What is Puerto Rico?

     My research on conceptions and misconceptions of Puerto Rico delivered some expected yet eye-opening results. First, I'll tell you what I found. I found that Puerto Rico is best known for its beautiful beaches. Pretty much everyone else in the world who has ever heard about Puerto Rico thinks of it as a beautiful paradise vacation destination. As much as this part is true, I couldn't help it but to feel sad about the fact that the perception that others have of our island is that limited, because I feel like we are so much more than just that. I also found out that most people are either angry, confused or let down about our unclear political status. Americans don't think of us as a part of the U.S., yet we aren't an independent country either. Which leaves us with an elementary question at hands: WHO ARE WE?

     Something that many people (even locals) don't realize is that even though we're a pretty small island, there are numerous cultural differences within the island as well. The way people look, talk and act in the center of the island is not the same as how they would in the west coast, or the capital, for that matter. It's all very hard to explain (more so if you're a member of this population that you're attempting to describe and fit into certain categories) because, after all, no one likes being put inside a box.

     No matter how positive or negative other's opinion would be, I found that I was always annoyed by the generalizations. “Puerto Ricans can't speak English.” Uhhh... excuse me?! Or... “they are all uneducated criminals”, or “there's nothing to see but geographical beauty”. All of them I feel failed to capture the essence of Puerto Rico, MY Puerto Rico. I am not particularly proud of the fact that our crime rate is increasingly high and a vast majority of people are economically dependent, but what about us? The students, the doctors, the teachers, the poets, the hard workers... and every other person who is fighting every day to make a difference?

     I, for one, have hope in my generation. Although I understand most opinions about Puerto Rico and where they originate from, I can't help but to feel frustrated about the narrow general perspective, and at the same time optimistic about our future. True: Puerto Rico does have a high crime rate and beautiful beaches, but we also have the best university of the Caribbean, as well as many other assets that make our island truly special.

Recent commercial I shot for Jeep Puerto Rico

enjoying the wonders of our island. Find Waldo... 

(a.k.a. me!!) This was fun to shoot, hope you all enjoy!!