Ruben Blades leads signatures on a commemorative stamp for prolific composer “Tate” Coret – El Nacional

SAN JUAN.- Panamanian salsero band Rubén Blades, as well as other Puerto Rican artists and cultural institutions, have signed a letter asking the United States Postal Service to issue a postage stamp in 2026 in honor of legendary Puerto Rican composer “Tet” Corret. Alonso on the centenary of his birth.

The aim is to immortalize the personality of the author of more than 2,000 songs, most of them recorded by some singers and orchestras of the tropical salsa genre, including Blades, as José Rodríguez, a member of the committee, explained to EFE on Tuesday. The Road to the Centenary of Catalino Tite Curet Alonso.

Coret Alonso, in addition to being the author of songs such as “Juan albañil,” “Anacaona,” “Barrunto,” “Juanito Alimaña,” “Las caras lindas,” and “Periódico de Yesterday,” among others, also worked at a federal post office for 36 years old, which will give more weight to the organization that dedicates the commemorative stamp to him.

“In addition to his work at the post office, Titi is known as the ‘People’s Poet.’ “His compositions are people’s experiences,” Rodriguez highlighted as the author of other hits such as “My Sad Trouble,” “I’m with the Poor,” and “On a Humble Grave.” , “Puro Teatro,” “Lamento de Concepción.” and “San Agustín.”

For the US Postal Service to consider creating a stamp in honor of Coret Alonso (1926-2003), it would need to receive a letter and signatures before the end of this year, and within three years have it honored with the stamp, as it has already been made with other legendary Latina figures like Celia. Cruz and Roberto Clemente.

Thus, Rodriguez undertook the task of searching for signatures from some famous Latino figures such as Blades, the executives of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and Ateneo Puerto Rico, Carlos Ruiz and Hamid Ghalib, the musician and director of the institute. Essencia Group, Babote Alvarado, among others.

Likewise, Rodriguez hopes to obtain the signatures of famous Puerto Rican artists such as Ricky Martin, Benicio del Toro and Gilberto Santa Rosa, immortal baseball players Ivan Rodriguez and Edgar Martinez, and the president of the Puerto Rican Olympic Committee, Sara Rosario, and the Puerto Rican Olympic Committee. The legislative heads concerned with the island.

“This is a commitment to the commitment in which Tite and patriotic sentiments are rooted. We want to perpetuate all his musical and life works,” Rodriguez emphasized.

Coret Alonso died on August 5, 2003 at the age of 77, from respiratory arrest at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore (Maryland, USA).

In addition to his own songs, Corret wrote lyrics in Spanish for songs such as “Candilejas”, from the Charlie Chaplin film of the same name, recorded by singer Wilkins, or his version of “If I Were Rich”, from the film. Fiddler on the Roof of the Hill by Puerto Rican Chucho Avellanet.

Their songs are also part of the soundtrack of several films, such as “The Godfather II” by American Francis Ford Coppola, and “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” by Spanish director Pedro Almodovar.