Shaving, brushing their teeth and getting in a few push-ups to start the day alongside his dad stand out as bonding moments Jordan Puentes.
These little things are as important as the fact the Victoria men were in Cuba, reconnecting with their roots, and with each other 鈥� all the while cameras were documenting their every move.
Puentes and his father Adonis are featured in the first episode of the second season of How I Got Here a show that documents second-generation children accompanying their parents back to their country of origin.
For the Victoria men exploring their heritage was a means to rebuild a bond after an 11-year estrangement.
鈥淚n those moments we鈥檝e bonded just as much,鈥� Puentes said. 鈥淕etting ready for the day. Getting ready to go out, getting ready to face those things.鈥�
Adonis was 21 when he left Cuba to pursue his music career. Puentes is 21 as the pair returned.
When first approached about the mini-doc, Adonis was at first slightly apprehensive. Coming from a Latin culture he鈥檚 accustomed to sharing emotion, but that鈥檚 less common across the North American population.
鈥淚鈥檓 a musician I鈥檓 a songwriter and I have no problem showing myself as I am,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 want to show to the world that we have a strong story with a happy ending and it鈥檚 important to embrace love, forgiveness, re-connection.鈥�
Seeing it as an opportunity to perhaps inspire others, Puentes agreed, though notes it took strength and vulnerability.
READ ALSO:
While moments of the trip could be overwhelming, it was an amazing experience for Puentes to bond with his dad, and explore both of their history and heritage.
For Puentes included meeting a huge extended family, and along the way diving into the history of generations of music in his DNA.
He already knew it was in his blood. He remembers making it part of most school projects, particularly at Mount Doug Secondary in Saanich, including a rap to remember Isaac Newton鈥檚 laws of motion.
鈥淚 think they still use that physics rap,鈥� he said with a laugh.
While talking music with his family in Cuba sparked emotion, the biggest wave came on a rooftop in Havana. Overlooking the capital, Puentes performed freestyle with a local rapper, a producer, and his father.
鈥淲e shared a moment after that really bonding,鈥� Jordan said. 鈥淭hat was the time we came the closest together.鈥�
They went on to record a song for the documentary and with an accompanying video expected to launch soon.
鈥淟earning more about family, learning about your history helps grow more comfortable in yourself,鈥� Jordan said. 鈥淔ind your heritage, find your history and you鈥檒l find those people that matter to you and who you matter to as well.鈥�
The episode kicks off the second season of How I Got Here begins on Super Channel鈥檚 Heart & Home on March 4. The show is available on demand starting March 5.
READ ALSO:
