MTV EXIT: End Exploitation and Trafficking

 Not a lot of people know this, but I volunteered for MTV Thailand during my senior year of high school and the summer after that. I even went on-stage with Hoobastank (as a human prop, not a performer! :p) for the MTV Asia Aid concert - a benefit to help the tsunami relief efforts in Asia.

So I am very happy to announce that I am once again a part of an important MTV campaign, but as a blogger this time: MTV EXIT.

The MTV EXIT foundation has been around since 2003, but it is finally back in the Philippines on their journey to fighting human trafficking. The press conference took place last Tuesday, October 18, 2011 and I was lucky enough to go, thanks to Keigh of Delishoes Servings. (I owe this girl so much now, I swear. Visit her blog, guys!)

the stage at the press con

(back) Keigh, contacting other bloggers

(front) Ava of Artsy Fartsy Ava checking her test shots

Rich Herrera of The Amazing Race Asia and Cosmo centerfold fame was the host for the press con - yum!

Matt Love (unforgettable name!), the campaign director of MTV EXIT, gave the opening remarks

Justice Secretary De Lima, chairperson of the IACAT

Harry Thomas, the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines at the moment

the Australian ambassador couldn't make it, so he sent the adorable Elaine Ward to speak in his behalf

Jerome Alcantara, head of the policy center of the Visayan Forum Foundation

Dingdong Dantes, the new ambassador of MTV EXIT in the Philippines - chosen to attract the young target audience the campaign is truly meant for

I was also able to get a sneak peak of the mini-documentary "Enslaved" hosted by Dingdong Dantes - which really left me with a heavy heart. The documentary showed us what human trafficking is actually like in the Philippines and hopes to help people avoid it altogether or at least get out of it. Please do try and watch "Enslaved" yourself to see what I mean. It airs on GMA, Channel 11 at 09.55pm on November 27, 2011.

To further increase awareness, MTV is also hosting a concert this October 29 at the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds. Gates open at 05.30pm and it is completely free of charge, though you do have to get your tickets before the concert itself. To find out how to get tickets, visit Astroplus on Facebook or MTV EXIT's official website.

The concert will be headlined by K-Pop sensation Jay Park, Californian alternative rock band Evaline and several local artists including Parokya ni Edgar and Itchyworms. I am personally terribly excited to see Evaline perform in person. Alternative rock FTW!!!

If you don't have time to get your own tickets, though, then today is your lucky day coz I'm giving some away. That's right. If you want a free ticket to the concert, all you have to do is leave your name and email address on this blog post and tweet this "@the_lil_miss Join the fight against #humantrafficking in the Philippines and go to the @MTVEXIT concert this October 29! #mtvexitph". Easy, huh? Hope to see you guys there! :)

Before I go, here's a photo to make all you Cosmo women die of envy:

Rich Herrera was so nice and observant and incredibly delicious. Hehehe. Outfit post next time! :)