Documental Vida y Familia de Abelardo Díaz Alfaro

Suheilly Rivera

25 May 201705:38

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Birth of a Puerto Rican Star

The script introduces a challenging period in Puerto Rico's history marked by scarcity of basic resources, food shortages, and the brink of a great depression. Amidst this, on July 24, Abelardo Díaz Alfaro is born in the barrio of Savarona, Caguas, Puerto Rico. He is the youngest of seven children to Don Abelardo Díaz Morales and Doña Asunción Alfaro Pratz. His early education takes place in Ponce, where he studies with the Puerto Rican painter Miguel Pou. Due to his father's profession as a writer, journalist, and minister of the first Baptist Church in Caguas, Abelardo's family moves frequently across the island. At the age of 14, he begins writing for his father's church newspaper, showing early promise. Despite coming from a well-off family, Abelardo faces academic challenges and is mocked for his poor performance in school, which later fuels his determination to succeed. The narrative also includes reflections from his granddaughter, Karen Febo Díaz, and other relatives, expressing pride in his legacy. Abelardo's experiences in different towns and cities, witnessing the lives and struggles of the people, shape his identity and make him a voice for the Puerto Rican Jíbaro.

05:01

🏞️ The Last Puerto Rican Jíbaro

This paragraph highlights Abelardo Díaz Alfaro's deep connection to Puerto Rico's land, mountains, rivers, and traditions. He is portrayed as a defender of his homeland, its culture, and a source of inspiration for a new generation of Puerto Ricans. The script emphasizes the importance of fostering a sense of patriotism and the Jíbaro spirit within each individual, which is recognized and distinguished worldwide. The music in the background complements the narrative, adding an emotional layer to the portrayal of Abelardo's life and legacy.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the Caribbean. In the video, it is depicted as going through a difficult period in 1916, with scarce resources and food, highlighting the historical context and setting the stage for the challenges faced by its people, including the protagonist Abelardo Díaz Alfaro.

💡Abelardo Díaz Alfaro

Abelardo Díaz Alfaro is a central figure in the video, born in 1916 in Puerto Rico. He is portrayed as a writer, journalist, and minister who overcame personal challenges and became a significant figure in Puerto Rican literature. His life and work are celebrated as an inspiration to others, reflecting the theme of resilience and cultural pride.

💡Jíbaro

The term 'Jíbaro' refers to the rural inhabitants of Puerto Rico, known for their strong connection to the land and traditional values. In the video, Abelardo Díaz Alfaro is described as the 'last Jíbaro,' symbolizing his deep love for his homeland, its mountains, rivers, and traditions. This term is integral to understanding his identity and the cultural narrative of the video.

💡Escasez de alimento

The phrase 'escasez de alimento' translates to 'scarcity of food,' which is a critical issue mentioned in the video as part of the hardships faced by Puerto Rico during the time of Abelardo's youth. It underscores the economic struggles and the broader societal challenges that shaped the era and influenced Abelardo's life and work.

💡Literatura boricua

Referring to Puerto Rican literature, this term is significant as it represents the cultural and artistic expression of the Puerto Rican people. Abelardo Díaz Alfaro is highlighted as a prominent figure within this literary tradition, contributing to the richness of Puerto Rican storytelling and identity.

💡Periodismo

The term 'periodismo' translates to 'journalism,' which is a profession that Abelardo Díaz Alfaro's father was engaged in. Journalism plays a role in the video as it influences Abelardo's early writing and his later career as a writer, reflecting the importance of media and communication in shaping public discourse and cultural awareness.

💡Iglesia Bautista

The 'Iglesia Bautista' or Baptist Church is mentioned in relation to Abelardo's father's work as a minister. This religious context is significant as it provides insight into the moral and spiritual values that influenced Abelardo's upbringing and possibly his worldview and writing.

💡Pobreza

The word 'pobreza' translates to 'poverty,' a theme that is woven throughout the video as it describes the living conditions and challenges faced by the people of Puerto Rico, including Abelardo's own experiences. It serves to highlight the social issues and the resilience of the characters in the face of adversity.

💡Ejemplo

The term 'ejemplo' translates to 'example' and is used in the video to describe Abelardo Díaz Alfaro's character. He is portrayed as an exemplary husband, father, and man whose life and writings serve as a model for others, emphasizing the theme of moral integrity and the power of personal example.

💡Cultura

Cultural identity is a central theme in the video, with 'cultura' referring to the traditions, customs, and values that define the Puerto Rican people. Abelardo Díaz Alfaro is depicted as a defender of his culture, using his writing to preserve and promote the unique aspects of Puerto Rican heritage.

💡Sangre nueva

The phrase 'sangre nueva' translates to 'new blood' and is used metaphorically in the video to refer to the younger generation of Puerto Ricans who carry forward the legacy of their ancestors. It symbolizes the continuity of culture and the importance of preserving and evolving one's cultural identity.

Highlights

Puerto Rico in 1916 was facing a period of great hardship with scarcity of basic resources and food.

Abelardo Díaz Alfaro was born on July 24, 1916, in the Barrio Savarona of Caguas, Puerto Rico.

He was the youngest of seven children to Don Abelardo Díaz Morales and Doña Asunción Alfaro Pratz.

Abelardo attended primary school in the town of Ponce and studied with Puerto Rican painter Miguel Pou.

His father was a writer, journalist, and minister of the first Baptist Church of Caguas.

Abelardo began his writing at the age of 14 for the church newspaper where his father worked.

He was part of a wealthy family during his school years.

Abelardo was deeply frustrated by an event during his school years that later became a driving force.

He was teased for being less academically successful than his sisters, which motivated him to achieve more.

Abelardo's granddaughter, Karen Febo Díaz, shares her pride in participating in a film about his life.

Abelardo's experiences in various towns and cities of Puerto Rico shaped his understanding of the people's struggles.

He worked as a social worker in Barrio Jaurel de Arroyo at the age of 20.

Abelardo's father challenged him to face the poverty and suffering of the people he worked with.

He became a defender of his homeland, its traditions, and culture, and an inspiration to new generations of Puerto Ricans.

Abelardo is remembered as the last Puerto Rican Jíbaro, a lover of his land, mountains, rivers, and ravines.

His life and work are a testament to the internal Jíbaro spirit that characterizes and distinguishes Puerto Ricans worldwide.