Honors Culture Preserving Leaders
BY ROBERT WIRSING
In keeping with an 11-year
tradition, the Bronx’s urban
tradition, the Taino Awards
proudly announced its 2019 winners
and honorees on Sunday,
April 21 at the Bronx Museum
of the Arts.
This year’s honorees included
Areito Award for Artisan
of the Year recipient Daniel
Del Valle, Guaitiao/Community
recipient Valerie Reynoso,
Dujo/Storyteller of the Year recipient
Christina Gonzalez,
Guaribo of the Year recipient
Dylcia Pagan, Honorary Little
Guaribo/Warrior recipient Mia
Simpson, Anakakuya award
for Leadership recipient Sonia
Vera, Areito Award for S.T.E.M.
recipient Alejandro Casper
Crespo, Guaitiao/Spirituality
Award recipient Clan Mother
Weiana Perez, Tabanuko/Herbalist
of the Year recipient Caridad
Rivera, Areito Award for
Writer of the Year recipient Paul
aul
Rodriguez, Areito Award for
Film recipient Fantasiation Studio
tuito
Alba Rivas Garcia, Areito
award for Artist of the Year recipient
reito
Michael Casiano, Areito
Award for Muralist of the Year
recipient Ralph Serrano, Koa
Award for Educator of the Year
recipient Naguake Boriken,
Areito Award for Dance/Music
recipient Joe Quijano, Tabaku/
Language Recovery recipient
Jerry Roman and Areito Award
for Music recipient Jua Guatibiri
Escudero.
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(top background) (back, l-r) Daniel Del Valle, Paul Rodriguez, Jua Guatibiri
Escudero, Jose Quijano, Alejandro Casper, Jerry Roman, Christina Gonzalez,
(front, l-r) Livia Nieves, Candy Soto, Caridad Acevedo Rivera, Diana
Weismann Perez and Sonia Veria.
(top insert) Musicians performed Taino songs using traditional indigenous
instruments.
(above top) Performers showcased the Tainos’ unique culture and traditions
through music and dance.
(above) (back, l-r) Mario Rodriguez, Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor, Livia Nieves,
Ryan Cabrera, (front, l-r) Elena Mamarazzi Marrero, Shihan Candy Warixi
Soto, Franki Cabrera and Jackie Cabrera.
(above right) Jerry Roman proudly accepted his award from event organizer
Candy Soto.
(right) Many Taino artifacts were on display during the prestigious awards
gala. Photos by Edward Watkins
BRONX TIMES R 32 EPORTER, MAY 22-28, 2015 BT