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Valerie Dominguez on an Azimut

Columbian model and actress Valerie Dominguez checks out the helm position of the Azimut 68S.

From the look on her face, we feel sure the former Miss Columbia thinks it's a good, solid design.

Valerie, cousin of pop star Shakira, was on the luxury motoryacht at the Cannes Film Festival.

The 68S was chosen by jewelry and watch-maker Chopard as a platform for its VIP guests at the festival.

Chopard is the main sponsor and manufacturer of the Palme d'Or, which is awarded to the festival winner.

Other stars on board included Bar Rafaeli, Devon Aoki, Eva Herzigova and indeed the Palm d'Or itself.

Motor Boat and Yachting , Motor Boat and Yachting, 27 May 2008

When Shakira Calls, Even the Shy Appear

Luis Acosta/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Carlos Slim Helú, Shakira and Howard Buffett, seated from left, at a press conference in Mexico City to promote an early-childhood education foundation.

The Mexican telecommunications billionaire Carlos Slim Helú does not seem to like appearing in public, but he apparently could not resist an invitation from the Colombian pop star Shakira and about a dozen other Latin music stars.

Mr. Slim was on hand in Mexico City for the announcement of two free rock concerts to raise awareness of ALAS, a foundation started by Shakira and other musicians. The concerts were scheduled to be held on Saturday in Mexico City and Buenos Aires.

The goal of ALAS, which means “wings” in Spanish, is to press business leaders and governments to finance early-childhood development programs in Latin America. The foundation claimed a major success on Thursday: Mr. Slim pledged $110 million to children’s programs.

Mr. Slim sat stiffly in a leather chair during the press conference last week, but he appeared to loosen up backstage when Shakira planted a kiss on his cheek.

Also in attendance was Howard Buffett (son of the billionaire Warren E. Buffett), who pledged $85 million to existing Latin American projects.

“When Shakira calls, you show up, so here I am,” said Mr. Buffett, who noted that he did not usually publicize his philanthropy.

Shakira performs at a benefit concert

By Crystal Astrachan

Shakira, one of the most successful Spanish singers of all time, reunited with Alejandro Sanz and other Latin American singers to raise awareness about childhood poverty in Latin America. Two simultaneous benefit concerts dedicated to the same cause took place on Saturday in Mexico City and Buenos Aires. Shakira and Sanz performed in Buenos Aires. A wealth of other Latin American singers performed, including Gustavo Cerati, Juan Luis Guerra, Juanes, MANÁ, Miguel Bosé, and Ricky Martin.

More than 60 percent of the 52 million children in Latin America live in poverty. All proceeds from the concerts will benefit ALAS (Latin America in Solidarity Action); the Spanish word ''alas'' means ''wings'' in English. ALAS is a nonprofit organization that presses governments and businesses to donate funds to improve the lives of Latin American children living in poverty. Shakira helped raise $200 million in donations from Carlos Slim and Howard Buffett for ALAS.

For the general public, the concerts were free of charge and united approximately 150,000 people in Buenos Aires and 200,000 people in Mexico City. According to ALAS ''your commitment is your admission ticket.'' However, since the demand for tickets exceeded the supply, not all fans were able to obtain a free tickets. As such, a secondary market evolved from fan comments on sites such as MúsicaInstantánea.com, were tickets were going for 30 Argentinean pesos each.

In an interview with Reuters, Shakira expressed her motivation to help her community. ''Artists have a tremendous power to communicate, to reach people, to woo, to inspire. It's an important and fundamental part of my life to be able to use my public profile to make certain issues visible, issues that are more important than my own career, that are more urgent and need immediate attention.'' In addition to being a spokesperson for ALAS, Shakira is the founder and honorary president of Pies Descalzos, an organization dedicated to enriching the education of Columbia's children.

Shakira's fan show their support in Buenos Aires.
Photos courtesy of Freep.com.

Latin stars were made in support of children's funds

Various Latin stars, including Shakira, Ricky Martin and Alejandro Sanz, in the past weekend were made simultaneously in Buenos Aires and Mexico City to collect funds for needy children in Latin America.
Columbia rockers Juanes, who also had to please fans of his speech, was unable to attend the concert because of problems with his plane.
Organizers of the concert Fundacion ALAS, which was established as a Latin American version of a series of concerts in 2005 Live 8, aimed at collecting funds to fight poverty, 380 thousand students gathered on the square and the Mexican capital on the embankment in Buenos Aires.
It is known that the concert in honor of Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim and Baffett Howard, son Orphanage Warren Buffett donated 200 million dollars to fight poverty in Latin America.

Carefully, God saves.

Colombian singer Shakira - ladies prudent. In her marriage contract with Antonio De La Rua - son of former President of Argentina will indicate that in the event of divorce, her husband, renounces any claim to the status of pop stars.