From Mexico City to Los Angeles, Making it BIG in the Fashion Industry! By Mayte Rodriguez Cedillo Photos by: Daniel Graham Mexico Traveler (MT): Where were you born? Will Franco (WF): I was born in Mexico City but was raised in Oaxaca and Guanajuato, Mexico. MT: What did you study? WF: I started studying accounting in Mexico and then decided to move to the U.S. for more opportunities. MT: What did you do when you moved to the U.S.? WF: I started by studying English as a second language and continued studying accounting at Cal State University in Los Angeles. Soon thereafter I realized that I ..read more

An amazing event for the 21st San Diego International Film Festival By Mayté Rodríguez Cedillo Photos by Fernando Favela & courtesy of the SDIFF Andy Garcia, Regina Hall, Lisa Ann Walter and Tony Hale were honored at the Night of the Stars Tribute of the San Diego International Film Festival at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla, on October 20th. And what a night it was! A BIG congratulations to Tonya Mantooth; CEO and Artistic Director of SDIFF and her entire team.  This is Mantooth’s 11th year at the Helm of 21-year old fest which took place from the 14th – 24th ..read more

A Bucket-List Must! By Mayté Rodríguez Cedillo Mexico Traveler was invited to attend a special dinner where we had an opportunity to savor some of Yucatan’s most succulent dishes, such as pulpo in recado negro, cochinita pibil, relleno negro and masapan de almendra, all in honor of the newly launched “Yucatan is Flavor” campaign by our friend, the brilliant, Minister of Tourism of Yucatan, Ms. Michelle Fridman.  Honored also by the presence of Mexico’s Consulate General Mr. Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez and chefs Flor Granados and Pedro Medina.  The celebration took place yesterday at ..read more

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita by Pat Tyson and Mayté Rodríguez Cedillo Whatever the raison d’être, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita Mexico is the ideal destination for anyone in search of an escape to a private slice of paradise, hence why we have selected it as an Amazing Destination! Opened on September 1, 1999, the resort is located within the 1,500-acre master-planned development; the property gives Four Seasons its first resort in Mexico and its second vacation ownership venture. The property includes 141 guest rooms, called Casita Rooms, and 32 suites that range from Executive Suites wi ..read more

Anthony Bourdain He has no Reservations about the Cuisine in Baja California text by Pat Tyson photos courtesy the Travel Channel Anthony Bourdain, host of the popular Travel Channel series “No Reservations,” has traveled the world, tasting its finest cuisines and making observations on the planet’s most exotic dishes. However, the American chef discovered new experiences awaited him on his first trip to Baja Califor nia—which was, he claims, “a real education.” Tijuana is in the beginning phases of reinventing itself, he found. His guide, also named Tony, explained that “it’s now about the l ..read more

Robert Redford He Has a Close History with Mexico by Pat Tyson photos by Kristina Loggia and Calvin Knight “I do think the people of Mexico and their history have been part of my life since I was a child,” explains Robert Redford, the charismatic actor, director and environmentalist who is beloved by people all over the world. Originally named Charles Robert Redford, Jr., or Bob – as he is known to his close friends – was born August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, and grew up in a working-class community where his family was one of the few anglo families in a Mexican neighborhood. “I ..read more

¡Q’Viva! The Chosen A Celebration of the Best of Latin America’s Culture and Talent by Karin Leperi and Mayté Rodriguez Cedillo photos courtesy XIX Entertainment designed by Kerrie Briggs ¡Q’Viva! The Chosen is a new reality-based television series that searches for authentic, genuine and talented entertainers throughout Latin America – from Mexico and the Caribbean to the tip of South America. Along the way, superstar artists, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony and acclaimed show producer and choreographer, Jamie King; identify, select, and ultimately chose talent to perform in a final Las Veg ..read more

Maria Conchita Alonso Actress, Singer, Songwriter, Activist and Producer—She Does it All! text by Pat Tyson photos by José Luis Lozano With her sensual voice, Maria Conchita Alonso has mesmerized audiences for three decades. This internationally known, multi-talented Latina was on the move this past year, with concerts in Colombia, Miami and Mexico and will be again performing in Guadalajara this coming June 17th. “In the summer I am doing a musical in Miami, Menopause, in Spanish,” she enthuses. “The idea is to tour in the US cities where there are more Latinos, and end in Off- Broadway next ..read more

Lucille Wong Mastering a Silent Language text by Sylvia Mendoza photos by Miguel Méndez Díaz and Octavio Wong Somewhere between bright colors and soft hues, free flowing abstracts and pronounced definition, “East meets West” in a culture clash that makes the art of Lucille Wong speak its own language. Whether she’s working on themes revolving around landscapes and nature, volcanoes and horses, nudes and human figures or using Sumi-E or abstract formats, one thing is for sure—art is a way of expressing thoughts and concepts—and of finding her place in a world where the paintbrush is her microp ..read more

Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez This Summer’s Blockbuster Concert Tour by Tamar Alexia Fleishman photos by Manu Rivera At the end of April, Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez announced that they would be co-headlining a U.S./Canadian tour together; the international press had a field day. The upcoming series of concerts have the potential to break all kinds of attendance records. The reasons are easy to understand. Unlike musicians who have a limited regional or generational appeal, both Iglesias and Lopez are A-list celebrities on a global scale. Their Latino heritage reaches to a broad ..read more