Bonds of friendship and unity

Last Thursday, Mr. Amigo 2017 Pedro Fernández joined Brownsville and Matamoros residents in the annual Hands Across the Border ceremony, an event that demonstrates a sense of peace and friendship between both cities.

“Please believe me that during all this time we have been in this place, a lot of things have crossed my mind,” Fernández said in Spanish at the ceremony held in the middle of the Gateway International Bridge that connects Brownsville to Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. “A lot of reflections. I listen to everything each of the persons that have had the opportunity to be in the microphone have said and it is very exciting to see the way we express ourselves, as much as those from one nation as those of the other nation.”

Hundreds of residents from the U.S. and Mexico welcomed Fernández with a standing ovation.

Fernández’s daughters, Gema and Karina, accompanied Mr. Amigo 2017 on stage.

José Martín Cuevas Cobos, better known by his artistic name, Pedro Fernández, was born on Sept. 28, 1969, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, but grew up in Villa Corona, Jalisco. He started his career as Pedrito Fernández at age 7 with his first album titled, “La de la Mochila Azul.” He has been featured in different films including “La Niña de la Mochila Azul,” “Coqueta” and “Delincuente.”

The singer has also starred in soap operas, such as “Hasta Que el Dinero Nos Separe” and “Hasta el Fin del Mundo.” Some of his most popular songs are “Aventurero,” “Yo No Fui,” “Amarte a la Antigua,” and most recently, “Hasta el Fin del Mundo.” The genres of his songs range from ranchera and mariachi to Latin pop and ballads.

“It is important to be conscious that today it is a time to add and not to divide,” Fernández said in Spanish. “It is a time to get together and a time to demonstrate to the whole world … how important it is for us to be united.”

During the ceremony, officials from both cities were recognized on stage shortly before the traditional exchanging of the flags by children from Brownsville and Matamoros took place.

Brissa Yamile Del Angel and Fernando Ayala Rangel, of Matamoros, met at the center of the stage with Mackenzie Rose Santibañez and Santiago Menchaca, of Brownsville, to exchange their respective flags and gifts.

Later in the ceremony, Brownsville Mayor Tony Martinez gave Matamoros Mayor Jesús de la Garza Díaz del Guante a traditional cuera Tamaulipeca jacket as a symbol of friendship between the cities. De la Garza also gave a gift to Martinez. Each mayor’s wife exchanged flowers.

Ferdinando Valencia, the Matamoros Huésped Distinguido, or distinguished guest, and Raúl Brindis, the Orgullo de Matamoros, or pride of Matamoros, also received cueras Tamaulipecas jackets from de la Garza.

“The first thing I see and that I reflect upon is that when we see two communities that conscientiously accept each other and that recognize friendship as their main flag, in that moment, we stop seeing two communities to see just one,” Valencia said in Spanish.

Brindis said as a young child, he would travel between Brownsville and Matamoros often and standing in the middle of the Gateway International Bridge brought back many memories to him.

“When I was walking by here I would see Brownsville, Texas, in front of me and when the people from Brownsville would see the people from Matamoros, Tamaulipas [they would see them] as brothers with friendship, with solidarity,” he said in Spanish. “I want the next generations to also see people the same way, head to head, face to face, just like we used to do it when we were children.”

U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas) also attended the ceremony and spoke about the importance of showing unity between both nations.

After expressing his gratitude for Mr. Amigo’s presence, Vela gave Fernández a U.S. flag.

Each year, the Mr. Amigo Association honors a Mexican citizen to promote international friendship and goodwill between the U.S. and Mexico. The honoree is recognized during the city’s Charro Days Fiesta. Matamoros holds Fiestas Mexicanas at the same time. Previous Mr. Amigos include Cantinflas, Juan Gabriel, Verónica Castro, Lucha Villa y Arath de la Torre.

To conclude the ceremony, all officials and celebrities on stage, traditionally released white doves as a symbol of peace between both nations.

However, in his true charismatic fashion, Fernández “continued” the show by singing the beginning of “La Verdolaga” by the late Mexican actor and singer, Pedro Infante.

“Ay, de aquel que a las mujeres, les da el amor y el dinero, cuando menos se lo piensa, se queda en el puro cuero,” Fernández sang. “Por eso yo vivo errante, sin confiar en la mujer, cariñitos de un instante, y no volverlos a ver.”