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Pop superstars Olivia Rodrigo and Justin Timberlake are set to headline the 14th edition of the Pa’l Norte festival, the massive music party held annually in the Mexican city of Monterrey. The lineup, announced on Tuesday morning (Oct. 29), includes other major international acts such as Charli XCX, Green Day, Massive Attack, Kings of Leon, Black Keys and Caifanes.
This will be the first time that Rodrigo and Timberlake, who have previously visited Mexico, will participate in a Mexican festival. Timberlake has already performed in the country and has two upcoming shows scheduled at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City on Feb. 7-8. Rodrigo — who recently completed the 2024 dates of her Guts World Tour, which did not include Mexico — had not previously performed in concert in the country.
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The acclaimed festival will take place April 4-6 in Parque Fundidora in this city bordering the U.S.
SEVENTEEN, Garbage, Fall Out Boy, Benson Boone and electronic music stars Gesaffelstein, The Chainsmokers, Claptone, Sasha & John Digweed, and Deep Dish are also part of the Tecate Pa’l Norte 2025 lineup.
The 14th edition of the festival, one of the most acclaimed in Latin America, will feature more than 180 musical acts across nine stages, according to the organizers. The three-day event draws about 100,000 people per day, a few thousand more than the EDC electronic music festival, one of the most populous in the country.
In partnership with promoter Ocesa, acquired by Live Nation in 2021, Tecate Pa’l Norte has become one of the largest and most diverse festivals in Mexico. It annually attracts thousands of fans from around the world, with a capacity greater than other mega-festivals in the Mexican capital such as Vive Latino and Corona Capital, which gather about 80,000 people per day, according to their organizers.
Situated in Parque Fundidora, the festival’s lineup celebrates a rich fusion of genres ranging from rock and indie to regional Mexican music, reggaeton and electronic music, featuring some of the biggest international acts.
Its stages include Tecate Light, which hosts the main acts; Tecate Original stage, which embraces a mix of musical genres; Oasis Stage, dedicated to the popular genres of reggaeton, hip-hop, and trap; while Villa Maravilla offers the best in techno, afro house, and house music. The Club Social stage brings conventional sounds and EDM.
The Fusión stage is designated for Latin acts, and the Acústico stage offers a unique show with “unplugged” sets throughout the weekend, while the Sorpresa stage offers surprise performances and the Pilos stage, named after a legendary bar in Monterrey, has hosted the biggest stars of northern music since its inception.
In its 14 years of existence, Pa’l Norte has established itself as the “most important musical entertainment event in northern Mexico,” according to the Ministry of Tourism of Nuevo León.
In previous editions, the festival featured artists such as Billie Eilish, Foo Fighters, Caifanes, Maná, Tame Impala, The Killers, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, and 50 Cent. The 2024 edition was headlined by Peso Pluma, Blink-182, Imagine Dragons, Maná, and Fuerza Regida.
Anitta, Edgar Barrera, Becky G, Eladio Carrión, Darumas, Emilia, Leonel García, Grupo Frontera, Danny Ocean, Silvia Pérez Cruz, Carlos Rivera, Pitbull, Reik, and Kali Uchis are expected to perform at the 25th annual Latin Grammy Awards. The Latin Recording Academy announced the new round of performers on Tuesday (Oct. 28) for the upcoming ceremony, which will broadcast from the Kaseya Center in Miami on Thursday, Nov. 14.
The newly announced artists join previously unveiled performers, including David Bisbal, Alejandro Fernández, Luis Fonsi, Juan Luis Guerra, Carín León, Elena Rose, and Ela Taubert, in addition to the 2024 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Carlos Vives.
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For the second consecutive year, Mexican hitmaker Edgar Barrera leads the list of nominees for the Latin Grammy Awards, with nine nominations, including songwriter of the year and producer of the year. Brazilian superstar Anitta is nominated for record of the year for “Mil Veces,” and best Portuguese language urban performance for “Joga Pra Lua,” featuring Dennis & Pedro Sampaio. Becky G received a nod for best regional song for “Por El Contrario,” with songwriters Barrera, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz & Elena Rose, performed by her with Ángela Aguilar and Leonardo Aguilar.
Other mentions include Kali Uchis, who garnered four nominations, including record of the year for “Igual Que Un Ángel” with Peso Pluma; and Danny Ocean earned two for song of the year (“Caracas En El 2000,” written by Marvin Hawkins Rodriguez, Jerry Di, La Pichu, Danny Ocean and Elena Rose) and best pop song (“Amor” penned by José Andrés Benitez, Christian Bermudez, Richard Bermudez, Rodney Kumbirayi Hwingwiri, Juan Diego Linares, Luis Alejandro Márquez, Anibal Morin Diaz, Danny Ocean and Rafael Salcedo.
For the complete list of Latin Grammy nominations, click here.
The three-hour telecast will be produced by TelevisaUnivision, and will air live on Univision, UniMás, Galavisión and ViX beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
Just days before the Nov. 5 presidential elections in the United States, La Original Banda El Limón released a corrido inspired by and dedicated to Vice President Kamala Harris.
As is tradition, the corrido, titled “Señora Presidenta” (or Madame President in English), narrates the life story of Harris, who is the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee. In the three-minute song, powered by banda instruments like trumpets and clarinets, the group sings about Harris’ humble background and the force she’s become as a political leader. “She comes from a humble place to fight for her people,” the song begins. “She was born in Oakland, daughter to immigrant parents. Madame President. Her name is Kamala Harris.”
Juan Barboza Lizárraga, leader of La Original Banda El Limón, explained in a statement about their decision to release a song for Harris and officially endorse a candidate for president: “Our culture, traditions and music are beautiful and powerful just like our community. We hope that in these final moments, the song inspires our community to embrace our strength and together to show up in a critical moment. This song reflects the values of our community and our vision for a future where people matter.”
It’s not the first time that a regional Mexican act has released a corrido in support of a U.S. presidential candidate. In 2016, ranchera icon Vicente Fernández endorsed then Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton through song. In “El Corrido de Hillary Clinton,” Fernández sings about Latin pride and urges the Latin community to vote for Clinton. “I remind you, brother, that we have to work hand in hand, until we assure the victory for Hillary Clinton.”
Even Donald Trump, who has in the past insulted the Latin community, launching his 2016 presidential run with racist remarks toward the Mexican community calling them “rapists” and “criminals,” got his own corrido. The accordion-powered song was released over the summer after Trump’s assassination attempt in July.
And it’s not just in the States that artists have been compelled to release songs for specific presidential candidates. In Mexico, Vivir Quintana released “Compañera Presidenta,” dedicated to candidates Xóchitl Gálvez and Claudia Sheinbaum, the latter won the presidency and became the first-ever female president of the country.
Whether these songs can help swing an election or inspire undecided voters to cast a ballot, that’s unclear. But as the race for president in the U.S. — one of the most consequential elections in recent memory — comes to an end, a number of Latin acts have been using their platforms to amplify candidates.
Below, a handful of Spanish-language songs that have been released over the past few years for presidential candidates in the U.S. and beyond.
“Señora Presidenta”
The Weeknd and Anitta aren’t pulling punches with the promo for their upcoming collaborative single. In an Instagram post on Sunday (Oct. 27) Queen of Brazilian pop Anitta wrote “Isn’t he beautiful?” alongside an image of what appeared to be an ultrasound of a baby with razor-sharp teeth and a forked tail.
Weeknd (who now goes by his birth name, Abel Tesfaey), responded “WOW! HE LOOKS SO BEAUTIFUL [crying face emoji].” While the post didn’t offer much more information, eagle-eyed fans noticed that the date on the image was Wednesday morning (Oct. 30), which appeared to indicate when their pair’s anticipated collaborative single will drop. Abel’s label, Republic Records commented, “sweet baby angel,” while a number of other artists also weighed in, including Saweetie (“Good bye”) and Ryan Tedder (“Whoaaaa”), among others.
The pregnancy promo came two days after Anitta posted a pic of herself in a black bikini rocking a giant baby belly and an infrared light face mask with the caption, “It was meant to be kept a secret…,” which Tesfaye responded to with, “OMG… CONGRATS [crying laughing emoji]; on X, Tesfaye reposted the pregnant pic and wrote, “@Anitta you hid it so well in São Paulo.”
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At press time, spokespeople for Tesfaye and Anitta had not returned Billboard‘s request for comment on the posts or a confirmed release date for the song.
The dynamic duo performed their as-yet-unreleased uptempo new song “São Paulo” during a massive show by Weeknd in Brazil on Sept. 7 and Abel spoke to Billboard Brazil about collaborating with Anitta for his upcoming Hurry Up Tomorrow album. After Abel visited São Paulo, Brazil in Oct. 2023 on his After Hours Til Dawn tour, producer Mike Dean asked Anitta for a vocal track to complement the “Blinding Lights” singer’s special performance set.
“Anitta is a great friend. What she sent was so awesome that we created the song,” said Tesfaye of the vocal bits that were so far beyond his expectations that he composed a song that became the centerpiece of the new live show. “We knew it was too special to just play on stage. We saw great potential in the song and found the beat, which is the heart of the show,” he said.
Anitta was equally excited by the team-up, saying, “I wrote some verses as a joke and never imagined they would become serious. Suddenly, I received the finished song. I loved it! I felt very honored and flattered. I’ve always been a big fan of his and his work. I never imagined this would happen, and now it’s a dream come true. It’s a little more Brazilian funk, as promised, around the world.”
Check out Anitta’s post below.
Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin were among the prominent artists who showed support for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign on Sunday (Oct. 27) after a speaker at a Donald Trump rally made a racist joke about Puerto Rico. All three boosted a video from the Democratic candidate pledging to do her best for the citizens of the island nation following what CNN described as a Trump rally brimming with “blistering anti-migrant rhetoric [that] ranks alongside the most flagrant demagoguery by a major figure in any Western nation since World War II.”
Their show of support for Harris came after comedian/podcaster Tony Hinchcliffe opened for convicted felon Trump at a rally at New York’s Madison Square Garden by offering up the racist jibe, “There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”
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In addition, Hinchcliffe — one of nearly 30 speakers who warmed up the crowd for twice impeached former Pres. Trump — also made other racist and sexist jokes about Latinos (“they love making babies… there’s no pulling out. They don’t do that. They come inside, just like they did to our country”) as well as racist jibes about his Black “buddies” who he “carved watermelons” with and an antisemitic joke about how “Jews have a hard time throwing that paper.”
According to reports, the attempts at humor did not go over well inside the room, where they were met with tepid applause. And in an unusual apology from the Trump campaign, a senior advisor said in a statement afterwards that “this joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign,” seemingly in reference to the Puerto Rico joke. The Harris campaign referred to the Hinchcliffe set as “a vile racist tirade against Latinos.”
The racist comment immediately galvanized the trio of Puerto Rican artists, with Bad Bunny re-posting a video message from Harris in which she discussed the importance of the election for the citizens of the U.S. territory, reminding them what Trump “did and did not do when Puerto Rico needed a caring and a competent leader” after the nation was hit with devastating damage after Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017; a new report revealed that the Trump administration obstructed an investigation into why officials withheld $20 billion in hurricane relief from P.R. following Maria.
In addition to Bad Bunny sharing the message with his 45 million Instagram followers, Martin also boosted the Harris video to his nearly 19 million followers on his Instagram Stories, adding the message, “I remember @kamalaharris,” as did Lopez, whose re-post to her 250 million Instagram followers included links to Harris’ socials as well as a hands clapping emoji. Martin also claimed that his posts on X with similar content were being suppressed on the platform owned by Trump financial backer Elon Musk.
“Despacito” star and P.R. native Luis Fonsi reposted the Hinchcliffe video on his Stories with the message “Are you serious?,” as well as a portion of the Harris video and a lengthy personal note responding to the hate speech. “I understand comedy, I’m a big fan of it,” he wrote. I love roasts, trust me I get it. BUT… this is far from comedy. Not now, not against my island [Puerto Rico flag emoji], my people. Hell nah!”
Fonsi said it’s okay to have different views, but racism is not acceptable. ““We are not OK with this constant hate. It’s been abundantly clear that these people have no respect for us and yet they want our vote,” Fonsi wrote. “I purposely wrote this in English cause yes we’re American too.”
The shocking comments from Hinchcliffe at the Trump rally where CNN reported Republican candidate Trump and his MAGA surrogates spewed “racist, vulgar attacks at Harris and Democrats” came nine days before Americans go to the polls, and just a few after Trump’s former chief of staff, retired Marine General John Kelly, said the former reality TV star fits into the “general definition of a fascist” and frequently praised Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. It also comes as both Harris and Trump are spending precious time and money in the waning hours of the campaign to win over voters in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania, where nearly 500,000 Puerto Ricans live, representing the third-largest P.R. diaspora in the U.S.
While the quartet of P.R.-born superstars did not explicitly endorse the Harris campaign in their posts, the show of support for the Democrat vying to the the first woman and person of Asian American descent to become President comes as both campaigns have been laser-focused on trying to win over crucial voting blocks including Black and Hispanic men.
A.Chal’s new single “LMKK” has topped this week’s new music Latin poll. In a poll published on Friday (Oct. 25) — in support of the weekly New Music Latin roundup and playlist, curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — music fans voted for the Peruvian-American artist’s new track as their favorite music release […]
Bad Bunny, who supports Kamala Harris, a source close to the artist tells Billboard, is getting the Democratic presidential candidate’s latest message for Puerto Rican voters out to his 45 million followers on Instagram.
“There’s so much at stake in this election for Puerto Rican voters and for Puerto Rico. And this election is not just a choice between Donald Trump and me. It is a choice between two very different visions for our nation,” Harris says in a campaign video posted on Sunday (Oct. 27), which Benito shared clips of on Instagram Stories not just once, but four times. “One, his, focused on the past and on himself, and the other ours, that is focused on the future and on you. Puerto Rico is home to some of the most talented, innovative and ambitious people in our nation, and Puerto Ricans deserve a president who sees and invests in that strength.”
In the video, Harris tells voters: “As president, I will bring down the cost of housing, invest in small businesses and entrepreneurs and fight to finally secure equal access to programs that strengthen the healthcare system and support children, seniors and working people. I will create a new Puerto Rico economy task force where the federal government will work with the private sector, with non-profits and community leaders to foster economic growth and create thousands of new, good-paying jobs in Puerto Rico, including for our young people.”
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“I know that Puerto Rico’s economic future depends on urgently rebuilding and modernizing the island’s energy grid. That’s why I will cut red tape, ensure disaster recovery funds are used quickly and effectively, and work with leaders across the island to ensure all Puerto Ricans have access to reliable, affordable electricity. I will never forget what Donald Trump did and what he did not do when Puerto Rico needed a caring and a competent leader. He abandoned the island, tried to block aid after back-to-back, devastating hurricanes, and offered nothing more than paper towels and insults. Puerto Ricans deserve better,” Harris says.
Bad Bunny emphasized Harris’ “I will never forget what Donald Trump did” line in his reposts of the speech.
Harris’ message to Puerto Rican voters on Sunday arrived the same day Trump was set to appear at a rally at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, where Tony Hinchcliffe, a podcast host/roast comedian, spewed racist jokes in an opening slot. He referred to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean.” Later, he made a remark that Latinos “love making babies” in a lead up to a crude joke. Vice President Harris’ campaign headquarters called it a “vile racist tirade against Latinos” on X (formerly Twitter).
Benito, who was born and raised in Vega Baja, has a history of being vocal about social-political issues affecting the Puerto Rican community.
In September he placed billboards across San Juan in protest of the Partido Nuevo Progresista (New Progressive Party), a major political party that holds the seat of governor and resident commissioner in Puerto Rico, soon after releasing the song “Una Velita.” The billboards displayed messages including “To vote for PNP is to vote for corruption,” “Who votes for PNP doesn’t love Puerto Rico” and “Voting for PNP is voting for LUMA” (the private energy company responsible for power distribution and transmission on the island). In an Instagram post showing the billboards, the star said, “Announcements paid by Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. A Puerto Rican who does love Puerto Rico.”
“Una Velita,” released on Sept. 19, has Bad Bunny reflecting on Puerto Rico’s response to the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017. “There were five thousand that they let die, and we will never forget that,” he chants on the track that addresses what happened in the wake of the Category 5 hurricane that devastated the island.
In 2022, he released a documentary-style video for Un Verano Sin Ti‘s “El Apagón.” With a runtime of almost 23 minutes, the short film takes aim at local government for its inaction in addressing blackouts, gentrification and other issues affecting Puerto Ricans.
Christian Nodal electrified the stage, evoking a torrent of emotions at New York’s Barclays Center on Saturday night (Oct. 26), leaving no doubt about his unmatched vocal prowess.
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Unlike many of today’s concerts — especially in the música urbana landscape, which often rely heavily on pyrotechnics, costume changes, and choreography — Nodal’s performance, part of his Pa’l Cora tour, spotlighted his commanding voice above all.
Opening the concert at 9 p.m. with “El Mariachi” from the Antonio Banderas-starring Desperado soundtrack, Nodal immediately set the tone for the evening. Dressed sharply in beige snakeskin pants with turquoise accents, a matching vest, and a white long-sleeved shirt unbuttoned to reveal a silver chain with a cross and his tattoos, he embodied his signature cowboy rocker aesthetic. The Sonoran singer’s stage was embellished by a mariachi troupe in elegant deep-red outfits, an accordionist, backup singers, a brass section, and an electric guitarist — perfectly merging mariachi with norteño into his famed “mariacheño” fusion.
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One of the many performance highlights was when Nodal seamlessly delivered a medley of Vicente Fernández classics, including “El Rey,” “Volver Volver,” “Acá Entre Nos” and “Mujeres Divinas.” Again, the tribute showcased his extensive vocal chops and ability to emotively convey pain, sadness, and elation, leaving the audience spellbound.
Further amplifying the night, Christian Nodal brought out surprise guest Ángela Aguilar, his wife, who only the night before made an appearance in Bogotá, Colombia, with her father, the legend Pepe Aguilar. Nodal playfully asked the crowds, “¡¿You all want her to sing?!” Ángela, donning in a sleek black outfit, pranced out and they sang their duet on “Dime Cómo Quieres.” She then exclaimed, “Because you are my husband, Christian!” showing off her ring, during the song, and by the end of it they shared a kiss before her exit, drawing cheers and applause.
Nodal’s affection for his audience was evident as he addressed them between songs, expressing a special anticipation for his New York performance. “Not to be a nice guy, but I’m going to tell you something. On the tour, there were 26 dates around the United States. But among all of them, the one I was dreaming about the most was with you, New York. Something I love about here, about New York, is that it’s a beautiful place for Latinos,” he said.
He further customized his set for the New York crowd, acknowledging the significant Dominican presence and performing a bachata live for the first time with “La Bachatita.” Additionally, unexpected covers like Maná’s “Clavado en un Bar” and Hombres G’s “Devuélveme a Mi Chica” showcased his versatility, while his renditions of “Como la Flor” by Selena further demonstrated his broad appeal.
Nodal concluded his over two-hour performance without a vocal break — a testament to his impressive stamina. His performances of “La Intención” originally with Peso Pluma, and “Por El Resto de Tu Vida” originally with TINI, were climactic points that underscored a night of intimate connection.
The Mexican music hitmaker will continue his Pa’l Cora tour, making stops in Boston, Orlando, Atlanta, Baltimore, and more. See the remainder tour dates here.
When Chino Pacas received a DM on Instagram from none other than Drake, it wasn’t just another social media interaction — it was the catalyst for one of the most groundbreaking tracks on his debut album, Que Sigan Llegando Las Pacas.
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The album was released on his birthday (Oct. 18), with the extended version arriving Oct. 25. The set fuses the raw emotion of corridos tumbados with urban sierreño, revealing a narrative rich in youthful ambition and heritage.
Born Cristian Humberto Ávila Vega, Chino Pacas evolved from a viral TikTok sensation, and a Billboard Hot 100 newcomer to now cementing his status as one of the defining voices of his generation. The Guanajuato musician’s talents are backed by the prowess of Street Mob Records, helmed by Fuerza Regida’s JOP, who has praised him as one of the label’s most talented artists.
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In “Modo Capone,” featuring Drake and JOP of Fuerza Regida, fans experience the Toronto superstar singing solely in Spanish, channeling his “Champaign Papi” persona once again, but this time stepping into corridos territory.
Beyond the star-studded features, each track from Chino Pacas’ debut album tells a story, whether it’s about personal struggles, his ambitions, or the day-to-day life in the barrios of Guanajuato where he grew up. The opener, “Smith,” plunges into a world of excess and indulgence, depicted through sharp visuals of “Dom Pérignon,” “pretty faces” and “el reventón” (or bustling parties).
On the other hand, “Morena Canela,” where Pacas shifts to a more personal narrative, paints vivid pictures of desire and decadence, showcasing his skill in blending informal, conversational language with poetic imagery.
Below, Chino Pacas breaks down five essential songs from his new album, in his own words.
“Smith” with Junior H & Fuerza Regida
“Smith” is with my colleagues, with Jesús Ortiz Paz from Fuerza Regida and Junior H, [the latter] who is originally from the same state [Guanajuato] as me. We put this song at number one because I really like it. I felt it was going there, at number one. Smith is a comrade from Mexico, a character, to whom the song was written. We were the interpreters and the writer is Miguel Armenta [among others].
“Modo Capone” with Drake & Fuerza Regida
Drake texted me on Instagram and told me he wanted a corrido for himself and a corrido with me. From there we started working. We sent him several songs including that one, which was the one that stuck. They were thinking and decided to include someone else from the regional Mexican music scene who was on top, so we included Fuerza Regida.
[When I saw Drake’s message] the truth is that I was like, not like in shock, but I was more surprised than anything. When we were recording the song “Modo Capone” in the studio, he, Jesús Ortiz, and I in Houston, we were guiding him so that he could do the vocals. You can really feel the professionalism and it was a very cool vibe. What I always like in all my songs is that chemistry happens and this one was no exception.
“El Gordo Trae el Mando”
This is one of the most important songs of my career, it was the first one we released and the first one that reached the linking of many people. It went viral. This song meant a lot to me too. Many people became aware of my music and after that song, many things changed. [The last year] has been a lot of learning and a lot of work.
“Pues Podemos” with Turo Pacas
The truth is this song is one of the most badass songs on this album. It is the first song that people see me singing with my brother. What I like about this song is that it was a 50/50 split effort — it is a combination of his tastes and my tastes. In the lyrics too and the composition — what he sings, he wrote and what I sing, I wrote. The song, just like the title says, is about how we can. We can do it and we did it.
“Dijeron Que No La Iba a Lograr”
It’s [the song with] the one I identify with the most. I was writing “El Gordo Trae el Mando” [two years ago] with the same chords, the same tone, and that’s where “Dijeron Que No Lo Iba a Lo Lograr” came from. The song is about that, that I wasn’t going to make it, and we were writing it without having made it.
Check out the full album below:
Chino Pacas
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From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
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Selena’s Legacy Endures
At the top of the week, President Joe Biden presented the 2022 and 2023 National Medals of Honor and National Humanities Medals during a ceremony held Monday (Oct. 21) at the East Room in the White House followed by a reception. The National Medals of Art honorees included the late Queen of Tex-Mex, Selena Quintanilla, in addition to Steven Spielberg, Alex Katz, Jo Carole Lauder, Mark Bradford, Spike Lee, Queen Latifah, and Bruce Cohen.
“We are excited to announce that Selena will be honored with the prestigious National Medal of Arts by President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden at the White House this evening. This remarkable achievement celebrates Selena’s enduring impact on her music and legacy,” read the official announcement on Selena’s Instagram account. Her sister and Los Dinos member, Suzette Quintanilla, accepted the medal on her behalf.
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Erika Ender’s TalenPro Gala
TalenPro 2024’s Grand Finale took place this week, celebrating eight finalists on their artistic performance and social impact through the restoration and equipping of 12 inclusive educational centers across Panama. Erika Ender, creator of TalenPro and president of Fundación Puertas Abiertas, announced at the event that more than 8,000 Panamanians were benefited throughout the TalenPro 2024 process.
This year’s jury included Carlos Ponce, Karina Banda, Johnny Lozada, and Andy Clay, among others. Each of the winners—in categories such as best song, best dance group, and best audiovisual, to name a few—received a full university scholarship, in accordance with IFARHU regulations. Other prizes included a new car to the tutor teacher of the year. Special tributes of the evening went out to Milly Quezada, Debi Nova, and boxer Roberto Dúran.
According to a press statement, TalenPro (TALENt with PURPOse) is a Guinness World Records holder for “being the Largest Social/Global Development Project Competition. It is an annual student competition that promotes talent and purpose among the youth of Panama.” See Ender’s heartfelt post here.
Karol G Re-Opens a School
In other uplifting news, Karol G’s foundation, “Con Cora,” reopened the Colegio Arenys de Mar school in Medellin after two years of restoration and beautification efforts. In December 2022, the school suffered severe damage due to heavy rains that caused the collapse of the retention wall next to the Iguaná stream. With the help of the community, the foundation successfully reconstructed the school’s infrastructure that includes a new retention wall, renovated classrooms, remodeled bathrooms, and a new playground.
“I am proud to be part of this project and to contribute to positive change in a community so close to my heart,” expressed Karol G, in a statement. The Colombian artist was in attendance at the inaugural event. “A quality education is key for children to pursue their dreams. I hope each student remains curious, because education not only opens doors but also transforms lives,” she said.
A Heartfelt Tribute to Liam Payne
Five artists from Ecuador have joined forces to pay tribute to the late Liam Payne, just days after his unexpected passing. In a collaboration post on Instagram, Johan Vera, Mar Rendon, Ñusta Picuasi, Ren Kai, and Johnta are beautifully harmonizing to One Direction’s “Story of My Life.” “Rest in Peace, Liam Payne,” notes the caption alongside a heart emoji. Payne died on Oct. 16 at age 31 after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he shares with ex-partner Cheryl Cole.