My Puerto Rico

There are many pages out there which talk about and show our beautiful Puerto Rico, the Island of Enchantment, noting its many beauties and wonders. I wanted to do something of the sort, but without a visit to the old redundancy department. So instead of the traditional approach to Puerto Rico, I will describe my Island not through facts, not through picturesque images, not through towns, but through the people who I believe represent us universally and make me proud to be counted among the 3.7 million strong. For me, this is what Puerto Rico means:
 
 

Roberto Clemente Walker, born and dead before my time, is considered as the greatest right fielder in the long history of Major League Baseball. To hear now a days, more than two decades after his untimely death, that he is still one of the best ever swells my pride in him - a true national hero.
 
 

These days, however, another fellow countryman is being dubbed also as the best in his position - none other than Texas Rangers' catcher Iván Rodríguez. At just 27, "Pudge" has already won 7 Golden Gloves and is highly regarded as the game's premier backstop, compared superior than all time greats such as Johnny Bench.
 
 
 
 

What can anyone say about El Gran Combo that hasn't been said already? Musically, they are the foundation of modern salsa, direct descendants from Maelo and Cortijo. 35+ years of worldwide conquests with the universal language of music.
 
 

And from one generation to the next comes the man who perhaps one day (if not already) will be considered as the greatest salsa performer ever: Gilberto Santa Rosa. There is not one person who hasn't moved to the groove of his music or felt that one of his songs is a past experience. Aside from El Gran Combo, no other artist has transcended internationally as much as Gilbertito ¡Camínalo!
 
 
 
 

Shakespeare, theater, television, silver screen; you name it, he did it. Raúl Juliá's acting career took him to all kinds of roles, from Gómez Addams to Chico Mendes, from an evil general to a cold lawyer, from Romero to Othello. His spirit lives on in our hearts. Vaya con Dios, Raúl...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

And finally, my Grandma is Puerto Rico, 1920s style in the 1990s. A 75-year old (and still going strong!) catholic grandmother of 5, teacher for over 25 years, she represents the old school of good, solid, homegrown values. Respect, forgiveness, above all love, and an excellent repertoire in Puerto Rican cuisine. Seen here with my brother, she -modestly, no less- often says if the world would be perfect if it were like her. Maybe not, but it would certainly be a much better place. I thank God for her and pray that she continue many more years giving us the love she never tires of giving.

There are probably a million more persons who I can include here. I chose these because I consider them to be our torch bearers, people who carry our flag and spread our soul in everything they do. They are my definition of Puerto Rico. They are Puerto Rico.