Popular/ YouTube.com
People familiar with Puerto Rican culture know how music is to its people. Christmas season is equally important in Boricua culture so it is no surprise that these two elements would collide to make a prolific amount of music celebrating the holiday season.
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (BPPR) has produced a televised Christmas special for over 29 years. Its success can be attributed to the casting of established and upcoming Puerto Rican and international musicians such as Marc Anthony, Daddy Yankee, and Juanes just to name a few.
The BPPR Christmas special became a staple of Puerto Rican television and in recent years made a crossover into other US markets in the Continental United States. It is simulcast by all television channels in Puerto Rico and later released to other domestic and international markets.
With the growing popularity of YouTube, Banco Popular decided to stream its Christmas Special for everyone to see. Anyone can run a search on the popular video platform and experience a sample of Banco Popular’s previous musical programs.
Since Banco Popular’s successful foray into online streaming, other companies have sponsored musicians for their Christmas music specials. These online specials were especially popular during last Christmas season when pandemic protocols prohibited large gatherings and concerts.
In 2021 Banco Popular continues its tradition of promoting Puerto Rican culture with its latest music special titled “Ellas, Mujeres en la Musica” (Women in Music). This production is loaded with the talents of female Puerto Rican artists such as La India, Lucecita Benitez, Nydia Caro, and Yolanda Monge just to name a few.
“Ellas, Mujeres en la Musica” will simulcast in Puerto Rico at 8 p.m. (AST) on Sunday December 5th on Puerto Rico’s Telemundo, Punto 2, WAPA, WIPR, TeleOnce, Mega TV P.R., and Canal 13. The program will air on the same date in the Continental US at 8 p.m. (EST) on Meaga TV Orlando, and WAPA America.
Although their page doesn’t specify if this year’s music special will be streamed on YouTube, stay tuned to Banco Popular’s Social Media on YouTube and Twitter as the program has consistently streamed online in the past few years.
The music from this program will be for sale on Apple iTunes and other platforms. DVDs of the program have been on sale in Amazon and other stores in the past, but as of yet, there is no official word.
Proceeds from this program’s sales will benefit the Banco Popular Foundation, an entity that funds schools and entities with music programs.