"I had the opportunity to meet Don Manuel Sánchez through his wife, whom I had known since my childhood in my town of San Bartolomé. Lolita lived in a very stately house in Cascajo, in the front line of what we used to know as the Montaña Blanca road.
Lolita married Don Manuel when I was already living in Arrecife. Although we didn't see each other very often when I went to San Bartolomé to do the odd presentation, we always greeted each other when we coincided at the event. She always had very nice words for me and on more than one occasion she repeated that she was very proud that a boy from the town was working in a radio station called Radio Lanzarote and presenting events in various parts of the island.
It was at one of those presentations when she introduced me to her husband, Don Manuel Sánchez, a gentleman whom I had seen on occasion as a member of the dance troupe of La Parranda Marinera Los Buches. That day, when Lolita introduced him to me, we talked a lot about the songs and dances of our Canarian folklore and that same day he invited me to visit the headquarters of the Parranda, located at that time in Figueroa Street in Arrecife.
One Friday in February, close to the carnivals, I went to the social headquarters, where some members of La Parranda were, including Don Manuel. He saw me and approached me and showed me each and every one of the rooms of the social house, a house with many years of tradition. However, in some of its rooms you could already see the passage of time, but it was clear how well maintained the house was.
That day I learned how the process of preparing a buche is carried out. Don Manuel, like the rest of the bucheros, was concerned that these buches would one day stop arriving on the island. They wanted to continue with a tradition unique to the Canary Islands. He was very meticulous about his things when he went out with the parranda and took care of even the smallest detail so that the tradition would not be altered.
Manuel Sánchez Quevedo was distinguished with the highest award given by the Parranda, that is, with "The Golden Buche", which he received on April 8, 1999, in an event that was held at the Sociedad de Cultura, Recreo y Deportes Torrelavega. It was presented to him by the president Don Juan Quintana, in an event in which Manuel enjoyed himself like a little boy.
Also at this event were his wife Lolita, his children and the whole family of Lanzarote folklore, who wanted to support him not only with their presence, but also by singing and bringing him a gift. For Don Manuel it was a very special day. Dressed in the gala clothes of a buchero, he mingled with his companions to dance and participate in his own tribute.
Upon learning of his death, I have dared to write these lines as my small tribute to the man who taught me a very important part of the life of La Parranda Marinera Los Buches. I am sure that wherever he is, he will continue to teach our traditions to all those he meets on those new paths of infinity.
Forever Don Manuel, those of us who remain here will remember you with much affection and joy, that joy that you always displayed and for which you fought until the last day of your departure".
By Francisco José Navarro Rodríguez
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["Manuel will remain in the heart of everyone who has carried a buche"
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