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www.ambiente.us JULY| JULIO 2010
Personal thoughts on Olga de Cuba| Tu Me Acostumbraste
by Herb Sosa
As part of a trilogy of the most famous Cuban singing divas - Celia Cruz, La Lupe
and Olga Guillot, she was the last survivor. But Olga Guillot was so much more
than that. She was a vibrant, strong voice against the Castro’s communism
everywhere she went, Miami, Mexico & the world over. Few others have been
as consistently vocal, consistently defiant and consistently Cuban as La Guillot.
She was the last of a bygone era that no leftist rhetoric, new generations
differing views or self-serving sympathetic & oppressing governments could
quiet, buy out or ignore.
To me she was a living symbol of the Cuba my parents helped me to envision,
admire and be proud to be a part of. At the many parties I have attended
through the years where she was at, she was always the star, but always warm,
real & accessible to all – a Diva of the people.
Seeing her at Versailles on multiple occasions was like visiting that wonderful
island I have only imagined through my parents memories & pain. Listening to
her sing was like tasting warm Cuban rum and swaying under moonlit palm trees
in the summer. Seeing her defiantly speak of HER Cuba was like a strong shot of
the sweetest Cuban coffee.
My last time seeing her in person was at the Damas de Blanco/Ladies in White
March organized by Gloria Estefan on Calle Ocho this past March 25th, where
she walked right along with the thousands of others, silently protesting the
Personal thoughts on Olga de Cuba| Tu Me Acostumbraste
by Herb Sosa
As part of a trilogy of the most famous Cuban singing divas - Celia Cruz, La Lupe
and Olga Guillot, she was the last survivor. But Olga Guillot was so much more
than that. She was a vibrant, strong voice against the Castro’s communism
everywhere she went, Miami, Mexico & the world over. Few others have been
as consistently vocal, consistently defiant and consistently Cuban as La Guillot.
She was the last of a bygone era that no leftist rhetoric, new generations
differing views or self-serving sympathetic & oppressing governments could
quiet, buy out or ignore.
To me she was a living symbol of the Cuba my parents helped me to envision,
admire and be proud to be a part of. At the many parties I have attended
through the years where she was at, she was always the star, but always warm,
real & accessible to all – a Diva of the people.
Seeing her at Versailles on multiple occasions was like visiting that wonderful
island I have only imagined through my parents memories & pain. Listening to
her sing was like tasting warm Cuban rum and swaying under moonlit palm trees
in the summer. Seeing her defiantly speak of HER Cuba was like a strong shot of
the sweetest Cuban coffee.
My last time seeing her in person was at the Damas de Blanco/Ladies in White
March organized by Gloria Estefan on Calle Ocho this past March 25th, where
she walked right along with the thousands of others, silently protesting the
abuses on the island. Even then, Olga wasn’t so silent, speaking out for
Cuba’s freedom…and for that great unwavering voice that today has
been dimmed, I thank you. For my grandmothers, and the thousands of
other grandmothers, fathers, brothers & sisters that also didn’t get to
see a free Cuba, I thank you. The constant vigil, dignity & pride you
always wore. For your unmistakable deep, sultry voice that has inspired
many a slow heated dance, and help create countless babies,
I thank you. For showing me in flesh & bones what the dignity, pride &
grit of Cuba really is, I thank you. Today you join my sweet Celia, Lupe,
Cachao, Beny, Elena, and so many other musical legends of our
heritage.
I wish your daughter, family & loved ones, the best, and thank them for
sharing you with the rest of us and the world. My thoughts & prayers are
with them in this most difficult of times.
You will be greatly missed, but never ever forgotten or
silenced, our Olga de Cuba – E.P.D.
Herb Sosa | Editor in Chief | Ambiente.us
Cuba’s freedom…and for that great unwavering voice that today has
been dimmed, I thank you. For my grandmothers, and the thousands of
other grandmothers, fathers, brothers & sisters that also didn’t get to
see a free Cuba, I thank you. The constant vigil, dignity & pride you
always wore. For your unmistakable deep, sultry voice that has inspired
many a slow heated dance, and help create countless babies,
I thank you. For showing me in flesh & bones what the dignity, pride &
grit of Cuba really is, I thank you. Today you join my sweet Celia, Lupe,
Cachao, Beny, Elena, and so many other musical legends of our
heritage.
I wish your daughter, family & loved ones, the best, and thank them for
sharing you with the rest of us and the world. My thoughts & prayers are
with them in this most difficult of times.
You will be greatly missed, but never ever forgotten or
silenced, our Olga de Cuba – E.P.D.
Herb Sosa | Editor in Chief | Ambiente.us
