Salvadoran band to march in Tournament of Roses Parade


On New Years Day, "Our Angels of El Salvador," a marching band made up of talented youth musicians from across El Salvador will represent the country in the 2008 Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California. Be sure to watch for them in the parade coverage on January 1. La Prensa Grafica has a special section devoted to the band at this link.

Comments

El-Visitador said…
I'm not sure what good can be derived from this. I understand this thing is televised in many places in the U.S.

For the Salvadorean community in the U.S., it is best for the country as a whole to keep a low profile, methinks. Let the radical nativists keep talking about Mexicans, Hindi, Guatemalans, and others! Why become top of mind to these adversaries?

In any case, it may have been better (for the interest of Salvadoreans in the U.S.) to have a bunch of immigrants participate in the parade, bearing U.S. flags and E-S flags, like the Italians and Greek and others do.

I just don't think it is a good idea to have a bunch of real Salvadoreans waving Salvadorean flags on U.S. soil; and if these real Salvadoreans are going to wave also U.S. flags, well, then, it kind of defeats the purpose of flying up a bunch of actual Salvadoreans, does it not?

Orientals are a new and common sight at malls in E.S. (b/c of their influence as managers in the maquila industry). Quite frankly, I don't think Salvadoreans would like to see them parading across San Salvador bearing Korean flags, nor do I think it would better the interests of orientals in El Salvador.

I really don't think the organizers of this sort of things understand the damage they can do to their own people.
Anonymous said…
Don't worry, Visitador, good old Salvadoran inability to get it together appears likely to bring this all to a grinding halt. A few of the marchers have not had their visae approved. AIMSA and ASOSAL, the groups that were sponsoring the Angels have broken up their sponsorship partnership and now ASOSAL is looking for private contributions to cover the marchers' costs. The top planner has complained about the lack of support for the project from the government or project industry, and at last report, the group was simply lacking the funds to make the trip. The L.A. paper LA OPINION carried a story on the state of disarray of the plan. ASOSAL is taking contributions. Anyone who wants to help should call them at (213) 483-1244.
Hodad said…
shame if this did not happen
what a nice gesture, especially since El Sal and US are so closely linked
and a wonderful experience for those artists,dancers and musicians

visitador you are a much misaligned puppy
stay on your meds
as far as asians in ES, they are rude,crude,unattractive and abusive to the people,
a few times el pedregal [where i had my factory] was closed due to their abusiveness
Anonymous said…
Hummmmm, I think Saca is looking for other ways to introduce salvadoreans in the US. Yes, its a joke but I'm pretty sure more than one of those traveling in the band will actually stay in the US.
REMESAS, REMESAS, REMESAS.
Anonymous said…
According to the LA OPINION article, the fear that one or more of the marchers would not march back to El Salvador may have been part of the reason they couldn't get a visa.
Anonymous said…
Hey El Visitador, maybe I don't understand what your sayin? "What good come out of this? A simple parade possibly causing a dreaded tsunami or something?
Xenophobia?
I sensed alot of that in the Hula Hula, "estos puta chinos y turkos" that have ALWAYS been there.
Hodad26 only cements this ignorant xenophobia and classism/racism that exists in El Salvador, He Hodad, how bout those indios over there in San BArtolo eh? Ya I understand they may have been abusive "at your factory"-but do not stereotype whole people.

Methinks, that Salvadorans in Pasadena wherever have the God damn given right to KEEP a HIGH PROFILE WHEREEVER THEY ARE IN THE WORLD.
Especialy since they are the only ones supporting (or forced to anyway) U.S. Troops in IRAQ with the Batallon Cuscatlan.And ya, fly the CUSCATLAN Flag up there with the U.S.-(ya a Salvy was awarded the purple heart by Rumsfeld for defending Gringos with a KNIFE).

Truth behind this parade and furthering slack of Immigration laws for salvys-has to do directly with Saca and IRAQ.
If a Gringo yells in the face of a Salvy with a Flag, that Gringo better start learning current events..or all you salvys have the right to mandarlo a mariona.

SALVADORANS BE PROUD WHEREVER YOU ARE. AUN SI SOS DE LA LUNA!!

The way you guys n gals are posting makes it seem like you want the UMO to show up like its a manifestacion en suchitoto.
OMG!
ElSalvadorinLA said…
www.elsalvadorinla.blogspot.com
Salvi_Alchemist said…
I agree with el-visitador. I dont like the idea of Salvadoran kids going to California of all places and doing this. If it was Florida it may be different considering California is where the most number of Salvadorans reside and where most people have a generalization about us.

On a side note, these kids have been practicing for this event for at least over a year. Back in the Spring of 06 I went to visit Peurta Del Diablo with my dad on our trip that year, and they told us they were planning to play some event in California. I had no idea then it was going to be for the Rose Bowl.
Xiomara Mejia said…
Dear El Visitador:
I am Salvadorean my-self/ live in Orange County and today I drove about 50 miles each way only to go see the band's performance at Pasadena City College!! I really loved it... They were all excited. Tears were coming out of their eyes. Tears of of excitement, off course. I also want to send a message to all the angry, racist people out-there.
Please try to be nice to all the different cultures and races out there....It is not too hard to do!
Anonymous said…
People in El Salvador watch the Rose Bowl Parade on TV there. My husband is Salvadoran and has been here 9 years. In my husband's family watching that parade was a regular tradition during the holidays--it's the one he remembers right along with the constant barrage of fireworks that he misses here in the US and more than the regular stuff for Christmas. It must be a pretty big deal for Salvadorans to participate in the parade. When we called his family for New Year's they told us about it!

We live in an international world, and apparently this is not a US-only event like most of us growing up in the US figure that it is. Most people in the US don't get all that jazzed about this parade, but apparently enough people in El Salvador and a number of other countries think it's a big deal. I hope they make a great showing! It's an international parade!!!
Anonymous said…
i guess i'm a bit confused as to why anyone would think this is a "bad idea". i think it's great that this band of dedicated youths are making their first apperance at the rose parade. it seems as though there is focus on the negative, but why not look at the positive? this group has suffered nothing but obstacle after obstacle: troubles with visas, lack of funds for transportation and worse... their own salvadorean people not having faith in them in this country.

i'm very proud to be salvadorean and i admire the youth who are here in this country trying to show everyone that they are more than just a bunch of "immigrants" (as you would say, el-visitador) making an appereance and waving their flags, beating their drums and dancing around for our entertainment.

focus on the positive: this is the first time a group from el salvador has made an apperance at the rose parade and although their apperance literally lasted a few seconds on the television, it's a great accomplishment.

i can't speak for the rest of the salvadoreans out there, but personally I am tired of people thinking I am mexican just because i am a latina.

the more our people can be focused on in a positive light, the less likely we can be categorized as just "latin" or "hispanic". we are salvadorean and we should be proud.
Anonymous said…
Frankly I am proud that El Salvador was able to participate in the Rose Parade. Many countries only dream of being able to be part of this tradition.I am from Salvadorean descent and it makes me happy to see my culture be part of a tradition in my country. Lots of people have left ridiculous comments. Yeah, with that kind of thinking the world is really going to change. Why can't we just enjoy the parade and all the cultures that are taking part. We should be glad we can learn about other cultures and at the same time learn about other people that share this country with us.
Anonymous said…
LOL, Well what can I say, You're arguing about Salvadorean weaving Salvadoreans flags? You know the Native Americans are probably thinking the same thing as you when they see a bunch of Anglo-Saxons weaving the American flag. After all this is their land, not your. And if your long-term memory is not functioning properly, just try and think about it, you 1/8 irish, 1/4 german, 1/5 spaniard, 1/10 english, YOU DON"T BELONG HERE. And at least Salvadoreans didn't kill any Americans for the right to wave their flag, much in the way your ancestors killed Native Americans....
Anonymous said…
I must say I am PROUD of what my fellow Salvadorians had to offer and demonstrate to the world WHO WE ARE and WHAT WE COME HERE TO DO, sure their journey was NOT the easiest. Do you really think that it was easy for them to come here? Sure they may have wanted to turn back and go home, but they MADE IT! They wanted to do something and THEY DID IT!! That's how most if not ALL people from El Salvador do, if they have something in mind and are willing to strive for it and are given the opportunity, they take it!

These students had troubles getting the resources and the money they needed to come from El Salvador to California BY LAND!!! May I remind some of you who feel that they should not have been in the parade etc., that it is a long journey from there to here.

WHEN THE BAND WAS MARCHING IN THE PARADE I FELT THIS JOYOUS PRIDE AND HONOR FOR THEM BEING THERE AND REPRESENTING THOUSANDS OF SALVADORIANS WORLDWIDE. I was unable to attend the parade but as I watched the parade on t.v. I could feel how nervous yet excited the students were. I became teary eyed at the wonderful performance they displayed along with folkloric dancers from the Los Angeles region. All in all everyone (ALL PARTICIPANTS in the various bands, floats etc.) at the parade did FANTASTIC. EVERY SALVADORIAN IS PROUD OF THEM!!

The "idea to have a bunch of real Salvadoreans waving Salvadorean flags on U.S. soil" what about it?!
When people from Mexico, Puerto Rico and other countries wave their flags everyone joins in and says nothing. BUT WHEN A SMALL COUNTRY DOES SOMETHING OR SOME OTHER MINORITY COUNTRY DOES SOMETHING THEY GET SHUT DOWN!

By having "real" Salvadorians waving their flags, in an appropriate place with an orderly fashion, it demonstrates their pride,the work/sacrifice,and dedication it took to get from where they were to here. The flags remind them of who they represent while being here and how fortunate they are to have been given the opportunity to complete "El Sueno Americano"- "The American Dream."



I AM TIRED OF PEOPLE SAYING THAT CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN AMERICAN COUNTRIES AND OUR OUTLYING NEIGHBORS CAN NOT DO THE SAME THINGS AS OTHER "POWERFUL" COUNTRIES AROUND THE GLOBE.

If it wasn't enough that all Hispanics, Latinos etc. get stereotyped into the "Mexican" label. Why not let people identify themselves they way THEY want to be? Salvadorians are some of the few races of people who will do whatever it takes to give a helping hand to those who ask for it. It may not always be the strongest or luxurious one, but Salvadorians stay firm in what they believe in.


QUE VIVA EL SALVADOR!!
Anonymous said…
Some of the comments in this blog are probably written by some narrow minded person. This kids put in a lot of hard work to get here. They all love this country and their own so they can wave whatever flag they want. People who don't think they belong in the parade toooo bad deal with it cause like it or not they made their dreams a reality. I am proud of this kids and if they do decide to make a run for it I would be happy to give them a ride. now those of you who are gonna give a negative comment on this don't bother you'll just be wasting your time.
Anonymous said…
I'm very proud of every single kid that went to represent el salvador at the 2008 rose parade. They Did great and they should be proud of them self that, It was beautiful to see your country marching in this kind of event. The only thing I'm mad about is that This kind went trough so much to get to LA. I thing the President of el salvador should be a shame by not supporting this kids. He should of done what eve he could to get them a lot of Sponsors.
Anonymous said…
Come on people, visitador is making a good point. Do we want Lou Dobbs focusing his attention directly at us?

On the other hand, I felt very proud of those kids.

One more thing, I have not found any columnist from La Prensa or El Diario, explaining why Saca or Taca didn't support this kids. Kind of make you think huh?
Anonymous said…
t's no doubt something political can be made out of this, even if the government had helped. There is plenty of that here all the time, so I won't dwell on it.

But I will say this:

A group of young people overcoming adversity on their own to together make great thing happen --without government intervention.

THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!!!!

For a change, these kids showed the world that there is more to El Salvador than violence, struggle and political unrest, which is getting old in my aging book.

This time is theirs, not the political critics'.

Nuestros Angeles, El Salvador's future rests in your hands!
Anonymous said…
btw, not one kid stayed...
Anonymous said…
el-visitador does not "...think it is a good idea to have a bunch of real Salvadorean wavings Salvadorean flags on U.S. soil..." I really do not understand what he means by "real Salvadoreans", is it that those of us that are from El Salvador living in the U.S. are not real Salvadoreans?

And why keep a low profile? It must be the opposite, to show all of those who think that we are just a "bunch of immigrants" that can be abused and are not capable to excel at things other than housekeeping or cleaning or manual labor. These kids elevated the Salvadorean spirit by showing that we as people are no less capable than anyone else.

There is culture, art, knowledge in El Salvador and these kids helped to show just that. And for those of us Salvadoreans here in the U.S., these kids showed us that we can reach our dreams of a better life by our hard work, we have been conditioned to see ourselves as a "bunch of immigrants" but we are in this country that is founded on immigrants. Let's show them that we can contribute to this society in a positive way...

Viva El Salvador!
Anonymous said…
GOOD EVENING TO EVERYONE,

WELL, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I'M A MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION THAT BROUGHT THEM HERE, MANY PEOPLE SAID THAT WE HAD THEM LIKE IN JAILS BUT IT WAS NOT TRUE. WE WERE THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STAY IN LOS ANGELES, WE DID HAVE FUN WITH THEM, THEY ARE SMART KIDS.

ONE THING THAT I DIDN'T LIKE IS THAT FACT THAT ONCE THEY WERE IN EL SALVADOR EVERYONE TRIED TO INVITE THEM TO PARTIES, I MEAN FOR WHAT,THEY WERE SELLING BANDITAS AND TO THIS DATE THE ONE THAT WAS SUPPOSULY THE DIRECTOR WAS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THESE KIDS TAKING THEM TO SHOWS AND NOT EVEN GIVEN THEM A PENNY FOR A BUS FARE.

THAT WAS NOT RIGHT, THAT'S WHY I HATE HIM TO THE GUTS AND HOPEFULLY IF WE BRING THEM BACK, WE WILL MAKE SURE THEY GET HERE NOT BY TACA BUT BY ANOTHER AIRLINES WHO CAN RESPECT US AND DO THE SAME TO THEM.

IF YOU WANT TO BUY THE DVD'S THEY ARE FOR SALE.

GO TO WWW.ASOSAL.ORG AND CALL THE NUMBER AND THEY WILL SEND TELL YOU HOW MUCH..

MY PLEASURE.
Anonymous said…
¡¡¡QUE VIVAN LAS/OS SALVADOREÑAS/OS!!!

I'M A SALVY PRIDE...DE CORAZóN!
AND THOSE SALVADOREÑOS/aS DID REALLY GOOD OUT THERE,,NO MATTER WHAT..THEY WERE/ARE THE BEST..CONGRATS,,
TODO LO QUE PASARON PARA ESTAR EN EL PARADE..
[[MIS RESPETOS PARA ELLOS/AS]]
Anonymous said…
El Savador es un pais muy hermoso que devemos representar. cualquiera que desee hablar sobre el salvador or quiera conozer a otros salvadoreños con sus mismos intereses visiten la pagina www.globalcitadel.com
The Tournament Of Roses parade is such a happy time of the year, we should go every year. Will you be at this one?
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