Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6

Day 1

Selena fans flock to city
10th anniversary of death puts area in world spotlight

By Fanny S. Chirinos Caller-Times
March 27, 2005

Asa Smee had never heard of Selena Quintanilla Perez before watching the movie in 1999 about the Tejano singer's life. Asa isn't American, doesn't know Spanish and has a difficult time getting Selena CDs in his native country of England. 

"What fascinates me about Selena is that she was one of a kind," said the 16-year-old student from Gosport, Hampshire, England. "I can see, in footage I have, that she was beautiful, loving and most definitely an artist of the people. I feel nobody could replace her and she will forever hold the title 'Queen of Tejano.'" 

Like Asa, many people from around the world will make a pilgrimage to Corpus Christi this week to celebrate the singer's life and commemorate the 10th anniversary of her death on March 31. 

Selena catapulted onto the Tejano music scene with hit songs such as "Como La Flor," "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" and "La Carcacha." Her voice, personality and unique sense of style made Selena a household name and her talent won her numerous music awards including a Grammy in 1993. Even after becoming successful, Selena could be found mowing her yard at her home in the Molina neighborhood in Corpus Christi. 

Selena's fan club founder, Yolanda Saldivar, shot Selena to death in 1995, as the singer prepared to make her crossover into the American pop mainstream by recording an English-language album. Selena went from an icon to a legend after her death, and many fans around the world continue to hail the singer as the Tejano Queen. 

Pedro Haro became a Selena fan after moving from Maui to Oahu, Hawaii, several years ago. Playing Selena's music offered a connection to his family and his Mexican lineage. 

"There are no Spanish stations in Hawaii," Haro, 24, said. "Being of Mexican descent, there's very little Spanish exposure. Selena's music made me feel better and closer to home. 

"Selena could really capture the essence of a song," said Haro, a researcher for the Cancer Center in Honolulu. "Seeing someone realize their potential inspires me. That is not always achieved in real life and she did it." 

Haro visited Corpus Christi five years ago and toured the Selena sites around town. He will visit the city again this week and meet up with other Selena fans from an online chat room. 

Miko Villagran is one of those fans. She has been planning her trip from North Augusta, S.C., for more than six months. 

"I feel the need to be in the same town she called home," Villagran, 34, said. "I will get to walk where she walked, go to places she went to and perhaps even feel her spirit." 

Villagran, a medical assistant student, married a fan of Selena's music. He soon passed on his love for the music. 

"I don't understand Spanish, but have grown to adopt the culture and love Latino music," Villagran said. 

Five years ago, Dawn Mauch also looked past the language barrier to become a fan. 

Of Irish and German descent, Mauch had never heard of Tejano music until she saw the movie based on Selena's life. 

"I hope to gain the experience of visiting Selena sites and sharing these memories with other Selena fans," Mauch, 23, said. "She is a role model for me each and every day. I want her family to know she will never be forgotten."

Events/Notes 

Gloria Estefan and Thalia are among the Latin stars confirmed for a concert in Houston that will commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Selena Quintanilla’s murder. Spanish-language broadcaster Univision Television is planning a live broadcast of the three-hour "Selena ... A 10th Anniversary Tribute," to be held from 7 to 10 p.m. April 7 at Reliant Stadium. Other acts include Pepe Aguilar, Carlos Vives, Alicia Villarreal, Aleks Syntek, Lucero, Ana Gabriel, Banda El Recodo, Intocable and Kumbia Kings, the group co-founded by A.B. Quintanilla, Selena’s brother and former bandleader. Selena’s label, EMI Latin, will release an album of the concert later this year. 

Circle K and the Coca-Cola Co. are raising funds for the Selena Foundation for the 10th anniversary of singer Selena Quintanilla Perez’s death. All Coastal Bend Circle K stores will sell four styles of 44-ounce commemorative cups with a portion of the sales benefiting the Selena Foundation. 

"Selena Remembered" was released on a CD/DVD on Jan. 25. "The Last Concert" was re-released by EMI in a CD/DVD set March 15. 

"Unforgettable" a previously unknown album, is being released Tuesday.

Selena sites prepare for rush of visitors
Tourist spots expect rise in traffic, say it's business as usual

By Fanny S. Chirinos Caller-Times
March 27, 2005

Officials with various Selena sites around town are not sure how many people to expect and aren't doing anything different in preparation for the 10th anniversary of the Tejano star's death. 

"People have come in quite a bit in the last week or so wanting a map of the sites," said Kerri King, manager of visitor services for the Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau. "There's just no way to keep track of all the inquiries, whether via phone or in person." 

Area hotel and motel personnel said they still have plenty of rooms available next week and that they haven't noticed an onslaught of calls. 

Sites such as the Selena boutique, Selena Museum, Mirador de la Flor and Selena's gravesite are the most popular among visitors and will conduct business as usual. 

"We have security 24-7, but no additional measures are being planned," said a spokesman for Seaside Memorial Park, the cemetery where Selena is buried. 

Downtown's Mirador de la Flor, located on the corner of Shoreline Boulevard and Peoples Street, features a bronze statue of Selena around which tourists like to write their names. City manager Skip Noe, said no additional security and crowd control measures are being planned. 

The boutique and museum will be closed Thursday as they usually are every year on March 31, said Abraham Quintanilla, Selena's father. 

Quintanilla added that additional crowd-control measures would not be taken because crowds are a normal part of operations at the museum.

Contact Fanny S._Chirinos at 886-3759_or chirinosf@caller.com

pictures:

Moved by the slain singer’s music and life, fans are

making the trek to Corpus Christi to visit her stomping

grounds on the 10th anniversary of her death.

Pedro Haro Arvizu, a Selena fan, holds an issue of Time

magazine featuring a cover story on the Tejano singer. 

Outpouring of grief, love Shortly after Selena was shot in 1995,

a woman writes a message to the slain singer on the wall next

to the Corpus Christi hotel room where the killing took place.