Puerto Rico’s economic crisis features a shrinking economy and a declining population, with 15 percent unemployment rate to boot. In laymen’s terms, things aren’t looking too good for the high income economy territory with the poverty rate of 41%.
On Thursday, internationally renowned artist and Latin Grammy-award winning singer Luis Fonsi will be wearing his 'corazón' on his sleeve.
Fonsi, who released his latest single, "Corazón en la Maleta" on Feb. 18, is gearing up for its worldwide TV premiere that will take place at this year's "Premio lo Nuestro Award Ceremony" where he will perform live from Miami.
While Latinos remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs and professions in the U.S., Puerto Rico is having a different sort of problem: U.S. recruiters are stealing away with Puerto Rican STEM graduates. But the island's government is trying to end the brain drain, using LinkedIn as a tool.
Nobel Peace Prize-winning, African-American Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. impacted many lives, but he also had a great influence on Latinos who also faced discrimination -- including Puerto Rican baseball legend Roberto Clemente, who was both black and Latino.
Crème de coconut and choice liquor are necessary... no, essential when crafting a pitcher of flavorful and potent Puerto Rican Coquito, particularly in the Collazo household. Roberto Collazo Jr., a Warehouse Associate at an automotive manufacturing facility, learned the recipe from his father, who learned it from his father before him. Hand-over-hand, the multi-generational holiday favorite was passed down from one man to the next; the drink inheriting the traditions of the older man, but the changing tastes and interests of the younger one.
In Puerto Rico, the holiday season is a big party right from November until after January 6th, as we keep alive the celebration of "Three Kings Day" or "Los Tres Reyes Magos". Puerto Rico enjoys a Caribbean sunny weather all year around; therefore most celebrations take place on "marquesinas" or front outside porches. The lit up and decorated homes are a huge part of the holidays in Puerto Rico. Driving through the islands streets you will start to hear traditional Puerto Rican Christmas carols like "Dame la Mano Paloma" and "Burrito Sabanero". All of this and it isn't even Christmas yet!
Puerto Rican dishes are gathered, like the family seated around them. There's quick chatter and side conversation. The food smells delicious, and it tastes better. Some say that it's all about the adobo, but a number of the other Puerto Rican home-style cooks say that it's about the sofrito, sometimes called sazon. Eventually, someone exclaims, "And, any Puerto Rican will tell you when it comes to good adobe or sofrito, it CANNOT be store-bought."
Preheat the oven, and let the heat rise to an odd 425 degrees. Spray the roaster grill with oil. Then, add salt and pepper... let the meat sizzle on the grill. In no less than 45, you'll be serving 4-5 a warm and delicious meal. The Posh Latin Cook, Elena Carlo, designs and masters recipes like the Saffron & Honey Buffalo Drumsticks, and serves it up hot for her family to eat...but only after she photographs it for her blog.
The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico's financial state has recently been under scrutiny, with rumors of bankruptcy swirling about, but leaders insist that the island will be just fine without a U.S. federal intervention and that it won't default on its debts.
Puerto Rico, known for its beautiful beaches and the charm of Old San Juan, has a lot more going on than its tourist spots; it's an island that is facing a major debt crisis and it's in need of a U.S. economic boost.
