Juan diaz puerto rico: Juana Díaz | Discover Puerto Rico

Juana Díaz

 Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico

Juana Díaz is located in southern Puerto Rico. The municipality measures 156.3 square kilometers (60.64 square miles). It is known as «the mabee town,» «the city of the Jacaguas River,» the «city of the Three Kings,» and the «Bethlehem of Puerto Rico.» According to the 2000 census, there are 50,531 juanadinos, living in Amuelas, Callabo, Capitanejo, Cintrona, Collores, Emajagual, Guayabal, Jacaguas, Juana Díaz Pueblo, Lomas, Río Cañas Abajo, Río Cañas Arriba, Sabana Llana, and Tijeras wards. This municipality is where the centuries-old tradition of Three Kings Day is celebrated with the most enthusiasm. The famous kings have traveled to Rome to meet Pope John Paul II. The patron saint is Saint Raymond Nonnatus, whose day is celebrated on August 31.

At present, Juana Díaz produces fine quality marble. There are four quarries from where marble tile and chips for terrazo are extracted. The large-scale sugar plantations of the past are now used for fruit, especially mangos, avocados, beans, and produce. There is also some cattle farming.

Geography

Juana Díaz is located on the south coast of the island, and is bordered by Ponce to the west; Jayuya, Villalba and Ciales to the north; Coamo and Santa Isabel to the east; and the Caribbean sea to the south. The geographical region is part of the southern coastal plains and semi-arid southern hills, situated on a geological fault. There is very little rain. Topographical features include valleys, plains, and coasts.

This municipality is irrigated by the Descalabrado, Cañas, Guayo, and Jacaguas rivers. A dam was constructed on the Jacaguas River to create the Guayabal reservoir, between Juana Díaz and Villalba. The main tributary of the Jacaguas is the Toa Vaca River (Villalba), on which a dam has also been built. The Cañas River is born in Guayabal ward at an elevation of 1,246 feet (380 meters) above sea level, runs through the municipality, and empties into the sea at Pastillo Point. The Descalabrado River marks the border with Santa Isabel and Coamo. The Guayo River springs from Collores ward. There are other water bodies including Ponceña and La Torre lakes and brooks such as Indalecia and Chiquita. The south coast of the municipality extends from the Descalabrado River mouth of the mouth of the Jacaguas River.

The origin of the name of the town, Juana Díaz, has been a topic for debate among historians. Some say that the town was named for a woman, Juana Díaz, who decided to stay in the area after her husband was killed by Caribs. She acquired a ranch, which she called Jacaguas, in honor of the Cacique Jacaguax, about whom almost nothing is known. Eventually, the town was founded on part of this land. A second version is given by the historian Roberto Monclava, a Juana Diaz native, who argues that the settlement existed by 1582, close to the current riverbank of the Jacaguas River. Other historians, such as Lucas Mattei Rodríguez, disagree, and assert that the town was named for a black slave woman who was murdered in Capitanejo ward. After the crime, the area became known as Juana Díaz. According to Mattei Rodríguez the name was adopted by oral tradition. The researcher adds that in 1798, during the process in which the town was foundd, parish priest Nazario Vicente García opposed naming the town after her.e

At the time it was founded, Juana Díaz was principally a cattle and pig raising area. There was also some produce farming. There were 1,000 residents. During the course of the 19th century the town became a sugar-producing town. Mills included La Luciana, Cristina, Ponceña, Serrano, Amelia, Potala, Cintrona, and Ursula, all which produced sugar and molasses.

By the end of the 19th century, Juana Díaz had quadrupled in population. In 1817, the town separated from Ponce, having 4,325 residents. By the mid-19th century, Juana Díaz comprised Lomas, Guayabal, Villalba Arriba, Villalba Abajo, Hato Puerco Arriba, Hato Puerco Abajo, Caonillas Arriba, Caonillas Abajo, Amuelas, Sabana Llana, Cintrona, Capitanejo, Tijeras, Río Cañas Abajo, Jacaguas, Collado, and Collores wards. In 1878, Vaca and Emajagual wards were incorporated. 1887 was a sad year in the town’s history. During that year an institution known as componte was established in Puerto Rico, resulting in the persecution, torture, and imprisonment of autonomists. In that year, the Ponce court came to the municipality to try the secret societies in the areas.

In the late 19th century the town center had grown sufficiently so that it could be divided in to four urban wards: Norte, Sur, Este, and Oeste. In 1917, however, the municipality lost Villalba Arriba, Villalba Abajo, Hato Puerco Arriba, Hato Puerco Abajo, Caonillas Arriba and Caonillas Abajo, and Vacas wards, which became a part of the new town of Villalba. Juana Díaz was thus comprised of Pueblo Este, Pueblo Norte, Pueblo Oeste, Pueblo Sur, Amuelas, Callabo, Capitanejo, Cintrona, Collores, Emajagual, Guayabal, Jacaguas, Lomas, Río Cañas Abajo, Río Cañas Arriba, Sabana Larga, and Tijeras wards. In the mid-20th century, the Puerto Rico planning board expanded the urban area, including parts of Lomas and Amuelas wards.

Symbols

Flag
The flag  of Juana Díaz is comprised of two triangles. The upper triangle is white, and the lower is yellow, representing silver and gold, respectively. The official coat of arms is set at the center.

Coat of arms
The coat of arms  bears different symbols of the municipality of Juana Díaz. In the upper part there are thirteen karst haystacks or mogotesrepresenting the thirteen wards of the town. They also symbolize the mountains of the town, which are very rich in minerals. The sun is rising up behind the mountains as a sign of hope and a new horizon for the town. The sun has thirteen rays, one for each ward. Towards the left there is a female figure alluding to Juana Díaz, settler of the town. She is sowing thirteen grains of corn in thirteen rows, symbolizing the seed that gave life to the development of the town.

On the right there is a figure representing Cacique Jacaguax, for whom the Jacaguas River is named. He carries a quiver with thirteen arrows and a bow. There is an arrow above his head. The bow and arrows symbolize the means of survival. At the center there is a Nazarene cross as a symbol of brotherhood and unity between two races: the Spanish and the indigenous peoples. On the lower part there is a harp, a pen, a whip, and a shackle. The harp symbolizes music, the pen symbolizes poetry, since Juana Díaz is the birthplace of poets and writers. The whip and the shackle are reminders of the cruelty of the componte. In the background there are four horizontal lines that represent the Jacaguas River.

The coat of arms is surrounded by a gold band bearing the legend «Ciudad del Jacaguas,» and beneath the coat of arms there is a red ribbon showing the year the town was founded. The coat of arms is crowned with a turreted castle that symbolizes the status of municipality .

Places of interest
• Stone Forest – A mountain in Guayabal ward with ancient rock formations. It is known as the rock cemetery. The site is being developed for ecotourism.
• Collores Ward – the renowned poet Luis Llorens Torres dedicated one of his poems to t he Collores ward.
• Three Kings Museum
• Lucero Cave – a very important archeological and cultural site because of its petroglyphs.
• Guayabal Lake and Reservoir
• Monument to the Three Kings
• Children’s Park
• Jardines de Santo Domingo Promenade
• Camboya Boardwalk
• Luis Llorens Torres Square
• Román Baldorioty de Castro Town Square
• Veterans square.
• Collores waterfall
• Schoenstatt Shrine– built and founded in 1988 by José Ketenich, from Germany. The site is visited by devotees of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception.

Illustrious Citizens

Carlos Bernier – professional baseball player who played in the major leagues with the Pittsburg Pirates in 1953.

Mario Braschi – journalist, patriot, and literary critic. He used the pen name Canta Claro to defend his liberal ideas and founded the newspapers Don Severo Canta Claro (1873) and El Heraldo del Trabajo. His works include La úlcera and Prosas del sendero.

Tomás Carrión Maduro – poet, essayist, literary critic, playwright, political figure, and journalist. He wrote on many subjects. Carrión Maduro was a representative at the House of Delegates for Ponce and Juana Díaz between 1900 and 1905 and a political adversary of José de Diego. He was imprisoned for his political ideas under Spanish rule. Carrión worked at the newspaper El Día in Ponce and led the newspapers El Pueblo and El Independiente. His works include Cumba (1903), Oradores Parlamentarios (1904) and Ten con ten (1906), and his poetry includes Alma nostálgica andVoces de la noche.

Luis Felipe Dessus – political figure, journalist, and poet. He was an active member of the Puerto Rico Union Party. Dessus founded the Pancho Ibero, a literary and political journal (1917). He collaborated with the newspapers La democracia and El Mundo and the weekly Puerto Rico Ilustrado. His works include Obras and Balas (1916) and the poems Al Jacaguas and Indiana.

Father Ramiro García Rey – Spanish priest who came to Juana Díaz in 1940, devoting his life work to the town. He founded the San Ramón school and chapels in some of the wards. He was one of the organizers of the Three Kings Festival as it is currently celebrated.

Arturo Gómez Costas – essayist and modernist poet who was also important in the world of finance. He was Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Academy of Arts and Sciences and collaborated with El Mundo, Puerto Rico Ilustrado and Revista de las Antillas. His works include El Alcázar de Ariel(1918), San Juan, ciudad fantástica de América (1951), Puerto Rico heroico (1960), Canto a Ponce en 25 estampas (1965), and Vendimias en prosa(1976).

Zoilo Gracia Zayas – educator. His achievements include the creation of the so-called «second units,» schools in the rural areas of Puerto Rico.

Luis Llorens Torres – attorney, poet, essayist, journalist, and legislator. In 1913, he founded the Revista de las Antillas. His most outstanding works include is books of poetry América (1898), Al pie de la Alhambra (1899), and Voces de la campana mayor (1935). Llorens’ most famous poems includeValle de Collores and Canción de las Antillas. He was a representative to the Puerto Rico House of Delegates for the District of Ponce between 1908 and 1909.

Soledad Llorens Torres – poet and essayist.

Roberto Monclova – historian and athlete; he organized a small museum of the history of Juana Díaz in his house.

Cesáreo Rosa Nieves – musician, poet, story-writer, novelist, and essayist. Rosa Nieves was awarded a PhD at the Universidad Autónoma de México. He put on plays in theaters with his own group. His first book of poetry Las veredas olvidadas was published in 1922. His works include Estampas Sinfónicas, La danza puertorriqueña and a book of poetry, La feria de las burbujas. Rosa Nieves was awared the Cervantes Medal in 1924 and the Roosevelt Medal in 1930.

Emilia Villalonga de Armstrong – poet and story writer who wrote under the penname of «Azucena.»

Events

• Children`s Day – January
• Three Kings Festival – January. A religious and folk festival promoted by the Spanish priest Father Valentín Echevarria. The first celebration was held on January 6, 1884, on the eastern side of the town. In the first procession, the Three Kings were represented along with a group of young women dressed as shepherdesses. In 1940, the festival took on a new life under Father Ramiro García Rey, to include the dialogue of the Kings, which originated in Spain. The dialogue is in medieval style and is performed to explain the mysteries of the Incarnation and Revelation which constitute the Epiphany. The symbolism of the offerings to the Child of gold, incense, and myrrh are also described.
• Homage to Love – February
• Luis Llorens Torres week – April. Celebrating the founding of Juana Díaz and Luis Llorens Torres.
• Homage to mothers – May
• Homage to fathers – June
• Patron Saint»s Festival in honor of Saint Raymond Nonnatus – August
• Coast Festival and Regatta – August
• Puerto Rican Culture Month – November. There are poetry recital contests and other cultural events.
• Lighting of the Christmas tree – December. At the town square.
• Juana Díaz Creche– December. During the Christmas season, Dr. Enrique Marrero prepares a nativity scene that has become a special attraction in Juana Díaz. The nativity scene is unique in Puerto Rico for its size and originality. There are over forty feet of houses and structures, according to the ancient architectural style of the Holy Land, as well as vegetation, water bodies, animals, shepherds, and other elements. Dr. Marrero makes the pieces out of plaster, wood, and fiberglass. The nativity scene is located at #2 Mariano Abril Street.
• An evening of poetry and music on the town square – the last Sunday of the month. Music by the town band.

Text taken from enciclopediapr.org

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Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico

(HWAH-nah DEE ahz)

Juana Díaz is known as “La Ciudad del Mabí” (mab city) and
“La Ciudad de los Reyes y los Poetas” (city of kings and poets).
Juana Díaz was founded in 1798.
The civil government of this territory was established in April 25, 1798.

Juana Díaz is located in the southern coast of the island,
south of Villalba; east of Ponce; and west of Coamo and Santa Isabel.
Several rivers run through the Juana Díaz territory, among them:
Jacaguas, Descalabrado, Inabón, Guayo and Cañas.

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Juana Díaz (Photo: Manuel Santiago)

Juana Díaz produces sugar cane and beige marble–one of the
finest marbles in the world.

There are many well-known “juanadinos”, among them:

• Luís Llorens Torres
• Arturo Gomez Costa
• Emilia Villaronga de Armstrong
• Soledad Llorens Torres
• Tomas Carrion Maduro
• Maria Braschi
• Lic. Herminia Torres Garcia
• Luis Felipe de Jesus
• Cesareo Rosa-Nieves
• Jose A. Romeu
• Pedro Antornio Ocasio Bermudez
• Herminuo Mercado
• Jose Chen Izquierdo
• Eladio Vega
• Ramon Tristani, Jr.
• Victor Cotto

Juana Diaz is made up of 13 barrios (wards/districts):

• Amuelas
• Callabo
• Capitanejo
• Cintrona
• Collores

• Guayabal
• Jacaguas
• Lomas
• Pueblo
• Río Cañas Abajo,

• Río Cañas Arriba
• Sabana Llana
• Tijeras

Things to See and Do In Juana Diaz

Want to know what to see and do in Juana Diaz?
Discover few ideas for exploring and enjoying the city.

What to Do and See?

Where to Eat?

Festivals and Events

• Festival Santos Reyes – January
• Festival Sapo Toro – April
• Fiestas Patronales de San Ramon Nonato – September
  Every year, Juana Diaz celebrates a patron saint festival, San Pedro. The festivities include dances, food, parades and religious processions.
  (787) 837-2185
• Fiestas Puertorriquenas – December
• Mavi Carnival – April
  Juana Diaz celebrates in April a mavi carnival, a fermented drink made from the bark of the ironwood (Colubrina reclinata) tree. The festivities include dances, food, parades and costumes.
  (787) 837-2185
• Semana Llorensiana – May

Symbols

Anthem:
Juanadinos, alcemos las voces…

Education

There are 25 public schools in Juana Diaz,
education is handled by the Puerto Rico Department of Education. Juana Diaz is also home of 1 colleges and universities.

Climate

10 Day Forecast

Demographics *

Population
46,538

Puerto Rico: 3,285,874

Land Area: 60.28 sq mi

Density: 753.4 per sq mi

Median Age: 40.1

Sex: 53% female

Economics **

Per capita income
$10,717

Puerto Rico: $21,058

Median household income: $20,889
Puerto Rico: $21,058

Persons below poverty line: 45. 7%

Housing, families and educational attainment *

Number of households
15,479
Housing units density:
332.1 (2013)

Persons per household: 2.9

High school grad or higher: 77.8%

Marital status: 40% married

* U.S. Census Bureau 2020 data, unless otherwise noted – Source: Quick Facts Puerto Rico.

** U.S. Census Bureau 2016-2020

Map References

Coordinates: 18.0525° N, 66.5067° W

Zip Code: 795

Driving Distance from San Juan: 69.5 miles

Driving Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes

Best I Faced: Juan Diaz

Aggressive presser Juan Diaz unified three of his four lightweight titles during a great title run in the mid to late 2000s.

Diaz was born in Houston, Texas on September 17, 1983.

“Shortly after I was born, my parents couldn’t afford to stay in the US, so we moved back to Mexico and lived in Huitzuco, Guerrero, for six years,” Diaz said. “I even went to school there for one year. My younger brother was born in Mexico at that time.

Then my father came to the US on his own and got a decent job, and as soon as he could save some money, he brought us to Houston.”

Although the Diaz family was reunited, they were still going through hard times.

“We didn’t have economic stability,” he says. “We had to walk. We lived in a mobile home with my aunt and uncle, who had their own family. Each family had a room and we slept on the couch. It was a humble and simple life. My parents worked two jobs at the same time, raised us and provided us with everything we needed.”

As a child, Diaz had a great appetite and weighed 120 pounds, which, along with his father’s love of boxing, led him to the gym at age 8.

“Father found Willie Savannah’s boxing gym in South Houston,” he said. “We went there and for me it was love at first sight.

I started training when I was 8 and had my first amateur fight at 120lbs, but a whole year went by and there were no 120lb 8 year olds to fight me. When I was 9I got my second fight. That’s when my family and Mr. Savannah said, “If you really want to fight, you need to lose weight.” I went on a diet and lost weight.”

Diaz excelled as an amateur, putting up an impressive 105-5 record and winning 13 different gold medals. The young man went to the homeland of his ancestors in Mexico in the hope of representing the country at the 2000 Olympics.

“I was 16 at the time, three months short of the 17 years it takes to go to the Olympics,” he recalls. “We fought at an international tournament, there were 16 countries and representatives of all had to vote so that an exception was made for me to be admitted to the Olympics. 14 people said “Yes” and two said “No” – United States because they had Ricardo Williams in 139pounds and Puerto Rico who had Miguel Cotto. These two countries voted to keep me out and that’s why I didn’t go to the 2000 Olympics.”

Diaz didn’t want to wait four years for the next Olympics and turned pro by knocking out an opponent in the first round of his Mexican debut in June 2000. He fought his first three fights in Mexico, earning $400 a fight before coming of age to fight in America.

Diaz, who graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in political science, moved up the rankings, winning his first 24 fights in a four-year period.

WBA 135 lb title holder Lakwu Sima of Mongolia was lured to Texas in July 2004.

“I was 20 years old, I went through some trouble, I was knocked down and shocked in previous fights, but I felt invincible,” said Diaz, who won by unanimous decision in 12 rounds.

Experienced amateur fighter Diaz was denied an Olympic ticket to represent Mexico because of his age

“The fact that I was able to do this at home, in front of the people of my hometown, was the icing on the cake.”

“Baby Ox” defeated former two-time WBA 135-pound world champion Julien Lorsey (UD 12) and grizzled veteran Billy Irwin (TKO 9) in Texas, but his relationship with his promoter was in trouble.

After only one non-title fight in over a year, Diaz returned to action and made three consecutive title defenses, starting with Don King. He faced WBO belt holder Acelino Freitas in a unification bout in April 2007.

“People tell me I’m crazy, but for me he didn’t hit hard and I went through his punches,” he said. “No disrespect to him, but I expected more. He showed that he had power, but I just didn’t feel the punching power that everyone was talking about. Under constant pressure, he retired after eight rounds.”

Diaz then faced IBF champion Julio Diaz in October 2007.

“It was another fight that made me feel invincible,” said Diaz, who knocked out his namesake in the ninth round. “I was in seventh heaven, it seemed to me that no one could stop me.”

It didn’t last long and he soon got into trouble with King, leading Diaz to meet Nate Campbell in Cancun in March 2008.

“My contract with Don King had expired and I had no intention of renewing it,” he explains. “I was getting between $600,000 and $700,000 per fight and wanted a bonus and more money per fight since I was undefeated and had three major belts. He did not want this and wanted to cut my fee in half so that I would forego the bonus and sign a contract for four years.

Don King got very angry, he said, “I was trying to make you the next Julio Cesar Chavez” and instead of giving me a chance to fight in Houston, he organized a fight in Mexico.

I was in the dressing room, I had no physical, no doping test, nothing. They didn’t check my bandages, I was left in the men’s room and told to be ready at 8.”

It wasn’t his night and Diaz lost his titles by 12 round split decision.

The proud Texan is back with a win over Michael Katsidis (SD 12). This prepared him for a fight with Juan Manuel Marquez in his hometown in February 2009.of the year.

The bigger, stronger Diaz seemed to be able to overwhelm Marquez early in the fight. However, the Mexican killer was as intelligent as can be.

“Marquez had a great resume and despite that I was sure that I would beat him, but it turned out differently,” said Diaz, who was ahead on one of the maps, before Marquez made the necessary adjustments to knock out Diaz with a flawless right uppercut in the 9th round. This fight was later named “Fight of the Year” by Ring magazine. “Marquez was such a smart and wonderful fighter that I couldn’t do anything.”

Diaz fought a couple of fights against Paulie Malignaggi (UD 12/L UD 12) at 140 but felt he shouldn’t have moved up in weight.

Returning to his natural weight of 135 pounds, he faced Marquez in a rematch in July 2010.

“I think I went into the fight with no mindset, hoping for a better result, but it didn’t happen,” explains Diaz, who lost by unanimous decision.

Diaz retired for almost three years before returning. He won seven fights before leaving for good.

“My eyes were burning when I came back,” said Diaz (42-4, 21 KOs). “But I was ready to leave, I got older and started getting more injuries that prevented me from doing what I was supposed to do. I just decided, “I’m done.”

Diaz, now 38, is a married father of three. He still lives in Houston and owns a delivery company called JD Express.

He kindly took the time to talk about the best people he shared the ring with.

BEST JAB

Julio Diaz: He had a great jab that made him very hard to get close to. I had to move my head a lot to get to him, especially since he was taller than me.

THE BEST PROTECTION

Julien Lorcy: He was very awkward and cunning. If you saw him in the ring, he didn’t seem to move much. He had a hell of a defense and I had trouble getting into him.

BEST HAND SPEED

Paulie Malignaggi: He was very fast and quite elusive. He couldn’t hit hard, but he had great hand speed.

BEST FOOTWORK

Fernando Angulo: He moved every time I hit. He stepped back and used unusual angles, working his legs well forward and backward and side to side.

SMARTEST

Juan Manuel Marquez: He’s by far the smartest guy I’ve ever fought. Marquez has one of the best boxing IQs of any boxer, this guy could have miscalculated you. You can beat him and then all of a sudden he finds little weak spots and starts working on it and wins the fight. He’s not the fastest, he’s not the strongest, his footwork isn’t great, but he’s a great counterpuncher, and when you’re a good counterpuncher you don’t need to have more speed and more power – you just throw punches.

THE STRONGEST

Michael Katsidis: This bastard could hit – he was physically strong, he was like a small tank.

BEST PUNCHER

Ubaldo Hernandez: Believe it or not, it was a guy from Mexico in my 12th fight named Ubaldo Hernandez. It was the first time I was knocked down. It was the first time someone hit me so hard that I passed out. I finished the fight and I don’t even remember how I finished it. This is one of those guys who, if they learn how to use their power and be accurate like Marquez, they can become assassins. He had heavy hands.

BEST CHIN

Lakwa Sim: I was like, “Either I can’t punch or this guy really can take a punch.” I hit and hit him with hellish uppercuts and couldn’t believe he didn’t fall.

BEST SKILLS

Marquez: This guy always kept his hands up, had a great boxing stance, was a counterpuncher with a mindset in the ring. He’s the ultimate fighter, one of those guys who has everything.

BEST OVERALL

Marquez: The best person I ever shared a ring with was Marquez. He will go down in history as a member of the Boxing Hall of Fame. I have to give him credit, because this guy could figure anyone out.