English and Spanish TV...the same

As we all know Ricky Martin is going to be on Glee tonight (2/7/11). Not sure what the story line is behind the Spanish teacher but as always it's good to see mainstream TV embracing Latinos. Sure no one ever wants to be labeled the "Latino" but when it comes to this type of show it's no problem. Reality TV always labels the minority. The other day I even saw a small clip of Relaciones Peligrosas at home with the parents and wow. I wanted to watch more but unfortunately I don't have the channel at mi casa. I was so happy to hear English and Spanish commentary which to me is astounding. Spanish and English broadcast outlets are paying attention to the new American Latino. We're bilingual, bloggers, lover of pizza and arroz con pollo and don't mind listening to LMFAO and Shakira at the same time. Try marketing to us :).

And now here's Ricky Martin performing "I'm Sexy and I Know It" with the Glee cast. Hilarious if you ask me.

Salsa con football

So what did this year's Super Bowl prove? Not only that the NY Giants are the better team, but also that Latinos do indeed watch and play football. Victor Cruz probably just showed mainstream America that all "we" do is salsa but it was his way of adding his roots to the game. A Latina.com article stated, "Prior to this season the half-Puerto Rican wide receiver Cruz was virtually unknown, but few would have guessed as millions of viewers watched him salsa dancing in the endzone after catching the Giants’ first touchdown according to NYDailyNews.com." It was pretty awesome to see the entire world notice how diverse our people can be. Sure salsa dancing isn't everything but it's one small component and important to us.

One small note, I wish he wouldn't say we are of Latin descent. Egh. *See below*

Event: SILK 2012 hits the West Coast

It's that time of year again when Greek-lettered organizations decide to show off their stroll skills and pretend they are better than everyone else. Reinventing the wheel is always difficult which is why I'm happy to hear this year's Greekster SILK show will be in Los Angeles, CA! Glad to see a lot of the west coast organizations will be able to perform; anyone from the east coast attending? And not that anyone cares I probably won't be attending. Although a weekend trip to L.A. would be exciting, it would be fun to experience this show in another part of the country. It also makes me wonder what else could organizations do to reinvent strolling. I mean isn't it the same every year? "Bring back the Greek judges!" <-- LOL smh.

When: Saturday, July 7, 2012 – Doors Open @5pm, Show @6pm
Where: East Los Angeles Performing Arts Center 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez – Monterey Park, CA 91754
Performances by: 2011 National Champions – Lambda Theta Alpha "Against All Odds" – & THE BEST STROLL TEAMS IN THE COUNTRY, such as Sigma Lambda Gamma (G-SQUAD), Lambda Theta Nu, Lambda Upsilon Lambda, Sigma Lambda Beta, and many more...

The Latino List

Why am I just hearing about hearing about "The Latino List"? Maybe it's because I didn't have any TV/cable back in 2011 lol. Anyways. This Latino (celebrity) List is part of an HBO documentary series which explores what exactly it means to be Latino in the U.S. today. Makes sense since the Census came out with their exciting results. However, most of the stories highlighted are sad which then again makes sense. Growing up in the 50s, 60s and 70s probably wasn't the best for new arrivals. John Leguizamo, Gloria Estefan, Pitbull, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez are just a few Latinos interviewed.

I wonder if they had a follow up in 20 years would the theme still be the same? Most of the interviewers took place during the whole SB1070 debate in Arizona as well. Identity is a huge issue in the Latino community. Last night there was a #Latism discussion and people were going in! I digress. I wonder where I can find The Latino List book as well? Saw it on Twitter of course.


The Latino List from Latino List on Vimeo.

Movie: The Apple Pushers

Five immigrants. New York City. Health crisis. $146 billion is spent on obesity-related health costs per year. This number will rise to $343 billion by 2020. http://www.applepushers.com/

Go GOYA or go home

In support of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative, Goya Foods, the largest, Hispanic-owned U.S. food company, is committing resources to promote the USDA's MyPlate, or MiPlato, a new food group symbol to remind families about making healthy meal choices with easy “how-tos” about proper portions. The partnership includes cookbook distributions, education programs throughout cities across the U.S., coupons and more.

Eating unhealthy in the Latino community unfortunately isn't unusual. We eat so much fried food, especially in poor communities. With a high case of diabetes and obesity, why not start eating healthier! Maybe it's because fried chicken and french fries are extremely delicious lol. My taste buds aren't used to healthier foods unfortunately. So let's try to go against the grain and start eating those salads, soups and absolutely nothing fried.

The Mayan prophecy arrives early

As the Mayan prophecy approaches you have to wonder whether it's true or not. The chances are unlikely (or not) but I'm sure there will be a lot of hype behind it. Glad to know the Penn Museum is presenting an awesome exhibit in May 2012 (7 months before the end of times lol). MAYA 2012 leads visitors on a journey through the Maya’s time-ordered universe, expressed through their intricate calendar systems, and the power wielded by their divine kings, the astounding “lords of time.” Visitors explore the Maya world through interactive experiences and walk among sculptures and full-sized replicas of major monuments.

Learn about the ideas behind Mayan culture, sculptures straight from Copan, Honduras and some full-size replicas of major monuments. Doesn't the video below make you wonder?

Event: Dancing with the Philadelphia Stars (and me)

So what happens when you mix the nine (9) Philadelphians above on one floor? No you don't get America's Next Favorite Philadelphia Star, you get Dancing with the Philadelphia Stars! This year's fourth annual celebration (Sunday, April 22) will be bigger than ever...that's because yours truly is participating. This is a wonderful opportunity to raise money for a great cause and also just perform. It's been years since I performed due to my injury but I'm looking forward to it. It's not like I'll be flipping around and jumping over people...right?


Former participant Dan Gross stated, "It's hard to follow in the footsteps of Your Humble Narrator, especially when it comes to dance steps, but nine brave souls will be doing just that when they participate in the 4th Annual Dancing with the Philadelphia Stars event April 22 at the Crystal Tea Room atop the Wanamaker Building" All nine of us will be partnered with a professional from Society Hill Dance Academy and will perform a two-minute routine before a panel of judges.Do you want to know what dance I'll be doing? NO it will not be the salsa, merengue, bachata or anything remotely Latino. -_-

The fundraiser raises money for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA). Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder affecting the red blood cells. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that become hard and pointed instead of soft and round. Please come and support so we can make this year's fundraiser more successful. According to the SCDAA website, sickle cell disease is a global disease affecting approximately 80,000 people in the United States with those of African descent being affected in the greatest numbers. In addition people of Mediterranean, Hispanic, Asian, Sicilian, Greek, Italian, Indian and Turkish ancestry are also affected, but in smaller percentages.

Tickets are $100, and will include a cocktail hour and silent auction. For tickets or info, visit dancingwiththephiladelphiastars.com.