Today, November 22nd, the Puerto Rican poet and singer-songwriter turns 81 and is going through a difficult time in his life.
Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Antonio Cabán Vale “El Topo.”
Photo: Archive / NotiCel
“La Borinqueña” is our national wine. It is the symbol of our homeland and its lyrics and chords remind us of the blessing of being Puerto Rican every time it is sung.
The other emblematic poetry that accompanies it is “Verde Luz”, born in 1966 and described by many as the second anthem of Puerto Rico.
Its author is Antonio Cabán Vale “El Topo”, a composer who turns 81 today, November 22nd, and whose life, now in this final phase, hits him hard from different sides.
Since he suffered a stroke in 2021, “El Topo’s” health has been an issue.
A few days ago his name resurfaced, not because of his successes back then, but because of what is doing him great harm today.
As Wapa TV reports, “El Topo’s” health is deteriorating. And the conditions in which he lives in his residence on Avenida Roosevelt in Hato Rey are not the best, not to mention that he is allegedly looked after by his son, Adean Cabán Butter.
Several Puerto Rican musicians yesterday recognized the legacy of “El Topo” and believe that the best gift for this Puerto Rican singer-songwriter is a better quality of life.
For us, “El Topo” is our musical teacher. Our hero. We all learned from him and shared with him, both in person and on stage. “He is an extremely humble person and deserves the attention of his Puerto Rico today,” said Ricky Laureano, guitarist, singer and composer of the renowned Puerto Rican rock band Fiel a la Vega.
“I think the best gift you can give him today is good medical treatment to alleviate his suffering. He has already received many honors, all of which are well deserved. But from what I have seen, his condition is precarious and the most important thing is health. Giving him quality of life is the best gift for him,” he added.
Current status of Antonio Cabán Vale “El Topo”.
Photo: Screenshot / WAPA
The last time “El Topo” shared the stage with Fiel a la Vega was at the “Fiel y sus Amigos” concert in 2011 at the Caguas Botanical Garden. There they played together Cabán Vale’s hit “Las Manos del Campo”, a song sung by great singers such as the Puerto Rican Lucecita Benítez.
Related story: El Topo celebrates 50 years of Verde Luz
It was precisely with the composition of “Las Manos del Campo” in 1975, a song inspired by the future dream that children would be the ones who cultivate with their hands the land of a new Puerto Rico, that “El Topo” was a new one Generation welcome means singing their songs even today.
“As Puerto Ricans, “El Topo” is a symbolic figure of our culture,” commented Manatieño musician Iván Rivera, well-known in the Nueva Trova scene.
“Verde Luz is a second anthem. It is sung even more often than ‘La Borinqueña’. It is a musical reference and the first thing I heard as a musician at the time when I was influenced by Hazando Punto en Otro Son and Roy.” Brown, the It was my journey through music. But the most important thing about “El Topo” is that he always maintained the message of being Puerto Rican, and as a poet he is very great. He is at the level of the greats of Latin America. Also: “He’s left-handed like me. I know his health is poor, but I think we have a lot to thank him for. If we wait until now to help him, I hope that as much as possible can be done,” he said.
Cabán Vale’s health has deteriorated in recent years. He was even admitted to a nursing home where he received treatment. On Tuesday, San Juan Parish Community Development Program Manager Carmen Ortiz reported that the musician’s son had refused to continue receiving community services since April 2022.
This week, “El Topo” hopes that this homeland, for which he has sung thousands of times, will rise up in his name to extend his stay on earth and continue his “Poppy,” the “Green Light,” of “Antonia “to enjoy”, and the “80-year-old Mocano”, who is now 81 years old.
Related Story: Prayer for the Health of Antonio Cabán Vale “El Topo”
© 360 TELECOM CORPORATION