7 GLBT Latino Bloggers to Watch

Posted on June 24, 2009 by Phil Velez

Today, while glancing through the Twitterverse, I saw a mention of me in a reference to Latino GLBT blogs. I thought it was cool, but also quite interesting since my blog is not GLBT specific. Though I was thinking of posting my next blog entry on this year’s Pride Parade or the delayed issue of same-sex marriage equality in the New York State Senate.

I then realized the tweet led to an online list of seven GLBT Latino bloggers to watch, and incredibly enough I was listed as numero cinco. I’m still like, “what?”

A site called MiApogeo.com (soon to be MyLatinoVoice.com) listed me as number five after a conversation with number one Latino GLBT blogger, and my longtime hero, Andrés Duque. MiApogeo is the fastest growing online destination for US Latino culture, entertainment, and current events in English.

Thanks to Andrés and the soon to be MyLatinoVoice.com for the listing. I am honored to be in such amazing company.

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Posted in GLBT, latino | 1 Comment

Business Blog

Posted on June 21, 2009 by Phil Velez

A few months ago I created a business blog to market volunteer and professional communication services. I’ve enjoyed putting together a virtual place to record my education and past and present work experience. I recently created an assignments page to represent current projects. It’s also a great way to promote the organizations. My business blog at the present time serves two purposes: it’s an online vehicle to market volunteer and professional communication services, and an Internet résumé prospective full-time employers can review.

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Posted in blogging, personal | 1 Comment

Boricua Pride

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Phil Velez

(Photo by Phil Velez)

On Sunday, June 14, 2009, I marched for the first time in the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City. Thanks to my sister-in-law, who is an employee of Goya Foods, I joined her, my brother, sister, aunt, niece and about a hundred others in the Goya contingent down Fifth Avenue. The sea of red, white, and blue was magnificent, filled with prideful Boricua smiles and eyes of all ages. It was an experience of a lifetime.

The word Boricua is derived from the original Taíno name for Puerto Rico, Borikén: Land of the Brave Noble Lord. Boricua represents a proud sense of identity. Some people use the word interchangeably with Puerto Rican and others use the word to refer specifically to people native to Puerto Rico.

The most accurate definition of the word, in my opinion, is found in Roberto Santiago’s Boricuas: Influential Puerto Rican Writings – An Anthology. Santiago writes, “Boricua is what Puerto Ricans call one another as a term of endearment, respect, and cultural affirmation; it is a timeless declaration that transcends gender and color. Boricua is a powerful word that tells the origin and history of the Puerto Rican people.”

I am presently reading Santiago’s anthology and recommend it to any one who wants to obtain a better sense and understanding of Boricuas: the valiant people.

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Posted in puerto rico | 5 Comments

New iPhone Prices Are Not For Everyone

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Phil Velez

I have been holding out on upgrading my Sony Ericsson flip phone until the next iPhone update. This Monday Apple announced the new iPhone 3GS priced at $199 for the 16GB version and $299 for the 32GB version. It also dropped the price of the older iPhone 3G 8G version to $99. However there’s a big catch: The new prices are only good for new and upgrade-eligible AT&T customers. So if someone presently has an iPhone 3G and wants to get the new 3GS, he/she will have to pay a ridicules $599 for the 16GB version or $699 for the 32GB phone.

iPhone fans are upset with Apple and its current contract with AT&T. Last year, when the 3G iPhone came out, existing customers were able to upgrade and pay the new price. This year existing iPhone customers will have to wait until they’re eligible for an iPhone upgrade, or shell out hundreds of dollars.

I was told by Scott, an AT&T representative, that I will have to wait until September to be eligible for the $199 price for the new iPhone GS or pay $499 now for the new phone. Scott recommended I wait until September. Gee, thanks Scott.

I guess I’ll hold out for another 90 days.

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Posted in news, personal | 2 Comments

Puerto Rico’s Political Status?

Posted on June 2, 2009 by Phil Velez

(I recently joined the Facebook group “I Support the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009” and wrote a column in EL BORICUA about the unresolved issue of Puerto Rico’s political status. Here’s a synopsis – )

The future of Puerto Rico has been in status quo limbo since the 1952 constitution that officially created an unincorporated territory of the U.S. with commonwealth status. Puerto Rico’s political status is an emotionally charged and often culturally sensitive issue for Puerto Ricans on the island and mainland.

To understand the future of Puerto Rican politics one must visit the island’s past and present political status. Votes expressing opinions on political proposals, known as plebiscites, were held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, and Puerto Rican residents chose not to alter the existing commonwealth status over the possible independence of Puerto Rico or statehood.

Puerto Rico today does not stand unified toward a collective political status. Puerto Ricans must define Puerto Rico’s future. Commonwealth status was not intended to be a final political destination. It is time for Boricuas to move from the status quo and find strength to become the 51st U.S. state, or an independent nation.

(To read the full column in EL BORICUA click here.)

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Posted in politics, puerto rico | 6 Comments