CURRENT LONG BEACH
LONG BEACH STATE’S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1949
Vol. XCVIII, Issue 4
lbcurrent.com
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
WE REMEMBER
25 YEARS LATER YE
PAGES 14-15
Long1250BBellflower each Current Blvd., LA4-203
Long Beach, CA, 90804 Editorial Office Angela Osorio Phone (562) 985-8000 Editor-in-Chief eic@lbcurrent.com Skylar Stock Multimedia Managing Editor multimedia@lbcurrent.com
Leyla Crail Managing Editor managing@lbcurrent.com
Valentina Villarreal Community Engagement Editor community@lbcurrent.com
Monica Boerger Business Manager business@gobeach.media
Editors News Editor Josephine Robinson news@lbcurrent.com Arts & Life Editor Joseph Lee arts@lbcurrent.com Opinions Editor Christian Robledo opinions@lbcurrent.com Sports Editor Brianna Apodaca sports@lbcurrent.com Design Editor Gabrielle Lashley design@lbcurrent.com Chief Copy Editor Sasha Marantz copy@lbcurrent.com Photo Editor Rehansa Kulatilleke photo@lbcurrent.com Social Media Editor Bella Beltran socials@lbcurrent.com Video Editor Mikaela Perez video@lbcurrent.com Podcast Editor Bryan Viteri podcast@lbcurrent.com Assistants News Reporters Jayden Sandstrom Claire Morris Sol Virgen Alexa Partida Josephine Kim Arts & Life Reporters Ni Baliness Dominic Maddan Mason Mangus Nataly Valencia Lila Mukasa Opinions Writers Tyler Kols Simone Godse Sports Reporters
Design Assistant Copy Assistants
Staff Photographers
Social Media Assistants Video Reporters Podcast Assistants
Dupree De La Peña Veronica Minogue John-Wyatt Cristan Ervin Alan Ibarra Gabriel Duarte Ellie Nakamura Ayah El Reda Annabelle Qi Isaac Cordon Maizi Merklein Eddy Cermeno Diego Perez Charlotte LoCicero James Tinoco Jamie Garcia Eva LeBlanc Alexis Munoz Jana Truong Arianna Jackson Eli Vice Monica Garcia Victor Alcocer Alejandra Guerra
Business Advertising Manager Jocelyn Piz advertising@gobeach.media Creative Director Alicia Taylor creative@gobeach.media Web & Technology Director Melanie Cativo web@gobeach.media PR & Marketing Manager Mikayla Hubbard pr@gobeach.media Distribution Manager Seiana Spencer-Kendrick distribution@gobeach.media
Advisers Design Adviser Gary Metzker Content Advisers Barbara Kingsley-Wilson Ashley Hopkins Advertising & Business Adviser Jennifer Newton
ON THE COVER
DIEGO PEREZ/Long Beach Current The Long Beach Police and Fire departments joined the community in front of the Long Beach World Trade Center on Saturday, Sept. 12 to climb the 22 floors in honor of the first responders who served during the Sept. 11, 2001 attack.
NEWS
For story concerns email: news@lbcurrent.com
Letter from the editor BY ANGELA OSORIO Editor-in-Chief
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ll my life, I never felt Latina enough. I had fair skin, I didn’t like reggaeton and I didn’t eat meat. Most of the stereotypical “Latina” calling cards didn’t apply to me, and growing up in L.A., I never felt like I fit in – with my non-Hispanic friends or even among the Latino community. Ni de aquí, ni de allá (neither from here, nor there) resonated with me deeply. Today, I’m still learning to embrace both identities: as an Angeleno and a ColombianMexican-Ecuadorian. I still like iced matchas and bagels, but I also love arepas and café de olla. I’m still an awkward dancer, but I’m learning to enjoy salsa and bachata. This month is personal; not just to me, but to thousands at our Hispanic-serving Institution, where Hispanics and Latinos make up about 51% of our student population. Throughout September and October, we honor Latino leaders and figures who paved the way for our success; we honor our roots and traditions that remind us of home; and we honor our families and loved ones, including those who are no longer with us. This issue kicks off our coverage of Hispanic Heritage Month, from club profiles and local events to our Spanish film recommendations and a
EDDY CERMENO / Long Beach Current Angela Osorio serves as the Long Beach Current’s editor-in-chief for 2026-2027. look into Latino influence on fashion. You can expect more stories throughout the month on lbcurrent.com, highlighting our diverse Latino community on campus and in Long Beach. ¡Feliz mes de la Herencia Hispana!
Land Acknowledgment Here at the Long Beach Current we acknowledge that the school we report on is located on the sacred site of Puvungna, “the gathering place.” We are on the land of the Tongva/ Gabrieleño and the Acjachemen/Juaneño Nations who have lived and continue to live here. We also acknowledge the Gabrieleño/Tongva (pronounced: GABRIEL-EN-YO/TONG – VAH) and Acjachemen/Juaneño (pronounced: AH-HACH-AH-MEN/JUAN-EN-YO) as the traditional custodians of the Los Angeles region along with the Chumash (pronounced: CHOO-MOSH) to the north and west, and the Tataviam (pronounced: TAH-TAH-VEE-YUM) and Cahuilla (pronounced: KAH-WEE-YAH) Nations to the east. We respect and value the many ways the Tongva/Acjachemen cultural heritage and beliefs continue to have significance to the living people and remind us about the sacred and spiritual relationship that has always existed here at what we now call California State University Long Beach.
Editorials: All opinions expressed in the columns, letters and
cartoons in the issue are those of the writers or artists. The opinons of the Long Beach Current are expressed only in unsigned editorials and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the journalism department or the views of all staff members. All such editorials are written by the editorial board of the Long Beach Current.
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Letter Policy: All letters and emails
must bear the phone number of the writer and must be no more than 300 words. The Long Beach Current reserves the right to edit letters for publication in regard to space.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
NEWS
Evacuations lifted after Hurricane Marie BY SKYLAR STOCK Multimedia Managing Editor
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ong Beach residents got the green light to reenter their Peninsula homes on Wednesday, Sept. 9 after being evacuated due to high surf. Over the past week, the Southern California coast has seen widespread devastation from Hurricane Marie, with waves reaching up to 10 feet in some areas. Long Beach was no stranger to the destruction. Rain and surf from Hurricane Marie slammed into the Peninsula for multiple days. The chaos from the storm forced 20 homes to evacuate, with the waves reaching up to 6 feet tall, according to the Long Beach Post. The storm damaged parts of the historic boardwalk, eroded sand barriers and hurdled waves into oceanfront homes. After the storm cleared on Wednesday, Long Beach building inspectors let most residents back into their homes. Only one home was yellow tagged, only allowing them to collect their things but not reenter. The beach-facing boardwalk between 63rd Place and 68th Place still remains closed until further notice. Long Beach is just one of many SoCal beaches that got pounded by the storm, offering a glimpse into the future as El
PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF LONG BEACH Aerial photo taken on Sept. 11, showing a portion of the Hurricane Marie impacts to the Peninsula, including the boardwalk, bulkhead and shoreline. Niño conditions loom. The potential wet winter brings along a set of challenges, including flooding and erosion. Marie revealed the struggle moving forward -- as 10-foot sand gaps in the Peninsula were already observed by the Long Beach Post. “Whatever you’re seeing now is is is at the low end of what we’re going to experience in the coming months,” Daniel Swain, University of California
climate scientist said in a livestream. “So, it’s just a preview.” While 415,000 cubic yards of sand is coming to the Peninsula this fall from the $9.27 million Alamitos Bay Channel Dredging Project, a long-term coastline solution may take more effort. District 3 Councilmember Kristina Duggan commented on the path forward, “Our focus needs to be on repairing the damage, preparing for the upcoming
El Niño, and working with our coastal engineers on immediate protections and long-term solutions for the Peninsula.” Long Beach crews will continue to clean up sand and debris from the area. The boardwalk is still being inspected for damages, with more updates to come in the following weeks.
Free dental health services now available BY JOSEPHINE ROBINSON News Editor
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tudents can now receive free dental care and consultations, thanks to Student Health Services’ partnership with West Coast University’s Dental Hygiene Clinic. Under the supervision of licensed hygienists and dentists, WCU dental students visit Long Beach State’s Student Health Center once a week to offer initial consultations and screenings, additionally providing dental hygiene education for students. Consultations are limited to an hour and 15 minutes. Students can schedule appointments
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through the Student Health Services portal on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to receive oral health and risk assessments, oral cancer screenings, X-rays and gum health evaluation. After an initial consultation, students may be referred to WCU’s campus clinic in Anaheim to receive additional free services and treatment that is not yet available at CSULB, including deep cleaning, sealant application and fluoride therapy. The WCU dental hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. “The goal of our school, and the goal of our profession is to increase access
to care,” said Jila Torabi, associate dean of clinical education at WCU’s dental hygiene program. “Oral health is always on the back burner. People don’t take care of things until it hurts, so, really, the goal is to close that gap.” Torabi added that oral cancers and HPV are on the rise among young people, and that having access to preventative care and education is the best way to ensure people remain healthy. “We’re very big on prevention versus treatment,” Torabi said. “Prevention is the cheapest insurance you can get.” According to Torabi and Damian Zavala, executive director of Student Health Services, the partnership between CSULB and WCU’s dental program was
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five years in the making. It kicked off in June, allowing students to benefit from the program’s larger “philanthropic learning experience.” “Oral health leads to a lot of other health problems if it is not taken care of,” Zavala said. “It wasn’t a quick process, but we’re glad we finally made it and launched it, and that students are happy with it,” While still in its beginning stages, Zavala said the program is here to stay, and that Student Health Services is looking forward to further building on the partnership. “It was worth the time, the effort, the tears and everything to make it happen,” Zavala said
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NEWS
Long Beach raises parking fines to protect library funding BY JAYDEN SANDSTROM News Reporter
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ong Beach has now increased parking tickets to $100, following a last-minute budget proposal to prevent cuts to public libraries. City Council recently approved a $4 billion budget for fiscal year 2027, cutting from several city departments and laying off over 200 employees, with the most impacted being the Police Department, Parks and Recreation, Marine Services, and Health and Human Services. Initially announced in July, the budget was set to cut from several city departments to address $55.9 million of the projected $58.2 million structural deficit. Long Beach public libraries were among the most affected, facing $1.4 million in reductions, with 14 positions set to be eliminated and operating hours reduced, forcing five library branches to close on Mondays. But after a mass public outcry against the library cuts, Mayor Rex Richardson asked the council to identify funding elsewhere to preserve library services. To retain the library’s funding, the revised budget sets 17 parking fee citations to increase by 11- 43%, raising fines that previously ranged from $70 to $90 to a flat of $100. These include blocking bike lanes, fire hydrants and double parking. The price increases are expected to generate around $1.5 million in city revenue. The revised budget passed with a 7-2 vote, with council members Cindy Allen and Kristina Duggan voting no. “I look at Districts 1, 2, 3 and 6, and I see that they really are parking-impacted. We don’t have driveways, and District 2 is the most parking-impacted in the city,” Allen said, a District 2 representative. “I just worry that these fees will be on the backs of people who are already struggling and don’t have opportunities to park on a street or in a driveway.” Long Beach residents expressed frustrations with the last-minute change, as they were not given the opportunity to offer public comment on the issue.
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JORGE HERNANDEZ /Long Beach Current The Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library displays books on Sept. 9, 2025 to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. “What’s so slimy is to pull it out of your back pocket and for everyone here, the most plugged-in people in this city, to find out that that’s the funding mechanism at this meeting,” said one community member during a Sept. 8 city council meeting. “I would love to know if increasing parking fines was an idea from a constituent, because a lot of constituents gave you guys great ideas, and it sounds like you guys didn’t seriously consider any of them.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson speaks at the Teacher’s Association of Long Beach rally on Feb. 8. Richardson recently asked City Council to identify alternative funding to preserve library hours and services. ETHAN COHEN / Long Beach Current
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
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CURRENT LONG BEACH
Happy Hispanic
Heritage Month
ARTS & LIFE
10th annual Dia de Los Muertos Festival returns to Long Beach
Cely Inda browses through vendors’ items at the Dia de Los Muertos festival in 2021. TYLER SAKATANI /Long Beach Current BY CLAIRE MORRIS News Reporter
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ong Beach’s Dia de Los Muertos Festival is set to return for its 10th annual celebration on Nov. 1, after last year’s event was canceled due to community fears of indiscriminate federal actions from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “This decision did not come lightly and was a result of concerns related to activities in the region being conducted
by federal law enforcement,” said First District Councilwoman, Mary Zendeja in a public statement on Facebook announcing the cancellation. “I deeply value the vibrant cultural diversity of our community and am looking forward to continuing our Dia de los Muertos Parade next year.” Zendejas also said that the city will carry over unspent parade funding from last year’s budget and combine it with 2026 budget, allowing $100,000 to be spent for this year’s festival.
The celebration has been a long-standing tradition in Long Beach, offering a space for the community to gather and honor loved ones who have passed on. Entertainment such as cultural performances will be offered at the event, along with local vendors and resources provided from municipal departments and partners. Despite disappointment, community members ultimately respected the choice to not move forward with the event. “I’m so sorry you had to make this de-
cision — but protecting our people is the correct path to follow,” said Facebook user Naida Tushnet in the announcement’s comment section. The city of Long Beach is now in the planning stage for the festival. Interested organizations and vendors can submit an application to participate until Oct. 23. The festival will be held at its original location in Rainbow Lagoon Park, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Spanish Club returns after 6-year hiatus BY DOMINIC MADDAN Arts & Life Reporter
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SULB welcomed its students back to campus last week with Week of Welcome, a two-day event to help connect students with clubs and campus resources. Among the many groups at the event was the Spanish Club, returning after being absent from campus since early 2020. The club originally ceased meetings in 2020 due to the pandemic shutdown, but other issues between the club’s board members prolonged its hiatus. “There was drama between the people who were board members and the board got shut down … The other reason was the club got shut down like every oth-
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er club on campus during Covid,” said third-year Spanish major and refounder of the club Juan Godoy-Martinez. Unlike many other clubs on campus that met on Zoom during the pandemic, the Spanish Club could not continue due to the lack of interest in keeping it going. Godoy-Martinez attributes the revival to Spanish professor Daniel Herrera Cepero, who sent out emails to students to get the club running again. “I was like ‘Y’know what? This looks like a club I can do. I’m also in other clubs but I’m not as active … For this one, it’s Spanish speaking so I thought I could do it,” said Godoy-Martinez. “At first I was just a member, but I ended up fulfilling the role of temporary president,” he continued.
The club’s current president, Spanish major Jessica Becerra, followed the lead of Godoy-Martinez and was unsure at first before deciding to get readily involved. “When I would actually get to go to the meetings, there were not a lot of people wanting to enlist themselves or take on responsibilities … I decided to be president. The Spanish Club would be a great step for rehabilitation of the Spanish language on campus but also for my own personal growth … this would be a great practice,” said Becerra. For this semester, the club returns to campus with the hopes of showcasing Latino culture through online history tours and commemorating holidays like Día de los Muer-
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tos and Mexican Independence Day. Becerra and Godoy-Martinez have plans to keep the club alive for the foreseeable future. “Making connections on campus to people who are younger than you can inspire them. It inspired us, and it was the key [to the refounding]. We are going to keep it entertaining and not too constricted, making it broad and let people do what they want to do,” said Becerra. For Godoy-Martinez, he’s hoping that this attitude will keep club members interested and “hopefully become voting members” to determine future leadership for the club. Spanish Club meetings are every Tuesday from 5 to 5:50 p.m. in Liberal Arts Building 5, Room 305.
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ARTS & LIFE BY DOMINIC MADDAN Arts & Life Reporter
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he Museum of Latin American Arts in Long Beach will be celebrating both its 30th anniversary and the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with a threeday event centered on the art of lucha libre from Sept. 25-27. Lucha libre is a genre of wrestling that is highly prominent in Latin American communities as both a sport, punctuated by swashbuckling action and colorful masks, as well as a media genre with types of cinema and art dominating pop culture. The event will kick off on Friday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m., focusing on media related to lucha libre with the official launch of the book “Luchadores Vs. Everything” by Viviana García Besné, which chronicles the history of lucha libre as a sport, art form and genre of entertainment. The event will include an artist panel featuring celebrated Latino artists who contributed artwork and spreads to the book. Happening concurrently, will be an immersive art installation showing remastered trailers and clips from films
Lucha libre looks to dive from the top rope at MOLAA
DANTE ESTRADA /Long Beach Current Mural of Frida Kahlo at MOLAA’s 2022 Dia de los Muertos Festival.
that are hallmarks of lucha cinema that still stand as iconic today. Saturday, Sept. 26, will bring an explosive mix of music and high-flying action at MOLAA. Cover band La Nueva Ola De Cumbia will be performing cumbia remixes of famous hits from the 80s to today starting at 3:30 p.m. Later that evening, starting at 5:30 p.m., legendary luchadores will take to the ring to battle it out and celebrate the cornerstone of Latin American entertainment that is lucha libre. To end off the festivities on Sunday, Sept. 27, MOLAA will be hosting the Lucha Libre Expo, where attendants can partake in workshops, panels, meet and greets and see a screening of a rare hallmark of the lucha cinema genre, “La mujer murciélago” preserved by Garcia Bensé. Wrestling star Shelly Martinez, aka “Ariel” and “Salinas,” who was the first Latina woman to sign under contract with the WWE, will be appearing at the expo from 12-3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through the official webpage for the event on the MOLAA website while supplies last.
Latino Restaurant Week offers a taste of Latino cuisine BY MASON MANGUS Arts & Life Reporter
F CHARLOTTE LOCICERO /Long Beach Current Ismael Miramontes, owner of La Chancla Mexican Grill, serves an agua fresca at Latino Restaurant Week’s kickoff event on Sept. 18, 2025 Miramontes is a CSULB alumnus who started his taquería inspired by Mexican culture and tradition.
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or a third consecutive year, Latino Restaurant Week brings its festivities to Long Beach spanning from Oct. 5 to Oct. 11 with 15 participating restaurants. Latino Restaurant Week is hosted by the Chefs in Philanthropy program of Affluent Hispanic Philanthropies, produced by Branding is Social Inc., and powered by Exquisitamente. The week kicks off with a Latino soirée at Onni East Village Courtyard in Downtown Long Beach with a celebration that will feature signature dishes, specialty cocktails and live music as the sun sets on Oct. 1 from 5:30-9 p.m. The kick-off event is for adults 21+ and $75 presale tickets are available until 4 p.m. the day of the event. General admission to the kick-off event costs $100 and is available the day of the event at event check-in. Public parking will also be available at the event.
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During the week, attendees can expect to find an array of unique dishes and drinks handcrafted by Latinoowned restaurants and businesses. The participating restaurants come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including Peruvian, Venezuelan, Honduran, Mexican cuisines and more. Last year, Latino Restaurant Week saw much success. The kick-off event alone was able to reach an attendance of 300 people including chefs, media and community members. In 2025, 16 restaurants participated throughout the week, equal to this year’s celebrations. While most participating restaurants are returners, there are a handful of new restaurants joining Latino Restaurant Week. Making their debuts, Birria Tepechi, Maza y Taza, Meat & Vino Market, Yakitori Cartel and Zarapé Cocina & Cantina will offer specialty menu items as they join the week-long celebration.
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ARTS & LIFE
Dive into Latino culture with these 4 campus clubs
EDDY CERMENO / Long Beach Current Tiago Borges, social media manager for the Brazilian Student Association, (left) is an international student from Cabo Verde who found connection in the BSA. Borges said he wants people who join the BSA to bond over different cultural exchanges. BY JOSEPH LEE & NI BALINESS Arts & Life Editor, Arts & Life Reporter
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ong Beach State is home to a diverse array of clubs representing Latin America, offering community, cultural activities, activism opportunities and more. Here are four clubs you can join to immerse yourself in Latino culture this semester.
Brazilian Student Association
Founded in 2022, this club focuses on spreading Brazilian culture and bringing people together. Hailing from Cabo Verde, BSA social media manager and fourth-year computer science major Tiago Borges said BSA is a community where students can bond over different cultures.
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“You’ll probably see the flag and think that the flag doesn’t represent me but the flag shouldn’t be a ‘stay away’ sign,” Borges said. “It should be a ‘get close’ sign or ‘get to know better’ sign.” For more information on how to get involved, visit their Instagram @ brasacsulb.
La Familia de Long Beach
Established in 2022, La Familia de Long Beach is centered on education, networking and providing students a sense of belonging. Alissandra Lopez, external social chair of the club and second-year ASL linguistics and deaf cultures major, remembered the isolation she felt when moving out. She said La Familia was a way for her to find community. Toward the end of the semester, the club hosts a “mega collaboration” with other La Familia branches. “All of my friends now, my community
now and the people that I rely on came from this organization,” Lopez said. Location: College of Business lawn Meeting times: Mondays at 5 p.m.
La F.U.E.R.Z.A.
Founded in 1968, La F.U.E.R.Z.A. has fought for student success in higher education through community organizing, political education and activism on and off-campus. The acronym of their namesake stands for Familia, Unidad, Educación, y Resistencia en nuestra Zona Autónoma. Maximalists in aesthetic as much as they are in action, the club, doused in a DIY punk ethos, can be seen organizing around campus throughout the year. One notable event is their annual themed arts exhibition, “Tierra de Oro,” hosted every year in late March in the Kinesiology Courtyard, featuring art installations, music, vendors, special
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performances and dancing. Location: Latine Resource Center (FO4-262) Meeting times: Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.
Salsa Club
If you’re looking to improve your dance moves, the Salsa Club teaches weekly beginner and intermediate lessons on campus. The club also hosts regular bonding events, including an upcoming beach potluck on Thursday, Sept. 18. Membership costs $85 per semester. Location: Kinesiology 93 Meeting times: Wednesdays, 6 to 9 p.m. For more information on how to get involved, contact csulongbeach.salsa. club@gmail.com.
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OPINIONS
Cultural couture: Hispanic influence on current fashion
PHOTO COURTESY OF OSCAR RAMIREZ CALDERONTO GRADUATE Izel Solano Hui collection for Campus Couture’s spring fashion show titled Vivir Sin Vergüenza.
BY SIMONE GODSE Opinions Writer
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ispanic communities have had an immeasurable influence on popular fashion at Long Beach State and in Southern California as a whole. From personal style to professional design, cultural elements often make an appearance and make a look much more interesting than it would be if the designers had not imbued these pieces with their specific lenses. Izel Solano Hui, a fourth-year fashion design major, is one designer who crafted a stunning collection displayed at last semester’s Campus Couture spring fashion show. Her collection features a combination of her Hoisan Chinese and Mexican cultures, which is evident in the fascinating collection name: “ Vivir Sin
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Vergüenza,” which translates to “I need to live without shame.” Hui discussed the intersection between culture, specifically Hispanic heritage, and fashion. They started by explaining the importance of using fashion as a medium for expression. “Throughout different cultures, I see that we want to be heard and recognize how our cultures are all beautiful and unique. It’s like a sense of freedom when you can express your culture in a nonverbal way,” Hui said. In today’s social climate, full of judgement and critique, it’s important to maintain displays of freedom and pride in one’s culture. Those who continue to express their freedom through cultural clothing are, to put it simply, pretty cool. Those who make the cross-section between heritage and hemming the title of their fashion collection are even cooler.
“As you grow up, you learn how important certain staple elements were, and you want to remember those times and the people in your family who wear them,” Hui said. When looking around CSULB, Hui mentioned that one can see how Hispanic fashion has taken root in our city, more specifically noting how jerseys are everywhere. Both a staple of pride and style, jerseys were used as a fun and convenient way to show passion for Team Mexico during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These jerseys were styled anywhere from a simple pair of jeans to elaborate outfits with matching accessories or colors. Not only is Hispanic culture present in the walkways of CSULB, but also on the runways. During Campus Couture’s fashion show last spring, Hui’s collection was a beautiful display of her cultures. Mixing the use of fabrics, shapes, colors
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and silhouettes, they were able to relay a powerful message about the nature of their identity. Hui’s collection tied in what she considered an important similarity between Mexican and Chinese culture, which was the significance of agriculture. Through her naturalistic and organic concepts, she paid homage to the heritage of farm labor. By creating an intersection between fashion and culture, designers like Hui and even budding fashionistas establish their identities, allowing them and others to feel seen. “I think just people knowing that people like me exist and respecting us is something we still need to learn and work on. I am always happy to contribute to that growth in our communities,” Hui said.
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OPINIONS
Elevate your movie night with these 3 Spanishlanguage films BY CHRISTIAN ROBLEDO Opinions Editor
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n the summer of 2025, I found myself stuck at home, bored out of my mind and in need of entertainment. As a movie lover, I naturally decided to fill my summer with classic American films I had never seen before. While these films were amazing, halfway through my planned watchlist, I started feeling somewhat unrepresented in these world-renowned films. No one in these films looked like me or spoke my language unless it was for a caricature. So, I started looking for films made by Spanish-speaking artists, hoping to find not only relatable content but also unique perspectives. By watching these features, I discovered that true artistry can be encountered by watching something in a different language. Whether it is with subtitles or not, these Spanish-language films are sure to help you fall in love with a world you otherwise wouldn’t have encountered if you only watched movies in English. “Él” by Luis Buñuel (1953) In this black-and-white film, the main actress, played by Delia Garcés, falls in love with the leading man played by Arturo de Córdova, only to find that he is a wickedly jealous person who would stop at nothing to have things his way. A wonderful look into machismo culture, this picture is highly dramatic, very stylistic, and at points devilishly thrilling. Being black and white, I can see why some would be worried about the relatability of this movie, but rest assured that Academy Award winner Luis Buñuel makes “Él” highly relatable, as it speaks to the societal pressures that those in relationships may feel. The narrative comments on how society can force people to feel like a monogamous relationship is what one should want, and the horrors these nonlove-based relationships can cause. You can watch “Él” on YouTube or Amazon Prime for an average of $3 or find it at the Los Angeles Public Library for free with a valid LA library card. “Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios” by Pedro Almodóvar (1988) In this colorful comedy, Pedro
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This Strange Passion (Él) Almodóvar shows his signature directorial style alongside a star-studded cast, including Carmen Maura, Antonio Banderas, Rossy de Palma, and Fernando Guillén. Using beautiful instrumental music and a unique color scheme in set and costume design, Almdóvar takes the audience through a story filled with emotions and drama that translates beyond language. While I highly suggest anything from Almodóvar due to his status as a trailblazing queer director in Spain, I specifically suggest this film due to its
highly entertaining narrative that is more accessible for someone just starting with Spanish-language filmmakers (though I may be biased because this film is a personal favorite of mine). The pacing of the film jumps through story beats in a way that leaves you feeling rattled yet ready for more. Juggling poisonings, arson, armed assault and cheating in an unnervingly cheeky way, this writing is bound to make anyone crack a smile or two, whether you understand the wordplay perfectly or not.
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You can watch “Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios” on Amazon Prime for $4 or on Tubi and through the LA library for free. “Pan’s Labyrinth” by Guillermo del Toro (2006) Nearly 20 years before his Oscarwinning film Frankenstein (2025), Guillermo del Toro made Pan’s Labyrinth. Equally award-winning in its own right, this dark fantasy spins the idea of a fairytale on its head to create a slightly horrifying yet grimly gorgeous experience. Starring an 11-year-old Ivana Baquero as the protagonist, Ofelia, this narrative follows classic story beats but in a world of woe rather than comfort. From growing a baby under a bed to a child eating a monster with eyes on its palms, Ofelia must face many dangerous scenarios. Looking at this film as a coming-ofage fable, I find the viewing experience oddly refreshing. Forcing the audience to feel just as uncomfortable as Ofelia, del Toro makes the viewer grow alongside his characters, as both must learn together how to navigate this completely new set of rules in a seemingly familiar world. You can watch Pan’s Labyrinth on Netflix or live at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Oct. 1. A Cinematic sendoff: After watching Spanish-language films, it is much more fun to return to English-language media, seeing the intricacies and different perspectives the other side provides. Trailblazing in representing marginalized communities and focusing on style rather than stars, I believe Spanish-language filmmaking was crucial to my development as a media critic and is why I highly recommend it for others who love the screen as much as I do. Entonces, buena suerte. Disfruten este mundo cinematográfico con la lengua española a su lado. (So, good luck. Enjoy this cinematic world with the Spanish language on your side.)
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LEISURE
¿Sabes Qué? Do you know this word? 9/13/26, 4:45 AM
Dormer Diaries: Latina layover BY CHRISTIAN ROBLEDO Opinions Editor
6. Table ____ 7. Computer ___________ 8. Folder _______ 9. Notebook ________ 10. Newspaper _________
La sopa de letras
Puzzlemaker is a puzzle generation tool for teachers, students
D
ear Diary, Today I spoke with fourthyear advertising major Sofia Pereira about her trip abroad, flying right down here to Long Beach State as an international student. As I sat with her, I couldn’t help but notice her infectious smile, which makes this entry especially enjoyable, knowing that we only have her on campus for a few months. Pereira stressed that she really does love the time she’s spent in the Los Alamitos dorms so far, though she also explained that there were some undeniable culture shocks she took note of. Most interestingly, the idea of dorms in general. “In Argentina – at least what I’m aware of – we don’t have this campus thing or doing the dorm thing,” Pereira said. “In Argentina you just go to the university that is mostly near you.” Pereira smiled as she explained her unique boarding process, browsing the housing website to see her options before she came to The Beach. “Most of the international students just go to the international dorms,” Pereira said. Before moving in with her U.S.-native roommate and taking classes, Pereira shared that what she looked forward to the most when she was still in Argentina was how the classes here would be structured. “In [La Universidad de Belgrano] you have the same classmates your whole
1. Pencil _____ 2, Book _____ 3. Paper _____ 4. Pen _________ 5. Door ______
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degree,” Pereira said., “[In CSULB] you don’t have to be working with the same people all the time for group projects.” Pereira appreciates the punctual spirit of CSULB and is in awe of how both students and professors can handle the ever-changing peers – something uncommon during her time at her home college, La Universidad de Belgrano. While reflecting on her time spent in the dorms, Pereira shared that the biggest thing she misses from home is the food. Having bought the ingredients to make Argentinian delicacies like chocotortas and brewing mate in the comfort of her room, she never strays too far from the comforting taste of home. Finding our everyday U.S. intricacies fascinating and beautiful, speaking with Pereira left me with a feeling of joy and thankfulness for all the things I seem to take for granted. As she’s only here for a while, I hope she makes the most of her time here and that the U.S. exceeds even her wildest expectations.
1. Argentina 2.Bolivia 3. Brazil ARGENTINA 4. Chile 5. Colombia CHILE 6. Cuba
ECUADOR
7. Ecuador 8. Guatemala 9. Honduras 10. Mexico 11. Panama 12. Puerto Rico
MEXICO
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Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Find the word in the puzzle. Words can go in any direction.
BOLIVIA
COLOMBIA
GUATEMAL PANAMA
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HERENCIA HISPANA
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Tuesday, September 15, 2026
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NEWS
Long Beach commemorates 25th anniversary o
BY JOSEPHINE KIM News Reporter
F
riday marked 25 years since the deadly terrorist attacks that killed over 2,000 people on Sept. 11, 2001. In Long Beach, hundreds of community members, city officials and first responders gathered to remember the tragedy and commemorate victims who lost their lives in the attacks. “25 years is a generation,” said Mayor Rex Richardson during a city memorial service on Sept. 11. “For the growing generation, it is something they have only learned about … We have to continue to tell the story. Talk with your children, and tell them about the people behind those numbers.”
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In 2001, terrorist group Al-Queda organized four coordinated attacks against the United States on Sept. 11: two commercial planes crashing into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, the Pentagon and a plane headed toward D.C. that was diverted into a field in Pittsburgh. The two planes crashed into the twin towers, resulting in the collapse of both 110-story buildings. It killed 2,977 people, including 441 first responders, marking the event as the most fatal terrorist attack in world history. “For 25 years, communities all across America, including right here in Long Beach, have come together to keep that memory alive,” Richardson said.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
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It’s just one st and I’m doin honor those wh
Rosie Long Beac
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NEWS
of 9/11
From left to right: Long Beach held a moment of silence to honor the lives lost at the 9/11 terrorist attacks 25 years ago. The event was hosted on Sept. 11 at the Long Beach Fire Department by Mayor Rex Richardson and the Long Beach Police and Fire Departments. Richardson (left), shakes hands with North Patrol Division Commander Isiah Hughes outside the Long Beach Fire Department Station 1. Participants climbed 22 stories at the Long Beach World Trade Center five times, totaling 110 stories to match the climb FDNY firefighters faced on the tragic September morning. Attendees gathered at the yard of the Long Beach Trade Center on Sept. 12. Long Beach Fire Department Chief Dennis Buchanan and Long Beach Police Department Chief Wally Hebeish brought their forces to surround the main stand from each side. PHOTOS BY DIEGO PEREZ / Long Beach Current
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tep at a time, ng my best to who have fallen.
Arias ch resident
The Long Beach Firefighters Association hosted a memorial stair climb on Sept. 12, inviting community members to join the Long Beach Police and Fire departments to climb the 22 floors of the Long Beach World Trade Center five times, representing the 110 floors and the 2,200 steps first responders scaled during the attacks. “We honor their courage by symbolically completing their journey,” the Long Beach Fire Fighters Association said on their website. Participants were given a badge to clip on during their climb, holding a photo and name of a first responder who died while trying to save people after the attack. “[I’m] not only carrying the weight of my tools and my gear, but also carrying the weight of thinking about this person, what he might have been going through, climbing up those stairs,” said Luis Alvarez,
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an ironworker from Downey who climbed for fallen firefighter James J. Cody Jr., who retired in 2011 due to illnesses sustained from 9/11. For Alvarez, this climb wasn’t just to honor the first responders, but also the ironworkers who helped clean Ground Zero after the attacks. “I just came to pay homage to them as well,” he said. Participants were able to complete all 110 floors and return home. But for the 441 first responders who died during the rescue mission, there was no return journey. “I got a lot of questions like, ‘Are you training for this?’ and it’s like, there were hundreds and thousands of people who were not prepared and not training or getting ready for what they had experienced that day,” said Long Beach resident Rosie Arias. “It’s just one step at a time, and I’m doing my best to honor those who have fallen.”
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
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SPORTS
JAMES TINOCO / Long Beach Current LBSU junior middle blocker Pola Bujnarowska celebrates with her teammates after a kill against San Jose State University at LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on Saturday, Sept. 12. Bujnarowska finished the game with 10 kills and one solo block.
The Beach brings the heat with 5 straight wins BY DUPREE DE LA PEÑA Sports Reporter
L
ong Beach State women’s volleyball (5-2) extended its winning streak to five on Saturday night, Sept. 12, defeating San Jose State (4-4) in four sets at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid. After dropping their first two matches of the season, the Beach have responded with five consecutive wins. The opening set remained close early before LBSU created separation with a 5-0 run. The Beach maintained control from there, taking the first set 25-15. “We did a better job tonight finding
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some ways to score some points, creating some transition opportunities and some defensive point-scoring opportunities for our team,” assistant head coach Naseri Tumanuvao said. “Our calling card has been leaning really heavily into our block and defense.” LBSU carried its momentum into the second set behind a balanced offensive attack. Junior middle blocker Pola Bujnarowska was one of three Beach players to finish the match with double-digit kills. “We have such a deep roster that anyone who comes in is going to be able to do their job just as good as the person next to them,” sophomore setter
Madi Maxwell said. “Naseri [Tumanuvao] and [head coach] Natalie [Reagan] have been working really hard to help us spread our offense to make it really balanced.” The Beach reached set point with a 24-15 lead, but the Spartans responded with six unanswered points before freshman middle blocker Kyler Birkelbach ended the run with a kill to give LBSU a 25-21 second-set victory. The Spartans responded in the third, taking an early 6-2 lead. LBSU battled back to tie the set at 11-11, but the Spartans regained control late and held off the Beach for a 25-23 win. After a 5-5 start to the fourth set,
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
LBSU took control behind sophomore libero, Izzy Mahaffey, at the service line. Mahaffey recorded three service aces during a 9-0 run that gave the Beach a 14-5 lead. “Izzy [Mahaffey] had a nice run where she led the defensive effort and created some service pressure in the fourth set,” Tumanuvao said. “[Mahaffey] created a nice lead for us to capitalize on with our block and defense.” The Beach maintained their lead before consecutive kills from senior outside hitter Kendal Murphy closed out the fourth set 25-13 and secured LBSU’s fifth straight victory.
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