IMAGES: Sergio Betancort
The El Molino de Tiagua sociocultural center showed off its best attire this Tuesday to receive the speaker of the festivities in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Rosa María Hernández took to the stage at 8:30 p.m. to look back and remember her childhood in the town.
She said that she was a very happy girl, who played with rag dolls, jumping rope, hopscotch, playing house or dodgeball, among others. She related that when the Tiagua festivities began, her greatest hope was to wear her new dress and shoes to go to mass and the procession. Later, she enjoyed a composed dish, homemade bread and some sweets, on a very special day that ended with a dance.
The speaker especially remembered her teachers, since thanks to them she was able to finish her teaching career, which she has been practicing for 30 years. Rosa María Hernández teaches at the Tiagua one-room school, the town where she was born.
She also related that when the month of May arrived, she prepared the novenas and some of the girls recited verses, while others dressed as angels, preparing the altar for the Virgin with many flowers. Rosa María recalled that Tiagua has always been a town very involved in preparing plays, being very famous and commented on by the town's residents.
Regarding her childhood, she recalled what the town store was like, which she went to to buy kerosene, oil or bread. To do this, she had to bring empty bottles, as well as a cloth bag to be able to bring the bread, as is done now to avoid having to buy plastic bags in supermarkets.
Rosa María was very supported by her family, town residents and many friends who came from different parts of the island. Everyone's face showed happiness, because they also remembered their experiences. The speaker was interrupted on more than one occasion by applause from the audience.
The board of directors of the El Molino de Tiagua sociocultural center presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a commemorative plaque. When Rosa María came down from the stage, she was congratulated by her family, neighbors and friends, who wanted to support her on this special day.
Immediately afterwards, the group Alberto y sus amigos staged a show of music and humor for the enjoyment of all.
