The history of La Sonora Ponceña is the history of Quique Lucca, (Yauco, Puerto Rico, 12 December 1912 - 9 October 2016). In 1928, when he was 16 years old, his family moves to Ponce, Puerto Rico and Quique starts to work as an auto mechanic and starts playing the guitar. In 1932 Quique meets Angélica Quiñones, the future mother of his children, Zulma, Papo y Wanda. In 1944 Quique puts together a band called "El Conjunto Internacional", including three instrumentalists: tumbadora, bongó, vocalist and Quique Lucca at the guitar and second voice. Later, Antonio "Tato" Santaella joined, playing the bongó. On 10 April 1946, Enrique Lucca Jr. ("Papo") was born; he would later become the musical director of "La Sonora". In fact, in 1951, Papo surprised his father and the other members of the "Internacional" band when, at only 5 years old, he joined a band practice and started playing the tumbadora on Tito Puente's "Ran Kan Kan".
After the band had been inactive for a year, Quique re-established it in 1954 and renamed it "Conjunto Sonora Ponceña". His childhood friend Antonio "Tato" Santaella played bajo de cajón. On 20 April of that year the band plays at its first official dance. In 1956, Vicentivo Morales, joins the band as its first pianist. Later that year, Quique brings young Papo into the band as a pianist. In November 1957, Papo makes its official debut during a dance on the northern shore of the Island. In 1958, La Sonora Ponceña records its first 78 RPM with Avelino Muñoz as pianist. The 78 RPM contained No puede Ser on one side and Tan Linda que Era on the reverse side. Towards the end of 1958, the band goes into recording mode and includes 12-year-old Papo Lucca. The band included its first official vocalist Charlie Martínez. Later on, vocalists Felipe and Davilita would also record bolero-mambo themes such as Noche de Locura. In September 1960, the group played in New York. The group's main attraction was its 12-year-old pianist, Papo Lucca. In 1968 the group started its official recordings on 33 RPM with the song Hacheros Pa' Un Palo.
In 1974, singer Humberto "Tito" Gómez leaves the band after 7 years and 6 recordings. Together with Joe Rodríguez and Mickey Ortíz, Humberto "Tito" Gómez formed La Terrífica. Likewise, in 1977 Edgardo Morales, who played the timbal leaves the band after 7 years and 7 recordings and joins El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. In 1978 singer Luis Guillermo "Luigui" Texidor leves the band after 10 years and 10 recordings to join Bobby Valentín's Orchestra. In 1982 trumpetist Humberto Godineaux leaves the band after 4 years a 6 recordings. Singer Yolanda Rivera also left the band after 7 years and 8 recordings. In 1985, singer Miguel Ortíz retires from the band after 11 years and 12 recordings. On 28 May 1986, the band losses singer Alberto "Toñito" Ledée in a car accident. In 1987, trumpetist Heriberto "Ayatollah" Santiago also retires having 7 years and 5 recordings to his credit. In July 1989, long-time bass player Antonio "Tato" Santaella retired after 21 recordings. Tato played without ever using any musical scores, and singing entirely "by ear". A year later, in 1990, another bass player Efraín "Frao" Hernández retired from the band after 10 years and 7 recordings. In 1990, bongó player Angel Hernández also retired after 14 years and 13 recordings. In 1991, tumbadora player Vicente "Pequeño Johnny" Rivera retires after 16 years with the band. He had performed on 15 of the band's recordings. In 1993, long-time trumpeter Ramón "Tony El Cordovés" Rodríguez retired after 24 recordings. This was followed by the retirement of trumpeter Freddie Del Valle, who had played with the band for 6 years and had participated in 5 recordings.
In 1993, the band played at the Magno Orchestra Festival in Barranquilla, Colombia. The band was awarded the “Congo de Oro” award, given to the best international band. And in October 1994, Sonora Ponceña celebrated its 40th anniversary with a festival at Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The band would later also play at the Madison Square Garden to bring its celebration to the United States. In 1995, the band did a reunion recording with Luis Guillermo "Luigi" Texidor and Yolanda Rivera who had retired 19 and 14 years earlier, respectively. That same year, they sang in Paris, France, and at the Desfile de la Hispanidad (Hispanic Parade) in Zaragoza, Spain. In 1996 the band plays for the first time in Mexico at the Boca del Río, Veracruz, Mexico, carnival.
In 2000, Sonora Ponceña celebrated its 45th anniversary at the Tito Puente Amphitheater at the Centro de Bellas Artes in San Juan, Puerto Rico and at the Teatro La Perla in Ponce. They also played in Caracas, Venezuela as part of this 45th anniversary celebration. In the years following 2000, La Sonora Ponceña participated in a large number of events throughout Puerto Rico, including Fiestas Patronales, private parties, graduation parties, and corporate Christmas and holiday parties. In the following years, the band also made presentations in Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami, Washington, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Jersey, Panamá, Perú, England, Switzerland and Italy.
For its 50th year anniversary (2004), the band played at Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The 12,000 spectators made the show a complete sellout on its presentation day, February 21. The show was broadcast via radio and television.
During its 50th anniversaery show at Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, the band was officially recognized by the Legislature of Puerto Rico for its musical contributions.
The 23rd “Día Nacional de la Salsa”, celebrated in Carolina, Puerto Rico on 16 March 2004, was dedicated to Don Quique, Papo and la Sonora Ponceña.
In Ponce there is a street, in Urb. Estancias del Golf, named after Quique Lucca.
The 2003 "Feria de Turismo", celebrated at Complejo Turístico “La Guancha” in Ponce was dedicated to Don Quique, Papo and la Sonora Ponceña.
Soy Antillana
Sonora Ponceña Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me anda pidiendo definición
Como me siento tan antillana
Me andan pidiendo definición
Porque lo mismo yo soy cubana
Dominicana que borincana
Es que mis islas, todas hermanas
Son una sola en mi corazón
No debe haber separación
No puede haber definición
No puede haber separación
No puede haber definición
Bailamos todos un compás muy nuestro
Que se fusiona en un mismo son
Y aunque la bella mar nos separa
Formamos juntas una nación
Y las Antillas se reconocen
Como la fruta de mas sabor
No debe haber separación
No puede haber definición (no puede no )
No debe haber separación (no)
No puede haber definición (no)
Como me siento tan antillana
Me andan pidiendo definición
Y no es posible decir que siento
Que pertenezco solo a una de ellas
Porque borinquen, cuba y quisqueya
Son una sola en mi corazón
No debe haber separación
No puede haber definición
Bajo la sombras de sus palmares
Cantan sus hombres digno de fé
Tiene frescura de sus maizales
Se escucha el eco de los turpiales
Mientras debajo de un cocotero
Huele a tabaco, caña y café
No debe haber separación
No puede haber definición
Antillana soy
Que no me pidan definición
Lo mismo yo soy cubana
Ay,que me siento borincana
Que me siento de quisqueya
Quisqueya la bella, quisqueya la bella
Borinquen bendito, borinquen bendito, cubita bonita
Antillana soy
Aunque yo nací en la habana
Me siento dominicana
Yo me siento borincana
Borinquen, cuba y quisqueya que lindas son
Antillana soy
Porque yo nací en la habana
Y que no me pidan definición
Antillana
Ay, que caballero, yo soy
No debe haber separación
Aunque yo nací en la habana
Yo me siento antillana
Yo me siento dominicana
Yo me siento borincana
Soy,soy,soy
Pero soy, soy, soy
Aunque yo nací en cubita
Yo quiero a las tres antillas
Las tres son mis maravillas
Para ti borinquen
Para ti quisqueya
Para ti mi cuba bella
Antillana soy
Ay, no debe haber definición
No debe haber separación
Sale loco de contento con su cargamento para la ciudad
En cuba la isla hermosa,de gente soy
Antillana soy
No hay tierra mas hermosa como quisqueya
Ay, que isla bella
Ay, cubita, por eso soy antillana
The lyrics to Sonora Ponceña's "Soy Antillana" express a deep sense of pride and belonging to the Antilles, a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. The singer feels so connected to the region that she is asked to define her identity. However, she dismisses the idea of separation or definition, stating that all the islands are sisters and form a united nation. She also emphasizes the cultural fusion and rhythm that unites the people of the Antilles, regardless of their country of origin. The song exalts the beauty of the Antilles, from its palm trees and cornfields to its music and people.
The song emphasizes a strong sense of belonging and unity on the islands of the Antilles. The lyrics celebrate the cultural and geographical connections found between the islands, despite their political divisions. The singer, who was born in Havana, Cuba, feels equally at home in Borinquen, Quisqueya, and Cuba, three islands with a rich cultural and musical heritage. The song expresses the idea of hybridity, cultural exchange, and fluid identity, which makes the singer an Antillana, regardless of her place of birth.
Line by Line Meaning
Como me siento tan antillana
I feel so connected to the Antilles
Me anda pidiendo definición
Everyone is asking me for a definition of my identity
Porque lo mismo yo soy cubana
Because I am both Cuban
Dominicana que borincana
Dominican and Puerto Rican
Es que mis islas, todas hermanas
My islands are all sisters
Son una sola en mi corazón
They are all one in my heart
No debe haber separación
There should be no separation
No puede haber definición
There cannot be a single definition
Bailamos todos un compás muy nuestro
We all dance to our own unique rhythm
Que se fusiona en un mismo son
That blends together in one song
Y aunque la bella mar nos separa
Even though the ocean separates us
Formamos juntas una nación
We form together one nation
Y las Antillas se reconocen
The Antilles recognize each other
Como la fruta de mas sabor
As the most flavorful fruit
Como me siento tan antillana
I feel so connected to the Antilles
Y no es posible decir que siento
It's impossible for me to say how I feel
Que pertenezco solo a una de ellas
That I belong to only one of them
Bajo la sombras de sus palmares
Under the shade of their palm trees
Cantan sus hombres digno de fé
Their men sing with dignity and faith
Tiene frescura de sus maizales
The freshness of their cornfields
Se escucha el eco de los turpiales
The echoes of their tropical birds
Mientras debajo de un cocotero
While under a coconut tree
Huele a tabaco, caña y café
It smells of tobacco, sugarcane, and coffee
Antillana soy
I am Antillean
Que no me pidan definición
Don't ask me for a definition
Lo mismo yo soy cubana
I am also Cuban
Ay,que me siento borincana
I also feel Puerto Rican
Que me siento de quisqueya
I feel Dominican
Quisqueya la bella, quisqueya la bella
Beautiful Quisqueya
Borinquen bendito, borinquen bendito, cubita bonita
Blessed Borinquen, beautiful Cuba
Antillana soy
I am Antillean
Aunque yo nací en la habana
Even though I was born in Havana
Me siento dominicana
I feel Dominican
Yo me siento borincana
I feel Puerto Rican
Borinquen, cuba y quisqueya que lindas son
Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, how beautiful they are
Ay, no debe haber definición
There should be no definition
Sale loco de contento con su cargamento para la ciudad
He happily leaves the countryside with his load for the city
En cuba la isla hermosa,de gente soy
In Cuba, the beautiful island, I am of the people
Antillana
Antillean
Ay, que caballero, yo soy
Oh, that gentleman, that's me
Soy,soy,soy
I am, I am, I am
Pero soy, soy, soy
But I am, I am, I am
Aunque yo nací en cubita
Even though I was born in Cuba
Yo quiero a las tres antillas
I love the three Antilles
Las tres son mis maravillas
The three are my wonders
Para ti borinquen
For you, Puerto Rico
Para ti quisqueya
For you, the Dominican Republic
Para ti mi cuba bella
For you, my beautiful Cuba
Ay, no debe haber separación
There should be no separation
Antillana soy
I am Antillean
Ay, cubita, por eso soy antillana
Oh, Cuba, that's why I am Antillean
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: MARILYN PUPO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@analaurilla
que lindo que recuerden esta cancion...! yo soy la compositora, por los que no me conocen, soy Marilyn Pupo... gracias por colgarla de nuevo en la web...
@selenathebest
Marilyn Pupo felicidades Marilyn bella canción. Me identifico con ella soy de madre dominicana, padre cubano y nací en Borinque. Así que soy ANTILLANA.
@efrainponce7913
Marilin
Esto no es una canción...
Esto es poesía pura
Y en la voz de Celia y el piano de papo
Se convierte en una obra de arte para la eternidad
Saludos desde Jamundí valle Colombia
@cesararzola2513
selenathebest desde Perú re sakudi un dan 80ro gran actriz te vu en muchas novela más me gusto anacaona
@raulsantiago3347
Marilyn Pupo genial composición Marilyn..
@lizamontanez1797
En la cuarentena 2020
@miataina1811
Para ti Borinque 🇵🇷.. Para ti Quisquella 🇩🇴 para ti mi Cuba bella 🇨🇺
@guacanagarixverde2098
Cuba,Puerto Rico y Republica Dominicana es lo mejor del mundo coñazo duelale a quien le duela
@christiangonzalez9819
Panama saluDa y bendice a los pueblos antillanos
Cuba
Borinque
Quisquella
Arriba la salsa
Arriba Celia Cruz
Saaalsaaaaaaa
Saludos desde
PANAMA
@neldadon
chu cha pana
salute desde DOMINICANA ✊💪
para PANAMA
Ruben Blades / el general y muchos mas