Before Pitbull made ¡Dále! famous, my dad would shout “¡Dásela nene!” on the dance floor when he was ready to bust a move. It means, “Go for it, kid,” or better yet, “Show them how it’s done!”. He used it to flaunt his dancing skills and energy. He wasn’t a great dancer and had a bad knee, but that’s beside the point and what I loved about him. He was a proud man and believed in himself and rooted for the ones he loved because they were a part of him. My dad taught us to be proud of who we are and where we come from, while my mom taught us to be humble and not to brag, which, looking back, was a good mix. He would be so happy about this site if he were here today. Not just because I’m his child (which was enough for him) but because it shows who and where I come from. 

I come from a long line of happy and strong Puerto Ricans (and some characters too), which is something I say with pride. When I was a little girl, he quizzed me on the names of the root veggies growing in the “finquita” in the backyard. “What’s this?” he would ask me. I would say, “ñame, yautía, yuca” and so on. After I aced the quiz (you’re welcome), he put some Puerto Rican dirt in my hand and said, “THIS is where you come from; never forget that!” It’s been long since he left us, and I don’t live on the island anymore. But just like the huge love for my dad fills my heart, the roots of my Puerto Rican culture and upbringing live deep in my soul, and I’m glad to share it with anyone who can connect with it or enjoy it. 

That’s what inspired ¡Dásela nena! in this collection. It’s one of our family’s favorite sayings when remembering him and a way of showing love and support for each other and our goals. It is also good to show off, whether we’re good at them or not. The joy we have in the things we care about is what counts. Who cares what others think; what matters is how you feel about yourself. You gotta root for yourself to keep it moving.  

So, if this blog entry speaks to you, whether you’re from Boricua roots or another background, and you’re proud of who and where you are, then ¡Dásela! We’re happy for you, too!