Your Miss Universe is Colombian

So it's been a few days since Paulina Vega (Miss Colombia) was crowned Miss Universe in Doral-Miami, Florida. Well deserved you think? Like many pageants and competitions, the crowning moment usually leads to "so and so was robbed" across all social media.

Video: Shakira's Dare (La La La)

Can I just tell you all that I absolutely love this song?! It's very similar to her Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) song for the 2010 World Cup. "When we shot this video I was actually a month and a half pregnant with my son Milan so it was a really happy moment in my life," Shakira said. "It sort of matches the mood of the song and it was a very celebratory time."



Check out the official Dare (La La La) remixes, only on Beatport - Link: http://smarturl.it/DareRemixesBP.

Infographic: 2014 World Cup Fun Facts

Sure it's been a while since I've last posted...but hey things have been busy on my end. Anyway.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil is fast approaching and I've been seeing lots of fun facts. And who doesn't love an infographic? Notice that it's been 16 years since Colombia last appeared in a World Cup. Sheeesh.To view the entire schedule and to place your bets, click on FIFA's official match schedule here.

Who will you be rooting for this year?

After 16 years, Colombia returns to the World Cup

Yep. The last time the Colombian National Soccer Team qualified to the World Cup was the 1998 championship in France. An article in Latino Fox News states it best, "Colombia's national soccer team pulled off an improbable comeback in World Cup qualifying, turning a 0-3 deficit against Chile into a 3-3 draw to book a spot in Brazil in 2014."

In just 240 days, the World Cup travels to Brazil in 12 cities. Brazil and Spain seem to be the favorite. The last time the famous team won the World Cup was in 2002 in Korea/Japan. According to my dad, Brazil needs to do what France did in 1998...cheat. No one can obviously prove this but money and the sport seem to go hand in hand. The World Cup will travel to Russia in 2018 and then Quatar in 2022. Yes. Quatar. The United States was a runner up for both years.

The international travel experience: Colombia

I had the opportunity to visit my family in Bogota, Colombia last week. The crazy part is that I haven't visited since 1995. Things have drastically changed from what I remember but my family is still as amazing as ever. I can write about several things but I'll take this opportunity to write about "travel" in general including purchasing tickets, finding places to stay, airport security and so forth.

So let's begin way back in the Fall of 2012 when I decided to take a trip to the motherland for my birthday. There's an airport 10 minutes from mi casa in Absecon, NJ so why not leave from there right? Spirit Airlines is the only airline at the Atlantic City International Airport so I had to choose them. The flight was less than $600...a steal! That was until I realized all the added fees. You can't choose your own seat. You HAVE to check-in your bag way earlier so it doesn't cost you $100 at the gate. There are more but I won't get into it.

Fast forward March 2013 and we're off. I had a connection in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and it was going to be fast. We only had about an hour to catch our next flight (which of course was in another building -_-). However, the wonderful people at Spirit Airlines (or maybe it was the airport) held our flight for another 10 minutes so passengers running late could make it. So far luck was on my side.

When we got to El Nuevo Dorado International Airport in Bogota, Co. it was pleasantly...pleasant. No worries. Just waited about 30+ minutes for our bags. We found my uncles with no problem and we were off to enjoy a week in Colombia!

La leyenda comes to MundoFox

Sure it's a competitor, but I was excited to see MundoFox's programming lineup (launched today). Although I'll be working during the show, El Joe (La Leyenda) is a story about one of Colombia's most famous salsa artists. Enjoy and catch it Monday - Friday at 12 p.m. (EST).

Philadelphia raises the Colombian flag

Photo courtesy Al Dia News

Last Friday, July 20 Colombia celebrated their independence. Countless cities held festivals but in Philadelphia, something new happened. Not only was their a Festival Latinoamericano: Independencia de Colombia, but City Hall raised the Colombian flag for the first time. Thanks to the social activist organization MIRA USA, this first time event took place.

For more photos from the flag raising ceremony visit Al Dia's flickr.com stream: http://www.flickr.com//photos/aldianews/sets/72157630673768084/show/

Event: Festival Latinoamericano...Colombia!

Free festivals are a clear indication that the summer is here. I received word about a first ever Festival Latinoamericano: Independencia de Colombia in Philadelphia on Saturday, July 21st. The best part, the festival is actually in the neighborhood: La Fonda Colombiana, 108 W. Wyoming Avenue. Although it's a small parking lot, it's still good to see a festival in the neighborhood where people have access. Good food, music and lots of entertainment and giveaways; what more can you ask for?

Pablo Escobar premiers on Telemundo

What's one of the first things that come to mind when you hear Colombia? Unfortunately it may be Pablo Escobar and the drug cartel. “Pablo Escobar, el Patrón del Mal” (Pablo Escobar, The Drug Lordl), a Spanish-language television production about the life of one of the most-wanted drug lords in history, premieres on Telemundo Monday, July 9 at 10 pm/9c. This series, told from the point of view of victims, will recount Escobar’s humble origins and early delinquent days through his world-wide recognition as one of the most hunted men in cartel history.

Will this hurt Colombia's image? Well for those that don't know anything about the country's history it just might. But for those that know the love and hate history with Escobar, they will appreciate the truth. Escobar was known for killing judges, journalists, magistrates, ministers and presidential candidates,  and also made four presidents’ terms a living nightmare, infiltrated authorities and defied the world. Talk about making an impact not only in their country, but the world. Will you be watching?

A win for Colombia in Sustainable Transportation

Medellin, Colombia (in addition to San Francisco, CA) recently received the 2012 Sustainable Transportation Award. Talk about awesome news right? I'm glad to see Colombia being recognized in sustainable transportation and beating out competition like Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cape Town, South Africa. It's time for a visit right?

Read a little about Medellin's sustainable efforts:

• Medellin, Colombia, and its metropolitan area is being recognized for its public space improvements, and providing urban transport options to its citizens, such as its existing cable car and metro systems, and the recently inaugurated BRT project, Metroplús. The city created 1.6 million square meters of new park space through 25 parks and 11 urban promenades. Medellin also made progress with a new public bicycle program, EnCicla, that integrates universities and mass transit with popular city destinations; improved pedestrian crossings; and a ridesharing program, Comparte tu carro; as well as vehicle exhaust emissions controls and sulfur content improvements.

Colombia or bust!

Fundraiser alert! My good pal Tony Rocco has taken upon himself to teach kids something other than what they learn in school. Rocco's program Photography Without Borders is a collaboration between his students in La Florida, Colombia and those he teaches at Stetson Charter School here in Philadelphia. The students use photography and the internet to create a cross-cultural dialogue.

This summer Rocco plans on taking his Philadelphia kids to Colombia to experience something most of the kids haven't. They will meet the Colombian students and basically learn about each other. But the trip can't be made possible without your support. That's why on Friday, February 10 the kids are inviting everyone for a night of bowling (and food)! For $20 you'll get shoes, appetizers, pizza and more. Tickets are sold in advance but can also be purchased day of. See you there!

Shakira's awesome...yep

Oh Shakira...you are and forever will be Colombia's symbol of hope. Sure there are lots of great things originating from Colombia, but Shakira sheds a positive light to el pais even more. Shakira's En Vivo Desde Paris is a phenomenal CD/DVD set. Although I haven't seen the DVD yet, the entire CD is full of awesome oldies and newbies. Starting out with Pienso En Ti brought me back to the good ol' days too. She even covers a Metallica song (Nothing Else Matters). Whether you're a fan or not, you have to give it to Shakira, she's doing it all. Living the American dream while still supporting her fans and education. Who knows how many times she's met with President Obama.

Shakira...thank you for glorious years. Now come back to Philadelphia :).

Video: Shakira in Puerto Rico

Sure Shakira's Sale el Sol tour ended a while ago, but that doesn't mean her crew can't distribute awesome behind the scenes videos. The video below says one thing to me: It takes a lot of people to make Shakira who she is. That's why I love the video. And I also noticed a woman with her iPad at the concert. Doesn't she have a camera or a phone? Enjoy!

Video: HeroStreet's Todo En Ti

Remember Herostreet's last music video? Well just a few days ago they came out with another! I'm a sucker for love songs and this is obviously a nice relaxing "i want you" type of song. Want to meet the band? Well this Saturday you can see them live (if you're in NYC) at D' Antigua Bar and Restaurant in Jackson Heights. Enjoy!

A hero in us all

Today I had the liberty of meeting two members of Herostreet, a (sort of) new alternative Latino rock band formed here in Philadelphia. A different sound to what most people are used to, I appreciated listening to Jose and Marian's story about coming to the U.S. to pursue their dreams of music. Music and any other form of art is a difficult business to get in but with persistence, it can happen. Formed in 2006, the band consists of three Colombian brothers and two additional bandmates of Puerto Rican descent. They've performed two years in a row at the Hispanic Choice Awards in Philadelphia and their music is heard in various places including here in Philadelphia, New York, Colombia and Mexico. I smell history in the making :).

Herostreet also recently produced their first video for El Sol. Enjoy!

Why Shakira is a global phenomenon

For various reasons, Shakira will be one of the biggest entertainers in the world. She's conquered philanthropic charities, education, the World Cup, music and more. A few days ago it was also reported that, on November 8 at 11.30 a.m., she would be honored with the 2,354th star on Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Category of Recording.Um awesome? And just as an honorable mention, Shakira was the 2011 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year! But I'm happy she is more than just awards...she tackles very important issues like education and is buddy buddy with President Obama. Imagine that. Shakira...keep doing your thing :).

Video: Sentimientos

A little Charlie Zaa never hurt anyone right? He was awesome back in the day...and now he's back. Enjoy!

Grupo Niche en concierto

There's nothing like watching a band you grew up with live. Last Friday Grupo Niche performed live at Infinity Lounge in Trenton, NJ. A small venue but nonetheless, they killed it and they are clearly had one of the best performances live. Not a lot of artists can perform live but their music was on point and they sounded like the original thing. Here's to you Colombia!

Colombia's 20 and under

Did you know the World Cup is going on right now? Yes you're telling yourself didn't Spain just win last year...but this is another world cup. The FIFA World Cup U(nder)-20 is going on right now in Colombia. And from the looks of it, Colombia, Spain and Nigeria are the top contenders. From what I've seen and read, it seems as though Colombia is the team that might take it all the way. Unlike the actual Colombian league, these kids have promise and initiative. Even with the Costa Rican coach claiming they'll beat the favorite, the outcome was a little different than intended. So who do you see winning the World Cup U-20? To be honest this is the first time I have even heard of the U-20 competition. Does it deserve more attention?

Colombia's Independence Day: July 20, 1810

The party starts tomorrow! Feliz dia parce!