FRANCE:
On December 15, as part of France’s Christmas celebrations, Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin will perform for French president Jacques Chirac and some 600 hundred children.

Bernadette Chirac, France’s first lady, invited Martin to participate in the event, which is held annually, and which children of the presidential palace’s employees also attend. For the kids, it will be a surprise, said Chirac during an interview with Mexican media, since they will not be told about Martin’s presence.

And although the famous singer is expected to perform his greatest hits, there is still no concrete program. The children will also receive gifts from Madame Chirac. The party will take place at the dance hall of the palace where Chirac lives and where he welcomes dignitaries and celebrities, right in the middle of Paris. Martin is the first foreign artist to take part of the event.

UK TV Alert:
Ricky Martin will be a part of UK Christmas tradition this year. He'll be performing "Livin' La Vida Loca" on Top Of The Pops 1999 retrospective this Christmas Day.

UK TV Alert:
On Sunday 12th December, Ricky fans can enjoy plenty of exclusive footage of the man himself, as part of Channel 4's "Viva Latino Day".

• 13.05 "Latino Loco" - a look at the Latin pop music explosion - featuring exclusive interviews and footage of Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez (including the premier of the new Jennifer Lopez video, "Feelin' So Good")., Enrique Iglesias, Lou Bega, Carlos Santana, Chayanne and many more.

• 14.00 Gloria Estefan - Behind the Music - an indepth documentary.

• 15.00 Ricky Martin - Live In Concert. An exclusive concert presentation filmed on his current tour featuring all the hits and more!!!

Backstage at Billboard Awards (Wall of Sound):
It should be stated that Ricky Martin is a journalist's best friend. Shortly after beginning to speak, he was told that his time was limited. "Are you kidding?" he said. "I'm just getting started!" Charismatic, articulate, and exhausted, Martin clutched his two awards as he spoke, thrilled with everything around him. "I had to hold onto them [both his awards], because there weren't many left. They wanted me to take pictures with just one of them!" Though still full of energy, Martin was tired. His tour, which kicked off in October, had wrapped up just two nights earlier. "It was an amazing journey," he said. "I did 29 concerts, and I'll be back [in the U.S.] in the spring for more concerts. I'm on my way to Germany right now — I'm not done with this year yet! I'll be there for 10 days, and then I'm going to India and Nepal, where I'll detach a little, like I always do.

Ay Ay Ay It's Christmas:
Ay Ay Ay It's Christmas is featured on a double CD Christmas sampler called: "All Time Greatest Christmas Songs". Here is an excerpt of the press release for it:
"There has been plenty of Christmas compilations released over the years, but none that has ever captured the spirit of Christmas like this very special double CD.
'The All Time Greatest Christmas Songs' is a wonderful combination of contemporary Christmas songs and timeless classics. It contains 39 tracks on 2 CDs, featuring 7 new songs from Celine Dion, Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Marc Anthony and Charlotte Church, plus the all time Christmas favourites from Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and more."