"THE 2008 ALMA AWARDS,�" FEATURING TODAY'S HOTTEST STARS, AIRS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 ON ABC

Hosted by Eva Longoria Parker, with Special Tributes to America Ferrera, Linda Ronstadt, Shakira and Narciso Rodriguez

"The 2008 ALMA Awards� " taped a star-studded event on August 17 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, CA. The annual show which recognizes and celebrates the outstanding artistic achievement of Latinos in film, television and music, airs FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET/PT), on the ABC Television Network. Eva Longoria Parker ("Desperate Housewives") hosted.

Kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month, the show is presented by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) � the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S.

America Ferrera was named Chevy Entertainer of the Year, not only for her prominent role in the highly successful television series "Ugly Betty," but also for her work off-screen as a leader inspiring young people around the country to participate in the political process. She has successfully used her well-deserved time in the spotlight to make a positive impact on others. She embodies the spirit of the ALMA Awards and NCLR � portraying a positive Latina character on television and displaying the strong diversity of our country.

BeBe Winans, Eden Espinosa, Wynonna Judd, Mariachi los Camperos de Nati Cano and Lucero performed to honor Linda Ronstadt -- who received the Trailblazer Award for her contributions to American music, inspiring artists across generations and musical genres.

Shakira was presented with the Humanitarian Award for her work in early childhood education. During her presentation, Shakira surprised 17-year-old Pamela Jimenez Cardenas by recognizing her advocacy efforts to support a global campaign for education.

The Special Achievement in Outstanding Director of a Made-for-TV Movie was presented to Kenny Ortega for "High School Musical 2," and the Special Achievement in Fashion went to Narciso Rodriguez.

Talent participating included (in alphabetical order): Paula Abdul, Jessica Alba, Cheryl Burke, Kate del Castillo, Helio Castroneves, Cristi�n de la Fuente, Oscar De La Hoya, Placido Domingo, Zac Efron, America Ferrera, Daisy Fuentes, Selena Gomez, Jake & (David) Henrie, Terrance Howard, Mark Indelicato, Kym Johnson, MARIO, Joey Medina, Carlos Mencia, Enrique Murciano, Oscar Nunez, Edward James Olmos, Kenny Ortega, Ana Ortiz, Danny Pino, Tony, Plana, Adam Rodriguez, Roselyn Sanchez, Ryan Seacrest, Jon Secada, Charlie Sheen, Taboo, Ashley Tisdale, Edyta Sliwinska and Sofia Vergara.

Musical performances included the Cheetah Girls, Jon Secada & Brian McKnight, AB Quintanilla & The Kumbia All-Stars, Lisa Lisa and MARIO, Sergio Mendes and Will.I.Am. Plus, Cheech and Chong performed as a prelude to their 25 year Reunion Tour.

The ALMA Awards was created by NCLR in 1995 as part of its strategy to promote the diverse, accurate and balanced portrayals of Latinos in the media and the enhancement of the Latino image in the entertainment industry. The show is an example of how inclusion strengthens the entertainment industry, just as diversity strengthens the country.

This year the executive producers are Michael Levitt, Janet Murgu�a, Eva Longoria Parker and David Chavez. For more information on "The 2008 ALMA Awards�," please visit www.almaawards.com.

The complete list of 2008 ALMA Award Winners are listed below:

Non-broadcast awards:

Outstanding Comedy Special "George Lopez: America's Mexican" (HBO)

Outstanding Made-for TV Documentary "American Experience: Roberto Clemente" (PBS)

Outstanding Career Achievement Award David Wader, Stage Manager

Special Achievement Award � Outstanding Spanish Language Motion Picture "La Misma Luna"

Outstanding Director of a Television Series Linda Mendoza, "Betty's Baby Bump" on "Ugly Betty" (ABC)

Outstanding Female Performance in a Comedy Television Series Judy Reyes � "Scrubs" (NBC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Television Series Julie Gonzalo � "Eli Stone" (ABC)

Outstanding Writing for a Television Series Gloria Calderon Kellett, "How I Met Everyone Else" on "How I Met Your Mother" (CBS)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Television Series Edward James Olmos � "Battlestar Galactica" (Sci Fi Channel)

Outstanding Performance of a Latino/A-Led Ensemble in a Television Series "Ugly Betty" (ABC)

Telecast awards:

Chevy Entertainer of the Year America Ferrera

NCLR ALMA Humanitarian Award Shakira

Trailblazer Award Linda Ronstadt

Special Achievement in Fashion Narciso Rodriguez

Special Achievement Award � Outstanding Director of a Made-for-TV Movie Kenny Ortega, "High School Musical 2" (Disney Channel)

Outstanding Performance of a Latino/A-Led Ensemble in a Television Series "Ugly Betty" (ABC)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Television Series Roselyn Sanchez � "Without a Trace" (CBS)

Outstanding Male Performance in a Comedy Television Series Charlie Sheen � "Two and a Half Men" (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Television Series Jorge Garcia � "Lost" (ABC)

For further information, please go to www.almaawards.com.