The Weekly Journal - June 25, 2019

Wednesday, June 26- July 2, 2019 - // no. 009

Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

www.theweeklyjournal.com

FOMB MEMBERS WILLING TO SERVE ANOTHER TERM P5 GOVERNOR OUSTS TREASURY SECRETARY P3 ESPORTS

INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO GROW P16

PUERTO RICO URGES FOR EQUALITY IN

FOOD ASSISTANCE

BENEFITS

A family of five could receive a maximum of $499 per month in NAP benefits in Puerto Rico in 2017; on the mainland, that same family would get $771, according to an analysis by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities to the food sector, it will lag in comparison to the additional $1.27 billion received for the NAP after Hurricane Maria. he long-awaited Disaster Relief Bill On March 2019, the Puerto Rico Department of signed at the beginning of this month Family Affairs reported that those additional NAP

by President Donald Trump included an funds provided after the hurricane had been used additional $600 million for the Nutrition in its entirety. According to a study commissioned Assistance Program (NAP) of Puerto by the Chamber of Marketing, Industry and Food Rico. However, according to Glorimar Distribution (MIDA by its Spanish acronym), Andujar, secretary of the Department unprepared food sales have already seen a of Family Affairs, these funds will not be available at least decrease of 5 percent, as beneficiaries cut back until August 2019. on their spending in order to live with the reduced While the additional funds will be an important influx GO TO PAGE 4

T Yennifer Ă lvarez

A WALKABLE ART EXHIBIT IN OLD SAN JUAN P20

yalvarez@wjournal.com

@yalvarezjaimes

The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, June 26, 2019 >

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

A WEEK IN REVIEW GOV. ROSSELLÓ DISMISSED HIS SECRETARY OF TREASURY, DENIES CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS

>Archive

>Archive

>Archive

Gov. Ricardo Rosselló denies claims made by the son of former Secretary of the Treasury, Raúl Maldonado, alleging that the chief executive tried to manipulate an audit report belonging to Unidos por Puerto Rico, the charitable organization founded to help the island in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

The allegations were made after the governor dismissed and replaced Maldonado as the government’s Chief Financial Officer , Secretary of Treasury and Director of the Office of Managament and Budget. According to the governor, Maldonado was stripped of his duties for failing to inform him of irregularities inside the Treasury Department.

Maldonado told the press that he was collaborating with the FBI as it looked into influence peddling and destruction of evidence, amongst other crimes, within his department.

The former official stated that the Treasury Department has an “institutional mafia” comprised of “officials who have been with the department for many years.”

INCENTIVES CODE BILL UNDER REVIEW OF CONFERENCE COMMITTEE The Puerto Rico House and Senate will have until June 30th to discuss the Incentive Code bill after both chambers made amendments. The bill unifies laws and incentive programs under a single law. The original bill stated that beneficiaries of the law must contribute at least $5,000 a year to community, non-profit entities but an amendment would increase this to $10,000 a year. The problem, according to Rob Rill - founder of the 20/22 Act Society - is that the bill does not allow for companies to freely choose the charity it will make the donation to, but instead states that they must select one from a list of charities approved by the government.

Powered BY El Vocero de Puerto Rico, 1064 Ave Ponce de León 2nd floor San Juan, PR Postal Address: PO Box 15074, San Juan, PR 00902

HEAD OF PUERTO RICO HEALTH INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION RESIGNS Amid a string of federal investigations involving high-ranking officials, the executive director of the Puerto Rico Health Insurance Administration (ASES, by its Spanish acronym), Angela Ávila Marrero, resigned on June 25. Her exit was confirmed by Chief of Staff Ricardo Llerandi, who explained that Ávila Marrero’s resignation goes into effect immediately. Yolanda García, the entity’s current deputy director, will helm the administration until the vacancy is occupied. Gov. Ricardo Rosselló will eventually issue a recommendation to the ASES Board.

President Salvador Hasbún shasbun@elvocero.com

Human Resources Director Arlene Rolón, PHR arolon@elvocero.com

Managing Editor Yennifer Álvarez yalvarez@wjournalpr.com

Comptroller Félix A. Rosa frosa@elvocero.com

Traffic Director Ilia M. Pérez Centeno iperez@elvocero.com

Multi-Platform Digital Director Stephanie Gómez Álvarez sgomez@elvocero.com

Production Director Eligio Dekony edekony@elvocero.com

Editorial Director Juan Miguel Muñiz Guzmán jmuniz@elvocero.com

Multi-Platform Graphic Director Héctor L. Vázquez hvazquez@elvocero.com

Phone: 787-622-2300, 787-721-2300 Customer Service: 787-622-7480

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

sponsored by

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 benefits.

According to industry data, during 2017 supermarket sales reached $3.8 billion and during 2018 registered $3.9 billion. Meanwhile, in the first quarter of 2019 the sales reflected a decrease of -3.8% with respect to the first quarter of 2018.

Manuel Reyes, vice president of MIDA, highlighted to THE WEEKLY JOURNAL the importance of this funding, because its reach goes beyond just being a source of assistance for low income households.

“This program helps the economy and not just the beneficiaries because food is a good that is not discretionary. If people do not have the funds from the Nutrition Assistance Program, people will eliminate other expenses in order to ensure their sustenance,” said Reyes.

“The impact of these funds goes much further because it allows people with low economic resources to use other types of income to buy medicines, clothing and request services,” MIDA’s vice president added.

The Nutrition Assistance Program provides its participants with a card that may be used to purchase food and also obtain cash.

About 80 percent of the benefit must be redeemed for eligible food items through electronic benefit transfers at certified retailers. Up until October 2019, the remaining 20 percent may be withdrawn in cash and used to buy prepared foods.

“The advantage of these kinds of funds is that it is the only one that immediately benefits citizens,” Reyes pointed out.

The disparity of the Puerto Rico’s food assistance program can be traced back to the 1980s, when President Ronald Reagan’s administration changed its funding structure.

At the time, the administration wanted to cut nearly $2 billion from the federal food assistance budget and decided to obtain a large portion of it by scaling back on the benefits for Puerto Rico. For this reason, the island’s food assistance program was switched to a block-grant model, meaning it is allotted capped funds for the year regardless of need.

In the process, the program’s name on the island dropped a letter: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, became NAP. In 2017, a Puerto Rican family of five could receive a maximum of $499 per month in NAP benefits while on the mainland that same family could get up to $771, according to an analysis by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. president of MIDA On March 2019, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Representative Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), introduced a bill that would end block-grant nutrition assistance for Puerto Rico, nesting the island instead under the

same SNAP system.

“The people of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa are American citizens and deserve to be treated as American citizens,” Sanders said.

“This bill would end unequal treatment of the territories, help Puerto Rico recover from the hurricanes and aid the most vulnerable in our society by providing sustainable economic relief going forward.”

“Puerto Ricans are American citizens who fight and die in our wars,” said Rep. Velázquez.

“It is shameful and unconscionable that, when it comes to food security, they receive disparate treatment through a program that fails to help them when they need it most. No child in our nation should ever go hungry, but especially - Manuel Reyes, vice not after a natural disaster. Unfortunately, the current nutrition assistance program fails Puerto Rico when food demand is highest. This legislation would fix this longstanding injustice and I’m proud to join Bernie Sanders in introducing it,” Velázquez concluded.

This program helps the economy and not just the beneficiaries because food is a good that is not discretionary. If people do not have the funds from the Nutrition Assistance Program, people will eliminate other expenses in order to ensure their sustenance.

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Oversight Board Members Willing

to Serve a Second Term

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review five cases involving the constitutionality of the sevenmember territorial entity

O Cynthia López Cabán

clopez@wjournal.com

@cynthia_lope

n the same day that the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review five cases involving the constitutionality of President Barack Obama’s appointments to the Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB), the entity confirmed that its seven members are willing to serve another term.

“Yes, all members are willing to serve,” the FOMB’s Strategic Advisor Matthias Rieker told THE WEEKLY JOURNAL in a written statement, a few hours after the highest court of the land granted Aurelius Investment’s petition for a writ of certiorari and consolidated other cases filed by the FOMB, the Irrigation & Electrical Workers Union (Utier by its Spanish acronym), the U.S. Office of the Solicitor General and the Official Committee of Debtors.

Last week, in an “unusual Thursday order”, according to the court’s official blog, the Supreme Court added the argument to its calendar for the second week of October.

After Puerto Rico’s government admitted that it couldn’t pay its $70 billion-plus debt load, Congress passed the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (Promesa) on June 29, 2016. The following day Obama enacted the legislation that created a special bankruptcy regime for the island overseen by the FOMB, the sole representative of the territory’s government in Title III debtor-related proceedings.

Following its provisions, Obama nominated the members of the FOMB from the lists of names submitted by the leaders of the U. S. Senate and the House of Representatives, “in which case no Senate confirmation is required.”

Objections to the appointments were raised until the case reached the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. On Feb. 15, 2019, the intermediate court ruled that the provision of the federal law that allowed members of the board to be appointed without being confirmed by the Senate was unconstitutional. But it refused to dismiss any

of the actions taken by the board. Relying on a doctrine known as the “de facto officer doctrine,” the court reasoned that reversing the board’s actions would be harmful to Puerto Rico.

Instead, it gave president Donald Trump and the Senate an opportunity to validate the “defective appointments or reconstitute the Board”. It also allowed the FOMB to continue to operate until May 16, a stay it later extended to July 15.

On June 18, Trump sent the renominations of the seven members to the Senate. That same day the FOMB requested the First Circuit extend the stay pending its petition to the Supreme Court.

Nonetheless and without a Senate confirmation scheduled, the board members’ terms expire Aug. 30.

Arguments Before the Supreme Court

When asking the Supreme Court to intervene, Aurelius Investment and the Utier argued that the FOMB’s members were appointed in violation of the Appointments Clause and lacked the authority to file a Title III petition on Puerto Rico’s behalf.

Accordingly, they asked for the dismissal of the restructuring process.

The Oversight Board, the Solicitor General and the Committee of Debtors rejected this analysis

>Carlos Rivera Giusti

and maintained that the Appellate court erred when it concluded that the members of the board were selected in an unconstitutional manner.

That decision, they insisted, jeopardizes all of the decisions made by the board in the last three years and therefore should be revoked.

Analyzing the case, Carlos Ramos, a professor and constitutional lawyer, said to THE WEEKLY JOURNAL that the Supreme Court’s intervention could have been prompted by an interest to address the territorial governance question that the case raises, the constitutionality issue or to clarify the scope of the “de facto officer doctrine”.

“From my perspective, the board’s strategy is to move fast. The members want to have all the pieces in order in case the Supreme Court confirms the appointments’ unconstitutionality in the hopes the High court adopts the same doctrine and does not invalidate their actions,” Ramos stated.

On the other hand, he said that the District Court may slow down while it awaits the Supreme Court’s decision. “The Appellate’s Court decision doesn’t stop anything but it creates legal uncertainty and that has an impact on the board, Title III proceedings, and the District Judge”.

Rosario Fajardo contributed to this story.

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>Josian Bruno Gómez

/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Gov. Rosselló proposes community involvement for The Next Budget Before unveiling his next budget, the governor will hold town hall meetings to discuss proposals and priorities Cynthia López Cabán

G

clopez@wjournal.com

@cynthia_lope

ov. Ricardo Rosselló revealed that he is changing the administration´s budgetary approach, in the midst of his fight with the Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB) over his next spending plan and the Legislature´s debate over the final approval of a budget bill.

For the next fiscal year that begins on July 1, Rosselló presented a $9.62 billion spending plan, but the FOMB anticipated that it will only approve $9.1 billion.

On Monday, the House of Representatives approved a $9.188 billion budget, but it was missing some assignments.

As this paper went to print, the House and the

Senate were expected to agree and approve a budget similar to the one proposed by Rosselló.

In the middle of the budget discussion, and in reaction to a question about the possibility of adopting a “Well-Being” budget modeled after New Zealand’s, Rosselló said to THE WEEKLY JOURNAL that his administration has embraced some of the tenets adopted by the Kiwis.

The Governor’s statement was made before Monday’s dismissal of the Secretary of Treasury, Raúl Maldonado, which came after he denounced an alleged scheme of public malfeasance within his department.

“One key aspect that countries like New Zealand are focusing on is bringing clarity to the budget process. This year Puerto Rico has also laid that foundation so that citizens can see where the money is going more clearly,” Rosselló said in a written statement.

With that premise in mind, the governor stated that his office will soon circulate notes which are meant to explain this year’s budget and assist in the understanding of government spending while also helping to “provide a more complete picture of Puerto Rico’s public finances.”

Rosselló insisted that his budget will be aligned with five priorities aimed at transforming the economy and promoting every citizen’s well-being.

Like he has said before, the budget will be tied to results and accountability.

“We will set criteria for budget submissions and ensure they align with our priorities -being open for business, a connector of the Americas, reversing outmigration (human cloud), becoming an innovation hub, and providing more opportunities for citizens (empowering state),” Rosselló explained.

“At the same time, we must also fund our essential obligations -health, education, security, and pensions. Our approach with policy-based budgeting ensures that only good, evidence-based ideas get funded while putting into place fiscal rules that ensure bad policies don’t go through,” he added.

Rosselló also indicated that he will hold town hall meetings to discuss budget proposals and priorities.

“In Puerto Rico, we are also going a step further and ensuring that not only are the government’s priorities reflected in the budget, but that before the next budget cycle we are aware of what the citizens really care about instead of making assumptions... As a first step, later this year, we will be holding town hall meetings across the island so that the priorities of the citizens are reflected in the next budget,” Rosselló said.

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

San Juan Funds for Infrastructure Repairs Increase Slightly Total FY 2020 budget: $11M less than last year

W Rosario Fajardo

rfajardo@wjournal.com

@RosarioWJournal

ith San Juan residents complaining about the bad state of the city’s roads, as thousands of potholes make driving difficult for many, the municipality has increased funds for infrastructure repairs by a tad—4.6 percent.

The city’s Operations and Adornment Department will see its fiscal year 2020 budget increase from the current $58.9 million to $61.6 million, an increase of $2.7 million, according to San Juan’s recommended budget, as presented to the municipal Legislature.

Operations and Adornment is responsible for improving the municipality’s infrastructure. Its areas of responsibility include cleaning sewers, canals, ravines and storm drains; repairing and paving local streets and public roads; repairing and

maintaining public squares, parks, sidewalks and curbs, among other works.

While San Juan and much of Puerto Rico are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017, many drivers are often vexed when driving around the capital city as the roads are often pockmarked with potholes.

Such is the case along calle Loíza near Bebo’s Café, calle San Jorge near San Jorge Parish Church and calle San Juan, next to Marshalls in Santurce.

“The streets are a nightmare, especially if you are driving at night,” said long-time snowbird Adriane Howard to a Condado resident, explaining that driving and walking along San Juan’s streets is

Calle San Juan in Santurce has been beset by chronic pothole problems. (Archive)

akin to running an obstacle course.

Granted, municipal workers have been seen working along Del Parque Street in San Juan, while sections of Robert H. Todd Avenue in Santurce have been repaved.

Partly in response to residents’ complaints, San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz told reporters in February that the municipality had identified some 1,400 potholes around the city, noting that this includes both municipal and state roads.

However, she was quick to note that the responsibility of repairing streets is a joint one—that of the central government’s Public Works and Transportation Department (DTOP by its Spanish acronym) and the municipality in question.

She explained that all the streets with one number (for example PR-1) two numbers and three numbers are under the purview of the central government, while the rest would fall under the corresponding municipality’s area of responsibility.

DTOP has also been working on road repairs, but officials have explained that much of the agency’s budget depends on federal funds, especially recovery funds after Maria, much of which have been delayed.

Overall, the capital city’s recommended budget for FY 2020, which begins July 1, is $627.2 million, a decrease of $10.8 million from the current budget.

This budget has been “prepared at a time when the fiscal plan for Puerto Rico, approved by the Fiscal Oversight Board, reduces transfers of funds from the General Fund to the municipalities until their elimination by the year 2023,” said Esperanza Ruiz, the director of San Juan’s Office of Management and Budget.

“The gradual elimination of the Equalization Fund and the total elimination of the Exemption Fund by the central government has caused significant changes in municipal revenues,” she said during testimony before the San Juan Municipal Legislature.

“The impact of the central government’s fiscal plan on municipal revenues and the additional obligations imposed on municipalities leads us to establish and maintain strict fiscal-control measures to increase revenues and control public spending, and establish strategies to offer services more efficiently without reducing services and without firing employees,” Ruiz added.

While San Juan and much of Puerto Rico are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017, many drivers are vexed when driving around the capital city as the roads are often pockmarked with potholes.

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Puerto rico Sympathetic to

Dominican Republic Tourism Woes

In recent weeks, several American tourists have died under mysterious circumstances while vacationing in the D.R., with a total of 11 tourist deaths reported in the past few years.>Archive

Safety is a concern for many

W Rosario Fajardo

rfajardo@wjournal.com

@RosarioWJournal

ith the Dominican Republic tourism sector in crisis-management mode these days, the Puerto Rico Tourism Co. (PRTC) voiced its understanding of its fellow Caribbean neighbor’s plight, while underscoring the island’s own tourism advantages.

“We understand that all the events that have happened recently in the Dominican Republic are very regrettable. Likewise, we understand that the pertinent authorities are taking action on the matter. At this moment. It is important that we also highlight the position of Puerto Rico as a safe destination and that we are an American jurisdiction, with a system of law and order, both state and federal,” said PRTC Executive Director Carla Campos to THE WEEKLY JOURNAL. “In this way we encourage tourists who are thinking of taking trips to the Caribbean to consider Puerto Rico as a destination with a wide range of tourism offerings, where the safety of our visitors is also a top priority,” she added.

Staying safe should be a top concern whenever

one is traveling, she indicated. “Likewise, we encourage those Puerto Ricans who have plans to travel to the Dominican Republic, as well as any other destination, to always be aware of the security alerts that are issued for each country and to avoid exposing themselves to situations that can threaten their safety,” Campos added.

Meanwhile, Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico, said the organization in charge of the marketing and public relations outside the island, is “committed to highlight everything that Puerto Rico offers as a top Caribbean destination for leisure and business.” “As travelers consider altering their travel plans to visit Puerto Rico, we will continue supporting our local industry partners as they welcome these guests and deliver a world-class experience. As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico is subject to all applicable federal laws and regulations, and extremely accessible for those coming from the US to visit without a passport,” Dean added.

In recent weeks, several American tourists have died under mysterious circumstances while vacationing in the D.R., with a total of 11 tourist deaths reported in the past few years.

International news media, from the BBC, CNN, New York Times, Toronto Sun and Washington Post have run a number of stories on the mysterious tourist deaths. Other news outlets have focused on concerns surrounding the country’s crime rate, particularly after beloved Red Sox legend David Ortiz was shot last month in his homeland, while at

a bar in Santo Domingo.

In April, the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for the D.R., calling on visitors to “exercise increased caution” due to crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault. While resort areas are better policed than urban sectors, “the wide availability of weapons, the use and trade of illicit drugs, and a weak criminal justice system contribute to the high level of criminality on the broader scale,” the State Department said.

Reeling from the spate of negative press, the country’s Ministry of Tourism is fighting back against what it called a “campaign to discredit” the country as a tourist destination among stateside visitors.

Every year, the number of stateside tourists visiting the country doubles, “which could be cause of concern for other destinations in the region that compete with the Dominican Republic in tourism,” the D.R. Ministry of Tourism said in a statement.

“In any case, Dominican authorities must take the necessary steps to reverse this situation, to prevent the Dominican image from being affected by a well-designed strategy directed at the outside world, especially the U.S. “At the local level, it is also necessary to take corrective measures, with greater supervision on the part of our hotel sector, as well as more transparency in the dissemination of certain events,” the ministry added. D.R. tourism officials have complained that hotels have not been reporting the incidents in a timely manner.

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< The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, June 26, 2019

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Old San Juan

is Back

Enjoy sailing tours of Old San Juan on the Amazing Grace, an 83-foot topsail schooner. >Courtesy

Tourists bringing life back to Old City merchants

T Rosario Fajardo

rfajardo@wjournal.com

@RosarioWJournal

slow, but has since picked up.

She said the restaurant often has a line of people waiting outside and on busy days, they can serve as many as 150 customers.

“We get a lot of people when cruise ships are in port and during the weekends, when it’s mainly locals,” Castro said, adding that the most popular item on the menu is “mofongo mar y tierra,” or stuffed mofongo with churrasco and shrimp.

As a sign of the times, tourism has been reporting record

he Puerto Rico government and the island’s tourism sector are touting the joys of visiting the Isla del Encanto, not only around the mainland U.S. but also in Canada and other countries, and their efforts have been rewarded with a “bumper crop” this year.

But are small merchants, especially those located in tourism areas, enjoying the benefits of the surge in tourism? THE WEEKLY JOURNAL went to Old San Juan, the jewel of Puerto Rico and one Street vendors near Old San Juan’s pier area are doing brisk business, thanks to the of the main tourism centers on the island, to find influx of tourists to Puerto Rico. >Gabriel López Albarrán / The Weekly Journal out.

On a busy weekday, with one cruise ship in port, Rico, and JetBlue announced it is increasing the an informal survey number of seats from the mainland U.S. by 8 numbers in Puerto found that indeed, percent, compared with the same period last year.

Rico, helping to boost these are positive days In fact, arrivals at Luis Muñoz Marín (LMM) jobs in this sector. The for tourism-related International Airport are also up in comparison Puerto Rico Tourism businesses. to last year. A total of 968,435 visitors descended Co. (PRTC) is projecting “It’s been great,” on the island during the first quarter (Q1) of 2018.

1.7 million cruise ship said Zurey Castro, During Q1 this year, some 1,151,435 travelers visitors for fiscal year the manager of Café arrived via the LMM airport.

2019, which would del Ángel, located on The crew of the sailing schooner “Amazing make it a record cruise Recinto Sur Street.

-Hiram Martínez, captain of the Grace” said they lucked out with Hurricane Maria. season.

“We have another sailing schooner “Amazing Grace” “She was stripped in August 2017 for a hull and The island’s busy restaurant in Condado mast inspection by the Coast Guard, so she was summer season is and we opened this not in the water when Maria hit,” said Capt. Hiram already underway, second one after Martínez. when many stateside residents travel to Puerto Hurricane Maria.” That first year, business was

We’ve done really well, since for a time we were the only excursion sailboat out of Old San Juan.

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

During a Saturday sunset sail along San Juan Bay, your correspondent was among the 25 passengers on board. The 83-foot replica schooner was full and staff had to turn away two people who were inquiring about ticket availability. The vast majority of the passengers were tourists, enjoying the views of El Morro, Paseo de la Princesa and La Fortaleza.

Since the Amazing Grace was not damaged, she was able to resume her daily sailing tours fairly quickly after Maria. “We’ve done really well, since for a time we were the only excursion sailboat out of Old San Juan,” Martínez said.

Other businesses that seem to be doing well are street vendors along Old San Juan’s pier area.

During a walk around the town, stalls selling women’s bags were doing brisk business as were local vendors with ice cream carts.

“There are more tourists coming and you can really see it with all the people walking around,” said Claudin Croechy of Croechy’s souvenir store on La Fortaleza Street. “But my sales are basically the same. I haven’t seen a real increase. When tourists come in, they think it’s expensive here especially with the IVU (i.e. 11.5 percent sales tax).

So, they don’t really buy a lot. A few trinkets, key chains, things like that.”

Originally from Haiti, Croechy is the sole employee in her store, which has been open for 14 years. While speaking to THE WEEKLY JOURNAL, a couple wandered into the store and then went back out again after a few minutes.

She said she would love for Old San Juan to be declared a duty-free zone, such as several streets in Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, widely known for its hundreds of duty-free shops.

In contrast to the quiet environs of Croechy’s, another souvenir shop, Ecuaimport, was bustling with activity, with nearly a dozen people walking in and out. “It has been so much better since Hurricane Maria,” said Business is up at Ecuaimport souvenir store, thanks in part to its location at the store manager Kef corner of Recinto Sur and Tanca streets in the Old City. >Gabriel López Albarrán / The Coley.

Weekly Journal “We’ve had a lot of cruise ship visitors and day, the cruise ships are usually here from 6 a.m. in the summer, many Nuyoricans come down to 2 p.m., so by the late afternoon, business is to Puerto Rico,” he said, noting that the store’s slow,” he said. “Hotels are also really expensive in location on the corner of Recinto Sur and Tanca Puerto Rico, so we need to find a way for [tourists] streets is a plus. to stay an extra few days in town.”

Still, Coley said he would like cruise ship visitors When homeport cruises sail from Old San Juan, to stay in port longer and for them to spend a few there is more foot traffic, he said, as those ships extra days in San Juan. “For those stopping for the tend to sail around 10 p.m.

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12

Agujas. Esenciales para el cactus.

¿Qué es XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR? XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR (tofacitinib) es un medicamento recetado conocido como un inhibidor de cinasa de Janus (JAK, por sus siglas en inglés) usado para tratar: • Adultos con artritis reumatoide activa de moderada a severa en los cuales el metotrexato no funcionó bien Se desconoce si XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR es seguro y eficaz en niños o en personas con Hepatitis B o C. XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR no es recomendado para personas con problemas hepáticos severos.

INFORMACIÓN IMPORTANTE DE SEGURIDAD ¿Cuál es la información más importante que debo conocer acerca de XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR? XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR puede causar efectos secundarios graves, incluidos: Infecciones graves. XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR puede reducir la capacidad de su sistema inmunológico para combatir infecciones. Algunas personas pueden tener infecciones graves mientras toman XELJANZ/XELAJNZ XR, incluida la tuberculosis (TB) e infecciones causadas por bacterias, hongos o virus que pueden extenderse por todo el cuerpo. Algunas personas han fallecido a causa de estas infecciones.

• Su profesional del cuidado de la salud debe hacerle una prueba de TB antes de comenzar a tomar XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR y monitorearlo de cerca para ver si existen indicios y síntomas de una infección de TB durante el tratamiento.

No debe comenzar a tomar XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR si tiene algún tipo de infección, a menos que su profesional del cuidado de la salud le diga que está bien. Puede tener un riesgo más alto de desarrollar culebrilla (herpes zóster). Las personas que toman la dosis más alta (10 mg dos veces al día) de XELJANZ tienen un riesgo más alto de infecciones graves y culebrilla.

Antes de tomar XELJANZ/ XELJANZ XR, dígale a su profesional del cuidado de la salud si usted: • piensa que tiene una infección o si tiene síntomas de una infección, como: fiebre, sudor o escalofríos, tos, sangre en la flema, calor, enrojecimiento, dolor en la piel o aftas en el cuerpo, quemazón al orinar o ganas de orinar más frecuente de lo normal, dolores musculares, falta de aliento, pérdida de peso, diarrea, dolor de estómago, o sentirse muy cansado • lo están tratando para una infección • suele padecer de muchas infecciones o tiene infecciones que son recurrentes • tiene diabetes, enfermedad pulmonar crónica, VIH o un sistema inmunológico débil. Las personas con estas condiciones tienen mayor probabilidad de contraer infecciones • tiene TB o ha estado en contacto cercano con alguien que tiene TB • vive, ha vivido o ha viajado a ciertos lugares del país (como los valles de los ríos Ohio y Mississippi y el Suroeste de EE.UU.), donde hay una mayor probabilidad de contraer ciertos tipos de infecciones micóticas (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomicosis, o blastomicosis).

Estas infecciones pueden producirse o volverse más severas si toma

XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Pregúntele a su profesional del cuidado de la salud si no sabe si ha vivido en un área en donde estas infecciones son comunes • tiene, o ha tenido, hepatitis B o C Después de comenzar XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, llame a su profesional del cuidado de la salud de inmediato si tiene algún síntoma de una infección. XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR puede hacerlo más propenso a tener infecciones o a empeorar cualquier infección que tenga.

Cáncer y problemas del sistema inmunológico. XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR puede aumentar el riesgo de ciertos tipos de cáncer, cambiando la forma en que funciona su sistema inmunológico. Se han producido linfomas y otros tipos de cáncer, incluidos cánceres de la piel, en pacientes que toman XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Las personas que toman la dosis más alta (10 mg dos veces al día) de XEJANZ tienen un riesgo más alto de cánceres de la piel. Consulte a su profesional del cuidado de la salud si alguna vez ha tenido algún tipo de cáncer.

Algunas personas que han tomado XELJANZ con otros medicamentos específicos para prevenir el rechazo de trasplante de riñón han tenido problemas con ciertos glóbulos blancos que crecen de forma descontrolada (trastorno linfoproliferativo postrasplante asociado con el virus de Epstein Barr).

Perforaciones en el estómago o en los intestinos. Déjele saber a su profesional del cuidado de la salud si ha tenido diverticulitis (inflamación en partes del intestino grueso) o úlceras del estómago o intestinos.

Algunas personas que toman XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR presentan perforaciones en el estómago o intestino.

Esto ocurre con mayor frecuencia en personas que también toman medicamentos antiinflamatorios no esteroides (NSAID, por sus siglas en inglés), corticosteroides o metotrexato. Hable cuanto antes con su profesional del cuidado de la salud si tiene fiebre y dolor en el área del estómago persistente y un cambio en los hábitos de sus movimientos intestinales.

Han ocurrido reacciones alérgicas graves en pacientes que toman XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR.Si tiene hinchazón de los labios, la lengua, la garganta o tiene ronchas, deje de tomar XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR y llame a su profesional del cuidado de la salud de inmediato.

Cambios en ciertos resultados de análisis de laboratorio. Su profesional del cuidado de la salud debe realizar análisis de sangre antes de comenzar a recibir XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR y mientras toma XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, para ver si se producen los siguientes efectos secundarios: • Cambios en recuentos de linfocitos. Los linfocitos son glóbulos blancos que ayudan al cuerpo a combatir infecciones.

• Recuentos bajos de neutrófilos. Los neutrófilos son glóbulos blancos que ayudan al cuerpo a combatir infecciones.

• Recuento bajo de glóbulos rojos. Esto puede indicar que tiene anemia, lo cual puede hacerlo sentir débil y cansado.

Su profesional del cuidado de la salud debe realizar rutinariamente ciertos análisis de hígado.

No debe recibir XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR si su recuento de linfocitos, neutrófilos o glóbulos rojos es demasiado bajo o si sus análisis de hígado son demasiado altos. Su profesional del cuidado de la salud puede detener su tratamiento con XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR por un período de tiempo, si es necesario, debido a cambios en los resultados de estos análisis de sangre.

Además, puede tener cambios en otras pruebas de laboratorio, como en los niveles de colesterol en la sangre. Su profesional del cuidado de la salud debe realizar análisis de sangre para verificar sus niveles de colesterol de 4 a 8 semanas después que haya comenzado XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, y según sea necesario después de este tiempo.

13

< The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, June 26, 2019

The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, June 26, 2019 >

14

RESUMEN BREVE DEL CONSUMIDOR XELJANZ (ZEL’ JANS’) tabletas para uso oral

XELJANZ XR (ZEL’ JANS’ EKS-AHR) tabletas de liberación prolongada, para uso oral

El resumen breve resume la información más importante de XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR y no es abarcado.

Si desea más información, hable con su profesional del cuidado de la salud. Puede solicitarle a su farmacéutico o profesional del cuidado de la salud información acerca de XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR escrita para profesionales de la salud. Para más información, visite www.xeljanzpi.com ¿Cuál es la información más importante que debo saber sobre XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR? XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR puede causar efectos secundarios graves, incluidos: 1. Infecciones graves. XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR es un medicamento que afecta su sistema inmunológico.

XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR puede reducir la capacidad de su sistema inmunológico para combatir infecciones. Algunas personas pueden tener infecciones graves mientras toman XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, incluida la tuberculosis (TB), e infecciones causadas por bacterias, hongos o virus que pueden extenderse por todo el cuerpo. Algunas personas han fallecido por causa de dichas infecciones.

Su profesional del cuidado de la salud debe hacerle una prueba de TB antes de comenzar a tomar XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR y durante su tratamiento.

Su profesional del cuidado de la salud debe monitorearlo para ver si existen indicios y síntomas de una infección de TB durante el tratamiento con XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. No debe comenzar a tomar XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR si tiene algún tipo de infección, a menos que su profesional del cuidado de la salud le diga que está bien. Usted puede estar en mayor riesgo de día) de XELJANZ tienen un mayor riesgo de desarrollar infecciones graves y culebrilla.

Antes de comenzar a tomar XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, dígale a su profesional del cuidado de la salud si: piensa que tiene una infección o si tiene síntomas de una infección, tales como: - fiebre, sudor o escalofríos - dolores musculares - tos - falta de aliento - sangre en la flema - pérdida de peso - piel caliente, roja o dolorosa, o aftas - diarrea o dolor de estómago en el cuerpo - sentirse muy cansado - quemazón al orinar o ganas de orinar más frecuente de lo normal

personas con estas condiciones tienen mayor probabilidad de contraer infecciones.

Suroeste de EE.UU.), donde hay una mayor posibilidad de contraer ciertos tipos de infecciones micóticas (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomicosis o blastomicosis). Estas infecciones pueden producirse o volverse más graves si usa XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Pregúntele a su profesional del cuidado de la salud si no sabe si ha vivido en un área en donde estas infecciones sean comunes. tiene, o ha tenido, hepatitis B o C. Después de haber comenzado a tomar XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, llame a su profesional del cuidado de la salud cuanto antes si tiene síntomas de infección. XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR puede aumentar la probabilidad de que contraiga infecciones o empeorar una infección que usted ya tenga.

2. Cáncer y problemas del sistema inmunológico. XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR puede aumentar el riesgo de ciertos tipos de cáncer, cambiando la forma en que funciona su sistema inmunológico.

Pueden producirse linfomas y otros tipos de cáncer, incluidos cánceres de la piel, en pacientes al día) de XELJANZ tienen un riesgo más alto de cánceres de la piel. Hable con su profesional del cuidado de la salud si ha tenido algún tipo de cáncer.

Algunas personas que han tomado XELJANZ con otros medicamentos específicos para prevenir el rechazo del trasplante de riñón, han tenido problemas con ciertos glóbulos blancos que crecen de forma descontrolada (trastorno linfoproliferativo post-trasplante asociado con el virus de Epstein Barr).

3. Desgarres (perforación) en el estómago o en los intestinos.

Hable con su profesional del cuidado de la salud si ha tenido diverticulitis (inflamación en partes del intestino grueso) o úlceras en el estómago o los intestinos. Algunas personas que toman XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR pueden presentar desgarres en el estómago o intestino. Esto ocurre con mayor frecuencia en personas que también toman medicamentos antiinflamatorios no esteroides (AINE), corticoesteroides o metotrexato.

Hable cuanto antes con su profesional del cuidado de la salud si tiene fiebre y dolor en la zona del estómago que no desaparece y/o algún cambio en los hábitos de movimientos intestinales.

4. Reacciones alérgicas.

En pacientes que toman XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, se han observado síntomas, como hinchazón de los labios, la lengua o la garganta, o ronchas (parches de la piel elevados y rojizos, a menudo con mucho picor), que pueden significar que está teniendo una reacción alérgica. Algunas de estas reacciones fueron graves. De ocurrir alguno de estos síntomas mientras toma XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, deje de tomar XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR y llame a su profesional del cuidado de la salud de inmediato.

5. Cambios en ciertos resultados de análisis de laboratorio. Su profesional del cuidado de la salud debe realizar análisis de sangre antes de que comience a recibir XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, y mientras toma XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, para ver si se producen los siguientes efectos secundarios: cambios en recuento de linfocitos. Los linfocitos son glóbulos blancos que ayudan al cuerpo a combatir infecciones. recuentos bajos de neutrófilos. Los neutrófilos son glóbulos blancos que ayudan al cuerpo a combatir infecciones. recuentos bajos de glóbulos rojos. Esto puede indicar que tiene anemia, lo cual puede hacerle sentir débil y cansado.

Su profesional del cuidado de la salud debe realizar rutinariamente ciertos análisis de hígado.

No debe recibir XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR si su recuento de linfocitos, de neutrófilos o de glóbulos rojos es demasiado bajo, o si sus análisis de hígado son demasiado altos.

Su profesional del cuidado de la salud puede detener su tratamiento con XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR por un período de tiempo, si es necesario, debido a cambios en los resultados de estos análisis de sangre.

También puede haber cambios en otras pruebas de laboratorio, tales como sus niveles de colesterol en la sangre.

Su profesional del cuidado de la salud debe realizar análisis de sangre para verificar sus niveles de colesterol

¿Qué debería decirle a mi profesional del cuidado de la salud antes de tomar XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR? Antes de tomar XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, informe a su profesional del cuidado de la salud acerca de todas sus condiciones médicas, incluido si: tiene una infección. Vea ”¿Cuál es la información más importante que debería saber sobre XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR?” tiene problemas de hígado tiene problemas de los riñones tiene dolor en la zona del estómago (abdominal), le han diagnosticado diverticulitis o úlceras estomacales o intestinales ha tenido una reacción al tofacitinib o a alguno de los ingredientes en XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR ha recibido recientemente o tiene planes de recibir una vacuna. Las personas que toman XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR no deberían recibir vacunas de microorganismos vivos atenuados. Las personas que toman XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR pueden recibir vacunas inactivas. tiene planes de quedar embarazada o está embarazada. XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR puede afectar la capacidad de la mujer de quedar embarazada. Se desconoce si esto puede cambiar una vez se deja de tomar XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Se desconoce si XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR perjudicará al feto.

Registro del Embarazo: Pfizer tiene un registro para mujeres embarazadas que toman XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. El propósito de este registro es comprobar la salud de la madre embarazada y su bebé. Si está embarazada o queda embarazada mientras está tomando XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, hable con su profesional del cuidado de la salud sobre cómo inscribirse en este registro del embarazo, o puede llamar directamente al registro, al 1-877-311-8972 para inscribirse. tiene planes de lactar o está lactando. Usted y su profesional del cuidado de la salud deben decidir si tomará XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR o lactará a su bebé. No debe hacer ambas cosas a la vez. Una vez suspenda su tratamiento de XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR no comience a lactar otra vez hasta: Hable con su profesional del cuidado de la salud sobre todos los medicamentos que usa, incluidos los recetados y los vendidos sin receta, las vitaminas y los suplementos a base de hierbas. XELJANZ/ XELJANZ XR y otros medicamentos pueden interactuar unos con otros, causando efectos secundarios.

Hable en particular con su profesional del cuidado de la salud si usa: otros medicamentos para tratar la artritis reumatoide o la artritis psoriásica. No debe tomar tocilizumab (Actemra®), etanercept (Enbrel®), adalimumab (Humira®), infliximab (Remicade®), rituximab (Rituxan®), abatacept (Orencia®), anakinra (Kineret®), certolizumab (Cimzia®), golimumab (Simponi®), ustekinumab (Stelara®), secukinumab (Cosentyx®), vedolizumab (Entyvio®), azatioprina, ciclosporina, u otros medicamentos inmunosupresores mientras toma XELJANZ o XELJANZ XR. Tomar XELJANZ o XELJANZ XR con estos medicamentos puede aumentar su riesgo de infección. medicamentos que afectan la forma en que trabajan ciertas enzimas hepáticas. Pregúntele a su profesional del cuidado de la salud si no está seguro de si su medicamento es uno de éstos.

Conozca los medicamentos que usa. Guarde una lista de ellos para mostrársela a su profesional del cuidado de la salud y a su farmacéutico cuando le den un medicamento nuevo. ¿Cómo debería tomar XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR? Tome XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR exactamente como se lo indique su profesional del cuidado de la salud.

No tome XELJANZ XR para la colitis ulcerosa. cubierta vacía de la tableta una vez el medicamento ha sido absorbido por el cuerpo. acuda de inmediato a la sala de emergencias más cercana. metotrexato, sulfasalazina o leflunomida según las instrucciones de su profesional de la salud. ¿Cuáles son los posibles efectos secundarios de XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR? XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR puede causar efectos secundarios graves, incluidos: Infección por activación de la Hepatitis B o C en personas que tienen el virus en la sangre.

Si porta el virus de la hepatitis B o C en la sangre (virus que afectan el hígado), este puede activarse mientras usa XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Su profesional del cuidado de la salud puede hacer los análisis de sangre antes de que comience el tratamiento con XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR y mientras use XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Hable con su profesional del cuidado de la salud si tiene alguno de los siguientes síntomas de una posible infección por hepatitis B o C: - sentirse muy cansado - tiene la piel o los ojos amarillentos - tiene poco o nada de apetito - vómitos - movimientos intestinales de color arcilla - fiebre - escalofríos - molestias estomacales - dolores musculares - orina oscura - erupción de la piel Los efectos secundarios comunes de XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR en pacientes con artritis reumatoide y artritis psoriásica incluyen:

Hable con su profesional del cuidado de la salud si tiene efectos secundarios que le molestan o que no desaparecen.

Estos no son todos los efectos secundarios posibles de XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Para más información, pregúntele a su profesional del cuidado de la salud o a su farmacéutico.

Llame a su doctor(a) para consejos médicos sobre los efectos secundarios. Puede notificar los efectos secundarios a la FDA al 1-800-FDA-1088.

También puede notificar los efectos secundarios a Pfizer al 1-800-438-1985.

después de este tiempo. Los niveles de colesterol normales son importantes para la buena salud del corazón.

¿Cómo debo guardar XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR?

efectos secundarios.

Deshágase de modo seguro de todo medicamento caducado o que ya no sea necesario.

Guarde XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR y todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance de los niños.

¿Qué es XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR? XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR es un medicamento con receta llamado inhibidor de cinasa de Janus (JAK, por sus siglas en inglés).

XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR se utiliza para tratar a adultos con artritis reumatoide activa de moderada a severa, para los cuales el metotrexato no funcionó bien.

XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR se usa para tratar adultos con artritis psoriásica activa en los cuales el metotrexato u otras medicinas similares, conocidas como medicamentos antirreumáticos Se desconoce si XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR es seguro y eficaz en personas con hepatitis B o C. XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR no se recomienda para personas con problemas hepáticos severos.

Se desconoce si XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR es seguro y eficaz en niños.

Información general sobre el uso seguro y eficaz de XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. A veces se recetan medicamentos para fines que no son los mencionados en un resumen breve. No use XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR para una condición para la cual no haya sido recetado. No dé XELJANZ/ XELJANZ XR a otras personas, aunque tengan los mismos síntomas que usted. Puede hacerles daño.

Este resumen breve está basado en la Información para la Prescripción de XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR.

¿Necesita asistencia con su receta?

Pfizer RxPathways© conecta a pacientes elegibles con programas de asistencia que ofrecen apoyo con el seguro, asistencia con el copago y medicamentos gratuitos o con ahorros.

Términos y condiciones aplican.

Conozca más visitando www.PfizerRxPathways.com o llame al 1-844-989-PATH (7284)

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Barceloneta Key to Medical Cannabis Market Vireo Health has leased a former Pfizer facility in Barceloneta to house its cultivation and processing operations

W Rosario Fajardo

rfajardo@wjournal.com

@RosarioWJournal

ith an initial investment of $3.2 million, Vireo Health, a Minneapolis-based company, has received medical cannabis licensing in Puerto Rico for a cultivation and processing facility in the San Juan area and to operate six dispensaries throughout the island.

Vireo has leased a 40,000 square-foot former Pfizer facility in the Cruce Dávila Business Park in Barceloneta to house its cultivation and processing operations. The six “Green Goods” dispensaries that will sell cannabis products to patients are earmarked for Arecibo, Bayamón, Caguas, Guayama, Guaynabo and Hormigueros.

The company hopes to have all the dispensaries operating in the second quarter of 2020, with initial plans to hire 30-40 local staff.

Vireo Health of Puerto Rico will be led by Christian

>Archive

González, a native of the island with a degree in and need jobs,” he said. “We have people applying mechanical engineering from the University of for jobs from New York and Maine, but they Puerto Rico’s Mayagüez Campus, who has were originally from Scranton, so they more than 15 years of experience want to come back. We can do the in cannabis, medical device, same with Puerto Rico.” pharmaceutical and aerospace/ He explained that the defense manufacturing. six locations of the González currently serves as dispensaries are focused the general manager of Vireo on population areas Health of Pennsylvania, as well as those that where he oversees the have been identified company’s state-of-the art as underserved. For cultivation and processing example, he said there facility. are currently no medical “I am really happy to cannabis dispensaries in be coming back to live and Arecibo. work Puerto Rico,” Besides his personal González said to THE interest in Puerto WEEKLY JOURNAL. Rico, he noted that “The island has faced the medical cannabis many challenges market is growing on since Hurricane Maria the island. Out of a and Vireo wants to population of some contribute to rebuilding 3.2 million, there are the local economy... if I an estimated 72,000 can come back and help patients approved create 40 jobs, that’s a for medical cannabis. success.”

In comparison, -Christian González, currently Living and working there are about 12 serving as the general manager of Vireo in the Rust Belt area of million residents Health of Pennsylvania Scranton, Penn., “I have in Pennsylvania, seen that people want with about 100,000 approved patients.

At the same time, “there is a large pool of manufacturing talent on the island, as Puerto Rico has historically been a hub for pharmaceutical companies,” González said. “The long-term potential is bright.”

The Puerto Rico transaction marks the 11th market in which Vireo has received licenses to grow, manufacture or sell cannabis products. The company now has more than 300 employees in Puerto Rico and 10 U.S. states: Arizona, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

“Vireo continues to seek unique opportunities to drive our science-focused approach into larger markets. We are thrilled to expand into the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, one of the largest pharmaceutical hubs in the world,” said Vireo Health CEO Kyle Kingsley, M.D. “This expansion will give us access to the island’s deep pool of talented professionals, create a wide variety of jobs and allow us to help many more patients.”

The island has faced many challenges since Hurricane Maria and Vireo wants to contribute to rebuilding the local economy.

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Gov’t Sets Gaze on eSports to ‘Level Up’ Local Economy Industry estimated to generate $1.4B worldwide in 2020

A Giovanna Garofalo

ggarofalo@wjournal.com

@giopgarofalo

s the government continues to mold its public policy concerning eGames and sports betting, the eSports industry continues to grow exorbitantly, thus opening a window to multiple economic

opportunities.

Speaking to THE WEEKLY JOURNAL, the Secretary for Public Affairs and executive director of the Ports Authority, Anthony Maceira, discussed economic forecasts for the eSports industry and how it can benefit Puerto Rico’s cash flow.

Maceira, who plays video games as a hobby, explained that eSports —as in, tournaments where professional gamers compete globally—are a multimillion dollar industry.

The official cited the Newzoo 2018 Global Market Esports Report, which revealed consistent revenue growth within eSports. Revenues in 2016 were $493 million, $655 million in 2017, and $906 million in 2018. There was a $162 million difference between earnings in 2016 and 2017, and roughly $251 million between 2017 and 2018.

Out of last year’s eSports revenues, 40 percent

were generated through sponsorship, 19 percent by means of advertising, 18 percent through media rights, 13 percent via game publisher fees, and 10 percent through merchandise and tickets, Maceira indicated.

Moreover, Newzoo’s report for 2019 indicates that the global eSports market will generate up to $1.1 billion in revenues, with an audience of 453.8 million people. Of these, 201.2 million are estimated to be eSports enthusiasts, and 252.6 million would be occasional viewers.

Furthermore, Newzoo estimates that the eSports market will generate $1.4 billion by 2020, and $1.8 billion in 2022, about $700 million more than this year’s estimates.

A report published by GlobalWebIndex, titled ‘The Trends to Watch in 2017,’ states that “gaming” entertainment has been evolving to encompass everything from mobile gaming, which has expanded across a range of demographics, to the act of sitting and spectating while others play your favorite games.”

“As our data shows, the rise in spectator gaming has been quick to make an impact in this space; 1 in 4 say they have watched a live gaming stream in the past month, and 17 percent report having watched an eSports tournament,” GlobalWebIndex stated.

Incentives Available for Developers

With the decriminalization of sports betting on U.S. jurisdictions, some government officials are pushing to establish a regulatory framework for

eSports in order to boost this sector locally.

In Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Assn., 138 S. Ct. 1461 (2018), the court deemed unconstitutional the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which generally speaking, prevented the jurisdictions from authorizing and regulating sports betting in the United States.

Following this decriminalization, the Puerto Rico House of Representatives introduced House Bill 2038 last April in order to establish the public policy concerning sports betting on athletic events and eGames, such as eSports and fantasy leagues.

Subsequently, the Office of the Governor of Puerto Rico presented Executive Order 2019028, which created the Advisory Council on Video Games, Electronic Game Leagues and Sports Betting. This council’s members include Maceira; the Chief of Staff; the Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s executive director; the secretaries of Education, Economic Development & Commerce, and Sports & Recreation; and four additional members designated by the governor.

“The goal is for Puerto Rico to eventually have large-scale global tournaments like they do in Las Vegas or Brazil, where you have hundreds of thousands of spectators in the ‘Choliseo’ (José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum), in The District, or in the Convention Center who pay to enter and who are consuming and betting on the players there,” Maceira said.

On June 20, Governor Ricardo Rosselló signed Act No. 51-2019 to establish the public policy on sharing economy in Puerto Rico, with aims to

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

have never believed would come here for this,” he affirmed.

Román got the idea after his extensive travels to other countries for global eSports competitions, which he credits for providing him with rich, multicultural exchanges. In just six years, First Attack has achieved so much acclaim that the event is part of Capcom Pro Tour’s Street Fighter V World Tournament Circuit.

In order to qualify for the circuit, these gamers must compete in qualifying events and amass points.

“This year, [First Attack] is a qualifying event and, on top of that, we are among the premier events, which means that winners collect more points. This is also the first time that the regional final of Latin America moves from Brazil to Puerto Rico,” Román said.

“El Mono” explained that these tournaments are not unlike regular sports tournaments, given that they have players representing their birth or host countries, trainers, and commentators, among others. The eSports industry has grown so much, that these competitions are the secondmost watched sporting events, right after largescale soccer matches, Román said. That is, eSports tournaments draw in even more viewership than the Super Bowl.

This year, First Attack will be held on October 26 to 27 in the P.R. Convention Center in San Juan.

cognitive skills, self-esteem, and even physical activity levels in some cases.

Moreover, in 2010 the American Pain Society found a link between playing video games and reduced anxiety or pain caused by chronic illness or medical procedures.

As for supposedly misogynistic implications, a study conducted by the Equal Opportunities Commission noted that the number of female gamers is growing, as with female game developers, which is expected to lead to the creation of more inclusive practices and grounded characterizations.

Meanwhile, gamers are just starting to overcome general misinformation about their habits and training, as well as skepticism in regard to designating professional gaming as a sport.

In this sense, both Maceira and Román concurred that, as with chess, which is considered a sport, playing video games professionally require sharpness, concentration, and sound cognitive skills. Like the case of professional athletes, these gamers devote extensive practice to heighten these elements.

“I enjoy playing video games for fun. I enjoy sharing with other people and I enjoy playing online with other players. But, [professional gamers] literally practice and train and they can spend days working on a rigorous training routine,” Maceira said.

Debuffing the Stigma The Secretary for Public Affairs, Anthony Maceira, discussed economic forecasts for the eSports industry and how it can benefit Puerto Rico’s cash flow. >Gabriel López Albarrán

attract new and underdeveloped markets to the island’s business ecosystem.

Along that line, the Trade & Export Co. (CCE by its Spanish initials) has a division called Puerto Rico Emprende, which offers workshops, technical assistance and financial rewards to aspiring entrepreneurs within the creative industry, which includes video game and app developers.

“Through these initiatives, we continue promoting the new generation of digital entrepreneurs, promoting their development, and allowing them to enter foreign markets,” CCE Executive Director Ricardo Llerandi stated.

In addition, Maceira indicated that the revised Incentives Code includes provisions under which the eGames industry qualifies for tax credits and other incentives.

Professional Gamer Boosts Local Tourism

Ricardo Román, known in the world of eSports as “El Mono,” is a Puerto Rican professional gamer who, for the better part of the decade, has been organizing First Attack, a local eSports tournament that gathers people from the island and other countries who play professionally and/or as a hobby.

“First Attack is the macro event for competitive eGames in Puerto Rico. It started off in 2013 hosted in a small establishment, and now we are in the Convention Center. Now, we see people coming in from Japan, South Korea, Canada, Panama... from several countries that I would

One of the challenges that may hinder public acceptance of these proposals is the stigma surrounding video games and gamers. For several decades, most of the criticism of this industry has revolved around video games’ potentially harmful effects on children, as well as their portrayal of women.

In fact, last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) cataloged video game addiction under its International Classification of Diseases (ICD11).

However, for gaming disorder to be diagnosed, “the behavior pattern must be of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning and would normally have been evident for at least 12 months,” WHO’s official website reads.

Regarding parental concerns, a 2013 study by the Queensland University of Technology found that, contrary to watching television, which is a “passive” experience, video and computer games’ interactivity improved children’s

Ricardo Román, known in the world of eSports as “El Mono,” is a Puerto Rican professional gamer who, for the better part of the decade, has been organizing First Attack, a local eSports tournament. >Gabriel López Albarrán

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Where are the Children? Drastic

Drop in Child Population in Puerto Rico Important to promote employment and child-friendly policies

W Rosario Fajardo

rfajardo@wjournal.com

@RosarioWJournal

hile Puerto Rico’s demographic challenges—a continuing drop in the general population and an aging population—has been widely covered in the media, the problem may be worse than previously thought.

The latest in a long list of demographic red flags for the island show that while the child population in the U.S. has been growing for the past 30 years, in Puerto Rico, the cohort of those between 0 and 17 years old has dropped significantly—by 43 percent in the past 27 years.

Between 1990 and 2017, the child population on the island has plummeted from 1.157 million in 1990 to 656,796 in 2017, according to the 2019 Kids Count Data Book, the annual report by the Annie Puerto Rico’s future outlook remains challenging, as the island has already entered the era of negative E. Casey Foundation, a nonprofit organization population growth due to outmigration and a low birth rate. >Archive focused on children’s well-being.

The top-3 municipalities that saw the biggest services and social needs. host of important early childhood services. drop in child population between 2010 and 2017 If the trend continues, Puerto Rico’s population With that in mind, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. were Ceiba (-34.3%), Yauco (-33.0%) and Loíza could be just 2 million in 2050, compared with the (D-NJ), a member of the House Ways and Means (-32.7%), followed by Lares (-32.2%) and Fajardo 3.1 million today. This Committee, and Resident Commissioner Jenniffer (-31.9%). is already a drop from González (R-PR) have introduced H.R. 3307, a These figures do not the 2010 U.S. Census, revised version of the Tax Equity and Prosperity include the decrease when there were 3.725 for Puerto Rican Families Act of 2019, to provide a in population after million people living on federal supplement to Puerto Rico’s EITC program, Hurricane Maria hit the the island. as well as funding for EITC education and outreach island in Sept. 2017.

Other findings that to the island.

Economists often are also of concern: “Children represent a country’s future. Their say that “demographics 57.8 percent of children experiences, opportunities and living conditions is destiny.” in Puerto Rico live have a direct impact on the economic performance If this is the case, below the poverty level; of a country,” said Amanda Rivera, the executive then Puerto Rico’s 56 percent of their director of the Youth Development Institute. “It future outlook remains parents do not have is imperative to give priority to the quality of life challenging, as the -Amanda Rivera, executive “secure” employment; of children and follow public policy to make sure island has already director of the Youth Development and 62 percent of Puerto Rico is an ideal place to raise them. It is entered the era of them live in one-parent also necessary to establish public policy to retain Institute negative population households. families and reverse migration.” growth due to The Casey outmigration and a low Foundation called on policies that promote birth rate. The implications of such demographic employment and are child friendly. For example, challenges are far reaching: fewer able-bodied earned-income tax credits (EITC) and child taxworkers to support an aging population and a credit programs mean working parents can devote strong economy, along with the resulting impact more take-home pay to meet their children’s on education, health, housing, transportation, needs, while the Head Start program provides a

Children represent a country’s future. Their experiences, opportunities and living conditions have a direct impact on the economic performance of a country.

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

By TERESITA FUENTES, CPA

By URAYOÁN OTERO

Exercise in Excise

Puerto Rico’s Credit Unions

Former Puerto Rico Treasury Secretary

P

uerto Rico’s latent need for new revenue sources has always led to systemic changes when it comes to taxation. The creativity employed may remind us of the exercise world, where stationary bikes are like video games, yoga classes come in a variety of colors, and aerobics classes look more like the choreography of a pop music video than a cardio routine.

Such is the case with our exercise in excise. On October of 2010, the government of Puerto Rico established a “temporary” excise tax on products manufactured in Puerto Rico or services performed in Puerto Rico which had a significant impact on U.S. based multinational groups conducting manufacturing activities in Puerto Rico. This was a creative tax similar to a kickboxing punch to the face on the multinational manufacturing sector.

The lack of transparency in the process of legislating the tax raised eyebrows in our business community and among top executives of multinational groups. To make matters worse, this was weekend legislating without any advance warning to those affected. Imagine if someone threw you on a treadmill in the middle of the night while you’re asleep!

To this day, the impact of this event on the confidence level of these companies regarding the government of Puerto Rico is evident. It was like falling off a stationary bike—that’s just not supposed to happen.

The ripple effect created by the tax is evident in the operational structure of these multinational corporations and the processes they have in place throughout their supply chain. Although United States Treasury Department allowed the excise tax to be creditable “as if” it were an income tax, due to technical language originally incorporated in the excise tax legislation, the Internal Revenue Service was clear, there were technical and legal issues they needed to address, and would not challenge the creditability while they reviewed the policy.

This clearly saved the day and allowed multinational companies to continue manufacturing in Puerto Rico. Nonetheless, Puerto Rico was left at a disadvantage when compared to other jurisdictions. Puerto Rico looked like it was improvising; kind of like going to a yoga class in jeans.

The fact of the matter is that this excise

tax only paid by a handful of companies raises close to $2 Billion each year, and has become a very significant part of Puerto Rico’s fiscal revenues. Puerto Rico depends on this tax. A politician recently suggested that this tax should be made permanent, ignoring the fact that it is the U.S. Treasury Department who negotiated the creditability and thus has the final word on the permanence of this tax.

The current and previous administrations have not been able to come up with a substitution to this revenue stream particularly because it would have to apply to a sector that is covered under tax incentives grants that are considered contracts.

Imposing new taxes would be like your yoga studio charging you double for your daily yoga class. No thanks, I’ll go for a jog.

In all seriousness, these companies, who employ many Puerto Ricans, are free to establish operations anywhere, particularly when they already have a global footprint and foreign jurisdictions are always willing to lure them with incentives and benefits.

Some government officials are so confused with the tax policy realm, that they simply ignore it, and focus on smaller political issues that do not represent any benefit to the island. It’s like eating the donuts, and skipping the exercise. It doesn’t work that way my friends, your waistline will remind you. In this case, the IRS will.

Multinational companies are criticized by some for only being interested in the incentives that a jurisdiction may provide.

However, those critics forget the benefits these companies bring. While tragic situations such as the impact of Hurricane Maria on the island forced many talented professionals to leave, many of these corporations retained Puerto Rican men and women in their payroll.

Multinational companies also provide indirect jobs hiring consultants, construction companies, and local suppliers. These companies have long term plans but they also shift gears when needed. We cannot turn a blind eye on this and we must be more proactive in defending their presence in Puerto Rico. Our economy depends on many industries, tourism, services and manufacturing. We cannot allow our government to hurt us by hurting them.

If you start a new exercise class with an inexperienced instructor, you could get hurt.

Similarly, you can’t exercise in excise if you aren’t trained in tax. It just won’t work.

Inteligencia Económica

Remain Stable During Q1 2019

A

ccording to figures published

by COSSEC, local credit unions remain stable during the first quarter of 2019.

Information posted by the regulator shows a reasonable performance even though the economy is sending mixed signals.

For instance, total assets for credit unions reached $8.77 billion by the end of the first quarter of 2019, which means that they have decreased by $81.74 million or 0.92% percent when compared to the first quarter of 2018.

However, if compared to the last quarter of 2018, when the assets totaled $8.72 billion, there has been a slight increase of 0.64 percent or $55.65 million.

Deposits Deposits reached $5.95 billion in the first quarter of 2019, $47.26 million or 0.79 percent less than the $5.99 billion documented during the same quarter of the previous year.

However, deposits have increased by $62.9 million or 1.07 percent when compared to the last quarter of 2018 when they totaled $5.6 billion.

Overall, deposits have behaved similarly to assets, decreasing slightly in the first quarter of 2019 when compared to the first quarter of 2018 and increasing when compared to the last quarter of 2018.

Capital Total capital reached $2.71 billion for the first quarter of 2019, which means that total capital has decreased by $51.26 million or 1.85 percent when compared to the first quarter of 2018. Additionally, total capital has decreased by $10.78 million within the first quarter of 2019 when compared to the fourth quarter of 2018 when total capital sat at $2.72 billion.

Loans Loans have grown by $251.51 million or 5.32 percent when compared to the first quarter of 2018 when they totaled $4.72 billion.

At closing of the first quarter of 2019, loans totaled $4.98 billion.

A significant amount of this increase was registered during the first quarter alone as total loans increased from $4.92 billion in the last quarter of 2018 all the way to their current total, meaning that total loans increased by $60.14 million or 1.22 percent in the first quarter of 2018 alone.

The increase in total loans and a delinquency rate of 3.71, the lowest it has been since 2011 according to our database, is good news for the credit union industry.

It should also be noted that all types of loans have increased when compared to the first quarter of 2018 and that the weighed interest for total loans this quarter was 7.5 percent.

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

‘Walk-in gallery’ to exhibit nearly

50 local artists

in Old San Juan EnCaminARTE aims to transform the way people perceive and interact with art

C

Giovanna Garofalo

Rafael Oller, Codevisa’s president; Chris Dubost, Codevisa’s director and Edda Rocca, EnCaminARTE’s coordinator. >Gabriel López Albarrán

ggarofalo@wjournal.com

ODEVISA is organizing an openair exhibit in the iconic streets of Old San Juan. The event will feature nearly 50 local artists that will grace the historic district with a myriad of art styles and artistic expressions.

The event, called EnCaminARTE, will take place this Sunday, June 30, from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. along San Sebastián, San José and del Cristo Streets.

THE WEEKLY JOURNAL visited CODEVISA’s headquarters on Tanca Street and talked with members of this non-profit, art-centered event— Edda Rocca, Chris Dubost, and Rafael Oller—to discuss EnCaminARTE’s mission and logistics, as well as to reflect on the importance of supporting artists.

Dubost, who is CODEVISA’s secretary and one of its 10 directors, explained that the non-profit requested samples of work from artists interested in being a part of EnCaminARTE’s first edition. Out of a plethora of submissions, around 42 to 45 were selected.

Although they prioritized artists who reside in San Juan, Dubost informed that they are still receiving

@giopgarofalo

submissions and that CODEVISA’s goal is to transform EnCaminARTE into a monthly staple, both to benefit other artists who are unable to showcase their creations this time around, and to expand visitors’ knowledge and perception of the local art scene.

“This first edition is focused on having an organic growth, where familiarity, attractiveness, and tourism reign in a totally harmonious environment... We are focusing on creating a space where people can appreciate our culture and our art,” Rocca said.

For his part, Oller stated that their hope is to create an event that can flow organically—as in, without a need for crowdfunding or sponsors— so that it becomes a permanent fixture in Old San Juan. A second edition is already scheduled for July 28, where other artists who didn’t make the first edition can expose their talent.

Contrary to other artistic events which are primarily focused on artisans, EnCaminARTE aims to exhibit a broad variety of art forms.

The assortment of talent includes performance artists, musicians, a living statue, painters, metal embossers and poets.

At the time of this writing, they

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

had already confirmed that there would be two elevated platforms for the musicians, poets, and performance artists, although a third stage was under consideration.

“In Puerto Rico, you need spaces where artists can showcase their talents in a harmonious way with the environment. CODEVISA, in coordination with the municipality of San Juan, is attempting to achieve that in a way that is consistent with the area and that can be sustainable,” Rocca affirmed.

When asked if the artists taking part in EnCaminARTE will be able to sell their works, Oller explained that in order to do so the artists must have the proper permits. However, he stressed that even if they lack selling permits, the event offers a great opportunity for exposure, especially to young artists.

One of these is 17-year-old Rebeca Almeda, who specializes in hand-drawn hyperrealism. One of the pieces she brought to CODEVISA was a shockingly realistic portrait of a lion with impeccable shadowing.

Almeda said that this would be her first time participating in an exhibit and that, although she is nervous, she feels encouraged by her proud

In Puerto Rico, you need platforms where artists can expose themselves easily, in a harmonious way with the environment. - Edda Rocca, Encaminarte’s coordinator

Millie Rivera, founder of Pirata Urbana (Urban Pirate), incorporates urban elements into fashion. >Gabriel López Albarrán

mother, Judith Nieves, to step out of her comfort zone.

THE WEEKLY JOURNAL also had the opportunity to speak with a family of artists, collectively known as Taller Los Tres. This lively trio is comprised of Miguel Morales, the father of the household, Vanessa Álvarez, the family matriarch, and their son, 10-year old Adrián Miguel Morales Álvarez.

For more than 10 years, Morales and Álvarez have specialized on screen printing and metal embossing, respectively. Their son, which they had symbolically designated as their creative director when he was a baby, followed in his parents’ footsteps and creates serigraphs as well. With the birth of a baby daughter named Valentina less than one year ago, they hope that Taller Los Tres will eventually become Taller Los Cuatro.

Another artist who will take part in EnCaminARTE is the founder of Pirata Urbana (Urban Pirate), Millie Rivera, who incorporates urban elements into fashion. Rivera showed THE WEEKLY JOURNAL one of her pieces: a neon-green t-shirt with a torn back and a black manhole cover imprinted on the front. Rivera drew inspiration from Emma France-Raff, a German textile engineer who has spent almost an entire decade perfecting and popularizing this art form. Rivera’s urbancentered works offer a stark but refreshing contrast to the traditional displays that typically grace Old San Juan.

Free Transportation Available

Rebeca Almeda shows her hand-drawn hyperrealism pieces. >Gabriel López Albarrán

In collaboration with the municipality, CODEVISA will restrict vehicular access to those streets in order to make the event feel as though it were a “walk-in gallery,” Oller informed.

“We want people to appreciate Old San Juan and the local talent. We want the people who come to the event to see Old San Juan in a different light, as a gallery, and to enjoy these spaces in a different way so that they come back,” Oller said.

In order to facilitate access to the exhibits, CODEVISA will have golf carts picking up pedestrians at Plaza Colón and driving them over to San Sebastian Street, free of charge.

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

San Juan Marriott Resort: the Experience of Being Pampered

Soon the hotel will embark on an $80 million renovation of its 404-room main tower

Y Cynthia López Cabán

clopez@wjournal.com

@cynthia_lope

ou can stay indoors and indulge on the beachfront view or you can trek into the eclectic neighborhood of Condado; it doesn’t matter. When you stay at the San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

The hotel sits on a knoll in this trendy barrio of San Juan just five miles from the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport , across the street from the Hard Rock Cafe in San Juan and within walking distance of some fine local restaurants.

The joyful experience starts from the moment you walk through the front door: the friendly staff greets you as it helps navigate the relatively hasslefree check-in process. No moment is wasted. While you are standing at the front desk waiting for the key to your room, a courteous attendant highlights some of the hotel amenities. The 21-story structure has plenty of goodies.

From a free bike ride, yoga classes to

>Courtesy San Juan Marriott

/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

complimentary drinks at the bar, the hotel has a wide range of activities for all tastes and ages.

The main attraction for kids is the pool with a 90-foot spiral water slide. If your small ones are into sports, the resort also has on-site tennis courts, beach volleyball facilities and an arcade for the not so athletic one.

Adults are not forgotten: saunas, rooms with stunning ocean views, a 24-hour casino, the Red Coral Lounge, which offers salsa lessons and has live salsa music on Fridays and Saturdays as well as Top-40s music Sundays and Thursdays, and food, a lot of food. Some hotels have a poor gastronomic offerings, but not the San Juan Marriott. You can savor real Puerto Rican coffee and a piece of old-fashion dense cornbread at La Panadería, the hotel’s coffee shop.

For lunch and dinner: Restaurant Gingambó has a tasty menu that mixes a la carte Caribbean dishes with an impressive buffet that has options for vegetarian eaters. A good list of wines and for smokers, or adventurers, a selection of Cuban cigars complements the experience.

To showcase its new offerings, the San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino invited a group of journalists to spend the weekend at the hotel.

Joaquín Cruz, the resort’s marketing manager, told THE WEEKLY JOURNAL that the San Juan Marriott will soon embark on an $80 million renovation of its 404-room main tower.

To avoid major interruptions, the hotel will close four floors at a time to renovate in phases.

This renovation will follow the same color palette that was used when remodeling the rooms on the second tower.

This second tower was severely damaged after Hurricane María ravaged the island in 2017.

While the hotel remained in operation during and immediately after the hurricane, it underwent a small transformation.

With an investment of $20 million, it sought a new appearance for the 123 rooms located in the second tower, which now feature an ultra-modern, uncarpeted look in shades of grays and white. You will even find mouthwash on the bathroom sink without having to ask for it a the main desk. Maybe that attention to detail and the excellent service are the reasons the hotel gets high grades on TripAdvisor and other online ranking sites.

“We invest a lot in service. We have on-board training,” Cruz said.

The hotel has 450 employees and starts its operations each day with a meeting where the ratings and reviews are assessed to make adjustments. It shows.

23

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/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Quimera

A World of Whimsy and Imagination Children’s literature takes the spotlight in this café in Old San Juan

A Giovanna Garofalo

ggarofalo@wjournal.com

@giopgarofalo

world of childlike wonder awaits you in Quimera Café Literario.

Located on San José Street in Old San Juan, Quimera is a cozy café where literature and imagination take center stage.

THE WEEKLY JOURNAL had the opportunity to chat with the owner, Sharon Miranda, a jovial woman with a fierce passion for education and theatricality.

Quimera’s idiosyncrasy overflows to its exterior.

Before stepping inside, visitors are greeted by an inflatable dragon named Grimorio and an inflatable unicorn hanging off the balcony.

Once inside, guests feel entranced and even overpowered by the café’s delightful air of whimsy.

To the left, there is an immense bookshelf covering almost the entire wall. Right next to it, by the window adjacent to the entrance, there is a small reading area with a Harry Potter themed cushion.

The center of the room bears several tables decorated tastefully with bright floral accents.

On the right side, the wall is covered with clocks, mirrors, and quirky or inspirational messages, such as “well-behaved women seldom make history,” a famous quote by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. On the left corner of the room, Mark, the barista, prepares some delicious, frothy cappuccinos made with Don Pello Coffee, from Ciales.

Sharon and her 10-year-old daughter, Aluna, walks us through a hallway and into a fantasythemed reading nook decorated and named by Aluna herself, the Camino de los Sueños (Path of Dreams). Once settled on tables next to the nook, Sharon talked about the idea behind Quimera, as well as her love of books.

Sharon explained that ever since she was a little girl, she always felt a passion for reading. She completed a bachelor’s degree in journalism and

Quimera is located on San José Street in Old San Juan. >Gabriel López Albarrán

then went on to study law. However, she soon realized that she wasn’t the type of person who could spend the rest of her life in courtrooms.

“I always had a creative side and working in courtrooms did not make me happy,” Sharon said.

While studying law and caring for her Aluna, then a toddler, she noted that there weren’t familyfriendly spaces where children could interact with each other while adults convened.

This need, combined with her proclivity to literature and children’s education, inspired her to open Quimera.

“I am a firm believer in the power of literature and the power of imagination. I also believe that a book can open doors for you—not only in the present time but also in the future—and offer you a broader vision beyond what you are living, what other people are living,” Sharon stated.

She added, “I wanted to create a space where people who enjoy imagining could go and let their mind run freely.”

Her dream came to be on July 25, 2018 with the grand opening of Quimera, although the café celebrated its formal inauguration on October 31.

/ Wednesday, June 26, 2019

25

Aluna admires some of the powerful women featured in Camino de los Sueños, which she designed. >Gabriel López Albarrán

The name, which translates to chimera, does took the role of the Lost Boys. not allude to the fire-breathing monster from “We were so excited! While they are having fun, Hellenic mythology. A small piece of paper served they are also understanding the story and the with the cappuccino explained that chimera is importance of literature and how far imagination defined as “a dream or illusion that is the product can take you,” Sharon said. of imagination and that is hoped for or pursued She added that sometimes they read multiple despite it being highly improbable to achieve.” versions of a story, “so that they can see that life As I reflected on that definition while eating a can have multiple paths, not just one.” chocolate-covered biscotti, Sharon explained that In addition to interactive readings, Quimera Quimera is designed to be enjoyed by “boys and also offers a monthly reading for girls, called girls aged 0 to 100.”

“Niñas que leen” (Girls who Read), where they “Our goal is for the whole family to have fun; can learn about strong women both in fiction not just the kids. We want adults to get involved, and real life. At the time of our chat, the Camino to dream, to use their imagination because at de los Sueños featured multiple pictures of girls we all get to the point where we are told that we from CedIn high school dressed up as influential can’t play, that we can’t have fun, that we must women throughout history—including Evita Perón; be serious and grown-up, and I think that has an Alice Ball; Hatshepsut; Hypatia of Alexandria; and effect on mental health,” Sharon affirmed.

San Juan’s first woman mayor, Felisa “Doña Fela” The attention to detail in Quimera’s environment Rincón De Gautier, among others. is impeccable. The floor on the hall leading to the As I took in all the wonder around me, Sharon Camino de los Sueños is covered in fake grass. surprised me with a specialty drink called the The nook itself has botanical elements and lighted Mermaid’s Lagoon—blue hibiscus tea served in a decorations on the walls that could pass as fairies cup, with a smaller cup of lemonade with natural or fireflies; dragon accents grace several corners sweeteners served on the side. She told me that of the café. Claire de Lune and other fantasy-like when I poured the lemonade onto the tea, it would songs echo through the café. Even the bathroom change colors, but only if I believed in fairies. key is whimsical, as it Suddenly, the little hangs from a magic girl in me that I had wand, along with a pink suppressed years ago rabbit plush toy named burst through and I was Jeffrey. very anxious. “What if it “I love the literature doesn’t change color?!,” I environment and thought. As I nervously children’s education, poured the lemonade, - Sharon Miranda, especially children’s the tea changed from Owner, Quimera Café literature that also a crystalline blue to a defies norms... there lovely lavender and my is a genre of children’s world lit up. Holding literature that’s all back tears from an about fables and morals and I think that it hinders innocence long-shelved, I truly understood what their imagination. We should tell them good stories Sharon meant by stressing the importance of using theatrical elements because kids today need imagination. stimulus,” Sharon asserted.

Quimera frequently hosts interactive book Quimera is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from readings to get children truly immersed in the 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., although they occasionally story. For example, they did a reading on Peter do adult-oriented readings past closing hour. During Pan and they decorated the Camino de los Sueños EnCaminARTE, the café will host a special activity after like a pirate ship. As Sharon read the story, adults 6:00 p.m. dressed as pirates appeared while the children

Sharon Miranda and Aluna, her daughter, share a passion for creativity. >Gabriel López Albarrán

I am a firm believer in the power of literature and the power of imagination.

The Mermaid’s Lagoon is a drink made of blue hibiscus tea that changes color when you pour lemonade, but only if you believe in fairies. >Gabriel López Albarrán

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Celebrate

Buying Local

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clopez@wjournal.com

Cynthia López Cabán

@cynthia_lope

uying local is not only trendy but good for your community.

Why? First, when you buy goods from local independentlyowned businesses, money keeps circulating within the local economy. Secondly, studies show that buying local fuels employment and job opportunities for residents. Last but not least, going local makes communities more self-sufficient and less dependent on imports. Below is a short list of local businesses that are trying to reshape the island’s economic landscape.

Geoshop Watches & Bracelets (https://www.geoshop.co) Inspired by Puerto Rico´s vibrant colors, Georshua Castro designed a line of bracelets and watches that capture the tropical flavor of the island. From brass, gold or silver water-resistant unisex watch faces to colorful straps named after some of the island´s most iconic imagery like Coconut, Guava, Red Mangrove and Cobblestone Blue, you can create your personalized wristwatch. Aside from this playful color palette, you can also buy one-of-a-kind handpainted bands.

Afrolunatika

(www.afrolunatika.com) If you want to make a bold statement, Afrolunatika is for you. From recycled aluminum, Oramaika Sánchez created a line of handcrafted jewelry that flaunts words, slang, poetry, and aphorisms that honor and empower women, specially Afro-Latina women. Using a “metal stamp” technique, each artistic piece provokes, inspires or simply communicates a feeling or a thought.

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Bosque

Footwear & Accessories

(https://www.facebook.com/bosque.pr) A building stands out on Práxedes Santiago Street in Cidra. Painted with hippie flowers, Bosque (The Forest) houses a spirited collection of handmade shoes, belts, handbags, and accessories for women. Created by Lotty Rivera Pérez, an art teacher, this shop sells special designs for the adventurous woman.

Isleñas Footwear

(https://lasislenas.com) Hurricane Maria marked a turning point for Karla López Rivera, according to The New York Times. After living away from home for over a decade, she returned and founded Isleñas, a footwear brand that kicked off with a collection of dazzling espadrilles manufactured following “ethical practices”. As part of her project, López partnered with Retazo, a community enterprise that aims at providing training and employment for displaced seamstresses and other workers from the fashion industry.

Sisu Milks

(https://www.facebook.com/sisumilks) After being diagnosed with an intestinal condition known as “leaky gut”, Aixa Rodríguez decided to rethink her eating habits, including cow milk. She came up with a solution: Sisu Milks, a brand of artisan non-dairy milk. Elaborated with water and vegetable ingredients like nuts, cereals, legumes and other seeds, these plant-based drinks offer a healthy and tasty alternative for lactose intolerant people, vegans or vegetarians.

Soleá Designs

(https://www.soleapr.com) In 2012, Eduardo Benavent Amaral launched Soleá, a brand designed and developed by his creative studio Bena Creativa. Soleá focuses on custom woodwork, particularly weather resistant and easy to carry beach chairs that can also add a hint of attitude to your backyard. The label also includes a limited selection of t-shirts inspired by Puerto Rican coastlines.

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Festival de las Flores de Aibonito Every year, Puerto Rico’s best flower growers and landscape artists come together for the “Aibonito Flower Festival.” During the multi-day celebration, attendees will be able to see and purchase a wide variety of plants— including fruit trees, vegetable plants and orchids. The festival will also feature live music, food kiosks, workshops, and exhibitions.

When: Friday, June 28, 2019 – Sunday, July 07, 2019 Where: Carretera 722, Km 6.7. Aibonito

Festival Afrocaribeño

La Cuarta

This annual festival celebrates and honors Puerto Rico’s Afro-Caribbean culture. The celebrations held in the municipality of Ponce will feature performances from local bomba and plena music groups, making it the perfect occasion to discover Puerto Rico’s most traditional music and dances.

The festival will also have food kiosks and artisans showcasing and selling their handmade crafts.

When: Friday, June 28, 2019 to Sunday, June 30, 2019 Where: Bo. La Cuarta. Ponce

Festival Gastronómico de Porta del Sol A festival showcasing the best cuisine that Puerto Rico’s West coast has to offer. The festival will host over 45 exhibitors. Amongst those present will be restaurants, chefs and spirit producers and importers.

When: Friday, June 28, 2019 – Sunday, July 30, 2019 Where: Parque El Litoral. Mayagüez

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Heavy Water Documentary Premiere Directed by Michael Oblowitz, Heavy Water follows big wave surfer Nathan Fletcher through the evolution of his surfing and his relationship with big waves. Tracing his lineage back to his grandfather, one of the pioneers of Oahu’s North Shore, Fletcher and fellow surf and skateboard legends share stories of the pursuit of their passion. It’s a voyage through the eyes of the surfing community that delves deep into the roots and mindset of board sports culture, culminating in a spectacular, never-before-performed stunt, as Fletcher once again attempts to raise the bar of what’s possible.

International Design Day

When: Thursday, June 27, 2019 8:00 p.m.

Join a guided tour with program director Nicole Pietri and curator Marilú Purcell Villafañe .

When: Saturday, June 29, 2019 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: The Museum of Art and Design (MADMi), Cuevillas Street in Miramar, San Juan

Where: Teatro Raúl Juliá - Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, Santurce

22nd Isabela Tango Fest International Enjoy tango lessons and the music. Tickets: www. tcpr.com When: Saturday, June 29, 2019 to Sunday, June 30, 2019 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Where: Anfiteatro Justo Méndez Cabrera, Isabela

Old San Juan TouR

Festival Nacional de la Hamaca

La Placita Food FesT

The Puerto Rico Historic Building Drawings Society hosts an Old San Juan tour at night. For reservations: 787-671-8492.

Held consecutively for 39 years, this festival celebrates and honors the local artisans that elaborate intricate hammocks or, hamacas” During the multi-day event, you will find exquisite hammocks delicately crafted by Puerto Rican artisans as well as many other types of handmade crafts. There will also be live music and food kiosks.

La Placita de Santurce brings together the best local chefs from over 25 restaurants.

When: Sunday, June 30, 2019 6:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

Where: Plaza Colón, Viejo San Juan

When: Friday, June 28, 2019 to Sunday, June 30, 2019 Where: Parque “Tití” Beníquez PR-111 San Sebastián

When: Friday, June 28, 2019 to Sunday June 30, 2019 Where: La Placita de Santurce, San Juan

William Cepeda’s

Afro-Rican Jazz Concerts The performance of William Cepeda’s Afro-Rican Jazz Ensemble is presented in collaboration with Foundation for Puerto Rico, Museo de Arte de Ponce and Fundación de Culebra.

When: Friday, June 28, 2019 8:00 p.m.

Where: Teatro de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, Avenida Universidad, San Juan

The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, June 26, 2019 >

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Be on trend... be on trend...

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www.elvocero.com/revistas/zona

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NICK PASTRANA, JD

San Juan Realty Group President

Puerto Rico Real Estate Prices will Continue to Rise…In Some Areas

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uerto Rico’s Real Estate market can be divided into many sub-markets, mostly independent from each other. What sets aside the winners from the losers are the demographics and economics behind them.

The demand for Old San Juan doesn’t belong only to businesspeople anymore. Since Airbnb entered the Puerto Rican market, people have resorted to buying up property because through the company they can cover a large portion of the costs associated with home ownership. This has made it more attractive to both Puerto Ricans and Americans who want to own a second home and/ or want to have their own piece of the island for a future retirement. The same holds true for metro area oceanfront property; lets not forget there’s over five million Puerto Ricans living in the states.

As Puerto Rico’s population rapidly ages, and the number of boomers leaving the suburbs for smaller units increases, new developments are also gaining ground. These properties are turning out to be big winners in the real estate market.

That young professionals have no hurry to get

married and/or have kids has also influenced market trends because new developments in the city are their first choice. A stagnant supply combined with an increasing demand will push the prices up.

Luxury real estate is a winner of a different kind.

This sub-market has been on the rise primarily due to Act 22 and Act 20. Prices will continue to rise as long as these laws remain intact. The challenge is to replace this demand with a homegrown one. To do this, the Puerto Rican economy has to rebound and a new class of high net worth Puerto Ricans has to be created.

Unfortunately, there are markets that are going to continue to sink due to the wrong combination of demographics and economics. As younger people and boomers move to the city or leave the island seeking better opportunities, towns outside of the metro area that once had job creating industries like pharmaceutical plants will face the most challenges.

The lack of new industries and economic activity on the rest of the island will inevitably worsen the migration situation and therefore real estate prices.

In order to reactivate Puerto Rico’s real estate market, there needs to be real economic development and population growth, there just no way around it.

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