08/26/2026
FLIGHT 1348 to WASHINGTON, D.C.
“…People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” —Maya Angelou
As my group number is called, I follow the herd with heavy steps as we begin to board the plane that will bring me back home. But at the same time, I’m leaving my first home, remembering all the things I love that I’ve left behind with a heavy heart. But I’m also feeling the exhilaration of accomplishing the greatest goal in my career so far, filming my first mid length film, One Last Song for My Father.
It is quite the mood shift from the day we first arrived on the island, anxious and wondering how the next 8 days would play out. An arduous schedule of filming excerpts from my recent memoir was planned against a background of scorching temperatures and a persistent drought. When the 4 pieces of luggage containing principal props and costumes were unexpectedly diverted off the plane to another state, in my panic I envisioned a completely bare set, actors without their costumes, and a team of 30 technicians with nothing to shoot. Thankfully, the 3 a.m. call that jolted me out of an uncomfortable sleep reassured me that the luggage had finally arrived and this dicey episode had at least been resolved within a reasonable time frame.
Fortunately, this little hiccup was not to imperil what happened that first morning, as the vibe on set was electrified by a hub of incredibly motivated technicians, actors, and producers. The words of Ángel Castro, our Director of Photography, found a special place in my heart when he confided to me, “I’m honored to be part of your beautiful story. Some people in this case would give you a 100%, but I’m ready to give you my 400%.” The weight of his thoughtful, heartfelt words humbled me.
That moment reassured me that the monumental undertaking I had imposed upon myself was not going to be the biggest and most expensive mistake of my creative life. My insecurities began to fade away when various members of the team shared with me the same sentiment in their own words. It made me glad to hear their thoughts and perceptions of the story. It was an intense and almost overwhelming wave of appreciation and gratitude that I’ve never experienced in my professional life.
After the fear of embarking on a week of 12-hour days of filming began to subside, I experienced such elation that in this moment of my creative life, not only did I have the team’s collective commitment, but also their affection and gratitude for being included in this project they deemed not only a beautiful story, but a sincere and dignified representation of their own values as traditional Puerto Rican families.
The magic of the filmmaking experience increased tenfold when, stationed in the “video village,” I watched the dailies. All my sleepless nights, panic attacks, and myriad doubts suddenly began to vanish when I witnessed the magic of the story unfolding on the small screen in front of me. I was overjoyed. It became clear that my short story was destined to become the crowning jewel of my body of work. A gorgeously photographed piece filled with nostalgia and remembrance, of better times long gone, and above all, a story brimming with heart and humor.
As I write these lines on the plane transporting me home, exhausted both physically and emotionally, I relive the magical week of filming at the Jardín Botánico y Cultural William Miranda Marín in Caguas. An inspired and motivated team of the finest cinematographic technicians on the island worked through an excruciating, wilting heat that would bring others to their knees, demonstrating to me what a determined group of humans on a labor of love looks and feels like.
At the risk of including a cliché in this message to you, I consider the achievement of filming One Last Song for My Father as miraculous as catching lightning in a bottle, and I can’t wait for the moment when I am able to share the beautiful result with you!
With my love and gratitude for your participation and support,
Edwin
PS: Please stay connected for more news and updates from the production as the movie advances to its completion. Follow on Instagram.
