Yeah, he did live most of his earlier years in DR and is technically a Dominican-Mexican, but I have to concur with Chico in that he isn't really known for being dominican, nor does he going around speaking like one or giving DR much recognition. (One of the very few dominican actors in Mexican novelas that has always stated he was dominican, often with discernable pride, and makes regular visits and interviews in DR is Carlos De La Mota and Jose Guillermo Cortines.) Luismi might've been born in Puerto Rico, you'll never hear him talk about it or call himself Puerto Rican. Then again, you can't blame him for having an attachment to the country where he was reared and bought up to believe he was Mexican.

That's interesting--I didn't know his parents where Spanish exiles. That's like Charytin's mother who went to DR during Franco's regime and married a dominican.

Yes, thousands of Spaniards arrived in the DR during this tumultous period in history. Most were highly educated writers, economist, poets, artists, politicians and educators. They were Liberal thinkers most of who opposed the Franco regime. Ironically, different from our early Spanish colonizers who looted, plundered and pilliage, most of these exiles actually made great contributions to the Dominican Republic.

As for Luis Miguel, he was only born in PR, that is it. His mother was a performer and was in the island on tour. She had contractions and naturally needed to give birth, but the family left right away. Different from Andres Garcia who left roots in the DR. However, like many children of Dominicans that grow up in another country, it is normal to identify yourself culturally and have a loyalty to the place which feeds you and helps your bank account grow. Remember it was in Mexico that launched him to stardom and publicly he is marketed as a Mexican actor. At this moment, though attempts have been made, internationally there is no market for Dominican actors or soap operas. However, in private he will openly discuss his Dominican background, orgins and experiences. He is not ashamed ot that, but it was Mexico the place that made him rich and famous. As the saying says: Por la plata baila el mono.

Yeah, I agree. (Though I do remember a few raised eyebrows by the Puerto Rican community that were bothered by his attitude in interviews whenever he was (supposedly) asked about that.) I saw an interview with Andres on Don Francisco where it was said that his parents were Mexican. Or they could be Mexicans of Spaniard descent. Eh, who knows...

As far as ethnic demographics go...I'm curious as to when exactly Asians started immigrating to DR. I for one, have Asian strains on my mother's side and I know that many Japanese came after WWII and settled in Constanza.

Oh...the Pto Rican community was "bothered by his attitude" ??? Why were they bothered and which community are you talking about, the one on the island or in the mainland? And what do you mean by "his attitude"? Andres overall is a nice person, even somewhat down to earth, but if you hit the wrong cord, he can get arrogant at times.

I don't think there are exact or accurate figures of when the first chinese migrants arrived in the DR, but evidence indicate their presence goes as far back as the begining of the 19th century and ever since there has been a steady flow quietly coming but in small numbers to the point that today we have our first China town. Their is also sizable and prosperous chinese community in Bonao.

The only other major group of Japanese migrants came and settled in and around constanza 1953 as an agricultural community. They were brought in by Trujillo and given land to farm a variety of agricultural goods uncommon for the tropics.

see dr1:http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2009/4/13/31672/Japanese-leave-their-mark-descendants-in-Dominican-interior

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AslYF0STrWk

Well, just the fact that he didn't give that aspect of himself recognition. Maybe they wanted him to say that he was Puerto Rican; some accused him of denying it. But others argued that he wasn't going to identify with being being Puerto Rican because he wasn't bought up there, and he was told all his life he was Mexican. In an interview, he was asked about it and he kinda avoided the question, "En mi corazon, yo soy Mexicano." or something to that effect. Some PR's were rubbed the wrong way.

I don't understand, Andres Garcia has no ties to Puerto Rico, unless you are really talking about Luis Miguel.

Yes, Luis Miguel.

Ok, makes sense now. Well, the Pto Ricans should not get upset. No reason what so ever for Luis M. to feel any attachment to the island, even if it were his place of birth, particularly if you never went back after you were born.

That is similar to many military people that have children overseas. One particular case is US presidential candidate John McCain. He was born in Panama, but that is it. He has no reason to feel loyalty to Panama. As is the case of many US soldiers stationed in American bases around the world. Many have had children in other countries, but the loyalty understandibly is to the United States of America.

Another example is a friend whose parents were German Jews that excaped to avoid Nazi persecution. They sailed on a ship that wondered the oceans from port-to-port until a country was found that would take them in. On one of the stops, my friend happened to be born in the port of Shanghai, China. They stayed for a few weeks, but soon after left until they eventually anchored and settled in Sosua, Dominican Republic. My friend arrived in the DR as an infant. He was raised, went to school, married, built his home and basically lived all of his life in the Dominican Republic. But technically, he is Chinese by birth. Do you think the Chinese community should get upset because he refuses to recognize China as his country of birth. Of course not or I should hope not, but neither should the Puerto Ricans get upset if Luis Miguel refuses to identify with Puerto Rico and prefers to be considered Mexican and Mexico as his mother country.

I visited everything from the campo to the middle class to the urban. Like I said I drove around that tiny island more than once.