Photo by Miriam Quinones
The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.
In celebration of Puerto Rican pride and culture, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson hosted the Annual Puerto Rican Flag Raising Ceremony on Thursday, June 5, at Lou Gehrig Plaza in the Concourse section of The Bronx.
“The Bronx is home to one of the largest Puerto Rican communities in the country, and this flag raising is a powerful symbol of visibility, pride, and belonging,” said Gibson. “We are proud to honor the strength, resilience, and rich culture of Puerto Ricans in our borough and beyond. This ceremony officially kicks off a season of celebration, remembrance, and unity.”
This year’s theme was “Plantando Bandera (Planting Roots),” and pays tribute and homage to the contribution of Puerto Ricans in The Bronx and across the nation, from activism and entrepreneurship to music, food, and family traditions.
Photo courtesy of Miriam Quinones
This is the second time in the borough’s history the Puerto Rican flag will formally be raised, bringing together local leaders, artists, and community members who marked the start of the Puerto Rican parade season in the City. The 60th Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade was held in Manhattan on Sunday, June 8, and the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade will take place Saturday, June 14, at 11 a.m. at the Grand Concourse between Mount Eden Avenue and 165th Street.
“Let us carry the pride of this day in our hearts!” said Maribel Mercado, president of the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade. “Everyone is fostering unity, celebrating our achievements, and continuing to build brighter futures for everyone. Que Viva Puerto Rico! Que Viva Bronx, and may our flag fly high with honor and pride.”
Meanwhile, Miguel Guadalupe, vice-president of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, said, “We are very proud and honored to receive this proclamation from the Bronx Borough President. We always enjoy the presence of the Bronx community in our parade each year, and we look forward to celebrating our culture and heritage on June 8th.”
Photo courtesy of Miriam Quinones
Grammy Award-winning musician Bobby Allende also delivered remarks during the program and received a citation of merit from the borough president. Recording artist Luis Damon performed both La Borinqueña, the Puerto Rican National Anthem, and the National Anthem of the United States. Jomil Luna, MPH, sales representative with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, served as the emcee for the event.
Luis Damos and Jennie Sol performed at the event during which little kids also waved miniature flags. Also present were “the King,” Ruben Santana, Janet Vazquez, Rosemary Santana, Rebecca Carrion, Daine Torres, Juvenile 2nd Princess Karola Rivera and Damas 2nd Princess Cinthia Prado.
One day later, on June 6, the “Noche Borinqueña” (Puerto Rican Night) was held in The Bronx as part of the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade festival, hosted by Freddy Perez Jr. and Councilman Rafael Salamanca (C.D. 17) who is currently running for Bronx borough president. The event was to honor those who work to “uplift the city,” according to the organizers.
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.