HISPANIC HERITAGE AWARDS 1998 (TV)
Summary
This program features the twelfth annual Hispanic Heritage Awards, presented on September 21, 1998 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and hosted by actor Héctor Elizando and TV host Giselle Fernández. After the hosts' introductory comments, Marta Istomin, president of the Manhattan School of Music, presents the Education award to musician, conductor and music teacher Abraham Chavez, who explains that he enjoys working with young people and spreading the message that "music belongs to everyone." After a performance by harpist Roberto Perara, Fernández and San Antonio Spurs player David Robinson present the Sports award to Rebecca Lobo, the youngest member the gold medal-winning American women's basketball team at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta and a breast cancer-awareness activist. Next, actor Edward James Olmos presents the Literature award to Luis Rodriguez, whose novels and poems address the many facets of the Chicano experience. Rodriguez, who runs a writers' workshop in Chicago, comments in his acceptance speech on the importance of combating gang violence with positive alternatives.
Singer Emilio performs "Soy El Rey De La Pobrezo," and Kennedy Center Chairman James A. Johnson comments on the importance of the annual event and its impact on American culture. Dr. Pedro José Greer and actor Lauren Vélez then present the Leadership award to Dr. Antonia Coello Novello, the first Latina and first female Surgeon General of the United States. Novello, also the UNICEF Special Representative for Health and Nutrition, discusses her focus on fighting AIDS and protecting the health and safety of children. Next, 1994 honoree Baldemar Velásquez and actor Maria Canals present the Arts award to actor Martin Sheen, who grew up as one of ten children to immigrant parents and, in addition to his acting career, is an activist for various social causes, particularly the rights of farm workers, and he cites Cesar Chavez as a friend and important influence. In his acceptance speech, Sheen quotes the poem "Where the Mind is Without Fear" by Rabindranath Tagore. Next, a scene featuring the title song of the the comedy musical "Barrio Babies," written by 1993 honoree Luis Santeiro, is performed by the cast, including actor Sara Ramirez.
Raul R. Tapia, chairman of the Hispanic Heritage Awards Foundation, then introduces United States Vice-President Al Gore, who takes the stage and comments on the importance and benefits of diversity. A short clip explains that the first official Hispanic Heritage Youth Award has been given to a student from Yale University, and Cristina Saralegui and 1994 honoree Tito Puente presents the final award of the night, the Lifetime Achievement Award, to legendary singer Celia Cruz, who has influenced and promoted Latin music for several decades. After her speech, Cruz is joined by musicians Wyclef Jean, José Alberto and Johnny Pacheco for a performance of "Guantanamera." Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC (New Jersey)
- DATE: November 30, 1997 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:51:35
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:77904
- GENRE: Award presentations
- SUBJECT HEADING: Award presentations; Hispanic Collection - Sports; Women's Collection - Sports
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV, 1998
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - 7-Up soft drinks
- TV - Commercials - Allstate insurance
- TV - Commercials - Cadillac DeVille automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Denny's restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Dr. Pepper soft drinks
- TV - Commercials - General Motors company
- TV - Commercials - MasterCard credit cards
- TV - Commercials - United States Postal Service
CREDITS
- Elaine DagenBela … Executive Producer
- Ozzie Alfonso … Executive Producer
- Tom Cammisa … Senior Producer
- Philip W. Hack … Producer
- Amanda Foust … Producer
- Ron de Moraes … Producer, Director
- Maria Catalina Kennedy … Associate Producer
- Ellen Topel … Associate Producer
- Daryl Bornstein … Audio Producer
- Mark McKenna … Line Producer
- Héctor Elizando … Host
- Giselle Fernández … Host
- Roger Pretto … Announcer
- Roberto Perera … Performer
- Emilio (see also: Emilio Navaira) … Performer
- Sara Ramirez … Performer
- Wyclef Jean … Performer
- José Alberto … Performer
- Johnny Pacheco … Performer
- James A. Johnson … Guest
- Al Gore … Guest
- Abraham Chavez … Honoree
- Rebecca Lobo … Honoree
- Luis Rodriguez … Honoree
- Antonia Coello Novello … Honoree
- Martin Sheen … Honoree
- Celia Cruz … Honoree, Performer
- Marta Istomin … Presenter
- David Robinson … Presenter
- Edward James Olmos … Presenter
- Pedro José Greer … Presenter
- Lauren Vélez … Presenter
- Baldemar Velásquez … Presenter
- Maria Canals … Presenter
- Raul R. Tapia … Presenter
- Tito Puente … Presenter
- Cristina Saralegui … Presenter
- Cesar Chavez
- Rabindranath Tagore