Telenovelas:

Hispanic countries are all full of diversity, and no one is like the other, despite all having the same language in common. However, one thing any Hispanic country can relate to are telenovelas. The word “telenovela” comes from the genre of being a novel (novela) performed on screen/television (tele). A Spanish equivalent to soap operas, telenovelas are always defined by their over-dramatic romances. The complex plot twists involving common themes of revenge and familial drama, leading up to the final, happy ending, were what originally resulted in widespread viewership of the genre in all Hispanic countries. The presence of telenovelas has been a staple in Hispanic households for generations now, uniting Hispanic nations though pure nostalgia.

Looking back on telenovelas today, it is evident that in the last decade or so, the genre has come a long way. The original telenovelas are now being called out as antiquated as many of them portray sexist ideals, with common plot lines of a lower class woman being “saved” by a wealthy man. Equally numerous telenovelas have long had solely light-skinned lead actors. Thankfully, in the last decade, there have been many developments in the genre, and more inclusive stories have commonly been depicted. One example of a telenovela that has rejected the patriarchal plot of a woman being “saved” by a man is Telemundo’s “La Reina del Sur,” a Spanish telenovela telling the story of Teresa Mendoza, a woman who deals with grief by becoming one of the world’s most powerful self-made drug lords. Another revolutionary telenovela is Netflix’s “The House of Flowers,” a story set (as well as filmed and produced) in Mexico, revolving around the upper-class de la Mora family. The show is one of the genre’s first to include multiple LGBTQ+ leading characters, molding a promising future for the genre. Considering how telenovelas are expected to reflect Hispanic peoples, it is reassuring to see a more diverse demographic appearing, showing the masses just how unique and varied Latinx culture can be. By replacing the antiquated shows of the past with ones like “La Reina del Sur” and “House of Flowers”, telenovelas have been able to maintain their relevance, securing their place as a treasure in Hispanic culture for many decades to come.

One thing that telenovelas undoubtedly deserve credit for is providing representation of Latinx people to non-Latin countries, such as the United States. Most of the successful telenovelas in Spanish were turned into American replicas, which still starred Latinx actors but took place in the United States. Though it seems strange to keep remaking a show, these American adaptations were one of the first ways Hispanic culture was showcased in US television. For example, “Yo Soy Betty, la Fea,” a telenovela from Colombia, was made into ABC’s show “Ugly Betty” starring America Ferrera in 2006. The show was one of very few shows in the United States at the time that starred a Latina as the main character, and it quickly picked up success just as well as the Spanish original, “Yo Soy Betty, la Fea”, so much so that Ferrara became the first ever Latina to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Show. A more recent example, The CW’s adaptation of the Venezuelan “Juana la Virgen”, “Jane the Virgin,” starring Gina Rodriguez, is undoubtedly the most successful American adaptation of a telenovela since “Ugly Betty.”

The American telenovela has reached a diverse audience across the country, even here at PHS, where students can be heard avidly speaking about their investment in the show;

“There are all these plot twists and so much drama that it keeps you watching,” said Melody Strum ‘25, which goes to show just how much Hispanic telenovela culture has evolved North American culture in recent years, and not just that of Latin Americans.

Not only has the show spread Hispanic representation by being binge-watched by masses around the world, but it also has been exceptionally educational, teaching lessons on telenovelas to its viewers. The importance of telenovelas in Hispanic culture is conveyed in “Jane the Virgin” through the character Rogelio (Jane’s father), a telenovela star, and lessons on how to analyze and understand telenovelas and their most common plotlines are conveyed through the third person narrator’s analytical storytelling. With telenovelas like “Ugly Betty” and “Jane the Virgin,” Hispanic-American people have been given more screen time and representation in the United States’ media, and on the televisions of students here at PHS. The presence of these shows gives hope for greater education on Hispanic culture in the United States.

Aside from telenovelas, dance is another facet of Hispanic culture that has made an impact on our lives. For years, dance has been used and passed down through multiple generations in Latino culture. It can be a form of celebration for occasions such as weddings and birthdays. It brings people of all ages together and continues traditions that are specific to certain countries and their culture.

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through the many aspects of Hispanic culture, much of this commemoration is expressed through dance. PHS’s club Latinos Unidos will be performing their own choreography for an assembly on October 18.

Latinos Unidos, a group that celebrates the cultures and traditions of the Latinx community, is presenting the Hispanic Heritage Month assembly. For many, it is a welcoming and positive experience that unites Latinos at PHS. It is a space where students with similar interests can share their experiences, even if they come from different Latino backgrounds. Hispanic Heritage Month is an important time for everyone to become closer with the Latino community, appreciate its culture, and share it with others.

“It’s a collection of various dances that are prominent and well-known in most spanish-speaking countries,” says Regina Sakar ’24.

A dance routine has been created by Sakar and Ozzy Morales ’25, which their group practices during lunch to ensure that everyone involved has the steps down before adding in new ones. For Sakar, dancing and choreographing have become some of her favorite pastimes. This performance is meant to represent various well-known dances from Hispanic countries.

“Preparing for this dance has been relatively fast-paced as we have only practiced for about a week so far,” said Sakar. “We’re excited to finalize the dance as we get closer to the performance date.” With the help of Morales’ prior knowledge about Hispanic dance, a few reference videos online, and other members of the club, the two were able to create their own dance that reflected elements of Spanish culture while also demonstrating their own style.

“When it comes to dances like merengue, cumbia, and bachata, the meaning ultimately comes down to just having fun and letting the music bring our community together,” Sakar shared.

The routine is filled with rhythm, passion, and connecting with whoever is around you. Some types of Hispanic dance can be done more easily, although other types can be very challenging if they include quick movements such as rapid turns. Furthermore, dances that include partnerwork tend to be more intricate and complex. Some dancers devote their life's work to training in Hispanic dance. It is very influential, considering that the music and steps that are used have also been incorporated into current pop music and dance styles. For example, there can be some connections between Reggae and Reggaeton music through their beat and rhythm.

The Latinos Unidos dance performance was a captivating display of Latinx culture, as dance is so integral to their expression and traditions.