The Cabildo of Lanzarote and the City Council of Haría wanted to pay a well-deserved tribute to Ladislao Rodríguez Bonilla, affectionately known as “El Mudo de Haría”, through a sculpture that was inaugurated in the northern municipality this Sunday, March 9. The work, financed by the Cabildo, seeks to perpetuate the legacy of a man who has been a fundamental pillar in the social and sports history of the island.
The event was attended by prominent local and island authorities, including the president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort; the Minister of Social Welfare, Marci Acuña; the Minister of Youth, Aroa Revelo; the Minister of Energy and Transport, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, as well as the mayor of Haría, Alfredo Villalba, and the deputy mayor, José Torres Stinga, who were accompanied by numerous residents, friends and family of Ladislao Rodríguez.
In his speech, the president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, highlighted Ladislao's figure as a benchmark of generosity and commitment to his community. "Today we meet in this very special event to pay a well-deserved tribute to one of the most endearing and respected figures on our island, a man who has marked the history of Haría and Lanzarote with his generosity, his tireless dedication and his ability to transcend any barrier.”
“Since he was a child, Ladislao was clear that his life should be one of action, collaboration and solidarity. His deafness, far from being an obstacle, became a challenge that he overcame with intelligence, empathy and an energy that, over the years, has left an indelible mark in every corner of Haría and, by extension, throughout the island of Lanzarote”, Betancort stressed.
The mayor of Haría, Alfredo Villalba, assured that Ladislao Rodríguez is “a fundamental figure” in the society and sport of the municipality's history. “Today's tribute is just a proof of the affection and respect that all the citizens of Haría feel for the honoree”, he pointed out.
For his part, the deputy mayor, Jose Torres Stinga, organizer of the event, highlighted that the objective has been “to highlight the most personal aspect of Rodriguez Bonilla”. In this sense, he thanked the participation of Manolo López, former goalkeeper of CD Tenerife and UD Las Palmas in the first division.
Benchmark of generosity and dedication
All those present agreed in highlighting that Ladislao Rodríguez Bonilla is a man of great humanity and dedication, and his story is also that of his constant struggle against the obstacles of life. His involvement in sports activities, as a director of the Haría Football Club, and his presence in Canarian wrestling, allowed him to forge a network of relationships and generate a positive impact among his neighbors. In addition, his participation in charity events and his constant help to those most in need have made him a benchmark of generosity on the island. His work in his family's barbershop, a meeting place for neighbors, was also essential for his connection with the community.
A work by Rigoberto Camacho
The bronze sculpture, which now stands in the Plaza de la Constitución de Haría, is the work of the Lanzarote artist Rigoberto Camacho and captures the essence of Ladislao with a representation of his figure in his barber chair, symbolizing his role as a true social connector and a man always willing to collaborate for the common good.
It should be remembered that Ladislao obtained the Haría Award in 1997, and in 2011 he also received the Gold Medal of the Canary Islands, an award that recognizes both his sporting career and his tireless work as a social integrator. In addition, the Haría Municipal Sports Center also bears his name, a gesture that reflects the affection of his people.