Remembering Michael Jackson - From an Unlikely Place...

We will all remember where we were when we heard the news that the “King of Pop” Michael Jackson passed away on Thursday June 25th 2009.

I was in Puerto Rico, attending the annual convention for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ). I had taken time off to attend this convention, and was in the middle of a workshop series when I was called the next day (Friday). Mega TV wanted me to comment on the people’s reaction to the news.

Normally, that’s exactly the kind of story I love to do, go out into the streets, get people’s reactions, put together the story. It’s great. Except there was one problem. I cover New York City. In New York, I’ve got a camera man, I know all the best places to get comments from street corners, I can even find an impersonator or two, and of course, easy access to Harlem where there was already a crowd gathered. Instead I was thousands of miles away, in Puerto Rico, where I am for all intents and purposes, a foreigner. Not to mention I was there for a convention as a participant, and wasn't anticipating going into "reporter" mode till I got back. I might as well have been on Mars, it seemed so random...

But these are times when you have to get creative. So I put my iPhone into overdrive researching any connection between MJ and Puerto Rico, and started to literally ask for reactions from anyone at arms distance, the taxi driver on the way to Mega’s studio in San Juan, the people in the lobby, even the people who worked in the Mega TV office (who I was also meeting for the first time).

In the end, I felt that I was able to add some interesting color to the story, from this island away from home. Should I consider this my first foreign assignment? (Just FYI, there were also some technical issues with the live link, so please bear with the clip...;-) )

RIP Michael. You will be missed. I know I have a red zipper jacket I wore as a little girl somewhere hidden in my mother's closet. I think I'll try to dig it out....

The Summer has officially begun!

While Sunday is the official first day of summer, for many in NY, it officially started LAST Sunday at the Puerto Rican Day Parade.

I've been covering it for a few years now, and it never ceases to amaze me the amount of people of all different ages, types, and characters that are on the sidelines as well as marching down 5th Avenue. 52 Years old, this parade is the biggest in NYC.

I try very hard to make sure that in my stories I include not only the politicians and the celebrities, but also the Batuteras (kid marching bands) , the urban and latin dance clubs, and the people in various typical costumes and floats. This is after all, a people's parade.

Now, some may think that covering parades isn't "real" news, and I have noticed some reporters hauling themselves up and down the avenue as if they didn't want to be there, but when its about showcasing the best about mi gente (meaning Latinos of all cultures), it's news to me.

I run up and down the street dragging my poor cameraman all over the place to get a great shot, interview great people, and show the city (and the rest of the world) one of the best summer events in NYC.

Here are some pictures from the parade. Normally I'd post video, but I think this captures a bit more.

As Local as Local Gets! Covering the Cuban Parade in My Backyard

With all the big news events happening at the beginning of this week - plane crashes, murders, bankruptcies etc. I find my job especially gratifying when I can diversify the news space with local news of the positive variety. This weekend I covered the New Jersey Cuban Parade, and was able to interview such local legends as Radio DJ Polito Vega (He's Puerto Rican, but was honored at the parade), Cuban Singer Albita, and Salsa legends La Sonora Matancera.

It so happens that the parade literally is up the street from my home, so I was able to make a family afternoon of it (even including my two loves in a b-roll shot). I was able to connect with some of my colleagues from other networks who also came as guests of the parade, and take some great pictures (if you haven't seen them, follow me on twitter!). Parade season has officially begun in the metro area, and I love covering them, talking with the people and seeing the best of Latin culture and music. It may be local news, but it's as international as it gets!