San Germán mayor presents key to the city to Benicio del Toro

San Germán Mayor Virgilio Olivera presented the key to the city to Puerto Rican actor and producer Benicio del Toro, for his contributions to the island’s second-oldest town and “for representing us, humbly, with great pride and successfully, not only in Puerto Rico, but also beyond the seas on the giant screen of Hollywood cinema.”

By The Star Staff

Mayor Virgilio Olivera Olivera presented the “Key to the City of San Germán” over the weekend to award-winning Puerto Rican actor and producer Benicio Monserrate Rafael del Toro Sánchez, better known artistically as Benicio del Toro, for his gigantic contribution to the “Founding City of the People” and “for representing us, humbly, with great pride and successfully, not only in Puerto Rico, but also beyond the seas on the giant screen of Hollywood cinema.”

More than 20,000 people, according to the official figures of the municipal and commonwealth police, had participated through Saturday, in the three days of celebration of the “450 Years of Foundation of the City of San Germán in Las Lomas de Santa Marta.” The event enjoyed a full turnout on Friday and Saturday, and continued Sunday, Mother’s Day. with a closing musical performance by Danny Rivera, in the facilities of the Plazuela Santo Domingo and Plaza Francisco Mariano Quiñones, where dozens of kiosks of crafts, meals and snacks were located. That is also where artists such as Porta Coeli Jíbaro Jam, Banda Back to the 80’s, Banda The Comeback, La Secta All Stars, Álex DJ, with the members of his television program “Puerto Rico Gana” (Telemundo), Algareplena, Manny Manuel (“El Rey de Corazones”) and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico (“Los Mulatos del Sabor”), had already performed until after 1 a.m. Sunday to the delight of all in attendance.

Meanwhile, there also were historical and cultural tours guided by Ramón Vázquez, in which visitors discovered a little more about the history of the “Cradle of Basketball.” Likewise, they enjoyed the talent of the Majestad Negra Folklore Ballet, thanks to the collaboration of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture; Cuica Trotamundo Demonstration Team of the Cuica Federation of Puerto Rico, and directed by Roberto Acosta; Aladdin, of the School of Fine Arts of the City of San Germán and his teacher, Giselda Acosta of the Escuela Libre de Música Ernesto Ramos Antonini; and Compañía de Baile Elmera from Mayagüez and its teacher, Elvira del Toro; characters from the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, “Javi” and “Lola;” the Dance Group of the School of Fine Arts of San Germán, directed by Nelson Josué Rivera Pagán; colorful musical troupes; and a fireworks display, among many other attractions.