And as for Teresita, she loves making others happy. Indeed there are few people, who can resist both the charm and candour that bear her poetic lyrics. Needless to say most of Teresita's songs, learned by heart on the island far and wide, will be handed down to the upcoming generations as if they were Homero's tales.

What has led you to write music?

Family's tradition, I guess. We were 5 brothers in all, the first one founded Holguín's lyric theatre together with Mr. Camayd, this is why I grew up listening to music, all sort of Mexican, Argentinean and of course, Cuban music. Singers like Mexican Gabilondo Soler notably influenced on my writing songs and tales for children.

Have you only composed for children?

I've written all sort of songs, about 400 which do not have to do anything with children. But I wish I could write music to both José Martí's Ismaelillo and 28 poems by Gabriela Mistral. However, no doubt my young audience's favorite song is El Gatico Vinagrito or La Palangana, no matter La Traviata is in the program. They always ask me to sing El Gatico Vinagrito .

Does it make you feel frustrated in some way?

No. I do believe children's love is true and last long. They grow up recalling that that made them be happy whatsoever. And if someone ever remembers me, then it will be enough to me, a reward.

Are you always devoted to music?

No. I studied teaching after junior high school, then piano and then Pedagogy at the central university. Nonetheless under Batista's government, the university was closed and reopened at the triumph of the Revolution what enabled me to finish the career.

And then what, how did you shift to making music?

I was assigned to work in a countryside primary school located in Bajo de la Llanada. Walt Whitman used to say; "a poet is a feature writer in the times" and I became a feature writer. Unfortunately, my mother got seriously ill and that prevented me from teaching. In 1957, I returned to Havana and met the famous duet Sisters Martí, who introduced me to vocalists and pianists Ignacio Villa "Bola de Nieve", Luis Carbonell, and Esther Borja.

Memories of Bola?

Bola was like my father. We loved each other very much. He used to give me wise advices. I'm very grateful to him. We're very close friends. He used to play and sing for me Oh Sir, why? and other melodies.

You mentioned Gabriela Mistral and told me you had written music for 28 of her poems. Did you do it in admiration to her poetry?

Let me tell you a secret. When I was 14, one of my teachers lent me the book Desolation, she first explained to me what a Nobel Prize is and lots of more. Hence I realized Gabriela and José Martí had many things in common. Over the years, Cintio and Fina encouraged me to write music for their poems.

Teresita, do you describe yourself as a poet?

I am a hunter of butterflies and pigeons. Poetry is found in nature, in a bunch of fresh flowers, at sunset, in the sky stars.

I guess you'll never get a retirement.

Of course not. Early this year, I was awarded the National Prize of Community Culture because of the social work I've developed over the years. I was selected best worker at the national level for three consecutive years. I care for children, work for them and sing with them Gatico Vinagrito.

(Taken from: Adelante Digital/Cubasí)