Letters to BoricuaFirst
I may call you "mijo" which is short for "mi hijo" however you may not be my son. I may call you "mi hermano" however, you are not really my brother. Calling ourselves Boricuas does not signify that we are calling our selves Indians.
The word Boricua is more than a mere designator, the word Boricua is a sentiment. It is a sentiment of belonging, a sentiment of unity, a sentiment of pride, which is more than just an ethnic designator. You see, there are Puerto Ricans that may not want to be associated to their heritage, some may not want to be associated with a minority group, and some may feel comfortable identifying themselves with another race. A Boricua does not even think of existing as anything else but a Boricua. You see, all Boricuas are Puerto Ricans but not all Puerto Ricans may be Boricuas. "Yo soy Boricua pa' que tu lo sepas".
Robert Calderon
"I’m sending you a ribbon because, I think you and others like you, deserve a ribbon for keeping the Puerto Rican heritage alive. Thank you!"
Teresa Velez
Dear Puerto Rican brothers, my name is Luis Emilio Berrios, I am a musician and a music teacher. I earned a bachelor's degree in music with a concentration in classical guitar and academic studies in music composition from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico. I also have 16 years working in public schools and 8 years teaching at the conservatory of music as a guitar instructor.
I came to San antonio with my certification because I thought it was going to be honored in this state , but I was wrong. It was not honor and I suddently I found my self in the worst nightmare of the ''america dream''. In trying to survive I lost my pention funds, went into bankrupt, I can't find a job and If thats not enough, people are not sensitive to your needs, there is no sense of humanity, respect and consideration. If you interview they ask were are you from and if you tell them from Puerto RIco, they never call you.
I'm sorry to bore you with my life, but sometimes I feel that hell can be in what we think is heaven and there's no turning point. I believe that Puerto Ricans are the best and the brightest and we are the envy of the world. There is no where in the world you will find more professionals (in proportion) than our beloved IsIand. We are the best and the best will always be. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to communicate with you.
Dear Boricua friends:
FYI, "Ladrones y Mentirosos," the first Puerto Rican film ever to seriously deal with the current issues challenging the island right now, has come out on DVD. It tells the story of three Puerto Rican families, and how each is affected by the drugs and corruption that have swarmed the island for the last fifteen years. After playing in the theaters in Puerto Rico and traveling around the world in film festivals, it is finally available on DVD anywhere in North America where DVDs are sold or rented. We hope you'll enjoy it.
Ricardo Mendez Matta
Sinopsis:
“Ladrones & Mentirosos” cuenta la historia de tres familias puertorriqueñas afectadas por la ola de corrupción y narcotráfico que azota la isla desde que se convirtió en la puerta de entrada de cocaína hacia la costa este de los Estados Unidos, retratando como las generaciones mayores inútilmente observan el deterioro paulatino de la verdad y la justicia en la juventud.
Cheo y Migue son dos hermanos que mantienen a su reacia abuela con dinero que ganan trabajando para narcotraficantes.
Wanda Vélez, una madre soltera luchando por echar hacia delante su joven hija, intenta encontrar justicia en el sistema judicial de Puerto Rico en su pelea con la compañía corrupta que le ha quitado su trabajo.
Luisito es un joven rebelde que experimenta con drogas a pesar de las advertencias de su preocupada madre Isabel, quien se ve obligada a pedir ayuda de su irresponsable ex esposo.
A través de estas tres historias conmovedoras, la película expone la corrupción que arropa a Puerto Rico, y como la misma irónicamente obedece a intereses norteamericanos.
http://www.ladronesymentirosos.com/esp/sinopsis.html
Hola;
Te saludo de Las Vegas.
Quiero decirte que recibir tu carta noticiera es un placer y un orgullo para mí. Tú, no sé si eres mujer u hombre eres lo que yó llamo una/un boricua de verdad. Se ve que eres bien educada/o por tu ortografia y gramatica., y que amas a tu patria.
Yo como Boricua, orgullosa de lo que soy y donde vengo siempre he tratado de poner nuestra bandera y nuestra cultura en alto. y veo que tu tambien estas haciendo lo mismo. Esto es darle un buen ejemplo a los jovenes de hoy en dia, que aunque no nazcan en la isla conoscan nuestra cultura y nuestra historia.
Yo tengo dos nietos, varon y mujer que solo son mitad Boricua pero si tu les preguntas que són te dicen muy orgullosos I'm Puerto Rican. No hablan español pero lo entienden un poco y conocen nuestra cultura desde chicos.
Cuando tenia mi restaurant aquí en Las Vegas algunos de los Boricuas que mencionastes llegaron a comer ahí, Jimmy Smits, su esposa Wanda de Jesus, Tony Orlandoy su mamá Ruth, John Ruizy su familia, Gilberto Santa Rosa y algunos de su grupo y el equipo Olimpico de Baloncesto de Puerto Rico,con su managers, todos orgullos de Puerto Rico. Todos para mi representan al hombre Puertoriqueño, cultos, caballerosos, respetuosos y sobre todo orgullosos de ser Boricuas aunque algunos de ellos no nacieron en la Isla
You make me proud. Keep up the good work,
Doña Carmen
May 2008
Armando Pacheco nos escribe desde Penuelas, Puerto Rico:
If you visit PR you may want to stay at Cabanas El Rucio in Penuelas, PR. This place is own and operated by Boricuas. Take a look a cabanaselrucio.com or call me at 347 581 1778. We were visited by a group of Boricuas and Mexicanos from San Antonio and they had a wonderful time!
Armando Pacheco Matos...... prfree2@hotmail.com
PartyLite Latino está buscando Consultoras y Líderes en esta área que quieran formar su negocio y comenzar a ganar al menos $1,000.00 mensuales realizando 10 demostraciones….
I am a San Antonio transplant from New York. I am Latina and I am assisting in building the Latino Market here in San Antonio. I would like to know if there are any upcoming fairs that I can be a vendor with a table or maybe how to link my email or if there are any meetings you hold where I can set up a pretty display and hand out information.
PartyLite is a party plan company. We do demos in the home and show our platinum quality candles. We do Candle Parties! On average a Consultant can earn about $100 a show and there is no financial investment to get started. We have tons of literature all in Spanish so even a person entering this country, not knowing the language, can have their very own business, and earn great money.
I appreciate any information! Thanks so much!
Lisette B. Tackitt
210-602-8739 jtackitt@satx.rr.com
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Myrna Hernandez I am a Puertorriquena de Santurce, Puerto Rico. I have lived in the Bronx, New York, since 1966. I have a daughter (35 y/o)and am raising an 11 year old son. I would like to commend you on your page, which I found thanks to my friend Sylvette Rivera.
My ex-sister in-law lives in San Antonio since she got married. I am talking probably 20 years. I do not know her married name but her maiden name Luz Minerva Ortiz. I would like to communicate with her and if all boricuas from San Antonio see your page maybe somebody knows of her and can give her my email. I would like for my daughter to get to talk to her which has not been possible because of family separations.
My ex-husband (Luz's brother)is Luis Felipe and her mom's name is Aurea Pineda Chanza. Again if you have any ties with other boricuas in San Antonio, Texas and can relay this message to "Cucusa", let her know that in NY she does have a niece and a grand-niece.
Thanks for your help. Myrna I. Hernandez - _myrna348@aol.com_
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Myrna Aurora Colón
Where can I get help on the serious issue of education and what to do when the administrators at my boy’s school are trying to destroy him and his education by labeling him and setting him to fail. This is a serious issue.
I would appreciate your referrals on organizations or persons whose sole aim to serve Puerto Rican families and youth to succeed and pave the way for the next generation of Puerto Ricans. I am faced with fighting for my child’s right to a quality education when the school officials just want him to be a school drop out because that’s all they think he’s worth. I am fighting alone, but I’m fighting until I die.
I need resources of those who understand what’s going on with the Hispanic youth and want to make sure there are not left behind and that they succeed. I will sincerely appreciate information that may lead me to the right person or organization.
Very truly yours,
Myrna Aurora Colón NYPR4Christ007@aol.com
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Awilda Torres nos dice desde Puerto Rico:
Re: Women Veterans of America
Gracias por tu apoyo. La organizacion se llama Women Veterans of America.
Puerto Rico es el capitulo No. 25. En Texas hay varios capitulos,
de echo celebramos nuestra ultima convencion en Houston, del 15 al 17
de Septiembre. Puedes anunciar para todas las mujeres veteranas o que
esten en servicio activo, Guardia Nacional o Reserva, la organización
es la primera en La Nacion que se dedica a conseguir los beneficios y
batallar para que halla igualdad de servicios para la mujer veterana.
En Puerto Rico apenas comenzamos pero ya contamos con un grupo de 29
mujeres.
Para mas información me pueden enviar un e-mail a salsaawi@coqui.net.
Gracias y que el Senor te Bendiga!
Awilda Torres
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