GLORIA ESTEFAN NABS TOP LATIN GRAMMYS!

Latin pop diva Gloria Estefan, who was honored with the 2008 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year award Wednesday night, also scooped up awards for best traditional tropical album for "90 millas" and best tropical song.

"The only thing left for me to do is to sing in a free Cuba," said Estefan, who is the first woman to receive the person of the year honors.

In pre-show awards, Mexican singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas picked up two Latin Grammys for best long form video and best alternative music album.

This year marked the Houston debut of the awards show, now in its ninth year. The Latin Grammys gives out awards in 49 categories from ranchera to rock en espanol.

The show's lineup of performers reflected the theme of musical diversity and fusion, starting with the opening duet and bursting to life in a rousing accordion jam featuring performers from Colombian vallenato, Argentine tango, Mexican norteno and Tejano genres, and showcasing Julieta Venegas' pop hit "El Presente."

HOSTAGE RESCUE MAKES SHAKIRA PROUD TO BE A COLOMBIAN.

Pop superstar SHAKIRA is celebrating the rescue of former Colombian presidential candidate INGRID BETANCOURT and 14 other hostages from captivity, insisting peace in her homeland is attainable. The group was kidnapped by Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias Colombianas (FARC) and held captive for six years. The hostages hit international headlines on Thursday (03Jul08) when they were finally freed, and Shakira was quick to hail the rescue a big step towards peace in Colombia. In a statement the singer says, "This is a historic day for all of us, for this country that has suffered a lot, but today we see tears of happiness uniting us in an immense hug.

"Colombia today stands on its feet and looks to the future with the hope of peace that is nearing.
"After this victory, we'll start the process of recuperating our liberty when the drama and violence is over. We'll all be free when we cease the violence and when peace overcomes war. "The republic has come one step closer to that today, and it's renewed my faith in democracy and our institutions, and in our armed forces. "What a proud day to be Colombian!"