By Staff

Ramon “Chunky” Sanchez, whose music and voice chronicled the struggles and victories of the barrio, died a few days before his sixty-fifth birthday.  A viewing, ceremony and celebration of life the weekend of November 4-6 are an opportunity for the extensive community of family and friends to pay their final respects.

Friday November 4

Public Viewing 2- 7 pm
Centro Cultural de la Raza
2004 Park Blvd. San Diego

Saturday November 5

Ceremony 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Chicano Park Kiosko
(Private procession and burial following the ceremony)

Sunday November 6

Celebration of Life 12- 4 pm
Chicano Park
Music: Danza Azteca and Ballet Folklórico

Dr. Pepe Villarino provided SDFP with a corrido penned in honor of Chunky.  Corridos are a beloved Mexican musical style that give voice to ordinary people and reflect what is going on in local communities.

Dr. Villarino acknowledges the assistance of Arturo Bones/Huesos Rodriguez from Denver, Colorado who collaborated with looking over the ballad, editing and posting on facebook. Dr. Villarino made some slight changes to go with the music of Chunky’s Trilingual Corrido suggested by Cynthia Alvarado Rodriguez, a member of La Rondalla Amerindia de Aztlán.

 

“CHUNKY” NUESTRO HÉROE
RAMÓN “CHUNKY” SÁNCHEZ ¡PRESENTE!
10/30/51 – 10/28/2016

Escuchen este corrido Que venimos a cantar Versos al gran “Chunky” Sánchez Un carnal firme y leal.	Listen to this ballad That we come to sing Verses to the great “Chunky” Sánchez A firm and loyal brother.
Nacido en Blythe, California Al lado del Colorado Allí pasaba los días En este río afamado.	Born in Blythe, California On the edge of the Colorado Where he spent his days By this famous river.
A los dieciocho cumplidos Sus padres le dan razón Vete, sigue a César Chávez Aquí está tu bendición.	Upon turning eighteen His parents gave him permission Go and follow César Chávez You have our blessing.
Con una beca en la mano Como era muy buen atleta A  San Diego State llegó Ya traía bien su meta.	With a scholarship in hand And being a good athlete To San Diego State he went For this was his goal.
En Logan Heights el setenta La gente se levantó “La tierra mía” es el grito El pueblo la liberó.	During the 70s in Logan Heights The people protested in mass “This land of ours” is the cry Liberated by our people.
Con la Rondalla Amerindia Y con el Teatro Mestizo Se oían rolas de huelga por el mal que tanto se hizo.	With la Rondalla Amerindia And with the Mestizo Theatre Songs of protest were heard Because of all the harm done.
Los Alacranes Mojados Nacieron de este momento Para México partieron A refinar su talento.	Los Alacranes Mojados Were born at this moment And to Mexico they went To refine their musical talent.
Ahí les va Chorizo Sandwich También Chicano Park Samba Nace El Trilingual Corrido Y la Guitarra Campesina.	Here goes Chorizo Sandwich And Chicano Park Samba The Trilingual Corrido is born And the Farmworker’s Guitar.
Desde los años setenta Hasta el año dos mil trece Muchos premios se lograron Y la lista crece y crece.	From the 70’s To 2013 Many awards were earned And the list keeps on growing.
El auditorio King/Chávez, Su nombre justo y cabal Culminando en el Smithsonian Con el “Premio Nacional”	King/Chávez auditorium A just and noble name Culminating in the Smithsonian And the grand National Arts award.
Hay mucho más que contar Esta causa no termina La lucha está por ganarse Solo “El Chunky” lo adivina.	There is much more to be told This cause is not over The battle is about to be won For “Chunky” can tell the future.
Ahora “El Chunky” nos deja Con su guitarra en la mano Con notas muy relucientes Del corazón de un hermano.	Today “Chunky” leaves us With his guitar in hand Singing those sweet notes That come from the heart of a brother.
Allá se oye “Rising Souls” Para que quede patente Esas “songas” muy chicanas ¡Qué vivirán para siempre!	In the distance one hears “Rising Souls” That will become indelible Those soul Chicano songs That will live forever.
Vuela, vuela águila negra Llévate al “Chunky” con dios Con esas rolas sagradas Porque aquí no hay adiós.	Fly, fly black eagle Carry “Chunky” to heaven with god Along with his sacred songs Because with our people there’s no good-byes.
Ya con esta se despide Un carnal muy obediente No se olviden de la causa ¡Qué yo estaré muy pendiente!	With this I say hasta la vista A faithful and obedient homie Never forget our cause For I will keep an eye over you!

c/s
Pepe Villarino
10/28/2016

I am a retired Emeritus Full Professor (2002) from Chicana/Chicano Studies. I was recommended to MEChA along with 5 other candidates (3 female faculty, Ruth Robinson, Evangelina Bustamente, Enriqueta Vasquez & 3 Male faculty, Rene Nunez, Carlos Velez, & Pepe Villarino) by Dr. Gus Segade to form the Department of Mexican American Studies in 1969. I met ‘Chunky’ in 1970 on campus where he was looking for Peterson Gym to report to the wrestling coach; I pointed him to the gym and I took him by the arm straight to our Department where he immediately majored in Mexican American Studies. He had no idea that he was going to take part in the takeover of that ‘little piece of land’ now Chicano Park. Everything happened at the right time for ‘Chunky’.  I formed La Rondalla Amerindia de Aztlan in 1972 inspired by Carlos & Linda LeGerrette and Poli Gloria at SDSU. We committed our services to Cesar Chavez and the United Farmworkers 24/7.  ‘Chunky’ joined La Rondalla and in 1974 we played for  Cesar Chavez and the United Farmworkers in the Indio Fairgrounds; He then went on to form Los Alacranes Mojados and the rest is history. His Corrido tells his saga in 15 stanzas.