Una lengua para Latinos

So yesterday MTV rolled out its raucous red carpet to honor the best of the year's pop, rock and reggaeton from Latin America with its eighth annual Los Premios MTV awards in Los Angeles on Thursday (Associated Press). However, a fellow social media pal @UrbanJibaro brought something really strange to my attention *see image above*. So while the main show (MTV Music Awards) gets a moon man, the pink tongue-shaped statue is apparently inspired by Kiss' Gene Simmons.

Does this really make any sense? Now I know Latinos are into many things INCLUDING rock but why Kiss? MTV if you're out there let us know...we demand answers :).

Introducing @PhillyTeAma

Ever wanted to know where the latest salsa club is? The nearest place to buy a vejigante mask? Or just need some cool fun facts about Latino Philadelphia? Well you're in luck because now you can follow @PhillyTeAma and keep in touch with Latino Philly! And you guessed it, this Twitter account is run by me via my job. As if I already don't tweet via 3 other accounts, this will just push my love for my cultura and the city that basically taught me to be who I am today.

Enjoy! Follow @PhillyTeAma and come be a “Philatino".

That Really Grinds My Gears...Early Winter

So according to almost every weather station, severe weather is currently hitting our region. Maybe that's why I feel like crap? Although I'm not sneezing or coughing, my forehead is burning up...go home? The worst part, this is going to continue for the next 4 days *smh*.

I don't think anyone is thinking of the children!

They Did it JustBeCus

That's right the only Latino/a organization to enter Sprite Step Off have made it to the Sprite Step Off Regional Semi Finals and are competing this weekend in South Carolina! Who could it be? Well of course Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority Inc. CUS will have their chance again this Saturday at the Carolina Coliseum at USC.

"With the Latinas we add a little bit of our curves and a little bit of our shakes and a little bit of salsa," says CUS sister Vanessa P. You can listen to her opinion and other Greeks in the second chapter of the Essence of Step series (at about 2:11): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zomEtlhZkN0. Also, CUS was the first Latina sorority to step and have won numerous step shows.

So congrats Sprite, ΧΥΣ and all the performers. Representing your organization in a positive way should be every organization's goal.

When Keeping it Real Goes Wrong...Texting

So what happens when you put a bunch of Latinos together and a big screen where text messages appear together?? You get a lot of random messages. I first saw the Verizon text screen at Batanga Beach Break 07. Pretty cool idea if you think about it. You text a number provided and wait a few minutes and your message appears on the screen. "Shout out to Gamma Phi Sigma" or "Good luck sisters" would be the general messages but soon some interesting messages should appear.

Last night at the Philadelphia Hispanic Choice Awards the Verizon screen reappeared in my life. Although for some odd reason I couldn't text, the messages were getting a little too weird for me including the most awkward one, "I'm pregnant." Maybe it's a joke maybe it isn't but I just think people need to think before they send out messages to hundreds of people.

The Spanish Twitter Clone

It was a matter of time before this happened. According to TechCrunch, there have been numerous Twitter clones including a German version. Now we have Birddi...birddi though? Birddi.com was created by a 19-year-old Argentinian developer Martin Lio, who saw the power of Twitter during the 2008 presidential elections.

Do you think this is valid?! I mean it looks completely the same as Twitter! Somebody slap this kid with a lawsuit, or maybe not. All I know is that Ellen has decided to jump on this bandwagon as well. As for me...we'll see where this goes. I smell a shut down in a few weeks (or months).

Bye Bye South Africa 2010

So yet again Colombia succeeds in letting us down. Once again Colombia's chance in heading to the World Cup ceases to exist. Last Saturday Colombia faced Chile in what could have given them another chance to qualify, sure enough they lost 2-4. Some blame it on head coach Eduardo Lara and some just blame it on a bad team.

At one point in the game, fans yelled out "buro" to Lara because of a few bad calls. And my a few bad calls I mean he substituted some players which he shouldn't have. After losing the game he told press if he's meant to resign then it's meant to be.

p.s. I don't even remember the last time Colombia went to a World Cup. Thoughts?

Send a Virtual Postcard

Remember when I said you could send a physical postcard? Well now is your chance to send an e-postcard! Yes getting something in the mail is probably very flattering these days, but for those social media geeks, we've got something for you. All you have to do is go to gophila.com/withlove and follow the instructions. You can choose from a small variety of images and 6 different language stamps.

p.s. When you send a card you can be entered to win a $100 Jose Garces or Starr restaurant group gift card. So send to family, friends, coworkers, etc. They'll appreciate it.