Our Community - Oscar Aguilar - "The Golden Voice of San Pedro"

The Island Newspaper, Ambergris Caye, Belize            Vol. 10, No. 7            February 17, 2000

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Oscar Aguilar

Wany are those who attempt to be in the limelight but few are the ones that are naturally talented and shine. No matter how much you polish a piece of pumice it will never be on the list of precious stones. That is not the case for one of San Pedro's most talented singers, who was born with the gift of song, Mr. Oscar Aguilar.

    Born in San Pedro on October 31st, 1950 to Concepcion and Geminiano Aguilar, he was the only boy in a family of three girls. Unfortunately, shortly after Oscar's birth, his mother fell ill. He was raised by his Aunt Isabel Perrera and Uncle Christino Gomez. At the age of 14 he left school to seek work to help with the daily expenses of his family. It was during this time that the San Pedro Fishing Cooperative was at its peak and Oscar was given a two-month job maintaining statistical forms for the Fisheries Department. It just so happened that his father was President of the Co-op, so he managed to get hired on as Assistant Plant Manager, in charge of the processing room. He stayed at this job for over ten years making certain the product was carefully packed and stored in 50 pound boxes for exportation to the USA.

    As time moved on, the town developed from a small fishing village into a tourist haven. Oscar saw the need to switch to a job fit for the changing times. He became one of the few taxi drivers on the island. Contracted by some of the hotels to serve as their transportation service, he drove a Land Rover to pick up guests, dispose of garbage or any other necessary trip for the hotels. As the village continued to grow so did the demand for his taxi service. This occupation earned him a living for another ten years.

    In 1977 he married Ms. Yolanda Betancourt and together they had five children. They have done an excellent job raising their children Sonia Sutherland, Yolanda Rivero, Marvin Duarte, Roni Duarte and David Aguilar. Oscar continued to support his family in a variety of ways. He was employed as a carpenter and laborer during the construction of Ramon's Village and also opened a grocery/souvenir store.

    Despite his many occupations though, Oscar is recognized throughout the island as "La voz de Oro" or "The Golden Voice" of San Pedro. His passion for music was something that came naturally to him. From the tender age of eight, he recalls listening to the radio for hours trying to learn the songs. He also taught himself to play the guitar. Together with many other island boys he enjoyed great times entertaining at gatherings. Even though there were no talent scouts in San Pedro during that time, Dr. Manuel Lizama of Belize City was the first person to give Oscar his big break. Dr. Lizama heard Oscar and his musical partner, Wil Nuñez playing one day and offered them the chance to record a tape which they accepted. After that, Oscar formed several different bands with other friends, namely, "Conjunto Sargasso", "Los Shadows" and eventually "Los Malos."  When these bands dissolved, he again joined his friend Wil and his groups, the "Caribbean Shells" and the "Tequila Trio".

    Oscar is well known for singing romantic Spanish ballads, rancheras and corridos. This talented singer has made many appearances at pageants, Mother's Day programs and other community events. Oscar even had an opportunity to record at a well-known Guatemalan recording studio but, due to unforeseen circumstances, this was not possible. Nevertheless, he did manage to sing in different nightclubs accompanied by an orchestra, on the radio and also appeared on the "Campiña" television show in Guatemala City.

    These days Oscar is self-employed, renting business space in a building on Barrier Reef Drive which he constructed in 1987. He continues to sing on different occasions and his legacy is being carried on by his youngest son, David Aguilar, also a talented singer and keyboard player.

    Oscar often found comfort in singing during the hard times he experienced while growing up. These songs and his personal charm have brought joy to many, earning him the title of "The Golden Voice," a gift he has shared with Our Community.any are those who attempt to be in the limelight but few are the ones that are naturally talented and shine. No matter how much you polish a piece of pumice it will never be on the list of precious stones. That is not the case for one of San Pedro's most talented singers, who was born with the gift of song, Mr. Oscar Aguilar.

    Born in San Pedro on October 31st, 1950 to Concepcion and Geminiano Aguilar, he was the only boy in a family of three girls. Unfortunately, shortly after Oscar's birth, his mother fell ill. He was raised by his Aunt Isabel Perrera and Uncle Christino Gomez. At the age of 14 he left school to seek work to help with the daily expenses of his family. It was during this time that the San Pedro Fishing Cooperative was at its peak and Oscar was given a two-month job maintaining statistical forms for the Fisheries Department. It just so happened that his father was President of the Co-op, so he managed to get hired on as Assistant Plant Manager, in charge of the processing room. He stayed at this job for over ten years making certain the product was carefully packed and stored in 50 pound boxes for exportation to the USA.

    As time moved on, the town developed from a small fishing village into a tourist haven. Oscar saw the need to switch to a job fit for the changing times. He became one of the few taxi drivers on the island. Contracted by some of the hotels to serve as their transportation service, he drove a Land Rover to pick up guests, dispose of garbage or any other necessary trip for the hotels. As the village continued to grow so did the demand for his taxi service. This occupation earned him a living for another ten years.

    In 1977 he married Ms. Yolanda Betancourt and together they had five children. They have done an excellent job raising their children Sonia Sutherland, Yolanda Rivero, Marvin Duarte, Roni Duarte and David Aguilar. Oscar continued to support his family in a variety of ways. He was employed as a carpenter and laborer during the construction of Ramon's Village and also opened a grocery/souvenir store.

    Despite his many occupations though, Oscar is recognized throughout the island as "La voz de Oro" or "The Golden Voice" of San Pedro. His passion for music was something that came naturally to him. From the tender age of eight, he recalls listening to the radio for hours trying to learn the songs. He also taught himself to play the guitar. Together with many other island boys he enjoyed great times entertaining at gatherings. Even though there were no talent scouts in San Pedro during that time, Dr. Manuel Lizama of Belize City was the first person to give Oscar his big break. Dr. Lizama heard Oscar and his musical partner, Wil Nuñez playing one day and offered them the chance to record a tape which they accepted. After that, Oscar formed several different bands with other friends, namely, "Conjunto Sargasso", "Los Shadows" and eventually "Los Malos."  When these bands dissolved, he again joined his friend Wil and his groups, the "Caribbean Shells" and the "Tequila Trio".

    Oscar is well known for singing romantic Spanish ballads, rancheras and corridos. This talented singer has made many appearances at pageants, Mother's Day programs and other community events. Oscar even had an opportunity to record at a well-known Guatemalan recording studio but, due to unforeseen circumstances, this was not possible. Nevertheless, he did manage to sing in different nightclubs accompanied by an orchestra, on the radio and also appeared on the "Campiña" television show in Guatemala City.

    These days Oscar is self-employed, renting business space in a building on Barrier Reef Drive which he constructed in 1987. He continues to sing on different occasions and his legacy is being carried on by his youngest son, David Aguilar, also a talented singer and keyboard player.

    Oscar often found comfort in singing during the hard times he experienced while growing up. These songs and his personal charm have brought joy to many, earning him the title of "The Golden Voice," a gift he has shared with Our Community.



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