Latin Times Magazine

SUNSCREEN F I L M F E S T I VA L ST. PETERSBURG - CLEARWATER, FLORIDA

YOU WAITED A YEAR, AND IT’S FINALLY HERE...

THE NINTH ANNUAL

2014 SUNSCREEN FILM FESTIVAL

MOVIES STARS WORKSHOPS PARTIES MOVIES AND MORE MOVIES...

Thursday-Sunday May 1-4, 2014 BAYWALK MUVICO 20 DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG www.sunscreenfilmfestival.com

VIP Judges

Carlos Eats

Traditional VIP judges

John Thomas

Linda Hurtado

Event Sponsored by:

Legendary Actor Armand Assante

Marilyn Santiago

Reginald Roundtree

Ana Cruz

Cloe Cabrerra

Sef Gonzalez

Ernest Hooper

Bridgette Bello

Andrea Gonzmart

Franco Silva

Gayle Guyardo

Guido Maniscalco

Bill Logan

Casey Gonzmart

Harry Cohen

Janet Rifkin Cruz

Jeff Houck

Dan Shaffer

Itamar Martinez

Jose Bello

Larry Cotton

Lisa Figueredo

Juan Carlos Pinto

Lydia Guzmรกn

Mary Mulhern

Mike Suarez

Shawn Robinson

Tammy Levent

Vince Pardo

Laura Harris

Police Chief Castor

Luz Weinberg

Jolie R. Gonzalez

Publisher / Editor In Chief

Victor Padilla

VP/ Operations manager Misha Wong Creative Director nikko gonzalez Publishing assistant Marketing & Advertising Consultants Julio Aviles – Orange & Osceola Counties Business Development Specialist/Special Reporter Claribel Levinson – South West Florida Regional Marketing Director Gabriela Guerrero – South Florida Regional Marketing Director Susan Price – Tampa Bay Business Development Manager Carmen Santiago – Orange & Osceola Counties Business Development Specialist/Special Reporter Sergio Sodre – Tampa Bay Hispanic Liaison / Business Development Specialist Other Florida Counties:(813) 407-6866 Office or Jolie@Latin-Times.com Coming Soon: Latin Times Magazine – Metro Atlanta!

Photography / Video Juan Ruiz of Ziur Photography Special Events Reporter/Photographer Luigi Martinelli – Special Events Photographer / Videographer 1st Quarter 2014 Cover: Designed by Misha Wong

CENTRAL Florida Letter from La Editora in Chief By: Jolie Gonzalez

Pg 6

Latina Movers N Shakers By: Victor and Jolie

Pg 8

2014 Latino Movers N’ Shakers Pg 11-15

On The Cover

Esai Morales – National Latino Mover N’ Shaker

Pg 16-17

Bienvenida Marilyn Santiago Pg 18 Latino News Bites

Pg 20 - 21 Esperanza Road Hispanic Jews…… who are they?

Are you one?

Pg 22-25

Nancy Colon Cigar Aficionada

Pg 26 Sports Pg 27

South & South West Florida Section Pg 28-31 As you know Latin Times Magazine is now a print, web AND mobile friendly publication!

That’s right…

Latin Times is Green Friendly!

Each features its own unique web address for people with Mobile devices (Smart phones, I-Pads, and other tablets) just scan our convenient QR Code and visit our website, view a video, listen to music, read more articles or even view more display ads! Readers can also participate in the social media integration, by sharing our great articles with their friends! We anticipate that by embracing the mobile audience as well, our per issue readership will be at over 150,000 readers per issue!

Have you become a member of the LatinTimes.Com community? What makes Latin-Times.com so special?

Latin-Times.com was custom built to be a true online community, offering LIVE daily news feeds in video and editorial formats, a huge online shopping mall featuring the lowest prices on the web, great articles, video, music, games, chat, online education and access to all our previous e-Magazine editions of Latin Times Magazine for the last 12 years!

As you know Latin Times Magazine is now a print, web AND mobile friendly publication!

Latin Times Magazine QR Code Reference Directory 1th Quarter 2014

That’s right… Latin Times is Green Friendly!

Main Office: (813) 407-6866 or (813) 407-7191 | Fax: (813) 489-2422 Latin Times Media Website: www.Latin-Times.com | Other Websites: www.TheCubanSandwichFestival.com or www.Latin-Restaurants.com, www.LiveHealthyLatino.com, www.joliegonzalezpadilla.bodybyvi.com/ Proud Members of the following Organizations: • Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay • United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the expressed written consent from Latin Times Media, Inc., 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

For a one (1) year subscription (4 issues), please sign on to our website: Latin-Times.com to order!

Special ThanX to God. Thank you to GOD for the many blessings you have placed in my life! Thank you to my church family, Shoresh David Messianic Jewish Synagogue and Beth Israel Sefardic Synagogue. To my brothers and sisters: Keila and Marcus –we love and miss you! Thank you to Carmen Santiago for being a great mom, Orlando & Josefina Rodriguez for being great parents. To my big brother –I love and miss you. Nikko Gonzalez for being the best son in the world, step forward your future awaits you. Thank you to my husband Victor, you are my hero, I love you! Thank you to Zion & Victoria you are the sweetest and most beautiful little girls in the world, and to all my wonderful friends. God Bless you in the name of Yeshua!

Hola Mi Gente Bonita de la Florida!

Welcome to the new and exciting edition of Latin Times Magazine!

Amigos y Amigas.....

There is lots going on for Latin Times Media, Inc., so far this year.

I am honored to be a Tampena, pero equally as proud to be a Floridian…. Que estado tan lindo!

As we travel throughout Florida developing new relationships with our community, we have meet so many wonderful people –in Orlando, Kissimmee, Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, West Palm Beach, Hialeah and yes even Miami…. !

We held our South Florida Magazine release party at the New Port Hotel in Miami with our cover girl Diana Norris in attendance along with over 200 people in attendance.

What’s going on for Latin Times in Florida!?

It’s Cuban Sandwich Festival TIME! The Mayor of Tampa, Mayor Bob Buckhorn presented us with a Proclamation declaring March as Cuban Sandwich Month!

And what’s going on with the Cuban Sandwich Festival?

SF Cuban Sandwich Festival SemiFinals will take place at Florida Career Tech in Hialeah! The first Semi-Finals ever to take place….and for 2015 we will be hosting Semi Finals in various states throughout the Nation in preparation for the 4th Annual Cuban Sandwich Festival.

The 3rd Annual National Cuban Sandwich Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, March 22nd & 23rd, 2014. Performing LIVE at the Cuban Sandwich Festival this year is Sol y Son, in their first U.S. tour!

This year the festival expanded to be a 2 day event, with the first day being dedicated to the BIG contest, with contestants expected from all over the nation, and the 2nd Day being about the awards and the making of the World Longest Cuban Sandwich –our goal 80ft!

The sandwich is later cut up and donated to a homeless café. For more info on the Cuban Sandwich festival visit our website at: www.TheCubanSandwichFestival. com. Sponsor/Vendor info: Jolie@ latin-times.com The evening of March 23rd, we are also hosting a fundraiser for our

granddaughter Emberlynn. “A Night at the Ritz with Armand Assante for Emberlynn” - VIP Tickets are available at www.Latin-Times.com The evening of Friday, March 28th, we would like to invite you to join us at the ARMANDO MONTES OFFICIAL CD RELEASE CONCERT @ Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal @ 5800 North Church Ave in Tampa, Florida 33614.

Info: www.Latin-Times.com

HCCTB As president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I would like to invite you to attend one of monthly luncheons, which are scheduled for the last Tuesday of the month @ The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor. For more information, visit website at: www.

HCCTB.com On a more personal note, for those of you that have been following my (our) diet, we fell off the wagon, but we got back on…determined as ever to get back in shape… I am starting to see a difference, but lots of hard work ahead until I feel healthy again.

Until the next time…

May God Bless you ALL! Shalom,

Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla

Lizette Rivera

Gloria Camacho Latin Times: As a business woman with unique type of business, how are you able to help women look and feel better?

Gloria Camacho: Les ayudo a resaltar su belleza natural para poder proyectar su propia autoestima. Cuando se mejora la aparencia personal, nuestra vide mejora en todas formas.

No podemos olvidar que la belleza es el arma secreta del exito, y un buen maquillaje es el arma secreta de la belleza; cuando te sientes bella, te vez bella.

Latin Times: What do you enjoy most about you what you do?

Gloria Camacho: La satisfaccion de mis clientes, las sonrisas en sus rostros, el poder resaltar esa belleza oculta, y el poder levantar un autoestima.

Latin Times: Please tell us about your biggest obstacles, and how you have overcome them Gloria Camacho: A diario se me presentan obstaculos, pero cada obstaculo ofrece una oportunidad para mejorar dia a dia. Para venzerlos simplemente tengo que enfrentarlos, y no permito que estos me detengan; sin entusiasmo, nunca se logra nada.

Latin Times: Tell us about your future plans for your business Gloria Camacho: Una gran meta cual yo tengo en mente, y planeo realizar, es la expansion de mi negocio. El objetivo es

hacer que mi talento toque todos los rincones de la florida, para poder infundir belleza y felicidad a todos mis clientes Latin Times: Cual es tu comida favorita?

Gloria Camacho: El sancocho paisa.

Latin Times: Cuentanos con tu familia Gloria Camacho: Detras de cada historia de exito, existe un eje que proteje y inspira al protagonista. En mi “cuento de adas”, mi marido y mis hijas son los responsables por mi exito.

Ellos son los rayos de luz que iluminan cada rincon confuso de mi vida. Es debido a ellos que yo tengo la motivacion para despertar diariamente a enfrentar nuevos retos.

Latin Times: Who is a hero/role model that you admire (Living or deceased) and why do you admire them?

Gloria Camacho: Ella no puede volar, respirar fuego, ni predecir el futuro, pero aun asi, mi hija Daily Yineth siempre a sido mi heroe. Desde su nacimiento, la vida le presento obstaculos que requiere de un super-humano para aceptar.

Ella nacio con Espina Bifida, una enfermedad que afecta la espina y le impede caminar.

Pero aun asi, Daily Yineth no permite que esto inhibe su potencial por la felicidad. Ella es un ser admirable que ignora sus discapasidades fisicas, para poder aprovechar cada segundo de su vida y reflejar amor a su alrededor.

Public Adjuster Apprentice Leading Public Adjusters 1st Generation American (Mother is from Cuba and father is from Puerto Rico.)

Hometown: Tampa, FL Latin Times: How did I get started in my career?

Lizette Rivera: As a young single mom I knew I had to make a living for my son and I want to be able to provide for him. I was able to get my first job at an insurance agency and began to learn the “ins and outs” of policies, coverage and homeowners insurance. I got my first claims position at the young age of 24. I loved houses, decorating, and construction, so homeowner claims was a perfect fit for me. After working for various large insurance companies handling claims and getting caught up in “Corporate America” I no longer felt like I was helping anyone. I decided a few short months ago to change my license and become a Public Adjuster. I am now an advocate for the insured, not the carrier.

Latin Times: What do you enjoy most about what you do?

Lizette Rivera: I have always been very passionate about helping people. Being a Public Adjuster I am able to sit down, talk to people, hear their story and assist them with their claim.

I am a homeowner myself and have had my own flood in my home, so I do know what that feels like, both personally and professionally. It’s a great feeling to have your client receive their settlement check and know they can now put their home back together again.

Latin Times: Please tell us about your biggest obstacles, and how you have overcome them: Lizette Rivera: The biggest obstacle I had when trying to make a career in the insurance industry was being a single mom.

I obviously do not see having children as an obstacle, they are a blessing, but others did not see it that way. I overcame it by working hard. I took classes online, I worked while my children were asleep, and even at 5am before I went into the office. I wanted to be the best at what I did. All of my hard work paid off and I finally landed my first Claims Manager job at 36.

I believe if you are going to do something, do it at 100% or not at all. I mentor other single mothers now trying to pursue careers, and tell them the same thing, separate your time. You are a mother first. When you believe in yourself, everything else falls into place.

Lizette Rivera: Who is a hero/ role model that you admire?

Lizette Rivera: My son Gio is my hero. Gio struggled with peer pressure and drug addiction when he was very young. He fought hard to become sober.

He is back in college, has a great job and is on his way to becoming the man I knew he could be.

Read More!

Leading Florida Latinos Latin Times: How did you get started in your career?

Victor Padilla: Which one, LOL, after being in the healthcare industry for over 20 years, I decided to pursue a business career and met the love of my life Jolie Gonzalez Founder of Latin Times Magazine. Jolie and I begin to collaborate over five years ago on the magazine and the business. Working diligently and with much prayer, we took it to the next level. Now we work as partners and owners of one of the fastest growing Hispanic Businesses in the country, Latin Times Media Inc., and The National Cuban Sandwich Festival.

VictorPadilla

Mr. Latin

Times

Latin Times: What do you enjoy most about you what you do?

Victor Padilla: I honestly love what I do, I get to meet people on so many levels, I have met actors, entertainers, politicians, world and community leaders, Business leaders, and Ministers. Interviewing them and then saying, “Hey let’s pray.” I get a kick out of their responses. Working on the Cuban Sandwich Festival but, the biggest thing I love about what I do is touching people’s lives with the truth, helping them see how real and down to earth we are and the people are in our Magazine.

Latin Times: Tell us about your future plans in ministry Victor Padilla: My wife and I discovered recently we were Sephardic Jews from Spain, when I discovered this, the calling in my life I have known all my life suddenly became a big reality. God has shown me that it was time to fulfill this calling by awakening the Hispanic people to their true inheritance and history that dates back

to King Solomon’s Temple. To wake up the sleeping giant, eventually bringing them home to the NEGEV, the land of Judah in Israel, Obadiah 1:20 pt. B Latin Times: What is your favorite Latin Food Dish?

Victor Padilla: My Abuela who I miss so much used to make me the best Palomillo steak, Yuca, and onions with white rice and of course a good authentic Tampa Cuban Sandwich.

Latin Times: Tell us about your family Victor Padilla: My wife (Jolie GonzalezPadilla) and I have four children two girls, Zion and Victoria and two boys Felix and Solomon. We also have three granddaughters Bella, Eva, and Emberlynn who is a miracle angel. My family is my life, I love all my children and thank God for my wonderful and beautiful wife who is my rock.

Latin Times: Who is a hero/role model that you admire (Living or deceased) and why do you admire them?

Victor Padilla: It’s hard to say, one is King David and my Father Victor Padilla Sr. King David because he was the perfect example of what a man was after God’s own heart. My father because he loved and followed God with all of his heart. He helped to change thousands of people with the unfailing love of God.

Leading Florida Latinos Robert Borrero

AKA Baby Boy! Latin Times: As a business man with diverse businesses, tell us about which business/businesses you focus on daily?

Robert Borrero: I spend most of my day time running my Tampa based mobile app company. educating and providing mobile solutions to today’s Churches, Small businesses, practically anything with a website. During my evenings I focus more on writing and organizing my music as I plan on soon releasing a new album. Balancing things is very important in my life, as I rarely allow myself to get overwhelmed.

Latin Times: What is your favorite Latin Food Dish?

Robert Borrero: I must say anything with Maduritos and a Jugo de Palcha (maracuya) will receive five stars from me. I enjoy many dishes but a semi sweet Mofongo with a medium well Churasco and home-made Chimichurri sauce definitely tops my list.

Latin Times: Tell us about your family history and the impact it has had on West Tampa and Tampa Bay in general.

Robert Borrero: Well I am originally born and raised in New Jersey. I have been in the state of Florida since 1995. Since 1997, my family and I have had several businesses in the W. Tampa area, an area that I would say was 100% responsible for our success today. The community supported my Moms “guaguita” mobile food truck for many years until she finally decided to sell it. As for myself, I established a cell phone store on the second floor of a shopping center that turned my 1st store into Tampa’s largest independently own small business chain, having owned and operated over 30 Plus Wireless Locations. I must say, I owe The Tampa Bay community all my love and respect for supporting

me through all my business ventures and allowing me to grow to be who i am today.

I could never have achieved my success if it was not for the community as a whole!

Their support has been priceless and I’m forever grateful.

Latin Times: Who is a hero/role model that you admire (Living or deceased) and why do you admire them?

Robert Borrero: I think being a Christian my only hero Is Jesus Christ, My lord and savior. I live in such peace and with so much confidence in everything I do because I have witness firsthand through trials and tribulations how God has worked in my life.

How he has “taketh” and “giveth” as only I deserved and must say that is a true hero.

As role model, a mentor, a leader, and purest example of hard work and dedication is my mother. She raised me and my two brothers single handily without an education, without degrees, without a man, with just pure determination and faith that God would never abandon her. Today she sits back and sees her 3 sons have become successful, all 3 entrepreneurs and leaders in their own right. I must say, she has not only laid a path way of perseverance but has also served as an example of strong ethics and proof that where there is a will, there is a way.

Read More!

Vince Rabelo Latin Times: Vince Tell us about your family history?

Vince Rabelo: My parents were born in Havana Cuba and came here to Tampa pre-Castro era, they met here in Tampa then we moved to L.A. where I was born then we moved back in 1974 and I have been here ever since.

Latin Times: What can you say about your barber shop that makes it unique?

Vince Rabelo: We try very hard to maintain this as a traditional old school barber shop family oriented, we treat our customers well, and keep a very clean operation.

Latin Times: You received an award, what was it?

Vince Rabelo: We won the best Barber shop in South Tampa Award two years in a row in 2012, 2013.

Latin Times: You participated in the Cuban sandwich Festival two years in a row, tell us your thoughts on the event.

Vince Rabelo: We love it! We set up our Barber Shop there and cut lots of hair, promote our products, and we love it because it is pretty awesome, brings out a lot of people, and is great thing you guys started, can’t

wait till we are in the third one.

Latin Times: Who in your life has been your greatest inspiration and hero?

Vince Rabelo: The Lord, I feel I have been very blessed by him, he has blessed my business and my life.

Latin Times: Have you ever had any celebrities in your Barber shop through the years?

Vince Rabelo: Quite a few Bucs, Yankees, and movie stars that come in time to time, because they enjoy the traditional way we operate.

Latin Times: Tell us how someone who loves the traditional Barbershop can come and enjoy Rubello’s Vince Rabelo: We are located at 2912 N. Himes Ave. Tampa, FL. On the corner of Columbus and Himes. We are open at 8 am to 6 pm Monday thru Saturday www.

Rubellos.com

Leading Florida Latinos

Luis Capdevila Hector Vega

Name: Hector Vega What is your Profession?

Business owner What is the Company Name: Dulce Cafe & Bakery Your Pais: Puerto Rico Hometown: Tampa, Florida

build a business from the ground up without any financial backing or experience. I feel I am not where I want to be yet, but everyday I’m inching towards my goal of the vision that me and my wife set out to accomplish.

Latin Times: Tell us about what you do for a living.

Hector Vega: I am the owner of Dulce Cafe Bakery in South Tampa and I am a training coach for Capital One Finance.

Latin Times: What plans do you have for yourself as a business owner in the future Hector Vega: I would like to establish Dulce Cafe as a Latin Tampa staple and open multiple locations. On a personal level, I would like to get more involved with giving back to the community and possibly starting my own organization.

Latin Times: Having worked both in corporate America and as an entrepreneur/small business owner – which do you prefer and why?

Hector Vega: While there are positives to both, there is nothing like owning your own business.

Having a hand in every aspect and feeling like you have a major impact on whether you succeed or fail, gives me the best sense of accomplishment.

Latin Times: Tell us about a big challenge in your career or life, that you managed to overcome and how you overcame it.

Hector Vega: With starting your own business, you have many challenges, more so when you still have your corporate job. My biggest challenge has been to

Latin Times: Tell us about the Puffy Cuban, and your Gluten Free Cuban, and how you will be competing in the National Cuban Sandwich Festival this year!

Hector Vega: When we learned about the non-traditional category for the Cuban sandwich festival, we saw a great opportunity to incorporate our bakery products with the competition. We came up with a delicious variation of the Cuban sandwich in puff pastry and a gluten free cheesy bread version.

The few fortunate ones that have tried it absolutely love it!

Latin Times: As a business man with diverse businesses, tell us about which business/businesses you focus on daily?

LA Capdevila: While our businesses are multifaceted, two restaurants, bakery, catering, banquets, fleamarket & business center, properties and rentals; I also have ministries responsibilities such as church planting, counseling and a new internet church that is being powered up soon, I am also involved in a great network marketing company called Organo Gold. I oversee all of them and I work with my managers to make sure we are focus on our companies’ success.

Latin Times: Tell us about your ministry LA Capdevila: My wife Anita and I pastored a Church for 24 years until a few years ago and have been planting churches throughout central and south Americas and the Caribbean for the same amount of years. Most recently I have started to plant churches in Pakistan and I want to be part of the revival that will hit the Middle East soon.

I have also authored nine books that can be seen on lacapdevila.com.

Latin Times: Tell us about your family history and the impact it has had on West Tampa and Tampa Bay in general LA Capdevila: We are celebrating our 52 years in this wonderful country and 42 years in business. We are so grateful to God for all the support that we have had from our community throughout the years, we are visited by thousands every month and we are indebted to

them and we do not take our success for granted. Even though I was born in Cuba, I am a Tampeño or Tampañian and proud of it.

Latin Times: Who is a hero/role model that you admire (Living or deceased) and why do you admire them?

LA Capdevila: I have too many heroes to mention them all, but my Father Maximino is one of my hero’s, even though he is gone to be with the Lord. His life and principals still live on in me and in our family. There are many successful men and women that I admire because they have given their all and have taken many risks to become a success in their professions and in turn they are now touching many others with their stories of struggles and victories. I want to express a special thanks to all those who may not reach public recognition but in their everyday life they touch others with acts of kindness and labor of love. What this world really needs is for all of us to rise up to the occasion, regardless of political persuasions, color or race and touch those who are searching and are lacking and wanting to be loved and accepted.

Read More!

Leading Florida Latinos

Dr. Tarik Hasan Latin Times: Tell us about how you became a Doctor?

Dr. Hasan: I was born and raised in Panama, yo como tamale y Bailo Salsa. I was educated in a very Catholic country, the philosophy of helping people, bring in compassionate care for people so without many choices thirty-five years ago, I chose to study medicine.

Latin Times: Did you study Medicine in Panama or did you study in the US? Dr. Hasan: I graduated at the school of medicine in Panama, then came to the US and completed the Internal Medicine residency at Woodrow Hall, completed my fellowship in nutrition at the University of Pennsylvania, then finally came to Tampa in 1995.

Latin Times: Tell us about your practice in Tampa, what do you specialize in?

Dr. Hasan: I am an internal Medicine Doctor I usually see patients in

the line of Hypertension, Thyroid disease, asthma, arthritis, a very multidisciplinary type of practice. In the last few years I have been working in the some Aesthetics procedures in and introduce it to my patients.

Latin Times: I’m glad you brought that up please tell us about this new type of procedure?

Dr. Hasan: As discoveries arise in medical science we find non-surgical alternatives to help to improve with your bodies’ own resources. For example one of the most revolutionary procedures is Plasma with enriched Platelets, you separate the red cells and keep the plasma with the platelets and then you activate the platelets to release a growth factor is introduced under your skin and stimulating fresher newer growth cells. Then rejuvenation begins.

Latin Times: How long does this

procedure take?

Dr. Hasan: The patient can come to my office even on their lunch break and get the procedure done.

Latin Times: Latinas love to look good even in their older age, how will this work for them?

Dr. Hasan: The Latino gene in our women’s genetic matrix doesn’t deteriorate as fast and stays youthful longer, their matrix is very nice.

Latin Times: Tell us about how much would this procedure cost?

Dr. Hasan: Depending on the area where the patient wants to focus, so we try to do between $300 or $400 per area and the more areas we provide a discount, very reasonable.

Latin Times: Tell us about your Culture and your favorite type of food?

Dr Hasan: I will say that cooking is a passion and I like to try everything

but however I never pass up a good opportunity to have a good Chicharrón, I pay extra to get the one I like.

Latin Times: Who has been your inspiration from the past to present: Dr. Hasan: On a national level it has to be Rueben Blades because of his artistic and social vein, someone who has become wise and through his music has impacted the whole world with his message through his songs. Also Evelio “EJ” Otero who is on a local level is very vocal and he sees the Latino as an internal part of society.

Leading Florida Latinos

One on One with Santiago Corrada!

Lieutenant Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera 19th Lieutenant Governor of Florida 1st Latino to hold this office!

Carlos Lopez-Cantera was born in Madrid, Spain on December 29, 1973.

He was born two months premature and was returned to his intended birthplace of Miami, Florida once he was healthy enough to travel. LopezCantera graduated from Miami-Dade College and continued his studies at the University of Miami, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration.

From 2004 through 2012, Carlos served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives. Over the course of his 8-year term in the Legislature, Carlos served as a member of the Governor’s Property Tax Reform Committee, the My Safe Florida Home Advisory Council and the Miami-Dade County Mayor’s Mortgage Fraud Task Force. In the Florida House of Representatives, he chaired the Committee on Business Regulation and the Government Affairs Committee. Carlos served as Majority Whip from 2009 through 2010 and as the Majority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives during the final two years of his term from 2010 through 2012.

In August 2012, the citizens of MiamiDade County elected Carlos LopezCantera as the Property Appraiser of Miami-Dade County. Carlos campaigned on a platform to make interaction with the office of the property appraiser easier, increasing community outreach and being more responsive to the needs of the residents of MiamiDade.

Carlos Lopez-Cantera was appointed as Lieutenant Governor on January 14, 2014, and officially began serving on February 3, 2014. He is the first Hispanic to hold this position in Florida.

Carlos has been married to his wife Renee since 2005 and they have two young daughters.

Read online!

Latin Times: How did you get started in your career and in your current position with Tampa Bay and Company?

Santiago Corrada: Believe it or not, my career began in education, and then in retrospect one situation/ career change led to another. My final position with the school system was as a Principal of a tough innercity high school where I caught the attention of the Mayor of the City (Miami). He was impressed with the work occurring at the high school and asked me to run the Parks & Rec Department. From that position, I was recruited to come to Tampa and work for the Mayor running a number of different departments, including the Tampa Convention Center. After a change of Mayors, the new incoming Mayor asked me to be the Chief of Staff. After 2 years serving in that position, the position with Visit Tampa Bay opened and because of my past experience with the Convention Center and large scale events, I decided to apply and was selected.

Latin Times: What do you enjoy most about you what you do?

Santiago Corrada: The ability to sell our great home to the world, bringing visitors here and positively impacting the economic growth of the people of Tampa.

Latin Times: Please tell us about your biggest obstacles, and how you have overcome them Santiago Corrada: The biggest obstacle had to be growing up in an

English deficient home and learning to do things on your own.

Latin Times: Do you have any plans to run for political office?

Santiago Corrada: No, not currently.

Latin Times: What is your favorite Latin Food Dish?

Santiago Corrada: Puerco asado, arroz blanco, frijoles negro, platanos maduro and yuca con mojo.

Latin Times: Tell us about your family Santiago Corrada: My family is small, parents and one sibling. Many cousins from my mother’s side. Hard working, proud, ethical, no-fear.

Latin Times: Who is a hero/role model that you admire (Living or deceased) and why do you admire them?

Santiago Corrada: Obviously my parents are great role models and I absolutely admire Martin Luther King, Jr. But I think right now, it’s my daughter. She is beautiful, intelligent, non-judgmental, talented, the total package.

Read Online!

Oneon o One One on One

with Actor Esai Morales Latin Times: Where did you grow up? How was your family life?

Esai Morales: I was a lonely only child with a vivid and fertile imagination who learned to read and never looked back.

Latin Times: Tell us how you were inspired and knew you were an actor?

Esai Morales: The 1975 movie Dog Day Afternoon, starring Al Pacino and directed by Sidney Lumet is probably the film that inspired me to become an actor. The film had an “anti-establishment” tone that intrigued me. Years later I was able to share the stage with Al Pacino in Salome and it was a wonderful experience.

on One on One Esai Morales Latin Times: Being a Latino actor did you have any struggles and obstacles that you had to overcome?

Esai Morales: Certainly, but I don’t think only Latino actors face the struggles of making it in Hollywood. We all have to learn the ropes. There is no owners manual but there are certainly unwritten rules and processes.

I credit actors like Jose Ferrer and Raul Julia for opening doors not only to Latino actors but to other ethnic groups. There are also Brando, Olivier and etc.

heavy topic of school closures in the U.S. Recon: Jarhead II is a war movie.

Latin Times: Tell us about your family and how you were brought up, spirituality, beliefs and traditions.

Esai Morales: I grew up Catholic. That was my basic upbringing. As I became older I was able to experience other beliefs and cultures. I was able to expand and begin a journey into self-realization and knowledge.

I am still learning. I love to learn. I have a passion to discover the truth, whatever that truth may be. My mom was a union organizer. I learned from her you must speak up and stand for what’s right. I guess you can say I am a non-conformist. An evolutionary, rather than a revolutionary man.

Latin Times: What advice can you give young Latinos who are striving to become actors?

Esai Morales: Persist. Then persist again.

Surround yourself with positive role models.

Learn the skill of acting. It is a craft that must be learned. There is method to our madness. What you bring into it with your own unique perspective and talent is a bonus.

Latin Times: What new projects are you currently working on?

Esai Morales: I am on two tv-shows. One is called Criminal Minds on CBS and the other one is called Major Crimes on TNT. Very popular shows and I am enjoying being part of them. I also shot two movies recently, Saving Westbrook High and Recon: Jarhead II. Saving Westbrook High deals with the

Soon I will be shooting a movie called La Vida Robot staring George Lopez based on the true and inspirational story of a group of Latino high school kids who compete in an underwater robotics competition with the likes of MIT. I am also very active with the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts which I co-founded with Sonia Braga and Jimmy Smitts.

Latin Times: Who alive or passed have been your hero or inspiration in your life?

Esai Morales: Jose Ferrer and Raul Julia are at the top of my list. Jose Ferrer received an Academy Award(R) for playing a non-Latino role. He was not the gardener or the butler. He was Cyrano de Bergerac.

The first Puerto Rican as well as the first Latin actor to win an Academy Award. These are men who not only broke new ground but opened paths for others as well as set high standards.

I also admire John Lennon and Paul Robes.

Born Esai Manuel Morales, Jr. on Oct. 1, 1962 in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of Puerto Rican parents Esai Morales, Sr., a welder, and Iris Margarita, a prominent activist with the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union (ILGWU). Morales lived with his mother after his parents separated while he was quite young, although a heated argument with her in his early teens prompted him to leave home. Soon after, the 14-year-old, who had shown an early interest in acting, found his way to the prestigious New York School for the Performing Arts. While there, he made his stage debut at the New York Shakespeare Festival in a production of “The Tempest” opposite the late Raul Julia.

Other work from this early period included a stage production of “El Hermano” at the Ensemble Theater in New York. It was, however, Morales’ breakout film debut in the gritty crime drama “Bad Boys” (1983) that brought him to national attention. As Paco Moreno, an unrepentant street thug seeking revenge against a fellow inmate (Sean Penn) in a youth correctional facility, Morales convincingly exuded enough malice that it allowed him to hold his own against the performance of the more seasoned Penn. He played the part so well, in fact, that for the remainder of his career he would struggle against being pigeon-holed in the role of the angry Latino.

Catch entire interview online!

Welcome to Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast to

Marilyn Santiago! figures, and a U.S. President!!!

President of Latin Entertainment Consultants Pais: Puerto Rico Hometown: Somewhere in the Gulf Coast, FL Latin Times: Tell us about what you do for a living.

Marilyn Santiago: I own a consulting firm that provides a diverse array of marketing services for clients interested in reaching the Hispanic consumer. Services like multi platform media planning/sales, radio consulting, new talent development (artists and personalities), tv/ radio production, commercial endorsements for stars/celebrities, event marketing, plus lots of other cool gigs!!!

Latin Times: Tell us about some of the people that you have met through-out your career in the Entertainment industry?

Marilyn Santiago: I have met and/or worked on a different variety of projects with some of the most important and recognized Latin starts during the past 25 years (i.e. Ricky Martin, Shakira, Alejandro Sanz, Juan Luis Guerra, Miguel Bose, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Ruben Blades, Marc Anthony)…I also had the opportunity to meet world recognized writers, heads of state, politicians, international sports

Latin Times: Tell us about a big challenge in your career or life, that you managed to overcome and how you overcame it.

Marilyn Santiago: Earning the respect of my colleagues in the radio/entertainment industry was not an easy task. Men were not used to dealing with a woman on a high-ranking position in the broadcasting industry. My peers and business colleagues thought that for being a female I would be weak in my decisions or easy to manipulate and thought that I would not have a strong sense of duty.

They were also used to only one approach of handling things while I was always a creative looking for “la quinta pata del gato”…Happily with strong work ethic, hard work and good measurable results I was able to position myself in a respected circle of professionals and still I own the respect of people in my industry…

Latin Times: What do you enjoy most about you what you do?

Marilyn Santiago: One word: RESULTS!!!

Nothing gives me more satisfaction than when my projects make sense to my clients, audience, talents or anybody related. Even if it’s a successful photo session with a celebrity I represent, a well executed marketing campaign, a flawless production of an event, a sponsorship gone great, the flawless production of a tv spot, a nice radio interview…I love it when what I do works for others!!!!

Latin Times: Tell us about your family Marilyn Santiago: Got two families, my biological and my universal family.

Biological family: I was my grandma’s youngest granddaughter, raised by my single mom and granny, surrounded with lots of love by big brothers and big cousins all the time.

I come from an old, traditional family with strong values…yet spoiled like crazy… I was everybody’s little baby!!!

Universal family: God has blessed me with great friends from all over (friends are the family members you choose). Amazing human beings that God has put in my path to remind me of His unconditional love…

Latin Times: Who is a hero/role model that you admire (Living or deceased) and why do you admire them?

Marilyn Santiago: Got many heroes My new favorite one? The new Pope. I think he s cool and is going to unite us in times when we all could use some love ask John lol Read More!

Latino News Bites ContemporaryLatin crossover recording artist, Armando Montes, transcends Christian and Secular Genres with his new album release, “No Te Equivoques.”

Live CD Release Concert to take the stage March 28th.

8 Annual Gasparilla International Film Festival Announces 100 Films. th

Features Opening Night Movie “There’s Always Woodstock” & More The Gasparilla International Film Festival (GIFF) announces its list of scheduled films for the eighth annual event held March 19-23, 2014.

This year GIFF received a record-number of submissions, totaling more than 500+ films from across the world. The GIFF Programming Team narrowed its selections down to 100 films which will be screened at the Tampa Theatre, Cinébistro at Hyde Park and Muvico Centro Ybor 20, Tampa Art Museum and Firehouse Cultural Center during the Festival.

“Since last year’s amazing World Premiere of Dito Montiel’s, Empire State, GIFF has become a festival where filmmakers want to premiere, feature and launch their work,” says Joe Restaino, GIFF Program Director and Past President (20122013). “We’ll have 35 feature films screening this year, and out of those 35 we have: 11 World premieres, two U.S. premieres, 15 Florida premieres and six Tampa premieres.”

There will also be Cuisine Short Films at the Tampa Museum of Art, which celebrates the culinary delights of cinema, a Women Filmmakers panel, and a selection of Cuban documentaries and feature films that explore the vibrant film culture and beautiful landscape of Cuba.

For more information about the Gasparilla International Film Festival or to view the full list of featured films, visit: GasparillaFilmFestival. com. To set-up interviews with the GIFF team or assistance with talent interviews, please contact Nancy Vaughn of White Book Agency at pr@ gasparillafilmfestival.com or 813.994.9807.

A native of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, contemporary Latin crossover artist, Armando Montes, has transcended the Christian Pop scene by making strides into the mainstream music scene with his new tropical CD album, “No Te Equivoques.” (Make no mistake-the album’s English translation), has helped to introduce a blend of Christian lyrics with popular secular song genres for listeners of all ages. Originally pre-released on iTunes and another 20 internet retailers internationally during the end of 2013 and several select stores, “No te Equivoques” has formed a strong relationship between Montes and the well-established independent recording label, Hands in Motion Music, based out of the Tampa Bay area. Consequently, Montes will be performing live during a CD Release Concert for the album on Friday, March 28th at 7:30 PM in the main auditorium of the Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal, M.I., located at 5800 N. Church Avenue in Tampa, Florida 33614. Admission and ample parking are both Free.

A Tampa resident for the past 12 years, Montes roots stretch back to his days

singing in churches and on local radio and television programs in Puerto Rico. At the age of 9, devastated by the unexpected and sudden death of his father, Montes grasped onto the words that his father used to always say to him: no matter the circumstances, always hold onto a better life by speaking forth the “Good News” of the gospel. These words have carried him over into his current life today, as a Contemporary Christian Artist and host of a Christian radio station here in the Tampa Bay area. In 2000, Montes recorded his first album, “Impossible Vivir Sin Ti” (Impossible to Live Without You), which reached the Top #20 Hits across Christian and Latin radio stations throughout Puerto Rico, El Salvador and the United States.

During this time, he also took his album on tour, as the show opener for many wellknown and award winning Latin Christian Artists such as Roberto Orellana, Ezequiel Colon, Orquestra Querubin and Marcos Barrientions, among others. Crossing boundaries into the secular genre, Montes and his music range from Classic Salsa to Electronic Dance/Tropical. Read more by scanning the QR Code.

Kabellos Beauty Salon, helping women feel beautiful again!

Ladies, ladies, ladies…. If you are looking for a new Hair and/or nail salon and spa, Latin Times would like to invite you visit our #1 choice of Hair Stylist Yasmin Rodriguez, owner of Kabellos Beauty Salon, located at 3434 W Columbus Dr. in Tampa, FL. To schedule YOUR appointment contact Yasmin at (813) 998 0064 / (813) 217-1932.

Another great event:

Flan Fest!

Esperanza Road

Latin Times Magazine Interview

with Rabbi Gary Fernandez Latin Times: What inspired you to become a Rabbi?

Rabbi Gary: My wife Barbara was always curious regarding the fact that her family had Kiowa Indian blood and wanted to find out more. She began a genealogical search and discovered that they were Ashkenazi and Sefardic...

Jewish! She couldn’t believe it, after all, she was Cruz, Manzanares, Chavez & Maise...how could this be?

She began asking questions within her family and kept getting the famous we don’t talk about that until she continued questioning a very old aunt who finally told her the truth in detail. When I heard this I became curious regarding my lineage...after all, I was just Puerto Rican on both sides, Fernandez, Mercado, Rodriguez, Capo...so I thought. I then did a search and found I was Sefardic on both sides! But in my case, this information was completely stolen unlike my wife’s case where it was completely hidden. I then began an investigation of my own to understand

what this meant and began to feel something happening within me that led me to make the decision to embrace the heritage that we lost.

Latin Times: What are Sefardic Jews?

Rabbi Gary: There are 2 types of Jews, Ashkenazi and Sefardic. Ashkenazis are the ones that are most recognized when someone says Jewish, the black hats, the long beards, the black coats, the curls on the sides of their heads (Peyots). Those are the European Jews, Russia, Bulgaria, Poland, Germany, etc. Now to ancient Jewish history, in 826 BCE (before the common era) King Shlomo (Solomon) finished the construction of the first Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Once finished, he knew that they would need a lot of money to keep that place going. He decided to open a trade route with a place known as Tarshish (Tarsis) at the time, which was located on the west coast area of a peninsula that was completely empty, sort of a type of Las Vegas, in the middle of nowhere full of lots of

gold, silver and goods for trade. In the book of 1 Kings 10:22 it documents that he creates a fleet of ships known as the fleet of Tarsis built specifically to work that trade route. And as everyone knows he became very rich. Then the King of Babylon decided to invade Jerusalem. He began a horrible attack destroying the Temple and killing the original inhabitants of Jerusalem...the Sefradi...the Sefardic Jews.

They began escaping with a great majority heading to Iran, Iraq, Morocco, Turkey and Salonica Greece. The rest fled to that empty peninsula that they knew about. They saw it was plush, fertile and the climate was perfect. They decided to make this their new home and called it Sefarad. Sefer means book not like the kind we know today in pages but on a scroll. The Torah (the first 5 books of the Bible) is on a large scroll known as a Sefer Torah.

Sefaradi (Sefardic) in Hebrew means the people of the Book). Sefarad means the place of the people of the Book and

Esperanza Road is mentioned in the Bible several times.

In the meantime, the King of Babylon continued his onslaught and finally captured all of the people of Israel taking them placing them in slavery for 70 years. While all of Israel was in captivity, the Sefardic Jews remained in safety, continuing to live freely as Jews.

70 years later, the slavery against Israel was lifted. When the people of Israel came out of Babylon, their homeland was in total desolation with no Temple and they lost their Hebrew roots. So Ezra and Nehemia came and lovingly helped to restore them back to their Hebrew roots. They decided to disperse, but before doing so they said look at the Sefardic Jews living in Sefarad, they continue in the covenant of Abraham and in the teachings of Moses, let us give a loving nickname to the place where they live, we will call it Iveria. Ivrit means Hebrew, Iveria means the place of the Hebrews. As the centuries past, Iveria became Iberia...the Iberian Peninsula which eventually became known as Spain.

So when you ask any Latino in the world, where their surnames are from, they all say Spain. But if you ask them how did that surname originally get there, they don’t know. There is an official list of almost 6,000 surnames that are mostly Hispanic & Brazilian and are all 100% Sefardic Jewish surnames from Spain! That list can be found in its entirety at www. asialnegev@yahoo.com along with a DNA test to confirm that one is a descendant of Sefardic Jews from Spain on a link Family Tree DNA found on the same site.

Latin Times: What has been your biggest obstacle a Latino Rabbi and a descendant of Sefardic Jews from Spain?

Rabbi Gary: My biggest obstacle has been getting this most important information out to the Latino communities which needs to be shared

world-wide, helping them to understand their roots, as well. Thanks to The Eternal God of Israel, interview’s like this one in Latin Times Magazine is a great help! With all this said, there is an interesting but sad twist. There is a genetic disorder that is found exclusively among descendants of Sefardic Jews from Spain called Machado Joseph Disease (MJD).

Latin Times: What is Machado Joseph Disease (MJD)?

Rabbi Gary: Machado Joseph Disease (MJD) is a genetic disorder found on a list called orphan diseases so named because there are very few people world- wide that actually have some of these listed, perhaps 20 people have one or 100 have another and so on. But MJD is at the top of the list because it is the only one that mimics 3 other famous diseases: Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular Dystrophy. The problem is for example, when a Latino goes to the doctor and they see a symptom that looks exactly like one of the famous 3, they are told you have so and so disease. They begin a regimen of therapies and meds that work quite will for the famous 3 yet have absolutely no effect on MJD. Then 9-10 months into the treatments, the doctor only see the patient getting worse and states I don’t know what you have. Eventually some of these folks get in contact with us and we tell them to ask their doctor to have a DNA test done and to look for the MJD gene. Sadly enough there is no cure for MJD. I am the President of Aliyah Sefarad International, a 501©3 humanitarian organization dedicated to the Sefardic cause and we are the only organization in the world with an exclusive written agreement with the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev (NIBN) located at the prestigious Ben Gurion University in Israel, to help find the cure for MJD. They need $400,000. And say they can have the cure in 2 years or less. It has been said that the cure for MJD could

very well be the cure for the famous 3, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular Dystrophy because no one has ever looked in the back yard of MJD to find one. This is huge and we really need everyone’s help. To find out more about MJD and our fund raiser you can visit our website at www.

MJDcure.com and donate today.

Latin Times: Who has been your inspiration and hero in life?

Rabbi Gary: The man in which The Eternal God of Israel Himself, gave me the greatest honor and privilege one could have of learning first hand, through a direct descendant of Moshe and Aaron, a Levite and Kohen, a 100% Orthodox Sefardic Jew from Colombia, Guillermo Acevedo Cano known as Ha Cham Rabbi Haim Levi HaKohen. A very great man who is the reason I continue teaching about the importance of the Sefardic cause. And who taught me about my hero, Moshe Ben Maimon, Maimonides, better known as the Rambam the greatest of the ancient sages. It is said of him in the Jewish world from Moshe (Moses) to Moshe (Maimonides) there is none other...and he just so happens to be Sefardic!!!!

Thank You and Shalom!

Rabbi Fernandez is the Head Rabbi at Synagogue Beth Israel, a Torah Observant Sefardic Kehilat in the City of Sanford Florida and you can visit their website at www.bi1948.com to learn more about them.

Read More online!

Esperanza Road

MyTestimony

By Jacob Gonzalez

If there is one thing I’ve learned in the past few years, it’s that cancer is no respecter of persons, and while it may be a great affliction, God is greater.

My family’s battle began with my mom (Deb Gonzalez). She has always been a healthy woman. She diets and exercises and works her 40 hours every week just like everyone else. It seemed like it was spontaneous, but she received a call from the hospital, and they told her she had breast cancer. We were torn as a family, but little did we know that God was preparing us for something so much greater.

My mom underwent all the required treatment, and finally was cured. Literally the very next day, my dad (Marty Gonzalez) passed out with pain in his lower back from what he thought was a kidney stone. After a trip to the hospital and several tests, we learned that my father had been afflicted with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

You never feel the sting of Satan’s arrows like you do when you hear of a loved one falling ill, but we did everything together as a family. We cried together, we struggled together, we prayed hard together, and we found lessons in every inch of my father’s walk to healthiness. My dad’s cancer affected not only him, but those around him as well. My twin brother and I are only 22 years old, and we had to adjust and learn how to take care of our two younger siblings, support our home, and be responsible for all of our own

debts. My mother, the strongest woman I have ever known, worked tirelessly to support a family of six on a single income. My brother and I work full time and go to school full time, so we helped whenever it was necessary to do so. We learned how to be men, how to be patient, how to love, and how to cherish our Lord through the worst of times.

My father, however, shined brighter than I had ever seen. There were moments that he felt so ill he could not even speak or open his eyes. He couldn’t lift a finger without a medical professional to assist and monitor him, but regardless of what condition he was in, he never once failed to smile and tell his family how much he loves and cherishes us. God blessed him with a 9/10 matching bone marrow donor, and the path to a cancer free life begun.

Right before his bone marrow transplant, I looked at my dad and told him everything was going to be okay. He smiled, looked at me and responded with “I have lived to see my four incredible children grow in the love of our Lord. I have known the love of a beautiful woman, and I am glad to be seen.” My father disregarded his own well-being to assure me and the rest of my family he loved us unconditionally. I am so proud to say that my father is cancer free, and because of his inspiration, I strive to help whoever is next. I was recently introduced to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) by a coworker of mine, Stacie Lenners. She was

declared Woman of the Year by this organization for raising funds on behalf of LLS and blood cancer patients everywhere. She nominated me as a candidate for Man of the Year, and I jumped at the chance to help raise funds, and also to raise awareness in my community.

I know from experience that anything you do can help a family in need, even if it’s just a smile.

With my dad, my family, and my friends behind me I will do everything I can to support The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I will be the voice for those without one, and I will be support to patients and families who need it the most.

I praise God for allowing me this opportunity, for the lessons learned through trial, and for the health of my amazing family.

To help Jacob with his goal of Man of the Year scan the code!

Esperanza Road

LatinTimes InterviewWith

Armando R. Montes Latin Times Magazine: What is your profession?

Armando R. Montes: During the Last 10 years I had been a sales broker for several companies in Florida and Director of Praise at some Churches in Tampa Bay. In 2013, I recorded my second album, “No te Equivoques” under the record label, Hand in Motion Music, Inc. by producer and arranger, Lannie Battistini.

Since the release of my album in October 2013, I have been doing what I love most, working full time as a Contemporary Singer/ Psalmist traveling around Florida and also been blessed to have my own radio program with a recognized Christian radio station in the Tampa Bay Area.

Latin Times Magazine: Please tell us about your biggest obstacles, and how you have overcome them Armando R. Montes: One of the most difficult challenges was to believe in myself and to be sure what HE (God) was capable to do through me. When I finally overcome that barrier, it opened new horizons and I realized how great we are in God’s hands when we just yield to Him. Because as Jesus is, so are we in HIM! More important than the obstacles is overcoming them. Through it all, God has been with me and has given me the victory every single time without fail.

Latin Times Magazine: Tell us about your family and any other information to know you better.

Armando R. Montes: God’s been more than good to me. He gave me a special wife and queen of my home whom I love dearly and I have two wonderful boys who are my reason for being. I strive everyday to be the best Husband and Father. I have this passion also for Criminal justice, so I’m going to College to finish my degree in this profession as well.

Latin Times Magazine: Who is a hero/role model that you admire (Living or deceased) and why do you admire them?

Armando R. Montes: Someone who was very inspiring part of my life was my little brother, Jose R. Montes, but which today is in the Lord’s presence and is no longer with us here. He always said, “Armando smile, though the world is falling, you have to smile, God is always in control.” Although he left us way too early, he left smiling and doing what he loved – singing. You’re in my heart, my brother!

Read More!

Pastors David and Ada Rivera Latin Times: How did you get started in the Ministry?

Pastor David Rivera: I grew up in church my father was a pastor I was at a very young age 13 or 14 years old when I left church, got into drugs, and gangs, in and out of prison. The last time I was serving 13 1/2 years I got saved in prison and in 1981 I accepted the Lord. In 1989 I became a pastor, given by grace and, which was by grace received, thanks for his mercy, it’s been an honor.

Latin Times: Give us a testimony that changed your life?

Pastor David Rivera: There was a girl who came to my office and told me she was running from the law and I need to go back and make it right. Serving the Lord I have this on my back and I want to make this right. So, we went with her and when she stood before the Judge a miracle happened, the judge said, “I have never seen anyone do this.” So he dismissed the case. That was a miracle.

Latin Times: Recently you had a close call with death, tell us about your testimony?

Pastor David Rivera: Good, I will let my wife speak on that, as you may know I was in a fatal motorcycle accident. I recently went to the Doctor and he said, “You know that you’re a walking miracle?” I said, “I know but you don’t know.”

Pastor Ada Rivera: Even though it has been a year since it happened, it is a

miracle, he was 62 days in the hospital.

We are sure of our calling for the Lord so, I remember the doctor said that he would not be able to survive and if he does, he will be a vegetable, then they brought me papers to sign for him to go home to hospice to die. I said “NO” he will not die and we started working with him, I believed and knew that he would be alright. I did everything with our family to work on him. I asked God, “You have to do something, Help us.”

But a miracle happened and he walked out of the hospital and here we are Pastoring and serving God. We want to thank God and our Congregation for their support and we are seeing God performing miracles every day. David still rides his Motorcycle.

Latin Times: What advice would you give to young Pastors going through hard times?

Pastor David Rivera: What God has promised you he will do, the enemy roars like a Lion but he is not the true Lion, Jesus is the true Lion of Judah.

God said I am not man that I should lie.

If your reading this and you were given a word from God, hold on to it, it will be completed, and remember that his word and promises never fail.

Watch Video online!

Meet Nancy Colon aka Cigar Aficionada I was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa, later I moved to New Jersey, lived there for 15 years before I moved to Florida, 11 years ago. I now reside in St. Petersburg with my son Tarik.

In 1992, while heading home from St. Martin that I purchased my first cigar out of curiosity. Here we were my friend Maria and I, trying to figure out how we were going to take this cigar back home. Maria was a good friend of mine and my traveling buddy. Being females we figured we could pack and hide them right in our front pockets to take back home and that’s exactly what we did and got away with it.

Back than in PA/NJ, it was unheard of girls in their 20’s or 30’s to smoke cigars. We were so curious and thought how cool it would it be for us to try a cigar. It was a great experience and an enjoyable one.

After that cigar, I didn’t know where to buy them, and not having anyone to enjoy it with I didn’t have the opportunity to smoke again for a long time.

Many years later, I moved to Orlando, Florida, and later the West of Florida in the Tampa Bay area, that I finally found cigar lounges.

Tampa is the Cigar capitol of the world, where I would run into cigar smokers, but mostly male. It wasn’t

until I realized my cousin Yolanda had also enjoyed a cigar that I got back to smoking. We than started to smoke occasionally and when I met Leslie and Morgan, now great friends of mine and owner of Smokers Den, it was Morgan who later educated me about cigars.

Recently I discovered my grandmother (my mom’s mother) worked at a tobacco factory in Puerto Rico and was also a cigar smoker, how cool was that! Today an avid smoker, I look forward to gatherings, events and dinners along with my cousin Yolanda and Leslie, where we enjoy a nice dinner, cocktails and one or two of our favorite cigars. I now make it a point. With years of experience you kind of know exactly what kind of cigar you are going to carry with you, I carry my cutter (v cut) and of course you have to have your own double or triple flame lighter. It could depend on your mood, your meal, cocktail, or just your coffee or tea, and the length of time you are going to be out is a big deal.

Read More!

Remembering Some of Baseball’s greatest Latinos

Roberto Clemente Roberto

Clemente was from Puerto Rico and one of the greatest baseball players ever to play right field and to play Baseball. Clemente and because of Clemente, the Pirates won four batting crowns and over 3,000 hits. Right field was his domain, throwing with a powerful arm and in 1966 Clemente earned National League MVP honors, but achieved his greatest fame in the 1971 World Series, in which he batted .414. Clemente died at the young age of 38 in a plane crash just outside of Puerto Rico while flying relief supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake victims. He will forever be a hero in baseball history.

Atanasio “Tany” Perez is one of the greatest Latino Orlando “Peruchin The Baby Bull” Cepeda

Orlando Cepeda was son of legendary Puerto Rican baseball star Pedro Perucho “The Bull” Cepeda, who was 20-years-old in the Major Leagues in 1958. Cepeda gained nine .300 seasons and eight seasons of 25 or more homers .As a rookie in 1958, Cepeda belted 25 homers, led the National League with 38 doubles, 96 runs and batted .312.

Cepeda won Rookie of the year honors for the San Francisco Giants.

baseball players to ever play Baseball.

In 1964 Perez began his 23 year career with the Cincinnati Reds and became one of baseball’s best clutch hitters and RBI-men of the 1970s. In 1975 season was Perez’s most memorable year. The Cincinnati Reds made it to the world series and it went down to a final Game 7. Tony Perez hit a home run in the sixth inning against Bill Lee and the Boston Red Sox, the Reds won a 4-3 victory and the World Championship.

Some of the other Great Latinos in Baseball not pictured here: Tino Martinez • Fernando Valenzuela • Dennis Martinez • Angel Macias • Hector Espino • Willie Hernandez Venezuela’s Chico • Tony Fernandez • Hector Lopez • Esteban Bellán • Ozzie Virgil

Luis Tiant was one of the greatest pitchers for the Red Sox in baseball history and Knicknamed “El Tiante”. He re-discovered his magic and went 15-6 with a 1.91 ERA in 1972 -- an American League great, Luis won at least twenty games for the Red Sox for three seasons, going 20-13 in 1973, 22-13 in 1974, and 21-12 in 1976. In 1975 Tiant won 18 games for the American League Champion Red Sox.

Lou Piniella

was born in Tampa, Florida, grew up in West Tampa. He played with the Yankees for 11 seasons, the Yankees won five American League East titles (1976–78, 1980 and 1981), four American League pennants (1976–78 and 1981), and two World series championships (1977–78). From mid-1977 through the end of 1980, he was the Yankees’ regular outfielder/DH. Piniella made one All-Star team and compiled 1705 lifetime hits.

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“ He visto el proceso democrático en acción.”

Patrick Brathwaite, estudiante del Instituto de Honores de HCC e interino del Centro Washington

A través de la asociación académica de Hillsborough Community College con el Centro Washington, Patrick hizo un internado con CNN en ambas convenciones nacionales de los republicanos y demócratas. HCC ha sido el único colegio comunitario seleccionado para esta prestigiosa asociación— esta es una de las tantas oportunidades que ofrecemos a nuestros estudiantes con una atractiva experiencia de aprendizaje. Con clases pequeñas, matrícula factible y transferibilidad garantizada a las universidades estatales, es fácil ver por qué más de 47,000 estudiantes eligen HCC.

hccfl.edu/registernow Hillsborough Community College favorece la igualdad de acceso y oportunidad de empleo. hccfl.edu/equity

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The Journey of Sasha Marina Sasha has been acting, modeling and training since the age of 15. She has appeared in several independent films, television shows, infomercials, and fashion shows. As well as doing voiceovers, charity projects, host shows and events. Sasha’s other experienced passion includes PR, Social Media Marketing and blogging.

“When dealing with PR, Social Media, blogging or even branding yourself, I like things to be clean, simple, and to the point, just like me.”

Sasha has an Associate in Arts degree in Drama, and currently perusing a B.A. in Communication Arts with a Minor in Theatre. In the past several years, her interests have expanded to journalism as she feels it’s something that comes to her naturally. Sasha was the lead reporter for “Positive Teen Magazine” publication in South Florida, with also an advice column

for the youth called “ASK Sasha.”

“I began in this Entertainment business because of acting; I’ve done several projects in independent films, short films, and Spanish TV Networks such as Telemundo and Mun2. I love hosting, so I started off by hosting on Blog Talk Radio, for Positive Teen Talk. Once I grew up from my teen years, I created my own show, “The Sasha Marina Show.” I’ve also participated as a regular panelist for a web series called “What Girls Think!” on Firstrun. tv. I’ve hosted several sorts of events. Now I lead host a web show called “Take Flight Show” created by DJ Smiley Miami on a Music Network called UniverseMiami. I’ve gained enough credibility to be accepted as part of the “Women In The Arts” aka WITA Miami Committee as of this August.”

She credits her mother, family, and friends in helping her realize that life is what you

make it, and in order to accomplish goals, you must work hard.

“Through the journey of pursuing my dreams I’ve accomplished many things. In this developing career I’ve come across obstacles that have made me mature faster and live life with more knowledge and understanding than many young adults in present day,” says Sasha.

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Fashion Designer Lourdes Atencio After earning a degree in Education, Lourdes worked as a teacher in her native country of the Dominican Republic. In 1973, seeking new challenges, she moved to Massachusetts where she pursued studies and organized activities promoting Hispanic culture while working in the fashion design industry and raising three daughters.

Lourdes’s Avant-Elite design label caters to an exclusive clientele including top models, media personnel and socialites. Her designs have been featured on the Despierta America and Primer Impacto television programs. Aero Mar and Falcon Airlines have commissioned Lourdes to design their work and leisure uniforms and her gowns are currently being sold at exclusive Madison Avenue boutiques.

Now Lourdes’s classic and elegance fashion design is brought to you by Claribel Levinson, International Model Winner Lady Belleza Clasica 2011, for the training Etiquette of Love for Man. Interesting in contact Lourdes Atencio for her designer please email her at atencio.lourdes@ yahoo.com Photo by Sina Photography Makeup Diana Torres Claribel Levinson, Celebrity Reporter for SW Florida Latin-Times Magazine.

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Miami International Film Festival, A Program of Miami Dade College’s MDCulture, Welcomes Some of Hollywood’s Biggest Stars To The Red Carpets Including Mike Myers, Shirley MacLaine, Christopher Plummer, John Turturro, Andy Garcia and Emilio & Gloria Estefan Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), a program of Miami Dade College’s MDCulture, is welcoming an anticipated superb ensemble of celebrated film talent to its 31st edition including an array of Hollywood’s biggest stars, this coming March 7 - 16.

Acclaimed actors, performers and personalities expected to attend include: Mike Myers, Shirley MacLaine, Christopher Plummer, John Turturro, Andy Garcia, Gloria & Emilio Estefan, and Tom Brokaw. As well, internationally renowned performers expected to attend include Alon Moni Aboutboul from Israel, acclaimed violinist David Garrett from Germany, rising British star David Olyelowo, Brazilian stars Fabricio Boliveira and Daniel Pinto, Latin sensation Osvaldo Rios, and Mexican actress Sophie Alexander-Katz.

More guests are anticipated to be announced in the coming days. The 31st edition of Miami International Film Festival runs March 7-16, 2014. For tickets and more information, please visit www.miamifilmfestival.com or call 305-237-FILM (3456).

Do you know who makes the BEST Cuban Sandwich in the Nation!?

South Florida enters National Cuban Sandwich contest, Semi-Finals set for Saturday, March 15th @ Hialeah’s Florida Career Tech Miami and South Florida’s best Cuban Sandwich Restaurants/Shops are being challenged and invited to put their sandwich to the test!

Entries will be judged on presentation, taste and authenticity. The top 3 Sandwiches will be chosen, and those winners will automatically be entered in the National Cuban Sandwich Festival and contest, which will take place on Saturday, March 22nd, in Ybor City, Florida, where South Florida’s best will battle it out for the title of the BEST Sandwich against the Nation’s best Cuban Sandwiches and against long time Cuban Sandwich Rival: Tampa, Florida!

An exciting FREE Family & COMMUNITY event the Cuban Sandwich Festival South Florida SemiFinals is an exciting festival and contest to find THE BEST Cuban Sandwiches in South Florida!

Enjoy cultural music, dance and EXCITING LIVE musical performances!

A true cultural festival featuring over 30 Food, Art & Cultural Exhibitors!

South Florida Cuban Sandwich Festival: SemiFinals Saturday, March 15th, 2014 @ Florida Career Tech 3700 West 18th Ave in Hialeah, FL 33012 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM To register for the contest, please email: CubanSandwichFestival@Latin-Times.com Info: www.TheCubanSandwichFestival.com

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