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Awards Season is Winding Down and There’s One Stand Out: Latinos de Hoy

Martha Higareda and Se Fija!’s Angela Ortiz

Martha Higareda
and Se Fija!’s Angela Ortiz

The legendary Charo

The legendary Charo

Angelica Maria being interviewed

Angélica Maria being interviewed

Awards shows come and go—we watch them, attend them, and complain about them. That’s why I was very surprised to be at an awards celebration that gave recognition to folks who have actually done or are doing something with their lives: the Latinos de Hoy Awards, given by The Los Angeles Times and Hoy newspapers.

Our consentidos grammy winners La Santa Cecilia

Our consentidos grammy winners
La Santa Cecilia

Sheila E. and her parents musician Pete Escovedo and her mom Juanita Gardere

Sheila E. and her parents musician Pete Escovedo and her mom Juanita Gardere

This is the second year for the event that honored some outstanding people and organizations. The recipients include:

  • Richard Montañez (Inspiration Award)
  • Robotics Team of Carl Hayden High (2014 Education Award)
  • La Santa Cecilia (Cultural Ambassador Award)
  • Eugenio Derbez (Humanitarian Award)
  • Angélica Maria (2014 Legend Award)
  • Justino Mora (UCLA student and Push4Reform co-founder, Young Leader Award)
  • Jose Hernandez of Mariachi Sol de Mexico (Master of the Arts)
  • Sheila E. (Special Achievement in Music Award)
  • Oscar De La Hoya (Community Icon Award)

    L-r: Juan Escobedo, Alejandro Patino, Lupe Gonzalez, Angela Ortíz, Romi R Dias, and Umberto Gonzalez

    L-r: Juan Escobedo, Alejandro Patino, Lupe Gonzalez, Angela Ortíz, Romi R Dias, and Umberto Gonzalez at the ALMA Awards

For me, the highlights of the evening were meeting actress/singer Angélica Maria, who I grew up watching on television and on film, and having a nice chat with singer Sheila E.’s dad, the legendary percussionist Pete Escovedo.

It was an interesting contrast to this year’s ALMA Awards that took place in the same week. It wasn’t the 15th year blowout I was expecting, though there were a couple of standouts, like a wonderful performance by Café Tacvba and a great acceptance speech from director/producer Guillermo del Toro. Take a look at it here:

Photos: ©2014 Angela María Ortíz S.