But in the summer, Festivals and Parades draw the Boricua Diaspora from its secluded suburban habitat and all come together for a grand Time of Great Fiesta!!! Thousands of Boricuas and friends thus gather to celebrate "El Día de San Juan" and other Boricua holidays. This was the case of one particular "Día de San Juan" in San Jose, CA... about 450 miles north from where I live in Los Angeles.

The Western Regional Puerto Rican Council (WRPRC) is a group of Boricuas in the Bay Area who, while belonging to other Puerto Rican Social Groups, come together to host one of the most wholesome Boricua festivals I've had the chance to attend.

The moveable spirit of "tambó, salsa y bongó" dwells in the midst of the Festival. No tears there. Boricuas come together to recognize each other, exchange "wepas" and business cards. and foremost, to have a "bembé." In a "caliente como el diablo" weekend of self validation and expression, the detrimentally scattered Puerto Rican community of California comes together for a "Wango Tango" type of experience.

This was big; big as the Puerto Rican flags that hang portentously on the stage and also on the bodies of almost every other attendee--consciously solemn and important. Big is also the friendship and the spirit of brotherhood that permeates these gatherings. Ironically, one would think that "it takes scattering in order to bring togetherness." As the vernacular would dictate, "the 'mámises' are hot and the 'papichulos' are everywhere." This is proven by the fact that I was once speaking to one lady, when a "muscular hunk" with a PR tank top passed by us. Being the funny "gordito" that I am, I told her. "I used to be like that..." Without losing a beat she quoted Will Smith, driving an alien ship in the movie "Independence Day". "I got to get me one of these."

With celebrities and many other "big shots" parading the grounds, the celebration instills a yet bigger air of cultural awe and social fulfillment. The celebrities are not antagonistically proud and indifferently distant as in times past, but friendly and cordial, who do not mind to stop and chat with the people and even sign autographs.

The music is loud and the food was hot... "bacalaitos" as big as Frisbees and "alcapurrias" big enough to serve as the main course were the treat of the day. The Boricua novelty and curio booths are always crowded and the local CD vendors have a sound system so powerful that it sounded like a live band. Of course, all the congueros, timbaleros, cencerreros and bailadores come also to "enhance" the sounds, be at one with the "ritmo" and "parteé" like it was the last day on Earth.

My wife Irene bought me a "pasteles" dinner and I realized that it is not too often I get to have this treat, of course, unless I'm at a festival or at a Puerto Rican shindig of some sort. I was also glad that my 13 year old Sammy is not fond of pasteles.

All in all, from my ever-present analytical jibaro point of view, I expound the social context of these festivals with regard to such matters as cultural and historical value in an effort to assess things fairly. Yes. the intrinsic purpose of these events is self validation and expression, but such is much needed, especially when you happen to be so far from "La Isla del Encanto" and you have images of the tales that your mother told you when you were growing up far from home in Montana or The Bronx.

This is the closest thing to belonging to the essential nature of all things Puerto Rican. There were no reports of aberrant activity or hostile behavior and for that we were grateful. Once again I was proud to be Puerto Rican.

¿No te digo?

Linda August from Sabordelaisla.com holds a "dead president" (a dollar) after a sale. These merchants did not gouge the prices. The goods were as good as the prices. Rare honest selling!

Don Jibaro "Whodatman" Barbanegra points to Johnny Saldivia, Chairman of the WRPRC, in an effort to prevent him from walking away with his  cuatro with the map of Puerto Rico. The cuatro drew in admirers on its own, but couldn't compete with Johnny's gregarious "mancha 'e plátano".

While I consider it a treat, it is always an aesthetic pleasure to watch couples that can dance salsa well. You don't get too many of those. But when you find a spinner couple who holds their step in taste, you just can't look away.

Represent? There was plenty of representation. It was rare to see someone who didn't have a Puerto Rican flag within some part of their anatomy.

The bands not only did play well but had an "eye candy" dance step syncronization that made the listening more appealing. It was a movie for your ears as well as for your eyes.

Can you argue with someone who is attired so festive? I didn't think so!

Backstage, Don Jibaro's Puerto Rico Map cuatro drew "oohs" and "aahs" but couldn't stop the folks from spinning to a "Hotter than Hades" salsa.

Being a musician for over 40 years, I don't get impressed easily when it comes to music... but Tony Vega's wildly syncopated rhythm and harmonics woke me up into a reaction... "WOW! Who in the world is that remarkable singer?" What band can this be? I had to listen... this salsa was "a movie for my ears". I made sure that he knew about it. He promised me an MP3 of the tune.