HSN you will find articles re/how this AMAZING opportunity came about for me. Everytime I'm in Tampa at HSN studios, I feel like I'm in heaven. The WHOLE team at HSN is so very professional and uplifting. I'm beyond grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to continuing to grow with this type of "tv hosting."

Watch more YouTube videos on AOL Video

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

La Prensa newspaper article...2010


An amazing young woman, Diana Arevalo, recently honored me writing this incredible article in San Antonio's largest bi-lingual newspaper, La Prensa. I'm so grateful to her and Tino Duran, the owner of La Prensa, for highlighting my work. One of the BIGGEST honors that I've received in my career, as a matter of fact, was the Women's Achievement in Entertainment Award that La Prensa gave me in 2007 due to my participation on CBS' Survivor Fiji.
Thank you, Diana, for your talented writing and, more importantly, your friendship.

Emcee for 25th Annual Cystic Fibrosis Tower Climb


This past weekend, I had the pleasure and TREMENDOUS honor of Emceeing the 25th Annual Tower of the Americas Climb for Cystic Fibrosis. Under the impeccable directorship of Mr. Hugh Farr and his team (including the very efficient, Ms. Shanna Puente), this year's fundraiser was HUGE success.

Gathering a total close to 1,000 climbers including the Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer, Josh Davis, Co-host of Longhorn Live Radio, Rachel Zanardi and Fox News Anchor, Monica Taylor. Everyone rose and shone on Saturday morning to help raise funds for this disease.

Thanks to these kinds of efforts, the Survival rate is rising every year. I was so touched and honored to meet one such TRUE Survivor (I always say that God gave me the title of "Survivor" to go and help and bring awareness to the true ones) such as Stephanie Steppers. Her mother shared with me that they received the CF diagonis when Stephanie was just 2 weeks old at which time the Dr.'s told her to take her baby home and enjoy her as much as she could since, at that time, the prognosis of survival was 12 years. Stephanie is now 26 yrs. old!!Here I am with her and the Director of the Lone Star Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis, Hugh Farr to whom I can't thank enough for always making me a part and allowing me to give, in my own way, to Cystic Fibrosis. I have a connection to Cystic Fibrosis through a fellow Greek friend, the classy Randall Boudouris whose daughter has Cystic Fibrosis. I feel blessed to have his friendship for it's thanks to knowing him that I now have the wonderful opportunity to be involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Hugh and I with the firefighter's that, along with Police Department Cadettes also participated! Nice eye candy for ladies that morning:)EVERYONE earned a reward, for some, it was the priceless reward of having helped raise the record breaking total of $60,000!! For others, it was that plus placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd with record breaking personal records. Particularly heartwarming was seeing ALL ages represented at this event.
Here's one of the younger participants receiving his 1st place award within his age range.Last, but not least, a very special participant with NO direct ties to Cystic Fibrosis, just there because he wants to help. Hugh decided that after having Mr. Reyes participate the 24 of the 25 years that this event has existed, it was time to give him a special token of appreciation. Since these climbs are usually VERY early morning...and it's brrrr out there..CFF made a special sweatshirt for Sam Reyes (photos courtesy of Dionicio Perez: www.dionicioperez.phanfare.com)

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Voice for Latin Connection 2010

Listen!
Wayne Zamora, a wonderful man who's been very supportive of my work asked me to do this spot for Latin Connection magazine, a publication that highlights Latin's achievements in ALL areas. I was honored to have made the cover article a several months ago(above). Thank you so much, Wayne, for your friendship and support all you are doing to keep Latin's connected:)

TV Host, Texas Department of Agriculture Nutrional Video 2010

Centsable Shopping from Rita Verreos on Vimeo.


This was a fun video that I got to do thanks to the brilliant Director, Ms. Raina James..w/whom, btw, I have an upcoming feature role in an indie dark comedy, also Directed by her!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Voice for VISION SOURCE TV ads on UNIVISION

I'm happy and so grateful to have been asked by my favorite producer at UNIVISION San Antonio, Roland Davila, to be the voice for several of their clients. I recently recorded the voice overs for their US Census Bureau television spots. I'll post those very soon! In the meantime, here's one I did recently.