Dominicans in Minnesota

Hey, there's Dominicans in Minnesota! There are other people who like playing dominos and can dance the merengue without going to dance classes for it.

View photos from the Second Annual Dominican Picnic in Eagan's Central Park. The picnic took place on Saturday, August 24, 2013.

Photo by: Braulio Carrasco, for COMMUNITY VOICES | Dominicans in Minnesota celebrate together.

Follow Dominicans in Minnesota on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Dominicanos-en-Minnesota

Wine and Tourism in the Dominican Republic

Ocoa Bay, Azua Province-- With the planting of a "Mission grapes" vine President Danilo Medina inaugurated the Ocoa Bay Project, the first wine tourism development in the country and in the Caribbean area.

It is an initiative of U.S. and Dominican investors which has a total investment of $167,000,000, and created in the construction phase about 1,500 jobs.

This has been the result of the implementation of the "Ventanilla Única" (Single Window) program, created by the Government to attract such investments, and which drastically reduces the time of obtaining licenses and permits required by the state to start an investment project.

The area initially involved in the complex, is 1.4 million square meters in the Bay of Ocoa.

The first phase consists of 140,000 meters square, whose main attribute a vineyard capable of producing high quality wine and table grapes.

In this context, the Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia said that this initiative is the beginning of a series of major investments to be made ​​by investors and that will benefit the Tourist Pole 8 comprising the South region.

He said the project will mark a before and after in the tourist development of the region and urged businessmen to come to this land where the conditions ripe for investment.

photo: presidencia.gob.do

About the Mission Grape vine
Mission grapes are a variety of Vitis vinifera introduced from Spain to the western coasts of North and South America by Catholic New World missionaries for use in making sacramental, table, and fortified wines ... (wiki).

Wine and the Dominican Republic
When it comes to spirits the Dominican Republic is best known for the award winning line of Brugal rums, and of course, Presidente Beer.

There is literally no wine story to attribute. Our most popular wines are "Vino Tinto La Fuerza" and "Festival 18."

Both products are produced by the same company, Vincola del Norte, and neither product can actually be credited as a fine wine.

To get an idea of what "Vino Tinto La Fuerza," get yourself a bottle of Manischewitz concord grape wine. Or just get a bottle of Welch's grape juice and add a little vodka — same thing.

Hopefully, the Ocoa Bay Project can help place the Dominican Republic on the map of credible global wine producers.

Meet Dominican Artist, Homero Herrera Chez

Opening reception of Homero Herrera Chez's art exhibit titled Allegories of a Hidden Landscape, on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at St. George Library Center in Staten Island. The reception will take place in the auditorium from 2 - 4 pm. Admission is free.

Google Map: 5 Central Avenue Staten Island, NY 10301

Official Press Release:

An allegory, by definition, is a story, poem or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, often with a moral or political view. It represents an abstract idea or principle using characters, figures or events in a narrative, dramatic or pictorial form.

As a recent immigrant, coming from the Dominican Republic, Homero Herrera Chez had to adapt to a different life, a new way, and found himself in an identity crisis. The pieces in Allegories of a Hidden Landscape depict how Cabeza de Chivo (Goat Head) copes and adapts with living in its new surroundings. ”I developed Cabeza de Chivo using the island of Hispaniola’s silhouette as a re-affirmation of my identity; my place of origin. The elements of flora and fauna are incorporated to represent my Caribbean roots.”

In Allegories, the use of the island plays a pivotal role in describing the feelings of restriction, isolation and limitations that its geographical boundaries impose. Furthermore, the island is the vehicle to explore the relationships of its inhabitants internally and with the outside world.

Allegories of a Hidden Landscape will be on view at the St. George Public Library in Staten Island from September 7 through November 2, 2013.

Homero Herrera Chez was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic. He achieved a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Illustration from Altos deChavón. Herrera Chez has been an art and fashion teacher for Laie School of Fashion, Centro Cultural Dominico-Americano and School of Arts and Technical Studies. Illustrated didactic children’s books and software for a USAID sponsored program at Pontificia UniversidadCatólica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM); and has been a facilitator for Centro Leon.

Herrera Chez’s has participated in numerous individual and group exhibits, as well as biennials and art contests. His work has been exhibited at Museum of Modern Art in Santo Domingo, ICA Fair and Wagner College’s Spotlight Gallery. Currently Homero resides in New York City and works as a printmaker.

This event is made possible through the New York Public Library, with special thanks to Margaret Siggillino, Senior Librarian, St. George Library Center.

Learn more about Homero Herrera Chez and see more of his work at www.hherrerachez.com.

Homero Herrera Chez is married to Arlette Cepeda, another great artist from the Dominican Republic. Learn more about Arlette Cepeda at www.arlettecepeda.com.

Yoryi Morel Dominican Painter

Yoryi Morel was born in Santiago in 1906 and died at the age of 73 years in 1979, in his hometown. From an early age Morel showed a surprising ability as a painter. At the age of 11, he began to study painting under the tutelage of the painter Juan Bautista Santiago Gómez -- however, Morel is also recognized as a self-taught artist. In 1940, he founded the "Yoryi" Academy at Calle Del Sol, Santiago de los Caballeros. And in 1948 Morel is appointed Deputy Director of the National School of Fine Arts. In 1973, The Dominican Government honors Morel with the “Orden de Duarte, Sánchez y Mella ,” and the rank of "Caballero."

Self portrait
1955, Oil on woodpanel, 51 x 41 cms. Collection: Centro Cultural Eduardo León Jimenes.

Amaya Salazar

Amaya Salazar, painter and sculptor, was born in 1951 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Salazar studied art in Santo Domingo and later studied at the Academia Artium, Madrid, Spain and at the School of Fine Arts, Boston, U.S.A. She is known for colorful paintings with faceless personas.

Through her training Amaya learned to dominate drawing, skillfully manage color, discover the emotion of giving form with her hands to clay and little by little without rushing but with a firm conviction she has become an artist completely dedicated to her task; always growing and reaching one by one all of her goals. It is with this dedication that Amaya has been able to exhibit her works in various countries.

In the Dominican Republic her first solo exhibition took place in 1981; since this show Amaya has presented her works at important art galleries and museums of her country. Her solo and group exhibitions in her country have been numerous. Following is a recount of her most significant shows.

In 1994, she was invited to exhibit her works in the Second Painting Biennale of the Caribbean and Central America. At this biennale she was also asked to give the opening speech on behalf of Dominican artists. In 1997, Amaya presented at Galeria Guernica the exhibition called, "Amaya in Three Dimensions"; thus, positioning herself as one of the first female artist to prepare an exhibition of sculptures.

She was also the first female artist to have her works exhibited in the altars of two churches of her country. Her work, "Christ Resurrected," a 7 feet by 8 inches bronze sculpture, is in the Church of Santo Toribio and her work, "Resurrection", a 5 feet by 5 inches bronze sculpture, is in the Church of San Mauricio.

Dominican art, part of Smithsonian Latino Art Exhibit

The Smithsonian American Art Museum has announced the “Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art”, a showcase of more than 90 art pieces by Latino artists in six cities across the country from October 25, 2013 to March 2, 2014.

The event will feature paintings, sculptures, photographs and new media from artists of Latino heritage that live U.S. including Cuban, Dominican, Mexican and Puerto Rican ancestry.

The exhibition is drawn entirely from the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s pioneering collection of Latino art. It explores how Latino artists shaped the artistic movements of their day and recalibrated key themes in American art and culture. The exhibition presents works in all media by 72 leading modern and contemporary artists. Of the 92 artworks featured in the exhibition, 63 have been acquired by the museum since 2011, representing its deep and continuing commitment to collecting Latino art. Our America includes works by artists who participated in all the various artistic styles and movements, including abstract expressionism; activist, conceptual, and performance art; and classic American genres such as landscape, portraiture, and scenes of everyday life.. Latino artists across the United States were galvanized by the civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

Included in the group of 72 are:

Elia Alba

www.eliaalba.net

(Photographer, Visual Artist and Sculpture)

Elia Alba was born an raised in New York City. Her parents are from the Dominican Republic. She received her BA from Hunter College in 1994 where she graduated magna cum laude and completed the Whitney Museum Independent Study Program in 2001.

Iliana Emilia García
facebook.com/Ilianaemiliagarcia - twitter.com/ilianaemilia
(Photography, Installations)
Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

iliana emilia garcía's Unknown Distances, which will be featured at "Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art" - from the series Unknown Distances/Undiscovered Islands.

Scherezade García
scherezade.net
(Drawing, Painitng, Installations)
Scherezade Garcia was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. As a child she became involved in the arts by participating in projects that involved mural painting with visual artists Elias Delgado and Nidia Serra. She studied at Altos de Chavon Design School; The School of Design/ affiliated to Parsons School of Design. 

In 1986, she moved to New York as a student at Parsons School of Design, where she obtained the Parsons Institutional Scholarship and the Dana Foundation Work Grant. Her work as a fine arts artist has been continuously exhibited throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean since 1990. Among the museums and galleries that have exhibited her work are the Newark Museum, The Jersey City Museum, and El Museo del Barrio in NYC, Lehman College Art Gallery and The Museum of Modern Art in Santo Domingo, DR.

Freddy Rodríguez
Freddy Rodríguez was born in Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic in 1945. Rodríguez immigrated to the United States in 1963 at the age of eighteen. He studied painting at the Art Students League of New York and The New School, and obtained a degree in textile design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. In the 1980s he joined with several other Dominican visual artists including Bismark Victoria, Eligio Reynoso, Magno Laracuente and Tito Canepa to form the "Dominican Visual Artists of New York" ... (wiki).

Find out more at americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/our_america/72artists

Paul Giudicelli (1921-1965)

Paul Giudicelli (1921-1965), the son of French immigrants, was born in San Pedro de Macorís, a province in the south-eastern region of the Dominican Republic.

His life as an artist began in his late twenties. Before that, Giudicelli made a living as a gold vendor, and later he sold fruits. In 1948, Paul decided to study philosophy at the University of Santo Domingo. Later in that same year, he enrolls in the National School of Fine Arts where he studies painting and drawing.

In 1953, he held his first solo exhibition at the National Gallery of Fine Arts, in Santo Domingo. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Giudicelli holds several solo exhibitions and participates in collectives, both national and international; in 1961, collective "Artist Support Amnesty" in London, in 1962, the "Collective of Contemporary Art in America and Spain."

"His work is a synthesis of abstraction, expressionism and geometrization, which he created using methods which at the time were considered unusual in Dominican painting (the decade from 1950 to 1960). Thus, marking a departure from the existing tradition and the contemporary interpretive radicalism."

In 1960, Paul Giudicelli was appointed professor of painting at the National School of Fine Arts, where he later becomes Deputy Director of the National School of Fine Arts."

Paul Giudicelli (1921-1965)

Perseids meteor shower from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

This past weekend (Aug. 10-11), many around the world took part in 2,000 year old event — the annual Perseid meteor shower.

The photograph above was taken in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, by Marvin del Cid (@mdelcid), photographer and multimedia editor at diariolibre.com.

Duré de 2 am a 5:30 am para conseguir esta en un cielo iluminado por la ciudad!!! Pude ver muchísimas incluida una tan grande que se fragmentó y esta iluminó el cielo.

2013 Dominican Day Parade

Dominican pride was in full display at the 32nd annual Dominican Day Parade — thousands proud lined-up on Sixth Avenue to celebrate a rich culture which has become an essential part of New York City.



Mother nature joined in with what can only be described as a perfect parade day; lots of sunshine, 80° weather and rain pushed up to Monday.

Music was at the heart of the parade, as it is in the hearts of all Dominicans. Artists such as; Toño Rosario, Luis Vargas, and the crowned parade king, Mozart La Para brought out some of the largest ovations from the crowd. But it was the music of La Delfi, Radhames Rodriguez and many other live acts that gave life to the event.

Cars, vans and SUVs, blasting bachata, merengue, tipico and dembow. You couldn't help but be astonished with the sight and sound coming from vehicles which were modified as mobile concert halls.

The Dancing Devils
The devils (Diablos Cojuelo, and for you Santiageros its "El Lechon") were in full display — towering masks, bright colored costumes, and whips cracking the air like sharp thunder. A fixture from carnival celebrations in The Dominican Republic, which evokes nostalgia in most of us.

Old-school Dominicans will tell you many great stories about carnaval and The Devils. Those balloon like objects which many of them hang from their belts are really meant to be animal bladders filled with water or urine, which the devils would use to attack any bystander that got too close or wondered into their path.

There many stories as to the origin of these dancing Devils. But one of the earliest mentions in the 1605 novel "Don Quijote" by Miguel de Cervantes.

But the moment Sancho quitted his beast to go and help Don Quixote, the dancing devil with the bladders jumped up on Dapple, and beating him with them, more by the fright and the noise than by the pain of the blows, made him fly across the fields towards the village where they were going to hold their festival.

photo: nyc.gov

The Politicians
They are never to far away, especial on an election year. Mayor Bloomberg lead the way, i actually arrived 15 minutes late and missed the Mayor and his likely replacement, Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

But many more politicos remained — too many, and none more suffocating than Bill Thompson. There is the right way to be a part of a parade, and then there is whatever it was that Bill Thompson for Mayor did. One float wasn't enough for Mr. Thompson — two wasn't enough. At times I would ask myself if Thompson for Mayor sponsored the entire parade. Or maybe he was chosen as the "Parade King," which would make no sense, since he is not of Dominican origin.

The Dominican Day Parade is suppose to be a celebration of Dominican culture, not a stage for political pandering. Mr.s Thompson's hi-jacking of the parade made me wonder if it were possible to have a politician free parade next year — we should get started with a petition asap.

The Highlights
Whether it was seeing your favorite singer, the devils or the size of the event, there were many reasons to say wow. And if that radio remote control car with flag was your moment, you are not alone. I too count that as a personal highlight, same as the hookahs made from the cafeteras, and the classic motores which blanket Dominican streets everyday.

But there was one person that really made me smile — and I know that he was a highlight for everyone there too. If anyone knows who this guy is, please tell him I said thank you.



View more photos from the 2013 Dominican Day Parade at our Tumblr or Facebook page.

Olympusat Joins Dominican Day Parade

PRESS RELEASE - Aug. 8, 2013

Olympusat Participates in NYC's Dominican Day Parade and Will Feature Top Artists Oro Solido and Matt Hunter

NEW YORK -- Aug. 8, 2013-- Olympusat, the leading provider of Spanish-language television networks, will be participating in this year's Dominican Day Parade in New York City promoting their owned and operated, 24/7 Spanish-language HD music video channel Ultra Fiesta, as well as the additional Ultra HD Networks, featuring top networks such as Ultra Cine, Ultra Mex, Ultra Kidz and Ultra Luna, which are available exclusively on Verizon FiOS in the continental United States. The Olympusat - Ultra HD Plex float will feature top artists and performances by the President of Merengue, and the recently crowned Prince of the Dominican Day Parade, Raul Acosta and his popular band Oro Solido.

In addition, the float will include tropical pop sensation and the former voice of Diego from Nickelodeon's hit show "Go Diego Go!," Matt Hunter. The Dominican Day Parade is an all day event, and will be held this Sunday, August 11th in New York City, with the event starting on 6th Ave. Come join the festivities and celebrate the Dominican community!

Dominican Republic, Official Travel Destination of the New York Yankees

Press release from the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – AUG. 8, 2013 – The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) today announced a new sponsorship with the New York Yankees for the 2013 season, signing on as "an official travel destination" of the organization.

Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism's latest partnership reflects rich cultural heritage

As part of the sponsorship, the featured deal elements are in-stadium signage, a print advertisement in both Yankees Magazine and Yankees Magazine en Español, and hospitality.

"For more than 100 years, baseball has been at the epicenter of cultural life in Dominican Republic," said Magaly Toribio, Marketing Advisor for the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. "We are thrilled for this partnership as, like the New York Yankees, we believe in fostering and supporting the talent and passion Dominicans have for the sport of baseball."

"We are extremely pleased about our relationship with the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, and I am certain that a presence at Yankee Stadium will assist the ministry in generating brand awareness for its travel business," said Michael J. Tusiani, New York Yankees Senior Vice President Corporate Sales and Sponsorships.

"The New York Yankees love and admire the great nation of the Dominican Republic. It is a country full of passionate baseball fans, and we are proud to be a member of their community via our baseball facility in Boca Chica. We are constantly working on growing our relationship with this important segment of our fan base - not only in the Dominican Republic, but also in New York - and this new partnership clearly conveys that," said Felix M. Lopez, Jr., New York Yankees Executive Vice President/Chief International Officer.

The Dominican Republic offers a rich experience for sports lovers and more. To learn more about the country's baseball history or for more information.

Dominican Republic Influence on Baseball:
Scouts consistently watch closely to find the next star from the Dominican Republic, with all 30 Major League Baseball clubs running their own academies on the island, attesting to the talent. Many Dominican-born players rank among the best in the world. For MLB Opening Day 2012, 95 of the 856 players on 25-man rosters and inactive lists, 11.1 percent, were born in Dominican Republic, marking the highest total of any country outside the United States.

...

About Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic's first tourist was Christopher Columbus in 1492. Rich in history, Dominican Republic has developed into a diverse destination offering both Dominican and European flavors to approximately five million global visitors in 2012. Named #1 Golf Destination in Caribbean and Latin America by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, Dominican Republic boasts 28 designer golf courses, upscale resorts, pristine nature and sophisticated cities and quaint villages filled with warm Dominican people. Dominican Republic features the best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families alike.

2013 Dominican Day Parade

CLICK HERE to view photos from the 2013 Dominican Day Parade

This Sunday (August 11, 2013), we celebrate the 32nd annual Dominican Day Parade. A celebration of Dominican heritage, Dominican pride, and our ever growing influence in New York City.

Spectators will line up along 6th avenue, between 36th and 52nd street — the parade is scheduled to start at 2pm, but if you wish to land a good view, get there early.

Special guests will include; Jose Peña Suazo y La Banda Gorda, Milly Quezada, Bachata-pop sensation Leslie Grace (on the Daily News float), Oro Solido, and many more to be announced this week.

WE'RE GETTING STRONG, AND GROWING FAST -- It's an election year, and as of the 2010 census there are more than 576,701 Dominicans living in New York City — out of a total population of 8,175,133. With the highest concentration of more than 150,000 in Manhattan.

Interactive Census Map by WNYC

New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has always marched with a big smile, but we can also expect to see all if not most of the 2013 Mayoral Race candidates; Christine Quinn, Bill de Blasio, Anthony Weiner, John Liu, Bill Thompson, and many candidates seeking other offices like Elliot Spitzer. 

And lets not forget our own elected officials; Ydanis Rodriguez, Adriano Espaillat, Grace Diaz, José Rafael Peralta, Nelson Castro (the first Dominican to represent the Bronx in the State Assembly), and many more.

The Dominican Day Parade was established in 1982. Back then it was marked by small celebrations which received very little attention. This Sunday, more than 500,000 people are expected to join the experience — not just Dominicans, expect to see people from many nationalities seeking to Party Like We Do.

I will be there with my camera capturing many great memories.

Meet Author Junot Díaz in New York City

Barnes & Noble at Union Square in New York City will host Dominican author, Junot Díaz, for an event to promote his latest book; This Is How You Lose Her.

Díaz turns his remarkable talent to the haunting, impossible power of love – obsessive love, illicit love, fading love, maternal love. On a beach in the Dominican Republic, a doomed relationship flounders. In the heat of a hospital laundry room in New Jersey, a woman does her lover’s washing and thinks about his wife. In Boston, a man buys his love child, his only son, a first baseball bat and glove.

Read an excerpt from This Is How You Lose Her.

The event is on Tuesday September 03, 2013 @ 7:00 PM, at Union Square; 33 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003 - View in Google Map.

About the Author

Junot Díaz was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New Jersey. He is the author of the critically acclaimedDrown; The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, which won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award; and This Is How You Lose Her, a New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist. He is the recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, PEN/Malamud Award, Dayton Literary Peace Prize, Guggenheim Fellowship, and PEN/O. Henry Award. A graduate of Rutgers College, Díaz is currently the fiction editor at Boston Review and the Rudge and Nancy Allen Professor of Writing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Raquel Paiewonsky at the Fifth Annual Governor’s Island Art Fair

Yellow Peril Gallery has just announced that they will present the photography and installation exhibition “im propia” by Dominican born artist, Raquel Paiewonsky, at the Fifth Annual Governor’s Island Art Fair in September.

Curated by Robert P. Stack, “im propia” speaks of humanity and freedom, through a corporeal symbolism that embodies our experience in the social context but always with an important reference to our natural and instinctive self. Paiewonsky uses the body as a platform that allows her from an intimate place to approach broader topics ranging from social, philosophical or political. In this exhibition she explores personal relationships, childhood, love, stereotypes, nature, diversity...

Paiewonsky explains here work as follows:

I have always been interested in the body as a vessel capable of containing our life experiences within itself, sometimes in mysterious and subtle ways, other times more forcefully...

In recent years, my work explores the relationship between our essence and our surroundings, the impact of stereotypes and cultural constructions, always taking as a reference our instinctual selves and the ways in which the primal component of our nature is affected by the new and ever changing contexts of contemporary life.

Governors Island Art Fair is New York’s largest independent exhibition. — the fair is scheduled for every weekend in September (September 7 – 29, 2013), from 11am to 6pm.

Admission is free to all.

Mojito Recipe with Brugal Extra Dry Rum

Any old-fashion Dominican (un classico), like myself, will tell you that Brugal is meant to be sipped straight from the bottle with nothing but a group of friends and family, and a great bachata playing in the background.

But that rule only applies to Brugal Extra Viejo; when it comes to Brugal Extra Dry, it's time to get creative. This great spirit was crafted specifically for cocktail lovers.

Here's the recipe for world famous Mojito — now even better because of Brugal Extra Dry.

A minty and ‪‎refreshingly dry‬ choice for Today's‪ ‎Cocktail‬ to chase away the summer heat:

• Brugal Extra Dry Mojito
• 2 oz. Brugal Extra Dry Rum
• 8-10 Fresh Mint Leaves
• ½ Lime, quartered
• Club soda
• 1 teaspoon superfine sugar

Crush/muddle mint leaves, lime quarters and sugar in a tall glass. Add Brugal Extra Dry and fill glass with ice. Top with club soda, and stir well. Garnish with a lime wedge and fresh mint sprig.

Check out the Official Brugal Facebook page for more cocktails — DOMINICAN CULT will periodically reblog cocktails made with Dominican spirits. If you have a mixed drink, photos or stories you would like to share/post on this site, you contact us.

Jaira the Sea Turtle lays 115 eggs in Santo Domingo

The sands of Güibia beach in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, will soon come alive with many little flippers scurrying to reach the waters — last month, a green sea turtle nicknamed "Jaira" laid 115 eggs.

Jaira was named in honor of Jairo Mora, a Costa Rican environmentalist who was murdered on Friday, May 31, 2013 while patroling for turtle poachers on Moín Beach in Limón province, Costa Rica .

Read more about Jairo Mora's death @ The TicoTimes

Shameful conditions

Along with everything great about the Dominican Republic, we must sometimes point our attention to the bad — which in many cases can lead to actions taken in hopes of fixing the problem.

The Dominican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has done a great job in promoting Jaira's story. However, in hopes of portraying a better image of the country, they published a photoshoped version of the image above on their Facebook page, which can only result in both laughter and shame for all Dominicans at home and around world.

Unfortunately, Güibia beach was in very poor conditions when Jaira the sea turtle decided to find a home for her babies.

But the citizens are on the case. And if you find yourself anywhere near Güibia beach on the first Saturday of every month, you should consider joining the JNI de San Geronimo for a little clean-up.