Alana Casanova-Burgess

Growing up, my mother, and I'm sure probably your mother too, would point out Puerto Ricans everywhere.

She still does.

I can't remember my English father ever leaning over to celebrate someone's Englishness.

But in Puerto Rico and its diaspora, we have a thing for people representing the archipelago, competing for it or championing it in some way.

That's why this season on La Brega, we're bringing you stories of Puerto Rican champions.

We're going to meet fighters who have represented us in courtrooms and in boxing rings, and icons who have worn Puerto Rico on their sashes and on their jerseys.

We're going to go to the cultural battlefields where Puerto Rico is a country, and carrying the flag takes on even more meaning.

What does it mean and what does it take to champion Puerto Rico as a nation, unflinchingly and with boundless pride?

And perhaps this is why the events of January 24th, 2022 felt and feel so absurd.

Because there was an empty pedestal just sitting there and a pantheon of heroes to fill it.

And yet, the government insisted it should be Ponce de León up there and that they could resurrect his statue in just a day.

And the hours were ticking by.

So coming up after the break, remember, five hours to go until the king arrives.

This is La Brega.

La Brega is back.

This season, we're spending time with the people and symbols that represent Puerto Rico.

We're proud Puerto Ricans.

And what does that mean?

We're telling stories about champions from a place worth fighting for.

Stories that will inspire you no matter where you're from.