Current:Home > InvestIconic Mexican rock band Mana pay tribute to Uvalde victim Maite Yuleana Rodriguez -TradeGrid
Iconic Mexican rock band Mana pay tribute to Uvalde victim Maite Yuleana Rodriguez
View
Date:2025-04-15 15:33:45
San Antonio, TX -- As the influential Latin American rock band Maná played one of their four shows in Texas on Saturday, the Grammy award-winning group paid tribute to Maite Rodriguez, a 10-year-old victim of the Robb Elementary School shooting.
The band, who recently launched a social impact initiative, was inspired to uplift the Uvalde and San Antonio communities by donating a portion of the proceeds from their Texas shows to The Maite Yuleana Rodriguez scholarship offered by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
MORE: Police officer praised for reviving baby during traffic stop in suburban Detroit
Maite is remembered by her mother Ana Coronado as a curious 10-year-old with big dreams of becoming a marine biologist. Coronado told ABC News that her daughter loved marine animals and her fascination started after family visits to Corpus Christi.
Fher Olvera, the lead vocalist and guitarist of Maná, is also passionate about sea life – a detail that was incorporated into the band’s performance as a turtle propelled from the arena ceiling. It’s something Maite’s mother knows her daughter would have connected with.
“No matter the platform he has, the fame he has, the one thing she would have said is ‘Hey, we both like turtles!’” laughed Coronado.
MORE: 'There's a powerful argument' Trump is disqualified for presidency under 14th Amendment: Kaine
As Coronado waited patiently in the wings, she held her necklace tight – it included pendants for Maite. She also wore green Converse, like Maite's, with a hand-drawn heart on the toe, which became a symbol for the 21 lives lost. Only moments later, Coronado was pulled on stage while the band performed “El Reloj Cucú.”
The song, which translates to “The Cuckoo Clock,” was written by Olvera and inspired by the loss of his father at a young age. The lyrics declare the song a "cry of love," one that was dedicated to Maite and her legacy at the show on Saturday.
“She is still doing great things,” Coronado said about her late daughter. “She is still accomplishing so much, and I can’t believe that she is mine. My girl … my girl is doing this.”
Throughout the México Lindo y Querido tour, the band -- frontman Fher Olvera, drummer Alex González, guitarist Sergio Vallín and bassist Juan Diego Calleros – has chosen to platform several causes, such as human rights and environmental issues.
“Music has given us so much that we feel good helping people,” González told ABC News. “If we can inspire other people to help, then, you know, I think it is better. Everyone should pitch in and try to help one another. That is what we need.”
In addition to the funds for the scholarship in Maite’s name, another portion of the proceeds from the band’s Texas shows will be allocated to The Latino Victory Foundation, a national voter registration partner. LiveNation has also pledged to support both efforts, according to Maná management.
“Although I would rather, much rather be at home watching movies with her today, you know, that it is just not possible,” Coronado said about her daughter.
“This is what I have to do to keep her legacy going,” she added.
Ismael Estrada contributed to this report.
veryGood! (389)
Related
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- Wrestler Hulk Hogan helps rescue teenage girl trapped after Florida car crash
- Michael Strahan's Daughter Isabella Details Last Day of Brain Cancer Radiation
- Here are the 20 cities where home prices could see the biggest gains in 2024 — and where prices could fall
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Hose kink in smoky darkness disoriented firefighter in ship blaze that killed 2 colleagues
- French President Macron uses broad news conference to show his leadership hasn’t faded
- A New Study Suggests the Insect Repellent DEET Might Affect Reproductive Systems
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- NYPD says 2 officers shot during domestic call in Brooklyn expected to recover; suspect also wounded
Ranking
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Cicadas are back in 2024: Millions from 2 broods will emerge in multiple states
- Justice Department report into Uvalde school shooting expected this week
- Police search for 6 people tied to online cult who vanished in Missouri last year
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- New Zealand’s first refugee lawmaker resigns after claims of shoplifting
- New bipartisan bill proposes increase in child tax credit, higher business deductions
- YouTuber and Reptile Expert Brian Barczyk Dead at 54
Recommendation
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
China starts publishing youth jobless data again, with a new method and a lower number
Coachella 2024: Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat and Tyler, the Creator to headline, No Doubt to reunite
Harvey Weinstein, MSG exec James Dolan sued for sexual assault by former massage therapist
'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
US in deep freeze while much of the world is extra toasty? Yet again, it’s climate change
Bride arrested for extortion in Mexico, handcuffed in her wedding dress
U.S. says Houthi missiles fired at cargo ship, U.S. warship in Red Sea amid strikes against Iran-backed rebels