Darlene Caamaño Loquet is someone that doesn’t let anything or anyone get in the way of her dreams and goals. With hard work, she’s made quite the name for herself in the film industry. That is why we have chosen her as our Popular Hispanic of the Month.

Growing up in Los Angeles, California, Loquet didn’t always know she was destined to be in the film industry. While in college at Azusa Pacific University, Loquet studied communication with an emphasis in journalism. Her aspiration at the time was to be a news reporter.  She had the opportunity of interning for Rolling Stone and Univision, where she was hired as an assignment editor at KMEX Channel 34. 

I recently had the chance to hang out with local Puerto Rican science fiction writer Sandra Desjardins at her latest book signing at the Mayborn Planetarium at Central Texas College. The warm and friendly author shared some details about her newest sci-fi novel, “Sleeper Cells”, and her plans for a future project, entitled “Fugue”. Sandra has been writing since a young age, and has recently founded her own privately owned publishing company, increasing her ability to reach a greater readership. Her publishing company, A Tale of Two Kitties, strives to entertain readers craving a “quirky supernatural romance.”  Yet her works are attractive to readers of all kinds, for she incorporates romance, action, and a feminist punch in her storylines.

Enter the breezeway outside The Moody Theatre in the new W Hotel in Austin, TX, and you will find yourself in a bar named after a man known by his nickname, and which serves his famous handmade vodka. Tito’s Bar prides itself on its location and its view of the luminescent Austin city skyline.

With a modern, outdoor twist, around 400 bottles hang from the ceiling of the bar against a backdrop of what looks like a stage with spotlights. After being told that distilling Vodka in Texas was not only impossible, but illegal, having his own Vodka brand in the heart and capital of Texas is exactly where Tito’s Vodka deserves to be.

“Don’t be afraid of pursuing your dreams and ambitions. If you fail just get up and try again. Pursuing your dreams is an incredible journey; with determination and belief you can accomplish anything!”  –Tiffany Perez

Tiffany Perez is well on the road to success in today’s entertainment industry. She has the ambition, drive, and passion to excel, with the talent and experience to match it. This is why we have chosen her as our Popular Hispanic of the month!

When I realize that I am about to interview architect Juan José Espiñeira, I feel a combination of nervousness and excitement. It has been a while since I last spoke to him, so I am fascinated about discovering what he has been up to. His creations are breathtaking, no doubt, but I am looking as well for Juan José Espiñeira the man, the person. After all, he is the fountain of amazing ideas translated into wonders. And I do mean wonders.

We started our conversation with many ideas in my mind, but when one is talking to an artist, all those plans, questions and ideas that one has prepared in advance could be changed immediately.

Tom Gilliland is perhaps the last person you’d think would own a very well known interior Mexican restaurant. He isn’t Hispanic; he studied law, and grew up in Nebraska. Many may wonder, “What would this man know about Mexican cuisine?” The answer to that is clearly shown in the delicious specialties offered at Fonda San Miguel, one of Austin’s oldest and most renowned Mexican restaurants.

When Tom moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas, he had all the intentions of one day becoming a lawyer. But then he met Chef Miguel Ravago, and his life took an extremely different path. His partnership with Ravago began with San Angel, their first restaurant, which opened in Houston.

You don’t just visit Costa Rica www.tourism-costarica.com/ ; you immerse yourself in its natural wonders. More than a quarter of this lush Central American country consists of national parks and preserves, filled with ready-made adventures for the active traveler.

My Costa Rican adventure took me to Guanacaste http://www.costa-rica-guanacaste.com/, a small city near the Pacific Ocean, located roughly four hours from the country’s largest city, San José.  Two connections later, and I arrived at the small but efficient Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, the far northwestern part of Costa Rica.

Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato is known as The Cradle of National Independence.  It is in this colonial city that Father Miguel Hidalgo uttered his famous cry of independence in 1810, El Grito de Dolores.  In honor of Father Hidalgo’s contribution to Mexico’s Independence, the colonial town was named after him.

Father Hidalgo forever left a lasting impression to his town and to his country.  Not only is Dolores Hidalgo known for El Grito, but it is also known for its ceramic industry, most importantly Talavera.  The art of Talavera ceramics was introduced by the Spaniards around the 16th Century, an art form that Father Hidalgo instilled in his people and has been engrained in the Mexican culture ever since.