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Originally produced in 1999, THE PUERTO RICANS: OUR AMERICAN STORY was the first program of its kind, embodying the honor and passion of a rich heritage caressed by warm island breezes and set to an irresistible rhythm. The program explores lives lived in two worlds – a bicultural existence that as many in the program describe it, can be equally enriching and unsettling.
Entertainer Rita Moreno, late musician Tito Puente, actors Jimmy Smits and Miriam Colón, singers Justino Díaz and Ednita Nazario, author Esmeralda Santiago, tennis player Gigi Fernández, former Governor Pedro J. Rosselló (NPP – Puerto Rico) and many others share their personal stories in a dynamic celebration of Puerto Rican life in America.
Filmed on both the United States mainland and the island of Puerto Rico, the program explores the customs and traditions that have bonded Puerto Rican families for generations. And just as the mix of spices, sofritos, is essential in any Puerto Rican kitchen because it not only colors the food but gives it flavor, THE PUERTO RICANS: OUR AMERICAN STORY illustrates how the customs, traditions, dances, and, of course the music that is the pulse of the Puerto Rican culture, are the unique identity of a thriving American community. As Roberto Clemente, Jr., son of the late baseball legend, asserts in the program, “It’s a very good thing to be Puerto Rican right now.”
As Tito Puente explains in the program, “even if you become [assimilated in the United States], your heart is really down there in the island.” These cultural connections are so powerful for Puerto Rican families they exist even for those living on the mainland who have never been to the island. Of course, for those who have been to the island – even for a brief visit – there is an inextricable bond to la Isla. When Jimmy Smits describes the preparations for his first childhood visit at age five as if it were a religious ceremony- complete with starched white shirt, vest, suit and tie – his vivid memory recalls an experience shared by many in the Puerto Rican community.
According to author Esmeralda Santiago (When I Was Puerto Rican), being Puerto Rican American is “like a child jumping double dutch… two ropes [Puerto Rican and American identity] going in opposite directions very quickly… it is a constant juggling, a constant jumping up and down trying to be in one place or another.” And Jimmy Smits expresses the way many Puerto Ricans experience their world as he describes a favorite recipe, alternating between his two native languages to express it fully, remarking “it’s funny… certain things I have to say in Spanish to know what they are in English.”
This duality put tennis player Gigi Fernandez at a crossroads as she prepared for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and had to choose between representing the mainland or the island. Fernandez talks in the program about her personal struggle with the two worlds of Puerto Rican life as “a hard emotional decision… but a very easy career decision” because she knew the only way she would win was on the U.S. team. Representing the United States that summer, Fernandez became the first Puerto Rican woman to win an Olympic gold medal.
The program also pays tribute to Puerto Ricans whose lives and careers left an impact on the Puerto Rican community and brought recognition to the Puerto Rican community in American mainland culture, including the late actors Raul Julia and Jose Ferrer, baseball player and humanitarian Roberto Clemente and singer Tito Rodriguez, described in the program as the “Puerto Rican Frank Sinatra.”
THE PUERTO RICANS: OUR AMERICAN STORY is produced by WLIW New York, whose other PBS specials celebrating the diversity and ethnic character in America include A LAUGH, A TEAR, A MITZVAH (Jewish Americans); THE CUBAN AMERICANS; THE POLISH AMERICANS and THE MEXICAN AMERICANS.
Produced by WLIW New York; Producers: Ron Rudaitis, Sam Toperoff; Executive Producer: Roy Hammond; Format: CC STEREO.
Great Show! I am extremely proud of my Puerto Rican heritage and am proud to share this program with all my family and friends.
Thank you for producing this show.
What a delight! brought back some enchanting memories of a time in our heritage where our abuelas, tias, and mothers empowered us to celebrate our culture and be proud of our history.
This is a wonderful program and the second time that I am seeing it. My Father, Grandmother and Nephew are part of this program. I will always be grateful to my sister for making this possiberl.
Thank you Lucy!
Truly a work that shows the beauty of our Puerto Rican culture. My family and I are proud to be a part of this with images that I submitted for the documentary. I can never get enough of watching it and see the wonderful contributions that Puerto Ricans like Jimmy Smits, Rita Moreno, Tito Puente and more have given to this society. Bravo and Thank you to WLIW for producing this sensitive documentary. I will watch it again.
I loved this show it really got to the core
do you know when there going to give it again?
I didn’t see it. I hope PBS shows it again. I too, am proud of my Puerto Rican heritage.
Viva Puerto Rico Libre!
This program says it all!!! What a privilege to be of Puerto Rican descent. What a blessing from God, to be a part of my parent’s people. A rich & lovely culture, with the best food in the world; and music to die for. Thank you so much for producing this program.
Thank you, thank you… Although I know many of the people interviewed I was pleasently surprised to view a well produced Diaspora of a people. Now, can we please have more of what our small but powerful island produces?
This was a wonderful program showing the world a little bit of our rich culture in such professional way. This literally brought tears to my eyes. Que viva Puerto Rico.
even thouhg I did not see it, I imagine the impact on those that does not have the knowledge of our culture, which is very rich and underestimated. If our people were better informed about the great men and women that have contributed in music,art, science,sports etc.,the pride of our heritage would be unlimited.
What a nice way to end my hectic day. I found this web site looking for a documentary called Visions of Puerto Rico. I wathed it, then, bty magic, I click another site and lo and behold I ended with this BELLO documental. No dinner for anyone tonight, I am in Puerto Rico state of mind (GRACIAS A DIOS) and unable to concentrate on anything else. GRACIAS< GRACIAS, GRACIAS.
If this does stir a sense pride and the need to seek out your roots nothing will.
I’m truly in love with my people, and with the stunningly beautiful Island that Papa Dios has given us. For the deep sense of pride and love of family our abuelitos y abuelitas have instilled in us. I feel truly blessed to have been one of many born on that enchanted and mothering island. For even at my advanced age, when I see my first glimps of Gods perfection, from an airplane, I cry like a child with arms outstretched toward his mother. I am happy to hear that many of our politician, artist and sports personalities, have similar feelings as I about Puerto Rico, our ‘Little Island with the Big Heart”.
Fascinating portrayal of our PR experience…loved it!
SPIRIT MESSSAGES TO MY MOTHER
Gilda Miros is an accomplished Puerto Rican actress, announcer and author, based in Florida. Following the great success of her recent book “Memorias de los Espiritus y mi Madre” (Author House, 2008) Mirós now presents the English version: SPIRIT MESSSAGES TO MY MOTHER.
This eye-opening memoir contains inspirational messages received by the extraordinary trance medium Monserrate Conesa, and dictated to her daughter Gilda Mirós.
Fifty years of communications with the spirit world received by mother and compiled by daughter. This incredible and heartwarming non-fiction will inspire readers; confirming that there is life after death, that reincarnation does exist; and that loving family members and close friends continue to seek one another after this lifetime.
Author; Gilda Mirós has starred in films, theater and TV in the USA, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Miros was the first Latina to conduct a daily four hour live radio show, between Miami, Los Angeles and New York. Gilda launched her first book “Celia Cruz, Sonora Matancera,” July of 2003, “Portrait of Puerto Rico,” in August of 2005. “Hortense and her Happy Duckling,” a bilingual children’s book, was released, July, 2006. “Memorias de los Espíritus y Mi Madre,” in Oct. 2008.
SPIRIT MESSSAGES TO MY MOTHER
(SC) 5×8 432 pages. ISBN (SC) 978-1-4490-8429-5 (eBook) 978-1-4490-8426-4 Kindly send your reply should you choose to receive a review copy. The author is accessible for interviews. A high-resolution image is available at: estelaperez@verizon.net losseres@bellsouth.net 305-323-6293
I am 75 years old now and these pictures have taken me back to when I was 12-15 years old living in Puerto Rico. I have forward this clip to my children (6), grandchildren (12) and greatgrand children (2). Thank you for a well put together production of my life ‘En Puerto Rico’.