Carmelina Vizcarrondo

Who is Carmelina Vizcarrondo?

This distinguished poet, after finishing high school in Fajardo, enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico, majoring in Hispanic and Spanish Literature. Poet and writer she worked for different national magazines such as, Asomante, Puerto Rico Ilustrado, the magazine of the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture and the former El Mundo newspaper. She was editor of the magazine Insula. Carmelina was an honorary member of the Argentinean Cultural Committee and member of the Board of Directors of the Ateneo Puertorriqueño.

Some of her poems are Pregón con Llamas, Poema para mi Niño, and Minutero en Sombras. For this poem she received an award at the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture. Her poems are best known for her constant reference to love and nature’s scenery.

Nature Reserve

Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve is one of the most unique reserves in Puerto Rico. Of the seven ecosystems in Puerto Rico, six are represented here. Tours are given from Wednesday through Sunday by reservation only. You will learn a lot about the area and can enjoy the spectacular views from its observation deck. From there, you can see the Bioluminescent Lagoon, Icacos, and other spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. And off in the distance the mountains of El Yunque will call you away from our beautiful seaside village.

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Santiago Veve Calzada

Who is Santiago Veve Calzada?

Santiago Veve Calzada, an illustrious and a true Fajardeño. He studied medicine in Barcelona, Spain in 1880. When Santiago returned to Fajardo he practiced medicine during a brief time and decided to become a farmer. His new career brought him great wealth.

His concern for improving the quality of life for those with limited resources made him assumed all the costs of the equipment and supplies needed at the Fajardo High School, named after him. In Ceiba, our neighboring town, another school was finished due to his donations and is named after his father, Adolfo Veve Ferau. A hospital in Juncos specializing in patients with tuberculosis was supplied by his donations.

Doctor, wealthy farmer, and philanthropist, he is remembered in the history of Fajardo by his humbleness and compassion for the less fortunate.

Sofía

Who is Sofía?

Name after the Innkeeper, Gladys Sofía, it represents a dream come true. While studying at New York City she use to spend some time away of the student daily routine visiting B&B’s around the Catskills and Sedona, where everything began. After long days, months, years struggling to open a Bed & Breakfast with the assistance of her partners, the dream became a reality… Passion Fruit Bed & Breakfast was born!!!

Beautiful Beaches

Seven Seas Beach

Seven Seas Beach, Playa Colorá and Playa Convento

Is sunbathing on a beach more to your liking? Seven Seas Beach is just a ten minute walk form our B & B. There is a minimal charge for parking if you take your car. The beaches here are well maintained and are very popular with the locals on the major holidays of the year. A new bathhouse has been recently built and there are places to rinse off with fresh water after your swim in the ocean.

Playa Colorá and Playa Convento

So the hiker in you would rather get away from the beach crowds. Playa Colorá (Red Beach) and Playa Convento (Convent Beach) are just the places for you. In about forty-five minutes you can walk to either of these more primitive beaches. On a busy holiday Seven Seas Beach will be crowded with several thousand people. However, with just a little effort you can be to either of these beaches where only a few will venture. And the scenery here, especially at Playa Colorá, is breathtaking. Make sure to take your camera.

Seven Seas Beach

Is sunbathing on a beach more to your liking? Seven Seas Beach is just a ten minute walk form our B & B. There is a minimal charge for parking if you take your car. The beaches here are well maintained and are very popular with the locals on the major holidays of the year. A new bathhouse has been recently built and there are places to rinse off with fresh water after your swim in the ocean.

Antonia Coello

Who is Antonia Coello?

Antonia Coello de Novello, Surgeon General of the United States during the presidency of George Bush, senior was the first woman and Hispanic to be name to this federal post. As a pediatrician she specialized in children with HIV and kidney aliments. She has been a member of the Faculty of Pediatrics at Georgetown University, the Auxiliary at the Institute for Pediatric Health and Human Development and a Professor at John Hopkins University.

Antonia is a spokesperson for minority groups, especially children, and is an earnest fighter to prevent cigarette smoking in children and adolescents.

Carlos Arroyo

Whos is Carlos Arroyo?

Carlos Alberto Arroyo Bermúdez, son of Carlos Arroyo and Glorían Bermúdez, was the fifth player in the history of Puerto Rico to play in the NBA. Right now he is a member of the Utah Jazz basketball team.

In 1997 he was named Rookie of the Year by the Puerto Rican League. He was a member of the National Team that won a Bronze Medal at the Pan-American Games in 2003. That same year at Centro Basket, Carlos won Gold for Puerto Rico. He was a member of the Puerto Rican basketball team at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Mister Arroyo was invited to the White House by President George Walker Bush for his achievements as an athlete. He is an example and motivator for our youth and his most faithful fans are the “cariduros.” (A nickname by which Fajardeños are known.)

Georgie Torres

Who is Georgie Torres?

Georgie Torres, is a Puerto Rican who is a well known former BSN basketball player. Torres broke the record for the most points scored in a career at that league, with over 16,000 points scored. He was the first player to reach that number of points. Torres debuted in the BSN in 1975, with the “Cariduros de Fajardo”. Torres became a household name in Puerto Rico while performing with the team. He led the league in points scored from 1984 to 1987. Wikipedia

María Isabel Dones

Who is María Isabel Dones?

Maria’s vocation was teaching, although her upbringing was filled with limitations, she became wealthy in spirit. Her character, stamina, patience, and her love for teaching and sharing her knowledge were her most valuable treasures. Maria was the recipient of various recognitions during her fruitful career and even after her death she was still honored. But the recognition which really mattered to her was the one she received from her students.

The respect they showed her, and having been able to instill enjoyment for mathematics and for life itself, was her greatest accomplishment.

There are those who go through life without leaving any kind of trace and then, there are others who make a difference in our lives at a given time. María Isabel Dones belongs to the latter ones, and this is a simple homage to her life.

Luis Magui Mercado

Who is Luis Magui Mercado?

Better known as, Magüí, Luís Mercado Calderon was a composer, musician and educator. He was founder of “La Rondalla Fajardeña” and the radio program “La Hora del Niño.” Some of his compositions have been played and recorded by local artists, such as, Divino Atardecer, Joaquina, Linda Jibarita and his favorite, Recordando a Fajardo. Passion Fruit Bed & Breakfast remembers him with this humble homage.