National Puerto Rican Day Parade Gives Captain Morgan The Boot

Rum Co. Gets $2.7B to Leave PR – Money Would Have Funded Education & Health

New York City, NY [CapitalWirePR] March 7, 2010 – The National Puerto Rican Parade, one of America’s largest outdoor events with more than 2 million participants, today announced it is terminating its relationship with the makers of Captain Morgan Rum over the company’s planned abandonment of its Puerto Rican distillery in exchange for taxpayer-funded grants of $2.7 billion that the island needs for health and educational needs.
“The corporate sponsorships of Captain Morgan and its British parent, Diageo, PLC, are no longer welcome,” announced Parade Chairperson Madelyn Lugo. Diageo’s brands, Johnny Walker, Jose Cuervo and Captain Morgan, have had a 30 year relationship with the Parade.
“This Parade is about pride and respect, and Captain Morgan has shown us neither,” she asserted. “They are abandoning us in exchange for $2.7 billion in taxpayer-funded corporate handouts that would otherwise be used to meet the educational and health needs of Puerto Rico, where 16 percent are unemployed and 1 in 3 lives below the poverty line.”
Two years ago, the U.S. Virgin Islands lured Captain Morgan to St. Croix by promising to split $6 billion in anticipated revenues from rebates of federal excise tax it expects to receive on the rum. The rebates are the principal form of federal assistance to both Territories, generating $470 million for Puerto Rico last year.
The deal has been sharply criticized by labor groups, who complain that the new distillery on St. Croix, also being financed by federal excise tax rebates, will employ at least 330 fewer workers.
Florida Republican Senator George LeMieux has announced plans to offer an amendment this week to the proposed jobs bill that will effectively scuttle the deal by tying future excise tax rebates to the respective Territories’ populations, rather than the place of production.
The National Puerto Rican Coalition, which has led the fight against the Captain Morgan deal, said today’s decision by Parade organizers will put “serious pressure” on New York Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. “New York represents the greatest concentration of Puerto Ricans living on the mainland,” said NPRC President Rafael Fantauzzi. “They’ll be watching to see whether their Senators stand with us, or with a British liquor company.”

source: press release

Mujeres de El Barrio seeks local Puerto Rican women to honor

Nuestra comunidad

Join Women of El Barrio/Mujeres de El Barrio at our 8th Annual Women's History Month Celebration as we honor Puerto Rican women that are positive role models in the East Harlem community.

Women of El Barrio (WOEB) promotes the leadership of Puerto Rican women regardless of age, sexual orientation, religious preferences, political affiliations or socio-economic status. Through our annual Women’s History Month celebration we have the opportunity to recognize women who have contributed to enhancing the quality of life in El Barrio/East Harlem according to the criteria stated below:

-Must be a woman of Puerto Rican descent
-Must be a resident of El Barrio/East Harlem
-Must be active in cultural, social, political efforts that enhance the quality of life in El Barrio, demonstrating leadership, mentorship and/or creativity that is NOT related to employment.
-If nominating a young woman (16-24 yrs old), the candidate should be aspiring, mature, active, creative and be seen as an emerging leader.

***The deadline for nominations is WEDNESDAY MARCH 3RD! If you know of someone you would like to nominate as an honoree, please send an email to Womenoeb (at) gmail.com for a nomination form to be sent to you. ***

Food, Music, and Entertainment will be provided.
Contribution: $20

source: Women of El Barrio

The Borinqueneers U.S. Stamp Petition Campaign

Activism

Signatures wanted:

The Borinqueneers U.S. Stamp Petition Campaign

Mayra Calvani says 'Writing for Children is like Walking on a Rainbow'

Reading corner

My most recent column at Examiner is an interview with writer Mayra Calvani, a boricua who lives in Belgium. She writes about many different topics and is currently promoting her children's book "Humberto, the Bookworm Hamster."
To read my interview, go to
Mayra Calvani says ‘Writing for Children is like Walking on a Rainbow’ -
http://www.examiner.com/x-11970-NY-Latino-Community-Examiner~y2010m2d7-Mayra-Calvani-says-Writing-for-Children-is-like-Walking-on-a-Rainbow

Her collection of books have now been added to the PRSUN aStore.

NEW: Top 100 PRSUN Directory

Submit your Puerto Rican-related link for consideration for the Top 100 PRSUN Directory.

This is a directory dedicated to bloggers, websites, nonprofits and even a limited number of small businesses that cater to a Puerto Rican audience.

Here's the link:
Top 100 PRSUN Directory

Empowering
Informing
Building Community

Let's connect

Puerto Rico Sun readers and visitors, I have been using the social networks more to update lately.

Follow me at Twitter -- @prsun
Join the Puerto Rico Sun social network at www.puertoricosun.com
Or, look for Puerto Rico Sun Communications on Facebook at and join my fan page.

Wanna know...

Wanna know what I'm up to lately? Follow me at Twitter. I'm @prsun.

Or, look for me at Facebook.

Petition drive for a U.S. stamp to honor the 65th Infantry Regiment

Featured cause

El Pozo Productions is organizing a nationwide petition campaign to request that The Borinqueneers of the 65th Infantry Regiment be considered for a commemorative U.S. stamp honoring their unique military service as the only all-Hispanic unit in U.S. Army history.

To help make this happen, download the Petition Form at http://www.borinqueneers.com/files/Stamp_Petition.pdf. Collect as many signatures as possible.

Return the original signed petitions to El Pozo Productions, PO Box 302, Crompond, NY 10517 by February 15, 2010. El Pozo will then forward the petitions to the Committee for consideration. El Pozo prefers to submit petitions as a group to make more of a statement.

You may also send your own letter to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee:

Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee
c/o Stamp Development
U.S. Postal Service
1735 North Lynn St., Suite 5013
Arlington, VA 22209-6432.

For more information,
www.borinqueneers.com

Building community

A significant part of Puerto Rico Sun's mission is building community. The social networks have been instrumental in helping us fulfill our mission.

I want to thank everyone who is part of the PRSUN familia in one way or another. Looking forward to a prosperous new year.

Here's a glance:

PRSUN on Twitter, 895 followers
Clarisel Gonzalez on Facebook, 1,486 friends
Puerto Rico Sun Communications' Facebook page (open): 259 fans
Puerto Rico Sun's Facebook group (closed/by invite): 162 members
Clarisel's Photo Place page at Facebook, 42 fans
Puerto Rico Sun's very own social network at www.puertoricosun.com: 68 members
PRSUN at MySpace: 386 friends
New: Puerto Rico Sun Communications' LinkedIn group: 29 members

Happy new year from Puerto Rico Sun Communications. PRSUN hopes to grow as a community media and art business in the new year. One way you can help support our efforts is by leaving a tip via PayPal.

Merry Christmas from PRSUN

Hi Puerto Rico Sun readers and visitors, Christmas greetings for you:
http://www.mypunchbowl.com/ecards/share/f594a9894dbd8479d28b

-- Clarisel

PRSUN TV: Parranda!!!! in the Bronx

Get a taste of Parranda!!!! at Coqui Mexicano, a small fusion shop in the South Bronx. The community parranda was held in celebration of Coqui Mexicano's first anniversary as a business in the Melrose section. It was held on the day after Thanksgiving as a way of thanking the community for the support and kicking off the Christmas season.

Parranda!!! @ Coqui Mexicano from Clarisel Gonzalez on Vimeo.

Felicidades from PRSUN.

A Christmas greeting...

Comment | Copy This

Feel free to leave me a voice blog at http://snapvine.com/prsun.

The Puerto Rico Tourism Company Launches Innovative Advertising Campaign Through the Eyes of Artist Elliott Erwitt

A Celebration of Puerto Rico's History, the Campaign Takes You on a Photographic Journey of the Islands, Its People and Culture

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The Puerto Rico Tourism Company will unveil a new integrated marketing campaign designed to increase awareness and make Puerto Rico a top of mind destination. The $10 million advertising campaign will run locally on networks like Bravo, Food Network, Fine Living, Travel Channel, CNN and CNBC. Print will run in titles like Vanity Fair, Architectural Digest, Food & Wine, In Style, Town & Country, and Travel & Leisure. Digital and out-of-home advertising also supports the campaign. The campaign is scheduled to launch in December 2009 and run through June 2010.
At the center of the initiative is a series of Elliott Erwitt photographs taken during a return trip to Puerto Rico this spring where the world-renowned Magnum photographer re-discovered the Islands' essence: romantic, rich in culture and experience.
The new campaign is designed to provide a glimpse of life in the islands of Puerto Rico as seen from an artist's point of view. "We are so proud of our islands - the people, culture, richness and beauty of it all - that having a celebrated photographer like Elliott Erwitt capture it in photographs is a compelling way to share our islands with the world," said Jaime Lopez, executive director of The Puerto Rico Tourism Company. "He depicted the true realism of Puerto Rico; he captured our beaches, yes, but he unveiled so much more with images of our rain forests, our architecture and culture that make Puerto Rico so special."
Erwitt's initial voyage to Puerto Rico was fifty years ago when the photographer was called upon by one of the advertising industry's first Mad Men, David Ogilvy of Ogilvy & Mather, to capture the vibrancy and lifestyle of Puerto Rico through an artist's unique perspective. His photographs reflected contemporary life on the Islands and revealed character, depth of history and an unparalleled culture not found elsewhere in the Americas. These images created a ground breaking and aesthetically pleasing tourism advertising campaign which not only increased travel to the islands, but also greatly impacted economic development.
"Tourism enriches our economy and is a very important focus for us," said Governor Luis Fortuno of Puerto Rico. "We have a lot to offer travelers this year from world class events to new hotels and exciting cultural events that help round out our already amazing offerings that make Puerto Rico a top travel destination." Although years have gone by since Erwitt first photographed Puerto Rico, his lens still captures the same richness of experience that tourists from around the globe can experience during a visit to the Islands. "These images capture the heart and soul of Puerto Rico and its people," added Governor Fortuno. "It provides a glimpse into the Islands and paints a picture for travelers' of what a trip to Puerto Rico can offer."
The campaign, created by Ogilvy & Mather and De La Cruz Advertising is targeted toward people who want their vacation to be an enriching experience, people who want more than just a pretty beach; they want a sophisticated experience where they can learn about culture and history. The advertising plan, running in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington DC, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Atlanta and Miami, consists of television, print and online webisodes with messaging that evokes a personal connection with Puerto Rico and inspires people to visit the islands. Each ad features a specific aspect of what the island has to offer - history and architecture, dancing, gastronomy, culture, Puerto Rico's various islands, and more. The theme of these ads - through the eyes of an artist - will live on through the years through the eyes of other influentials and consumers as well.
To find out more about Puerto Rico, consumers can go to seepuertorico.com to browse Elliott's photos from his first trips in the 50s and 60s, and today, and watch webisodes on a variety of experiences that the islands have to offer. The web site also allows visitors to find out more about specific destinations, experiences, attractions, places to eat and stay and special offers. All advertising will drive consumers to the web site.
With Erwitt as a partner, the campaign closely resembles a photojournalistic essay detailing expectations travelers' should have of Puerto Rico and reflecting the Islands' everyday reality. As David Ogilvy said 50 years ago during the first series of Erwitt images, "I'm thrilled to watch an artist tell a story and proud to know that advertising through an artist's photographic eye can reflect the feeling and character of such a unique travel destination," said Steve Hayden, Vice Chairman Ogilvy & Mather.
Puerto Rico has so much to offer. This year alone, Puerto Rico will add 2 new hotels: W and St. Regis. They will be the host of world class events such as the PGA Golf Tournament in March and Latin Billboard Awards in April. Recently built, the Sheraton is the flagship location for its convention center offerings. Unlike its cousins, Puerto Rico is the only island in the Caribbean that continues to build hotels.
About Puerto Rico Tourism Company
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), founded in 1970, is a public corporation responsible for stimulating, promoting and regulating the development of the tourism industry. It markets Puerto Rico as a tourism destination through advertising, public relations and promotional activities; promotes tourism among local residents; provides visitor orientation and technical assistance to investors; evaluates tourism facilities and establishes standards of quality; and regulates and oversees gaming operations. PRTC has offices and representatives in the U.S. Mainland, Canada, Europe and Latin America.

Source: Puerto Rico Tourism Company