As the brightly colored feather headdresses of Danza Guadalupana de Nuestra Senora del Valle seemingly floated around the main stage of the Pierce College Performing Arts Building, the beating of a drum filled the room.These Aztec dancers performed a blessing on the 10th annual Dia de los Muertos Student Altar Showcase.
The showcase was organized by Pierce’s Chicana and Chicano Studies program and featured actor and spokesperson of the East L.A. Women’s Center Constance Marie on Nov. 7. Marie is known for several television and film roles, including playing Marcela Quintanilla in “Selena.”
“No matter where you’re from, no matter what your journey is, we are resilient people,” Marie said. “So, I think that’s why this holiday means an extra special amount to me today. For me, when we look at all the amazing photos of our family and our ancestors, one thing we know is that we are survivors. We come from strong, hardworking people.”
The event started with the Aztec blessing, which was followed by remarks by Event Organizer and Chicano Studies Faculty Angelita Rovero. Rovero thanked the audience for coming and gave a speech before introducing Marie.
“We ask our students to, no matter where you come from, embrace where you come from and carry that with pride,” Rovero said.
Marie started her speech explaining why Dia de los Muertos is an important holiday for her. She discussed her complex history with her own heritage and how she never knew much about where she came from.
Once Marie had learned about her heritage, she decided to claim it as her own. Dia de los Muertos was an unsure topic for her. She had heard about it, but at first, she didn’t know much about it. That is, until she saw the Disney-Pixar movie “Coco.”
“I knew after seeing that I, in my complicated journey, needed to celebrate this holiday,” Marie said. “Not just for me, but for my daughter. I wanted it in my life. And it was a perfect tool for teaching her about my history.”
After Marie’s speech, Chicano Studies students’ ofrendas (offerings to the dead) were showcased in a slideshow. Students created their ofrendas over the span of the first half of the semester in respect of either a loved one or someone meaningful to them.
Dean of Student Engagement Juan Carlos Astorga and MEChA Club President Sherlin Bustos both celebrate the Day of the Dead.
“It’s a really good way of really introducing to my children the storytelling of our histories and why people are important to us and why they should be important to them and keeping them alive in these memories,” Astorga said.
Bustos said it is important for the remembrance of those who came before them.
“I feel like it’s a way to represent our ancestors and our loved ones,” Bustos said. “Know that they’re not forgotten. They’re always here with us, in our hearts, with us, next to us all the time.”
After the showcase, students and audience members got the chance to take photos with Marie while different lowriders waited outside. Participants were treated to free churros and ice cream from El Churro Panzón, a Whittier based food truck, after the event.
