The Colegio Blogporter

Theater Week in the UPRM

Thursday, March 24, 2011
by: Eduardo J. Mestey Oyola
format: Hourglass

The University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez has always been a vehicle of art expression for the community. In accordance with this, from March 21 to March 26, the Campus’ own theater group, TeatRUM, celebrated their second Theater Week for the enjoyment of the university community.  Three days of workshops and activities for the public took place in room CH 122 of the Chardón Building, a place affectionately called “El Teatrito” (The Small Theater).

Amongst the performing activities was the ever-popular Gulemberí@s, an improv presentation that pretends to teach newcomers to the theater scene the tools and techniques needed to portray themselves adequately in a theater presentation.  Marian Martínez, a veteran of the theater group, was in charge of the week’s exercise.

Workshop: Agusto Boal - Teatro del Oprimido offered by Omar Colón was one of the various activities lead by the integrants of TeatRUM during Theater Week.

The other activities ranged from a conference lead by Dr. Nelson Rivera to workshops lead by various integrants of the TeatRUM group. Through these activities the group pretends to create awareness of the performing arts on Campus, as well as to give those interested students the opportunity to develop their talents.

In talking with a few members of the theater group emotions towards the event ranged from satisfaction to utter discontent. One even said: “this one sucks!” According to her the reason for this expression is that in the previous Theater Week there were plays being presented to the public, a thing that is gravely missing in this year’s celebration.

Much of the problems facing the Theater Week have a lot to do with the climate that is affecting the University.  Budget cuts, lack of availability of materials, the willingness of the administration to cooperate with the student groups, have all affected the way activities are carried out within the campus.

Nonetheless Theater Week is an initiative with much soul. Like the group itself, it has the purpose of showing a majorly technical school the importance and beauty behind the arts.

Along its 40 year run TeatRUM, then known as Club Dramático Colegial, has gifted the public in Mayagüez with different theatrical presentations. La Lorqueada, a most recent event, explored the works of celebrated Spanish poet and dramatist, Federico García Lorca.

TeatRUM has also been a defender of student rights and a denouncer of the marginalization suffered by the arts in the Campus. They have participated in various events in favor of the student struggle and have also lent their support and opinion through special performances in which they advocate for a better University by means of comedy and absurdity.

With their battle cry “Don’t let the arts die out in the UPRM!” TeatRUM wins a spot in the minds and hearts of everyone that comes to one of their presentations.

By: Isamar Mejias Perez



A hand holds a leaf, the leaf symbolized the earth. This is an event than the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez celebrates.

University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez-The students from agriculture prepared an annual educational agricultural fair, Five Days with Our Homeland, for the community to enjoy.

The University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez celebrated the annual educational agricultural fair Five Days with Our Homeland. This fair was from March 15, 2011 to March 19, 2011. All year long the students from agriculture and other departments prepare for this amazing and enjoyable week. They host different activities to make money to have all the things needed for this fair. There are many things people can do in this fair, many places to visit, a lot to eat, and a lot of animals to see.

Five Days with Our Homeland was divided in groups. One group exhibited different types of animals, this year they even had a petting zoo, another group showed different types of plants, people selling variety of food, animal, and plants, people showing and selling their crafts and in the night there was live music.

This event was not something that only the UPR-Mayagüez students enjoyed but it was open to everyone, for families, children, etc.

During the week the university received about 10,000 people including more than 70 schools. It is a way to see what the agriculture student’s future will look like and to show what they have learn during their time in college. It’s also an opportunity for people to enjoy something different to their everyday life.

Many students from different departments volunteer to work during the fair. Ileane Rodriguez, current nursing student who is going to change to the department of Animal Science, worked in all the different areas of the fair. “This fair is a way to make children appreciate our agriculture because the children from this generation only care about technology and do not take notice in the importance that brings this fair” she said.

It is a lot of work for the students to organize this event and worrying about the classes at the same time that the fair is going on. Some agriculture students while working in the fair had to study for exams. Professors from the same department did not consider these students and gave exams during the week. Rodriguez would not change for anything the experience that she had working there. What she enjoyed the most was seeing the people faces, specially the children when they saw something different, she said they had a special glow in their face that made all her work worth something.

Agriculture sometimes it is taken for granted but these students are making it clear that without agriculture is very difficult to live and even survive. This is a event were people can get away from the routine and reconnect with nature and agriculture. This generation does not value and recognize the effort that agricultures put in their work.

Agriculture is the base of everything, the future of this country depends on it. And these groups of students are working each year to expand the knowledge of our youth.

Five Days with Our Homeland was a way to bring families together, to enjoy each other’s company, and see new things. It can give a new perspective of nature especially to children and teenagers. Teachers bring their students to this fair in field trips, it can be exciting for them. It is amazing seeing so much youth working on something that is good for the environment, worrying about their future on this planet.

Not all youth is lost.

Five days with our Earth (“Cinco días con nuestra tierra”) was celebrated in the premises of the Coliseum Rafael A. Mangual from March 15 to the 19.

By. Nelsienid Ortiz Mercado

From March 15 to the 19, the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (UPRM) was celebrating in the premises of the Coliseum Rafael A. Mangual, the most anticipated event called Five days with our Earth (“Cinco días con nuestra tierra”).

“Cinco días con nuestra tierra” first took place in the lobby of the building Jesús T. Piñero on 1977 and has been evolving ever since. Today is one of the largest agricultural show in the country and it is organized by students of the UPRM. Its main purpose has been promoting the agricultural education in the community. Currently it attracts thousands of people, schools, clubs, and families from different parts ofPuerto Rico that gathers there to have a good time.

It is known for been an educational event that includes forums, workshops, exhibitions and artistic performances. The main goal of this big event is to educate students and all the people that gathers there to know the importance of agriculture in Puerto Rico. It includes several tents that have displays of different farm animals, like cows, goats and pigs. Other tents feature gardening and a station of the Agriculture Extension Service.

For many people this event has become an extraordinary occasion for direct contact with rural life, animals, trees, fruits and all the outstanding beauties that nature provides. For others it is just an excuse to meet up with old friends, former classmates and some farming industries, while buying crafts and even listening to the music of local bands that share their talent with all the people that attend the event.

There you can find many different animals for sale, with the purpose of teaching the public how to properly take care of them. “This is a wonderful idea, because you are obtaining valuable information on how to care for a little creature” said a woman who was buying his son a rabbit, after obtaining the necessary knowledge to care for it.

In addition to the exhibition and the sale of different animals, it is also offered the privilege of tutorials on how to keep a plant healthy and alive. There are different types of plants for sale and all the things necessary to take care of it. “The orchids are precious” was the phrase that came out of the lips of almost every person that went to see them.

Animals and plants were not the only thing that the public went to see or buy. They also went to buy crafts, candy, pictures, cakes, cookies and many delicious items that the different tents had. “Candies and sweets are first on my list when I got here” said a little girl from an elementary school.

Candies and sweets were not the only delicious thing the different tents had for sale. There were also italian sausage, pizza, meat, hamburgers, and the most famous “arañitas rellenas”. The tent were they sell the “arañitas rellenas” was always full of people waiting to have a very pleasant moment. “Each year I wait for this agricultural show, just so I can attend and buy the delicious and amazing “arañitas rellenas” and have a wonderful moment”, said Odette Ortiz when I asked her if she was enjoying the food.

Besides all the animals and different foods, there was a place reserved for kids to have fun and enjoy a little time with their friends and family, where they had a big inflated thing that kids to slide on. There was also a rock looking wall for kids to climb on. Not only that there was also a bouncing thing so kids could jump and play with each other. There was a lot of security among the playing area.

It seems clear the dedication and effort that all the artisans had through the five days that they were there. “Many of them were very nice and kind” said a young girl from a high school nearby. The colors and all the details from the different crafts made clear that all the artisans passed many hours making all the pieces of art that they had there on sale.

“It was a wonderful experience” said a man who was with his family the last day of the fair.

By: Ivanice Ortiz Torres

Format: Mapped

The annual educational fair “Cinco Días con Nuestra Tierra” was held in the field of the Rafael A. Mangual Coliseum of the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez (UPRM) from March 15^th to March 19^th of 2011. The fair was open for the general public and it featured an animal farm, puertorican craftsmen, different kinds of food, plants and music shows for a period of five days.

The fair officially began with the traditional parade on March 15^th, where the students and professors from the Agricultural Sciences Faculty walked, drove tractors and rode horses through the campus. Also, the marching band of the University delighted the public with its music.

During the day, the fair was filled mostly with children who came on school trips; almost every kid bought a colorful chick, a bunny or a hamster as a souvenir. Cows, oxen, bunnies, pigs, hens, horses, sheep and goats were part of the exhibition of the Animal Industry tent which was the kid’s favorite part.

A tent with dairy cows allowed the public to drink freshly squeezed milk and a gigantic cow was displayed near the music stage. There was also a rock wall for the kids to climb and a huge trampoline to keep the children entertained.

Two big tents served as a platform for craftsmen from all Puerto Rico to showcase and sell their creations; soaps, jewelry, temporal tattoos, clothes, crafts, handmade candy and key chains were some of the stuff you could had found there. People also loved the fresh hand squeezed orange juice and the food stations which offered a wide variety of choices.

The Horticulture tent had different kinds of plants, flowers and trees which you could buy to decorate or even start your own vegetable or fruit garden. Also, there were fresh fruits for sale to either eat at the moment or to take home. Another tent was full of vegetables to sell, such as: pumpkins, lettuce, yams, cassava, corn, carrots, peas and a variety of spices.

Several forums and workshops were offered to emphasize and educate on the importance of the agriculture in Puerto Rico and to teach about the different kinds of seeds, the elaboration of natural botanical medicines, recycling and home gardens to grow your own vegetables and fruits.

During the afternoon and night, people, mostly UPRM students, went to see the music shows. Some of the singers who presented their show on stage were: Retro Audio, Sombasio, Sueño de Dahlia, Psiconautas, La Vitrola, Urbanes, Bosa Trova, NDS, Guaracha Jíbara, Son de Aquí and Orquestala Solución. Public favorite artists were Viva Nativa, Sie7e and Fofe.

Even though there was a good flow of people at the activity, many have said that compared to previous years, less people attended the fair, while others stated the opposite. “The attendance (this year), was in fact, lower than the last few years” said Alberto Acevedo, graduate student of Entomology of the Agro Environmental Sciences, who was part of the staff and  has been part of the activity for the last 7 years.

Alberto declared that, on his opinion, the stuff being sold at the fair was too pricey for students to pay. He also stated that the organization and logistic of the activity this year was far better than previous years.

The “Cinco Dias con Nuestra Tierra” has been celebrated on campus for 34 years in a row. This fair began back in 1977 when a group of students and professors from the Agricultural Sciences Faculty decided to educate the general public about the importance of the agriculture and the new technologies available. This tradition continued until an official committee named “Organizing Committee of Cinco Dias con Nuestra Tierra” was created and the fair as we know began.

People walk by the different tents looking at the arts and crafts handmade by the Puerto Rican artisans. The Cinco Dias con Nuestra Tierra fair featured food, animals, music shows and workshops at the University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez for a period of five days.

By: María Luisa Ortiz Ildefonso

Hourglass Format

Students, professors, alumni and volunteers held the past March 15 to 19 the agricultural fair “5 Días con Nuestra Tierra” (Five days with our Land) in the University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez (UPRM).   Thousands of people came these five days from every part of Puerto Rico; including students’ excursions, UPRM students and tourists.

This fair consists in forums, arts and crafts, typical food, artistic events, and an exhibition of animals like cattle, goats, horses, and pigs.  Also you can find the sale of plants and animals like chickens, rabbits, and fish.

The artistic events consisted in different genres music for the different music taste of people.  On March 15, 2011 the first group to showed up and opened these events were a band of Religious music, then Retro Audio and the last show was from Sombasio.  On March 16, 2011 the artist presentations were from Sueño de Dahlia, Psiconautas, La Vitrola and one of the most expected by students the rock band Vivanativa.

While on March 17, 2011 the artistic presentations were from Urbanes, Bosa Trova, Sie7e and Fofe.  On March 18, 2011 the artistic presentations were from Steel Band Supari Mai, a jazz band called Rotsen Prez, N D S, and Guaracha Jíbara.  On March 19, 2011 the night had begun with a troubadours’ contest, Peter Vega, Son de Aquí, and Orquesta de Solución.

During the fair it can be found a lot of typical food and beverages.  Also it can be found typical desserts like ice cream of different flavors like Oreo, pineapple, passion fruit, cake, and coconut, among others.  A curious fact is that while the fair is in UPRM, the cafeteria of the university remained empty because the students preferred the typical food.

Every year this fair brought together thousands of people from Puerto Rico, such as students, families and tourists. A funny fact is that during these five days you get to see a lot of yellow buses from school students and clubs.

Some of the forums and workshop offered during the fair were about recycling, natural products, and chats with the association of Students of Horticulture.

In the agricultural tent, students sold fertilizers and plants that they made especially for this fair. This fair is so important to them because they can expose their creations and what they are learning in the UPRM.

Lastly, the most important thing about this fair is the agricultural tent; which sold plants, fertilizer and coffee, among other things.  The most important is that most of the plants and fertilizers are made by the students of the Department of Agricultural Sciences and that students of this department are those who attended this tent.  “This is good for us because it help us develop in the field that we are studying and in certain way we made some profit of it” said horticultural student Osvaldo Rivera.

Also people tend to ask questions to the horticultural students about the plants and fertilizers that they sell. That is very important because the students can answer with what they have learned in the classrooms

This fair started in 1977 by a group of students and professors from the Department of Agricultural Science in UPRM, where their objective was to show the public the benefits of the agriculture in our lives. Also has an objective for students to be proud of what their studying and motivate them to be better at the field. Other benefits of this activity are to promote leadership between students and give them some experience to them to learn how to develop in the field there in.

This fair has become one of the most expected fair every year in the west side of Puerto Rico and definitely every year it’s getting better.

The Band Members gather at the race track wearing their best uniform. They wait anxiously for the camera crew to get in place to shoot the T.V. commercial.

By

Nestor Morales

format: maped

On Tuesday March 8, 2011, Norma Ortiz Torres asked the Marching Band of the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez to join in and help on a project she is planning along with her students. As always, the Marching Band accepted the offer and quickly started practicing on what they were assigned to do.

The project consists of making Mayaguez resemble more the UPRM. Her idea is to somehow leave a print of every bachelor’s degree available at the UPRM right at the center of the Mayaguez town and to express what collage is so everyone may know.

The Bands first impression of the whole idea of showing themselves in a T.V. commercial where thousands of people will see them was great. They were all exited about the idea of taking part in such an act of representing their University.

Before all this is done, an idea that came up to Norma Ortiz was to make a T.V. commercial so the Puerto Rico community could know about her project. For this commercial she requested the UPRM Marching Band. Her request for the Band was for them to spell out the letters RUM, while 70 other students remain behind the band forming the number 100. Besides the commercial, Norma Ortiz wants the band to participate in almost every if not all, activity that she is planning for the future.

“I can’t believe it. I, as Drum Mayor feel honored of such a task. I never thought that in these three years in which I have been hear I would have such an opportunity to lead the band on this activity to represent ourselves in cameras and mostly to represent our Collage” said Jonathan Cordero, formal Drum Mayor.

When asked why she chose the Marching Band to participate in the commercial she said “First of all the band fascinates me. When I hear the band play, it fills my eyes with tears of joy and makes my blood boil till it turns green. If there is going to be a show, it cannot go without the bands present”

On March 17 The Marching Band accompanied by the 70 students formed their assigned shapes at the racing track, while a camera crew stood a couple of meters high to get a complete view of everything. Many people gathered that day to watch. Valery Ramos, a student who was watching the whole process said “It’s good that finally someone gives the UPRM a chance to demonstrate what we really are”

Professor Norma Ortiz started planning this project in the year 2001. The idea came up when she noticed that although the UPRM has been in Mayaguez for almost a century, for her, not many people take notice. By thinking that soon the UPRM will have its one hundredth anniversaries, she thought in what way, can she make Mayaguez resemble one of the most prestigious universities of Puerto Rico.

There are only a few know activities of those that will take place soon. For the other activities, a small group of selected people will vote on what other events will take place.

“It is a difficult task, but I won’t give up” says Norma Ortiz. She explains that each activity will be captured on high definition cameras so that after everything is finished, it could all be edited into a single tape.

When asked about what her future expectations are, she informed that she has contacted Caribbean Cinemas and asked if they were willing to accept the tape and reproduce it so it could be put in theaters. She estimates that it would be ready for January 2012.

Geshmi M. López Rivera

Musical guest sie7e on stage being cheered on by the crowd. At the agricultural educational fair ‘Cinco Días con Nuestra Tierra’ (Five days with our homeland) celebrated its 34th consecutive year, taking place on the outskirts of the Rafael A. Mangual coliseum.

All through March 15^th to the 19^th, the agricultural educational fair ‘Cinco Días con Nuestra Tierra’ (Five days with our homeland) celebrated its 34^th consecutive year, taking place on the outskirts of the Rafael A. Mangual coliseum. The fair began on Tuesday March 15^th at 10:30 am with the traditional inauguration parade through the college campus that counted with the participation of the band and orchestra of the Mayaguez Campus (RUM), among others.

The fair was first celebrated on 1977 by a group of students and teachers of Agricultural Sciences who were given the task of promoting and divulging the agricultural education amongst the community. Their main objective was to show the public the progress they were achieving in agriculture and the benefits this would bring to all. This was then passed on to the students of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, at the Mayaguez Campus, giving way to the Organizing Committee of Five days with our homeland.

The event included tents with a variety of arts and crafts, such as handmade jewelry, scented candles, engraved dog tags, handmade hair accessories, purses, paintings and typical candy. Other tents included cattle, such as cows, goats, horses, stallions, ponies, donkeys and bulls; and a variety of farm instruments and vehicles. Amongst these, you could also find food trucks, forums, a stage for musical guests, a massage tent, an exhibition where some workers of a specific company showed the visitors how their milk was processed, a mechanic bull for the grown-ups looking to have some fun, workshops that included topics about home gardens, landscaping, home economics, management techniques, tree-climbing and an area for kids, where they could play, enjoy some fun rides and interact with small animals.

A yearly activity which traditionally attracts thousands of people, most of them being  school excursions, environmental clubs, seniors groups, communities and churches from all around the island of Puerto Rico.

“Even though the economy is not that good we are still making some progress and the selling is pretty good for now” answered Zapata, a crafts vendor, when asked about his opinion about the recent drops in the economy.

24 March 2011

Natalia I. Morales Santaliz

Choronical Format + Quotes

Throughout the night, many students read poems form their favorite poets.

Wilfredo Burgos Matos, surprised everyone at the amphitheater in the Nursing Building last Tuesday night with his original poetry and his amazing ability to perform in front of hundreds.

This local student, from the Hispanic Studies Department at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus (UPRM), with help from the Social and Cultural Activities Staff (AESEH), helped organized and also performed at the Department’s Poetry and Music Night, which was set to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Excitement was in the air as spectators gathered around the amphitheater awaiting amazing performances from the Caobana musical group and also from local students from different departments around campus.

Students were greeted with a musical performance of “Preciosa” from Ariana Delgado, who is also a student from the Hispanic Studies Department. As the night went on, poems were read from “Heraldos Negros” by César Vallejo to “Vengo del Sur” by Pablo Neruda,  and others were performed from “Boricua en la Luna” by Juan Antonio Corretjer to Wilfredo’s amazing performance of “Amor por ti”.

During the night, Wilfredo performed various poems from well known authors, and also performed some of his original writings.

The audience quickly related to his topics discussed in his poetry.

“My inspiration generally comes from my everyday interaction with family, friends and society,” said Wilfredo during a brief pause. “I’ve been writing my own poetry since the third grade, and just kept on going.”

“For me, poetry is the art of creating beauty through the power of the word.” Said the young poet who encouraged the audience to become part of the Hispanic Studies writing club no matter which department you were from.

The musical group Caobana enriched Wilfredo’s performances during the rest of the night, which in another brief pause, reflected their musical history together and said to call themselves “Colegiales de Corazon” from more than 13 years ago.

As the activity came to an end, 5 students were given the opportunity to read in front of the audience one of their most favorite original poems written by themselves. Only one student mentioned their name and the title of their original poem called, “El camino del amor” by Alejandro Lugo.

Right after the activity ended, some students had a chance to interview Wilfredo personally. When asked what he wanted to accomplish with his poetry, the young student said: “I want to create awareness in people that poetry is out there for you ton take, so we can open up to the changes we are experiencing in the world right this moment.”

“The perfect out come for this activity to me would be that will maintain this interest in literature, spoken and written to help express themselves and understand others… literature in society’s mirror to the world, you just have to look at it to see.”

Wilfredo’s expressions about poetry are just a small reflection of many UPRM students who which to express themselves as individuals in the community.

The future seems bright for this local Hispanic Studies student.

Rosemarih Lugo Ortiz

Format: Chronological

The theater week began with conference, movies and workshops in the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez held in the little theatre of the Building Chardon.

On March 22, 2011 as part of theater week on the University of Puerto Rico (UPR)-Mayagüez, Dr. Nelson Rivera from the UPR-Humacao gave a conference about performance and theatrical experience.

In the conference one of the facts that Dr. Rivera gave was the ideas and motivation to keep going with his performance, regardless of the lack of money. He gave a view on how to perform, the intention of the performance and the dangers of it.

Rivera does his performance on public areas and theaters, but his mostly interested in performing in public areas. The reasons Rivera likes public areas is because he is shy and in a theater everyone would focus on him. When saying danger, it´s because lots of the performance had been on public areas, and without people knowing it.

In a performance that Rivera did, when Pedro Rosello was going to be elected, he did the performance near people that were with Rosello, but his performance was to walk doing a circle shouting the name of Carlos Romero, people get crazy, some like it and some didn´t. 

Rivera intentions when doing performance it´s that people don´t know what is happening but if they notice then the performance has to end. Rivera has never documented a single performance, because the essence of the performance would end.

Rivera said, “In some performance I interact directly with the public but in others I prefer to be very far, it depend on the area and the performance that I do” responding how do you interact with people on a public area?

In 1986, Rivera and his group gave a performance, and the people criticized it for been “dirt” and the same performance was made in 2011 and people declare them “genius”. He was interested in the way people think in 1986 and how it change in 2011.

Another of Rivera performance was in “Plaza las Americas”, where three of his friends had to put their hand in their faces, the rule was if someone ask them something the they say “hi” and leave.

The latest in Rivera performances was that he will go to “Plaza las Americas” sit in front of “Sears” from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 12 hours and the rule was not to stand. The reaction of one manager gave him satisfaction because she notices him.

Later, in his conference he talk about experimental theater, saying that each actor would do their part, and the director would not have under control the scene of the play. Talking of the way, the actors make progress in the play without receiving instructions.

Rivera in 1996 did a play called Without Title “Sin Título”, he took it too many directors, but none of them had been interested in the play. Then in 2010 he took his work to the Puerto Rican Theater Festival, but again in the festival they didn´t make it, saying it wasn´t worst it.

Therefore, later on Rivera got an offer, from the Theater of Puerto Rico, he would make the play, without spending money, it was their first chance and was a total success. From there on, they had success and the last performance was on March 14, 2011 because the actors would not gone stay in Puerto Rico so he eliminated the play.

Rivera like actor to perform as individuals, saying “each actor will have their audience and they have to come up with a role on their own”. He wanted the audience to concentrate on one actor only, so the public get frustrated because they cannot see the other performances.

At the end of conference Rivera, talked about politics, and how all of his performances were about politic issues, but not directly seen in his performances.

By: Gabriel Mejia

            Five Days with Our Homeland (Cinco Dias Con Mi Tierra) is one of the more popular events in Mayaguez, that’s why many people such as students from University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez (UPRM), high school students from the surrounding area and others come to spend their time there.

“It gets us out of the classrooms,” said biology student Omar Feliciano, he is but one of the many students who decided to spend his free time in Five Days with Our Homeland.

Every year Five Days with Our Homeland comes back to the UPRM and every year hundreds of students come here to participate in this event. From herbs and plants to t-shirts and jewelry Five Days with Our Homeland has it all. And that’s one of the things that draw students in every year.

At the afternoon people, some students others visitors, cross the bridge in front of the Mangual coliseum that leads to Five Days with Our Homeland. Throughout the entirety of the week people have been coming and going through this spot to reach Five Days with Our Homeland.

For some students like William Gonzalez Five Days with Our Homeland is a break from the mundane routine of taking classes day in and day out. When asked what he thought was most distinctive of the event he said: “Every year when I go through the tents the smell of the horse manure catches me of guard.”

While some might be discouraged by small factors such as the smell in the area from the animals or the blazing hot temperatures common in outdoor events, things like this only seem to encourage some of the students as it brings back a sense of nostalgia of Five Days with Our Homeland in years past.

UPRM students seem to like the event but they aren’t the only group of people here. From Mayaguez and a few other south western towns school students also come here as an escape from their everyday activities and to enjoy some time with their friends.

“I love the atmosphere and the music when I come here,” said one of the students visiting the UPRM. With the atmosphere provided by the music in the background, the people talking and the animals making noise Five Days with Our Homeland feels like the sort of place someone can go to just to relax with a few of your friends for a while.

And that is exactly what many students, from the UPRM and surrounding schools, come here for. That being said not all students who go to Five Days with Our Homeland go for fun; many of them find themselves here to help around with the various activities while others find themselves here to complete work from their classes.

Now, when it comes to Five Days with Our Homeland students are at the heart of the event yet they aren’t the only ones present. People who have long since graduated or have never even studied in the UPRM still come to have some fun, look at the wares or simply just to see what’s around.

“I come here so I can spend some time with my nephew,” said Ana Rojas. Family fun, that’s just another one of the important qualities that make Five Days with Our Homeland such success among the people.

It seems that no matter the age people who go to Five Days with Our Homeland are bound to have a good time. Only a good rainfall could bring Five Days with Our Homeland down and even then it’s almost a tradition of sort.

Come Friday Five Days with Our Homeland will be closing once again until March 2012 and until that day arrives many students, from inside and outside the campus, will have to wait to be able to enjoy another week of escape. “Any reason is a good reason to take a break from class work,” Feliciano said. “It’s always been fun to go, and I know next year will be just as good.”