Welcome to Quincenera Fiesta!

Quincenera Fiesta, Day of the Big Party, Quinceanera Memories

The big day has finally arrived. Everybody is busy at the house. Cristina is about to become a woman. Her parents have been receiving phone calls all morning long. Some of the compadres and comadres are already in town. They won't have to travel from afar. Others will be traveling from Los Angeles and San Francisco to attend this big event. Cristina Garcia is the proud daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Garcia, a proud Mexican-Puerto Rican couple who pays close attention to the cultural details and traditions. With or without help from the hundreds of willing compadres and comadres, the Garcias are able to afford all the expenses of their daughter's quincenera expenses. Mr. Garcia is a top-notch civil engineer who often consults with developers and once led his own development company. His wife has her own real estate business, Garcia Hispanic Heritage Realty Inc (Some names are changed to maintain confidentiality rights). With all the construction in the San Joaquin Valley or Central California and the boost and motivation to homeownership brought on by the recent low interest rates, buckets of money were made. Throwing a lavish mini-wedding or Quincenera fiesta does not put any constraints on the family's budget at all.

There are hundreds of details to attend to on this special day. Cristina's older brother and sister made themselves available to their little sister. Steve has his own list of things to watch and get done. He is the contact person for the band and the DJ. With Cristina's input, he put the list of songs that the band or trio will play. He does not have any problems with the DJ. They are buddies who often DJ together all over the Valley. They are providing their entertainment to most traditional hispanic gatherings. They are also the best DJs you can find for prom, homecoming, quincenera and school formal parties. They are highly sought after by wedding parties. In one word, DJ Bosco and Steve get along well. Bosco has known the Garcia family for many years. His family and Cristina's family go back to the old country. The music has to satisfy the musical taste of both family sides. Steve will draw from his large Puerto Rican/Reggaeton inventory to please his Puerto Rican side of the family. DJ Bosco will pull songs out of his large hip hop, Cumbia, Ranchero, traditional Mexican song repertoire. As far as the music is concerned, the two friends don't expect any problems.

Cristina must make it to the salon to get a touch up. Her best friend, Celia who had her own quincenera the year before, accompanies to the nearby beauty parlor. She is expecting to get out of it looking like a star or a woman of importance.

As far as the beverages are concerned, Emiliano, nicknamed "Uncle Booboo" is in charge. He is the only one who can keep a straight head among all these beers, champagne, Puerto Rican rums and other exotic Mexican Tequilas etc. Even when he sips or drinks, he does not get drunk easily. In addition, he has good manners. Well, he has a tough skin. It takes a lot for somebody to get him upset. Uncle Booboo is a cool guy who is into the present. He appreciates everything and has a few good words about anybody he has ever met. For him, a party can happen all the time. He thinks attitude and music set the party tone. He also has a few things to say about the song selection. But he does not push his luck. He knows his boundaries. Uncle Booboo is Cristina's favorite. That's why he is in charge of the beverages. He will be able to keep both family sides happy.

Time is running out. Everybody has to be in touch at 10 am. The mass is the heart of the Quincenera celebration. The quincenera girl must be blessed by the priest. Cristina's mother checked her posh gown, shoes and Bible. The rosary is also there. Going in and out of the house, Mr. Garcia is a proud man who is taking everything in. His little girl (Cristina's daddy's girl) is fast becoming a woman.

Quincenera is about competition. It's about competion between friends and family members. It's abot who is going to have the best party, the best dress, the most contributions. It's about all the Garcias competing with other families in town. The Mexican side of the family quietly competes with the Puerto Rican side of the family in terms of which side helps more or contributes more. Cristina was the happy recipient. In fact, so much money was received that no business sponsors were needed. But, thanks to the high social and professional status of the Garcias, many clients and friends contributed any way.

Quinceanera is about who is in and who is kept out. It's about who is on the invitation list and who is not. After all, a little girl grows up to be a woman. She wants you and the rest of the world to know this new fact.