Friday, September 16, 2011: WOW Sam! I knew this stretch of three days was going to be long, but today made it worth every second. Today is the day our documentary for the San Diego news is being filmed. I am excited about the opportunity and shedding light on the topic. I wish it would get more news coverage than it does.
The day started at the border. I met the reporter and the cameraman there. We took a taxi to La Mesa Prison as planned. The story started there and as we drove to Adriana Coronel Tenorio’s (AKA Adriana Howitt Coronel, Ari Coronel, Ari Coronel Tenorio, Ari Howitt, Ari Howitt Coronel) house, we talked about the whole story from beginning to end. When we got to the house, Isaias Palomeque’s (AKA Isaias Uzziel Palomeque, Isaias Palomeque Vergara, Project Manager at DJO Global) truck was right in front of the house. Good. Hope he’s there too. The cameraman set up the right across the street. Given he is a big man, there was no way we did not get Adriana’s attention. We recorded ½ the interview there. As we were wrapping up a segment the reporter wanted to interview Adriana. We assumed she was home because we saw movement with the curtains in the front window. They wanted to see what was going on for sure.
All of a sudden the garage door opens and Adriana’s car darts out of the garage. She knew we were there and almost ran over the cameraman as she sped away. That was no accident. Naturally cameras were rolling. I hope that scene makes the cut.
The other ½ of the interview was done at Alicia and Carlos’ office. Afterwards we went to lunch, but not before one curious hotel employee asked us why we were filming. The reporter told him and his response was rather curious and probably a window as to why the issue of Parental Child Abduction is so pervasive in Mexico. The guy told us that while a native Mexican mother may have children that are dual citizens, Mexicans consider the child to be Mexican and not Mexican-American or whatever else the dual citizenship is. He did not say it was right. In fact he said “it’s messed up”. We pondered the comments over lunch. Is it a window into the ignorance of the parental abduction epidemic as a whole? Or acceptance of a situation that is a tragic one for all involved knowing Mexico’s dismal record in correcting such issues?
It was during lunch that I found out the reporter was the victim of parental child abduction when she was a child. Born in Venezuela, her father abducted her and took her to his native Bolivia. She was lucky, she was returned to her mother after 4-months thanks to family pressure. She understands all too well the impact this has on children and left behind parents. It certainly shaped who she is today and you can feel that passion behind the story. Not sure when this will air on TV. I will let you know when it does.
Great day today Sam! Our story is finally getting out there. I LOVE YOU!
