The Heroes of the Hemisphere celebration was a huge success!

 

More than 400 guests registered for this first annual awards ceremony and luncheon, elegantly hosted by Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited on its beautiful Liberty of the Seas, to honor an amazing group of individuals who have made a difference in their respective communities.

 

The five individuals (from Cuba, Haiti, Colombia and El Salvador) were honored because they took the initiative to create a better world for the least fortunate around them. None of them set out to be a Hero. But through their efforts, they are lifting up the hopes, dreams and realities of so many people. They have Made a Mark on Humanity.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. President Adam Goldstein welcomes the audience and thanks them for supporting PADF's Heroes of the Hemisphere. He discussed RCCL's commitment to corporate social responsibility in Latin America and the Caribbean, including its support for PADF initiatives.

Philippe Armand, First Vice President of PADF's Board of Trustees, introduces the event and congratulates the corporate and individual donors.

Chevron's Mauricio Nicholl's discusses the energy company's corporate social responsibility and its relationship with PADF. Chevron was honored for its role in natural disaster response in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Television celebrity Rainn Wilson (right), honoree Jose Silvestre Sanchez of Colombia (second to right), Second Vice President of PADF's Board of Trustees Frank Kanayet Yepes and PADF Executive Director John Sanbrailo during the awards presentation.

MTVVice President Mario Cader-Frech (right), honoree Andrea Gonzalez of Colombia, PADF First Vice President of the Board Frank Kanayet Yepes and PADF Executive Director John Sanbrailo during the awards presentation.

The Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Albert Ramdin (right), congratulates honoree Juan Ayala of El Salvador.



Distinguished author and columnist, Carlos Alberto Montaner, delivers a featured speech at the Heroes of the Hemisphere event.



PADF Executive Director John Sanbrailo (left) receives from Haiti's Tourism, Commerce and Industry Minister a recognition by the Haitian government for the organization's nearly 30 years of service in the country.





Former NBA star Tim Hardaway (center) joined PADF for the celebration.



Ana Oz (left), whose fine jewelry is part of the silent auction, poses with two friends at the beginning of the Heroes of the Hemisphere event.



Rachel Denis of Miami in Terminal J during a pre-boarding celebration.



TV celebrity Rainn Wilson (center) and his wife, Holiday, talk with honoree Juan Ayala.



U.S. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Florida) signs the Romero Britto painting.



PADF Trustee Ivelisse Estrada of Univision (right) and Trustee Marilyn Blanco Reyes of FedEx (second to right) celebrate with other attendees.




Sony Music's Jorge Mejia (left) and MTV Latin America's Mario Cader-Frech.




RCCL President Adam Goldstein (left) greets PADF Board of Trustee William Gambrel on the Liberty of the Seas. In the background is RCCL Vice President Mike Ronan.



RCCL's Liberty of the Seas cruise director auctions off a 10-day Caribbean cruise for two.



Attendees enjoyed a high-energy ice show.