The Weekly Journal December 18,2019

Wednesday, December 18-24, 2019 - // no. 034

Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

www.theweeklyjournal.com

Local Cancer Drug in Human Trial Phase P6 FedEx Announces Expansion on the Island P8 The Mind Behind Claro Puerto Rico P10

Rum is On the Rise An inclination toward higher-end varieties and the appeal of the cocktail scene are driving revenues up

A Cynthia López Cabán

Marc Anthony: Talented Philanthropist P20

clopez@wjournalpr.com

@cynthia_lope

fter a period of flatness, rum has slowly enjoyed a renaissance on the island with the emergence of artisan distilleries in Vieques and Aguada, the revival of the island’s oldest brand, “Ron del Barrilito”, and the debut of new varieties with spicy and tropical tones.

So far this year, worldwide revenue in the rum segment amounts to $16.3 billion, according to

Statista, a German website that gathers economic information. The market is expected to grow by 3.7 percent in the next three years, while the United States generated $2.6 million in sales.

Last month, a survey by the marketing firm Report Buyer also revealed that demand for premium varieties of rum will lead to the expansion of the global rum market by 2 percent during the next four years.

The island is no exception.

“Rum is trending. We have seen a rise in rum bars. People are more interested in learning about the history and elaboration process of rum. The GO TO PAGE 4

The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, December 18, 2019 > 2

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A WEEK IN REVIEW GENTRUST TO OPEN INVESTMENT ADVISORY OFFICE IN PUERTO RICO GenTrust, an investment advisory firm with a fiduciary duty to its clients, has furthered their commitment to serve Puerto Rico with the launch of an office in San Juan. This expansion will allow GenTrust to offer its customized advisory services to individuals, families, family offices and institutions in the region. GenTrust handles some $400 million in assets for clients based in Puerto Rico and advises on some $2 billion in assets for high net worth individuals, families, family offices and institutions.

“We believe the economy of Puerto Rico has an encouraging future and we feel the time is right to establish our office so we can provide transparent, solution-oriented investment and wealth management services,” said Elena Hernández, a wealth advisor and principal of GenTrust Puerto Rico. “Our focus, priority and responsibility as fiduciaries is alignment with the interest and well-being of the client; this focus and different type of asset management service is crucial to the well-being of Puerto Ricans and the island’s economic growth. This is our industry’s future.” GenTrust will hire financial advisors as well as support staff to service clients on the island. The new office will be located in the El Caribe office building. >Archive

HECHO EN PUERTO RICO LAUNCHES MOBILE APP Hecho en Puerto Rico launched Tupyx, a new mobile app which will allow users to place delivery orders and/ or request to pick-up their purchases at the store located at Plaza Las Américas. Liliana Cubano, president of the Puerto Rico Products Association, said that the app is already fully functional. “For members of the Puerto Rico Products Association it’s an additional promotion since they have brand exposure 24/7 through the application. Among the variety of local products that can be selected are food, beverages, cleaning products and artwork,” Cubano added. >Courtesy Hecho en Puerto Rico

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

FERRIES DEL CARIBE ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL TRIPS DURING HOLIDAY SEASON Due to an increase in passenger traffic, Ferries del Caribe decided to add new trips to their itinerary.

“This is a time to enjoy with family and at Ferries del Caribe we want Dominican and Puerto Rican families to celebrate together,” said Néstor González García, president of Ferries del Caribe.

On Dec. 21 and Dec. 28, 2019 there will be two extra trips departing from Mayagüez, and on Jan. 4, 2020 there will be an additional return trip from Santo Domingo. >Courtesy Ferries del Caribe

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

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 perception that rum was not a premium product has been shattered and you have cognac and whiskey lovers opening up to rum sipping,” indicated Alexandra Salgado, director of the Rums of Puerto Rico Program.

“In recent years, we have seen a small growth in the local market. There is an interest in premium brands. People are drinking less but are consuming better quality. It’s a phenomenon called premiumization. We saw it in the U.S. and we are seeing now it in Puerto Rico,” added Roberto J. Serrallés, vice president of business development for Destilería Serrallés.

This rise in interest responds to a confluence of factors: better products, wider availability of spirits and a new crop of bartenders and mixologists, making rum the star of their cocktail creations.

“We have talented bartenders and some of our bars are ranked among the best in the world. That has a halo effect and boosts growth,” Serrallés told THE WEEKLY JOURNAL. Since 2016, La Factoría in Old San Juan belongs to the prestigious club of the top 50 bars in the world. It’s such a popular corner on San Sebastián street that two years ago Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi filmed parts of the video of their mega-hit “Despacito” in the bar.

Until not too long ago, it seemed that soda was rum’s ideal partner. Not anymore. It slowly earned a space as an essential ingredient in cocktail menus. While La Factoría flaunts “Peligroso” (Dangerous), a drink made with “Ron del Barrilito,” Bottega showcases “Ritmo Tropical” (Tropical Rhythm), a cocktail crafted with aged Bacardí. And the list of inviting drinks goes on.

“Our project is to raise the standard so when

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the tide rises, it raises all boats,” Serrallés said. “We follow the same process as whiskey producers.

We distill five times, age our rum in the barrels used for bourbon. We do blends. It’s a process that requires craftsmanship and knowledge.”

Following this vision, four years ago the company celebrated its 150 anniversary releasing

Rum is trending. We have seen a rise in rum bars.

People are more interested in learning about the history and elaboration process of rum. The perception that rum was not a premium product has been shattered and you have cognac and whiskey lovers opening up to rum sipping.

- Alexandra Salgado, director of Rums of Puerto Rico Program

Don Q Reserva, a premium quality rum aged 20 years that sold for $1,800 a bottle. Along the way, Don Q presented its limited-edition singlebarrel rum and its vermouth cask expressions to imbue the rum with a distinct flavor.

Last year, Destilería Serrallés became the main exporter of bulk rum to the U.S. market due to an increase in production. >Courtesy Destilería Serrallés

“With all that knowledge and the quality of our product, we are perfectly established to lead this expansion of premium rums,” indicated Serrallés of the company that celebrates its 155 anniversary next year.

The Rum Industry

But before reaching this point. Destilería Serrallés and the government of Puerto Rico suffered a blow in 2011, when Captain Morgan moved its business to the Virgin Islands, lured by a staggering $2.7 billion in tax incentives, according to The New York Times during the controversy.

Besides affecting the local production of rum, Because Serrallés produced the bulk rum for the Captain Morgan brand, the government coffers faced a loss of revenue. Why? The U.S. Treasury reimburses Puerto Rico millions of dollars each year for the excise tax on rum produced on the island and exported to the U.S. mainland.

In separate interviews, Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, secretary of Economic Development, and Salgado explained that the tax rebate pours over $330 million a year into the economy. The rum industry also creates between 700 and 1,000 direct jobs.

“In the 2018-19 fiscal year, the tax cover-over totaled $427 million. Since 1917, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands receive a rebate for the rum sold in the United States,” Laboy indicated of the rebate that has maintained the same level for the past five years.

Under current law, the excise tax on rum is $13.50 per proof gallon of rum sold stateside. In return, the federal government reimburses Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands $13.25.

After this, a 46 percent of the rebate returns to the rum producers gathered under the Rums of Puerto Rico Program, Destilería Serrallés, Bacardí, Club Caribe and Ron del Barrilito, to invest in their product and marketing strategies. The other 54 percent goes to the General Fund, except for a 2.5 percent that by law is allocated for the Rums program, with a cap of $10 million.

Not all local or artisan distilleries that export rum to the U.S. participate in the Rums of Puerto Rico Program and receive the rebate. To receive the incentive and bear the Rums of Puerto Rico label, producers have to comply with requisites such as creating a molasses-based rum, distill it on the island and age it at least one year in oak barrels.

Laboy shrugged criticism from some sectors that claim that the rum industry is been subsidized by the government. “When we were working in the Tax Incentives Code we studied the Rums of Puerto Rico program and it has a positive return of investment. This means that for each dollar you invest, Puerto Rico receives more than a dollar in taxes,” argued the secretary of economic development.

Serrallés also rejected the premise and explained that the government of the Virgin Islands established the benchmark when in the process of getting Captain Morgan to jump off the Puerto Rican boat.

“We use 100 percent of that money to compete with the Virgin Islands and other markets that have

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lower production costs,” he indicated.

The vice president of Destilería Serrallés also indicated that after Captain Morgan’s departure, the company reorganized its business and worked out long term contracts with an undisclosed number of new clients.

“If we were selling them 10 million gallons of bulk rum, we have now exceeded that mark and are selling and exporting 17 million gallons annually,” said Serrallés, while clarifying that bulk rum exported and the Don Q brand are two different types of rum.

Last year, Destilería Serrallés became the main exporter of bulk rum to the U.S. market due to an increase in production.

The Local Experience

As part of its marketing strategy, Puerto Rico bills itself as the “Rum Capital of the World” because it’s home to Bacardí, the biggest distillery in the world, its centuries of rum-making experience and the premium quality of the rums produced on the island. Data from Statista recorded that Bacardí sold 6.5 million 9-liter cases in the U.S. last year.

The island is also responsible for over 70 percent of the rum sold in the U.S., making it the chief export. When combined, those distilleries bring up a cart of over 80 types of rum, according to Discover Puerto Rico, the destination marketing organization for the island.

Despite the importance of the industry, the government numbers are scattered and fragmented. When asked about rum revenues, the Treasury Department calculated that $274.5 million entered the public coffers in fiscal year 2018-19.

This amount adds a part of the federal rebate and other local taxes, but it doesn’t’ take into account the money reimbursed to the distilleries. The rums program provided a list that includes: Destilería Coquí in Mayagüez, Destilería Pito Rico in Jayuya, San Juan Distillers in Vega Alta, Bacardí in Cataño, Serrallés in Ponce, Club Caribe in Cidra, Trigo in Toa Baja, Ron del Barrilito in Bayamón and Crab Island in Vieques. It doesn’t include Raisingcane in Aguada or Caray in Juncos.

Serrallés, however, estimated that the island exports close to 32 million gallons of rum a year to the U.S., using his own production as a starting point for the projection.

In 2016, the sales volume of rum in the U.S. amounted to about 24.7 million cases or close to 50 million gallons of rum. On average there are approximately 2 proof gallons of rum per case.

Commercial rum export value reached $65.8 million, according to data from Statista.

established over 140 years ago.

“I am the majority shareholder... As usual, it often happens that people prefer to keep their role privately. However, I can tell you that all of us who have invested in this “Ron del Barrilito” live here in Puerto Rico,” Bacardí responded to emailed questions sent by THE WEEKLY JOURNAL. For Bacardí, investing in “Ron del Barrilito” was an obvious choice. As a businessman, the company had the potential to expand and grow. But as a rum connoisseur, it had appeal since the brand is considered one of the world’s finest sipping rum. “‘Ron del Barrilito’ is very different from the rums that Bacardí produces. While Bacardí has ventured into other sophisticated products, its greatest strength has been ​​ the white rum that reaches a very wide market. “Ron del Barrilito” is an aged rum still produced in its original artisan method and that will not change,” he insisted.

Since the new investors arrived things are moving fast at Hacienda Santa Ana in Bayamón, Barrilito’s home and birthplace, where a new

visitor’s center was inaugurated to celebrate its history and legacy. Three new rums also debuted: Ron del Barrilito Five Stars, Ron del Barrilito Four Stars and Rum Hacienda Santa Ana, a smooth caskstrength rum at 138° proof.

“The quality of our products is the most precious treasure and we use that strength to continue to build the industry. However, I think we can improve the collaboration between rum makers on the island. For example, the way in which scotch producers in England help each other has always attracted my attention, to the extent that they exchange aging barrels and support each other in challenging times,” said Bacardí of ways of improving the industry.

On their part, Laboy and Salgado reiterated the government’s continued support of the sector and advocated for initiatives to promote the rum industry as a destination in alliance with Discover Puerto Rico and Invest Puerto Rico.

Salgado also insisted on the importance of educational programs, as well as other promotional events, to introduce local rums to new buyers.

“We are convinced that the Puerto Rican rum industry can increase its contribution to the development of our economy. We will continue to support it because it is a local product of great quality that has gained international recognition. It has enormous possibilities of growth,” emphasized Laboy Rivera.

For Serrallés, the continued success of Puerto Rican rums also requires thinking outside of the box like the Kentucky experience, which created a Bourbon tour similar to the wine tours in California, to promote its whiskey.

“Rum is an art. There will always be room for innovators and new products,” said Bacardí.

A Changing Industry

To secure its growth path, Destilería Serrallés invested $18 million to increase its production of rum and other $4 million in a modern bottling plant.

Other investors have followed with unexpected deals.

Two years ago, Joaquín Bacardí partnered with two other local businessmen to buy and revive the “Ron del Barrilito” brand,

Puerto Rico exported approximately 32 million proof gallons of rums to the U.S. in 2018. >Courtesy Destilería Serrallés

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At right, Federico Goodsaid, CEO of MBQ Pharma, explains the company’s hopes in developing new therapies to fight breast cancer. > Courtesy of the P. R. Science Technology and Research Trust

The Fight Against Breast Cancer

Local company to begin series of trials on humans in 2020

M Rosario Fajardo

rfajardo@wjournalpr.com

@RosarioWJournal

BQ Pharma was officially launched just over a year ago by a group of scientists from the University of Puerto Rico’s (UPR) Medical Sciences Campus. Today, the company is making headway in the fight against breast cancer as they will begin a series of human trials in 2020 on a compound they are developing to prevent metastasis in cancer patients.

“This is the first biopharmaceutical company founded upon research at the UPR with a unique strategy to stop metastasis by blocking molecular mechanisms that allow its development. We are so proud that this was possible thanks to local investigators, inventors and the support of the PRSRTT [Puerto Rico Science Technology and Research Trust Technology] Transfer Office,” according to Federico Goodsaid, CEO of MBQ Pharma.

Non-clinical trials have begun with mice, and then assuming the results continue to be positive, phase I and phase II trials can start on humans, using various dose levels. The company’s goal is to gain approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to commercialize the compound for treatment against breast cancer, and hopefully, other types of cancer as well. The entire process of ensuring the compound is “safe and effective”

and ready to be brought to the market, could take another four or five years, Goodsaid indicated.

The intellectual property on the compound originates from the UPR Medical Sciences Campus, with scientists having conducted research over the past 10 years. During this time, the scientists have been awarded research grants totaling “millions.”

Currently, the effort has some $3.5 million in active research grants from such institutions as the PRSTT’s Technology Transfer Office, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences and Susan G. Komen, a breast cancer foundation.

Thus, the entire process—such as the initial research and development (R&D), obtaining patents and licensing, conducting various trials, gaining FDA approval and then going to market— will take at least 15 years and millions of dollars in

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The more we educate the key players in our science and research ecosystem about the process of technology transfer and the economic potential it represents, the more awareness we generate. This leads to more informed engagements, giving us more robust opportunities that can lead to more innovation. - David Gulley, the director of the PRSTRT’s Technology Transfer Office

funding.

Once the entire process is completed, the company anticipates generating profits “in the millions” on the original investments made. At the same time, other scientists and small and midsize firms on the island could also emulate MBQ Pharma’s business model as a roadmap to success.

MBQ Pharma originates from its four inventors:

Suranganie Dharmawardhane, Linette Castillo Pichardo, Cornelis Vlaar and Eliud Hernández O’Farrill, all based at the UPR’s Medical Sciences Campus. During a roundtable event at the PRSTT’s offices, the scientists explained that their collaborative work involves a division of labor, since each has a unique expertise. Teamwork and funding are key to this long-term endeavor.

“We are living in the era of innovation. At this juncture, the UPR’s Medical Sciences Campus is a catalytic agent that brings together the resources needed to provide strategic support for research.

This, through agile infrastructure offered by the dean of research, which results in the creation of knowledge and improvement of health in Puerto Rico. A good example of the impact of the research carried out in the Medical Sciences Campus on the economy of the country is the creation of MBQ Pharma, which stands out as a local success story of technology transfer, “said Segundo Rodríguez Quilichini, rector of the UPR Medical Sciences Campus.

While UPR scientists are making progress in the fight against breast cancer, Goodsaid indicated that the physical infrastructure in Puerto Rico to conduct R&D needs to be improved. While MBQ Pharma is working with a pharmaceutical company in Humacao to make the compound, it has had to go to the mainland U.S. for other R&D aspects.

For example, to scale up production, MBQ Pharma is working with a company in Wisconsin, and to conduct non-clinical trials, Massachusetts-based

Charles River Laboratories has been chosen.

“We are working to have the proper infrastructure [for R&D] in Puerto Rico. We still need to that,” Goodsaid noted.

Focus on technology transfer in Puerto Rico

MBQ Pharma’s road to success was highlighted during the recent Technology Transfer Recognition Week in order to highlight the incredible potential of the tech transfer process as an economic development driver in Puerto Rico.

“The more we educate the key players in our science and research ecosystem about the process of technology transfer and the economic potential it represents, the more awareness we generate.

This leads to more informed engagements, giving us more robust opportunities that can lead to more innovation,” said David Gulley, the director of the PRSTRT’s Technology Transfer Office.

“Puerto Rico has only three years of experience with a fully functional tech transfer office, but our goal is to have researchers and administrators embrace this process as part of an economic development output of their missions. That’s why we formed the technology transfer office at the trust in 2016,” he said, adding that helping local researchers gain external funding is vital for success.

Every year, Puerto Rico’s main higher institutions of learning receive more than $100 million in funding for R&D, Gulley said.

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Rolando Medina, managing director of operations in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, said that FedEx is diversifying its business partnerships. >Carlos Rivera Giusti

FedEx Sets Gaze on Expansion in Puerto Rico Highlights growth due to emerging businesses on the island

A Giovanna Garofalo

ggarofalo@wjournalpr.com

@giopgarofalo

s more businesses continue to emerge in Puerto Rico, the e-commerce market is expected to generate a greater shipping demand. In order to keep up with a growing stimulus of this sector in the local economy,

FedEx announced that it is undergoing an expansion process on the island.

Rolando Medina, managing director of operations in Puerto Rico, informed THE WEEKLY JOURNAL that the multinational courier delivery services company will increase its number of service centers.

Medina said that FedEx currently has 495 direct employees distributed in its eight centers, which are located in Guaynabo’s Metro Office Park; the Hato Rey sector in San Juan; the municipalities of Carolina, Mayagüez and Arecibo; the Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla and the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. The company also has a partnership with Walgreens—which has 107 stores on the island—in which people can pick up

their packages if requested to be delivered there, as well as sending their own.

“We have realized that we want to continue reaching more people. We are looking for these points where we have a greater concentration of residents to make it easier for them to have access to be able to make shipments and so on,” Medina stated.

When THE WEEKLY JOURNAL asked Medina if he could divulge where the company intends to open new facilities on the island and how many jobs does it intends to create through the expansion, he said that the information remains both confidential and under evaluation. He did surmise that the result of this business ordeal could be punctuated within the next two years.

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Besides individual clients, the company serves businesses that are emerging in Puerto Rico. online presence, Medina said that FedEx has multiple types of businesses, the largest being Nowadays there is a lot of online sales from small implemented a series of changes to its website, retail stores and pharmaceuticals. However, online businesses operated by two or three people. All of www.fedex.com/en-pr/home.html, in which shopping has revolutionized consumer spending, that has in one way or another been contributing customers can get rates and transit times, track which is why the company intends to diversify to the local economy,” he pondered. their packages, find service center locations and its client portfolio by establishing view and pay bills online. “Every change partnerships with businesses that are that FedEx does to its website is so that engaged in e-commerce. customers have to search less to get to “We are diversifying the companies what they really need,” he asserted. with which we are doing business.

Although visitors can create an account What I can tell you is that online on the website, Medina recommended shopping has been increasing and doing this particular action in a physical one can tell by the volume that service center. He also stressed that is arriving. The main reason we customers can reduce their visits to these notice is because of the number locations by calling 1-800-Go-FedEx, which residence deliveries that we have allows them to schedule shipping services been receiving. Lately, the volume directly to their homes. of deliveries to residencies has been On another note, Medina noted that greater,” he remarked.

Puerto Rico has a more extensive high Moreover, he noted that FedEx season than the United States. Stateside, -Rolando Medina, managing director of operations in Puerto Rico has reported a noticeable increase he said, the high season begins in October and the Caribbean in demand to and from the island, and ends on Dec. 26, right after Christmas. particularly after the onslaught However, because Puerto Rico celebrates of Hurricane Maria in 2017. THE additional holidays, such as the Three WEEKLY JOURNAL asked if this could Kings’ Day on Jan. 6, the island’s high perhaps be attributed to the mass season ends around mid-January. During migration of Puerto Ricans to the United States He added, “we are here to serve all types of this season, one of the most shipped items from who have their families on the island, but Medina companies, all types of businesses. What people Puerto Rico to the mainland U.S. is typical food, said that the company’s growth was actually a can be sure of is that FedEx will be there for such as “pasteles”—a holiday classic. response to local economic development. anyone who comes to do business in Puerto Rico.

“Ever since [Hurricane] Maria, wherever there “The first thing is development because here in We will be there to meet their specific needs, be it is a Puerto Rican, food shipping takes off during Puerto Rico the pharmaceutical industry continues domestic or international.” this season. We hope that this will be a very special to progress and expand, as well as additional Highlighting the importance of having an year in that regard,” he affirmed.

We have realized that we want to continue reaching more people. We are looking for these points where we have a greater concentration of residents to make it easier for them to have access to be able to make shipments and so on.

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Enrique Ortiz de Montellano, president and CEO of Claro Puerto Rico, was quick to share his views on the island, noting that Puerto Ricans have strong Latin American roots and predicting that the ground line telephone won’t disappear. >Brandon Cruz González

The Man Behind Claro Puerto Rico

For 12 years, Enrique Ortiz de Montellano has been at the helm of one of the island’s leading telecommunications company Cynthia López Cabán

clopez@wjournalpr.com

@cynthia_lope

W

hen Enrique Ortiz de Montellano, president and CEO of Claro Puerto Rico, landed his first job in the telecommunications industry, he received an NEC, an elongated mobile phone manufactured by a Japanese company located 6,705 miles away from his native Mexico.

He was 25 years old and the company cell phone was his first mobile ever.

“I had graduated from college and was working at a cell phone company,” Ortiz remembered while laughing.

At the time, the young businessman could never have imagined that the bulky and cumbersome device he had just received would become in -a relatively short span of time- an intrinsic part of our lives.

“Initially, it was viewed as a service for a certain level of the population. Then came its massification and we saw that it was everybody,” Ortiz recalled of the early days.

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Twenty-five years after that encounter with the device, Ortiz sat with THE WEEKLY JOURNAL in a spacious conference room at Claro’s headquarters in Guaynabo to ponder the evolution of the cell phone industry and the voyage that brought him and his family to the island.

In 2007, Claro’s parent company América Móvil acquired Puerto Rico Telephone Company from Verizon. A year later, the businessman -who holds a degree in graphic design and a master’s in business and marketing- became the head of a company that has 3,000 employees and has branded itself as the leader in telecommunications on the island. “Claro is among the top 10 employers on the island,” Ortiz said with pride.

While he guards his private life, Claro’s CEO was quick to share his views on the island, noting that Puerto Ricans have strong Latin American roots and predicting that the grounded telephone line won’t disappear. “The phone got transformed. At one point, Puerto Rico had 1.2 million lines. Now it has some 600,000 lines, still a lot.”

During his tenure at Telcel, the principal subsidiary of América Móvil, Ortiz held different positions, among them, as chief of corporate image, marketing director and regional director for Sonora and Sinaloa, giving him the opportunity to learn about different perspectives of the industry.

“In the beginning, the technology connected physical places like houses and businesses. But as technology evolved and became wireless, it began connecting people. Since we have more people than places, the market grew because connections multiplied,” Ortiz noted of the changes in the cell phone sector.

According to the Puerto Rico Telecommunications Regulatory Board, the island has more cell phones than people. Last month, the Enrique Ortiz de Montellano mentioned that Claro continues its agenda of bringing fiber optic to homes and agency reported 3,380,477 mobile connections for businesses in order to improve internet speed and capacity. On the mobile side, the company is working on the a population of 3.1 million inhabitants.

5G network. >Brandon Cruz González “It’s normal. Some of us have one or two cell phones plus a tablet,” Ortiz responded. “In other “The cell towers bring an additional ingredient.

Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to Liberty places, the market penetration (the ratio between Some groups, maybe with a special interest, Latin America won’t affect customers. population and mobile connection) is bigger. In oppose the antennas. After Hurricane Maria, “There have been those consolidations. They Puerto Rico, it stands we saw the people are not new to us. On a good note, very strong at 102 percent. But in along the highway companies will remain on the island. That Panama, it reached 140 trying to get closer to means that the investment and the access to percent.” the antennas in an good technology will continue as well as good It’s not just Puerto attempt to get signal, competition.”

Rico and Panama. but now when we are Following that same thought, Ortiz mentioned This is a worldwide trying to build the that Claro continues its agenda to bring more fiber phenomenon. There are antennas closer to optic to homes and businesses as to improve the over 9.32 billion mobile their houses, they don’t internet’s speed and capacity. On the mobile side, connections worldwide want them,” Ortiz said, the company is working on the 5G network. in comparison to while discarding that “It’s a market with very good purchasing power the current world these structures could when compared to Latin America. People also population of 7.8 billion, pose health risks. love technology. It is mostly a postpaid market, according to the United “We are talking about which is very good. In Latin America, 85 percent -Enrique Ortiz de Montellano, Nations. towers with permits, of customers are prepaid, but here more than 70 Claro’s President with the construction percent of clients have a postpaid service with a president of Claro Puerto Rico didn’t reveal details of underway, and we have monthly payment,” Ortiz indicated of Puerto Rico the company’s mobile these groups opposing customers. sales but indicated that them, using cell phones to call more people to As in the United States, 30 percent of mobile it has 1.5 million subscribers between its mobile, join in the protest. It’s time to decide if we want a users on the island have an iPhone, while the land and other services.

Puerto Rico connected or isolated with a network remaining 70 percent carry a device with an About the challenges of doing business in saturated with users,” he added.

Android operating system. “Android people have Puerto Rico, Ortiz mentioned the slow and In his view, AT&T’s decision to leave the island more options and brands. The iPhone is just one,” bureaucratic permits system. and sell its wireless and wireline operations in Ortiz explained.

In the beginning, technology connected physical places like houses and businesses.

As technology evolved and became wireless, it began connecting people.

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The 11.5 percent sales tax on prepared food dropped to 7 percent on Oct. 2019. >Archive

Sales of Prepared Foods Increase in October

Reducing the tax on prepared foods from 11.5 percent to 7 percent responsible for positive effects on the food and beverage industry

B

Yennifer Álvarez Jaimes

yalvarez@wjournalpr.com

@yalvarezjaimes

usinesses that sell prepared foods saw a 6 percent increase in sales in October, when compared with September, as a result of the reduction of the Sales and Use Tax (IVU by its Spanish acronym) rate from 11.5 percent to 7 percent.

“This confirms that the technological tools we are using have broadened our visibility of the businesses. Without a doubt, via the Unified Internal Revenue System (SURI by its Spanish acronym), we are able to monitor whether businesses are complying with the guidelines in real time,” said Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico Francisco Parés Parés added that consumers have “greatly influenced” businesses to become certified and sell food at the reduced 7 percent rate.

“Consumers have mainly sponsored businesses who offer the reduced rate, which has, in turn, caused competitors to also seek the certificate and be in compliance. It is our commitment, and that of the governor, to establish strategies that benefit all parties and provide better services through the use of technological and advanced tools that help us prevent and avoid tax risks while strengthening the collection system in order to increase revenues and improve the island’s

economy,” added Parés.

Parés said that 405 fines were electronically sent to business owners in this sector for not complying with the use of the tax terminal.

The Department of the Treasury said it was originally going to send 651 notices of fines for non-compliance, “however, this figure was reduced when many reacted to the constant communications sent through SURI.” The fines did not require personnel inspections, the department said, adding that the average fine was $500.

“Those who understand that they have a justifiable reason for not using the tax terminal that is required by law may request an administrative review,” the read the press release.

On Oct. 1, when the reduced rate of 7 percent on prepared foods went into effect, “there were 6,113 establishments in compliance; today, there are 7,765,” said the secretary of the treasury to THE WEEKLY JOURNAL.

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< The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, December 18, 2019

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Security in E-Commerce: Biometrics Authentication on the Way Mastercard study: 63 percent of Puerto Ricans would consent to fingerprint information in card data

M Rosario Fajardo

rfajardo@wjournalpr.com

@RosarioWJournal

iami, Fla.—Security when shopping online is a top concern among consumers, and while tech companies have made great headways in preventing fraud, the next phase in authentication is just around the corner: biometrics.

Mastercard has been running several pilot projects in countries such as Mexico, France, Australia and Dubai to test fingerprint identification in its cards.

The initiative is particularly important because the cost of fraud is in the billions. Mastercard officials told THE WEEKLY JOURNAL that in the case of Brazil alone, the cost of fraud is $50 billion a year in losses.

According to a Mastercard study in LAC, most consumers have a strong desire to grow beyond passwords and see biometrics as the next phase in their authentication. These biometric authentication measures might include fingerprints, facial recognition and other forms of emerging identification.

Consumers who wanted this feature ran from Puerto Rico’s 63 percent to a high of 83 percent in Costa Rica. More than 80 percent of consumers in most surveyed countries wanted biometric authentication, confirming how important this newly developing technology is for consumers.

Compared with other regions such as North America and Western Europe, where digital transactions are the norm, in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), cash is still king. However, 50 percent of the population in LAC does have access to digital technology through mobile phones, according to Mastercard data. The company also projects that within the next three to four years, more than half of all businesses will have digital payment systems. Hence, the growing need for enhanced security systems.

During the recent Mastercard 2019 Innovation Forum in Miami, the issue of trust in the LAC region was among the main topics of discussion. For years, PIN numbers, signatures and photo ID cards

were the main authentication measure for card tokenization on the island through its Mastercard holders. Then came tokenization; this technology Digital Enablement Service (MDES) initiative for protects the consumer’s card information by merchants, financial institutions and payment replacing the original 16-digit number on their card service providers. with a unique alternate number, During the Miami event, or “token,” that is associated to Mastercard also announced that that particular device, e-wallet or more than half of its transaction digital merchant and cannot be volume in the region is now used anywhere else. ready to be tokenized, helping The next frontier for the LAC make digital payments offer More than 80 percent region is biometrics, first with simple, seamless and secure for of consumers in most fingerprints and then face scans. consumers in the region. The surveyed countries in A demonstration of the news came on the heels of new Latin America and the “biometric experience” showed signed agreements with key Caribbean said they how the technology works: the players like Adyen, Braspag and wanted biometric person’s fingerprint is scanned ProCredit Ecuador, as well as authentication in into the card and the information others, who will now integrate their digital cards. is downloaded into Mastercard’s Mastercard’s tokenization system. “The biometrics data is not solutions to tokenize payment sent to the merchant. When the credentials on file with thousands person uses the card, the merchant of retailers across Brazil, Mexico, receives a “yes” or “no” message Puerto Rico and Ecuador. that the fingerprint matches what is filed with the “We’ve seen a fantastic response to MDES from Mastercard network. At no time does the merchant both banks and merchants alike, and see these receive the person’s fingerprint data,” explained Jorge agreements as another positive development in Arbesu, vice president of security and intelligence for the product’s continued adoption,” said Walter Mastercard LAC. Pimenta, senior vice president of digital payments for Mastercard LAC. “With these digitized and tokenized card credentials available to us and Tokenization Moving Along our partners, we are designing rich, innovative, As previously reported by THE WEEKLY compelling and secure ways to pay across all JOURNAL, Mastercard’s local office in San channels and devices.”

Juan is leading the way for the greater use of

In fact,

Security is a top concern among most digital consumers. >Courtesy of Mastercard

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Bayer Announces Sustainability Measures Worldwide The German multinational company adopts the U.N.’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

G Giovanna Garofalo

ggarofalo@wjournalpr.com

@giopgarofalo

erman pharmaceutical and life sciences conglomerate Bayer AG announced last week a set of sustainability measures and new commitments from 2020 onward, in line with the United Nations’ (U.N.) and the Paris Agreement’s sustainability development goals (SDGs) for 2030.

By 2030, Bayer aims to provide 100 million farmers in low-and-middle-income countries with access to innovations, knowledge and partnerships in order to boost their food supply and reduce poverty in rural communities. Bayer also intends to fund multi-stakeholder aid programs in order to support 100 million women in developing countries, providing them access to family planning methods and affordable modern contraceptives.

Along that line, Bayer asserted that it will expand access to everyday health care for 100 million people in impoverished nations worldwide.

Moreover, the company affirmed that it is in the process of adjusting its pricing policy towards local purchasing power and strengthening patient access programs so that its products are more accessible and affordable.

In addition, Bayer seeks to drastically reduce its carbon footprint and greenhouse emissions, for which the company will switch to 100 percent renewable electricity, adjust its logistics and packaging, and help farmers apply more sustainable practices.

However, the company could face obstacles in achieving this goal on the island given that, despite the approval this year of the Puerto Rico Public Energy Policy Act—which seeks to generate all of the island’s electricity through renewable sources,

Andy Knepp, Bayer’s Agricultural Sustainability Lead, affirmed that the company has a “very strong commitment to sustainability.” >Courtesy

the restructuring agreement for the public debt could impact the pockets of residents who use solar panels. As reported by The Intercept, these could end up paying bondholders once from the electricity they get from the solar panels, and again for the power they generate for themselves.

THE WEEKLY JOURNAL asked Andy Knepp, Bayer’s agricultural sustainability lead, and Miguel Pereira, the conglomerate’s Puerto Rico government affairs lead, if the company could affirm commitment in its Puerto Rico facilities in light of these circumstances.

Pereira said that the development stations in Puerto Rico had already implemented several initiatives to become more sustainable.

“We have been previously looking—at least for the last three years—for alternate energy sources, such as solar energy. Rather than something

totally new, it is a reaffirmation in our way of providing continuity to the commitments that the company has been taking to be more sustainable in our day-to-day operations,” Pereira said.

For his part, Knepp indicated that the company intends to enact other measures to offset the environmental impact of electricity generation if unable to transition to renewable sources.

“Where we operate globally—you know, every single local—sometimes that might be a challenge to the extent that we can source electricity from renewable sources. […] In situations where maybe that’s not possible or where there are… challenges to sourcing that, we’re not going to be into the electricity generation business so we’ll look for other ways to offset our greenhouse emissions if we’re not able to source renewable forms of electricity,” Knepp responded.

Meanwhile, Knepp informed that Bayer will establish an independent Sustainability Council comprised of external sustainability experts that will oversee the developments to achieve these goals. This entity will advise the company’s board of management, as well as monitoring and challenging future developments in this transition.

As previously reported by THE WEEKLY JOURNAL, the UN released an ambitious list of 17 objectives to achieve by 2030 to improve livelihood worldwide, to combat climate change and to protect the world’s ecosystems. Some of these are affordable and clean energy, responsible consumption and production, good health and well-being, life on land and climate action.

Knepp explained to THE WEEKLY JOURNAL that these goals align with the multinational company’s “very strong commitment to sustainability.”

“Certainly, from a crop science perspective, [it’s] the opportunity for us to improve the environment, improve the lives of a lot of people through the application of technology. Agriculture is a key part of our business, so I think that as we have come together as a new organization, we certainly wanted to make sure that we were being very upfront and very specific about what our commitments were. It’s ultimately something that’s brand new to us, but something that we want to make sure that we get the opportunity to define how we want to proceed,” Knepp stated.

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Women in Puerto Rico Finding Success in Male Dominated Fields Shift in socioeconomic factors leads to more opportunities

W Rosario Fajardo

rfajardo@wjournalpr.com

@RosarioWJournal

omen in Puerto Rico have made great strides in the island’s labor force, primarily as a result of higher levels of education and greater opportunities in the workplace. Many female professionals today are also excelling in male dominated fields such as construction, auto, banking and technology.

This issue was highlighted during the recent forum dubbed “Inspire, Innovate, Empower,” held by the Women’s Chapter of the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association.

A case in point is Gladys Molina, senior vice president of business development at Popular Auto. She has clearly come a long way. She recalled that when she was young, she went to secretarial school and then started working in an office environment. At a certain point she asked herself, “Why am I here? They [these guys] are always telling me what to do. This is not for me.”

She went back to school, studied accounting and, after graduation, became a certified public accountant. She started working in a male dominated field, the construction industry, where she grew professionally for eight years.

She continued on to the auto industry at Banco Popular, where she has worked for 30 years.

She is now a top executive, heading sales and marketing at Popular Auto.

“The key is that people give you that first opportunity to succeed. At Banco Popular, women are well positioned and given opportunities,” Molina said. Professionally, the challenges she faced in the workplace during the 1970s and 1980s were much bigger than the ones women face today, she said.

Molina noted that during her career she has had plenty of “difficult moments” with certain kinds of men “who feel insecure when they are with women who are sure of themselves.”

When faced with these “obstacles,” she refused to throw in the towel. Putting her emotions aside, she focused on being a professional and excelling at her job. “I saw these obstacles as an opportunity

Gladys Molina, senior vice president of business development at Popular Auto >Courtesy of the PRMA

I saw obstacles as an opportunity to grow. I did not give up.

-Gladys Molina, senior vice president of business development at Popular Auto

to grow. I did not give up,” she said. This was her strategy for success in the workplace.

As the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports, the rapid rise in women’s labor force participation was a major development in the labor market during the second half of the 20th century.

This phenomenon occurred in many countries across the world, including Puerto Rico.

“Women’s involvement in the labor market changed in several notable ways since the 1940s as other socioeconomic factors were also shifting.

First, women became much more likely to pursue

higher levels of education: the proportion of women ages 25 to 64 in the labor force who held a college degree nearly quadrupled from 1970 to 2017, whereas the proportion of men with a college degree about doubled over that time,” according to the BLS. “Women have also become more likely to work full time and year round. In addition, women’s earnings as a proportion of men’s earnings have grown over time: [In the U.S.,] women working full time earned 62 percent of what men earned in 1979 and 82 percent in 2017,” the BLS reported.

As of Oct. 2019, there were just over 1 million people employed in Puerto Rico’s labor force, according to BLS data. For this month, the island’s unemployment rate was 7.7 percent.

The island’s labor force participation rate continues to hover at around 40 percent. While specific data on women in the local workforce could not be found on the BLS website, it is generally accepted that the labor force participation rate for women is always lower than that of men.

In the mainland U.S., the labor-force participation rate stood at 63 percent, while the nation’s unemployment rate was quite low, at 3.6 percent, signaling an almost “full employment” rate.

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Plaza de las Delicias, Ponce. >Archive

Ponce Launches its Tourism Marketing Campaign “Ponce is” seeks to generate interest in the “Perla del Sur’s” attractions

T Yennifer Álvarez Jaimes

yalvarez@wjournalpr.com

@yalvarezjaimes

he municipality of Ponce announced its tourism marketing campaign “Ponce is.”

The mayor, María “Mayita” Meléndez, said the campaign seeks to “generate interest of the attractions in Ponce, highlight the port, the Mercedita airport as an entry point to the city, and achieve the goal of positioning Ponce as one of the best tourist destinations in the Caribbean.”

The municipal investment for the campaign is $30,000 a year.

Abundant in historical and cultural treasures, Ponce — also known as the “Perla del Sur” — is one of the largest and most populous cities in Puerto Rico, second only to San Juan. Ponce, according to the last Census, has a population of

approximately 150,000 people.

Ponce’s attractions are diverse. In this charming southern city, you can visit the famous Serrallés castle, toss a coin in the “Fuente de los Leones”, and stroll the streets of the town square, “Las Delicias”.

One of the square’s most outstanding structures is the “Parque de Bombas”, an old fire station which has been converted into a museum. Around the plaza you will also many charming coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques selling locally made products.

The Ponce Art Museum has also gained international recognition for its permanent collection of 4,500 pieces, consisting of paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, ceramics, photographs, video and sound installations.

Outside of the city, soak up some sun on Puerto Rico’s beautiful southern beaches or take a boat ride to the enchanting Caja de Muertos island.

Ponce has a seaside boardwalk, named “La

Guancha”, lined with restaurants and kiosks selling food, beer, cocktails and soft drinks. This place is a popular entertainment destination for locals and an ideal place to kick back after a day of strolling around the city.

In November, Ponce welcomed the Royal Caribbean cruise Serenade of the Seas, with 2,500 travelers which provided the city $154,000 in profits.

Many of the people who landed purchased tours to various destinations within the city such as the town center, Serrallés castle, Tibes Ceremonial Park, Hacienda Buena Vista, Hacienda La Mocha and the Ponce Museum of Art, to name a few.

“On Jan. 2, Royal Caribbean will return with another cruise. The Port of Ponce is one of the 19 projects under reconstruction in the city,” said the mayor.

The Mercedita airport is also being renovated.

Several major improvements on the airstrip and the passenger terminal will make the airport more attractive to passengers.

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>Carlos Rivera Giusti

Largest Political Parties in Puerto Rico to Hold Primaries

The local primaries will be on June 2020 and the general elections on Nov. 2020

M The Weekly Journal Staff

newsroom@wjournalpr.com

embers of the two largest local political parties will face off in primary elections.

While Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez and former resident commissioner Pedro Pierluisi will face off in a battle inside the pro-statehood New Progressive Party (NPP, or PNP by its Spanish acronym), Sen. Eduardo Bhatia, San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz and Isabela Mayor Charlie Delgado Altieri will compete for the Popular Democratic Party (PDP, or PPD by its Spanish acronym) nomination.

Bhatia and Cruz announced they would run for governor in June and March 2019, respectively, and the former secretary of the treasury, Juan Zaragoza,

has yet to formalize his candidacy under the PDP. The local parties will host primaries on June 2020, while the general elections will be held on Nov. 2020.

The Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP by its Spanish acronym) has Sen. Juan Dalmau as candidate for governor, and the Victoria Ciudadana Movement (VCM or MVC by its Spanish acronym) has Alexandra Lúgaro, a lawyer who ran for governor as an independent in 2016 and received 175,000 votes.

In an unexpected twist, Puerto Rico Gov. Vázquez announced last Monday that she plans to run in the 2020 general elections after repeatedly stating she was not interested in the position because she was not a politician.

Pierluisi was sworn in as governor on August 2019 but held the position less than a week after the island’s Supreme Court concluded that Vázquez was the constitutional heir to the position after former Gov. Rosselló’s resignation.

“In these four months, we have achieved stability in the agencies and better communication between the Federal Oversight Management Board (FOMB), the legislative branches and the mayors,” Vázquez said in her

eight minute long YouTube message.

Vázquez is the former secretary of the Department of Justice and a former director of the Women’s Advocate Office (Procuradora de las Mujeres).

After Vázquez’s announcement, Pierluisi said that his “aspiration comes from the clamor of the people, who want a candidate with experience, capacity and commitment.”

“I am fully confident that the people will support my candidacy,” said Pierluisi via Facebook post.

On the PDP side, Delgado, a mayor with 20 years of experience, formalized his candidacy last Sunday at an event in Loíza.

“My goal is to govern with transparency, sensitivity and dedication. My candidacy responds to the needs of heads of households, older adults, pensioners and young entrepreneurs. My candidacy is for those who want a better Puerto Rico,” Delgado said.

Cruz also formalized her candidacy at a house in Barranquitas. San Juan’s mayor said she will try to audit all of the government’s debt, decide which services are essential, resolve the intermittency of the ferries to the municipal islands of Vieques and Culebra and repeal the labor reform.

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By Inteligencia Económica

By Rafael “Tatito” Hernández House of Representatives Minority Leader

T

Back to the Negotiating Table

oday, negotiation is the preferred practice for people to settle differences. It is superior to other methods of resolving conflicts, such as arbitration, judicial processes or the use of mediation, both, in international quarrels, such as trade relations between countries, and in commercial disputes between organizations and businesses.

However, sitting down at a negotiating table is not an easy task. He who has the information and can communicate well will have the upper hand in the interchange of petitions and agreements. The more knowledge you have of the issues to be discussed, the greater your probabilities of success. Full and complete knowledge of the facts is required in order to present one’s position in a fair, but firm manner.

This is why preparation is so important before starting the negotiations. A structured approach should be followed to obtain the desired outcome, defining what the other party wishes to obtain and how far I am willing to go to facilitate the negotiation. This will help us obtain the best possible outcome for both parties in reaching an agreement.

In spite of these well known, general principles of negotiation, what prevailed at the negotiating table when the Restructuring Agreement (RSA) for the Puerto Rico Energy and Power Authority (PREPA) was being discussed, was disinformation and ambiguity. It was so sloppy that the advisors hired by the Ad-Hoc Committee for Bondholders of PREPA and

by Assured were compensated for rendering services in the drafting of the agreement, without any limitations, until the final agreement was approved or

rejected.

As the local press has indicated, this legal flaw in the negotiation threatens to reduce the value of the discounted bonds, which was precisely what the RSA was trying to avoid and was one of the objectives of the negotiation.

As if this was not enough, the RSA results in devastating consequences for the already battered local economy.

Among them: electricity rates will go through the roof, much higher than what was projected (27 cents/ kWh), even for those that produce their own energy- the so called “sun tax”; the transition charges proposed to pay the old PREPA debt will grow at a faster pace than the frail economy of Puerto Rico; the agreement unnecessarily pays for illegal debt; and financial transparency is fatally pathetic.

Regrettably those greatly affected by this bad deal will be PREPA’s customers, particularly small businesses which are essential to Puerto Rico’s economic recovery.

We must bear in mind that energy is a basic input in the costs of production. A higher cost of energy, temporary or permanent, increases the total costs of a business, which will inevitably pass it on in the price of the goods and services being offered to the consumer. It is inflationary.

Businesses are in a predicament- if they want to maintain their profit margins, so that they can continue to expand the business, hire more people, and contribute to growing our economy, they have to increase prices. Otherwise, there will be no investment and no new jobs.

My call to those involved in this negotiation is that they go back to the negotiating table. This is not a win–win outcome. Let the principles of fairness and mutual benefit guide the negotiation and come up with an outcome that is consistent with our economic reality.

I

Much-Needed Political Reforms

n the three years since Hurricane Maria, not much has changed. Although the hurricane caused great damage to the island, politicians and the government keep insisting in the same age-old practices that lead us to this economic and fiscal abyss.

If politicians keep insisting in working in the same way they have done for years, Puerto Rico will not only remain indebted, but may continue in an economic depression Keeping in mind that Puerto Rico is entering an election year, I wish to suggest reforms that I believe may help us out of debt.

We need to establish a government that is results-oriented: In previous years, various governments responded to debt by emitting bonds and imposing more taxes, two things that are no longer possible thanks in part to PROMESA, the Federal Oversight Management Board and the inability to access the market.

It’s imperative to establish a system where results can be measured, where the government is efficient and productive and, most importantly, where public funds are appropriately used.

We need a government that we can afford: The government has to be reduced to a point where it is no longer a burden on the people and private enterprise. Recently released information points to the government having a $4 to $5 billion deficit. While their earnings are somewhere in the neighborhood of $8.5 million, the real cost is estimated at $13 million, including all of the state’s obligations like pensions, suppliers, the debt and tax refunds. We should have a government that costs approximately $7.5 million.

We need to get rid of insolvent public companies: The bankruptcy of public corporations will eventually leave no other option than privatization in order to sustain the vital infrastructure. This privatization

must occur through private investment if we are to bring the power, water and highway systems up to today’s standards.

The legislature should work parttime: Puerto Rico has a lot of laws that no longer work or are enforced and excess of legislation that leads to constant discordance between the different political parties. The local legislature should only work part-time, as it does in most states, in order to provide much needed economic relief and reduce the negative way in which the people tend to be impacted by unnecessary legislation.

We need to end government dependency: It is impossible to have a productive and competitive economy if 60 percent of the possible labor force depends on government assistance. Puerto Rico is the poorest jurisdiction in the United States, with 49.5 percent of the people living below the poverty line. Bringing those people back to the labor force requires a great sense of social responsibility and political will.

Eliminating government corruption: Continuous corruption allegations keep rocking the very foundations of our government and we cannot allow it to be normalized.

For this to be achieved we need a government that has a zero-tolerance policy on corruption. The people cannot continue voting for leaders that have been in one way or another tied to corrupt acts.

A more just and solidary society: The economic crisis has made social inequalities more obvious.

For economic stability to achieved long-term, we need to close the socioeconomic gap and create an environment that provides better opportunities. A polarized society will only lead to friction and social tension.

As a voter, you can make a difference. Remember to use your vote wisely. Take action so that we can have a better government that will, in turn, provide us with a better future for our island and future generations.

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The Maestro Cares Foundation improves the quality of life for orphaned and disadvantaged children in Latin America and U.S.

M Mariam Echevarría

mechevarria@elvocero.com

@mariammichelle

arc Anthony’s powerful and distinct voice has brought him incredible success, and now he’s using it to make an impact as a philanthropist.

“God has been very good to me,” stated Anthony, who has been singing for well over two decades and has won several of the main awards within the music industry.

Born in New York to Puerto Rican parents, he hopes to make an impact in the lives of others, in very much the same way that music impacted him.

With that goal in mind, he, along with entrepreneur Henry Cárdenas, founded the Maestro Cares Foundation in 2012. The foundation

“God has Been Very Good to Me” improves the quality of life for orphaned and disadvantaged children in Latin America and the United States.

“One of the most beautiful aspects of this endeavor is being able to see how their attitude changes when their surroundings are improved; how they grow in order to fulfill their dreams. It’s amazing to see them evolve, many of them are already graduating, have careers…At my New York show in November I received a visit from a Dominican girl who used to live in one of the first homes we established. She already has career in the fashion industry and a very productive life in New York. We have a lot of kids like her and that gives me great satisfaction,” said Anthony to THE WEEKLY JOURNAL.

Maria Brought Him Closer to Puerto Rico

Maestro Cares currently has projects in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guatemala and Bolivia, and will soon finish others in Colombia and Guatemala. El Salvador, Chile and the United States are next on the list.

“We have accomplished a lot in very little time.

Henry, the team at the foundation and I have really put in a tremendous amount of effort into providing these children with a better quality of

life,” he stated.

Puerto Rico, however, has been at the forefront of his philanthropic agenda since the impact of Hurricane Maria in 2017. On Sept. 2017, he and his company, Magnus Media, created Somos Una Voz (We Are One Voice), an organization that provides humanitarian assistance to areas in the Caribbean, Mexico and the United States affected by natural disasters.

The organization has continued to develop and evolve as the needs of people have changed.

“I think that Somos Una Voz had its largest impact in Puerto Rico when, after the telethon, we decided to give the bulk of the proceeds to organizations on the island. Those organizations were able to further grow and develop in order to affect change on the locals,” he said.

“To this day, we continue monitoring and providing assistance, far beyond just holding a telethon. This year, on Maria’s anniversary, we met with the organizations that had received donations and they provided us with detailed reports on their works. As part of the conversation, we touched on the perceived needs going forward and decided to establish the Somos Legacy Program because the work still isn’t finished,” stated Anthony.

The artist also believes in sports as a tool for

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We are working on a lot of new projects to be unveiled in the new year; we will be signing artists and working in the television and film industry.

A Unique Style

Although he has a very busy philanthropic calendar, his musical career doesn’t suffer, as demonstrated by the success of his most recent album, Opus. This, his eighth production, also lends its name to his current North American tour, which delighted crowds at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum past Dec. 15.

“Finishing up the tour in Puerto Rico is very special to me. We have been traveling all over the place for a whole year and to get to Puerto Rico, where I am always welcomed with a lot of love, in December, gives me this great “going out with a bang” feeling, a very Puerto Rican thing. Our people is like no other,” excitedly admitted the artist who has over 30 billboard hits and 7.4 billion views on YouTube.

His Vivir Mi Vida, Cambio de Piel, Full Circle and

>Photos by Alan Silfen

social change so he has joined the Play Ball Again initiative that seeks to rehabilitate baseball parks on the island.

“It’s a really special organization. Sports are one of the things we promote through Maestro Cares as well. Sports, like art, are an important part of our childhood development. It’s important to have these spaces within communities, especially in low income areas because they really do make a big difference in children’s lives. We are very happy to be collaborating with Bad Bunny, Unicef, Cubs Charity and the Corporación de Apoyo a Iniciativas Locales,” he added.

Legacy tours have landed on Pollstar’s list of most lucrative tours.

In 1993, he launched his first album, Otra Nota, and the hits have kept on coming.

“I’ve always thought that there’s music for everyone. Salsa, even though it’s not always in style, has never stopped being one of the top genres worldwide. In my case, I’ve always been loyal to my style, to what my fans have liked and to what I want to communicate through my music.

People can identify with, dance and sing to my music,” said the six time Grammy-award winner.

It is worth nothing that Marc Anthony, whose real name is Marco Antonio Muñiz, has also succeeded as an entrepreneur with his company, Magnus Media. “[The company] means a lot to me. We always wanted a platform that could promote quality

Henry Cárdenas, Marc Anthony, Javier Báez, shortstop for the Chicago Cubs, and Maurice Jones, CEO of LISC. >Courtesy Maestro Cares Foundation

Latin talent while also celebrating our culture at a global scale, and serving as support to all those people who have asked for my advice throughout the years. We have done so much in just a few short years, not only with our artists, but also with our sports division,” added the man who is also a minority owner of the Miami Dolphins and who currently sells his own brand of clothing at Kohl’s.

“More Than I Ever Imagined”

Anthony has many things to be thankful for, particularly for the fact “that my children are healthy, happy and that I have more than I could have ever imagined. God has been very good to me,” he added.

His oldest child is Ariana, followed by teenagers Cristian and Ryan, whom he had with ex-wife Dayanara Torres, and 11-year-old twins Max and Emme, whom he fathered with Jennifer López.

He went on to say that he will spend this Christmas with his family and close friends.

“We are very traditional in the sense that when we get together we listen to salsa, we have “parrandas navideñas”, rice with pigeon peas, pork and “coquito”. We usually spend Christmas in the Dominican Republic and Miami, although I am not sure where we will be this year,” he said If 2019 has been good to Anthony, 2020 shows no signs of slowing down for the 51-year-old interpreter.

“We are working on a lot of new projects to be unveiled in the new year; we will be signing artists and working in the television and film industry, but it’s still too early to give out any details,” said the man who has acted alongside Denzel Washington in the movie Man on Fire and who played Hector Lavoe in the movie El Cantante.

One of those projects that he cannot comment on yet is the movie In The Heights, based on LinManuel Miranda’s hit Broadway musical, and set to come out in June 2020.

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Capt. Carlos Benítez, the founder and owner of Puerto Rico Helitours, has invested more than $3.5 million in the company’s new facilities in Old San Juan and the purchase of two new helicopters. >Josian Bruno Gómez

Puerto Rico Helitours Now Taking Off From Bahia Urbana Helipad

Local company invests more than $3.5 million in its facilities, new helicopters

T Rosario Fajardo

rfajardo@wjournalpr.com

@RosarioWJournal

he helicopter tourism market is rapidly growing in such areas as Hawaii, Las Vegas and New York City.

A local company, Puerto Rico Helitours, is hoping that the same phenomenon will take off on the island. This year, Capt. Carlos Benítez, the

founder and owner of Puerto Rico Helitours, has invested more than $3.5 million in the company’s new facilities in Old San Juan and the purchase of two new helicopters. One is a smaller helicopter that seats three including the pilot, at a cost of $400,000, and the other is a bigger helicopter, seating six including the pilot, which cost $2.1 million.

The new facilities will also have a gift shop and provide clients with photos and videos of their helicopter journeys.

THE WEEKLY JOURNAL recently took an unforgettable aerial tour with Benítez, departing from the company’s main facilities in Isla Grande Airport. Our flight first cut through Condado Lagoon before going east past the beaches of Condado and Ocean Park. With the sun shining

and the beautiful blue sky around us, our aerial tour along the coast also took us past the Capital building in Puerta de Tierra, the colorful homes of La Perla, and of course, the crown jewels of Old San Juan and El Morro. We were treated to the sight of a cruise ship entering San Juan Bay, pausing briefly for the fantastic views at the tip of El Morro, before making our way back across San Juan Bay and landing at Puerto Rico Helitours’ new helipad in Bahia Urbana, just east of the cruise ship piers in the Old City.

“This is my passion. I am so happy that I get to do this every day,” Benítez said, and it shows. A former police department helicopter pilot, he has been flying for more than 12 years. He also flies planes with Benítez Aviation Flying School, the parent company of Puerto Rico Helitours.

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/ Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Helicopter hopping from California

Benítez told THE WEEKLY JOURNAL that he recently arrived from California with the new, smaller helicopter, a Robinson R44. “It took me six days and 37 hours of flying to get back home to Puerto Rico. I made more than 30 stops along the way,” he said.

He explained that he would fly for 2.5 hours at a time before landing for short breaks or to stay overnight at various locations. His so-called helicopter tour of the southwest and southern United States took him through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and finally, Puerto Rico.

“It was a great trip. I loved every minute of it,” he said.

For more information on Puerto Rico Helitours, log on to their website at puertoricohelitours.com

A smaller helicopter that seats three including the pilot cost $400,000, and the other is a bigger helicopter, seating six including the pilot, which cost $2.1 million. >Josian Bruno Gómez

He explained to THE WEEKLY JOURNAL that Puerto Rico Helitours started four years ago when friends and family asked him for helicopter tours around the island. The idea clicked in his mind.

Having started by renting just one helicopter, the company now owns four helicopters, two of them brand new.

“I want Puerto Rico to be a popular place for helicopter tours, in the same way that they are popular in Hawaii, Las Vegas and New York,” he said. “We are focused on safety, security and giving our customers an unforgettable experience.”

Puerto Rico Helitours now offers four types of tours. The first is around San Juan Bay; the second also includes Old San Juan; the third includes Condado and Ocean Park; the fourth is a tour to Naranjito, which also includes lunch at a restaurant featuring “comida criolla,” and the fifth takes clients to Ron del Barrilito’s facilities at the Hacienda Santa Ana in Bayamón for a rum tasting tour. Prices start at $65 per person, depending on the type of tour.

As a small family business, Puerto Rico Helitours is interested in establishing partnerships with other local firms, Benítez explained. Hence the restaurant tours, which are done in partnership with local restaurants in Arecibo, Barranquitas, Bayamón, Orocovis and Naranjito—think of this as a luxury “chinchorreo” tour—while the Rum Barrilito tour is the latest in this collaborative effort.

While the company has clearly been a success, having created about 40 local jobs, the road has not been easy.

He recalled that getting the necessary permits to have a helipad in Bahia Urbana took him five years to achieve. “You know the permits process here,

the bureaucracy. I received ‘no’ responses about 25 times, for whatever reason, for this and that.

But I kept going. I did not take no as an answer, no matter what they said, I came back with a response. I am persistent,” Benítez said.

“I believe a lot in Puerto Rico and I am proud to be Puerto Rican,” he added. “Even with all the economic issues, people need to see that the island is so beautiful. I want people to experience that from a different perspective.”

I want Puerto Rico to be a popular place for helicopter tours, in the same way that they are popular in Hawaii, Las Vegas and New York. We are focused on safety, security and giving our customers an unforgettable experience.

- Capt. Carlos Benítez, the founder and owner of Puerto Rico Helitours

Puerto Rico Helitours started four years ago when friends and family asked him for helicopter tours around the island.>Josian Bruno Gómez

Azalea Subverts Culinary Expectations with

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/ Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Japanese-Puerto Rican Fusion

The Old San Juan-based restaurant perfectly harmonizes the different techniques and flavors of these contrasting cuisines

A Giovanna Garofalo

ggarofalo@wjournalpr.com

@giopgarofalo

fascinating culinary adventure awaits in Azalea. Located in the heart of Old San Juan, this captivating new restaurant specializes in creating fusions between Japanese, Puerto Rican and other Latin American cuisines that result in an explosion of flavors and textures.

THE WEEKLY JOURNAL was welcomed

by Cristina Burns, the owner of Azalea, who offered multiple samples from the restaurant’s ample menu to illustrate the harmonious symphony in its dishes’ construction.

Upon entering the restaurant, guests are immediately lured in by a cocktail bar to the left—which features beautiful creations by mixologist Kristen Rivera—and a sushi bar to the right. Further inside there is a separate lounging area or sake room lit with a pink neon sign and graced with decorative wallpaper. Lastly, a long hall, called the Green House, features

multiple seating spaces with a 36-person capacity overlooked by a glass ceiling to provide an ultimate dining experience.

The establishment’s colonial structure is nicely contrasted with plant accents and other elements that are dominant in traditional Japanese décor.

The restaurant’s logo itself, an encircled azalea flower, resembles both the “maga”—a typical flower in Puerto Rico—and a sushi roll, thus conveying Azalea’s culinary concept.

Amazing Cocktails

To start off the tasting session, we shared three cocktails. The first, Greener Mule, was made with Finlandia Vodka, wasabi, cucumber and ginger beer. A lover of all these ingredients, I expected the drink to have a pronounced alcohol taste or even spicy sensation, but the kick expected from the ginger and wasabi were elegantly offset by the freshness of the cucumber. This drink would be perfect on a sunny day, or perhaps as a complement to a fishbased dish.

The second cocktail—and my favorite overall— was the Ajonjolí, playful mix of sesame-infused Monkey Shoulder Whiskey with honey and bitters, topped with a roasted and sesamecovered maraschino cherry. The sesame seeds provide a rich, smokey flavor that heightens the comforting warmth of the whiskey, while the honey offers balance with sweetness. The cherry itself was so delightful that I was almost tempted to ask for one or two (or ten) more.

This would be an ideal drink to sip in the sake room among friends and flaunt on social media.

Lastly, I tried the Lychee Colada, which deconstructs the Puerto Rican classic piña colada by combining rum, the lychee coconut, and pineapple. Unlike a typical piña colada, which tends to be thick, this refreshing beverage has a creamy surface and a smooth body. The Lychee Colada is served in an unconventional bottle and decorated with a pineapple leaf. This drink goes down smoothly, so it would be a nice pair for a

The Ajonjolí is a strong and delicious cocktail with whiskey at its base, complemented with the smokiness from sesame seeds, sweetness from honey and graced with a roasted, sesame-covered maraschino cherry. >Courtesy Azalea

/ Wednesday, December 18, 2019

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Meanwhile, the Fortaleza Roll is made with spicy crab, avocado, red pepper spray and topped with “chicharrón vola’o”(homemade pork rinds).

The roll’s name is a nod to the iconic street where Azalea is located, while the red pepper spray is a playful reference to the protests that enveloped the area last summer in a heated political climate.

Being a native of Bayamón, the “chicharrón” capital of Puerto Rico, I especially enjoyed the salty, crunchy goodness of the pork rinds, which diverted greatly from any other sushi I’d ever had.

These rolls were all fantastic, but the star of the show was without a doubt the Jíbaro Roll. Rather than traditional white rice, this roll is made with “arroz guisado” (yellow rice), stuffed with juicy “pernil” (slow-roasted pork), and topped with a creamy pigeon pea “mojo”. This was truly the Cadillac of sushis—it essentially had the full taste of Christmas in Puerto Rico, rolled for bite-sized convenience.

Otherworldly Dishes

Made with yellow rice, slow-roasted pork and pigeon pea mojo, the Jíbaro Roll tastes like Christmas in Puerto Rico. >Courtesy Azalea

heavy meal.

All in all, Azalea has eight signature drinks, each one with a different alcoholic base to ensure that most palettes are satisfied.

Cutting-Edge Sushi

Chef Xavier Toro explained that Azalea has nearly 30 sushi roll options. Some of these are familiar, such as the spicy salmon roll and the Philadelphia roll, but others are intriguing original creations that reflect the use of Japanese techniques with familiar flavors.

One of these, the tuna roll, is comprised of slightly burnt rice pieces that are made to resemble the “arroz pega’o” (rice that is stuck to the bottom of the cooking pot), but the taste actually resembled “arañitas”, a type of plantain fritter. The rice was topped with raw, fresh tuna, which perfectly complemented the crispiness of the rice.

An interesting aspect of the sushi menu is that it offers Puerto Rican rolls. Now, there are many sushi bars and Asian restaurants that feature “boricua” rolls, but these are typically just comprised of sushi rice and “churrasco” (skirt steak) and topped with “amarillos” (fried sweet plantains). Deliberately aiming to avoid that cliché, the chefs sought to redefine Caribbean sushi.

For instance, the Cubachino Roll is very similar to an ordinary boricua roll, except that it is filled with “ropa vieja”—shredded stewed beef popularized in Cuba and beloved by Puerto Ricans.

Coincidentally, this is one of the most requested items overall, and with good reason. The meat is juicy and savory while the “amarillo” is sweet and firm.

After being transported to savory nirvana, I still made room to try three more concoctions.

The first was one of the restaurant’s most solicited appetizers, the “Tiradito”—raw yellowtail fish in a creamy sauce made with the citric yuzu, jalapeño, and topped with “tobiko”, or flying fish roe. Despite the jalapeño, this wasn’t a spicy dish, but it was definitely enticing. The cream was heavy, but it didn’t overpower the freshness of the fish.

The different ingredients provided a confusing, albeit rewarding experience.

The chefs also served the Ceviche Azalea. I was slightly apprehensive at first because every ceviche I had tried had been far too lemony for my taste. In this meal, however, the freshness of the ingredients came through. This famous Peruvian dish was bolstered with Japanese ingredients like furikake, a dry seasoning, as well as a Puerto Rican twist with small balls of “mofongo”, a Puerto Rican favorite made with fried plantains.

My expectations were high by the time the Chifa Rice was presented. This is a type of fried rice made with chicken, eggs, edamame, and

The Fortaleza Roll is similar to a California roll, but it features a red pepper “spray” and homemade fried pork rinds, or “chicharrón vola’o”. >Courtesy

Azalea’s ceviche follows the traditional structure of this Peruvian dish but adds Japanese and Puerto Rican elements, such as “mofongo” balls (mashed fried plantain). >Courtesy

yellow ají—a spicy sauce made with the ají pepper, cilantro, onions and more. The Puerto Rican spin in this was that the exterior rice of the dome-shaped serving was basically “arroz pega’o”. To call this meal sublime would be an understatement. The mixture of spices, ingredients and textures was almost overwhelming.

Chef Toro said that most items of the menu can be shared between two people because the serving portions are generally large, though, with so many captivating options, it would be difficult to pick just one meal for two. Prices range between $3 for steamed rice to $35 for a dish with filet mignon.

Burns explained that the idea for the restaurant originated from French investor Lancelot De Montsegur, who arrived in Puerto Rico in July 2018 attracted by Acts 20 and 22. Upon arriving to Old San Juan from Chicago, he became enamored with the island’s colonial vestige from the Spanish empire but noticed that there were multiple opportunities in this world-renowned tourist favorite, particularly after the passage of Hurricane Maria in 2017, which deeply impacted the local economy. Shortly afterward, De Montsegur hired Burns, who did a market analysis and found that there were no sushi bars in Old San Juan. Aiming for a distinctive vibe, chef Toro and chef Omar Rosas joined their creative minds for an ingenious take.

“Chef Omar Rosa and I sat down and we wanted to bring a vision where would harmonize those Asian products and Asian techniques with these local products, which some might consider polar opposites, but they really aren’t. And we did harmonize them—something sweet with something acidic, something salty with something sweet—and we managed to ensure that everything compliments itself,” Toro said.

Azalea is located at 309 Fortaleza St. in Old San Juan. The restaurant opens Monday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. For reservations, call (787) 333-0615 or visit azaleapr.com.

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>Archive

Ready to Indulge in Delicious Pig Roasted on a Spit?

“Lechón a la vara” can be found all over the island

C Yaira Solís Escudero

glad to find that many “lechoneras” (roasted pork restaurants) have recovered from the effects of Hurricane Maria and are excitedly waiting for the public to come back to visit!

BAYAMÓN ysolis@elvocero.com

@yairasolis

hristmas is here and with it comes your standard family outing in search of “lechón a la vara” (roasted pig on a spit).

Although the gastronomic options on road 184 in Guavate are the most well-known, they are certainly not the only ones that serve delicious roasted pork.

“Lechón a la vara” can be found all over the island and THE WEEKLY JOURNAL took to the task of putting together a list of places to try. We were

Aside from cooking up delicious roasted pork, Lechonera El Pitirre serves Puerto Rican staples like rice with pigeon peas, “amarillitos” (sweet fried plantains), “gandinga” (made with a pig’s liver and kidneys), root vegetables, traditional rice and beans, “guineitos en escabeche” (green banana salad), potato salad and “pavochón” (turkey seasoned and roasted in the same style as the roasted pork). Lechonera El Pitirre is located on road 167 and opens Friday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (787) 374-0061.

CAGUAS

Lorenzo López and his family cater events with

delicious specialties like their stuffed roasted pig, cassava, rice with pigeon peas and “morcilla” (blood sausage). El Mejor Lechón Relleno is located at the San Antonio Barrio on road 175, km 1.1. For more information, call (787) 399-5710.

CAYEY

Restaurante El Cuñao, located on road 1, km 65.5, opens seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. They offer “pavochón”, roasted chicken, codfish stew, rice with pigeon peas, rice and beans, sweet potatoes, green bananas, goat meat fricassee and “cuajito” (hog maw). For more information, call (787) 263-0511.

Los Amigos opens bright and early at 6 a.m. with a breakfast offering that includes their popular black coffee. During the day, they offer “mofongo” (crushed plantain), sweet fried plantains, boiled bananas, sweet potatoes, blood sausage, rice with pigeon peas, green banana

/ Wednesday, December 18, 2019

salad, “yucca al mojo” (cassava in garlic sauce), “longaniza de pollo” (chicken sausage), “tostones” (fried plantain), “arroz con dulce” (coconut rice pudding), custard and “tembleque” (coconut pudding). Los Amigos closes at 8:30 p.m. and is located by the Guavate exit on road 184. For more information, call (787) 286-1917.

On road 764, km 28 lies El Nuevo Rancho.

They serve up a great variety of root vegetables, traditional Puerto Rican desserts, roasted chicken and pork, rice with pigeon peas and “gandinga”.

El Nuevo Rancho opens seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call (787) 286-0265.

GUAYNABO

Lechonera El Rancho de Apa is located on road 176, km 3 in the Hato Nuevo Barrio . Its proprietor, Luis “Apa” Ramos, serves up delicious roasted pork that has delighted foodies like Anthony Bourdain.

He serves the pork with sides like rice with pigeon peas, cassava in garlic sauce, pasta salad, potato salad, blood sausage and “pasteles de masa y cerdo” (a mash of plantain, green banana, taro root and pumpkin stuffed with pork). Lechonera El Rancho de Apa opens Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The place fills up quickly so calling ahead of time is recommended. For more information, call (787) 789-4706.

Lechonera El Paso has been a family owned enterprise for 70 years. Its founder is 96-year-old Lorenzo López and the house specialty is roasted pork stuffed with rice. Although the stuffing is usually rice with pigeon peas, they can also stuff it with rice and red or black beans or rice with bacon, amongst other alternatives. They also offer blood sausage “pastelillos” (turnovers), “pavochón” and assorted desserts. Lechonera El Paso is located on road 173, km 29.5 in the Hato Nuevo Barrio. For more information, call (787) 633-8100.

LARES

Although Lechonera Rancho T has been around for almost three decades, two years ago it was acquired by the Marrero Ruiz’s. Aside from roasted pork, they offer blood sausage, rice with pigeon peas, boiled green bananas and root vegetables. Lechonera Rancho T is located at the

>Archive

intersection of road 111 with road 129. They open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call (787) 201- 8148 or (787) 201 -8086.

SAN GERMÁN

Lechonera Figueroa, located on road 102, km 38.5, has been serving up oven-roasted pork with Don Samuel’s secret marinade for almost two decades. They also offer rice with pigeon peas, steamed root vegetables, veal fricassee and “gandinga”. For more information, call (787) 8731080.

SAN JUAN

Lechonera El Cuerito Tostao at 243 Eleanor Roosevelt St. offers delicious roasted pork, chicken and turkey, root vegetables, cassava “pasteles”, rice with pigeon peas, rice with red beans, sweet fried plantains and their staple, roasted pork “alcapurrias” (a stuffed fritter). Over Christmas, they will also offer “cuajito” on the weekends and an assortment of custards. They open Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays until midnight, Saturdays until 7 p.m. and Sundays until 10 p.m. For more information, call (787) 585-1717 El Jibarito located on Sol street in Old San Juan has been serving up traditional Puerto Rican food since 1977. One of their most requested dishes is the “Christmas Platter”, which includes roasted pork, rice with pigeon peas, “pasteles” and blood sausage. For more information, call (787) 725-8375.

TRUJILLO ALTO

The “pastel” is a batter of grated root vegetables stuffed with pork and wrapped in a banana leaf. >Archive

Angelito’s Place has always been famous for its delicious roasted pork which is served with rice with pigeon peas, “pasteles”, blood sausage, sweet potato and bananas. Angelito’s Place opens seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is located on road 175, km 4.8 in the Carraízo Barrio.

For more information, call (787) 203-8349 or (787) 755-2434.

Lechonera El Pino, also on road 175 in Carraízo, is famous for its rice with pigeon peas and cassava in garlic sauce They also offer roasted chicken and “gandinga”. Lechonera El Pino opens Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call (787) 760-4140.

Aside from serving delicious roasted pork, turkey and chicken, Lechonera La Casita de David, which has been around for over thirty years, makes an amazing rice with bacon and “gandinga”. The establishment is run and operated by its founder, Davín Colón. For more information, call (787) 636-0619.

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ADJUNTAS • Lechonera La Playita: 3 Rodolfo González St., (787) 829-5566 • BBQ and Lechonera De Melo: 18 Barbosa St., (787) 829-4780 AGUADA • Lechonera Rolo: Road 417, km 1.3, Malpaso Barrio, (787) 391-4525 ARECIBO • Lechonera Don Omar: Road 129, km 0.5, El Tres Hato Abajo sector, (787) 344-8936 BARCELONETA • Lechonera EL Carajo: Road 681, km 13.7, Palmas Altas Barrio, (787) 965-0033 BAYAMÓN • Lechonera Pagán: Road 167, (787) 869-1311 CABO ROJO • Lechonera El Panapén: Road 311, Km 3.5, Sabana Alta sector, (787) 851-6592 • Lechonera El Combate: PR-3301, El Combate, (787) 354-1184 • Lechonera La Tuna: Road 312, Km 3.5, (787) 851-9241 Cayey • Lechonera El Mojito: PR-184, (787) 738-8888 • Lechonera Los Pinos: PR-184, km. 27.7, (787) 2861917 • Lechonera Los Amigos: Road 184, by Guavate’s exit 32, (787) 286-1917 • El Rancho Original: Road 184, km 27.5, Guavate, (787) 747-7296 • Doctor Lechón: Road 184, Guavate, km 32.6, (787) 368-1058 • Lechonera Bruni: Road 184, Guavate, (787) 738-7340 COROZAL • Lechonera Mi Jaldita: Road 803, Palos Blancos Barrio, La Mina sector, (787) 218-7986 GUAYANILLA • Lechonera Sazón Alvarado: Playa Barrio, PR-127, km 11.7, (787) 974-9121 HATILLO • Lechonera de Puerto Rico: Road 2, Mangotín street, (787) 996-7970 JUANA DÍAZ • Lechonera El Carretón: Pastillo Barrio, Km 114, (787) 432-6780 LAS PIEDRAS • Hacienda La Tormenta: Road 936, Km 1.5, Arenas Barrio, (787) 602-3392 MAYAGÜEZ • Lechonera Los Pinos: Road 106, k.m. 4.6, Quemado Barrio, (939) 299-9305 or (787) 447-5634 MOROVIS • Lechonera Under The Mango: Road 633, Barahona Barrio, (787) 599-9506 NARANJITO • Lechonera La Criolla: Road 5, after the suspension bridge, (787) 245-3323 PEÑUELAS • Bar and Restaurant La Nueva Lechonera: Road 132, km 9.2, Cotto Barrio, (787) 928-7073 PONCE • Lechonera La Curvita: Road 108, Km 3.1, Miradero Barrio, (787) 649-1944 SAN SEBASTIÁN • Lechonera González: Road 111, km.17.6, (939) 2168374 TOA ALTA • Lechonera Marzán: Road 820, (787) 934-8790 • Lechonera Mario Risitas: Road 165, Galateo Alto Barrio, (787) 612-2741 TOA BAJA • Lechonera los Flamboyanes: Road 865, K.m. 4.9, Candelaria Arenas Barrio, (787) 784-6550, (787) 406-6980 or (787) 908-9424 YABUCOA • Lechonera La Nueva Tinajita: Road 901, Camino Nuevo Barrio, (787) 238-8810

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Frankly My Dear,

How Self-Conscious Are You? If you treat others a certain way, you need to make sure you can deal with the same treatment yourself

F

Alberto J. Nuñez González

anunez@albertonunez.com

rankly my dear, I don’t give a damn!

This phrase is commonly repeated by many. Regardless of socioeconomic position and the situation at hand, it has become a “muletilla” that many depend on when dealing with stressful situations or interacting with others.

Do you really not give a damn? How would you feel if the person on the other side of the situation felt the same way in regards of treating you or others?

Self-consciousness includes being aware of the impression or reaction that we provoke in others.

Birkman defines and relates self-consciousness to the use of sensitivity when communicating with others. >Archive

Remember that since what people see is our behavior, that is how they believe that you like to be treated too. If you treat others a certain way, you need to make sure you can deal with the same treatment yourself.

For example, it is very common to witness public figures verbalizing that they have thick skin and that they can deal with the pressure of public opinion. You may expect to listen to direct, strong, and sometimes violent statements from some of these individuals. They may seem casual or informal when discussing certain public issues. Then comes the tricky part. When treated the same way, many raise the “we deserve some deference card” or the “private life card”.

This may also happen with professionals in work or business settings. A CEO may be direct and straightforward with subordinates while expecting a higher degree of respect. On the other hand, an employee may have been raised in a very formal environment and behave that way at work; while deep inside wanting to be more frank and direct, and expecting others to be the same.

No one really notices this because emotional needs are hidden and our usual behavior is

repeated because it has become effective in a specific setting.

One of the nine components measured by the Birkman Method is self-consciousness.

Birkman defines and relates self-consciousness to the use of sensitivity when communicating with others. Low scores on this component may be represented as direct and straightforward behavior as well as being at ease with people in higher hierarchy positions. On the other hand, high self-consciousness scores may represent feelings of being diplomatic and respectful to superiors.

It is important to really be aware of the words and communication style we use and learn to detect the effect it causes on others. This may be a common sense issue but it rarely is. Our usual behavior does not express our underlying needs.

By evaluating and assessing via a scientifically validated tool you can learn more about yourself and your social interactions and their possible blockages.

Usually only available to big corporations globally, the Birkman Method is now available in Puerto Rico to corporations and individuals.

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• Cuando las familias lo pierden todo por un desastre en su hogar • Cuando los militares puertorriqueños necesitan regresar a la isla en tiempos de emergencias • En apoyo a los veteranos ubicados en el Hospital de Veteranos y en las clínicas de veteranos alrededor de Puerto Rico • Para educar a nuestros niños y niñas sobre cómo prepararse y responder mejor ante los desastres Por todos a quienes ayudamos y por todos los que faltan por ayudar, dona hoy.

< The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Siempre cerca de ti

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/ Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Religious Art Expo For unique artisanal finds in Puerto Rico’s west coast, stop by San Germán’s Museo de Arte Religioso Porta Coeli.

Every December, they host an exposition which features various types of religious artwork.

When: Wednesday, Dec. 18 to Sunday, Dec. 22 at 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Museo de Arte Religioso Porta Coeli, San Germán

Playa Event Series | Marco Carola Marco Carola is a global ambassador of techno. Even after 20 years in the music industry, Marco is still one of the most respected artists within the techno scene, widely regarded as one of the key players in driving the genre to worldwide recognition.

When: Sunday, Dec. 22 at 5 p.m.

Where: 7000 Carr. 187 RR2, Vivo Beach Club, Carolina

Santa at El Convento Hotel Santa is stopping by the El Convento Hotel to receive wish lists! Take pictures with Santa and enjoy live music, a happy hour and complimentary homemade coquito.

When: Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: El Convento Hotel, 100 Del Cristo St., San Juan

Christmas Eve Dinner: Néctar del Caribe Enjoy traditional Christmas dishes like “lechon a la vara” (roasted pig) and locally smoked longaniza sausage at Néctar del Caribe. For reservations call (787) 721-0303, Ext. 6866 between the hours of 6 a.m. -12 p.m.

When: Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 6 p.m.

Where: Caribe Hilton Hotel, 1 San Gerónimo St., San Juan

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DJ Ivan Robles ‘80s and ‘90s vibes Experience a vibrant night featuring four decades of music and hits from the best clubs in the world. For table Reservations: rsvp@elsanjuanhotel.com When: Friday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Where: El San Juan Hotel, Carolina

Ranger-Guided Program: Exploring San Cristóbal Tunnels Learn the myths and realities of the fort’s tunnel system and about their crucial role in San Cristóbal’s defense strategies. The program is offered in English and starts at the fort’s main plaza. The tour itself is free of charge but there’s a $7 fort entrance fee for adults 16 and over.

When: Saturday, Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m.

Where: San Juan National Historic Site, 501 Norzagaray St., Old San Juan

Christmas Eve Dinner San Juan Children’s Choir: at 1919 Restaurant The Eve of the Epiphany Enjoy a delightful Christmas Eve celebration with a special menu created by executive chef Juan José Cuevas. For reservations please contact 1919@condadovanderbilt.com or call (787) 724-1919 When: Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 5 p.m.

Where: 1919 Restaurant, Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, 1055 Ashford Ave., San Juan

The San Juan Children’s Choir is putting on their annual Christmas concert.

The concert, to be held at the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center, will include music by Francis Poulenc, Wolfgang A. Mozart, Sarah Quartel and Joshua B. Himes.

When: Saturday, Dec. 21 to Sunday, Dec. 22 Where: Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center, 22 Ponce de León Ave., San Juan

Desecheo Reef Dive Trip Join Scuba Dogs on a reef dive trip to Desecheo island. For more information and reservations call (787) 783-6377 or (787) 977-0000.

When: Sunday, Dec. 22 at 6 a.m.

Santa’s Academy Take a picture with Santa and join his crew, complete with an identification card and a virtual uniform! No reservations are required to see Santa.

When: Wednesday, Dec. 18 to Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 10 a.m.

Where: The Mall of San Juan, 1000 Mall of San Juan Blvd., San Juan