Event: Philly's 50th Puerto Rican Day Parade

As Philadelphia's Puerto Rican Parade approaches this Sunday, September 30th, I have to ask the Philly residents, "Who exactly puts on the show?" Also ask yourself, where is the parade? If you say American Street and Lehigh Avenue then you're completely wrong. Founded in 1962, The Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations, Inc. (Concilio) is the oldest Latino organization in Philadelphia and has a well-established reputation as a leader for Latino family services.

The parade, produced by Concilio, has been around for 50 years now. Originally the parade went through Olde City but now starts at the Benjamin Franklin Parkways and wraps around Center City on its way back.  With a variety of floats and performances, this year's theme was based on the Puerto Rican woman. Unfortunately what happens next (after 5 p.m.) is somewhat not as exciting. Don't catch yourself around 2nd or 5th Street after Girard Avenue because for some reason the streets are blocked. There's no pride in running around acting like a mad man waving a flag you probably don't know anything about.

If you can't catch the parade on the parkways, you can watch it live on 6abc from 1 p.m. -3 p.m. Enjoy!

Video: HBO's The Latino List Dos

Hispanic Heritage Month is in full blast and we're all scrambling to integrate our programs, material, etc. to further engage the largest minority in the United States of America. However, HBO has already been doing this for years. HBO's The Latino List 2 explores the biggest Latino names in the entertainment industry and asks the question what does it mean to be Latino in the U.S. From actors, actresses, a football stars and comedians, the documentary premiered one year ago and continues to explore our culture in 2012. The Latino List premieres (today) September 24th at 9 p.m. only on HBO. Hopefully it's available on HBOgo after it airs.
 

Foto: Officer "Ramirez" stands guard

 

A picture is worth a thousand words and the one above speaks for itself. The still image comes from a video taken earlier this year from Phoenix as hundreds rallied and marched on April 25, eventually blocking ICE and the streets the same day the Supreme court heard 1070. So what happens when a Ramirez, Rodriguez, Castillo, Cortes, Rodriguez, de Leon, etc. confront "their own people?" They knew where they were going. This is an incredible shot that captures so many emotions. Would you go stand guard as an officer fully knowing your family could be in the protesting crowd? Do you quit your job? Something we can't answer until we are actually put in the position.

BeingLatino looks at our "Latino Trailblazers"

Remember how our friends at NBCLatino launched their "Latino Innovators" series? Well thanks to supporters like Besty Buy and Sirius XM, BeingLatino has launched their own series: Latino Trailblazers. According to their launch post, the series will highlight, "Twenty 'Trailblazers' who are in the trenches everyday working to lift up our Latino Community, not only in entertainment, and the arts, but production, social media, marketing, writing, politics, sciences, technologies, and so much more." Glad to see this engaging platform take a look at our culture and promote it through video. So do you know anyone that should be highlighted? Send them a message on Twitter @BeingLatino.

Take a look at one of the videos highlighting our favorite chef, Daisy Martinez.

NBCLatino celebrates our heritage with "NBCLATINO INNOVATORS"

Hispanic Heritage Month is here and what better way to celebrate than festivals, food and people! Right? NBCLatino.com, whom I've seen all over the web world, announced the launch of "NBCLatino Innovators." In partnership with NBC News, MSNBC, and NBCNews.com, NBCLatino will spotlight 20 Hispanic innovators from across the country who are making outstanding contributions across a variety of fields-- from engineering and technology, to the arts, philanthropy and more.

The "NBCLatino Innovators" series will appear on "TODAY," "NBC Nightly News" and MSNBC and features NBC News journalists such as Diana Alvear. The first few Innovators that will appear on NBCLatino.com as part of the series include: Rosa Obregon, Paul Pauca and Judith Baca.

And because highlighting our leaders isn't enough, NBCLatino is asking their readers for their input as well. There are hundreds and thousands of Latino leaders but we each individually know more. NBCLatino will be asking its social media community to vote on their favorite Innovator. The nominee with the most "Likes" and comments on Facebook will be featured at the end of the "NBCLatino Innovator" campaign. The NBCLatino team will also run a "Who Did We Miss?" feature once all of the Innovators are revealed. Users can submit their ideas throughout Hispanic Heritage Month on NBCLATINO'S FACEBOOK PAGE and by use the #latinoinnovators hashtag on Twitter.

Event: El Festival del Grito

This coming weekend Hispanic Heritage Month begins in the United States of America. It's on September 15 when we also celebrate the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. So will you be celebrating?

This weekend my job is participating in El Festival del Grito de la Independencia de Mexico. Like other festivals there will be giveaways, food, music, performances and contests. We're hosting a quebradita contest with some awesome prizes. Visit holaciudad.com for more information. See you there!(?)

Reflection on the year

The year is 2012 and the highlighted theme of the year seems to be the Mayan calendar and the end of the world. While most people scramble to say goodbye and assume the worst, let's begin to assume the best. There was a quote in the movie Jurassic Park that said it best, "Life will find a way." And it's true. When we are at our worst, we assume all is lost and there's no way of getting back up. However, with enough good energy coming from friends, family, colleagues and even yourself, life will find a way.

It was May 2012 (roughly) when I finally got word my legal issues were finally cleared. Don't worry, nothing major. But in the last year since April 2011, it was interesting to see what transpired, who was there for me, who wasn't there and how people are reaching out today. Now I don't hold grudges nor do I think it's necessary for you to be mi amigo, but it always works vice versa. As we grow older it's a little more difficult to maintain those so called friendships we made throughout the years. As we get to know each other more and more, we gravitate to those we can relate to more.

So what does happen as we get older? It's obviously even more difficult to make new friendships. People are in relationships, they get married, they have kids and want friends in similar situations. Right? I try to stay at piece with everyone no matter what they have done (or not done). Life is too short to have quarrels with people and although it's easy to hate, it's not healthy at all. I wish it was possible to maintain all these friendships, but it' natural to grow apart. When you push too much to "hang out" and there's nothing on the other end, why keep trying? I say let time run its course and just maintain focus on you and your goals.

This Sunday: Feria del Barrio

This Sunday, September 9 from noon to 5:30 p.m. one of the most attended outdoor events returns to El Centro de Oro. La Feria del Barrio has been around for over 30 years now and never fails. There have been some years when it was postponed but this year is not it.

With music, food, dancing, vendors, a children's corner and more, this event is bound to bring thousands of people. You also have the opportunity to win a Ford Escape! Visit www.holaciudad.com/Philadelphia for more details. See you there!

Latinos at the political conventions

Some of you may be aware that I am not a political person. Never have. Never will be. It takes a lot for me even to mention government relations in this blog. Just yesterday the first Latino made the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio, told an amazing story where he of course added his family's Mexican upbringing. But it wasn't just about that...it was about America and moving forward.



About a week prior, Senator Marco Rubio also gave his American dream speech. Do you think they both did our gente justice?