Puerto Rican Cultural Association of Bucks County

11/03/2026

🎄🇵🇷🌴 **PRESERVING OUR TRADITIONS — ONE STORY AT A TIME!** 🌴🇵🇷🎄

🥥🍃 **A TRIBUTE TO OUR COQUITO MASTERS & PASTELEROS!** 🍃🥥

🎅🎁 **OUR NEXT HONOREE: AMANDA RIVERA!** 🎁🎅

❤️ **Serving up a taste of Puerto Rico with love for 15 years!** ❤️

If you've attended a Puerto Rican or Latin festival in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, chances are you've seen the crowds lining up for the delicious food from **Amanda's Latin Cuisine!** 🇵🇷🍽️😋

For **15 years**, Amanda Rivera has proudly owned and operated Amanda's Latin Cuisine, becoming a crowd favorite at festivals throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey! 👏🌴

But for Amanda, cooking is about so much more than preparing delicious food. It's about **preserving our culture, celebrating our roots, and bringing a little taste of home to those who miss Puerto Rico.** ❤️🇵🇷

🎤 **We asked Amanda:**

*“What inspires you to keep this Puerto Rican holiday tradition alive?”*

Her response beautifully captures the spirit of our tribute series.

💬 *“Not everyone has the opportunity to travel back to Puerto Rico, so being able to bring a little piece of our island to them through my cooking means everything to me.”*

Amanda says one of her greatest joys is hearing customers tell her:

❤️ *“Wow, this reminds me of Puerto Rico!”*

🌴 *“I feel like I'm back home!”*

For Amanda, those words mean everything. They remind her that she's doing more than cooking — **she's bringing back memories, sharing love, and keeping our Puerto Rican traditions alive!** 🥥🍃❤️

🎄🇵🇷 **PLEASE JOIN PRCABC IN CONGRATULATING AMANDA RIVERA OF AMANDA'S LATIN CUISINE!** 👏🎉

Thank you, Amanda, for sharing your culinary talents with our communities and reminding us that sometimes all it takes is one delicious bite to transport us back to our beautiful Island! 🌴❤️

🎅🎁 **NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO NOMINATE!** 🎁🎅

🥥 **WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE COQUITO MASTER?**

🍃 **WHO MAKES THE BEST PASTELES?**

We know them! We love them! We trust them! ❤️

📩 **Send your nominations to PRCABC through Facebook Messenger!** Tell us who they are and why they deserve to be celebrated!

🚛🎄 **COME CELEBRATE OUR HONOREES!** 🎄🚛

📅 **Saturday, November 28, 2026**

📍 **Historic Bristol Borough Christmas Parade — Bristol, PA**

🇵🇷🎶 Join us as we celebrate our Coquito Masters and Pasteleros on PRCABC's special Christmas parade float!

❤️ **Because our traditions aren't just about food. They're about family, memories, community, and keeping Puerto Rico close to our hearts — wherever we call home.**

🎄🇵🇷🌴 **¡QUE VIVAN NUESTRAS TRADICIONES!** 🌴🇵🇷🎄

**PRCABC — Preserving Our Traditions.**

11/02/2026

Does anyone still get together to make a large amount of pasteles for the holidays?

11/02/2026

🎄🇵🇷🌴 **PRESERVING OUR TRADITIONS — ONE STORY AT A TIME!** 🌴🇵🇷🎄

🥥🍃 **A TRIBUTE TO OUR COQUITO MASTERS & PASTELEROS!** 🍃🥥

🎅🎁 **OUR NEXT HONOREE: JAIME BAYONA JR.!** 🎁🎅

❤️ Some of the most meaningful nominations come from the people who know us best — our family and friends!

And Jaime's family certainly had plenty of wonderful things to say about him!

💬 *“My father, Jaime Bayona! He's the master of both! He's amazing at what he does!”* ❤️

Jaime's love of Puerto Rican cooking began with childhood memories of family gatherings at his grandmother's house, where everyone helped prepare pasteles and coquito. 🇵🇷🍃

After losing his grandmother, those gatherings became less frequent. Determined to preserve his family's traditions for his children, **Jaime turned to YouTube tutorials, trial and error, and his childhood memories to recreate those beloved flavors.** 👨‍🍳❤️

His family proudly shares:

💬 *“His food reminds me of Puerto Rico! It reminds me of a nice day hanging out with family, listening to music and playing dominoes.”* 🎶🌴

But what makes Jaime especially deserving of this tribute is his heart.

💬 *“He's a really good guy and has a good heart. He has been through a lot, and he always remains strong. He never fails to support us and keep us motivated.”* ❤️

And apparently, his cooking is SO GOOD that everyone keeps telling him **HE NEEDS HIS OWN PLACE!** 😋👏

🎄🇵🇷 **PLEASE JOIN PRCABC IN CONGRATULATING JAIME BAYONA JR.!**

Thank you, Jaime, for keeping our traditions alive, one delicious recipe and one family gathering at a time! ❤️

🥥🍃 **WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE COQUITO MASTER OR PASTELERO?**

📩 **Send your nominations to PRCABC through Facebook Messenger!** Tell us why your favorite tradition keeper deserves recognition!

🎅🎄 **COME CELEBRATE OUR HONOREES!**

📅 **Saturday, November 28, 2026**

📍 **Historic Bristol Borough Christmas Parade — Bristol, PA**

🚛🇵🇷 See our Coquito Masters and Pasteleros celebrated on PRCABC's Christmas float!

🎄❤️🇵🇷 **¡QUE VIVAN NUESTRAS TRADICIONES!**

**PRCABC — Preserving Our Traditions.**



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11/01/2026

Tremendo espectaculo del maestro Queque domenech en entrevista con ...

11/01/2026

🎄🇵🇷🎅 **PRESERVING OUR TRADITIONS — ONE STORY AT A TIME!** 🎅🇵🇷🎄

🥥🍃 **A TRIBUTE TO OUR COQUITO MASTERS & PASTELEROS!** 🍃🥥

🎁🌴 **MEET OUR NEXT HONOREES: WILLIAM & JENNY ORTIZ!** 🌴🎁

🎄❤️ **THE DYNAMIC DUO BEHIND PUERTO RICAN GOURMET!** ❤️🎄

IYKYK!😋🇵🇷

There's a very good reason why the line for their delicious Puerto Rican food at the Annual Puerto Rican Day Festival of Bristol, PA, runs **30 people deep all day long!** 👏🍽️🔥

William and Jenny Ortiz, the proud owners of **Puerto Rican Gourmet**, aren't just serving delicious food. They're serving generations of Puerto Rican culture, family traditions, and a little taste of home with every plate! 🥥🍃🌴❤️

As part of PRCABC's Christmas Tribute Series, we asked this talented duo:

🎤 **“What advice would you give to the next generation who wants to learn and carry on this tradition?”**

❤️🇵🇷 **Their response was a beautiful reminder of why our traditions matter!**

They encourage the next generation to treasure their elders, listen to their stories, and learn from their experiences.

**“Being Puerto Rican is an honor and privilege. Never forget that wherever you are or live.”** 🇵🇷❤️

They also remind us that making pasteles isn't simply preparing food — **it's a FAMILY EVENT!** 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🍃

Everyone has a job! Someone prepares the sofrito, someone peels the green bananas, another wipes achiote onto the banana leaves, someone prepares the meat, and, of course, somebody has to taste the masa! 😋🥄

And when that first pastel comes out of the boiling water? 🫔🔥

William and Jenny describe a feeling every Boricua can appreciate:

❤️ **Your heart pounds just like the moment your plane lands in San Juan or Aguadilla!** ✈️🇵🇷🌴

**¡WEPA! NOW THAT'S BORICUA PRIDE!** 🎶💃🪇🇵🇷

Their message is especially meaningful: Appreciate the people who still know how to make traditional pasteles. Learn from them. Spend time with them. Ask questions. Because these treasured skills deserve to be passed down, not forgotten. ❤️

👏🎄 **PLEASE JOIN US IN CONGRATULATING WILLIAM & JENNY ORTIZ OF PUERTO RICAN GOURMET!** 🎄👏

Thank you for sharing your love of Puerto Rican cuisine and reminding us that every recipe carries a story worth preserving! 🇵🇷🌺

🎅🎁🎄 **NOW WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!** 🎄🎁🎅

🥥 **WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE COQUITO MASTER?**

🍃 **WHO MAKES THE BEST PASTELES IN YOUR FAMILY OR COMMUNITY?**

We know them! ❤️ We love them! ❤️ We trust them! ❤️

They're the people we count on to bring a little taste of Puerto Rico to our holiday tables — from Thanksgiving and Nochebuena to Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and Día de los Reyes! 🎄🥥🎁👑

📣 **NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE COQUITO MASTERS & PASTELEROS TODAY!**

📩 **Send your nominations directly to PRCABC through Facebook Messenger!** Tell us who you're nominating and what makes them special!

🚛🎄🇵🇷 **COME CELEBRATE OUR HONOREES!** 🇵🇷🎄🚛

📅 **Saturday, November 28, 2026**

📍 **Historic Bristol Borough Christmas Parade — Bristol, PA**

🎉 See William, Jenny, and our other honored Coquito Masters and Pasteleros featured on PRCABC's Christmas parade float!

🌴🥥🍃🎶 **Because our traditions aren't just recipes — they're our history, our families, our memories, and our connection to Puerto Rico!** ❤️🇵🇷

🎄🇵🇷 **¡QUE VIVAN NUESTRAS TRADICIONES!** 🇵🇷🎄

**PRCABC — Preserving Our Traditions.**

11/01/2026

🎁✨ A TRIBUTE TO OUR COQUITO MASTERS & PASTELEROS! ✨🎁

🌺❤️ MEET OUR NEXT FEATURED HONOREE: BETH LUGO-BECKETTS! ❤️🌺

The Puerto Rican Cultural Association of Bucks County (PRCABC) continues our special Christmas tribute series celebrating the wonderful people who keep our Puerto Rican holiday traditions alive! 🇵🇷🎄🎶

🥥🍃 From delicious homemade coquito to perfectly wrapped pasteles, these treasured recipes carry generations of love, laughter, family memories, and a little taste of our beautiful Island! 🌴❤️

🎤 We asked Beth:

“What inspires you to keep this Puerto Rican tradition alive?”

❤️ Beth shared a beautiful and deeply personal story.

For approximately 15 years, Beth has kept her family's Christmas traditions alive by preparing coquito and pasteles with love, patience, and dedication. What began as a holiday tradition became a family affair, with her mother, herself, and even her grandchildren working together to prepare pasteles. 🍃🥥👩‍👧‍👦

But this Christmas will be different. Beth lost her beloved father in April, leaving an emptiness in a tradition that has brought her family together for so many years. 💔🕊️

Despite her heartbreak, Beth is determined to continue preparing pasteles and coquito in loving memory of her dad. ❤️

🌺 And THAT is what preserving our traditions is truly about!

It's not simply about food. It's about honoring those who came before us, passing their love and knowledge to the next generation, and keeping their memories alive at our holiday tables. 🇵🇷❤️🎄

👏🌴 Please join us in celebrating Beth Lugo-Becketts and the beautiful legacy she continues in her father's honor! 🌺❤️

🎅🎄 NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO NOMINATE! 🎄🎅

🥥 WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE COQUITO MASTER OR PASTELERO? 🍃

We all know someone whose coquito or pasteles we look forward to every Christmas! Maybe it's your mother, grandmother, neighbor, friend, or that special person whose holiday creations everyone talks about! 🎁🌴

📩 SEND YOUR NOMINATIONS TO PRCABC THROUGH FACEBOOK MESSENGER!

Tell us who they are and why they deserve to be celebrated!

🎉🇵🇷 AND COME SEE OUR HONOREES IN PERSON! 🇵🇷🎉

🚛🎄 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2026

📍 HISTORIC BRISTOL BOROUGH CHRISTMAS PARADE — BRISTOL, PA!

Our Coquito Masters and Pasteleros will be featured on PRCABC's special Christmas parade float, celebrating the people who bring Puerto Rican flavor, family, and tradition to our holiday celebrations! 🥥🍃🎶🎅

❤️🌴 Because traditions don't just live in recipes. They live in the people who keep making them.

🇵🇷🎄 ¡QUE VIVAN NUESTRAS TRADICIONES! 🎄🇵🇷

PRCABC — Preserving Our Traditions.

11/01/2026

🇵🇷🎄 **PRESERVING OUR TRADITIONS — ONE STORY AT A TIME!** 🎄🇵🇷

❤️ **A Tribute to Our Coquito Masters & Pasteleros** ❤️

🥥 **OUR FIRST HONOREE: ISMAEL “HERMIE” RIVERA!** 🥥

The Puerto Rican Cultural Association of Bucks County (PRCABC) is proud to kick off our special holiday tribute series celebrating the talented Coquito Masters and Pasteleros who keep our cherished Puerto Rican Christmas traditions alive!

Our first nominee is Bristol Borough resident **Ismael “Hermie” Rivera!** 🇵🇷

Behind every delicious bottle of coquito and every perfectly wrapped pastel is a story of family, love, and traditions passed down from one generation to the next.

We asked Hermie:

🎤 **“Who taught you to make coquito, and what is your fondest memory of learning from them?”**

❤️ **Hermie's response:**

*“I learned from my mama. I used to put a stepstool next to her so I could watch her make it. Once she was finished, she and I would dance to Christmas music in the kitchen.”* 🎶❤️

**And THAT is what preserving our traditions is all about!**

It's more than a recipe. It's the memories of our mothers and grandmothers, the music playing in the kitchen, the laughter, and the love that goes into every holiday celebration.

Today, Hermie carries those beautiful memories forward, keeping a little piece of Puerto Rico alive with every batch he makes. 🇵🇷🥥

👏 **Help us congratulate Hermie Rivera, our very first honoree!**

Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight the Coquito Masters and Pasteleros who bring a little taste of home to our holiday tables.

🎄 **Join us Saturday, November 28, at the Historic Bristol Borough Christmas Parade**, where we'll celebrate these beloved tradition keepers on PRCABC's Christmas float!

**¡Que vivan nuestras tradiciones!** 🇵🇷❤️

*PRCABC — Preserving Our Traditions.*

10/31/2026

Bodegas and 7-11's are going to be lit! 🔥

🎵 **Discover New Punjabi Music!** 🎵Love Punjabi songs? ❤️ Check o...

10/29/2026

Attention parents: folkloric dance lesson enrollment currently open at the Philly Bomba Plena Cultural Center.

10/25/2026

New North Philly Center Offers Free Training for Higher Paying Trade Jobs 🔧🎓✂️

Big news for North Philadelphia! Residents looking for higher paying careers now have a new opportunity to learn valuable skills without paying tuition.

Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia celebrated its grand opening in Hunting Park on October 16, a few months after welcoming its first students in July. The ribbon was officially cut with those oversized gold scissors! ✂️

📍 Located at Esperanza at 4261 N. 5th St., the workforce development center aims to help unemployed and underemployed adults overcome barriers to education and pursue family sustaining careers.

Free Training for Philadelphia's In Demand Trades:

This is a partnership between Esperanza, the Tec Centro Workforce Network, and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

It brings Thaddeus Stevens' work to Philadelphia for the first time and sits in the very neighborhood where college president Pedro Rivera grew up.

The center's 4 training programs:
🔩 Metals fabrication and welding
❄️ Commercial industrial HVAC
🚿 Commercial industrial plumbing
🏢 Facility maintenance technology

The demand is here, and the jobs are here, and now the training is here, close to home, said Pam Smith, executive VP of college advancement.

Tuition FREE for adults 18 and older, no previous technical experience required. That is a huge saving: comparable welding programs cost $6,000 at Community College of Philadelphia and $8,000 through Thaddeus Stevens Lancaster program. Bilingual support plus ESL and GED classes available. Welding program takes 6 months to complete.

Meet Ray Castillo, welding student and first generation immigrant and former Esperanza Academy student who found the program through a billboard. After struggling through dead end jobs, he said Everything clicked. This is where I belong. This is a career I want to follow around my community. His advice: There's always a second chance. 💪

Creating Career Opportunities:

The center expects to train approximately 90 adults annually initially, with plans to add evening cohorts. Programs prepare participants for trades that keep Philly's hospitals, universities, schools, plants and buildings running.

Those trades pay well:
💰 Welders median about $58,000 a year
💰 Plumbers about $75,000 in Philly metro area

What leaders said:
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada: We're actually opening doors. Opening doors to opportunity, economic mobility, and careers that can support families.

State Rep. Danilo Burgos: Fifth Street for far too long has been known for negative stuff. Working together, we are starting a new chapter there.

State Sen. Christine Tartaglione: Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not always there.

State Sen. Sharif Street: We change the lives of individual people and communities, and we make our economy stronger.

By removing barriers like cost and language, the center hopes to strengthen Philly's workforce while helping families build more secure financial futures.

Know someone in North Philly looking for a career change? Share this! 👇