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02 DECEMBER 2009

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CONTENTS

metropolis Las Vegas: Living out Fantasies On the Move: The Big Apple

Juan Guillén Publisher

08 11

Javier Castaño Editor Dominika Bajuk Graphic Designer

IConomy Slow Economy Vs. High Spending President Obama and Latinos Do I need an Immigration Waiver?

15 17 18

holiday special Gift Ideas Recipes

Bernadette Giacomazzo Copy Editor Nilda T. McKenna Translator Gustavo Portillo Translator

Daisy Cabrera, Glendaliz Camacho, Luis Vazquez, Nixx Pineda, Clarisel Gonzalez, Marisol del Valle, Stephanie Nolasco, Roberto Perez, Hedwin Salmen Navarro, Nilda Tapia Enny Pichardo

Photographers

Christopher Auger-Dominguez, Carlo Chahín, Seitu Oronde, Francisco Herrera, Tommy Agriodimas, José Morales, César Rivera, John Saint-Hilaire

our anniversary health & Beauty Eat well and exercise Elizabeth Ulloa: Make-up

Michelle Aragon Marketing and Sales Consultant

Writers

20 24

cover story Daddy Yankee

Soltier Guillen Administrative Assistant

To request media information and advertise with us, contact our advertising department at 1-800313-1869. Para anunciar su negocio, llame a nuestro departamento de anuncios al 1-800-313-1869. DTM ™ 21-21, 41 Avenue, Suite 4A, L.I.C., NY 11101 Tel. (718) 472-5538 Toll Free. 1-800-313-1869 www.dtmmag.com

35 37

entertainment Fashion: Gina Velasco Movie Insider Theater Books Music Time Machine: Mercedes Sosa

40 44 46 47 48 50

Copyright © 2009 DTM is published 10 times a year by Defining Trends Media Group L.P. which also produces Dominicantimes.com Reproduction or use of the content in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited by law. DTM reserves the right to determine the suitability of all materials submitted for publication, and to edit all submitted materials for space and clarity. DTM assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials being submitted for possible publication, and should they be published, no fee is due to the photographer, writer or model, unless otherwise agreed upon, in advance in writing. Printed in the USA Defining Trends in Latino Culture, since 2001 DTM Group Delivers The Market TM

04 DEC DECEMBER 2009

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PUBLISHER'S COLUMN

Christmas con Cultura English It’s time for cheer, because Navidad is here! It’s a time for thanks and contemplation – a time to remember all that we are to be thankful for, and a time to welcome new things into our lives. It is in this spirit that I am happy to announce a new section of the magazine: TrendSpotting. In the TrendSpotting section, you will find “blurbs” on things like new TV shows, hot songs, innovative gadgets, trailblazing people, crazy events, and even a drink or two. You can go to our website for the full 411.

that “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!” – check out our holiday shopping guide on page 20, and try our delicious holiday treats, complete with recipes, that will take you back to the Islands with our rich Latin foods and traditions on page 24. Also in this issue: a cover story featuring Daddy Yankee (page 26) whose new song “Grito Mundial,” is a prelude to the launch of his new album, “Daddy Yankee Mundial,” scheduled to be on the market in early 2010.

Do you know of a funny song? A cute video? A hot makeup trend? A new dance – a hot gadget – innovative people – amazing ideas? We invite you to become a DTM “trendspotter.” Send your trend finds to: trends@dtmmag.com or visit our website at www.dtmmag.com and read up on your trend of choice in our TrendSpotting tab. Follow the link on the website to email us your find directly!

With the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa around the corner, Daddy Yankee aims to score the kind of goal Ricky Martin did with his 1998 hit, “The Cup of Life.” Fans are pushing for this first single from the Puerto Rican artist’s upcoming album, “Daddy Yankee Mundial,” to be used as the official World Cup anthem. Yankee’s self-penned lyrics call for unity among all Latin American countries, and that should be applauded and practiced by all of us, because in unity there is strength! “El Cangri” ’s message reminds me of our own unity message...

In addition, read up on unique things to do while in Las Vegas – remembering, of course,

In closing, we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas y Feliz Día de los Reyes!

Español

Navidad con cultura Es tiempo de celebrar porque la Navidad ¡ha llegado! Es el momento de contemplar y agradecer, recordar todo lo que tenemos y brindarle la bienvenida a las nuevas cosas de nuestras vidas. Es dentro de este espíritu que me complace anunciar una nueva sección de la revista: TrendSpotting. En esta sección TrendSportting usted hallará viñetas sobre cosas como shows de TV, DEC 06 DECEMBER 2009

discos muy sonados, artículos innovadores, gente creadora, eventos locos e inclusive un trago o dos. Puede acudir a nuestra página electrónica para profundizar en estos temas. ¿Conoce un disco gracioso? ¿Un video interesante? ¿Un nuevo estilo de maquillaje? ¿Una nueva danza o artículo o gente innovadora con ideas revolucionarias? Lo invitamos a que se convierta en ‘trendspotter’. Envíenos sus tendencias a: trends@ dtmmag.com <mailto:trenes@dtmmag. com> o visite nuestra página www.dtmmag. com <http://www.dtmmag.com> http://www. dtmmag.com y lea sus tendencias preferidas en nuestra sección TrendSpotting. Busque allí nuestra correo electrónico para que nos escriba directamente. Además, leas de las cosas únicas que puede hacer en Las Vegas, recordando, por supuesto, que “lo que pasa en Las Vegas se queda en Las Vegas. Echele un vistazo a la lista de compras de fin de año en la página 20 y trate nuestras deliciosas recetas de Navidad y fin de año que lo harán regresar a las islas que

Juan Guillén Publisher

están llenas de comida y tradiciones, en la página 24.. También es esta edición, nuestra portada es sobre Daddy Yankee en la página 26, cuyo canción “Grito Mundial” es el preludio de su nuevo álbum “Daddy Yankee Mundial” que saldrá al mercado en el 2010. Con la Copa Mundo en Africa del sur en pocos meses, Daddy Yankee trata de anotarse un gol como lo hizo Ricky Martin en 1998 con su hit “La Copa de la Vida”. Los fanáticos están empujando este tema del artista boricua llamado “Daddy Yankee Mundial” para ser usado como el tema oficial de la Copa Mundo. La lírica de este tema hace un llamado a la unión de los países de América Latina y esto debe ser aplaudido y practicado por todos nosotros porque ¡en la unidad está la fuerza! El mensaje de “El Cangri” me recuerda nuestro propio mensaje de unidad… Al cierre, nosotros les deseamos una ¡feliz Navidad y un feliz Día de Reyes!

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Las Vegas Living out Fantasies

08 DECEMBER 2009

METROPOLIS

English Las Vegas is definitely the place many couples go to get hitched at a moment’s notice. Whether it’s a formal church or a drive-thru chapel with an Elvis Presley theme, Vegas is a favorite for couples. For more than 50 years, it is one of the world’s most popular destinations for weddings. While many go to Vegas to get married, many go there to simply live out their wildest fantasies. Every year, more than 37.5 million visitors go to Las Vegas. Many tourists go to get lucky. Gambling is a favorite pastime. This bright city is especially known for its famous, glitzy 24-hour casino scene. Many casinos offer gaming lessons for those needing a little help.

If playing games is not your thing, many casinos also offer sports betting. Las Vegas is also rich in entertainment of all sorts. Highlights include Vegas’ popular showgirl revues, Elvis and other celebrity impersonators, comedy shows, hypnosis and circus acts. Concerts regularly feature famous stars. Sports are also a big attraction, especially boxing.

You can also explore the city on foot even though walking the Strip from one end to the other may take longer than you think. Some parts of the Strip are better seen while walking: downtown’s Fremont Street Experience is a favorite among pedestrians.

Las Vegas is also known as Sin City, largely due to its many forms of adult entertainment.

There are a number of visitor information centers throughout the Las Vegas area. Because there is so much going on, it is a good idea to get a visitor’s guide.

For those who love to shop, Vegas has it all from bargains to luxury items. Visitors also enjoy the pools, health spas, and golf courses.

From traditional casino lounges and cocktail bars to nightclubs featuring top DJ’s, Las Vegas will keep you partying all night.

Las Vegas has many attractions available in the central area around the Strip and downtown. There are several ways to get around, including buses and riding the Las Vegas Monorail, one of the most modern transportation systems in the world.

Ultralounges are one of the latest trends in nightspots. If you go to Las Vegas, the choices of places to go and things to do are limitless. By Clarisel Gonzalez DTMMAG.COM

METROPOLIS

Español Ciudad de fantasía Las Vegas es definitivamente el lugar en donde muchas parejas acuden a casarse. De manera formal o desplazándose en carro por un templo con imágenes de Elvis Presley. Es el lugar favorito de muchas parejas. Por más de 50 años ha sido el lugar más popular en el mundo como destino para contraer matrimonio. Mientras que muchos van a Las Vegas por amor y nupcias, hay quienes acuden para cumplir sus fantasías salvajes. Más de 37.5 millones de turistas viajan a Las Vegas cada año. Algunos van en busca de suerte. Los juegos son una de sus grandes atracciones. Una ciudad conocida por casinos luminosos que abren las 24 horas del día. Algunos ofrecen

lecciones de juego para quienes lo necesiten. Si el juego no es su forma de diversión, algunos brindan apuestas deportivas. Las Vegas es una ciudad rica en entretenimiento para todos los gustos. Hay espectáculos de toda índole. Incluyendo el show de mujeres en fila, las imitaciones de Elvis y de otras personalidades, comedias, hipnotismo y actos circenses. Siempre hay algo para ver. Conciertos con los famosos y viajes constantes. Los deportes también son una buena atracción, especialmente el boxeo. Las Vegas también es conocida como la ciudad del pecado debido a la diversidad de espectáculos para adultos. Para aquellos que prefieren comprar, Las Vegas tiene gangas y artículos de lujo. Los turistas también disfrutan de las piscinas, spas de salud y campos de golf. 010 DECEMBER 2009

También puede explorar la ciudad a pie, yendo de un extremo a otro y quizás se demore más de lo planeado. Algunas zonas son para caminar y la favorita es el Fremont Street Experience. Cuenta con varios centros de información al turista porque esta metrópolis posee muchas alternativas y es mejor tener una guía en las manos para no perderse.

Las atracciones están en su área central y en la zona conocida como ‘the strip’. Hay varias formas de desplazarse, como buses o el monorriel, uno de los más modernos del mundo.

Hay casinos, bares para beber y discotecas con los mejores ‘deejays’. En Las Vegas no hay tiempo para descansar. Las discotecas gigantes son una de sus características. Si vas a Las Vegas, los lugares para escoger y visitar son ilimitados.

By Marisol del Valle

Havana Alma de Cuba The chef at Havana Alma de Cuba puts his unique spin on classic Cuban dishes based on Cuban food staples such as plantains. Dinner menu standouts include the Montadito de Chorizo (pan-seared chorizo, with onions, jalapeno, Chimichurri, Rioja red wine, and toasted bread with port wine reduction) and Ostras Chicharon (crusted plantains and oysters with Cachucha pepper, salsita, and culantro aioli). Be sure to catch the live band on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and the outdoor garden during warmer weather.

on the move : NEW YORK CITY

Enjoy The Big Apple

Havana Alma de Cuba: 94 Christopher Street (bet. Bleeker and Bedford St.). 212-242-3800

New York Transit Museum

3 Museo del Barrio The New York Transit Museum celebrates and explores the history and secrets of the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority. On exhibit right now is the Last Day of the Myrtle Avenue El: Photographs by Theresa King, which showcases a collection of pictures taken in a single day as a keepsake of her childhood

memories of riding the train through Brooklyn and Queens. Also on display is The Triborough Bridge: Robert Moses and the Automobile Age. New York Transit Museum: Corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn Heights. 718-6941600

El Museo del Barrio has reopened after an extensive renovation. What started as a renovation to their lobby and courtyard has turned into an extensive, multiyear project that just finished in October. The new Museo will have a redesigned lobby featuring a glass facade, a 4,500-square-foot courtyard, and a new cafĂŠ. Current exhibits include Nexus New York: Latin-American Artists in the Modern Metropolis and Voces y Visiones. Also: Target Third Saturday from 11am to 6pm, when the museum hosts workshops, tours, film screenings, and concerts. El Museo del Barrio: 1230 Fifth Ave at 104th St. 212-831-7272. elmuseo.org

La Linea

La Linea is a fantastic neighborhood bar set in the Lower East Side. Music is always playing, and the well-dressed revelers are always dancing and enjoying the energy of the bar. The delicious margaritas will help you loosen up enough to chat up your bar mates and get to the dance floor. The bar is open every day, except Tuesday, and half-priced drinks until 9:00 pm make this happy hour worth catching. La Linea: 15 First Ave. (bet. 1st & 2nd Sts.). 212-777-1571 DTMMAG.COM

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on the move: New york city

Rockefeller Center

On Wednesday, December 2nd. the city’s most famous tree will be lit with the yearly pomp and circumstance that draws tourists and New Yorkers alike. The Rockefeller tree is usually a Norway Spruce from 75 and 90 feet in height decorated with over 5 miles of colored lights. The tree stands in front of the Rockefeller Building and is perched over the gold Prometheus statue and the

Queens Farm

The Queens County Farm is New York’s oldest working farm and the only tract of undisturbed farmland in the city. The farm dates back to 1697 and sits on 47 acres of land that is still in use today. Food grown on the farm

Wollman Rink skaters An interesting fact: the tree is recycled after the Christmas season and donated to the Boy Scouts of America for mulch. The trunk is donated to the U.S. Equestrian Team in New Jersey to use as obstacle jumps. Rockefeller Center: 47th and 50th Streets, between 5th and 7th Avenues

is sold at local greenmarkets, including the Union Square Greenmarket, and several local restaurants; the overflow is sent over to City Harvest. From the Spring to the Fall, a corn maze is open to the public and general admission is free except for special events.

Christmas Windows

Saks Fifth Avenue: 611 Fifth Avenue (at 49th Street) Saks’ windows are usuall planned around children’s books and feature whimsical animations.

Christmas Lights

Lord and Taylor: 39th Street at 5th Avenue Every year, the Lord & Taylor windows features classic holiday window displays along Fifth Avenue.

Dyker Heights in Brooklyn is a predominately ItalianAmerican neighborhood. The neighborhood is highlighted with a beautiful cluster of mansions, each one bordered with imposing brick perimeters. Every Christmas season, the houses between 11th and 13th Avenues, from 83rd to 86th Streets, are decorated with over-the-top decorations that involve yards and yards of tree lights draped from the rooftops to the hedges and life size dioramas. Dyker Heights: 11th Avenue to 13th Avenue and from 83rd to 86th Street

012 DECEMBER 2009

Barney’s: 660 Madison Avenue (at 61st Street) Every year Barney’s presents modern and humorous windows. Bergdorf Goodman: 754 Fifth Avenue (at 58th Street) Bergdorf’s windows showcase the timeless signature design of the legendary store, as haute couture meets rare antiques.

Macy’s Herald Square: Broadway between 34th and 35th Streets Macy’s presents two series of window displays -- one depicts scenes from the movie Miracle on 34th Street.

Bloomingdales: 1000 Third Avenue at 59th Street Bloomingdale’s holiday window displays are fun and family-friendly.

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Maité Perone is the former singer of Rebelde. She recently visited Los Hermanos Vasquez Circle in Queens, New York.

dtm cam

Enrique Iglesias shaking hands with some fans after a concert at Madison Square Garden.

Camila, from Mexico, at Nokia Theater in Manhattan.

Actor Anthony Alvarez y Dennis Quiñonez

Singer Juanes with upcoming singer Odelia at the Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan. Camilo Sexto during his farewell tour at the United Palace in Manhattan.

Aetna recognized as a top company for diversity. Ron Williams, CEO of Aetna (L) & Luke Visconti, CEO of DiversityInc. (R)

Paulina Rubio at Nokia Theater in Manhattan for her Causa y Efecto concert.

Johnny Pacheco received a proclamation at the United Palace in Manhattan from the New York State Assembly for his career as a musician. Laura Pausini at Lincoln Center in New York City

Wisin y Yandel performing during their La Revolución concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Singer Andrés Cabas and writer Mario Vargas Llosa at the opening of Pantaleón y Las Visitadoras at the Repertorio Español Theater in downtown Manhattan. Anthony Alvarez and Denis Quiñonez are part of the stellar cast of this production based on a novel by Vargas Llosa.

Fotos: Carlos Chahin. 014 DECEMBER 2009

ICONOMY

The Future Slow Economy vs. High Spending English A year ago, the US economy showed alarming conditions with the collapse of the automotive, mortgage, and housing industries, coupled with disarray in financing. Business investments showed a loss due to unemployment and cuts in spending. Studies showed a reduction in the US economy of 0.4% in 2009 and it was predicted to fall even into a deeper depression. With such an economic state, experts predicted a rise of 4 to 5% on inventories of food in 2009. Today, though, we see food products coming in smaller containers, with prices at the same level of those in previous larger packages -- a rather convenient way to masquerade inflation to the consumers. In November 2008, economists predicted the US economy will hit bottom in the middle of 2009 as unemployment will reach 8%, but the unemployment rate climbed to 9.8% and continues to rise. At press time, the national unemployment rate was well over 10%. The development index was predicted to fall 1% in 2009 and double to 2% in 2010. Today, the economic outlook in US shows uncertainty. To increase liquidity in the market, the US Federal Reserve has implemented numerous measures to satisfy the demand for the purchase of new homes.

deficit registered for the 2009 fiscal year, which on concluded September 30, 2009. The great challenge will be how to manage the economy with budget deficits averaging close to a trillion dollars for the next eight years. Obama could very well face more opposition to his aggressive spending policy by members of his own political party, addding to the ones he already has from the opposition. Thredgold expects a 10.0% unemployment in the forthcoming months due to the loss of hundreds of thousands of workers in construction and manufacturing.

in the short run. He noted that unemployment will continue to rise, since the creation of new jobs always comes after the recovery. While he approves the new financial reforms made on a federal level, he also predicts that government role is naturally limited by human nature. “When people become greedy or afraid in packs, many strange things can happen,” said Buffett. Buffet also thinks that regulations will help us avoid future problems.

Meanwhile, billionaire Warren Buffett claims the economy has already touched bottom, and in spite of its slow recovery, is on its way up. The investor insists in that we have obtained a lot of progress in a year. “We were suffering from real panic,” he said, giving credit to the Bush administration for having taken necessary measures in the fall of 2008 and further during the transition towards the new govern-

As for the value of stocks, Buffett expects improvements within five to ten years. Meanwhile, after consulting the last national economic report, the credit crisis and the dropping of housing prices, has all pushed the nation ‘s economy to a recession that is not expected to touch bottom until the middle of 2010. ”Hard times are here to stay,” Buffett said.

ment to avoid the collapse of the financing system. He also pondered the basic capitalist system. The US went from a Great Depression to two world wars and their aftermaths, and has progressed as no other nation in the world. For this reason, Buffet insists that the US has the correct financial system. “It does not avoid problems, but it solves them,” he said. But he does not see the consumer index recovering

In the meantime, recent reports brought some good news. They indicated that the moderately severe recession will not be as severe so as to provoke the same downturns of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy today does not have the same power it had in those years.

But a new negative factor has started to show in the last few months. The dollar is dropping to record lows and this is jeopardizing its status as a standard in the worldwide monetary system. To make matters worse, gold reached $1000 per ounce, up from $700 last year. Specialist Peter Krauth suspected that this could only be another gold rally, signaling this increase could result in negative values for the leading world currencies. Economic futurist Jeff Thredgold predicted a positive, but less robust growth for 2010. He referred to the present situation as “The Great Recession, with us since December 2007, being the longest, deepest and most painful since The Great Depression.” Even with supposed economic growth, problems in housing, commercial real estate, investment portfolios, and uncertain financial markets will prevail. The financial and economic disorder inherited by Obama and the aggressive spending agenda of the New Administration have Thredgold worried for the major budgetary

By: Nilda Tapia DTMMAG.COM

015

iconomy

Mucho gasto y pocos resultados Español Un año atrás, la economía norteamericana mostraba condiciones alarmantes con el colapso de las industrias automotriz, crédito inmobiliario, viviendas y el gran desequilibrio en el mundo financiero. Las inversiones mercantiles experimentaban una caída debido al desempleo y los cortes en los gastos.Los estudios mostraban una reducción en la economía de Estados Unidos de un 0.4 % en 2009 y se predecía que caería aún en una depresión más profunda.. Con un estado económico semejante, los expertos predij eron un alza de un 4 a 5% para los inventarios de alimentos en 2009. Hoy notamos en los almacenes que los alimentos de alto consumo vienen en paquetes más pequeños , con precios al mismo nivel que los que valían esos mismos en paquetes de mayor tamaño, una forma conveniente de enmascarar la inflación a nuestros consumidores. En Noviembre, 2008 los economistas predij eron que la economía norteamericana tocaría fondo a mediadios del 2009 y que el desempleo, sería de un 8 %, aunque en Setiembre subía a 9.8% y se indica que continuará en suba. El índice del desarrollo también se predij o que caería un 1% en 2009 y que doblaría esa cantidad a 2 % en 2010. Hoy el panorama económico de los EE.UU. muestra aún cierta incertidumbre. Para aumentar la liquidez en los mercados, la Reserva Federal de los EE.UU. ha implementado numerosas medidas para satisfacer la compra de viviendas. Pero un nuevo factor negativo ha comenzado a visualizarse en los úlltimos meses. El dólar está bajando a índices extremos, y esto peligra su liderazgo como standard en el mercado monetario mundial. Para hacerlo más dramático, en setiembre

016 DECEMBER 2009

el oro llegó a $1000 la onza de $700un año antes. El especialista Peter Krauth en contacto con ejecutivos, ingenieros de minas y geólogos, visualizó que esto sería sólo un comienzo de otro rally del oro, señalando esta alza consiguientes valores negativos para las monedas líderes en el mundo. Jeff Thredgold, un especialista en el futuro económico, en su informe panorámico del otoño de 2009 estimó un tope en el crecimiento sólido razonable esperado para el último trimester de 2009, prediciendo un positivo, pero menos robusto crecimiento para 2010. Mencionó la presente situación como “La Gran Recesión con nosotros desde diciembre 2007, siendo la más larga, profunda y penosa desde la Gran Depresión”. Aún con crecimiento económico, prevalecerán los problemas en la vivienda, la industria inmobiliaria comercial, las carteras malsanas de inversiones, y los mercados financieros inciertos. El desorden económico financiero heredado por Obama y la agenda agresiva de gastos de la nueva Administración,tiene a este especialista preocupado por el mayor déficit presupuestario registrado para el año fiscal 2009, concluido el 30 de setiembre, 2009.. El gran reto será cómo manejar la economía con deficits en el presupuesto que promedian cerca del trillón de dólares anuales (cifrados de acuerdo al conteo en los EE.UU.) durante los próximos ocho años. Obama pudiera enfrentarse a más oposición a su agresiva política de gastos por miembros de su propio partido para agregarlos a los que ya tiene en la oposición, que siguen en aumento. Thredgold espera un 10.0% de desempleo en los próximos meses debido a la pérdida de cientos de miles de trabajos en construcción y manufacturas.. Mientras tanto, el billonario Warren Buffett dice que la economía ha pasado por su punto más bajo y, a pesar de su recuperación lenta, está en su camino hacia arriba. El inversor insiste en que hemos logrado mucho progreso desde un

año atrás. “Estábamos sufriendo un verdadero pánico,”y le dió crédito a la administración Bush por haber tomado las medidas necesarias en el otoño de 2008 y luego en la transición hacia el nuevo gobierno para evitar el colapso del sistema financiero. También ponderó el sistema capitalista básico. Los EE.UU. fueron de una Gran Depresión a dos guerras mundiales y sus consecuencias, y ha progresado como ninguna nación en el mundo. Buffet insiste en que los EE.UU. tienen el sistema correcto. “No evitará todos los problemas, pero los soluciona” . Pero no ve él que el índice de consumo se recupere a corto plazo.Notó que el desempleo continuará alto, desde que la creación de nuevos empleos siempre viene luego de la recuperación. Mientras que acepta las reformas financieras que se han hecho a nivel federal, también previene que el rol del gobierno está naturalmente limitado a la naturaleza humana. “Cuando la gente se vuelve voraz o temerosa en grandes masas, pueden ocurrir cosas muy extrañas”, reclamó el exitoso administrador de fondos. También confía de que las regulaciones nos ayudarán a evitar algunos de los problemas futuros. En lo que concierne al valor de las acciones de capital, espera mejoras en cinco a diez años. Mientras tanto, al contemplar el reciente informe económico nacional, la crisis crediticia, los valores de las viviendas desplomándose, y un producto doméstico en caída, todo esto ha empujado a la economía de la nación a una recesión que no se espera que toque fondo hasta mediados del 2010.”Los tiempos duros están aquí para quedarse,” concluyó menos optimista este inversor. Los informes arrojaron algunas buenas noticias, mientras tanto. Indicaronq ue la moderadamente severa recesión no será tan severa como para provocar las bajas de fines de los 1970s y comienzo de los 1980s. Mientras tanto, la economía de los Estados Unidos hoy no tiene el vigor de aquellos años.

political notes

President Obama and Latinos English President Obama received 67 percent of the Latino vote. Latinos propelled the President to victory in a number of swing states like Colorado (61%), Nevada (76%), New Mexico (69%), and Florida (57%), due in part to the growth of the Puerto Rican community in Central Florida. Yet depending on who you ask, Latinos are either well represented or underrepresented within the administration. I am of the opinion that the Obama administration has done a good job in representing Latinos: he has appointed more Latinos in his first year in office than any President in history. The first significant Latino appointment the President made, after his historic victory, was the appointment of New Mexico Governor Bill

Richardson as Commerce Secretary (who later withdrew his nomination because of a federal grand jury investigation).

reflection of the population. So we must not look at the appointments, but how the appointments affect our community.

President Obama more than made up for the disappointment in nominating Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, making her the first Latina in the nation’s highest court. He continued to put Latino faces in high places by nominating Thomas Perez to be Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights division of the Department of Justice, which is a key appointment considering that Latinos are constant victims of hate crimes, and our civil rights are violated more often than any other group except African Americans. By appointing a Latina to the highest court, it demonstrates to me that the President is aware that the court should be a

Another appointment by the Obama administration that is worth noting is Hilda Solis as the Secretary of Labor. The former Congresswoman was raised in a union household and understands the plight of day laborers and victims of employers who violate the labor laws. The Labor Secretary has always been a champion of workers’ rights during her time in Congress, so again, the President chose someone who will use the office as an enforcement tool. The President also created a new position -- Urban Affairs Policy office -- in which he, again, appointed a Latino. This time, Obama chose

Roberto Perez

former Bronx borough president Adolfo Carrion. As a former borough president, Carrion has the experience of governing in one of the poorest counties in the US, so he knows the problems that Latinos in the inner city face on a daily basis. So, kudos to you, Mr. President, for doing a fine job in appointing Latinos to your administration.

Latinos y el presidente Obama Español El presidente Obama recibió el 67 por ciento del voto latino. Los latinos propiciaron su elección en algunos estados importantes como Colorado (61%), Nevada (76%) , New Mexico (69%) y Florida (57%) en parte por la comunidad puertorriqueña del centro de Florida. Aunque las opiniones varían en cuanto a la inclusión y los nombramientos de los latinos en la administración del presidente Obama. Este presidente ha nombrado más latinos en el primer año que cualquier otro presidente. La primera persona que nombró luego de su victoria fue al gobernador de New Mexico, Bill Richardson, como Secretario de Comercio, quien después retiró su

nombre debido a la investigación de un gran jurado. El presidente Obama se recuperó de ese fiasco al nombrar a la jueza Sonia Sotomayor a la Corte Suprema, convirtiéndola en la primera latina en esta gran corte. Y continuó su labor nominando a Thomas Pérez como asistente del Fiscal General en la división de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. Este es un nombramiento importante si consideramos que los latinos son el blanco de continuos ataques de odio y nuestros derechos civiles son violados más que otros grupos, excepto los negros, y también debemos considerar que nuestra comunidad está siendo encarcelada a un ritmo alarmante. Nombrando a una latina a

la Corte Suprema el presidente está reconociendo que las cortes deben de reflejar a la población. Así que no debemos simplemente observar los nombramientos, pero qué incidencia tienen en nuestra comunidad. Otro nombramiento de la administración Obama es el de Hilda Solis como Secretaria de Trabajo. Esta ex congresista creció en un hogar de sindicalistas y entiende la problemática de los jornaleros y de los empleadores que violan los derechos laborales, quienes usan el estatus legal de los empleados para hostigar y quebrantar la ley. La Secretaria de Trabajo siempre ha sido defensora de los derechos de los empleados, tanto en el Congreso y ahora en su nuevo cargo. El presidente eligió a alguien

que usará su oficina como una herramienta para poner orden. Con la vista puesta en el nombramiento de latinos con experiencia para cambiar el sistema, el presidente Obama ha creado la posición de Política de Asuntos Urbanos y nombró al ex presidente del Bronx, Adolfo Carrión, quien posee el conocimiento de gobierno en uno de los condados más pobres de los Estados Unidos y por eso conoce nuestros problemas del diario vivir. Así que felicitaciones al presidente Obama por hacer un buen trabajo en el nombramiento de latinos en su administración.

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immigration

Do I need an Immigration Waiver? English Many people who are applying for an immigration benefit have done something in their past that requires an Immigration Waiver, also known as a pardon. An applicant that applies for an iimmigration waiver does so because they have done something (such as fraud, felony crimes, and/or remaining in the United States without status) that now renders them inadmissible for citizenship. An example of such waiver is when a person who is applying for Permanent Residency travels outside the United States after having been in the U.S. unlawfully from more than 6 months (triggering a 3 year inadmissability). Being inadmissible means that the person cannot obtain the immigration benefit that they are seeking, but such inadmissibility will be waived if they present a “Waiver of Inadmissibility” along with its supporting documents. After the waiver is submitted, it is in the discretion of the immigration officer to go through the Attorney

General to pardon the Applicant. In order for an applicant to qualify for an immigration waiver, he or she must have an approved immigrant petition.

or denied the immigration benefit they are seeking while in the United States. A qualifying relative is anyone in the applicant’s immediate family who is either a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident. All applicants must be careful when filing for an immigration benefit on their own, instead of with an attorney, because by doing so they can state something in the application that they are not suppose to state, or answer to

Most importantly, though, the applicant must have a qualifying relative who will suffer extreme hardship in the event that he or she is either not allowed to return to the United States,

something that does not apply to him/ her. Also, the applicant can omit to state something that

they were supposed to say in the

He dw in Salmen-Navarro Att orney at Law

application. Such statement, or the omission thereof, can render an applicant inadmissible, because when an applicant signs any immigration related application, they are signing under penalty of perjury that they are stating the truth. An applicant usually gets one opportunity to file such waiver, so it is extremely important to leave this application in the hands of an attorney who has expertise in U.S. immigration law, because a denial of an immigration waiver may render the applicant inadmissible forever. By Hedwin Salmen-Navarro Esq.

¿Necesito un perdón de Inmigración? Español Muchas personas que solicitan beneficios de Inmigración han hecho algo en el pasado que requiere de un perdón conocido como Immigration Waiver. La persona que solicita este perdón lo hace porque tiene un pasado imperfecto (un fraude, un crimen o permaneció en esta nación sin permiso) y por lo tanto es inadmisible. Un ejemplo de este tipo de perdón es cuando la persona está solicitando la residencia permanente y viaja fuera de los Estados Unidos habiendo residido sin permiso por más de seis meses. Esto lo convierte en inadmisible por tres años. Bajo esta condición la persona no puede obtener los beneficios de inmigración que está solicitando porque ha hecho algo indebido. Siendo inadmisible, entonces solicita un ‘perdón para ser 018 DECEMBER 2009

admitido’ en conjunción con otros documentos. Una vez presentados estos documentos el agente de Inmigración tiene el poder de decisión sobre el caso por intermedio del Fiscal General para otorgarle un perdón al solicitante. Para que el solicitante pueda calificar al perdón de Inmigración, esta persona debe de tener una Petición de Inmigrante aprobada y lo que es más importante, el interesado debe de tener un familiar que se haga responsable del solicitante en caso de que no pueda regresar a los Estados Unidos o su solicitud de beneficios sea negada mientras vive en esta nación. El familiar tiene que ser el padre o la madre, el esposo o esposa, la hija o el hij o del solicitante, y debe ser ciudadano americano o residente permanente. Todas las personas deben de ser cuidadosas cuando hacen una

solicitud a Inmigración por su cuenta y no usan un abogado debido a que pueden afirmar algo en la solicitud que los compromete o contestar una pregunta que no les corresponde. Además, pueden llegar a omitir algo que debieron haber mencionado. Esas afirmaciones u omisiones pueden convertir al solicitante en alguien inadmisible porque cuando firma este tipo de documentación lo está haciendo bajo la penalidad de perjurio y debe de estar diciendo la verdad y nada más que la verdad. La persona usualmente solo tiene una oportunidad para solicitar este perdón y por lo tanto es de suma importancia que un abogado con experiencia en Inmigración se encargue de llenar la solicitud, porque es posible que le nieguen el ingreso a esta nación para siempre.

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Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines Lightweight: At 10.2 ounces, lighter than a typical paperback Books in Under 60 Seconds: Get books delivered wirelessly in less than 60 seconds

Price: $259 www.amazon.com

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UGGS The women’s Classic Tall Fancy comes in two styles: the bomber jacket chocolate with genuine leather and the chestnut logo with the Classic UGG® logo printed on twin-face sheepskin. Price: $200 www. uggaustralia.com

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Motorola Droid The fastest Google Android device for Verizon customers. Price: $199.99 www. verizon.com 020 DECEMBER 2009

Work the remote, use your laptop, or do some reading in a luxurious super soft fleece Snuggie™ blanket! This one-size-fits-all Snuggie™ blanket is warm and makes a great gift, so share the warmth. Price: $14.99 Target

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The fireside long jane pajama Cozy cotton thermal to live and lounge in. Scoopneck henley top has front pocket. Banded crop pant has drawstring elastic waist and back pocket. Imported cotton/spandex. Price: $39.50 www2.victoriassecret.com

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Paul Sebastien Set for him Set is packed with the best-selling full-size trio: the Paul Sebastien 4.0 oz. Fine Cologne Spray, After Shave Lotion and 2.5 oz. Fine Deodorant in an ebony, reusable, faux pebbled leather box. Price: $99.00 value now only $56.00 Macy’s

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Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6” Display, U.S. Wireless)

Snuggie Fleece Blanket As Seen On TV

The Twilight Saga Series of four vampire-based fantasy romance novels by author Stephanie Meyer The series has sold over 85 million copies worldwide with translations into at least 38 different languages around the globe! Price: $45.65 www. amazon.com

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Johnnie Walker Scotch Gold Label 18 years old exceptionally smooth, creamy and delicate Gold Label™ is the ultimate whisky pleasure Price: $74.99 www.shopriteliquors.com

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Perfect toy for your little girl ! The printer allows you to create, customize, and print designs on your nails right at home, itcomes with a software that has over 1000 designs, you can also add custom designs including photos from your camera. Recommended age is 8+ Price: $149.99 Toys R US

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AXE for him Perfect stocking stuffer New line of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products for your man’s hair. More than 74% of the women interviewed by this company think that hair plays an important role in attraction Price: from $4.99 to $5.99 CVS, Rite Aid or Duane Reade

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Netbook with Intel® Atom™ Processor –model LT2005u Perfect gift for teenagers whether in high school or college 0.1” LED-backlit widescreen display Built-in webcam with microphone Multi-in-1 digital media reader Weighs 3 lbs. and measures just 1” thin

Price: $229.99 Best Buy

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Barbie Doll’d Up Nails Digital Nail Printer

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holiday special

Christmas music is the per fect way to unwind at the end of the year! Order your favorite titles online at Amazon.com.

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Price: $169.99 Best Buy

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Beary Formal Curly Teddy with a Build-A-Sound® YOU record This adorable teddy bear gift includes a Build-A-Sound® message YOU record. It’s the perfect personalized gift! You can record your own personalized 10 second message. Your message will play from inside your furry friend every time it’s hugged! You can also choose from different accessories and clothes to make it look like the person you are giving it to! Price: $45.00 Build a bear workshops or www.buildabear.com

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Nintendo DSi Console Video Game Console Features: Slim Design, Touch Screen, Lightweight. The DSi has two screens, a camera, voice recorder, it’s a bit thinner than the DS Lite; exclusive access to the DSi Shop for downloadable games and applications, Price: $169.99 Target 022 DECEMBER 2009

Skechers for Her Give your girlfriend the perfect butt with the Skechers shape ups Jump Start fitness shoes. • Tone your muscles • Promote healthy weight loss • Make it easy to get in shape Price: $110.00 Any Skechers store or online at www.skechers.com

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COACH – Tartan glam tote Have your mom or your girl lookin’ fly this holiday season with this lightweight tartan plaid with Classic Signature metallic over-print. Price: $198.00 Coach stores or www.coach.com

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Apple - iPod nano The all new iPod nano brings video to your music with the new builtin video camera. Shoot high-quality video in portrait or landscape, perfect for posting on the Web or e-mailing friends. Plus, it also includes a microphone that captures clean audio you can listen to during playback on the built-in speaker. Price: 8GB $149 or 16GB $179 www.apple.com

This 12.0-megapixel digital camera features face detection technology, digital image stabilization, smile shutter and blink warning to help ensure your photos are clear and detailed. The Scene Auto Selector recognizes the scene in your picture and adjusts the camera settings

Nikon - Coolpix 12.0-Megapixel Digital Camera

Cupido Criollo They are top rated and the original boutique premium cigars that have won so many awards throughout the world. Cupido Criollo Revolucion Cigars - 25 Robustos in Cedar Box - 5 Inches X 50 Ring Gauge • • • •

Brand: Cupido Shape: Churchill Flavor: Medium Size: 50 x 7 1/4 “

Price: $82.50 www.habanosyhermanos.com

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Homedics SBM-300H Therapist Select Shiatsu PLUS Massaging Cushion with Heat Homedics’ Shiatsu Massage Cushion turns any chair into a Shiatsu massage chair. Never in your life will you experience a more invigorating massage; you’ll actually feel as if a massage therapist is hidden inside the massage cushion. A state-of-the-art moving dual massage mechanism travels up and down your back, melting away tension, muscle pain and fatigue.re Price: $154.25 www.amazon.com

Nintendo Wii As with every console, much of the buzz surrounds the specs. The Wii boasts 512 MB of internal flash memory, two USB 2.0 ports, and a slot for SD memory expansion. The system’s technological heart -- a processing chip developed with IBM and code-named “Broadway” and a graphics chipset from ATI code-named “Hollywood” -- deliver stunning performance. And instead of a tray, Wii uses a single, self-loading media bay that plays both 12-centimeter optical discs used for the new system, as well as Nintendo GameCube discs. Price: $199.99 www. amazon.com

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Teddy bears printed with New York City subway maps and route indicator are the perfect gift to decorate your living room. Kids will love these 12-inch-high bears and you can buy it from the NY Transit Museum or at the Gallery Annex Store in Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. Price: $34 each

Teddy Bears

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ Perfume for her Musc is at the heart of For Her. The fragrant harmony of the musc expresses itself through three pulsations; honey flower, radiant amber, and tactile wood. This fragrant harmony develops gently and slowly, rounding out into the warm tones of sunkissed skin, dusted in a soft, velvety sensuality. Price: 1.6 oz Eau de Toilette Spray $65 www.sephora.com

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Illustory Create Your Own Book Illustory takes art activity kits a fun step further. Your child can write and illustrate his or her own book using the materials inside. When their story is done, send it in to the company in the enclosed prepaid envelope. After a few weeks you’ll get back a professionally typeset, hardbound book that will become an instant family treasure. Price: $19.99 Target DTMMAG.COM

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HOLIDAY SPECIAL

Sabor latino Coquito

Ingredients 1/2 L Water 15 oz Cream of coconut 12 oz evaporated Milk 14 oz Condensed milk 4 Egg yolk 2-3 sticks Cinnamon 1 L Bacardi White rum

Coquito

Mixing Instruction Boil the cinnamon sticks in the water. Remove when the water is yellow and has the smell and taste of cinnamon. Add the evaporated milk, condensed milk and egg yolks and boil at low temperature. Stir while cooking to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pot. After a few minutes, add the cream of coconut and rum. Stir well and take off the burner. Let it cool and it will be ready. Keep it in the refrigerator and it will last for a very long time.

Pernil

Pernil Ingredients 6 pound pork butt roast 2 cloves garlic 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper 1 tablespoon flour 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 to 4 tablespoons Goya Adobo seasoning Cut slits in pork butt. Combine garlic, oregano, pepper, flour, and olive oil. Rub all over meat.

Puerto Rican Rice Arroz con gandules Ingredients: 2 tbsp of olive oil 1/2 cup of sofrito (recipe below) slow cooked pork, chopped (optional), or use chopped ham 1 packet of Sazon (con culantro y achiote) 15 oz can of Gandules (Pigeon Peas), with liquid 2 cups uncooked rice 4 cups of chicken stock, or water salt to taste Roasted red pepper for garnish (optional) In a large pot, heat the oil on medium 024 DECEMBER 2009

Rub Goya Adobo seasoning all over roast. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours. Place roast, fat side up, in a shallow roasting pan. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Makes 8 to 10 servings. Approximate Nutrient Analysis per serving: (based on 10 servings): 500 calories, 40g fat, 14 g saturated fat, 135 mg cholesterol, 750 mg sodium, 1 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 0g sugar, 32 g protein.

heat. Once heated, add the sofrito, and cook for about a minute or two. Add in your sazon packet, water, rice, and gandules, and mix well. Bring this mixture to a boil, then cover, and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let this cook for about 40 minutes, checking around 35 minutes. Never lift the lid before 35 minutes. Before serving, stir the rice. It should not be burned on the bottom, and it should be nice and fluffy. Serve with chopped roasted red bell peppers on the top. Safrito Ingredients: 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped 2 green bell peppers, seeded and chopped 2 tomatoes, chopped 1 head of garlic, peeled handful of flat leaf parsley handful of cilantro 2 onions, chopped Toss everything into a food processor and chop down into a nice sauce. You can use sofrito in most anything, trust me, this is a real winner!

ARROZ CON LECHE Ingredients Rice 1.5 cup (Vitarroz) Carnation Evaporated milk 2% 6 oz or half can (La Fe) Raisins 1.5 cups Water 8 cups 3 cinnamon sticks Take Rice, water, cinimmon and boil until rice is tender, you should have more water than rice left over. Add raisins and let them cook a little with the rice. Then add evaporated milk and let boil for a little bit. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t add sugar since I put splenda in mine but you can also add sugar to this recepie, will effect calories. Serve nice and hot or put in the refrigerator and serve cold later.

ARROZ CON LECHE

Cuban Coffee There are two methods to making coffee the Cuban way: Using a metal stovetop espresso pot, or with an electric espresso machine. While the stovetop method takes longer, it is certainly the authentic method. 1. Using an espresso machine, add the desired amount of finely ground coffee, common Cuban style brands include Bustelo and Pilon. You can also purchase fresh whole coffee beans from supermarkets; any of the very dark roast Colombian brands will work best for Cuban coffee. 2. For every demitasse cup of coffee you plan on making, use a teaspoon of sugar. The key to Cuban coffee is that it be very sweet. The trick here is to put the sugar into the glass carafe before you even brew the coffee. 3. Brew the coffee just as you would an espresso. The coffee will pour over the sugar in the carafe as it begins to brew. After it is finished filling the carafe, stir it briskly as there will still be a little undissolved sugar. Pour the coffee into several demitasse cups and enjoy.

* For Cafe con Leche, simply use 2 parts Cuban Coffee to 1 part steamed milk.

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Daddy Yankee: Descarga Mundial

Photo by: Carlos Chahin. 026 DECEMBER 2009

cover story

“People don't understand t hat Reggaeton is a genre that really doesn't depend on ra dio or television... It's a lifestyle . We're bigger than just mus ic."

English Daddy Yankee’s “Grito Mundial,” the lead single from his upcoming album, “Daddy Yankee Mundial,” was heard loud and clear by more than 500 in attendance during a private, Dec. 1st listening party at Manhattan’s club Quo. DTM Magazine was at the event, which marked the beginning of a campaign to promote the album in the States. The doors opened at 6 p.m., at which time stylishly-dressed fans partied to Daddy Yankee classics of old, as well as more recent hits such as “Machucando” and “Impacto,” for more than two hours, before El Cangri himself arrived - flanked by club and private security - and made his way into Quo’s VIP section for a face-to-face with the press. The event was sponsored by Coors Light beer. A year after a successful foray into the film medium with “Talento de Barrio,” Daddy Yankee, real name Ramon Ayala, is poised to make a return to the silver screen next summer, but for now he’s focused on bringing the sounds of his ninth studio album to a worldwide audience. “The musical mixture that I have in ‘Mundial’ comes from the opportunity that I’ve had to travel around the world and incorporate those sounds that I’ve learned in one album, but without losing that urban edge that I represent,” Daddy Yankee told writers after wrapping up his TV interviews. “We have a fusion of many themes in the single, ‘Grito Mundial’; Jamaican music, Plena; the European, Puerto Rican, Dominican and Colombian influences are present, as well as instrumentals from Venezuela. “I’m a little anxious about the release, you know, ‘cause it’s natural,” he added. “If you don’t feel that way, you’re not really a human being. Besides that, I’m pretty comfortable with the position that I have right now, because I have developed new musical material. Besides writing the lyrics, I’m also working on the production side, so I feel great about what we have in this album.” Perhaps not coincidental on the Puerto Rican Reggaetonero’s part, was producing a single titled “Grito Mundial” several months before the world over becomes fixated on the 2010

FIFA World Cup. Despite lobbying heavily for it to become the theme song of the prestigious month-long soccer tournament, the track wasn’t selected. But there are no hard feelings, said Daddy Yankee, since the driving force behind its creation was more so about appealing to fans around the globe by promoting the freedom of expression than anything else. “I wanted to do a song that captured the spirit of the World Cup, so as to make it possible to celebrate the event and that excitement every day, not just every four years,” the 31-year-old said of the anthem. “I did it from the heart, asking people - through the song - what their worldwide shout was. It’s about getting people to express themselves without being shy or scared about it.” Targeting an early February 2010 release, Daddy Yankee recently completed negotiations with Sony Music for a deal to distribute the album. Along with the lead single, the album has a total of 12 tracks, including “Soldado” (feat. Barrington Levy) and “Una Oportunidad” (feat. Luis Fonsi). That said, as decorated as those two of Daddy Yankee’s collaborators are, the anticipation of a song with former nemesis Don Omar may dwarf the hype of the album itself. The two Reggaeton heavyweights were anything but friends as recently as early 2008, when they were in the midst of a heated and well-publicized rivalry. But through some form of back-channel diplomacy, they’ve buried the hatchet, and since have appeared together in live performances. There was much to be learned of the tragic ending of the Notorious BIG vs. Tupac Shakur rap battle-turned-street-war of the mid-1990s. In 2001, Jay-Z and Nas got deeply personal, spewing lyrical vitriol at each other,

but fortunately their battle never spilled outside of their respective studios. Years later, the two would have a profound reconciliation, which turned out to have a sobering effect on Hip Hop. The peace between Daddy Yankee and Don Omar, much like in the case of Jay-Z and Nas, proves that men, or women of great stature should seize the opportunity (before it’s too late) to set a positive example for their followers, instead of descending into needless violence. “That made a big impact with the people,” Daddy Yankee told DTM. “We squashed that beef [almost] two years ago, and now it’s time to represent that new union. The people are waiting for our song, ‘Desafio,’ and you will see that in Daddy Yankee Mundial.” Finally, while Daddy Yankee and a handful of his contemporaries in Reggaeton have been immune to the overall decrease of its popularity, he offered an explanation that cautions skeptics, by reminding them to make a distinction between the genre’s commercial performance and what the music means to its most loyal followers. “The music right now, we’re in a great position,” the San Juan, P.R. native proclaimed. “Sometimes people don’t understand that Reggaeton is a genre that really doesn’t depend on radio or television, you feel me? We artists are a part of the people; we make music for the people. “And the people respond to that because this isn’t just a genre, it’s a lifestyle. We’re bigger than just music.” By R. Monell

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sin perder ese tono urbano que represento”, dij o Daddy Yankee a algunos reporteros luego de ser entrevistado para la televisión. “Tenemos una fusión de temas en la producción ‘Grito Mundial’ como música jamaiquina, plena, europea, puertorriqueña, dominicana y colombiana, toda esa influencia está presente, al mismo tiempo que música instrumental de Venezuela.

Español El “Grito Mundial” de Daddy Yankee, la canción más importante de su más reciente álbum “Daddy Yankee Mundial” fue escuchada con fuerza y claridad por más de 500 personas durante una presentación privada el primero de diciembre en el club Quo de Manhattan. DTM magazine estuvo presente durante la actividad que marcó el comienzo de una campaña para promover este álbum en los estados. Las puertas abrieron a las 6 p.m. y los fanáticos, con trajes de estilo moderno, tuvieron la oportunidad de entretenerse con los clásicos de Daddy Yankee durante dos horas, antes de que El Cangri llegara rodeado de seguridad e ingresara a la zona de VIP de Quo para enfrentar a la prensa cara a cara. El evento fue patrocinado por la cerveza Coors Light. Un año después del éxito de su film “Talento de Barrio”, Daddy Yankee, cuya nombre real es Ramón Ayala, se encamina a regresar a la pantalla el próximo verano, aunque ahora está enfocado en producir en el estudio los sonidos de su noveno álbum para una audiencia mundial. “La textura musical que tengo en ‘Mundial’ viene de la oportunidad que tuve de viajar por el mundo e incorporar diversos sonidos en un solo álbum, 028 DECEMBER 2009

excitación y no cada cuatro años”, dij o este hombre de 31 años sobre su tema. “La hice con todo mi corazón, preguntándole a la gente, por intermedio de la canción, en qué consistía ese grito. Es acerca de expresarse sin timidez y sin sentir temor”. Daddy Yankee está negociando con Sony Music la distribución del álbum, que ya terminó y que se espera salga al mercado en febrero del 2010.

“Estoy muy ansioso sobre el lanzamiento de esta producción, entiendan, es algo natural. Si no te sientes de esta forma, entonces no eres un ser humano. Además, me siento muy confortable con la posición que tengo ahora porque he desarrollado un nuevo material musical. Además de escribir la música, estoy trabajando en la producción, así que me siento muy bien con lo que estoy haciendo con este álbum”. Quizás no como una coincidencia de parte del reggaetonero puertorriqueño, quien produjo el disco “Grito Mundial” algunos meses antes de que el universo ponga sus ojos en la Copa Mundo 2010 de la FIFA. Luego de tratar de que su canción fuera seleccionada como el tema de ese torneo, los esfuerzos fueron infructuosos. Pero no hay motivo de disgusto, dij o Daddy Yankee, puesto que la intención detrás de esa canción fue atraer a una audiencia mundial promoviendo la libertad de expresión por encima de cualquier otro propósito. “Quise hacer una canción para captar el espíritu de la Copa Mundo, para hacer posible que celebremos todos los días con

Photo by: Christopher Auger-Dominguez

Además de la canción más importante, el álbum tiene 12 temas, incluyendo “Soldado” (con Barrington Levy) y “Una Oportunidad” (con Luis Fonsi). Luego de la inclusión de estos colaboradores en la producción de Daddy Yankee, la anticipación producida por la canción con Don Omar puede empequeñecer las expectativas de este álbum. Estos dos reggaetoneros de peso pesado no fueron muy amigables al comienzo del 2008 cuando se enfrascaron en un argumento que recibió la atención de la prensa. Sin embargo, usando intermediarios diplomáticos, lograron enterrar sus problemas y han aparecido juntos en conciertos en vivo. Se debió haber aprendido mucho del triste final de la rivalidad entre Notorious B.I.G. y Tupac Shakur rap que se llevó a cabo en las calles en los años 90. En el 2001 Jay Z y Nas también se disputaron

a nivel personal, lanzándose insultos en las canciones, pero afortunadamente nunca salió de sus respectivos estudios. El año pasado los dos se reconciliaron y esto tuvo un fuerte impacto en el Hip-Hop. La paz entre Daddy Yankee and Don Omar, así como en el caso de Jay Z y Nas, demuestra que los hombres y las mujeres de grandeza deben de aprovechar las oportunidades para dar buen ejemplo a sus seguidores, en lugar de descender hasta los niveles de violencia. “Esto tiene un gran impacto en la gente”, dij o Daddy Yankee a DTM. “Nos enfrascamos en esa pelea hace casi dos años y ahora es el momento de demostrar una nueva unión. La gente está esperando nuestra canción “Desafío” y encontrarán esto en la producción Daddy Yankee Mundial”.

Finalmente, mientras que Daddy Yankee y otro pequeño grupo de reggaetoneros no han sido afectados por la caída de popularidad, este boricua ofrece una explicación que previene a los escépticos porque les recuerda hacer la distinción entre las presentaciones comerciales del género y lo que la música representa para los fervientes fanáticos. “En este momento nuestra música está en buena posición”, enfatiza este puertorriqueño de San Juan. “Algunas veces la gente no entiende que el reggaetón es un género que no depende de la radio o la televisión, ¿me entiende? Nosotros los artistas somos parte de la gente y hacemos música para la gente. “Y la gente responde a esto porque no es sólo un género musical, sino un estilo de vida. Somos mucho más grande que la simple música”..

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HOT MUSIC A migos Music is pleased to announce the release of Yolanda Duke’s Many Moods, her newest––and most ambitious––CD, available on November 24, 2009. The album is the culmination of a long-standing dream that Yolanda shared with her dearly departed godfather and mentor: Tito Puente, the King of Latin Jazz and Mambo. On this CD, Duke puts her personal touch on American standards and Latin favorites in a Big Band setting. This is the first Tito Puente’s Orchestra recording since his passing in 2000.

Internet Sensation:

Pepe! t Label

Mobstar Records: Ho

Sesame Street It’s pure magic when people from various cultures and age groups can find common ground, and that’s exactly what Sesame Street (Plaza Sesamo) did for the world from the day it premiered on PBS. The ground-breaking show, which celebrates its 40th year this month, brought us all together as one through humor, music, and compassionate & diverse characters, and allowed us to reconnect with the joy, innocence, fun, and love that defines the true essence of being a child.

Who knew that such a simple song would become an overnight sensation? While the beat might be grating to those of us used to the rhythms of Willie Colon and Hector LaVoe, Santo Domingo-based Doble T and El Crok are taking YouTube by storm with their song that simply repeats, “Pepe! Pepe! Pepe!” over and over again. There are contests on Yahoo! challenging readers to find the closest English lyrics, countless YouTube videos of babies and mamis popping their booties to the song (Beyonce has NOTHING on these boys!), and even a remix of the song featuring Tito El Bambino. Kids today, I tell you…

WTF? Trend: Dallas

Police

The NY Times reports a trend in Dallas where police officers are giving drivers $200 tickets for not speaking English -an illegal practice! Thus far, all but one driver030 was Latino. WTF?! 2009 DECEMBER

TRENDSP It seems as though rap music – and the hip-hop culture, in all its incarnations – has been around forever, but not since Def Jam Records has a label made this much of a buzz on the streets. Mobstar Records, based on the South Side of Jamaica, Queens, boasts an unprecedented marketing campaign and an enviable roster – the ace in the hole being the unimonikered, cleverly-named Skywalkka (his real name remains a mystery), who is as equally skilled on the mic as he is in the boardroom. Skywalkka’s silent presence precludes his deadly delivery, proving once again that while the Bronx may have invented rap music, Queens certainly perfected it! For more information, visit www.mobstarrecords.com.

Something Old but New: MamaJuana Extreme Dominicanos will definitely co-sign on this: MamaJuana Extreme energy drink! It’s an all-natural, non-alcoholic drink inspired by the original, rum-based MamaJuana. MamaJuana Energy’s proprietary formula contains a blend of herbal ingredients that boost energy as well as increase stamina and virility. The non-alcoholic “shot” has a mixed-berry flavor and can be consumed straight or as a mixer. To buy MamaJuana Extreme, visit: http://w w w.supplementwarehouse. com/brand.asp?strsearch=1757.

AFTER HOURS Warfare 2 Call of Duty: Modern

Miss Sexy International

Puppies Makin’ Pape

Activision’s “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,” shattered the record for firstday video game sales when it sold nearly 5 million copies in a matter of hours. Gamers the world over are marveling at its ground-breaking quality: the visuals are stunning, the action is gripping and the musical score is perfect. But beware: this game is Rated M (for mature) and is not recommended for teenagers. It contains highly graphic and extreme violence, including a controversial scene in which a terrorist slaughters every civilian in sight at an airport.

OTTING! In this economy, even Fido has to pull his weight around the house. Never fear: he can become a bed bug dog! Bed bugs are a common problem in New York City and the surrounding boroughs, and Queens-based Jeremy Ecker solves it with his team of highly trained, nationally certified (NESDCA) bed bug dog Teams to identify live bedbugs and bedbug eggs. The Bed Bug Inspectors will pinpoint, with up to 95% accuracy, where the bedbugs or bedbug eggs are hiding. Before you laugh, consider this: the University of Florida came out with a bedbug dog study that backs up these claims!

The Blip Festival

Trash-bin symphonies and ray-chasing pixel pushers herald the explosive return of Blip Festival in New York City. The three-day music and arts festival returns to Brooklyn’s Bell House on December 17th, 18th, and 19th and is presented by Manhattan arts organization The Tank, in partnership with NYC artist collective 8bitpeoples. The festival, now one of the worlds largest and longest running events of its kind, continues to evolve with a greater breadth of international artists, a growing sophistication of styles and creative vocabulary, and a forward-thinking enthusiasm driven home by over two dozen of the worlds best musicians and visualists. For more information, visit www.blipfestival.org

Beautiful women competing for the Miss Sexy International Crown were featured at D’Noche restaurant in uptown Manhattan. The contestants for Miss Sexy International will participate in this contest until February 2010, when the winner will be announced.

Hot Gift: Hennessy

Hennessy Privilege VSOP is a harmonious blend of around sixty different eaux-devie from Cognac’s top growing regions. This Cognac of unmatched richness smoothness and complexity is worthy of the Hennessy name. This gift pack includes Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilege Cognac (700 mL) and a limited edition cradle holding a 30mL bottle of V.S.O.P Cognac. Perfect to place on a desk or sideboard! DTMMAG.COM

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032 DECEMBER 2009

The 2009 Latino Trendsetters Top, from LEFT to RIGHT: MARITZA PUELLO -- Executive Editor, NY1 Noticias JOSE PINERO -- Director of Communication Iniatives, Microsoft RUBEN DIAZ, JR. -- Bronx Borough President RANDY BERMAN -- Director of Hispanic Brands, The Coca-Cola Company WILLIE COLON -- Latin music legend JUAN GUILLEN -- Publisher, DTM Magazine MIGUEL POZO, ESQ. -- Member of the firm, Lowenstein Sandler RICHARD GONZALEZ -- Senior Vice President of Capital One Bank APRIL HERNANDEZ-CASTILLO -- Actress, Motivational Speaker, Co-Host of the Awards Ceremony Bottom, from LEFT to RIGHT: PROFESSOR JENNY RIVERA -- Law Professor, CUNY School of Law LUTZI MARIA VIELUF -- President, Cibao Meat Products ELIZABETH CHALAS BERMAN -- President, Continental Food and Beverage LOURDES LOPEZ -- Manager of Diversity and Inclusion, AXA Equitable

Thanks to our sponsors: Microsoft, Coors Light, Pfizer, State Farm and Health Plus. Special thanks to: The Brazilian Foundation, United Nations, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, ATAX, Lincoln Hospital, National Supermarket Association, Bronxnet, Inca Kola, Mets, Oficinas Medicas de los Drs. Pimentel, Northern Manhattan Business Coalition, CUNY, 100 Hispanic Woman, Veronica Rodriguez, Father John Duffel, Veronica Contreras –( MC) Telemundo, April Lee Hernandez ( MC), Telemundo, On Productions, Lorenzo LaRoc (violinist), Victor Cruz ( comedian), Mariposa (spoken word), Oveous Maximus (spoken word) and Natalia Segura (singer) En la unión esta la fuerza! DTMMAG.COM

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8th Annual Latino Trendsetter Awards Entertainers Oveous Maximus brought the Apollo Theater to its feet with a standing ovation...and he repeats his success at the Latino Trendsetter Awards.

Singer Natalia Segura -- originally from Australia -- wows the crowd with her melodies.

Mariposa -- the Bronx-based Puerto Rican poetess who was once featured on HBO -enchants the crowd with her rhythms and rhymes.

A graduate of the Julliard School of Music, electric violinist Lorenzo LaRoc welcomes the attendees with his unique brand of Latin jazz.

034 DECEMBER 2009

Actor Victor Cruz, who has been featured on such hit shows as Ugly Betty, Law and Order, and Fringe, keeps the audience laughing with his bicultural humor.

English As the year comes to a close, you may find yourself beginning to ponder the choices you made over the last twelve months. Did you really adhere to the diet resolutions you were so absolutely sure you would finally stick to this year? Did you utilize 2009 as an opportunity to live a healthier life style? Some committed individuals may contemplate these past seasons with a sense of total accomplishment and confidence, knowing full well they lived up to their expectations. However, there will also be an inevitable few whom will cringe at their inability to put the french fries down.

This is why New Years is truly so wonderful – you can start all over again. We live in an age obsessed with staying thin, young, and hip. I know some fifty year olds in better shape than I am. This is a great thing. It serves as a reminder to us that age truly is nothing but a number. It is never too late to dust off those running sneakers and start jogging, even if it’s once a week. You will be pleasantly surprised at how good you feel once those endorphins start kicking in; exercising will become a mental happiness polishing activity as well as your physical upkeep routine. This New Year’s Eve when hugs and kisses

ctivity Physical a ntal boosts me nce by performa g the flow increasin d -rich bloo of oxygen ain. to the br

me has the sa ole Skim milk e that wh u l a v l a n nutritio fat. with less milk has,

are given, and as you dig through your twelve grapes pondering what wishes and goals you hope to attain in 2010, be realistic with yourself. Don’t create a set of goals too intimidating to even begin. You probably won’t cut out all carbohydrates for the next 365 days, but you should be able to skip on the soda for the next month. Take it one day at a time.

health & beauty

Eat Well and Exercise Consistency is always a better choice to extremity. Pace yourself, cultivating fitness into your life is not a race. Before you know it fitness will be a choice, not a chore. Good luck in this coming year! By Giselle Rodriguez

m orange One mediu t daily adul meets the min C. a t for vit n e m e ir u q re

Foods r ich in c alcium vitamin and D inclu d milk, yo e low-f at gurt, c heese, sardine s al s, kale and bro mon, ccoli. DTMMAG.COM

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HEALTH & beauty

iene ja al dia t n a r a n ia Med ria a C necesa in m a it v a l ulto. para un ad

Español

La activid ad fisica m ejora la mente in crementan do el oxigeno y la sangr e al celebro. ne los emada tie r c s e d e leche h Lec tes que la n ie r t u n mismos sa menos gra n o c , a r e ent

Coma bien y ejercítese Español A medida que se acerca el final del año usted se cuestiona sobre las decisiones que tomó en los últimos doce meses. ¿En realidad siguió las resoluciones que alguna vez juró cumplir? ¿Utilizó este año 2009 para vivir más saludable? Algunas personas planearon este año para cumplir sus expectativas. Sin embargo, habrá algunos que se sentirán decepcionados por no haber evitado las papitas francesas fritas. Por eso es que el año nuevo es maravilloso, porque puedes comenzar una vez más. Vivimos obsesionados con mantenernos delgados, jóvenes y en la moda. Conozco algunos

cincuentones que están en mejor forma que yo. Es una buena cosa porque nos demuestra que la edad es simplemente un número. Nunca es tarde para desempolvar esos zapatos tenis, inclusive si es por una sola vez a la semana. Te sorprenderás de manera agradable porque tu cuerpo comenzará a despertar, el ejercicio traerá alegría rejuvenecedora, además de una rutina física muy benéfica. En este fin de año cuando los besos y los abrazos abundan, y cuando tenemos las doce uvas para crear nuestros deseos y esperanzas en el 2010, sea realista con su vida. No establezca unas

metas que lo intimiden al comienzo. Es probable que no se deshaga de todos los carbohidratos en los próximos 365 días, pero quizás pueda alejarse de las sodas en el próximo mes. Vaya día por día. “Hoy recortaré el azúcar y mañana no probare el pan”. La consistencia es siempre mejor que las medidas extremas. Avance a su ritmo, integre el ejercicio en su vida y sepa que no está en una carrera. El ejercicio debe de ser una elección y no una obligación. Buena suerte en su nuevo año.

Comida rica en calcio y vit amina D como leche descremada , yogurt, queso, salmon, sardinas, coles y brocol i.

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English Elizabeth Ulloa is a magic maker -- the makeup artist loves working on everything relating to entertainment. The position of “makeup artist” is a coveted one, and difficult to maintain if the skills are lax. Ulloa has not only managed to stay in the game, she’s played hardball with the biggest superstars of today’s generation (Britney, Justin, and Leo, just to name a few). Her talent also caught the attention of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, landing her an Emmy nomination for her hair and make-up work on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. In addition, Planet Blue will be launching her new make-up line, making the New Age Hollywood look accessible to the general public. Despite a hectic schedule pulling her between New York and Los Angeles, Elizabeth took the time to give the Latino community some love. Was your family supportive of your career choices? Yes, my family was supportive of anything that I did. Their main request was to make sure I finished school and educate myself. Did you ever have any doubts about your ability to succeed in your industry? When I first started doing makeup I did it for the love of the art, I really wasn’t thinking about whether or not I would “make it” in this industry. I was just happy doing what I love to do and it bloomed into something that I never imagined. I’m truly blessed!!

Beyond Make-up Being Latina creates a lot of great opportunities. I can branch out in both Latin America and America. I’m bilingual - I speak Spanish and English and even a little Portuguese. I have never felt a disadvantage to being Latina at all. I’m a very strong Latina woman and I don’t let anything get in the way in of my achievements. What has been your favorite project to date? Well I had the opportunity to do Britney Spears’ makeup for her Circus Tour. I had a lot of fun and met amazing people. So much fun! Are you involved in any philanthropy or charity work? I’m a huge fan of the ASPCA. I love animals very much; I have fostered countless dogs until a home was found for them.I will be traveling to Nicaragua soon, that’s where my family is from, and hopefully start my own charity. It will mainly deal with education for disadvantaged kids, and there are a lot of them there, like in any other poor country. My charity name will be called Los Niños de Nicoya. What’s your favorite quote? The hardest thing in life is to want what you already have. by: Giselle Rodriguez

How does being Latina create opportunities for you? Has being Latina ever been a disadvantage?

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Más que maquillista Español Elizabeth Ulloa es una artista mágica y todas las personas que trabajan en proyectos de entretenimiento adoran a las maquilladoras. Es una posición importante y difícil de mantener si tus destrezas no son buenas. Elizabeth no sólo ha logrado mantenerse en esta industria sino que está al lado de las superestrellas de esta generación como Britney, Justin y Leo para nombrar solo algunos. Sus talentos también atrajeron la atención de la Academy of Television Arts & Sciences con una nominación a los Emmy por su trabajo de maquilladora y peluquera en el show Ellen DeGeneres. Pero tampoco se detiene allí porque la tienda Planet Blue lanzará su línea de maquillaje y de esta manera New Age Hollywood atraerá la atención del público en general. A pesar de sus múltiples compromisos entre Nueva York y Los Angeles, Elizabeth encontró el tiempo para mostrar su afecto a los latinos. ¿Te apoyó tu familia cuando escogiste esta profesión? Sí, mi familia siempre me ha apoyado en todo lo que hago. Su única exigencia fue que terminara la escuela y me educara. ¿Alguna vez dudaste de tu habilidad para triunfar en esta industria? Cuando comencé a maquillar lo hice por el amor al arte y nunca pensé si lograría triunfar en esta profesión. Simplemente era feliz haciendo lo que amaba y creció hasta convertirse en algo inimaginable. ¡He sido bendecida! ¿Por ser latina se han creado oportunidades para ti o esto ha sido un obstáculo? Oh, ser latina me ha creado buenas oportunidades. Puedo pasar como latina o como estadounidense. Soy bilingüe, hablo español e inglés y algo de portugués. Nunca me sentí inferior por ser latina. Soy una latina fuerte y no permito que alguien se cruce en mis éxitos profesionales.

038 DECEMBER 2009

¿Cuál ha sido tu proyecto favorito hasta ahora? He tenido la oportunidad de maquillar a Britney Spears para su Circus Tour. Me he divertido mucho y he conocido a gente extraordinaria. Ha sido muy, muy divertido. ¿Estás inmiscuida en programas de caridad o de filantropía? Soy una fanática de ASPCA. Me encantan los animales. He cuidado innumerables perros hasta que les conseguimos un hogar.

Pronto viajaré a Nicacagua, de donde es mi familia, y ojalá que pueda comenzar mi propia organización de caridad. Exclusivamente dedicada a la educación de niños sin oportunidades y en ese país hay muchos, así como en otras naciones pobres. El nombre de mí organización será Los Niños de Nicoya. ¿Cuál es tu cita favorita? La cosa más difícil de la vida es desear lo que ya tienes.

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Designer Gina Velasco:

Photo by Javier Casta単o 040 DECEMBER 2009

Tradition and

English Gina Velasco, the eponymous designer of a haute couture collection and future prêt à porter collection, creates dresses, tops and skirts meant to capture a room’s attention. Her previous collections, Bolero Breve and Superfluos, included updated, modern designs for young, artistic women who want to set themselves apart and bask in the spotlight. The Bolero Breve dresses are heavily sequined, fringed and layered glamour dresses ranging from minis for dancing or a “girl’s night on the town,” to longer gowns for when the occasion calls for formalwear. The dresses are all done in a range of soft pinks, peaches, corals, golds and grays. The Superfluos line is more sedate--color wise. Consisting of mostly blacks, whites and reds, the standout features are the unique details given to each dress. Ms.Velasco makes heavy use of fluttery skirts, cascades of sequined flowers and up-to-there, yet tasteful, slits that only the most confident woman could pull off.

Gina Velasco was born and raised in Puerto Rico and studied at the Pratt Institute in New York. In 2005, after cutting her teeth by designing for big names in the juniors department, she launched Gina Velasco. As a relative newcomer, Ms. Velasco is still building up a design niche, but after glancing at her collection, the daring hemlines and exposed skin never teeters into tawdry. It’s clear that her talent lies in creating dresses that are both sexy and beautiful. The careful attention to placement and cuts display the craftsmanship put into each dress. Ms. Velasco herself uses the word “romantic” to describe her dresses and uses

velvet and lace to give her pieces the feeling of softness and delicacy. As a designer whose clients include the power businesswoman who is constantly on the move, she is moving towards creating more organic designs without doing away too much with the lace and backless details that give her dresses their sex appeal.

entertainment

d Seduction

Up next for the designer is Undustrialized, a ready-to-wear collection of natural colors inspired by “the disappearance and the abandonment of factories in the country”. This collection takes its cue from the rust-colored patina of industrious buildings translated into jersey and velour. The Undustrialized sportswear collection will be presented in grays and whites while the formalwear will be follow the Velasco tradition of color in emerald green, violet, wine and caramel.

By: Marisol del Valle

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fashion

Español Gina Velasco es una diseñadora que se identifica con la alta costura y con las colecciones del futuro listas para vestir, y se especializa en crear vestidos, camisetas y faldas para llamar la atención en un cuarto. Sus colecciones previas, Bolero Breve y Superfluos, incluyen adaptaciones, diseños modernos para jóvenes y mujeres artísticas que desean hacer la diferencia y resaltar en cualquier

escena. Las creaciones del Bolero Breve son vestidos glamurosos de muchas lentejuelas con franjas y capas que van desde trajes cortos para bailar o largos para una noche que exige formalidad. Los trajes están elaborados en un rango de colores como el rosado claro, melocotón, coral, dorado y gris. La línea superflua es más sosegada en términos de color. Lo más sobresaliente de cada

vestido, que los convierte en únicos, son los colores negro, blanco y rojo. Velasco produce suficientes faldas sueltas con múltiples secuencias de flores, de mucho estilo y con aberturas que solo las mujeres seguras se atreven a vestir.

La elaboración de cada uno de sus vestidos muestra la atención que le pone a los detalles. Velasco usa la palabra ‘romántico’ para describir sus vestidos y usa terciopelo y encajes para otorgarles un toque de delicadeza y suavidad. Como una diseñadora cuyos clientes son mujeres

de negocios, damas que se mueven constantemente y que se detienen para sobresalir en un coctel, Velasco se encamina hacia la creación de diseños más orgánicos sin apartarse demasiado de los encajes y los detalles que le otorgan a sus vestidos una apariencia sensual.

La próxima colección de esta diseñadora es Undustrialized, lista para vestir y con colores inspirados por “las fábricas de esta nación que están siendo abandonadas y desapareciendo”. Este trabajo toma elementos de la patina de colores del moho de las edificaciones industriales y

042 DECEMBER 2009

Gina Velasco nació y creció en Puerto Rico y estudió en el Pratt Institute de Nueva York. En el 2005, luego de

sacrificarse diseñando para departamentos menores, sacó la línea Gina Velasco. Como una novata, Velasco todavía está buscando su lugar en el diseño, aunque después de observar su colección, los ruedos de sus faldas y las aperturas que dejan ver la piel, nunca se inclina hacia lo cursi y demuestra que su talento recae en confeccionar vestidos sensuales y hermosos.

los traduce en jersey y velour. Esta colección deportiva Undustrialized será presentada en grises y blancos, mientras que los vestidos formales seguirán la tradición de Velasco con colores verde esmeralda, violeta, vino y caramelo.

Send your question to: askjudy@dtmmag.com Dear Judy, I am with my boy friend for over two years and we are planing to get married soon. About a month ago, my friends and I went to a club and I ran into my ex-boy friend. He looked better than ever and I just wanted to touch and kiss him. We didn’t, because I obviously have a boy and he has a girlfriend, but we have been talking every day since we reunited. We even planned a little weekend trip together. I don’t know if I should try to get him back because all I can think about is him, and I feel horrible because I am going to be engaged soon. What do I do? -- Jen

English

I can’t forg et my Ex!

Judy Tor res, On-Air Per son alit y & Fre est yle Art ist

Dear Jen, Ah, the famous case of the ex-boyfriend! Ladies, whenever you’re in a really pivotal point in your relationship, the ex-boyfriend will show up! It’s almost like he has a radar detector that tells him to come back when you’ve finally found some joy in your life with someone else. But we call him an “X” because WE CROSSED HIM OUT OF OUR LIVES! There is a reason why your past relationship didn’t work out. Did you suddenly forget why you broke up with your ex in the first place? Also, let’s look at your ex for

Español

a second. He has a girlfriend and he’s thinking of cheating on her with you? Don’t you think that means if you reunite with him, he will eventually cheat on you too? Remember that freestyle song that went, “Temptation is a part of life, it doesn’t matter if it’s wrong or right”? Every relationship at some point will be tested…looks like it’s your turn, Jen! Why would you want to go backward and not forward? It’s like trying to drive a car but constantly looking in the rearview mirror. You’re not going anywhere.

Let’s look at this in another way: you’re only 26, Jen. Nowadays women get married in their 30s and 40’s. You may simply not be ready and that is totally okay. I’ve spoken to so many people who have been divorced. And when I ask them why it didn’t work, almost all of them tell me, “We got married for the wrong reasons.” Ask yourself why you’re getting married. Are they for the right reasons?

¡Ex-novio at ravesa do!

Hace dos años tengo un novio y planeamos casarnos pronto. Hace un mes fui con mis amigas a un club y me encontré a un ex-novio. Lucía muy bien y quería tocarlo y besarlo. No hicimos nada porque ambos estamos saliendo con alguien, pero seguimos hablando y planeamos un fin de semana juntos. No sé si lo quiero una vez más a mi lado, aunque no lo puedo sacar de mi cabeza y me siento horrible porque muy pronto estaré comprometida. ¿Qué hago? Jen 26

Querida Jen, ¡Ah, el caso común del exnovio! Damas, los ex-novios siempre aparecen cuando estamos en un momento crucial de nuestras vidas. Es como si tuvieran un radar para detectar cuando hemos hallado a alguien especial en nuestras vidas. Lo llamamos el ‘X’ porque lo queremos apartar de nuestras vidas. Hubo una razón por la cual esa relación no funcionó. ¿Se le olvidó de repente la razón por la cual rompieron

I have a sneaky suspicion you are purposely sabotaging yourself, trying to create a situation where he will leave you first. If you’re not ready to be married, don’t do it. If you really want to entertain the ex and find out where it will go, you must cut your ties properly. If you want to marry your current boyfriend, then STOP this madness. Be happy – but be honest with yourself! By the way, how would you feel if you found out your boyfriend was planning a weekend with his ex? Good luck, Jen!

la relación? Además, miremos a su ex-novio. ¿Tiene una novia y está pensando en engañarla con usted? No cree que si algún día se vuelven a reunir, ¿entonces también te engañará? Recuerda esa canción de ‘freestyle’ que dice “las tentaciones son parte de nuestra vida, sin importar si es algo justo o injusto”. Toda relación en un momento determinado es puesta a prueba… y me parece que te llegó el turno Jen. Por qué deseas regresar

y no mirar hacia delante. Estas como manejando un carro y sigues mirando el espejo retrovisor. Así no avanzas. Permítame observar esta situación de otra manera. Jen, sólo tienes 26 años. En esta época las mujeres se casan en los años 30 o 40. Simplemente no estás preparada y eso no es un problema. He hablado con mucha gente que ha terminado en divorcio. Cuando les pregunto por qué el matrimonio no funcionó, casi todos me responden que

“nos casamos por las razones equivocadas”. Pregúntese el por qué quiere casarte. ¿Son esas las razones adecuadas? Tengo la ligera sospecha que te estás casando para sabotearte a ti misma, tratando de crear una situación en la cual él va a terminar dejándote. Si no estás lista, no lo hagas. Si deseas contemplar la idea de estar con tu ex-novio a ver qué pasa, entonces debes de cortar la relación. Si deseas casarte con tu actual novio, deja las locuras a un lado. Diviértete, pero debes de ser honesta contigo misma. Ahora bien, ¿Cómo te sentirías si te enteras que tu novio está planeando un fin de semana con su ex-novia? Hm… ¡Buena suerte Jen!

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MOVIE INSIDER

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus English Terry Gilliam’s latest fantastical adventure, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, screened at the Cannes Film Festival a little while ago, but it’s not until now that all the theaters are giving us the chance to enjoy this curious movie. It opens December 25.

as if the Gilliam curse had struck again, leaving him little choice but to either scrap the entire film or hire a new lead actor and re-shoot all the scenes. Thankfully, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law came to the rescue and found a way to finish Ledger’s remaining scenes by playing alternate-dimension versions of the same character. Together with fantastic actors like Andrew Garfield, Verne Troyer, Mark Benton and Jose Perez, this movie is a total must-see this Christmas. Set in the present day, director Terry Gilliam’s fantastical morality tale follows the traveling show of the mysterious Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), a man who once won a bet with the Devil himself, and possesses the unique ability to guide the imagination of others.

The film, which features Heath Ledger’s final performance, is, like most of Gilliam’s films, a little on the strange side. When Ledger passed away without finishing his work on the movie, it appeared

Many centuries ago, Dr. Parnassus won immortality in a bet that found the malevolent Mr. Nick (Tom Waits) coming up short. While few would be foolish enough to try their luck against the powers of darkness a second time, Dr. Parnassus did precisely that, by trading his mortality for youth on the understanding that his firstborn would become the property of Mr. Nick when the child

reached his or her 16th birthday. Flash-forward to the present day, when Dr. Parnassus’ daughter Valentina (Lily Cole) is about to celebrate her Sweet Sixteen. Dr. Parnassus is desperate to save his little girl from her fiery fate, and when Mr. Nick arrives to collect, the

good doctor presents the Prince of Darkness with a wager too enticing to refuse: Dr. Parnassus and Mr. Nick will each compete to seduce five souls, with possession of Valentina going to whomever manages to complete the task first. As the competition begins to heat up, Dr. Parnassus promises his daughter’s hand in marriage to any man who can help him successfully navigate the surreal obstacle course that lies ahead and finally help him undo the many mistakes of his past. Jorge Marín

Español azar los poderes de lo oculto por segunda vez, pero eso fue precisamente lo que hizo el Dr. Parnassus. Cambiando su mortalidad por volver a ser joven bajo el entendimiento de que su primer hij o sería propiedad del señor Nick cuando el joven o la joven cumpla los 16 años.

La más reciente aventura del director Terry Gilliam titulada The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, presentada hace poco en el Festival de Cannes, pero que solo hasta ahora llega a los teatros para darnos la oportunidad de disfrutar de esta curiosa película. Este film muestra la última actuación del actor Heath Ledger y es un poco extraño como la mayoría de las películas de Gilliam. Cuando Ledger se murió sin terminarla, parecía como si la maldición contra Gilliam lo golpeara otra vez, dejándole a la producción dos alternativas, rehacer la película una vez más o contratar a otro actor para repetir las escenas. De manera increíble, tres grandes actores de Hollywood, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell y Jude Law, rescataron la producción interpretando diversos caracteres de manera alternativa. De esta manera se sumaron al electo de otros grandes actores como Andrew Garfield, Verne Troyer, Mark Benton y José Pérez.

044 DECEMBER 2009

La película transcurre en nuestra época y el director Gilliam toma esta fantástica moraleja para adentrarse en el misterioso show del Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) que viaja a diferentes lugares. Este es un hombre que le ganó una apuesta al diablo y posee la gran habilidad de guiar la imaginación de otras personas. Muchos siglos atrás, el Dr. Parnassus obtuvo la inmortalidad y halló al malévolo Nick (Tom Waits). Muchas personas jamás se atreverían a desafiar al

En retrospectiva al presente, la hija del Dr. Parnassus, Valentina (Lily Cole) está por celebrar su 16 años. El Dr. Parnassus está desesperado por salvar a su pequeña hija de su terrible destina y cuando el señor Nick llega a recogerla, el doctor le presenta al Príncipe de la Oscuridad una apuesta difícil de rechazar: El Dr. Parnassus y el señor Nick competirán para seducir cinco almas y la posesión de Valentina le corresponderá a quien termine primero. Cuando la competencia se calienta, el Dr. Parnassus decide ofrecer a su hija en matrimonio al hombre que le ayude a navegar con éxito los obstáculos mágicos que enfrenta y que al final termina corrigiendo los múltiples errores de su pasado.

Film listings Nine Director: Rob Marshall Release: Dec. 18 Nine is a vibrant and provocative musical that follows the life of world famous film director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) as he reaches a creative and personal crisis of epic proportion, while balancing the numerous women in his life including his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penelope Cruz), his film star muse (Nicole Kidman), his confidant and costume designer (Judi Dench), an American fashion journalist (Kate Hudson), a prostitute from his youth (Fergie) and his mother (Sophia Loren). The film is directed by Rob Marshall (CHICAGO). The original 1982 Broadway production of “NINE,” with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Invictus Director: Clint Eastwood Release: December 11 A look at the life of Nelson Mandela after the fall of apartheid in South Africa, during his first term as President, when he campaigned to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup event as an opportunity to unite his countrymen. With Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. Released on December 11.

One Peace at a Time Director: Turk Pipkin Release: December A documentary film about a messed up world...and how we can fix it. Sprinkled with music by Bob Dylan, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, and Willie Nelson, One Peace at a Time lyrically weaves a tapestry through 20 countries and is as magical as it is informative. Activist Turk Pipkin (The Sopranos, Nobelity) continues his global journey of knowledge in action with a goal to create a virtual roadmap to a better future by focusing on specific solutions in these troubled times.

Precious English This movie came out last month but its impact will be felt for years. It is a film that portrays Blacks, Latinos, and all minorities in this country. It is a good story with strong images that has strong potential to win an Oscar. Lee Daniels’s “Precious,” based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire (1986), is a vibrant, raw and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome. Set in Harlem in 1987, it tells the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a sixteen-year-old AfricanAmerican girl born into a life no one would want. She’s pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait hand and foot on her mother (Mo’Nique), a poisonously

Español Esta película comenzó a presentarse el mes pasado y su impacto se sentirá por años. Se siente cercana porque refleja no sólo a los negros, sino a los latinos y a todas las minorías de esta nación. Un buen film con imágenes fuertes que tiene el potencial de ganar un Oscar. Precious del director Lee Daniels se basa en la novela Push de Sapphire (1986) y es vibrante, cruda y muy esperanzadora porque refleja la capacidad de la humanidad de crecer y mejorar. Se desarrolla en el Harlem de 1987 y cuenta la historia de Claireece ‘Precious’ Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), una mujer de 16 años de raza negra que nació en un mundo que nadie desea. Embarazada con su segundo hij o

angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and an awful secret: she can neither read nor write. Beneath her impassive expression is a watchful, curious young woman with an unclear but unshakable sense that other possibilities must exist for her. Threatened with expulsion, Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, Each One/Teach One. She doesn’t know the meaning of “alternative,” but her instincts tell her this is the chance she has been waiting for. In a literacy workshop, taught by the patient yet firm Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and de su padre ausente. En la casa está obligada a servir en todo a su madre (Mo’Nique), una mujer muy amargada que la abusa física y emocionalmente. La escuela es un lugar de caos y Precious ha llegado al noveno grado con buenas calificaciones y un gran secreto: no puede leer ni escribir. Más allá de su expresión apagada se halla una mujer curiosa y atenta con un gran sentido, aunque nebuloso, de que existen otras posibilidades para ella. Bajo la amenaza de ser expulsada, a Precious le ofrecen la posibilidad de cambiarse a una escuela alternativa, Each One/Teach One. No conoce el significado de ‘alternativa’ pero sus instintos le dice que esta es la oportunidad que anhelaba. En el taller de literatura, dictado por la paciente y firme Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious comienza a salir de la oscuridad, el dolor y el

self-determination. Just before it debuted to raves at the Sundance Film Festival, where it went on to win the competition’s coveted Grand Jury Prize, as well as the Audience Award, and the Special Jury Prize for Acting (for Mo’Nique), TV legend Oprah saw the movie and she was totally blown away. For that reason, she and fellow fan Tyler Perry helped in brokering “Precious” a $5.5 million distribution deal with Lionsgate, and even came aboard as executive producers. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Oprah said in a statement at the time. “The moment I saw “Precious,” I knew I wanted to do whatever I could to encourage other people to see this movie. The film is so raw and powerful, it split me open.” Jorge Martin

agotamiento para hallar la luz, el amor y la propia determinación. Poco antes de su gran debut en el Festival de Sundance Film, en donde ganó el Gran Premio del Jurado, así como también el Premio de la Audiencia y el Gran Premio de Actuación (de Mo’Nique), la legenda de la televisión Oprah vio la película y quedó muy impresionada. Debido a esto se unió a otro admirador, Tyler Perry, quienes ayudaron a que Precious obtuviera $5.5 millones para su distribución con Lionsgate e inclusive se vincularon como productores ejecutivos. “Nunca vi algo como esta película”, dij o Oprah en ese momento. “Cuando vi Precious inmediatamente supe que debía de hacer todo lo posible para que la gente vea esta película. Este film tiene tanto poder y es tan crudo que me partió en dos”

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theater

Pantaleon: Sexy Musical English Spanish Repertory Theatre opened the stage version of Mario Vargas Llosa’s novel, “Pantaleón y las visitadoras,” with a script by Verónica Triana and her father Jorge Alí Triana, who creatively directed this spicy and sexy musical with a lively score written by Colombian celebrity Andrés Cavas.

Latino actors brought all the colorful characters from Vagas Llosa’s story to life. Pantaleón, a combination of the perfect officer but a naïve judger of social circumstances, was well crafted by Anthony Alvarez. Ricardo Barber excelled in playing a church priest, turning into a bribing whorehouse runner in seconds.

Triana mastered an interesting way to bring the tropics onstage, with that sense of stuffiness and loose behavior produced by the hot weather. A very effective cast of

The visiting ladies Zulema Clares, Jessica Fiori, Selenis Leyva, Mónica Pérez Brandes and Silvia Sierra filled the stage with humorous and sexy passes, and Denise Quiñones was

excellent in playing the favorite call girl: bold and coquettishly submissive. Marcelo Rodríguez managed an outstanding double performance of severe General Collazos and Sinchi, an outspoken and excentric radio announcer. Cavas’ music put you in the right mood from the start with peppy and exuberant lyrics to boot: overall, an excellent example of good and spicy entertainment. By: Nilda Tapia

Español El Teatro de Repertorio Español ha estrenado la versión teatral de la novela de Mario Vargas Llosa, “Pantaleón y las visitadoras,” sobre un guión teatral escrito por Verónica Triana ysu padre Jorge Alí Triana, quien tan creativamente ha dirigido esta picante y sensual comedia con un guión musical chispeante compuesto por el celebrado músico colombiano, Andrés Cavas. Triana ha sabido recrear con mae046 DECEMBER 2009

stría el ambiente del trópico, provocando la sensación de agobio y esa liveandad típica producida por el excesivo calor. Un elenco muy efectivo de actores latinos ha recreado los coloridos personajes de la historia de Vargas Llosa. Pantaleón, una combinación de un perfecto oficial militar pero con una actitud muy pobre para entender las demandas sociales, fue muy bien lograda por el actor Anthony Alvarez. Ricardo Barber

se lució encarnando un religioso para luego tornarse en el bribón encargado de la casa de citas en cuestión de segundos. Las visitadoras encarnadas por Zulema Clares, Jessica Fiori, Selenis Leyva, Mónica Pérez Brandes y Silvia Sierra colmaron el escenario de buen humor y pases provocativos ofreciendo sus encantos, y Denise Quiñones estuvo perfecta encarnando a la visitadora favorita, atrevida

pero coquetamente sumisa; o sea la perfecta golosina. Marcelo Rodríguez supo manejar muy bien el doble papel del severo General Collazo y de Sinchi, un desaforido y excéntrico anunciante radial. La música de Cavas pone al expectador en el mejor de los humores desde el comienzo con sus líricas jocosas y exuberantes. En suma, un excelente ejemplo de entretenimiento bueno y sabroso.

Spanish Flyy By Naija Brown Erotic Publishing Prepare to be sprung in a seductive new novel by Naija. In Spanish Flyy, Naija thrills again in a dangerously entertaining and scandalous storyline. Pulsating with flavor, suspense and crazy sex appeal, Spanish Flyy is a roller coaster ride waiting for readers to jump on and buckle up. In Spanish Flyy, Dr. Raquel Howard is back again and living the glamorous life, spending money she coldly inherited after the demise of her fiance who wouldn’t abide by her love. Kismet has landed her in the arms of a new love – Montez Santana -- and this time she is certain it’s the real deal as every inch of her unquenchable thirst is pacified. With secrets, wealth, and a hidden identity to kill for, Raquel prepares to do whatever it takes to maintain her status, never knowing from which source the betrayal will emerge.

E W S K O O B ! D N E M M RECO

books

YOU: Having a Baby: The Owner’s Manual to a Happy and Healthy Pregnancy. By Michael F. Roizen and

Mehmet Oz Simon & Schuster Few life experiences feature the extreme emotional swings as pregnancy -- it’s a monumental mix of both intense excitement and skip-a-beat anxiety. If you’re like most, you scour websites, read books, browse blogs, and pick the brain of every friend, family member, and store clerk who has ever had a baby. You talk about the ups and downs, the cravings and the nausea, the maternity clothes and the stretch marks. During this 280or-so day journey, this sometimesscattered mindset is perfectly natural -- and healthy. But sometimes you need help cutting through the clutter.

El símbolo perdido (Ahora en español) (The Lost Symbol) Por Dan Brown Editorial Planeta El código Da Vinci fue un fenómeno mundial que convirtió a Dan Brown en el maestro absoluto del thriller. En esta nueva obra, Robert Langdon regresa para retar a los lectores con una historia inteligente y de ritmo vertiginoso que ofrece sorpresas en cada página

Going Rogue: An American Life By Sarah Palin HarperCollins One year ago, Sarah Palin burst onto the national political stage like a comet. Yet even now, few Americans know who this remarkable woman really is. On September 3, 2008 Alaska Governor and former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention that electrified the nation and instantly made her one of the most recognizable women in the world. As chief executive of Alaska, she had built a record as a reformer who cast aside politics-as-usual and pushed through changes other politicians only talked about: energy independenc, ethics reform, and the biggest private sector infrastructure project in U.S. history.

Trencitas / Braids By Kathleen Contreras Lectorum Isabela enjoys visiting her grandmother. Her abuela combs her hair ‘that flowed in soft ripples down to her waist.” The grandmother is also a storyteller and inspires the child to write her own stories. Each time Isabela asks abuela to read a story she has written, the woman find an excuse until abuela confesses that she cannot read. Isabela then uses the lotto to teach her how to read. This unique book captures the bonds of a grandmother with her granddaughter. It is a lovely story of a modern Latino family in America. DTMMAG.COM

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music

English

Independent Spirits This month, we will be looking at two up-and-comers in the music business. They are signed to The Ave Records, under the leadership of Dave DeKutz. The music industry is in an economic recession. The rise of the Internet and the ability to pick and choose music has cut into the profits of a lot of artists. For the independents, though, there is plenty of opportunity. These two duos are young veterans of the music industry, and are armed with the necessary tools to produce their own projects. By Luis Vazquez

Rap Duo English

950 Plus is a rap duo that has built a large amount of street credibility in the business. They released several mix tapes and parlayed that success with occasional showcase performances in the United States and Canada. Along with Mirror Image, they have been seen on a float at the

Puerto Rican Day Parade for the past three years. The survivors of a major talent hunt, 950plus became the backbone of the company that came to be known as ‘The Ave Records.’ F Ezzy confirms, “We were the final two of forty artists being chosen by David DeKutz. There really was no company but through our work and popularity, the label was created.” The opening of a new studio has

Español Espíritus independientes En esta edición echaremos un vistazo a dos grupos emergentes en el negocio de la música. The Ave Records bajo el liderazgo de Dave Dekutz. Esta es una industria en estado de recesión. El ascenso del internet y la habilidad para escoger y llevar música ha reducido el margen de ganancias de muchos artistas. Aunque hay oportunidades para los artistas independientes. Estos dos dúos son jóvenes veteranos que están armados con el material necesario para producir sus propios proyectos y muy pronto sacarán al público el resultado de su esfuerzo.

opened new possibilities for them. “It’s more comfortable. We don’t have to rush. We can put together original beats and control that flow. You control your own destiny,” F Ezzy explains. This has allowed 950plus, winners of several showcase events and Canada’s most popular Latin rap duo, to put together their first album, “Make Luv 2 a lie or F@#k Wit The Truth-The Official Album.” A digital release has

Español Dúo de raperos El 950 Plus es un dúo de raperos que ha construido una fuerte credibilidad callejera en este negocio. Han sacado varias producciones y realizado algunas presentaciones en esta nación y en Canadá. Al lado de Mirrow Image este dúo se ha desplazado en una carroza durante el Desfile Puertorriqueño en los últimos tres años. 950 Plus son sobrevivientes de un ambiente talentoso y se han convertido en la parte más importante de la compañía que se conoce con el nombre de The Ave Records. F Ezzy confirma que “los dos fuimos los últimos de los cuarenta artistas seleccionados por David Dekutz. Realmente no había una compañía pero con nuestro trabajo y creatividad se creó la marca”. La apertura de un nuevo estudio condujo a otras posibilidades no 048 DECEMBER 2009

already garnered 10,000 buys. The album is a triumph of sorts over the many obstacles they have encountered. “We competed in competitions that we should have won. DJ’s like to get paid before they spin certain records. It’s an African-American game and we are one of the few Hispanics in the hip-hop genre. We aim to change it. Music breaks it down anyway.”

exploradas con anterioridad. “Es más cómodo y no tenemos que correr. Podemos incorporar sonidos originales y controlar el ambiente. Así somos artífices nuestro propio destino”, dij o F Ezzy. De esta manera 950 Plus, que ha ganado varios eventos en Canadá como el grupo de rap latino más popular, logró producir su primer álbum, Make Luv 2 a lie or F*#@ wit the truth – El álbum oficial”. La versión digital ya ha generado 10,000 ventas. El álbum es como un triunfo sobre varios obstáculos que este dúo ha enfrentado. La política está viva en el negocio de la música y ellos opinan. Young Duse señala “el por qué nosotros competimos en torneos en los cuales debemos ganar. A los DJ les encanta recibir el pago antes de colocar algunos discos. Este un juego de dominio afro-americano y nosotros somos de los pocos hispanos en el género Hip-Hop. Aspiramos a cambiar este asunto. La música rompe estas barreras de alguna forma”.

High Notes

Jesse and Susan Vasquez, known as JHarmony and Gangster Twin of Mirror Image, are a twin Dominican duo

that have run the gambit from singing the National Anthem at New York Mets games to adding their vocals to the soundtrack of the film “Buena Gente,” which was shown at this year’s Latino Film Festival. “We were fortunate to meet one of the actors in the film and he suggested we should sing for the soundtrack. We recognize opportunities to promote ourselves and it was fun as well,” JHarmony explains. Mirror Image will be releasing their debut album, tentatively titled “Mirror Image.” This effort is made easier by having your own studio to control your creative endeavors. Mirror Image prefers the independent route.

JHarmony explains, “We want to avoid majors. Major labels throw money at you, but you are at their mercy when it comes to promotion. The tradeoff is that you can end up lost among their deep rosters.” The maturation from teenage prodigies to young women has come at the perfect time for this project. Mirror Image has chemistry and it shows in their musical choices. Gangster Twin says as much, “It’s funny because we are very different people. We like different clothes and music, but we are open to listening to each other and we put ideas together. Our music has matured. Of course, the thoughts and support of the people have confirmed it. As for the

“Tuvimos la fortuna de encontrarnos con uno de los actores de la película y nos sugirió que cantáramos para esa producción de cine. Reconocimos esa oportunidad para promocionarnos y también fue entretenido”, dij o JHarmony. Mirror Image sacará al mercado esta producción que tentativamente lleva el nombre de ‘Mirror Image’. Este esfuerzo es mucho más fácil cuando se tiene un estudio familiar que permite el control creativo. Mirror Image prefiere la ruta independiente.

“Queremos evitar esto porque los grandes productores arrojan dinero y así quieren tener el control de todo cuando se llega a la promoción. La contraprestación es que te puedes perder con tantas condiciones”, dij o JHarmony La maduración de adolescentes precoces a jóvenes mujeres llegó a buen tiempo para este proyecto. Mirror Image posee la química y se nota en las selecciones musicales. Gangster Twin dij o que “es muy chistoso porque somos

music, we have found our sound.” By Luis Vazquez.

HIGH NOTES NOTAS ALTAS HIGH NOTESNotas altas Notas altas Notas altas

Español Notas altas Jesse y Susan Vasquez, conocidas como JHarmony y Gangster Twin, de Mirror Image, son un dúo dominicano que se ha desplazado desde cantar el himno nacional en el estadio de los Mets hasta incluir sus voces en el tema de la película ‘Buena Gente’, la cual se exhibió este año en el Festival Latino de Cine.

Music listings Thalia is putting out her 15th CD, her first live album. The accomplished singer and actress, who is doing “Conexion Thalía” for ABCC/Citadel Media en Espanol, calls this latest project “Primera Fila.” www.thalia.com

personas diferentes. No nos gusta la misma ropa, ni la misma música, pero nos abrimos al diálogo y juntamos nuestras ideas. Nuestra música ha madurado y los comentarios y el apoyo de la gente confirman nuestra aceptación. En cuanto a la música, hemos hallado nuestro sonido”.

Alison Iraheta, from this year’s American Idol, is coming out with her debut, “Just like You.” The red-haired 17-year-old rock star from El Salvador will be looking to capitalize on her recent fame.

Natalia Segura, Univision’s Radio’s pick for Artist of the Future a year ago, will be releasing her debut album “A Taste of Me.” The Salvadorian-born, Australian-raised singer is Australia’s top Latina talent. She is stateside now and ready to make her mark on these shores. http://www.natalia.com.au

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Time machine

Mercedes Sosa: A voice of Subs English Mercedes Sosa is one of the most acclaimed voices of the Americas today. She was born in the City of Tucuman on Argentina’s independence day, July 9th 1935, 117 years after constituents of the Congress of Tucuman signed the Freedom Act. She died on October 3, 2009 in Buenos Aires, leaving a whole generation of songwriters and admirers mourning her departure. Her life was a complete offering. She studied to be a teacher in her native Tucuman, and wound up teaching young musicians how to enjoy fruitful careers throughout her busy life. Registered as a contralto, Mercedes Sosa marked a series of songs that went from the traditional folk music from her native Tucuman in Argentina, to the modern and avant garde tunes of rock and roll, bossa nova, and folk songs from Latin America with the seal of her clear and melodically guttural voice. I still recall when she sang for the first time at the Town Hall in New York in the 1960s. She made her triumphant entrance into a barren stage, wrapped in her legendary poncho and her bombo leguero (a strong Native drum that could be heard leagues into the distance) under her arm, pounding the first stanzas of precisely the folksy zamba “Luna Tucumana” which brought every Argentinean to tears. I remember her well, standing sublime, incredibly proud of having reached that stage that would mark her internationally. She embraced me that night backstage at our first encounter, making me feel so special. I still feel that warmth she projected when I remember that special moment. There were many other songs she embellished with her soft and profound style, but the one that turned out emblematic was Violeta Parra’s “Gracias a la Vida” (A Gratitude to Life). Only Mercedes could give that song such a marvelous meaning, and nobody better than La Negra could sing and spread this hymn throughout the world of sound. 050 DECEMBER 2009

But she was persecuted for her socialistic beliefs. In the 1970s, she was forced out of her native Argentina. She lived in Paris for a while, and then settled in Madrid until her return to her native Argentina in 1982. She appeared on TV soon after and asked the audience not to force people away from their lands. “It is so sad and unnatural to be away from your homeland,” she said eagerly. She asked all singers to pick songs

that had something substantial to communicate. Her record “Canciones con Sustancia,” proved Mercedes meant what

voice that aligned people and easily closed lines in pursuit of noble and purposeful causes. She was the voice of substance that proclaimed the trend and demanded followers to pursue it. By Nilda Tapia

she said. Mercedes Sosa will be remembered as the cantora with the meaningful

stance Español Mercedes Sosa es hoy una de las voces más aclamadas de las Américas. Nacida en la ciudad de Tucumán, en el día de la independencia argentina, un 9 de Julio de 1035, 117 años después que los constituyentes del Congreso de Tucumán firmaran el acta de la independencia para su país. Murió el 3 de octubre de 2009 en Buenos Aires, dejando una generación de cantantes, compositores e intérpretes devastados por su partida. Su vida fue un completo ofertorio. Estudió el magisterio en su nativa Tucumán para graduarse como maestra y terminó su vida enseñando a los jóvenes músicos como elaborar carreras fructíferas a lo largo de su afanosa vida de artista. Con su registro de contralto, Mercedes Sosa marcó con el sello de su clara y melodiosa voz gutural una serie de canciones que fueron de la tradicional música folklórica de su natal Tucumán en Argentina, a las tonalidades modernas y de avant garde del rock n roll, la bossa nova, y las canciones vernáculas de otros países. Ella le puso su sello a muchas de ellas. Aún recuerdo en los 60s cuando cantó por primera vez en el Town Hall de Nueva York. Hizo su entrada triunfal en un escenario vacío, envuelta en su legendario poncho y su bombo leguero (enorme tambor indígena que podía oírse a leguas de distancia) sujeto debajo del brazo, retumbando las primeras cadencias inconfundibles de la zamba “Luna Tucumana” que llevó a los argentinos al borde de las lágrimas emotivas… La recuerdo intacta, en su sublime estampa, increíblemente orgullosa de haber llegado al escenario que la marcaría internacionalmente. Me abrazó efusivamente esa noche entre bastidores en nuestro primer encuentro, y me hizo sentir un momento muy especial … Aún siento ese calor que ella proyectaba mientras recuerdo ese momento tan especial Hubo muchas canciones que ella embelleció con su suave y profundo estilo, pero la que se tornó en emblema fue la de Violeta Parra, “Gracias a la Vida”. Sólo Mercedes pudo darle a esa canción su maravilloso significado, y nadie mejor que La Negra pudo cantar y transmitir ese himno alrededor del mundo del sonido. Fue perseguida por sus ideas socialistas. En los 70s, fue obligada a dejar su terruño argentino. Se mudó a Paris por un tiempo, y luego se radicó en Madrid hasta su retorno a Argentina en 1982. Apareció en una entrevista por TV enseguida de su llegada y le pidió a la audiencia que nunca forzaran a la gente fuera de sus tierras si llegaban a tener poder. Es tan triste y poco natural eso de estar fuera de la tierra de uno… aclamó con énfasis. Ella fue la que le pidió a los cantantes a que buscaran canciones que tuvieran algo sustancial para comunicar. Su disco “Canciones con Sustancia,” probó que Mercedes predicaba con el ejemplo. Mercedes Sosa será recordada como la Cantora con la voz sentida que alineaba a la gente y que cerraba filas en pos de causas nobles y grandes propósitos. Ella era la voz con honda sustancia que proclamaba la tendencia y alineaba a sus seguidores para poderla perseguir. DTMMAG.COM

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