AGP Executive Report

Miss Universe Puerto Rico: Seventeen contestants are visiting the island ahead of November’s 75th-anniversary pageant, with Jennifer Barreto hosting a showcase of Puerto Rico’s culture, food and attractions. Latin Music Business: EMPIRE hired Puerto Rico-based executive Emilio Morales to build partnerships across Latin America, while Wisin signed with WME as he looks to expand beyond music. Stage Spotlight: Cirque du Soleil shared details of “Le Lo Lai,” a Puerto Rico-inspired production expected to bring a multimillion-dollar impact; Rubén Blades’ musical “Maestra Vida” is also set to make its first stop in Puerto Rico. Film and Heritage: Puerto Rico is counting on “Esta isla” in the race for the Goya Awards, and percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo has received the nation’s highest honor in traditional arts.

Miss Universe: Seventeen contestants are visiting Puerto Rico through Oct. 9, with reigning island titleholder Jennifer Barreto serving as host ahead of November’s 75th-anniversary pageant. Theater: “Maestra Vida,” the musical inspired by Rubén Blades’ work, is making its first stop in Puerto Rico. Local Flavors: Harina y Chocolate Cortés have teamed up on two new cookies inspired by Puerto Rican hot chocolate and quesitos, now available in Bayamón and Guaynabo. Stage & Music: Cirque du Soleil has shared details of “Le lo Lai,” a production inspired by Puerto Rico. Jay Wheeler also announced his “La Voz Favorita” world tour, while Wisin signed with WME as he looks to expand beyond music. Film: Puerto Rico is counting on “Esta isla” in the race for the Goya Awards.

Puerto Rican Flavors in Cookies: Harina y Chocolate Cortés teamed up with Dough to launch two permanent cookies in Bayamón and Guaynabo—Chocolate Caliente (hot-chocolate inspired) and Choco Quesito (chocolate puff pastry with cheese filling). Caribbean Stage Buzz: Cirque du Soleil announced “Le Lo Lai,” an original production inspired by Puerto Rican culture, set for a limited run of 30 shows at the Coca-Cola Music Hall in Distrito T-Mobile. Local Arts Spotlight: “Maestra Vida, The Rubén Blades Musical” makes its first stop in Puerto Rico, bringing the story and music of the iconic artist to the island. Food & Culture: Forbes’ 2026 cookbook picks include Puerto Rican cooking, adding more spotlight to island cuisine. Travel Update: A Delta flight from San Juan to Boston was diverted to Bermuda due to a medical emergency, then continued later the same day.

Puerto Rico in the spotlight: Cirque du Soleil is bringing “Le Lo Lai,” an original production inspired by Puerto Rican culture, for a limited run of 30 shows at the Coca-Cola Music Hall in Distrito T-Mobile. Caribbean travel & entertainment: Silversea just unveiled its winter 2028-2029 Caribbean program, including round-trip departures from San Juan and a standout Canouan beach day with local dancers and a steel band. Music & faith in San Juan: “Clamor a Dios” filled the Puerto Rico Capitol grounds with Christian worship music, and dBTechnologies VIO line arrays helped cover a massive outdoor audience during heavy rain. On the move: Delta Flight 1780, traveling from San Juan to Boston, diverted to Bermuda after a passenger reported breathing difficulties linked to asthma—then safely continued the trip. Local culture & community: Puerto Rico’s official candidate for the Goya Awards is “Esta Isla,” keeping island cinema in the conversation. Media & skills: The Caribbean Journalism Seminar 2026 (RAPP) focused on using AI responsibly in journalism, with hands-on workshops for reporters.

Puerto Rico Public Health: The Puerto Rico Public Health Institute (PRPHI) just won an Excel Award for its emergency preparedness campaign “Neighbor, Are You Ready? Plan Today, Act Tomorrow,” built to help communities respond to extreme heat. Roads & Local Life: Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced $114.4M for road resurfacing across 42 municipalities, including major work on PR-111 (Utuado), the Panoramic Route, PR-2 (Arecibo), PR-3 (Humacao) and PR-177 (Guaynabo). San Juan Travel: A new Hilton-area stay is coming: Hampton by Hilton San Juan is taking reservations starting Nov. 1, with a shuttle to Old San Juan, Escambrón Beach and Distrito T-Mobile. Music & Pride: Puerto Rican singer Anthony Ramos will headline “Noches de Familia” at Nublu in NYC (Nov. 25, Dec. 2, Dec. 9). Urban Culture: Wisin signed with WME for representation as he looks to expand beyond music. Food & Tourism: Ponce officially opened La Guancha Food Park after a $2M investment.

Public Health Spotlight: The Puerto Rico Public Health Institute (PRPHI) just won an Excel Award for its “Neighbor, Are You Ready? Plan Today, Act Tomorrow” emergency preparedness campaign, built to help communities respond to extreme heat. Roads & Infrastructure: Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced $114.4 million for road resurfacing and safety upgrades across 42 municipalities through DTOP agreements. New Hotel in San Juan: Hilton’s new Hampton by Hilton San Juan is taking reservations starting Nov. 1, with a shuttle connecting guests to Old San Juan, Escambrón Beach, and Distrito T-Mobile. Music Night in NYC: Anthony Ramos is set to headline “Noches de Familia” at Nublu in three dates this November and December. Local Food & Tourism: Ponce officially opened La Guancha Food Park after a $2 million investment, adding 16 kiosks for local merchants. Reggaeton News: Wisin signed with WME to expand beyond music and reach new audiences. Tourism Trend Watch: Hilton’s 2027 report says travelers want flexible “micro-trips” and wellness-focused stays—good news for Puerto Rico’s short-excursion plans.

Puerto Rico in the spotlight: Puerto Rican percussion legend Giovanni Hidalgo received the 2026 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship, honoring his lifetime work with congas and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. Music & culture: Young Miko brought big Puerto Rican pride to Austin City Limits, while Horizontes on KUTX is dedicating this week’s show to the late Roberto Riggio, mixing Latin sounds from Puerto Rico and beyond. Beauty pageants: Miss Universe Hong Kong 2026 winner Jen Zhou will represent Hong Kong at the 75th Miss Universe in San Juan on Nov. 24. Local entertainment buzz: The Bizarre Bazaar Tattoo Convention returned to Marietta, with artists traveling from places including Puerto Rico. Sports with a PR tie: The Golden Jaguars face Dominica in the CONCACAF Nations League at Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Food safety: Frozen berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s were recalled over possible E. coli contamination, with Puerto Rico listed among affected areas.

Puerto Rico Culture: Giovanni Hidalgo, the island’s conga master, received the 2026 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship, the U.S.’s top honor in folk and traditional arts, celebrating his Afro-Caribbean rhythm legacy. Music & Film Buzz: Pedro Pascal is getting major Oscar-season attention for “Behemoth!” at the New York Film Festival, while Zaccai Curtis’ “Cubop Lives!” spotlights the Cuban-Puerto Rican roots of New York jazz. Live Entertainment: ACL Fest kept the party moving after rain delays, with standout performances and festival schedule reshuffles. Sports (PR on the map): Guyana’s Golden Jaguars face Dominica in the CONCACAF Nations League at Estadio Centroamericano in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Local Health & Safety: Frozen berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s were recalled over possible E. coli contamination, with Puerto Rico included in the affected states. Hospital Spotlight: Puerto Rico’s hospital sector is warning about financing and workforce pressures as it plans for Medicare/Medicaid shifts and new care models. Luxury Travel: Nobu is set to open a Nobu Hotel and Restaurant in San Juan in 2028.

Miss Universe & Culture: Kaziah Liz Mejo is ready to represent Puerto Rico, sharing her love for the island’s bioluminescent bays, mango-with-a-kick flavors, and salsa energy as she gears up for the spotlight. Music Spotlight: Natalia Lafourcade will bring her “Cancionera Tour 2026” to Puerto Rico on Oct. 3 at Coca-Cola Music Hall, with a stage concept built around “La Cancionera” and songs expected from her latest era. Reggaeton & Business: Jowell & Randy’s Randy is expanding into cannabis with La Zaza, aiming to keep Caribbean identity at the center while scaling internationally. Food Safety: Frozen berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s are recalled over possible E. coli contamination, including products shipped to Puerto Rico—check lot codes and “best if used by” dates. Healthcare Focus: Puerto Rico hospitals are warning of financing and workforce pressures as Medicare/Medicaid and new care models reshape operations. Sports: Puerto Rico’s presence was among 23 nations at the Black Bass World Championship, where Team USA took top honors.

Puerto Rico Music & Pride: Natalia Lafourcade is bringing her “Cancionera Tour 2026” to Puerto Rico on Oct. 3 at Coca-Cola Music Hall, with a set built around her “La Cancionera” character and hits like “Hasta la raíz” and “Soledad y el mar.” Latin Entertainment Spotlight: The Critics Choice Association’s Latino celebration honored stars including John Leguizamo and Judy Reyes, pushing the message that representation should match Latino audiences. Global Pop Moment: Bruno Mars’ “The Romantic Tour” hit sold-out SoFi Stadium, with the show spotlighting his Mexican and Puerto Rican roots through mariachi, salsa rhythms, and classic Latin medleys. Public Art Training: Puerto Rico’s Office of Arts & Culture announced the 2026 Public Art Bootcamp cohort, a new in-person program helping artists move from gallery work to public projects. Community Culture: Downtown Reading’s final First Friday block party celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with live Mexican and Puerto Rican music, local food, artisans, and sugar skull making. Health & Food Safety: A frozen berry recall tied to E. coli expanded to include Walmart and Trader Joe’s products shipped to Puerto Rico—check freezer dates.

Music & Culture: Natalia Lafourcade is bringing her “Cancionera Tour 2026” to Puerto Rico on Oct. 3 at Coca-Cola Music Hall, with a set expected to include “Hasta la raíz,” “Soledad y el mar,” and more. Film & Awards: Puerto Rico’s “Esta isla” keeps gaining momentum, now set to compete to represent the island at the Goya Awards. Entertainment Spotlight: The Critics Choice Celebración honored Latino and Hispanic stars, with John Leguizamo taking home a Career Achievement Award and calling for more Latino stories and representation. Local Arts Training: Puerto Rico’s Office of Arts & Culture announced the 2026 Public Art Bootcamp cohort, a new training track for artists moving from galleries to public spaces. Food Safety: A frozen berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak has expanded, including products sold in Puerto Rico. Health/Business Legal Watch: FirstBank Puerto Rico is fighting a class certification bid in an Epstein victims’ suit.

Puerto Rico in the spotlight: Miss Universe India 2026 finalist Kaziah Liz Mejo is gearing up for a Puerto Rico visit that’s all about culture and adventure—she’s especially excited to kayak through the island’s bioluminescent bays and plans to turn it into a “Bollywood moment.” Music & heritage: A Phoenix group is keeping bomba alive, celebrating Puerto Rico’s oldest music movement and its community roots. Awards night (watch from home): The 2026 Hispanic Heritage Awards air Oct. 2 on PBS with Los Tigres del Norte headlining, plus performances from Mon Laferte, Eladio Carrión and Ximena Sariñana. Local arts workshop: Y No Había Luz will run an intensive mask-making workshop in San Juan (Oct. 17–22), blending theater, visual arts and movement. Business with island pride: Wendy’s Puerto Rico just won Best International Market for 2026 and plans to open 10 more restaurants. Entertainment news: Tyler Perry has listed his $57M Beverly Hills estate as he prepares to move to Puerto Rico.

Mask-Making Workshop: Puerto Rico’s Y No Había Luz is bringing “Construcción de Máscaras” to San Juan, an Oct. 17–22 intensive where participants build and paint theatrical masks while exploring how ideas become performance tools. Puerto Rico in Pop Culture: TLC and the island’s tourism authority teamed up for a “90 Day: Hunt for Love” sweepstakes running Sept. 28, 2026 to Jan. 25, 2027, with a nearly $5,000 prize package for two winners. Luxury Tourism Buzz: Nobu is planning a new hotel and restaurant in San Juan, targeting a 2028 opening, as Puerto Rico’s luxury hotel occupancy continues to climb. Local Arts & Design: Studio Gang’s Humboldt Park Health Wellness Center won big at Chicago’s Designight 2026, with the project praised for reflecting Puerto Rican heritage. Health & Safety Note: A CDC report flags 72,093 violent deaths in 2023, with suicides the largest share and firearms involved in 58.6%.

Puerto Rico in Film: “Esta Isla” has been named Puerto Rico’s official candidate for the Goya Awards in the Best Ibero-American Film category, marking a big international step for the Lorraine Jones Molina and Cristian Carretero-directed project. Horror Lit: A new Latino horror anthology, “Something Followed Us Home: Tales of Latiné Horror,” brings 17 dark stories from Latin American authors, including a Puerto Rico-set tale featuring undead tourists. Music Milestone: Aventura and Don Omar’s “Ella y Yo” just hit YouTube’s Billion Views Club, keeping the reggaeton-bachata classic blazing. Local Arts & Culture: At the Schomburg Center in New York, Puerto Rican organizers urged City Council to resist colonial-style control as they discussed how public libraries and services are being pressured. Opinion/Community: A Puerto Rico op-ed argues the island can’t be asked to survive another crisis alone, pointing to water and infrastructure failures after Hurricane María. Business Watch: Puerto Rico retail sales rose to $4,410.5M in July, with growth led by electronics, beauty/perfume, and home improvement stores.

Puerto Rico Culture on Tour: Puerto Rican drum-and-dance group Bomba de Aquí opens the Strand Theatre’s 2026-27 family series on Oct. 24, bringing bomba and plena traditions to audiences of all ages. Music & Identity: Puerto Rican musician-turned-artist Rafael Ferrer died at 93, remembered by El Museo del Barrio for boundary-pushing work across mediums. Diaspora Food Fest: Brooklyn’s Creole Food Festival returns Oct. 3 with a powerhouse lineup of global diaspora chefs, including Puerto Rico’s Chef Frances Roman. WNBA Latino Spotlight: Cuban American coach Jose Fernandez makes history as the first Latino head coach in the WNBA, helping the Dallas Wings surge back to the playoffs. Celebrity Real Estate: Tyler Perry lists his Beverly Hills estate for $57M, the same home where Prince Harry and Meghan stayed after leaving royal duties. Health Alert: FDA classifies a Salata Salad Kitchen jalapeño avocado dressing recall as highest risk after possible Salmonella contamination.

Puerto Rican Kids’ TV: Siesta Entertainment snapped up worldwide sales rights to the musical preschool series Rockolandia Las Cabritas, a revival of the 80s Rock’O’Landia that blends goats, songs, and teamwork—now with 170M+ YouTube views and a new global push at Mipcom. Hispanic Heritage Month: A fresh roundup spotlights the month’s theme “Together, We Are More,” plus cultural celebrations and standout Latino voices. Music & Culture: Colombian band Monsieur Periné announced an indefinite hiatus, with their final run ending in Puerto Rico on Nov. 29. Local Entertainment & Tourism: The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce is convening tourism leaders to set priorities and improve coordination across the visitor economy. Food & Community: Isabela’s free Isabela Tiene Sabor returns Nov. 7-8 with restaurants, artisans, demos, and live music—plus a Puerto Rican diaspora vibe. Disaster Update: Coast Guard operations continue after a boat capsized off Puerto Rico following a machete altercation, with 49 rescued and more missing.