TRUE TO FORM, AMIGO ASS. FINDS FREE ANNOUNCEMENT DIGS

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

If you headed over to Texas Southmost College  ITEC Building at Amigoland Mall learn who the the Mr. Amigo Association (MAA) had picked as Mr. Amigo on the first year since the association parted ways with the Charro Days organization's events traditionally held in February, you probably saw that the location had been changed at he last minute.

Reluctant to pay the college a rental and security fee to host the event, they turned instead to the good offices of the Brownsville Fine Arts Museum which is currently hosting a lucha libre exhibit. (Do we detect the hand of MAA board member and lucha libre enthusiast Arturo "Turi" Treviño here? And is he the same Trevino that investigators named in their probe who was renting a house where asylum seekers were being extorted?).

The museum – which is subsidized with city funds – did not charge the MAA a fee for hosting the announcement, which suits the organization just fine since they will spend most of the revenue from their Taste of La Frontera fundraiser to send a select delegation to wine and dine and present the recognition to singer-songwriter Alexander Acha Aleman, known to Mexican soap opera fans of the early 2000s for songs such as Te Amo, Amor Sincero, Mujeres and ¿Y Quién Es Ella?  

He will be the 58th Mr. Amigo named by the organization. His father is legendary singer Emmanuel. The MAA site says that Acha "a young, talented individual with a somewhat familiar face and voice" with an uncanny resemblance  to his famous father.

His songs have been heard in popular Mexican novelas such as Valientes, Mucho Corazon and Un Refugio para el Amor. His many intros on Mexican television made his voice a well-known name during the early 2000s.

Acha was also in the popular singing competition La Academia as a mentor where he performed alongside his students.

The Mr. Amigo Association was incorporated in early 1964. The first Mr. Amigo celebration was held on October 12, 1964 at the Fort Brown Memorial Center and honored former President of Mexico, Lic. Miguel Aleman. In 1969, they piggybacked on the annual Charro Days celebration to reach a wider audience. This year, they decided to end the relationship and go at it alone. 

But their use of the museum's facilities shows that they prefer the free use of city facilities and assets to subsidize their independence.

Unlike past Mr. Amigo announcements, no city officials other than city commissioner Roy de los Santos showed up at the sparsely-attended affair. In all, maybe 20 people showed up at the museum. Several minor dignitaries from Matamoros, including the mayor's wife,  showed up.

According to the MAA website, they select an "individual who promotes the improvement of the quality of life in the Hispanic Community and stands as a role model for citizens of the United States and Mexico. The recipient must also be a Mexican citizen who has contributed to the friendship and understanding of the U.S. and Mexico, and has excelled in their profession, exemplifying the highest standards in their personal and professional life."

In the photo above, MMA president Graciela Salazar makes the announcement.