Your one-stop shop for all things Latin/Hispanic/Mexican
In a perfect world, our loved ones wouldn’t die leaving us terribly saddened and alone. But in an “Absolut World,” wonderful things can happen, including getting the U.S.-Mexico border straight once and for all. (This print ad was taken from the current issue of Quién magazine, in Mexico City.)
Here’s to my best friend, mentor, amiga, madre, travel companion and accomplice. I love you, Cuquita, wherever you are.
I’m back in Mexico City attending an unfortunate family emergency, so blogging is not really on my mind. However, as is always the case, the nation’s capital and the brilliancy of its people never cease to amaze me.
Hat tip to my friends at Hazmeelchingadofavor.com
I don’t care too much for milk but if hottie Enrique Iglesias asked me to take three glasses a day, I might very well do so. Iglesias is the latest celebrity to appear on bodybymilk.com to encourage Hispanic teens to drink his the liquid everyday.
A press release tells us that “Enrique understands the importance of being in tip-top shape in order to keep up with his busy schedule. That’s why he includes milk in his healthy diet.”
Little do they tell us though when we’ll get to see him wearing a creamy moustache around that delicious mouth of his.
Marketers would do just about anything to get their message across. But paying off a group of home-owners in a Caracas slum to have their brand exposed is a bit of a stretch.
The following is a real outdoor execution by Maggie in a Caracas slum. (Hat tip to Imágenes Dominicanas.)
Almost a year after I expressed my disappointment about not making it to People en Español’s 50 Most Beautiful Latinos, the Time Inc. title has found yet one more way to disappoint me: I am not happy to report that I didn’t make it either to this year’s 15 Most Influential Hispanics.
This year’s list includes some influential people you’ve probably never heard of, including Luis Balaguer, María López Alvarez, Carla Estrada and Lillian Rodríguez.
Luckily for me, absent from the list are Penélope Cruz, Salma Hayek, Thalía and Eva Longoria, so I guess I’m being considered for this year’s Bellos.
Cross your fingers!!!!
One thing you have to know about Mexicans is that we don’t take ourselves too seriously… Oh, and that we are simply the best when it comes to naming our small businesses.
Here’s La Taqui-Cardia, an aptly named taco joint located next door to -what else?- Mexico City’s Cardiology Hospital.
How else would you market a taquería in such a neighborhood?
Photo: Jimena Bermúdez, Mexico City
The Bolivarian Revolution has now declared war to … the English language.
By presidential mandate, Venezuelans are now being asked to avoid the use of English-language business and tech words. Included in the Spanish-only campaign are: staff, marketing, passwords, mouse, meeting. So from now on, when in Venezuela, please stick to personal, mercadeo, contraseña, ratón and reunión.
A massive campaign launched this week by CANTV is exhorting Venezuelans to “Say it in Spanish. Say it with pride.” (In Spanish, of course)
And in case you are wondering what I think about the whole thing: I think Chávez is not crazy. He’s just muy loco!
Photo: France24
And you thought you had seen it all….
You know Univision has made it to the big leagues when one of its main anchors is mocked at by the cast of Saturday Night Live. During a hilarious 6-minute spoof about the media’s obsession with Barack Obama, Jorge Ramos is actually introduced as Univision anchor and an official Obama stalker; someone who has a very unhealthy obsession with the Illinois Senator.
Senator Obama–Oh, my god! I’m so nervous. I still can’t believe I’m actually talking to you…OK: As you know, uh, Senator, as I explained in the letter that I duct-taped to your front door–and I’m sorry that it went on so long. I just, uh, I just really, really, really, really, really want you to be the next President. And not just because you’re a fantastic human being and the only person who can turn this nation around, but, you know, also because deep down I really and truly believe that it is destiny that you and I will one day be together. That you will become a part of me, and I a part of you. Joined as one.
The complete video can be seen here
If you thought you had seen (and heard) it all about politics and immigration, consider Rod Jetton, a Missouri politician who is offering to trade lazy locals for hardworking Mexican immigrants.
“I think there are some lazy Missourians in this state who really don’t want to work, and I think there’s a lot of hardworking Mexicans who would love to come up here and make a little money to support their families,” he told the Associated Press. “And by golly, if we could find a way to trade them, I would trade them in a heartbeat.”
Way to go, Mr. Jetton! I, for one, would love to trade political speeches like yours for the ones that really put us to sleep.
z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z !!
At last! someone other than myself dared criticize Spanish-language television in the U.S. But not precisely for the content of its programs but the alarming amount of fast-food commercials that are contributing to the obesity epidemic among Hispanic.
After reviewing 60 hours of programming airing between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Univision and Telemundo, researchers from the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center found the stations averaged two to three food commercials an hour, with one-third of them specifically targeted to children.
The study, published this week in the Journal of Pediatrics, also suggests that “to reduce the impact of food commercials, young children should be restricted to two hours or less per day of TV, and parent should talk to their children about healthy diet and food choices.”
(I might add parents will be well-advised to suggest their kids read a book or two. After all, holding something with both hands might keep them from sticking them in the cookie jar… or the Doritos bag.)
Move over Cinco de Mayo Barbie. Here comes Ugly Betty, the doll, launched this week at the New York City 2008 Toy Fair. It comes complete with her staple blue trimmed red Guadalajara poncho; braces, glasses and thick black hair.
Oh, and in case you were wondering: uglier than this ‘thing’ is its price: $69.95.
¡Ay Caramba!
You can say anything you want about Mexican women except that we make false promises.
Take Lupita, a humble, provincial girl, who might not look like a top model but promises unbridled passion in addition to a big, hard butt and the possibility to touch everything you may fancy. (She is even willing to accept food stamps and a slice of cake in exchange.)
“Lupita, neither a top model, nor a hostess or the foreign type; why promise something I cannot give? I am humbly provincial and because I didn’t go to school I have to resort to these ads; I will let myself go (ED: seeking better translation for flojita y cooperando); 28 years, white, size 7, big and hard buttocks (not big hips though). Touch everything in 90 minutes. Everything with a condom. Unlimited relationships. $700.00 (ED: pesos, that is); I accept food stamps and a slice of rosca [de Reyes?]”
Photo taken from El Universal, México.
Too tired to blog about current events. Besides, current events are really gloomy these days. So… before I part for a four-day St. Valentine/President’s Day puente, I leave you dear readers with a story that could have very well happened in… well, pretty much anywhere in the U.S.
A florist goes to the barber for a haircut. After the cut he goes to pay the barber, the barber says, “I am sorry I cannot accept money from you. You have just launched your flower business and I want to help. The florist is happy and leaves the shop.
The next morning, when the barber goes to open his shop, he finds a thank you card and one dozen roses waiting at his door.
A police goes for a haircut and he also goes to pay the barber after the cut. The barber replies: I’m sorry I cannot accept money from you. You are doing a real good job for the community, so this haircut is on me. The cop is happy and leaves the shop. The next morning the barber goes to open his shop and finds a thank you card and one dozen doughnuts waiting at his door.
Then a Mexican guy goes for a haircut, and he also goes to pay the barber after the cut. The barber replies: I can’t accept money from you; I know how hard you’ve worked to come all the way here looking for a better life for you and your family… I couldn’t possibly charge you for the haircut…
The next morning when the barber goes to open his shop guess what he finds there?………………
A dozen Mexicans waiting for a free haircut!
Ok, it’s funny! (I guess it’s even funnier if you’re Mexican and don’t have to pay with blood for being un-PC.)
