In September 2008, we spent a fun and relaxing afternoon/evening at the Saca home, partaking of Salvadoran pupusas, Cuban pastries, and fried platanos, sharing stories and laughter, dancing and singing, and eating…lots of eating!
The Sacas: “¡Bienvenidos! Our casa is your casa.”
Left: Juan Carlos Velis, Nidia Saca, and Daniel Hamuy. Right: Enrique Martin, Rey Valentin, Ricardo (“Lalo”) Saca
Eddy Martin and his father, Enrique Martin.
Nidia Saca, Sean Redick, Rosalinda Morales, Daniel Eduvijes Carrera, and Gisset Rentería.
Yvette Yates (role: Dina) hams it up for the camera.
Ricardo (“Lalo”) chats with Daniel Eduvijes Carrera and Britney Vargas (role: Jessica).
Ricardo (“Lalo”) chats with cast members, Yvette Yates and Rey Valentin (role: Lalo), with Gisset Rentería, Sandra Sanchez, and Enrique Martin in the background.
Production attorney, Donald Smiley with Nidia Saca, and music composer, Daniel Hamuy.
Britney Vargas, Yvette Yates, Lidia Pires (role: Tía Carmela), and Gisset Rentería.
David Devora (role: Duncan) with casting director, Rosalinda Morales.
Juan Carlos Velis (role: Mauricio) with Kevin Durand, Daniel Hamuy, and Gisset Rentería.
Donald Smiley with Richard Yñiguez (role: Don Luis).
Then a Salvadoran/Cuban lunch was served. Pupusas from Ricardo’s (“Lalo”) native El Salvador and an assortment of pastries and goodies from Porto’s Bakery to reflect Nidia’s Cuban heritage:
Ricardo (“Lalo”) with his wife, Nidia Saca, and Rey Valentin.
Sean Redick and Yvette Yates
Richard Yñiguez and David Devora.
Rosalinda Morales, Sandra Sanchez, Britney Vargas, Richard Yñiguez, Mario J. Novoa, David Devora, Eddy Martin, and Daniel Hamuy.
Adriana de Béky, Hernán de Béky, Rosalinda Morales, Mario J. Novoa, Kevin Durand, Sandra Sanchez, and Britney Vargas.
Kevin Durand, Richard Yñiguez, Sandra Sanchez, and Britney Vargas.
Then after eating….
Ricardo (“Lalo”) breaks out the family photographs, so that the cast members can get a glimpse of some of the real people they will be portraying in the film.
Bring out the desserts:
Rosalinda Morales and Eddy Martin celebrate their birthdays!
“Happy Birthday to youuuu!” And then of course, those whose birthdays are being celebrated must cut the cake and serve those doing the celebrating…!
The music starts:
Richard Yñiguez conducts the crowd in an attempt to get us to sing on key!
Ricardo pounds on the congas, while Hernán de Béky (role: Tío Mario) plays the guitar, with Eddy Martin belting out songs. The singing continued into the night, as can be seen by the change in lighting. Eventually, Hernán de Béky is joined by Mario J. Novoa and Richard Yñiguez. Their musical talent is really something to behold!
A group photo with some late arrivals missing. Standing from left to right: Donald Smiley, Yvette Yates, Diana Lesmez, Gisset Rentería, Sandra Sanchez, Britney Vargas, Rosalinda Morales, Richard Yñiguez, and Lidia Pires. Sitting from left to right: Daniel Hamuy, Daniel Eduvijes Carrera, Nidia Saca, Ricardo (“Lalo”) Saca, Rey Valentin, Eddy Martin, Mario J. Novoa, and David Devora.