They Pretty Boy of Salsa

Astrid Pizarro

Nov. 16, 2011

Group 1

            Ismael Miranda is known as the Pretty Boy of Salsa however he is an example of how dreams do come true. He was born in Aguada, Puerto Rico and as a child he always wanted to be a musician.

His interest in music led him to form two groups, “The 4J’s and Little Junior” and “The Class Mates.”  “My career started when I was thirteen years old with different musical groups,” Miranda said.

            At the age of seventeen, he made his first recording with a song called, “Let’s Ball” with Joey Pastrana. For Miranda, it is an accomplishment, “My first recording at the age of seventeen because it is not common in the genre.” He left a good impression on the band’s leader, Larry Harlow that he was recruited as his lead singer.

“At nineteen being part of the most influential and important musical organizations of salsa music ‘La Fania,’” is what Miranda considers a big step in his musical career. Fania All Stars toured in Europe, Asia and Latin America as well.

His wife Janice Battle stated, “I admire that he maintains his voice intact and gives it his all in each concert as if it was his first.” Battle mentioned that she was a fan before she even got married to Ismael.

Miranda has traveled in different parts of the worlds like Japan, Africa, and even Germany. When it came to visiting these amazing places with his music, Ismael felt “Their acceptance was amazing, not only did it surprise me that they liked my music but that they were singing along and knew the lyrics.”

Ismael has had a wonderful career including eighty seven productions. He believes the key behind his success has been learning how to respect and love the audience. “This helps me prepare to give them the best,” Miranda said.

“He’s wonderful to work with and he is a very humble person,” said Joydi Michelle who has worked and interviewed Ismael Miranda. His humility is one of the things that makes him stand out.

Ismael Miranda is truly an example of how dreams come true and expand further than we can imagine. He always wanted to be a musician and accomplished it with tremendous success.

Higher Education means Higher Salary
Astrid Pizarro
Nov. 8, 2011
Group 1


     To show the relationship between higher education and higher salaries, the U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau has a report with a new study that shows that adults over 18 years old with a Bachelor's Degree earn an average of $45,687 a year. However, those that only have a high school diploma earn an average of $24,572.

     The Educational Attainment in the United States: P20-153 includes:

• 84 percent of adults over 25 years old complete high school but only 26 percent had a Bachelor's Degree or higher. 
• The rate for young adults from 25-29 years old that completed high school was 88 percent with only 28 percent of them earning a college degree.
• The rate of college completion for young women was higher than for young men at 30 and 28 percent.

     "Given the very large differences in education between younger and older age groups, the attainment level of the total population will continue to rise for some time, as younger, more educated age groups replace older, less educated ones," said Eric Newburger, co-author of the report.

     The report shows those that with a higher education earn a higher salary. However, there is a higher percentage of high school completion compared to the percentage of those with a Bachelor's Degree and higher. It also brings out the importance of having a higher education rather than just a high school diploma.

     Francesca Fey, a Valencia College student expressed, "I need to seek a higher education for my major, Broadcast Media, because it keeps my mind active and challenged and in the end college graduates tend to earn more money."

The Right Care For You
Astrid Pizarro

     Orlando, Fla.- Do you have any questions about MediCare or its coverage? If so, Preferred Marketing Consultants is here to help you. Carlos Pizarro, a consultant for the organization, mentioned on Oct. 31 about the company and its services.

"Preferred Marketing Consultants helps you clear up any questions you might have about MediCare coverage and health insurance in order for you to decide which plan is the best for you," expressed Pizarro about the service they provide.

The atmosphere of the event was very informative as Carlos Pizarro mentions that many people don't have the right kind of insurance for them. Juan Rivera, 66, "After today, I realized that the insurance I have is not the right one for me and I'll be using their services in order to see which plans fits best for me."

Pizarro also stated that he does home visitations for those that do not have transportation to the appointments. "Most appointments take about one to two hours in order to talk about benefits, the company and any questions."

Norma Santos, 68, "I am glad I attended the event, now I am more informed thanks to Mr. Pizarro and I will get an appointment to talk with a consultant."

Carlos Pizarro talked about Family Physicians Group, how they offer transportation to doctor appointments as well as the pick-up of prescriptions for those that do not have a way to get those.

The event and the services that Preffered Marketing Consultants are helpful to those that have MediCare insurance or those that do not have insurance and are looking for one that fits their situation.

Aside from consultations and house calls, Pizarro is also in a morning program in the Spanish Radio Station "La Estacion de la Familia" (The Family Station) in which he talks more about the service the company has as well as questions that the public may have about their medical insurance.