I am a Costa Rican with an indigenous Boruca mother and an indigenous Teribe father, born in Bijagual in the indigenous territory of Térraba, in the canton that is the cradle of indigenous cultures in Costa Rica: Buenos Aires, Brunca Region.
“Don’t let your dreams fade—make them a reality” isn’t just a pretty phrase. It’s a daily decision. Keeping your dreams alive means continuing to move forward even when the road gets tough, when fatigue sets in, or when others doubt what you’re capable of.
I have a deep affection for my roots because, as a child in my rural home, I dreamed of being a radio announcer. I made that dream a reality at the age of 13 when I received a scholarship from the Costa Rican Institute of Radio Broadcasting Education (ICER) and the Radio Netherlands Training Centre (RNTC). I am passionate about community-based rural journalism, which is why I created Brunca TVD: a platform that opens up spaces and gives voice to those who have historically been silenced.
In this region of the country, we walk daily among vulnerable communities where discrimination, inequality, and racism prevail. Adding to this, the neglect by the Costa Rican state keeps these impoverished communities, with their lack of opportunities to thrive, polarized. For example, communities like Cartago in the Cabagra Indigenous Territory in Buenos Aires, and Punta Burica in the Ngäbe Indigenous Territory of Golfito, are Indigenous communities with significant inequalities in essential services such as urgent access to medical care, electricity, drinking water, telephone service, and roads. To reach these communities, one must walk along trails, crossing streams and rivers—the other Costa Rica, as the Indigenous elders say, witnessing their grim reality. If we speak of polarization or exclusion, we have evidence and testimonies that cry out when rights such as land reclamation are exercised.
Healthy coexistence and governance remain a major challenge for the internal authorities in these territories, and even more so for the Executive Branch. Despite these efforts, fundamental rights continue to be violated. In light of this situation, Brunca TV Digital contributes by showcasing an inspiring reality, highlighting the diverse efforts of the Bribri, Cabécar, Ngäbe, Boruca, and Teribe Indigenous peoples in tourism ventures that showcase their rich history and ancestral heritage. We also present their culture and worldview through images and advertorials, cultural contributions that enrich and strengthen collective thought, reminding us that knowing, respecting, and sharing these expressions is also a way to safeguard our identity, honor the living memory of Indigenous peoples, their identity, their language, and their profound connection to the land. These are not simply audiovisual productions; they are an act of cultural resistance, pride, and love for the roots that sustain us as a diverse and multicultural nation. Culture flourishes when it is shared, when music, words, and ancestral gestures become a bridge between generations; every image, every dance, and every smile reflects a heritage that continues to beat strongly.
El Colectivo 506 has motivated and inspired us to continue pursuing our goals as a media outlet and as journalists. Alternative regional media lack resources, and among these limitations, many have fallen behind due to a lack of training, advertising, and equipment. The arrival of El Colectivo 506 motivates us to shine our light even brighter, because since our inception, we have always been guided by our own light.
Our own unique perspective, that luz propia, has been built on rigorous and balanced journalism, guided by ethics and constructive work. Thanks to our contributions, we have now served as correspondents for Telenoticias, the Channel 7 news program and the longest-running in Costa Rica, for 12 years.
2025 brought us a breath of fresh air and confirmed that our work as a regional media outlet has not been in vain. We have seen firsthand in the various workshops offered by El Colectivo 506 that we are on the right track. Every effort is worthwhile and has its rewards, and we are grateful for the work El Colectivo 506 is doing in the country with the network of journalists from regional media outlets. It will be an honor for us to continue being part of their agenda in 2026.
In their workshops, we were able to share ideas and experiences with colleagues from other participating media outlets, and the contributions made by the presenters on the different topics. What surprised us? The integration and participation of colleagues. What have we applied from the workshops? Theoretically, we refreshed our knowledge. The academic aspect guides us toward specific paths, but in practice we learn and improve even more. In the workshops we participated in, we reaffirmed our commitment to responsible journalism, as we have always practiced it since our time in radio and television, and now in the digital realm.
As I mentioned above, El Colectivo 506 has motivated and inspired us to keep moving forward, working and successfully achieving our goals—goals set more than 14 years ago, coinciding with the founding of Brunca TVD Costa Rica, an alternative media outlet in the Brunca Region. We are well aware that we are in one of the richest regions in terms of natural resources, biodiversity, and culture, but unfortunately, it also has some of the most unfavorable rates of poverty and inequality, not to mention the significant polarization and exclusion experienced by our indigenous communities.
From the canton of rice tamales, Buenos Aires, many thanks to El Colectivo 506! May this year 2026 bring more training opportunities, and may more colleagues join.
