Category: Latin America

Take that, Mr. Trump: A Mexican and a Muslim Walk into a Boxing Ring… in America

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CaneloKhan

I really wanted to avoid talking about You-Know-Who on this venerable blog, but I couldn’t resist helping my paisano, Oscar de la Hoya, spread the word about his super terrific plan to sticking it to El Trumpo.

In an effort to prove that Muslims *and* Mexicans are welcome in the U.S., Mr. De la Hoya is organizing a mega fight between two of the most popular Muslim and Mexican boxers on the planet: Amir Khan, of Britain, and Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, from Mexico. The “mega mega” fight is to take place in Las Vegas this May 7 and the motivation behind it is simple –and awesome:

As Mr. De la Hoya told CNN about You-Know-Who:

“It’s mindboggling to know that he has those types of philosophies and thoughts,” said American-Mexican De La Hoya, seemingly referring to Drumpf’s call for a ban on Muslims entering the U.S., and building a wall between the country and Mexico.

Way to go, Oscar! See you in Vegas and hopefully not in the deportation plane back to Mexicou!

Grupo Televisa Launches Netflix-Like Service in Mexico; Hilarity Ensues

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IMG_4241

Mexican media giant — and Univision partner in [programming] crime — this week announced the launch of Blim.com, an OTT service á la Netflix.

Per the official announcement, the service is expected to cost $6.05 per month (which is roughly many, many, many pesos) and feature “relevant, Spanish-language programming targeting users in Mexico and Latin America.”

Mexicans promptly took to Twitter to share their “enthusiasm” around this thing. NOT.

Here are only a few examples of what Mexico twitteratti is saying about Blim.com

 

“Everyone is making money on the Internet; except us!” — Televisa introducing Blim.com

 

My friend, Azcárraga. Congrats on Blim; you do know what young viewers really want to watch on the Internet.

 

My phone is so smart, it will not install Blim

 

Or … does it only work on Alcatel phones?

Al parecer #Blim sólo funciona en dispositivos Alcatel.

This survey

 

Ironies aside, there are some tuiteros, including God himself, who think Blim can be a success. But three things must happen first: 

1. Better programming

2. Better pricing

3. Netflix must disappear

 

Pope Francis Gets Convenient Gift Before 12-Hour Flight

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sombrero Pope Francis

Right before taking a plane that will take him to Cuba, then Mexico, Pope Francis received a bunch of gifts from several Latin American journalists who are making the trip with him. Among my favorites: A gigantic sombrero featuring what looks to be the map of Argentina and a cartoonish image of Pope Francis himself.

Poor Bergoglio… and he hasn’t even arrived yet.

Via: @infobae

Watch Evo Morales Fight Evil, Seek Reelection á la ‘Star Wars’

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Collage

Evo Morales is not your typical Latin American president, and that’s a good thing.

As part of his relentless campaign to be reelected, Morales has jumped on the Star Wars: Episode VIl – The Force Awakens bandwagon to ask Bolivians to choose the Force (i.e. him and his buddies) and not go to the Dark Side (i.e. not him and his buddies.)

WATCH this thing below, and May the Force Be With The Bolivian People

Hat tip: @bathtubmedia

Miss Colombia Loses Miss Universe Crown, Hilarity Ensues

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MissC

Sunday night Miss Colombia was crowned Miss Universe at the Miss Universe pageant for, like two seconds…. Turns out the crown was actually for Miss Philippines but host Steve Harvey read the cue card wrong, and then everything went to hell for la colombiana — and for Harvey himself.

Here are some of the first memes of the night (they keep coming so make sure to come back) and scroll down for a video of what went down Sunday night.

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WATCH:

 

Because the Colombia-Not-Columbia Blunder is so Passé…

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Well, at least it doesn't say 'Columbia.'
Well, at least it doesn’t say ‘Columbia.’
Having mastered the art of writing “Colombia” when it meant to write “Columbia,” The New York Times via The Associated Press has decided to move onto yet another Latin American-themed, Spanish-language mixup.

So, as I was saying: #ItsManuelNotManual*

Just like #ItsColombiaNotColumbia

Hat tip: @tropicarlitos

Indigenous Community in Oaxaca Responds to Coca-Cola: ‘We Didn’t Use to Have Diabetes’

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diabetesThis happened.

On the heels of Coca-Cola pulling its controversial ad featuring a group of white Mexican kids bringing hope — and sugary drinks — to an indigenous community in Oaxaca, a group of mixe indians from the town of Totontepec came on to share their own message.

Using the same footage of the now infamous Coca-Cola spot, the mixes take the stage to share stories about their community’s lack of water and an alarming increase in diabetes levels, brought about by — what else? — sugary drinks like Coca-Cola. Among other things, their message (in mixe language featuring Spanish subtitles) includes the following statement by one local student:

“Fifty years ago, cases of diabetes type 2 in our indian communities were rare; now they begin to be an epidemic. In order to remain united, we must preserve our dignity, our health and our culture. In Oaxaca, we drink tejare, tea and clean water.”

News of the spot was first reported by SinEmbargo.com.mx in Mexico. Here’s the video, in mixe language with subtitles in Spanish. Stay tuned as I will be translating the whole message very soon. I just need to get this out for the sake of giving the mixes the space they deserve.

The Wait is Over: ‘Telenovela’ Premieres December 7 on NBC

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telenovela

Eva Longoria (aka La Prieta Faya and this blogger’s favorite retroacculturated Latina) is like super excited, because NBC on Monday Dec. 7 will premiere Telenovela, a 13-episode comedy that promises a lot of drama along with “passion, betrayal and raw sexuality.”

As this blog reported earlier, the show tells the story of a telenovela star who doesn’t speak Spanish, which is just perfect, since we all know Ms. Longoria is not particularly fluent in the language of Cervantes.

I will watch at least the first episode of this thing (for research purposes, you know?). But I still think it’s a pity NBC didn’t cast Erick Estrada as her co-star in Telenovela. After all Mr. Estrada is the only actual telenovela actor who was able to get away with making an entire telenovela despite his very poor command of Spanish.

See? This is what NBC viewers will be missing.