Wednesday, May 13, 2009

R.I.P. Herbert N. Raab

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of HOLA Executive Boardmember Herbert N. Raab. He passed away on Monday, May 11, 2009 after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. A board member since 2002, he was a retired CEO of the W. & J. Sloane Company. Among the many family, friends and colleagues he left behind is his widow, Carmen Aybar Raab. They are shown in this photo from the 2008 HOLA Awards in September. Rest in peace, Herb. You will be missed.

Photo credit: A Ruiz Photography

Monday, May 11, 2009

Report on the HOLAtalks with Daphne Rubin-Vega

Our first HOLAtalks event with Daphne Rubin-Vega (on Thursday, May 7, 2009) was also my first event with HOLA and it was certainly a success. I have been in charge of large events before, so I know the hard work it takes to bring ideas to fruition. It’s interesting to plan an event, rather than be an attendee because so much time and thought goes into it. Think about when your family hosts an event; as a kid, my mom would wake up at the crack of dawn to start cooking while getting me and my dad to tidy the house, yard, and set tables to have our large family over. Then, we’d all have to shower and look pretty and calm, like everything that day had been a breeze. That is how HOLA events go! And thanks to some wonderful HOLA volunteers, SAG, and HOLA staff (our family), entertaining last week would not have happened.

The actual day of the event was hectic and stressful. The torrential downpour shook all of our nerves at the HOLA office, and we had to hope that people would come despite the flood on the streets of New York. We also had to struggle through the concrete jungle, roughing trains and buses to get to the space. HOLA Associate Director A.B. Lugo and I carted a ton of supplies for the big night, with sore arms and legs to prove it. After a slightly damp and heavy journey, we made it to the location (the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, or AADA) intact, and before we knew it, we were on our way! Guests were arriving, the talent made it safely to the green room, and I worked with AADA to get the space ready for our night.

Though there were events beyond our control that kept some people from our event, it turned out to be a pleasant experience for all. Daphne Rubin-Vega and moderator Mario Bósquez gave us a beautiful presentation, and we have fantastic images and video by which to remember the event. (Muchas gracias, Anthony Ruiz y Edwin Pagán.)

A great big thank you goes to HOLA member-volunteers Phoenix Ximénez, Laura Patalano and Jenniffer Díaz for their tireless work the entire night. In all honesty, we could not have done it without you! Thanks to HOLA Executive Director Manny Alfaro, A.B., Adam Moore from SAG and all of HOLA for giving me the opportunity to share my experience and energy with them. I thrive on planning, creating, and following through with events and I look forward to more exciting activities HOLA has in store for all of its members, friends and staff.
...Dahlia Valle Peterson
HOLA Administrative Assistant

[For photos of the HOLAtalks event, please refer to the most previous blog entry before this one (http://elblogdehola.blogspot.com/2009/05/holatalks-daphne-rubin-vega-may-7-2009.html).]

Friday, May 8, 2009

HOLAtalks: DAPHNE RUBIN-VEGA - May 7, 2009 - Photos by A Ruiz Photography

Below are photos from the inaugural HOLAtalks held with Daphne Rubin-Vega on May 7, 2009 at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.

The event was sponsored by HOLA and the Screen Actors Guild Affirmative Action and Diversity Department. All photos were taken by Anthony Ruiz for A Ruiz Photography (www.aruizphotography.com).

Photos (from top to bottom) Journalist/writer Mario Bósquez interviews Daphne Rubin-Vega (top three photos); HOLA members/volunteers Jenniffer Díaz and Laura Patalano; Associate National Director of Screen Actors Guild Affirmative Action and Diversity Department Adam Moore with Rubin-Vega; Rubin-Vega and Bósquez; HOLA member Lina Gallegos speaks with Rubin-Vega; HOLA Board Chair Francisco G. Rivela, HOLA Associate Director A.B. Lugo, HOLA Special Projects Director Manuel Herrera, Rubin-Vega; HOLA Executive Director Manny Alfaro, HOLA member Blanca N. Vásquez, Bósquez, HOLA Graphic Designer Phoenix Ximénez, Moore; Alfaro hands flowers to Rubin-Vega while Bósquez looks on; Rubin-Vega.






Wednesday, May 6, 2009

HOLA Member Bochinche

* Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting gigs.

¡Ay, Dios mío! Laura Patalano booked a role in a skit on NBC's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." She booked the gig when the casting director saw her headshot on the HOLA online directory of talent. You can see the skit below.



Mauricio Alexander just wrapped as a season 3 as stand-in for Freddy Rodríguez and subsequently Tony Plana on the ABC series "Ugly Betty." He also acted, wrote, directed and co-produced the short film Departure. With an all-Latino cast (Alexander, Brian Luna, Tracy Pérez) the film is in post-production, but will have screenings this summer.

Gilbert Cruz booked a Bank of America commercial.

Miguel Ángel Juan just capped a run with the Big Apple Circus, where he is a circus clown. He is preparing to go spend seven months in Belarus with a circus there. For more information on him, log on to www.miguelangeljuan.com.

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?

Friday, May 1, 2009

How are we doing? Let us know.

We need your feedback regarding this blog. Let us know what you think about El Blog de HOLA. If you have a Gmail address, you may leave a comment below this blog entry or you can just e-mail us at holagram@hellohola.org.