EL BORICUA 3109- C VOSS DRIVE EL PASO, TX 79936 elboricua.com Celebrating our 10th Anniversary

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From the editor . . . .

In celebration of Hispanic Month Dr. Richard Carmona, Surgeon General of the United States, has been selected El Boricua’s Puerto Rican of the Year. Dr. Carmona is a ‘self-made’ man, who dropped out of high school, went on to become a military hero, continued his education, became a doctor and a community leader, and is now at the very top of the ladder. He is a true Puerto Rican role model! Read his biography on our site.

On another note, I want to thank all our website visitors who helped out and sent Puerto Rican food to our soldiers in Iraq for their Hispanic Month Celebration. Se van a quedar con la boca abierta cuando llegen todos esos paquetes! The Puerto Rican tables are going to be the BEST! Thank you for being so generous! Hopefully SSG Jesús M. Tarrio will be able to email us photos of the event. He was sent everything from galletas Rositas, pasta de guayaba, flags and pictures and of course lots of gandules and rice and even condiments. God Bless them all and keep them safe . . . . .

In September El Boricua observes our nationalism. The Lares incident has been the only one of its kind in our land and articles in this issue discuss the incident. The Lares flag is still preserved at the University of - not sure where exactly. Enjoy! Dr. Richard Carmona El Boricua’s Puerto Rican of the Year Siempre Boricua, Ivonne Figueroa

SEPTEMBER 2005 SEPTEMBER 2005 EL BORICUA PAGE 2

- Editors and Contributors - EL BORICUA is Published by: Javier and Ivonne Figueroa El Paso, TX 79936

©1995-2005 EL BORICUA All articles are the property of EL BORICUA or the property of its authors.

Javier Figueroa -El Paso , TX

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EL BORICUA is a monthly cultural publication, Paul Figueroa established in 1995, that is Puerto Rican owned and Dolores M. Flores operated. We are NOT sponsored by any club or Carmen Santos Curan organization. Our goal is to present and promote our Javier M. Figueroa "treasure" which is our Cultural Identity - “the Puerto Fernando Alemán Rican experience.” EL BORICUA is presented in José Castellanos English and is dedicated to the descendants of Puerto Ivette Farah Ricans wherever they may be. Mildred Lanie SEPTEMBER 2005 EL BORICUA PAGE 3

The Lares Event By: Tony the Marine

Many Spanish colonies had gained their independence by the mid-1850’s. In Puerto Rico there were two groups: the loyalists, who were loyal to Spain, and the independentistas, who advocated independence. In 1866, Dr. Ramón La Tiendita Emeterio Betances, Segundo Ruiz Belvis, and other independence advocates met in New York City where they formed the Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico. An outcome from this venture was the plan of sending an armed expedition from the Dominican Republic to invade the island. Several revolutionary cells were formed in the western towns and cities of Puerto Rico. Two of the most important cells were at Mayagüez, led by Mathias Brugman and code named "Capa Prieto" and at Lares, codenamed "Centro Bravo" and headed by Manuel Rojas. "Centro Bravo" was the main center of operations and was located in the Rojas plantation of El Triunfo. Manuel Rojas was named "Commander of the Liberation Army" by Betances. Mariana Bracetti (sister-in-law of Manuel) was named "Leader of the Lares Revolutionary Council." Upon the request of Betances, Bracetti knitted the revolutionary Flag of Lares (Bandera de Lares). For great looking copies of EL The Spanish authorities found out about the plot and were able to confiscate BORICUA use a soft-gloss paper to Betance's armed ship before it arrived in Puerto Rico. The Mayor of the town print your newsletter and or webpages. of Camuy, Manuel González (leader of that town's revolutionary cell), was arrested and charged with treason. He learned that the Spanish Army was aware of the independence plot, and escaped to warn Manuel Rojas. Alerted, Refrán Puertorriqueño . . . the revolutionists decided to start the revolution as soon as possible, and set ‘Le debe a cada santo una vela.’ the date for September 28, 1868. Mathias Brugman and his men joined up (People who have many unpaid debts.) with Manuel Rojas's men and with about 800 men and women, marched on and took the town of Lares. This was to be known as "el Grito de Lares." The revolutionists entered the town's church and placed Bracetii's Guest articles, poems, and short stories are revolutionary flag on the High Altar, as a sign that the revolution had begun. welcomed. They declared Puerto Rico to be the "Republic of Puerto Rico" and named Francisco Ramírez its President. Manuel and his poorly armed followers proceeded to march on to the town of San Sebastián, armed only with clubs and machetes. The Spanish Army had been forewarned, and awaited with superior fire power. The revolutionists were met with deadly fire. The revolt YOUR AD failed, many revolutionists were killed, and at least 475, including Manuel Rojas and Mariana Bracetii, were imprisoned in the jail of Arecibo and sentenced to death.

Others fled and went into hiding. Mathias Brugman was hiding in a local farm FITS HERE where he was betrayed by farm hand named Francisco Quiñones. He was captured and executed on the spot. Fearing another revolt, the Spanish Crown disbanded the Puerto Rican Militia, which had been composed almost entirely BORICUA . . . of native-born Puerto Ricans in 1869, and organized the Volunteer Institute, is a powerful word. composed entirely of Spaniards and their sons. It is our history, it is our cultural affirmation, it is a declaration,

Tony Santiago it is a term of endearment, aka ”Tony the Marine” it is poetic . . . Tony writes Puerto Rican Military History for ...... it is us. Wilkipedia. Spanish-English Dictionary On-line SEPTEMBER 2005 EL BORICUA PAGE 4

The Question of Puerto Rico’s Future: This profound ideology is the foundation upon which the people of the United States sought to achieve their Commonwealth, Statehood or Independence th By Anthony Ramos independence in the 18 century. It was a principle they believed in so much that they were willing to make the supreme sacrifice upon the battlefields of freedom. The Cry for Independence

On the night of September 23, 1868 a militia of 400 men, th armed mostly with knives and machetes and led by Manuel During the 19 century the cry for independence was made Rojas, marched into the town of Lares to begin their loud and clear in South America. A revolution, led by revolution against the Spanish government. The fight for General Simón Bolivar, succeeded against the Spanish independence had begun! The cry for liberty was born! government and South Americans gained their independence. Today, we remember that fateful event as “El Grito de th Lares.” During the latter part of the 19 century the same cry for independence stretched to Cuba, the Philippines and Puerto The militia was led by a small cavalry, carrying with them Rico. Though there were sporadic moments of insurrection, the new rebel flag designed by Dr. Betances. By the morning nothing tenable had prevailed, either by force or ideology. It of September 24, 1868, Manuel Rojas and his militia had wasn’t until the Spanish-American war in 1898, when the occupied the town of Lares with very little resistance, United States defeated Spain that the fate of Spain’s declaring a provisional government for La República de remaining colonies changed. As part of the treaty to end the Puerto Rico. war, Spain ceded all three colonies to the United States.

The idea for an armed revolution was not based upon a spur A U.S. military government presided over Cuba and ran the of moment thought. It was spawned in the western part of island from 1898 until 1902, the year in which the United the island and had been brewing for the past twelve years. States granted Cuba the right to become a republic. It was But the date for the armed revolt was set to take place later in different for the Philippines. At the turn of the century, many the month, on September 29, 1868. However, the Spanish Filipino nationalists attempted to fight for independence, but authorities had gotten wind of the insurrection and began the United States quelled the rebellion and established a preparing for the confrontation. Fearing the revolution would colonial government. The United States held the islands be foiled before it could get started the leaders were forced to from 1898 to 1935 when the Philippines became a self- move up the date, which may have contributed to its demise. governing commonwealth. The United States then granted the Philippines independence on July 4, 1946. Having secured the town of Lares, Manuel Rojas, on September 24, ordered 200 men to take over and occupy the Puerto Rico, perhaps, suffered the worst fate of all and her town of San Sebastián but the Spanish authorities were future proved to be much different than that of Cuba or the already there and waiting for them. The two-hundred militia Philippines. Two years after the Spanish-American war, the men were cut down in a hail of gun fire and retreated in total status of Puerto Rican citizenry remained in question. They disarray. Thus ended Puerto’s quest for independence . . . or were no longer Spanish citizens but they weren’t citizens of did it? the United States either. The Foraker Act of 1901 established a new relationship with Puerto Rico and a new government. The Right of Self-determination The new government had a governor and an executive council appointed by the President, a House of It is my firm opinion that all people have the right of self- Representatives with 35 elected members, a judicial system determination. No other document on earth expresses this with a Supreme Court, and a non-voting Resident tenet so eloquently as that written by the founders of the Commissioner in Congress. In addition, all federal laws of United Sates of America: The Declaration of Independence. I the United States were to be in effect in the island. The new quote: “When in the Course of human events it becomes relationship established by the Foraker Act, however, did not necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands address Puerto Rico’s citizenry question. The Jones act of which have connected them with another and to assume 1917 finally answered that question. Puerto Ricans became among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal American citizens and Puerto Rico became an unincorporated station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God territory of the United States. Partial self-government was entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind granted in 1947, which, for the first time, gave citizens the requires that they should declare the causes which impel right to vote for their own governor. In 1952 a new them to the separation We hold these truths to be self-evident, constitution made Puerto Rico an autonomous part of the that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by United States called the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among Estado Libre Asociado (ELA). And so, Puerto Rico has these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” remained a commonwealth of the United States since 1952.

→ Continues on page 5 SEPTEMBER 2005 EL BORICUA PAGE 5

Question of Status . . . . continued from page 4 Financial Means to Achieving Self-determination The United States never granted Puerto Ricans their independence. Why? Of the three former Spanish territories, During the American Revolutionary War and after, the Puerto Rico was the smallest. Most of the people were poor fledgling United States borrowed money from France to help and uneducated and the infrastructure was non-existent. Puerto pay for the war and to help start the new government. For Ricans were in dire straits and needed economic assistance. the first few years, the United States struggled and was on the Perhaps there were political forces on the island that desired verge of bankruptcy. Due in large part to the visions of closer ties with the United States in order to benefit from her Alexander Hamilton, the United States repaid their debt to deep pocket book. Perhaps no one stepped up to assume the France and with its natural resources became a rich nation. mantle for freedom. Perhaps the United States felt the people were inferior and did not have the wisdom and political savvy Does Puerto Rico have the financial resources to achieve to run their own country. But whatever the reason, Puerto Rico independence? This brings to mind Operation Bootstrap, the remained a dependent state. Securing a military base in the brainchild of Teodoro Moscoso, which incepted between the Caribbean also gave the United States much needed security. years 1910 and 1912. Operation Bootstrap was a program A part of Vieques Island became target practice for the U.S. designed to attract worldwide investment and by the mid Navy. During the Cold War in the 1950’s and 1960’s the 1950’s had transformed Puerto Rico from virtual obscurity United States needed to keep an eye on Cuba to ensure into an industrial nation. Moscoso’s Operation Bootstrap Communism would not filter into Puerto Rico and spread gave tax incentives to industrial corporations while at the throughout the Caribbean. But now that the Cold War is over same time offering cheap labor. The companies listened and and a New World Order is in the making, why is Puerto Rico they came and built plants and factories on the island. Many still a commonwealth of the United States? We must look to people think that this program was a sell out because the the people of Puerto Rico. industries reaped huge profits while exploiting cheap labor and benefiting from tremendous tax relief. A case for this claim can be made with the Sugar companies, which Consensus Regarding Self-determination, Commonwealth exploited Puerto Rico’s labor force and natural resources & Statehood while offering virtually nothing back to the island. Today, however, cheap labor does not exist in Puerto Rico because Puerto Rico, in my opinion, is a nation divided. Many Puerto the Federal minimum wage applies to everyone on the island. Ricans are pro-statehood and politics on the island have Aside from this, Mr. Moscoso’s ambitious program helped reached a fever pitch over this issue. Many Puerto Ricans launch tourism and many other programs that, in the opinion favor the status quo and would rather leave well enough alone; of many, helped Puerto Rico emerge out of the dark commonwealth status is preferable to them. Yet, there are economic ages. many Puerto Ricans that cry out in their hearts to see Puerto Rico a free and independent nation. So what is the cause for Among the many industries presently conducting business on such a division? Quite simple: Puerto Ricans are human the island are pharmaceutical companies, electronics, textiles, beings and their ideas and opinions are as diverse as those petrochemicals, processed foods and clothing. Among the found in any nation. The subject of politics can never be natural resources are dairy, livestock and sugar production. argued because it is entrenched in ideology. A good example Tourism remains an economic staple with nearly three of this is found in the United States, where two ideological million visitors a year. In spite of these strong industrial and elements dominate the political scene: Conservatism and agricultural elements, Puerto Rico still receives economic aid Liberalism. Members of each school of thought clash from the United States. What does that tell us? It tells us that everyday and their ideas are the subjects that motivate the in order to become a fully independent nation, detached from electoral process. In the end, elections are held and the issues the U.S.’s purse strings, Puerto Rico may have to cut back on are decided by the majority of the people. The losing party still the tax incentives currently afforded the industrial companies believes in its opinions and ideologies but they will wait until or employ personal income and property taxes as they do in the next elections. the United States. If they cut back on industrial tax incentives, they run the risk of losing those companies to The decision to remain a commonwealth or seek statehood or other nations. On the other hand, citizens of Puerto Rico may claim independence must be made by the people of Puerto not find the idea of personal and property taxes too Rico. It must be the will of the majority of Puerto Ricans to appealing. The money to run a nation must come from decide the fate of Puerto Rico’s future. Statehood and somewhere. So we must ask ourselves, what are the benefits independence are two possible futures that would have of all three futures? tremendous repercussions on the island and its people. The pros and cons ought to be fully explored and voters should be → continues on page 6 well informed of the advantages and disadvantages before they go into the voting booths because once the decision is made all Puerto Ricans will have to live with it. There is no turning back. SEPTEMBER 2005 EL BORICUA PAGE 6

Question of Status . . . . continued from page 5 ¡Despierta Boricua!

Benefits of Self-determination vs. Statehood vs. He must have been the most intelligent man in our “barrio”; even Commonwealth more so than my own grandfather! Alfredo, (not his real name, but in the efforts of not aggravating or adding to the shame his Commonwealth status would bring no change to the family always felt due to his alcoholism, I have chosen to islanders. Puerto Ricans will continue to live as they have disguise) was a brilliant man. Physically, he resembled the tall lived for the past 107 years. and slim sugar cane he cut, his eagle-like nose was long and protuberant, his eyes so small that seemed to be in a perpetual Statehood would bring Puerto Rico into full membership in squint, and a big mustache that hid his very fine lips. He looked the United States, though I’m not so sure that many hard- as if he wore those funny glasses that have a big nose and a lined conservatives would welcome that prospect. And mustache, the only difference being that he was not wearing any! although statehood would force Puerto Ricans into paying He belonged to the only family in “el barrio” who had an property and federal income tax, it brings with it full opportunity to send their kids to college. His elderly mother was representation in the United States Congress. In the years to a saint-like woman, with the most loving personality I had ever come, English may become the dominant language and the seen in my young life and who always seemed to be happy to Puerto Rican culture may take a back seat to American receive company, including me, the most inquisitive kid “el culture. barrio” had ever seen. As a child, I was able to gather bits and pieces of the story of Alfredo’s life, stories that I zealously Independence would free Puerto Rico to seek financial collected as if they were pieces of a puzzle for a clear view and opportunities on a global basis, as Operation Bootstrap did picture of Alfredo’s life. nearly 100 years ago with success. Puerto Ricans would retain their identity and culture. And as with any nation He had been married many years prior, to the daughter of an gaining its independence, especially in the burgeoning New “aristocrat” family in Cabo Rojo. The marriage had produced two World Order, Puerto Ricans may face an insurmountable beautiful daughters, with gorgeous long blonde hair, fair struggle to achieve financial success. Puerto Ricans will have porcelain skin, blue eyes and Alfredo’s seal of paternity, his to make personal sacrifices and face extreme hardships gigantic nose. before they can reap the benefits of independence. Is all that worth it? There are those that ascribe to the adage: “Nothing Apparently, during the socialist and nationalistic movements of ventured, nothing gained.” While this may be a noble the 40’s and 50’s, Alfredo had become intrinsically involved and thought, caution, prudence and due diligence, must be participated in their protests. He was very vocal. As I sat on my exercised before steps are taken toward independence. grandparents’ balcony, and later from the living room window when the balcony steps became forbidden, I heard about how he Conclusion had been “captured”, treated as a terrorist, questioned and The issues of commonwealth, statehood or independence tortured. The stories spoke about torture to his manhood and how cannot be motivated by ideology and emotions alone. These the organs had been pulled so bad he ended up with hernias that issues must be studied under a microscope and the socio- served as a reminder that he was not to continue with his socialist economic ramifications objectively and pragmatically and nationalistic views ever again. They said that once he explored. I love Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is in my heart and returned to “el barrio”, he was a man with a broken spirit. His in my very soul and as any Puerto Rican living in the United wife left him when he found refuge in alcohol and found no other States will tell you, I want the best for Puerto Rico. I will job than in the sugar cane fields. accept whatever future Puerto Ricans decide for the island because in the final analysis, they alone will bear the burden It was during his alcohol binges that his speaking abilities or the fruits of their decision. What is your opinion? mesmerized me. Perhaps it was the only time he found himself with the guts to say what he otherwise kept imprisoned in his heart. He spoke of freedom of the minds and liberty for the island, yet he also spoke about the abuse being perpetrated against the people of Puerto Rico. While everyone else in “el Antonio Ramos is a published author, and Website Columnist and Editor of barrio” was annoyed, I tried to block all noise to try to listen to “In My Opinion” a monthly column what he said as he tumbled down the road in an attempt to make for EL BORICUA’s website. Visit it to his home. He would give a few steps, stop, turn to a this site where this article will be particular house, give a speech about the same subject for which posted, and send your opinion. Your he had been allegedly mutilated and at the end he would yell out: “¡Despierta boricua; defiende lo tuyo!” (Wake up Boricua; comments will most likely be posted. defend what’s yours!)

continues on page 10 → SEPTEMBER 2005 EL BORICUA PAGE 7

Arte Boricua by: Nellie Escalante-Dumberger

Gregorio Marzán

Gregorio Marzán was a self-taught artist who created animal sculptures that delight both young and old. Working from a kitchen table overlooking the elevated Metro-North railway tracks that run through El Barrio, he captured color, vitality, and joy by reconfiguring wire, paper, and cardboard.

Born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico in 1906, Marzán had limited schooling, going to work in the sugar cane fields at age seven. As a teenager, he served as a carpenter, making wooden frames for suitcases. He married Luisa Valentín and they had five Lizard, fig 1 children – three daughters and two sons. In 1937, Marzán migrated to New York City to seek work. He planned to bring his family as soon as he saved money. However, his wife and one daughter died in Puerto Rico before he could send for them, but two children came in 1941 and the remaining two in 1944. In the United States, Marzán initially worked for a civil defense contractor in the manufacture of bombs but soon became a “doll stuffer” at the toy factories around West 23rd street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues. He lived in El Barrio in a dozen different apartments over the years.

Marzán became an artist upon his retirement in 1971 at the age of sixty-five, using the skills learned in his long career as a doll stuffer to sculpt animals. He said that his ideas came to him while he was walking around and were based on things he had seen in New York or Puerto Rico. In his unique view of the animal kingdom,

lizards (FIG. 1), roosters (FIG. 2), and birds (FIG. 3) stand side by side with Rooster, fig 2 giraffes (FIG. 4), lions, and dogs (FIG. 5). The suspended space between the island and the United States in which Boricuas live is not looked upon as a problem or an issue by Marzán. In fact, he was an enthusiast of the United States, his adopted country, and of New York City in particular. Thus he has made three eagles that capture the soaring vitality of the national symbol, four sculptures of the Statue of Liberty in which one is shown here (FIG . 6) and one of the Empire State building. Marzán’s creations symbolize a friendly union between both cultures celebrated with laughter, joy, and whim.

When looking at Marzán’s sparkling, mesmerizing constructions it is difficult to believe that they were made with materials that can be easily bought in neighborhood stores or found in one’s apartment. Elmer’s Glue, glitter, paper, buttons, clear plastic/masking tape, and plaster of paris all came from discount shops on Canal Street and the household counters at Woolworth’s in New York City. Coat hangers and cartons were recycled from the laundry, and fake hair was Bird, fig 3 supplied by a wig shop in Harlem. Marzán once estimated that each work takes three to four months to create. In his twenty-five years of creativity, he fashioned approximately one hundred works of art. Of these, about twenty-five percent are in the permanent collection of El Museo del Barrio. Marzán’s works have also been included in exhibitions at the American Museum of American Folk Art in New York City, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas.

Like many other artists who are self-taught, Marzán does not claim the title. “ I don’t consider myself an artist, I consider myself a professional, I can make anything I see.” He did recall early mistakes. For example, initial attempts to depict animals had to be discarded when he realized that he applied the ears backwards. However, as we can see from the images that accompany this article, he quickly learned from his errors. After observing giraffes at the Central Park Continued on page 8 → Giraffes, fig 4

SEPTEMBER 2005 EL BORICUA PAGE 8

ArteBoricua – Marzán - continued from page 7 Zoo, he created these two (FIG. 4) in glitter and stripes with whimsical heads, eyes, mouths and horns.

Marzán is one of the countless American folk artists who teach themselves, often working out of the home to satisfy an insatiable need, rather than to produce primarily for profit or for recognition. In a world where people are becoming more and more jaded, it’s beautiful to see that a man, advanced in age who had had his share of suffering in life, could create sculptures that evoke such childlike innocence and wonder. I could only hope that we too could view the world through his eyes remaining hopeful despite the distress we may experience. Marzán passed away in 1997 at the age of ninety-one. I wonder if his life was extended because of his art-making practice. Hmm... I think I have coat hangers, paper, Elmer’s Glue, and masking tape lying around the house. Aahhh the possibilities! Dog, fig 5

REFERENCES

Axelrod, Alan, Editor. Hispanic Art in the United States: Thirty Contemporary Painters and Sculptors. New York: Abeville Press, 1987

Brooks, Bill. Gregorio Marzán: Sculptures from the Imagination. El Museo del Barrio’s 25th Anniversary Exhibition: Part II - Recovering Popular Culture. New York: El Museo del Barrio, 1994.

Nellie Escalante-Dumberger, editor of Arte Boricua, formerly worked at El Museo del Barrio and is a lover of the arts..." She is a lecturer on Puerto Rican art. Statue of Liberty, fig 6

Justina Machado By: Desiree Collazo Journalism Intern

Justina, who is of Puerto Rican descent, was born and raised in Chicago. After graduating from high school she began her acting career in the Latina Chicago Theater. She then moved to New York, shortly after that Justina was offered her first professional role in Los Angeles. After that she stayed in L.A. to develop her acting

career by appearing in numerous feature films and television roles.

The talented Puerto Rican actress now stars as “Vanessa Díaz” in HBO’s series Six Feet Under. Justina Machado

Machado has claimed that Broadway was always her real passion and dream. She was waiting for her big break, which finally happened in June of this year, in the Broadway musical “The Mambo Kings.” Justina stars as Ana María, the spunky sister of Néstor’s (lead character) love interest.

Justina Machado is a true inspiration and her Broadway debut just goes to prove dreams really do come true.

SEPTEMBER 2005 EL BORICUA PAGE 9

Sports Report Cardinals have while Tampa Bay has . The immortal Sandy Alomar and team-mate Andrés Torres are wearing the Rangers colors while Alexis Ríos wears the Blue Jays colors. The can brag about Carlos Baerga, Wil Cordero and José Vidrio.

By: Luis R. Claudio Hablando de todo como los locos…I know I brought up the Dallas, Texas subject of old songs knowing that this article is about sports, but can you remember back, way back… songs like Sports and Reggaeton? I have a full collection of José Miguel Ray Barreto “Mamé no quiere que yo juege a la pelota” Clas’ hits of the 60’s! I still have his LP’s and 45’s. You What about “El Caballo Pelotero” - El Gran Combo? Our youngsters have no idea what I am talking about. Who needs pueblo has had a long time affinity with baseball and so it is Don Omar or Wisin y Yandel “Rakata” when I have “Amar only proper that I remind you of such things. duele” and that ever so lovely “Yo soy el Gallo” Wow! So “mira pa, no me vengas con el tra tra tra…” I do have to honor Boricua pioneers of the Reggaeton sound. They take us where so many of our artists and athletes have Man that last paragraph gave me the willies. I sure hope no been before. The reggaeton sound is making great strides and one believes that …Lets move on and take a look at this changes in the sounds and culture of our music. Don Omar’s year’s baseball season and see where the Boricuas are song “Donkeo” is about street basket ball. Street sports are playing: Arizona has four. They are Alex Cintron, José Cruz the breeding grounds of our young athletes. Who can forget Jr. Pitchers Javier López and Junior Vázques. Baltimore has stickball in the streets of Brooklyn or the Bronx? Handball is Javi López and Luis Matos. Boston has Ramón Vázquez. a street-sport, which introduced many of our kids to tennis Cincinnati has its share of Boricuas with Felipe López, Luis and other sports where Boricua athletes are making fantastic López and Javier Valentín… hey have you noticed that headway. Reggaeton was played at the Olympics during the everyone is either named López or Javier? Is this a Boricua Beach Volleyball competition. coincidence? Today, Bobbito García (Ex-Puerto Rico Capitanes de Cleveland has , Juan González and José Arecibo) continues with his love of the game playing street Hernández. Detroit has my favorite catcher Iván Rodríguez ball (basketball). It is his way of giving back to the and Ramón Martínez. The Marlins have and community and staying with a sport that he loves. We Mike Lowell. Carlos gets paid in Spanish “pecetas” because continue to lead the way in so many areas and this sound is he has this thing about America. Kansas City has David de definitely one area where Boricuas are dominating. So, I Jesús and Rubén Gotey. The Angels have the brothers José y stand corrected, reggaeton has a place in our culture, our Bengie Molina. Los Angeles has Rickey Ledee and José sports and it is an identifying quality of our young people, so Valentín. “defensa pa, defensa ma en el donkeo….” (William Omar Landrón “Don Omar - Donkeo). The frozen metropolis of the Minnesota Twins has JC Romero. The Mets have my favorite Carlos Beltrán, Ramón Castro, Fajardeño José Rafael Santiago (Pitcher) and Roberto This report is a courtesy of Luis R. Claudio, a native of Hernández (pitcher). I am checking on Juan Manuel Padilla Guánica, Puerto Rico, now in Dallas working as General listed from Río Piedras, Texas. By the way, is my gallitos Manager for a telecommunications company. Luis and his Beltrán having a bad month? It seems that lately he has been wife have three boys. Luis coaches an amateur baseball team making so many mistakes that he reminds me of my whole for college age kids in Dallas, Texas. For more information adult life. But that’s another veinte pesos! visit http://www.elboricua.com/Claudio.html

Yankees (boo they lost to Boston) Jorge Posada, , Rey Sánchez and Rubén Sierra. Yeah I wrote about the other Boricua catcher Wil but he is not on the active roster. Oakland has Kiko Calera (pitcher) while the Pirates have Benito Santiago (how old is this guy?). The Mariners have René Rivera and pitcher Joel Piñero. This roster looks incomplete without our old friend Edgar Martínez.

SEPTEMBER 2005 EL BORICUA PAGE 10

¡Despierta Boricua! - continued from page 6 Somehow, fear, the biggest weapon against any progress, had over-clouded the minds of all in “el barrio.” Hardly anyone ever wanted to listen, some even closed their front doors, maybe in fear that they end up running his same luck, Cacofonía while others would encourage the ones that did listen, to stop! My grandmother, even asked me to use my artistic abilities for a sign that read: “Conversations about political ¿Qué pasó con tu silbato piragüero? views are not welcomed in this establishment.” He would ya no se oye el piri, piri, de tu pito. make it home, and still through the distance and clears of the Otro ruido que no escucho hoy, es el grito, sugar cane fields, you could hear Alfredo giving his speech de aquel que anunciaba el pan de hogaza. until the wee hours of the night, maybe the only valid reason to be annoyed. The next day, this otherwise humble and quiet man, would walk the same route without notice. De los ruidos de mi infancia, la riqueza, era escuchar los ambulantes vendedores; Just last week, as I learned about the infamous letter that anunciando la quincalla y sus clamores, defamated our teachers (in Florida) and Puerto Ricans in que llamaban a las dueñas de las casas. general, and that provoked an uproar in the Latino community, particularly, the Puerto Rican community, I thought about Alfredo and his speeches. While I was writing ¡Vengo arreglando Ooooollas! another article that explored the depths of our true history, Decía un viejito andando, (not the one found in school textbooks), I felt a strong desire mil cachivaches arrastrando, to yell out Alfredo’s words, now in different times and with que sus gritos apagaban. a different purpose. I thought about the power we, as American citizens in the United States, possess through our right to vote and the difference we can create by executing it. También nos traían huevos, So, as I conclude this article in the hopes that through my queso y pasta de guayaba; words I can empower my people, I am driven to repeat El vecindario ululaba …¡Despierta Boricua; defiende lo tuyo! Con voces de vendedores.

Otro ruido que extinguido, echo de menos,es el del botellero, quien me daba sus quenepas, Midge Pellicier, Contributing sin que yo diera dinero. Editor, lives in Florida. She is a former soldier. And wrote this article while at the same time A veces eran sus chinas preparing for the great Hurricane. que mis ojos perseguían, yo corría con mi tía, que me diera sus botellas; la mala suerte de ella, cuando yo la empobrecía.

¡Ah!... tiempos que se fueron. En donde ahora yo vivo, no se escucha ningún ruido; ni discordes, ni armoniosos, sólo un silencio espantoso… hace falta un botellero.

September 11th 2001 - In memory of the victims and their families, © Lucía T. Medina many of which were Puerto Ricans. El Paso, Texas SEPTEMBER 2005 EL BORICUA PAGE 11

The Rican Chef Habichuelas Rosadas

2 tsp. vegetable oil 2 oz. diced lean cured ham (jamón de cocinar) 1 29oz. can pinto beans 1 8oz. can tomato sauce 1 packet of sazón 2 tblsp. sofrito (see recipe) 7 olives (pimiento stuffed) 1 tsp. alcaparrado (capers) 2 cubed medium size potatoes 1 can water (use the tomato sauce can)

Put the oil in a deep saucepan, turn the heat to medium and add the jamón. (Go ahead, have a taste of the jamón)

mailto:[email protected] Sauté together with the sofrito and after 3 minutes add the tomato sauce, sazón, olives and alcaparrado. Stir for 2 minutes.

Tips and Tricks Add the beans, potatoes*, water and stir. with Beans and Grains Turn heat to medium high. When boiling, cover with a lid and turn heat to Dry raw beans need to be hydrated low. Wait 20 minutes and . . . FUA, they are ready! totally before cooking. These include navy beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, Serve with arroz con salchichas or any of my rice recipes at and white beans just to mention some. http://www.ricanrecipes.com/ Don’t forget the tostones. The best way to do this is by putting them in a big pot with enough water to cover overnight. DO NOT add salt to the water. Tips

You can use any of the following beans: black beans, red kidney beans, Dry raw garbanzos or chick peas are the pigeon peas, small red beans, lima beans, pinto beans, black-eyed peas, only dry grains that need to be hydrated pink beans or chick peas. totally before cooking in a big pot with

enough water to cover overnight in salted Only add about ¼ of the water to the tomato sauce can and shake so you water. By doing this, it will make them can get all the sauce left in the can. After a few shakes, fill to the top with very tender. water.

Always check the beans and grains for *The potatoes will not only add flavor to the beans, but it will also help damaged or “wrinkled” ones, wash them thicken the sauce. well in water before you put them in the overnight soak. Remove all the beans that float to the top because these are the always add hot water rather than cold water. Cold water tends to make them ones we overlooked when we checked take longer to cook and sometimes the beans turn black. them. Rinse the beans under running water before cooking them and do not use Beans don’t always come out perfect. If the sauce is not as thick as you would the soaking water. It may have dirt from like it to be, you can thicken the sauce without having to overcook the beans. the beans. Stir in about 1 tablespoon of instant mashed potatoes to the pot, and remove from the burner when the sauce is thick enough to your liking. When cooking beans, it is always better to cook them slowly so all the flavors can Beans too salty? Add some sugar and vinegar and this will solve the problem. blend. If you cook them fast by raising Mix ½ teaspoon of cider vinegar with ½ teaspoon of sugar. These two the heat, you are going to be robed of the condiments will counteract the saltiness and make the stewed bean dish best beans that you can make. If they yummy. If you don’t happen to have some vinegar, just add the sugar. need more water when cooking them, SEPTEMBER 2005 EL BORICUA PAGE 12

and blues. This explains his innate ability to flow in and out José Feliciano turns Sixty…a look back of genres at will, having recorded extensively in both languages throughout his career. By: James Nadal, Music Editor San Sebastián, PR His first recordings were in English, as a folksinger, but never really caught on. He then traveled to Argentina, and There is a time in our lives when we want to leave home and after a rousing performance at a festival, recorded in Spanish. see the world. When it seems that this small island is just too These records were popular in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and small, too outdated, behind the times, not offering much of a South America, and his covers of the classic boleros were all future. Most of us go to America in search of a better life, over the velloneras (jukeboxes) in the mid 60’s. He went better jobs, and hopefully a slice of that pie they all talk through a rock and Beatles influenced period that carried him about. But the island goes along, within us. into the ‘Light My Fire’ sensation that would catapult him into an international star. He continued to record prolifically I left Puerto Rico in the summer of 1968, fresh out of high in English for the best part of the 70’s and did not record in school in Aguadilla. I went to California in search of Spanish until the classic “Escenas de Amor” LP in 1982 that adventure and anything new and different. In the middle of brought him back to the Spanish audience. He’s still going my having a great time so far from home, a song came on the strong. radio while riding down the coast highway. It was the singer, not the song. I shouted to my friends in the car. “Hey that’s Since the turn of the new century he has recorded two highly José Feliciano, and he’s from Puerto Rico, just like me.” I acclaimed bolero albums and his most recent is “A have never felt so Puerto Rican as I did on that moment. Here Mexico…con Amor.” A tribute to the mariachi style music I was, in the place I had wanted to be, and I had an he has loved so much. On this album he does a fantastic uncontrollable sense of longing to go home. That singer, that version of “En Mi Viejo San Juan”. voice, was home! His voice has maintained the “mancha de plátano” which California Dreamin’… thanks a lot José!! literally translates into the “plantain stain”, a jíbaro phrasing which makes his sound so unique and easily identifiable. I This was to be a milestone year for José, as he won two have been playing his music in Spanish and had American Grammies that year for Best New Artist and Song of the tourists come up and know who he was right away. Year. These would be the first two, as he would win four more in the coming years, out of sixteen nominations, in two I have had the pleasure of seeing him in concert on many languages and instrumental categories. His recording career occasions and he not only delivers a great show, but has a has earned him 50 Gold and Platinum Records, and to have very childlike sense of humor. To see him without his guitar his Star put in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Heralded as a in his hands, his fingers seem to be fingering and playing on guitar virtuoso, he is in the Gallery of Greats of Guitar Player restlessly, constantly swaying as if in tune to a higher Magazine, they placed him there to free up the acoustic guitar rhythm. category he locked up for years. José is the first Latin Crossover artist, having done it when the term didn’t even This is my tribute to José Feliciano for all the music and exist. memories. He will be sixty years old this September, a life well lived. A Boricua who has earned his place in our history, In reading about him for this article, I was most impressed by and in our hearts. I still feel that it’s the singer not the song. his statement that for all his success and accolades, he is most proud of being Puerto Rican. Here is an artist that never forgot where he came from, and represents us all.

Feliciano was born in Lares, Puerto Rico on Sept.11, 1945, one of eleven boys, in a humble home in the mountains. Being blind since birth, he developed a keen insight into music at an early age and was a very musical child. His parents moved the family to New York when he was five. There he attended public school and learned English. He was quite proficient in the concertina, and would entertain at school and home. He started to play the guitar in his early teens, practicing up to fourteen hours a day along with records, developing and perfecting his own style. He was listening to Spanish music, early rock and roll and rhythm