My Puerto Rican DNA Results

Posted on January 13, 2018 by Phil Velez

(My DNA results as per Ancestry.com.)

As a Puerto Rican, I have known for decades that my ethnic makeup consisted of a mix of Spanish, Taino, and African ancestry. However, I did not know the actual makeup of my Puerto Rican blood until now. In December I sent away for my DNA results from Ancestry.com. The company noted results would be ready in six to eight weeks but mine was completed in four weeks. I, of course, am still Puerto Rican, but now that means more to me than just being Spanish, Taino, and African.

I primarily wanted to find out the exact percentage of my Native American and African heritage and more specifically I wanted to know where in Africa my ancestors came from. While I waited for my results, I conducted research online and was surprised to find out that most Puerto Ricans who tested their DNA had traces of Italian and Greek ancestry. I also saw many Puerto Ricans had some heritage from Great Britain. Prior to this research and my DNA results, I never really thought of being anything other than Puerto Rican.

Here is a summary of my Puerto Rican DNA results:

  • 26% Iberian Peninsula (Spanish)
  • 20% Native American (Taino)
  • 18% African (16% Nigeria, 1% Africa North, 1% Ivory Coast/Ghana)
  • 13% Great Britain
  • 10% Italy/Greece
  • 8% European Jewish
  • 2% Ireland/Scotland/Wales
  • 2% Finland/Northwest Russia
  • <1% Middle Eastern

I was informed that my great-grandmother on my mother’s side was from Spain, so I thought I would be more than 26% Spanish but happy to finally know the exact percentage. I am very excited to learn that I am 20% Native American and 18% African, which includes 16% Nigerian, 1% North African (Morocco, Western Sahara, Algeria, Libya) and 1% from the Ivory Coast/Ghana.

What I found most amazing is that I am 8% European Jewish (Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Hungary, Israel) and 2% from Finland/Northwest Russia. I also now gladly embrace being 13% from Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales), 10% from Italy/Greece (Europe South), 2% from Ireland, and less than one percent from the Middle East.

(This blog post has been updated.) 

 

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“We’re suffering” – My Mom’s Scream For Help in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

Posted on October 3, 2017 by Phil Velez

My mom and I in Boqueron, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, 2017.

This morning I finally spoke with my mom, Lydia, in the Boqueron section of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. The last time I heard my mom’s voice was before Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico. Almost two weeks after the hurricane, food and water has not yet reached Cabo Rojo and most likely other towns in the south west part of the island.

My mom says the supermarkets near her are empty, water pressure is almost non-existent, there is still no electricity, it’s hot, she’s getting headaches, and she and her husband Hector have about three more days of can food left.

“We’re suffering,” my mom told me. “I want to leave Puerto Rico now.”

My mom’s flight to New York is scheduled for October 12. My family will send some packages to my mom and Hector, but I hope they get the items. In such a desparate state, the odds of the packages getting to them may be 50/50, but we have to try.

Fortunately, Hector’s cell phone started to get reception today, but the phone can’t be recharged. Things are getting dire for my mom and Hector in Cabo Rojo, PR. The most frustrating thing for me is the sense of feeling helpless. I need to find a way to help my mom.

The world needs to know there are people in Puerto Rico reaching the end of their rope. These people, my people, American citizens, need our help. Food and water needs to reach remote areas of Puerto Rico now.

Though I cannot do much physically to help my mom, I can respond to my mom’s scream for help by magnifying it as loudly as possible.

(UPDATE: On Thursday, Oct. 5, I received word that my mom and Hector are OK with food and things are getting a bit better overall. There are still others struggling and I hope things get better all around very soon.)

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NYC Mayor de Blasio’s Puerto Rican Heritage Event at Gracie Mansion

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Phil Velez

I was invited to the Puerto Rican Heritage Event celebration hosted by the New York City Mayor’s Office. Below are videos and pictures of the event, held at Gracie Mansion in Manhattan. Mayor Bill de Blasio gave a passionate speech about the plight of Puerto Rico. Honorees included Olympic Gold Medalist Laurie Hernandez and actress Lauren Velez.

Mayor de Blasio speaking about the problem in Puerto Rico. He was quite passionate, moving, and made some very important points.

City Council Speaker and the Mayor present Olympic Medalist Laurie Hernandez with a Proclamation.

Actress Lauren Velez accepts her Proclamation from Mayor de Blasio.

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio speaking at the Puerto Rican Heritage Event at Gracie Mansion.

 

NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito at the Mayor’s Office Puerto Rican Heritage Event at Gracie Mansion.

 

Actress Lauren Velez is presented with a Proclamation by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

 

Laurie Hernandez accepting a Proclamation from Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Mark-Viverito.

 

Puerto Rican Heritage Event at Gracie Mansion.

 

 

 

 

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If You Hate Hillary or You’re Terrified of Trump, There are Other Options for President. Just Vote on Nov. 8!

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Phil Velez

From left to right: Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Jill Stein, Gary Johnson. (Photo courtesy of IndianExpress.com.)

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump may be the least liked presidential candidates in United States history. Each is so disliked to the point that millions of Americans are considering skipping the 2016 U.S. presidential election, which is scheduled for November 8th. However, deciding not to participate in the political process may have disastrous repercussions for years to come.

Many Americans have given up on the upcoming presidential election, regarding it as one where the voter must choose between the lesser of two evils. It should be noted, there are four candidates running for President of the United States. Prominent politicians and the media in general, highlight just the two major political parties: Democrats and Republicans. Notwithstanding, there are two lesser-known political parties that have candidates running for president.

If you just cannot vote for Clinton or Trump, instead of sitting out this election, check out Jill Stein of the Green Party and Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party. Jill Stein was the Green Party’s 2012 candidate for president. She is a medical practitioner and activist. According to Dr. Stein’s website, she holds the current record for most votes ever received by a woman candidate for President of the United States in a general election. The Libertarian Party’s candidate, Gary Johnson, was elected twice Governor of New Mexico as a Republican in an overwhelmingly Democratic state.

Some politically “savvy” people will say that a vote for a Green Party or Libertarian Party candidate is a lost vote because we live in a major two-party system. But with the ineffectiveness of Congress and the crazy electoral process we’ve just witnessed with the Democrats and Republicans, it might be time to seriously consider a competitive third party is added to our election options. Only time will tell which party will rise as a viable third party.

Others worry that if Americans throw their votes behind a third or fourth political party, it will take votes away from Clinton or Trump. I understand this concern. I am an adamant supporter of Hillary Clinton and will be casting my vote for her. If Clinton loses the election because too many people voted for a Green Party or Libertarian Party candidate, I would be quite upset.

At the same time, I believe everyone should participate in the political process and all voices should be heard. Therefore, if you are not happy with the status quo in politics, get involved to change it. I have been a lifelong Democrat and that is not changing anytime soon. But if you are feed up with either the Democrat or Republican Party, know that there are other options. Do your research and cast your vote for President of the United States on Tuesday, November 8th.

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Movie Review: VIVA – The Film

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Phil Velez

I watched a screening of the new film VIVA, which opens on April 29th, and experienced an array of emotions. The powerful film made me laugh and cry. At times I also found myself angered and other times amused. As a Latino, I connected with the cultural aspects of the movie, which is set in the slums of Havana, Cuba. I also related to the father/son dynamic and the personal search to find oneself.

VIVA stars Héctor Medina as Jesus, a young hairdresser working at a Havana nightclub that showcases drag performers, who dreams of being a performer himself. His father then re-enters his life causing chaos and the two struggle to understand and accept each other.

I enjoyed the development of characters in the film and the even pace of the movie, which beautifully showcases the majestic island nation. The main character’s journey is the focal point of the film and Medina does an outstanding job as Jesus. I highly recommend this film, which is entirely in Spanish with English subtitles.


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