Benicio del Toro selected as ambassador of Millo Romero Foundation

Actor Benicio del Toro in Los Angeles, September 2025. Del Toro has become an official ambassador for the Millo Romero Foundation, which has been a pioneer in identifying young talent in communities across the island, providing them with educational opportunities through the Millo Romero @ Perpetuo Scholarship and other sports initiatives. (Ryan James Caruthers/The New York Times)

By THE STAR STAFF

Renowned Puerto Rican actor Benicio del Toro has become an official ambassador for the Millo Romero Foundation (FMR by its initials in Spanish).

His mission as ambassador is to encourage companies, foundations, and other entities to invest in transforming lives through sports, education, and recreation, as well as to mentor young basketball players supported by the foundation.

With an impressive artistic career that has earned him an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and numerous international accolades, del Toro adds his commitment to social causes to the legacy of Emilio “Millo” Romero, a Puerto Rican coach who shaped generations of young athletes on the island. As part of his collaboration, del Toro will host the Dream Ambassadors Cocktail Party to benefit the FMR, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 25 at the Sheraton Convention Center.

From the space one occupies, there is always a way to give back to the community,” said del Toro, an alumnus of the Academia del Perpetuo Socorro in Miramar. “For me, supporting the Millo Romero Foundation is a way to pay tribute to the transformative power of sports and to the people who dedicate their lives to guiding youth. Millo Romero impacted me during my years as a young basketball player, and that’s why I identify with his Foundation.”

The Millo Romero Foundation, founded in 2004, has been a pioneer in identifying young talent in communities across the island, providing them with educational opportunities through the Millo Romero @ Perpetuo Scholarship and other sports initiatives, including partnerships with the Puerto Rico Basketball Federation’s (PBRF) youth national teams. The work is made possible by the support of partners dedicated to the comprehensive development of Puerto Rican children and youth.

“The addition of Benicio del Toro as an ambassador represents a milestone for our foundation,” said Diego Martin, CEO of the PBRF. “His support sends a powerful message about the importance of investing in the potential of our youth from all sectors.”

Recently, four professional basketball players -- all of whom received athletic scholarships awarded by the FMR during their high school years -- joined the FMR as ambassadors: Jezreel “Macho” de Jesús of the Ponce Lions, Raymond Cintrón Jr. of the Bayamón Cowboys, Jesús Cruz of the Carolina Giants and Dayshalee Salamán of the Santurce Cangrejeras. They will participate in the development of young athletes who benefit from the Millo Romero @ Perpetuo Scholarship.

The aforementioned players join the original FMR ambassadors: “Tuto” Marchand (Emeritus), Sammy Betancourt, Julio Toro, Flor Meléndez, Carlos Morales, Ramón Rivas, Rafael “Chino” Torres, Manolo Cintrón and Eddie Casiano. They too were influenced by Millo Romero’s teachings, both personally and in sports, and are part of the history of basketball in Puerto Rico.