Alicia Keys Visits Typhoon Refugees In Philippines

Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys, left, touches a typhoon survivor as she visits the Villamor Air Base in suburban Pasay, south of Manila, Philippines, Monday Nov. 25, 2013. Keys visited the air force base to bring cheer to hundreds of evacuees from eastern Philippine provinces wracked by Typhoon Haiyan earlier this month.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (ASSOCIATED PRESS) — Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys visited a Philippine air force base Monday to bring cheer to hundreds of evacuees from eastern provinces wracked by Typhoon Haiyan.

The American singer distributed crayons and coloring books to children at the Villamor Air Base grandstand, where evacuees from eastern Leyte and Samar provinces arrive via C-130 planes. Social Welfare Department officer Jane Abello says Keys stayed for about half an hour to chat with evacuees.

The R&B star was in Manila for a concert Monday at the seaside MOA Arena. The Philippine Star earlier quoted her as saying that "music has a way of lifting your spirit and that's what I hope to do for the Filipino people."

Keys tweeted three days after the Nov. 8 typhoon: "To the people of the Philippines my heart is with you." She also encouraged fans around the world to donate to the typhoon victims.

Red Carpet Shots @ The Oscars

Last night, while hanging out at The Standard Hotel with some of my colleagues over some drinks in the grilling Downtown Los Angeles, the Oscar moments popped up and the entire gist happened to be who was wearing what and how the show came out. For sure, I don't like the Whoopi attire. I have no favorite but I like Alicia Keyes and Taraji P. Henson.

We even talked about how the Jews conquered Hollywood with the kind of movies they make which is inspiring. Movies like "Defiance," "The Unborn," "The Reader," "Valkyrie," "Blessed Is The Match," and many others -- all about the Holocaust. Now my folks see where I'm coming from.

Associated Press photographer Chris Pizzello captures Taraji P. Henson as she arrives for the 81st Academy Awards

Actress and singer Alicia Keyes arrives at the 81st Academy Awards. Those Armani Prive with a Zufi Alexander clutch and that Fred Leighton jewels speaks volumes. I like that style. Simply georgeous. Photo by Matt Sayles, AP

Halle Berry arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party which grooved all night. She is captured here by AP's Evan Agostini.

Actress/humanitarian/philanthropist Angelina Jolie is all glamour as she arrives at the 81st Academy Awards and the flashing lights never stopped snapping. Photo by Matt Sayles, AP

I'm not sure what Whoopi Goldberg was doing here in that dress. She was all smiles though. AP's Chris Carlson captured her here as she arrives at the 81st Academy Awards.

Actress Marion Cotillard pops up on the red carpet while AP's Chris Pizzello takes the shot.

Here you go Dubmaster. Kate Winslet here wears Yves Saint Laurent Atelier along with Yvette Saint Laurent shoes and Chopard jewelry as she arrives the Academy Awards.


I'm not sure if I like this outfit. Anyway, Queen Latifah here wears Georges Chakra gown with William Goldberg diamonds and Gucci shoes. She is captured here by AP's Matt Sayles.

Anne Hathaway is so excited for having a job and you bet she is going to get all that Hollywood wants. Here she wears white Armani Prive gown with Casadel shoes and Roger Vivier bag topping it off with Cartier jewels

The prediction was that white was going to be the flashing point this year on the red carpet and Henson did just that. She captured my eyes.

The All Star Cast Of "The Secret Life Of Bees"

Much has been said and reviewed about this all star cast "Bees" based on Sue Monk Kidd's novel (I did not read the novel)in a story that is centered on Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) who had been troubled and not getting along with her father played by Paul Bettany. Lily Owens runs away with her caregiver and only friend Rasaleen Daise (Jennifer Hudson) to a South Carolina town that has the secret of her mother's past.

The film is set in 1964 South Carolina and Owen curious about her mother's mystery while in the company of her nanny Daise, the duo ended up in a little town on a move to discover the mystery which never occured, rather they found a giant pink house, a honey company and three sisters. The three sisters were May Boatwright (Sophie Okonedo), June Boatwright (Alicia Keys) and August Boatwright (Queen Latifah).

The movie opens tomorrow at all theaters and was produced byLauren Shuler Doner, James Lassiter, Joe Pichirallo and Will Smith. A Fox Seachlight release and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood.