Hacia la Virtud - Old San Juan, PR

In September 2017, one week before Hurricane Maria's catastrophic landfall, I returned to my ancestral home to document and enjoy Puerto Rico with my family. Among these photographs is an image from Old San Juan - a weathered doorway with our flag at the intersection of Calle Imperial and Calle de la Virtud.

I framed the photo to emphasize the weathered blue cobblestones (adoquines), laid by laborers centuries ago, leading the eye toward our iconic flag’s bold, vibrant stance. This visual dialogue between our colonial foundations and our national emblem speaks to me of resistance, a testament to how Puerto Rico's identity persists despite centuries of oppression.