Yesterday NYC had over a million Puerto Ricans along fifth avenue either marching or watching the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. I've flaunted my pride at the parade myself a few times over the years. I didn't make it this year, so let me give a shout out to my fellow Boriquas by highlighting some of our accomplished hermanos y hermanas Boriqua:
Film/Television/Theater
Erik Estrada, Actor: Yup! Ponch from CHiPS is Puerto Rican
Jose Ferrer, Actor: First Latino to win an Oscar
Raul Julia, Actor: Brief but accomplished career in film,theater and television. Dram Desk Award winner and Tony nominee
John Leguizamo, Actor/Comic: Puerto Rican father
Jennifer Lopez, Actress/Singer/Entertainer: Diva
Rita Moreno, Actress/Singer: Winner of an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony.
Ana Ortiz, Actress: Catch her as the sister in Ugly Betty
Rosie Perez, Actress/Producer/Director/Choreographer: Check out her documentary "Yo Soy Boriqua..." She also choreographed the Fly Girls for In Living Color
Vanessa del Rio, Adult Film Legend: Such a hot mama even famed photographer Helmut Newton immortalized her in a portrait
Chita Rivera, Actor/Dancer: Broadway Legend and winner of two Tony awards
Jimmy Smits, Actor: Winner of an Emmy and Golden Globe
Benicio del Toro, Actor: Oscar winner
Literature/Music
Migel Algarin, Poet: Co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, some say the birthplace of the poetry slam.
Howie Dorough, Singer: Backstreet Boys member
Fat Joe, Rapper: Do the Rock Away...lean back, lean back
Pedro Pietri, Poet: Pivotal poem "Puerto Rican Obituary" a must read
Judge Edwin Torres, NY Supreme Court Justice: Author of Carlito's Way
Daddy Yankee: Prince of Reggaeton
Fashion/Models
Oscar de la Renta, Fashion Designer: Puerto Rican father
Jaslene Gonzalez, Model: Winner of America's Next Top Model Cycle 8
Astrid Munoz, Model/Photographer: Her fashion photography has been featured in French, German and Japanese editions of Vogue
Talisa Soto, Actress/Model: Featured in Vogue, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues, and film Mortal Kombat
Business Leaders
Richard Carrion: Chairman International Olympic Committee's Finance Committee
Angel Ramos: Founder of Telemundo television network
Herb Scannell: Former Chairman of MTV Networks and president of Nickelodeon Networks. Puerto Rican mother
Joseph A. Unanue: President and CEO of Goya Foods, son of founder
Let me stop with the listing, because there are way too many to list on a blog entry.
A big Wepaaaa to all the Puerto Ricans out there. Keep on, keeping on. There's still a lot our community needs to overcome. Keep the faith, do the work and we'll get there!
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