I’ve been watching Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain and Pati Jinich Explores Panamericana with mixed feelings. I am on record as being an unapologetic, gushing fan of director, actor, producer, and Latina superstar, Eva Longoria. I followed her through Mexico in her Searching for Mexico series on CNN. If she did a series titled, Eva Longoria: Searching for Lint in Her Coat Pocket, I’d watch it because I’m a diehard fan.

Pati Jinich, best-selling cookbook author and TV host of PBS’s long-running, popular series, Pati’s Mexican Table is another favorite of mine. Jinich has a great on-screen persona, but is there any Latina TV personality who looks more like a gringa than Pati Jinich but sounds more Mexican than she does? I enjoy her infectious charming curiosity  when she ventures out finding new Mexican cuisines.

But so far for my personal Mexican taste buds, Eva and Pati have encountered mostly ho-hum cuisines on their very different food journeys

The historical and gastronomical fact is we Mexicans took Spanish food stuffs; beef, pork, lamb, flour, rice manteca, and citrus and other fruits, incorporated them into an already outstanding diet and turned it into the world’s most popular and delicious cuisine. I don’t see people lining up for tappas and sangria. But you can find snotty, stuck-up Parisians in France eating tacos from Mexican food trucks (holding them incorrectly) and foregoing their overrated wine for good Mexican beer.

¡Hay Dios Mio! We even improved the language they gave us! Who can understand the Catalan Spanish that comes out of the mouths of Spaniards with that lisp, cotton balls  in their mouths, dropping the “S” off the end of words, jamming words together and shooting them out in rapid machine gun bursts of nouns, vowels, and verbs.?

We Mexicans modified, moderated and improved the pronunciation of Spanish so that Mexican-style Spanish is the foreign language of choice to learn and despite what Trump says, it is the “official” language of most of America and the world.

Eva for the most part, seems to be living la vida loca in Spain, but occasionally she puts on a brave face when she is offered unappetizing Spanish food.  But she smiles graciously, takes a small bite, swallows and washs it all down with glasses of wine.

Meanwhile Pati, up in the frozen tundra of North Alaska and The Yukon and living the vida of Nanook of the North, suffers eating seal fat, moose meat and other Alaskan delicacies. Although she has been treated to some delicious Alaskan salmon, crab and other seafood treasures, Pati has also  bravely tasted unappetizing  items like seal fat, whale blubber and moose meat with her typical grace and humor.

Surprisingly, Pati has found Latino culture and people up in the frozen tundra of the Great White North.  Eva, for her part, has taken us back to the Mothership of all Latin American countries and reminded us of the Arab, Middle Eastern and African culinary, cultural and musical influences that flourished in Spain for centuries and were brought to us buy the Spaniards during The Conquest.

But what both these two food / travelogue programs emphatically demonstrate is the influence and global dominance of Hispanic culture that came to Mesoamerica from Spain, took root there and blossomed into the worlds’ most vibrant, colorful and delicious cultural expression.

Gore Vidal once characterized the grater Southwest, but especially the Tex Mex Border from El Paso to Brownsville, as The Occupied Territories.

How about if Eva and Pati team up and do a Latina Lewis & Clark type exploration of The Occupied territories on their next food / travelogue series? They will certainly encounter a helluva lot tastier food and easier to understand Spanish.

Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain – Sundays at 9 PM ET On CNN

Pati Jinich Explores PanaAmerica – PBS, Check for Dates and times

Streaming on Amazon Prime video 

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In a career-defining role as Jenni rivera, Annie Gonzalez stars in the VIx biopic Jenni, which makes its premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival on October 21, 2024.  Gonzalez’ career has been on a fast track since a little over a year ago when she starred in her first female lead role in Eva Longoria’s directorial debut of Flamin’ Hot.  Now Gonzalez takes another career leap, in her first title role where she not only stars in the title role, she is also executive producing!  

Jenni, is directed by Gigi Saul Guerrero (Bingo Hell) and is the life story about  “La Diva de la Banda” Jenni Rivera, the Mexican-American singer, songwriter, actress, producer, and entrepreneur who passed away in 2012. She was known for her work in the banda, mariachi, and norteño genres of regional Mexican music. Rivera was the most successful female artist in the male-dominated banda genre who also became a reality TV star (I Love Jenni), businesswoman, and activist. On a flight back home after a performance in Mexico, Rivera’s plane crashed.

The film will highlight Jenni Rivera’s resilience, her journey to stardom, and the personal battles that shaped her legacy. Gonzalez has expressed how deeply honored she feels to portray Rivera, calling her a “phenomenal survivor” who, despite facing adversity, never saw herself as a victim. She emphasized the importance of Rivera’s messages of feminism, civil rights, and empowerment, which resonate with women and Latinas everywhere.

The Rivera family has been actively involved in the film’s production. Jacqie Rivera, Jenni’s daughter and CEO of Jenni Rivera Enterprises, expressed excitement over the project, stating that her mother’s story will continue to inspire future generations. While it has been an emotional journey for the family to see their mother portrayed on screen by Gonzalez.

Although it has been more than a decade after her untimely death in 2012, Jenni Rivera’s fan base remains loyal.  Her life has also inspired her eldest daughter, Chiquis Rivera to pursue a career in banda music and continue the family legacy.   Chiquis has won two Latin Grammys for Best Banda Album for her 2020 album “Playlist”, being the first solo woman to win in this category. She also has a Latin Grammy for her album “Abeja Reina” in 2022. Her mother, Jenni would be proud.

Tickets for the screening of Jenni (you csn choose from Screening and After Party or just the Screening) at the Newport Beach Film Festival can be purchased HERE. For a discount courtesy of LATINAFest and the Newport Beach Film Festival use this code: Mexican2024

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Eva Longoria attends Land of Women Red Carpet in New York

Actress/producer extraordinaire and USA Today Women of the Year, Eva Longoria was in New York City last week for the red carpet premiere of her Apple TV+ dramedy, Land of Women looking her usual fabulosa self.  She not only stars in the six episode Spanglish dramedy series, she is also an executive producer. 

Joining her on the red carpet were cast members Victoria Bazúa and Santiago Cabrera who plays the dreamy Amat. 

The series will make its global debut on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on June 26, followed by a new episode every Wednesday through July 24.

 The cast is internationally stellar, with Carmen Maura (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown) playing Gala’s (Longoria) mom.  The Venezuelan born Cabrera (Big Little Lies) grew up in London, Romania and Madrid, while Bazúa, born in Mexico, makes her television debut.

Executive Produced By: Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira, Carlos Sedes, Teresa Fernández-Valdés, Eva Longoria, Ben Spector and Sandra Condito.

Patricia Cardoso Joins the Prestigious AMPAS Board of Governors

 On June 1 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its newly elected 2024-2025 Board of Governors. Among the newly elected members was director Patricia Cardoso (Real Women Have Curves).  The Academy has 19 branches, each represented by three governors, Cardosa will be serving on the director branch.  The 55-person Board of Governors is responsible for the governance, corporate oversight, and strategic direction of the Academy. 

With these new additions, the 55-member Board now comprises 53% women and 27% belonging to an underrepresented racial or ethnic group.  

There are only two other Latinos on the Board of Governors, incumbents, director/producer Rodrigo Garcia, and costume designer Eduardo Castro.  Felicidades a todos!!

NHMC’s Impact Awards Among the Celebrated

A couple of weeks ago June 14th at the National Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Awards Gala celebrated NHMC and this year’s amazing honorees who are making a positive impact for the Latine community. Co-hosted by actress/producer and artivista Annie Gonzalez (Jenni, Flamin’ Hot) and actress, writer, and producer Mayan Lopez (Lopez vs. Lopez).

President and CEO, Brenda Victoria Castillo is pictured here with the 2024 Impact Awards Gala Honorees.

_{From left to right: Fede Alvarez, Samuel Harowitz, Harvey Guillén, Brenda Castillo, Larry Freedman, Emmy Raver-Lampman, David Castañeda, Issa López, Tatyana Ali, and Alonso Carrillo  (Photo Alberto Rodriguez, Getty Images)}

Artivist Representing at the International Labour Organization

This past week she invited Latina Artivists Annie Gonzalez (Flamin’ Hot), Maria Diana Riva (Dead to Me) (Grey’s Anatomy, The Baker & The Beauty) and Lisa Vidal  joined Monica Ramirez, Founder & President of Justice for Migrant Women at the 5-year anniversary of the International Labour Organization adopting the first ever international treaty to address gender-based violence and harassment in the world of work (C190).Monica Ramirez is a force. She is also co-founder of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, The Latinx House and Poderistas. She is dedicated to ending gender based violence in the workplace and achieving gender equity.

Gaytino! Made in America Screening at La Plaza de Cultura Y Artes in Los Angeles

Dan Guerrero’s documentary Gaytino! Made in America screened this past Saturday, we enjoyed a wonderful evening at the screening.

Dignitaries like labor activist Dolores Huerta, renowned artist Barbara Carrasco were in attendance, to celebrate the cultural history Guerrero shared through his very important and entertaining documentary.

Guerrero shared never-before-heard stories about his journey as a producer, screenwriter, theatrical agent and his path to self-acceptance as a gay Chicano.  Dan is a LatinoWood community treasure.

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Tejano music legend and TV host Johnny Canales passed away on June 12, 2024, he was 67. Canales will be remembered for a giving soul who was there to illuminate and give a hand up to new Tejano talent on his show, the Corpus Christi-based TV show The Johnny Canales Show, which ran from 1983 to the mid 1990’s.

He would introduce young and well known music talents with his signature phrase “You Got It, Take it Away”.  It was a show that captivated audiences near and far introducing talents like a teenage Selena who appeared on his show a couple of times before her career took off.  Canales was known at that time as the “Mexican American Dick Clark”.

Author, Filmmaker, & Activist David Damian Figueroa, was a friend of Canales throughout the years.  Figueroa, who was a publicist back in the day, would bring his clients to Canales show. In honor of Canales’ legacy Figueroa said:

“Johnny Canales was a true American hero who championed the uniquely American music genre of Tejano. His influence extended far beyond borders, as his show was broadcast in 23 countries, showcasing the vibrant sounds of Tejano music to a global audience. 

Canales’s ability to seamlessly blend Spanglish, with his tagline delivered in English to an audience that predominantly spoke Spanish, further solidifies his legendary status. His story serves as a testament to the power of music to transcend language barriers and unite people from diverse backgrounds. 

He was instrumental in inspiring other Corpus Christi hometown talents, like Selena, Freddy Fender, Pepe Serna, and Eva Longoria, who all went on to become icons in their own right.  As for me, Johnny was my good friend, compadre, and colleague.  He taught me a lot about the entertainment business and civil rights and how to merge both to help our community.  Johnny Canales’ legacy as a pioneer in promoting.”

David Damian Figueroa

There is a documentary currently in post production entitled Take It Away: The Rise and Fall of Tejano Hollywood that will recount Canales’ significant contribution to Tejano music.The documentary will shed light on Canales’ significant contributions to the Tejano music scene and his enduring legacy.

Canales’ legacy will live on in our hearts, in the talent he showcased, and now in this upcoming documentary

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Actress Eva Longoria has come a long way in her career since she was first introduced to prime time television audiences, portraying Gabrielle Solis in the ABC series, Desperate Housewives (2004-2012). Now she is serving as Executive Producer and Star of Apple TV’s Land of Women, shot in both English and Spanish. Longoria portrays Gala, a high-society New Yorker whose life is turned upside down when her husband implicates the family in a financial scandal, forcing her to flee, along with her mother and teenage daughter.

Hailing from Apple Studios, and inspired by award-winning author Sandra Barneda’s best-selling novel La tierra de las mujeres,  Land of Women is created by Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira and Paula Fernández and is directed by Iris Award winner Carlos Sedes. 

Also starring legendary film and television star Carmen Maura and newcomer Victoria Bazúa. 

Longoria quips, “Yes, my character Gala, is indeed suffering an identity crisis at the beginning of the show. Her whole life has been a lie, and she has to flee suddenly to Northern Spain, living in a small vineyard with her mother, who was raised there and now hates it; and her daughter, who is definitely going through a rebellious phase. To top it off, off, the people she meets, speak a language she doesn’t really understand (Catalon).”

The series creator/writer and Executive Producer Ramón Campos interjects, “We live with different languages. Eva and I are now speaking English to be interviewed; but the moment we start to speak in Spanish we live in that world. We both think this situation must be reflected in the series. It’s important to authentically function in that environment.”

Castilian and Catalan accents were heavily incorporated into the series, which is a sharp contrast to Mexican, which is what Longoria spoke growing up in Corpus Christi. “I think streaming has really broken down content,” says Longoria. “We no longer just watch what’s from America and Spaniards don’t just watch what’s from Spain. “We now live in a global community.”

Ramón Campos has lived through this streaming renaissance of programming, particularly in Spain where Netflix and now Apple are now invested heavily in local output. “I started with FreeTV” he says. When we had an amazingly successful series, Netflix come to Spain and we created “Cable Girls.” We were very lucky and we developed series for Amazon, for Netflix, and now for the amazing Apple TV+.

The episodes move smoothly, authentically flowing from Gala speaking English to her American daughter, then speaking Spanish with her mother. The ladies at the vineyard are from Catalonia, so they speak Catalan. It makes for a very rich, fun environment because it’s one of the big sources of comedy…miscommunication.

“I think it’s important to analyze the people who wait for your story,” says Campos. “I don’t believe in creating series just for me. I love my stories, but I always create the series for the people. My first audience is my mother. When I finish one series, I send my mother the episode and she has one of two reactions. Either it’s ‘I love it, it’s amazing,’ or ‘Oh, it’s nice.” It is with the second response, I know I’m in trouble?”

In the 12 years since the end of Desperate Housewives, Longoria has mostly been producing and directing, with a little bit of acting thrown in. So, how does she choose what she wants to act in, what kinds of projects does she want to produce and direct? Also, was she really interested in continuing to work on both sides of the camera?

Longoria just shrugs. “I wanted to get behind the camera to have more control of my career. I wanted to tell the stories from my community, from a woman’s perspective. And I started doing that during Desperate Housewives, I used that series as my film school.” Longoria shot her first two short films during Desperate Housewives and then produced Devious Maids with Marc Cherry. That’s also when she started her episodic directing career. It was Campos who segued her career into starring in a series.

“Yeah, that’s true,” Campos continues. “I love to write for women set in period series, but I decided I wanted to also speak in contemporary times, because I have strong women in my life. My team, all are women. And for me, it became very important to speak about them. And then Eva approached me.”

Longoria continues, “Ramón and I did Grand Hotel together. I optioned the format from Spain and that’s where we met. And then I optioned another one of his shows that I loved. And then after that, I was like, “Ramón, why don’t you write me a show? I want to drink wine and shoot in Spain.” He just shrugged and said, O.K.’ Oh my God! I was really excited to work with a showrunner like Ramón.” I’ve never acted in Spanish. I have never shot in Spain. To be playing such a phenomenal Spanish cast, including the legendary Carmen Maura, it was just something I couldn’t pass up.”

The series is produced by Bambu Studios, and executive produced by showrunner Campos, Neira, Sedes, Iris Award winner Teresa Fernández-Valdés, Ben Spector, Sandra Condito and Longoria via her award-winning production company UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, founded in 2005 by Longoria to produce film, television and documentaries.

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The Mexican-American Cultural Education Foundation (MACEF), a 501c3 organization, proudly announces the upcoming 3rd edition of the Mexican-American Film & Television Festival (MAFTF) slated for April 20 – 21, 2024, at the prestigious Harmony Gold Theater in Hollywood. Marking 2024 as the “Year of the Mexican-American/Chicana Filmmaker,” MAFTF will honor accomplished individuals whose groundbreaking contributions have significantly impacted the entertainment industry.

In a dedicated effort to celebrate diversity and inclusivity within the cinematic landscape, MAFTF will pay tribute to four remarkable women during this year’s festival:

• Ivett Merino: Renowned producer, and Oscar Winner for the Academy Award winning film Encanto. Will received the Prestigious MACEf’s President Award.
• Eva Longoria: Her feature film directorial debut of Flamin’ Hot became the highest streaming movie from Searchlight ever and she made the Hollywood Reporter’s Forces for Change Power List for 2023.
• Patricia Riggen: Esteemed director, will be honored with the Trailblazer in Directing Award, known for her work on “Miracles From Heaven.”
• Josefina Lopez: Celebrated playwright and screenwriter, will be honored with the Excellence in Writing Award.
• Bel Hernandez Castillo: Noteworthy journalist and publisher, recognized for documenting the Latino Hollywood success in her publication, Latin Heat.

While embracing the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry, MAFTF seeks to acknowledge the vital role that Chicanas have played in shaping cinematic narratives. Despite Mexican-Americans constituting nearly 70% of all Latinos in the U.S., their contributions have often gone untold and unrecognized.

The festival’s mission is to provide a platform for Mexican-American/Chicano filmmakers to showcase, promote, and celebrate their creative talents. By fostering an environment of networking and support, MAFTF aims to bridge the gap between filmmakers and Hollywood executives, fostering opportunities beyond stereotypes.

The demand for the festival is evident, with over 150 submissions, including feature films, shorts, documentaries, and TV projects, reflecting a diverse range of themes. These stories address identity, high school angst, love, animation, relationships, immigration, marriage, and more, contributing to a vibrant showcase either in-person or virtually over the two-day event.

Statistics from the 2022 Latino Donor Collaborative Media Report emphasize the underrepresentation of Latinos on screen, despite their significant contribution as avid TV consumers and high movie ticket purchases. MAFTF provides a platform for Mexican-American/Chicano filmmakers to share stories that resonate with their communities.

With only 6% of speaking characters on screen being Latino, as reported by USC’s 2023 Annenberg Inclusion Initiative study, MAFTF stands as a crucial initiative in amplifying diverse voices in the film industry.

MACEF President and Founder, Dr. Jose Luis Ruiz, emphasizes the importance of representation, stating, “Our goal is to turn this trend around. This will not change unless we create the change.”

The festival will honor its distinguished recipients, Patricia Riggen, Josefina Lopez, with retrospective screenings of their impactful projects, Under The Same Moon and Real Women Have Curves respectively. As in previous years  MAFTF prestigious panels of judges lead by Festival Awards Director Jerry Velasco and award-winning film and television director, Jesus Trevino will choose among the 150 submission the best in 10 competition categories, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Short Film, Best TV Series, Best Male Actor, Best Female Actress, Best Screenplay for Film, Best Musical, and Best Screenplay for TV.

The two day festival will culminate with the star studded, red-carpet and Oscar styled  “Illustrious Award”, where winners and honorees will receive their awards in front of 350 colleagues and movie lovers, taking place on April 21st at 6 PM, capping the festivities.

Film submissions are still being accepted, with a deadline of January 31, 2024. For more information about the 2024 MAFTF, and to purchase tickets, visit www.MexAmCEF.org.

Mexican American Cultural Education Foundation’s mission is to change the negative narrative of Americans of Mexican descent by highlighting their stories and their positive contribution to the U.S. For more information about the 2023 MACEF Film Festival, www.MexAmCEF.org.

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The life of legendary Hollywood actor and internationally renowned artist Pepe Serna is revealed in Pepe Serna: Life Is Art, a one-hour documentary film directed by Luis Reyes will be available for streaming on Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, and Vudu on February 21, 2024. Told by Serna himself, the documentary follows his lengthy acting career and artistic life and provides viewers with a rare opportunity to discover previously unseen and unknown sides of the actor’s journey. 

With over 100 film and television credits, Serna is most recognized for his iconic role opposite Al Pacino in the classic film Scarface as Ángel Fernández, whose grisly demise is one of the most memorable in cinema history. Born in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1944, Serna built a career from the ground up and appeared in films such as Car Wash with Richard Pryor, Postcards from the Edge with Meryl Streep, The Jerk with Steve Martin, and Academy Award-winning director Alexander Payne’s Downsizing with Matt Damon. 

Eva Longoria and Edward James Olmos, both longtime friends of Serna, provide personal insight and perspective on his versatility and longevity as an actor and artist alongside Cheech Marin, Gloria Calderón Kellett, Luis Valdez and many others.

Throughout his journey, he has inspired countless Latino artists to follow in his footsteps by delivering powerful performances for filmmakers such as Brian De Palma, Clint Eastwood, John Schlesinger, Dalton Trumbo, Roger Corman, Henry Hathaway, William Friedkin and Dick Donner. 

Serna’s career is a testament to how far Latinos have come in Hollywood. He has indisputably claimed a reputable place in one of the world’s most competitive industries for his story-telling abilities and unique drive to empower not just Latinos but also other underserved communities. 

His recent memoir “Life is Art” recounts his motivational story from humble beginnings and offers life-changing lessons to overcoming adversity. “Life is Art” is available now for purchase here.

In addition to Hollywood success, Pepe is a visual artist whose paintings have been exhibited in galleries around the world. He also conducts motivational and improvisational workshops in high schools nationwide.

The documentary received awards in 2022 including Best Documentary at the Official Latino Film and Arts Festival, and the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, Audience Award at the San Diego Latino Film Festival, and Festival Prize at the South Texas International Film Festival.

Most recently, Serna can be seen in Eva Longoria’s feature directorial debut Flamin’ Hot and on Amazon’s TV series With Love.

For additional information on Pepe Serna: Life Is Art, please visit: 

Website: https://www.pepeserna.net

Facebook: @https://www.facebook.com/pepesernanews/

Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/pepefied11/

Purchase the book today Here

Cast: Luis Valdez (Playwright, director Zoot Suit, La Bamba), Edward James Olmos (Oscar-nominated actor & director), Eva Longoria (actor, producer & director), Gloria Calderón Kellet (showrunner on “One Day at a Time,” “With Love”), David Ansen (former Newsweek film critic), Cheech Marin (of the comedy duo Cheech and Chong, actor & art collector) and Robert Beltran (actor, Cmdr. Chakotay in Star Trek: Voyager TV series)

Produced By: Kayvon Derak Shanian, David Méndez and Isaac Artenstein 

Executive Produced by: David Damian Figueroa 

Directed By: Luis Reyes

Run Time: 1 hour and 2 minutes

Rating: Not rated

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In a historic move, Cris Abrego, former co-founder and chief executive of Endemol Shine-owned studio 51 Minds Entertainment and current Chairman of the Americas, Banijay, has signed on to another high profile position as the Chairman of the Television Academy.  Abrego, a trailblazer in the television industry, brings a wealth of experience and a groundbreaking vision to his latest role. 

As one of the highest-ranking Latinos in television, Abrego has made inclusion a top priority for his team and within the entertainment industry. Under his leadership, Endemol Shine North America launched the global company’s first all-encompassing Diversity and Inclusion resource group in 2019. As a producer and executive, he spearheaded the development of groundbreaking reality shows The Surreal Life and Flavor of Love, which not only captured audiences but also became cultural phenomena.

Abrego’s innovative approach to storytelling and his commitment to diversity and inclusion set him apart in an industry that has recently undergone significant transformations due to a pandemic and the recent strikes by the entertainment guilds and unions.. 

Born and raised in the predominantly Latino neighborhood of El Monte, California, Abrejo began his career working on reality shows for television right after high school at Bunim-Murray.  Some of those shows included The Real World and Road Rules television shows freelancing as a coordinating producer for Fear and Making the Band. 

He rose quickly through the ranks and soon became known for his keen eye for compelling content and an innate understanding of the evolving television landscape, he co-founded 51 Minds Entertainment, a production company that played a pivotal role in reshaping reality television.

Renowned as a creative entrepreneur, entertainment executive, award-winning producer and philanthropist, Abrego is the CEO of the recently launched Hyphenate Media Group, a media holding company and premium-content studio he co-founded with his longtime collaborator, Eva Longoria. He has served on the Academy’s executive committee and as chairman of the Television Academy Foundation since 2021.

As the first Latino chairman in the Television Academy’s history, Abrego brings a fresh perspective and an unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity. His extensive experience in producing diverse content aligns seamlessly with the Academy’s mission to recognize and celebrate the richness of television storytelling.

“I am honored to step into this role and feel the significant weight of responsibility in leading the Television Academy into the future, especially in this transformative moment in our business,” said Abrego. “Our members represent one of the most powerful and exciting industries in the world — our content drives local and global economies and has a formative impact on our culture. As the entertainment ecosystem continues to undergo seismic shifts, I look forward to linking arms with our new officers and governors to lead our Academy and support our membership as we forge the path ahead together.” 

 Abrego’s future as the head of a major entertainment organization, like the Television Academy, we hope comes with a promises to shape a landscape that is reflective of the diverse stories and voices that make up our global community. Abrego’s leadership can usher in a new era for the Television Academy, emphasizing the importance of representation, equity, and innovation. His unique vantage point, shaped by years of industry experience and a dedication to pushing boundaries, positions him as a catalyst for positive change within the organization.

The post Cris Abrego From Reality to Chairman of the Television Academy first appeared on .

Eva Longoria’s recently concluded multi-part travelogue/food CNN series, Searching
for Mexico, introduced millions of viewers who think Mexican cuisine is just beans,
tortillas and the ubiquitous taco, to the spiral galaxy diversity of regional Mexican
delicacies, flavors, and traditions which consist of pre-Columbian indigenous, Spanish
and other European influences and then magically transformed into something distinctly
“Mexican.”

Those of us of Mexican heritage belong to a marvelous hybrid group of people unlike
any other on the planet. In many ways, the iconic Mexican mole is emblematic of
Mexicans and our beautiful culture.

Mole is made from a myriad of varying ingredients (indigenous and imported) that come
together to form a unique, singularly delicious new creation. Similarly, Mexico over the
centuries has welcomed, absorbed, and adapted DNA “ingredients” from people from
Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The people of Mexico have taken these many
different ingredients from all these cultures, blended them into the greater Mexican
cultural tapestry into a singularly unique, proud Mexican identity, and blessed our tables
with the greatest world-class cuisine.

Eva Longoria’s Searching for Mexico went a long way to open hearts, minds and
palates to that delicious cultural revelation.

The post Eva Longoria’s ‘Searching for Mexico’ Opens Hearts and Palates first appeared on .

By Roberto Leal

With the recent release of Flamin’ Hot, Eva Longoria, the talented actor, producer,
makes her directorial debut telling us an inspirational Horatio Alger-like story with a
decided Mexican twist of Richard Montañez, the humble janitor working for Frito-Lay
who developed the spicy seasoning for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, America’s favorite snack
chip.

While the nuts-and-bolts facts surrounding the development of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos are
in dispute, Longoria doesn’t go into that aspect of the story but rather brings clear
focus the body and soul of this story which is Richard Montañez’s rags-to-riches, triumph over adversity buoyed by the strength of his Mexican heritage and close-knit family.

Jesse Garcia (The Avengers) gives an honest, sympathetic performance as Richard, a
young Mexican struggling to navigate and overcome the barriers of a troubled upbringing and systemic racism to realize his ambitions and dreams.

Annie Gonzalez (Gentefied, Vida) delivers an excellent performance as Judy, Richard’s wife who bolsters, encourages, scolds, and never loses faith in Richard. In many ways, Judy’s never faltering strength in this story is reminiscent of the tireless determination of the Mexican wives in the  Herbert J. Biberman directed feature The Salt of the Earth (1954) who were the driving force behind the copper miners strike in New Mexico.

Judy’s presence in the film reminds us that Mexican society is not necessarily a male dominated, macho one, but more often a matriarchal hierarchy ruled by: las madres, abuelas, tias, hermanas, and comadres. At least that was the reality in my family.

Longoria’s even-handed directing style is crisp and fast-paced. She allows the story to evolve and reveal itself at its own chosen speed. There are no slow parts in Flamin’ Hot. The story is punctuated and rounded out by the casting of veteran character actors: Dennis Haysbert, Tony Shouloub, and Pepe Serna.

Flamin’ Hot was recently screened at the White House as part of the administration’s advocacy efforts to strengthen DACA and immigration reform. Alicia Menendez, host of MSNBC’s American Voices asked Longoria why she made Flamin’ Hot: “It’s a love letter to the Mexican American community”, said Longoria.

“When I think about tonight’s movie, I think about courage. So many of you, your ancestors left behind all that they knew to start a new life in the United States,” President Biden said as he addressed a crowd of over 900 person there for the outdoor screening of the film for community, White House staff and press.

Flamin’ Hot is indeed a love letter to our community. But it is also a message to Hollywood we need to see more positive representations of Latinos in film, TV and theater and we have exceptionally talented storytellers, like Eva Longoria, to bring those “love letters” to American audiences and beyond.

Richard Montañez disrupted the food industry in the ‘90s by channeling his Mexican American heritage to help turn Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into a multibillion-dollar brand today and a cultural phenomenon,” Longoria said. “We are telling a story that celebrates the American entrepreneurial dream without sidestepping the fact that the dream isn’t available in the same way for everyone.”

Flamin’ Hot starring Jesse Garcia and Annie Gonzalez is currently streaming on Hulu and
Disney+.

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