SA says goodbye to the man who leaves a legacy of positive news

By Chris Stouffer


The man who, with his wife Millie, founded and served as publisher of San Antonio's first bilingual newspaper, Tino Duran, died today.

Duran was described as having a discipline problem early on after being expelled from six area elementary schools, according to an article published in newspaperhalloffame.org. What administrators described as a discipline problem however was the fact that Duran spoke only Spanish. But hard work and dedication wasn't going to stop Duran from learning English and going on to serve in the U.S. Air Force as well as earn two degrees from St Mary's University.

Duran's newspaper career began when he was a student at Sidney Lanier High School in San Antonio where he served as editor. After serving his duty in the military, he attended San Antonio College and worked for The Ranger. In the 1980s he became general manager of El Sol de Tejas in Dallas, then president and CEO of El Informador Hispano in Fort Worth. But it wasn't until 1989 that Duran and his wife re-established La Prensa of San Antonio which was dedicated to reporting only positive news.

After serving as publisher of La Prensa for 27-years, and being diagnosed with Alzheimer's two years prior, Duran announced his retirement last year and named his daughter Nina as new publisher, according to an article in the Rivard Report. In the article, Nina described her new publisher role as bittersweet under the circumstances.

“I have a ton of questions in regard to what I’m doing and it’s hard because I wish I had my father to guide me through this and I don’t,” she said. “So it’s very heartbreaking in one sense because while he’s still my champion in every sense of the word, at the same time I feel if this were to happen five years ago I would have been able to utilize him and learn about everything he did and knew," she said in the article.

In order to continue the legacy her parents began, Nina announced a merger with the marketing firm Heartfire Media to help with re-branding, digital presence, video content, and other marketing services.

Duran was not only a prominent figure in the community, but also made it a point to give back. In 1995, Duran and his wife established La Prensa Foundation providing financial assistance for high school students wanting to go to college. In 2014, Duran was inducted into the Texas Newspaper Foundation Hall of Fame. This morning, Nina publicly announced the news of his passing via Facebook.

"I write this with a fragile heart. Our sweet, beautiful and loving daddy went to be with the Lord today. He passed peacefully in his sleep with my mama by his side."

Photo 1: Florentino "Tino" Duran, proberty of La Prensa
Photo 2: (L-R) Samantha Najera (Heartfire Media owner), Tino Duran, Nina Duran; property of Heartfire Media

Gal Gadot is a wonder in DC Comics' action film, Wonder Woman

By Chris Stouffer

Long before it's release date on June 2, critics were already dismissing Wonder Woman. Apparently they didn't foresee the film would be number one in it's opening weekend raking in over $100K in the U.S. alone. I didn't know what to expect walking into the theatre last night, but never did I think I would look at Wonder Woman as the kick-ass beauty played by Gal Gadot.

But this isn't the first part that allowed Gadot to show off her action moves. In fact, the former Miss Israel served two years in the Israel Defense Forces, and later caught the eye of Director Justin Lin who cast her in four installments of the Fast & Furious franchise, in which she insisted on doing all of her own stunts.

Wonder Woman was introduced to us in the 2016 disappointment known as Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice. The movie was so unforgettable, critics and moviegoers everywhere said Wonder Woman was the only thing that saved the film. Her cameo was so worth the wait.

This movie has what every movie should have and much more: excellent storyline, great action sequences, moments that make you laugh, and the ability to make you believe....but then again, if a movie can't do that, then there's no point, right? Patty Jenkins, who directed Monster in 2003, shows off her action movie directing muscles in this film. In fact, Jenkins may be a Wonder Woman of sorts, breaking box office records for female directors, according to NPR. The movie opens with Diana Prince (Wonder Woman's alter ego) receiving a package from Wayne Enterprises. It's the original newspaper clip of Wonder Woman photographed during the first World War posing alongside the men who helped her save a village from German captivity. From there we go into her story, which only makes sense to take place during the first World War just as the comics and original tv show had done before.

We learn about Diana's beginnings growing up among the Amazonians, how her existence came to be, and why the world has been waiting for her and the powers she possesses (if you didn't hear the original theme song in your head while reading that, there's something wrong). The paradise island in which Diana was raised was a hidden place created by the gods to help mankind. But when Major Steve Trevor stumbles upon this magical place, the warriors of the island learn of the destruction in the outside world, and Diana makes a decision to go out and save them. Along the way she learn more about herself than she was prepared for.

She's had an upgrade in the wardrobe department from the days Lynda Carter once wore the satin tights, and the old red, white, and blue. But fear not, as Gal Gadot proves she can kick ass and look like a goddess doing it just like Lynda Carter did in the 70s. Now go out and kick some butt, Wonder Woman....all the world is waiting for you.