Documental Vida y Familia de Abelardo Díaz Alfaro

Summary

The video script tells the story of Abelardo Díaz Alfaro, born in Puerto Rico during a time of scarcity and economic hardship. As the youngest of seven, Díaz Alfaro faced early struggles in school, which fueled his determination to succeed. His experiences living in various towns and working as a social worker in Arroyo shaped his understanding of the Jíbaro culture. His commitment to his roots and his people led him to become a prominent figure in Puerto Rican literature, a defender of traditions and a voice for the voiceless, inspiring a sense of patriotism and pride among Puerto Ricans.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Abelardo Díaz Alfaro was born in 1916 in Puerto Rico during a period of hardship, including scarcity of basic resources and food.
• 🎓 He was the youngest of seven children and started his education in Ponce, studying with the Puerto Rican painter Miguel Pou.
• 📰 His father was a writer, journalist, and minister, which influenced Abelardo's early writing at the age of 14 for his father's church newspaper.
• 🏡 Due to his father's profession, Abelardo lived in various towns across the island, experiencing different aspects of Puerto Rican life.
• 📚 Abelardo faced academic struggles, being held back in school, which later fueled his determination to succeed.
• 🏆 Despite early setbacks, he became a prominent figure in Puerto Rican literature, a source of pride for his family.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 His family described him as an exemplary husband, father, and man who lived by the examples he set in his writings.
• 🏭 He worked as a social worker in Barrio Jaurel de Arroyo at the age of 20, where he faced and was deeply affected by the extreme poverty he encountered.
• 🌾 His experiences in the countryside, particularly his time in Barrio Jaurel, shaped his identity and commitment to the Puerto Rican Jíbaro culture and its people.
• 📖 His writings and life's work became a voice for the Jíbaro people, advocating for their traditions, culture, and the recognition of their contributions.

Q & A

What was the situation in Puerto Rico in 1916?

In 1916, Puerto Rico was going through a very difficult time with a lack of basic resources, scarcity of food, and on the verge of a great depression that would dictate the course of the country.

Who was Abelardo Díaz Alfaro and where was he born?

Abelardo Díaz Alfaro was a Puerto Rican writer and social worker, born on July 24 in the Barrio Savarona of the town of Caguas, Puerto Rico.

What was Abelardo Díaz Alfaro's family background?

Abelardo Díaz Alfaro was the youngest of seven children of Don Abelardo Díaz Morales and Doña Asunción Alfaro Pratz. His father was a writer, journalist, and minister of the first Baptist Church of Caguas.

At what age did Abelardo Díaz Alfaro start writing?

Abelardo Díaz Alfaro began his first writings at the age of 14 in the church newspaper where his father worked.

What significant event during his school years impacted Abelardo Díaz Alfaro's life?

Abelardo Díaz Alfaro was deeply affected by being held back in school, which later became a driving force for him to achieve success and recognition.

Who is Carnet Febo Díaz and how is he related to Abelardo Díaz Alfaro?

Carnet Febo Díaz is the granddaughter of Don Abelardo Díaz Alfaro and she is proud to participate in a film about his life.

What was the first job of Abelardo Díaz Alfaro?

Abelardo Díaz Alfaro's first job was as a social worker in Barrio Jaurel of Arroyo at the age of 20.

What was the living condition like in Barrio Jaurel when Abelardo Díaz Alfaro worked there?

The living conditions in Barrio Jaurel were extremely poor with houses made of wood without water and electricity, and people had to bathe in the river and look for food in it.

What lesson did Abelardo Díaz Alfaro's father teach him about life and work?

Abelardo Díaz Alfaro's father taught him that life is not meant to be comfortable all the time and that facing hardships is an opportunity to understand the suffering of others and bring hope and faith to those who are more alone and in greater need.

How is Abelardo Díaz Alfaro described in the context of Puerto Rican culture and identity?

Abelardo Díaz Alfaro is described as the last Puerto Rican Jíbaro, a lover of his land, mountains, rivers, and ravines, a defender of his homeland, its traditions, and culture, and an inspiration to new generations of Puerto Ricans.

What is the significance of the term 'Jíbaro' in the context of the script?

The term 'Jíbaro' signifies a Puerto Rican country-dweller with a strong sense of patriotism and cultural identity, which Abelardo Díaz Alfaro embodied and which characterizes and distinguishes Puerto Ricans worldwide.