Marta here: This story is really about Roland’s mother. I love how totally genious she was in preparing her young son to leave Cuba at any given moment.
as told to Lucy Vega
In 1966, little Roly Vega was just 4 years old, born in Habana and living in Camajuani, Las Villas in Cuba.
Castro had been in control of Cuba for over 5 years and his parents knew that it was time to leave their beloved homeland. His parents had already seen their nephew Henri sent to the United States as part of the Peter Pan Project and with President Lyndon B. Johnson opening doors for Cubans they saw their opportunity.
Being allowed to leave Cuba was challenging; you had to leave everything behind and be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. This would be difficult as the entire family needed to stay close to home and each other, ready to go and with two small children there would be additional challenges.
One of those challenges was the fact that Roly was afraid of airplanes. Really afraid of planes and if he caused a scene when it was time to leave, well, they wouldn’t be going anywhere. So, everyday his mother would take him to the small airfield they hoped to leave from to see the planes and watch them take off.
“Look Roly, look at the planes! We will be going on a trip in one of them soon.” Every day they followed the same routine until they got the word that they were given clearance to finally be able to leave Cuba.
Roly was, by now, used to the planes and didn’t make a fuss when it was time for the family to leave on the airplane that would carry them to freedom.
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Roland today with his very clever and brave mother.
Roland’s dad wearing one of the most popular Habana Brand Clothing designs.
Many years later, (okay over 45+ years) Roland Vega lives in California and still thinks about his beloved Cuba. In 2009 he joined his love of his heritage and his love of art to create Habana Brand Clothing. A family run business specializing in men’s and women’s vintage style t-shirts with a Cuban and Caribbean feel. He hopes to show the music, history and nostalgia of the old Cuba that Roland and his family left behind 45 years ago.
Roland and Lucy Vega with their handsome sons.
Visit Roland and his family at www.habanabrand.com and yes that is Roland singing to his parents! He will always be grateful for their struggles to give him and his sisters a better life.
P.S. Roland Vega is still afraid of planes, really afraid of planes!!!
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Marta here:
I found Habana Brand Clothing through the Wassup en LA? page on Facebook and I immediately fell in love. So, I shared the link on the My big, fat, Cuban family Facebook page. And I said to my fans, “Go like them. And tell them Marta sent you.”
According to Roland, what happened next was crazy….their “likes” started climbing and they couldn’t understand what had happened, until they saw the posts on their wall that looked like this:
And so our friendship began.
Also, my kids LOVE their Habana Brand Clothing.
Lucy & Jonathan rocking their brand new and totally gorgeous Habana Brand Clothing.
Please go “like” Habana Brand Clothing on Facebook
Tell them Marta sent you. (Ya tu sabes.)
Love the cafecito tshirt!
Would love to see a Celia Cruz tshirt.
I like Habana Brand Clothing
-would love to see the island from above…the last view many on this page got as they left for the last time.-love “cafe con leche” tee
Cafe con leche is my favorite !
I like Habana Brand Clothing !
Would love to see a T-Shirt that said, “En Cuba esto no Pasaba!” Lol!!!I love the Cafe con Leche T-shirt!!!
I also liked their page! 🙂
Besote!!!
Ody
What Cuban design would you love to see on a tshirt? Jose MartiWhich design from the Habana Brand Clothing catalog do you love most? “We Roll’em, You Smoke’em”
“I like Habana Brand Clothing!”
http://www.etsy.com/listing/67356926/espresso-ladies-ribbed-tank-topi like i like.
BB2U
Habana Brand Clothing- again, i like i like. Also liked them on Feibu.BB2U
A music theme…maracas, tumbadora, any musical instrument with Cuban flavor.I like the Habana Brand Clothing…
Already a fan on Facebook :))))
Would like to see Celia Cruz in a Cuban red and white dress with the saying Azucar maybe with el male on and the beach in the background.
I would love to see a Playa Varadero t-shirt. I really liked the Rumbera ladies V-neck tee … sweet!
I really like Habana Brand Clothing!!!
I like the cafecito design.Would like to see the Cuban flag — vintage style.
yup, I like “Guitars” “Sirena” “Music Man”
………….And i “Like” it-Me gusta-
I would love to see a “sweet old man smoking a cigar by the beach or on a balcony in his rocking chair” those are the memories I have of my sweet old grandfather in Cuba and would love to see them on a t-shirt.I love the “Cafe con Leche” shirt and the music is great!
I would love to see a t-shirt with Beny Morez on it, of the current designs I love the vintage cargo one
I like Habana Brand Clothing
I love the Classic Car men’s v-neck shirt, which I would wear myself. Fabulous designs; I love the vintage look! And Rolando’s story was even better.I think a shirt with Marta’s series’ title “Cuando Sali de Cuba…” would be a great conversation starter.
I would also like to see an “Azucar” shirt with Celia.I love the “Cafe Con Leche” shirt and the Classic Car shirts.
“I like Habana Brand Clothing!”
I like what I see, I am sure will be buying some of the shirts for me and the kids, my son loves Cuban stuff.
I love the cafe con leche shirt. I would like to see a tinajon one for us camagueyanos! I liked their page too! I love Habana Brand clothing!
I would have to say i love the beach shirt. I have never been to Cuba but both of my parents are there and all they tal about are the beaches.
I like Habana Brand Clothing!”
I “liked” Habana Brand a long time ago Martala! I always follow your instructions! Of course I dig the Cafe con Leche and the Trumpeter! Would love to see the clarinete, saxo y Paquito D’Rivera!!!! Cariños, Zelde
Well, I have to confess that I ‘liked’ the Habana Brand clothing awhile back (3-4 weeks) when I saw it on ur FB page! BUT…I didn’t know to give u credit. So sorrrrry!! But let me tell u how much I LOOOOOVE this line and the Tshirt I got! I purchased the Conga girl Tshirt. I feel sooo sexy in this shirt! ANNNND I also have to tell u about the customer service. I ordered it in a L and it was a bit tight. I emailed Lucy, she quickly responded, I shipped it back and she had an XL back to me in lightening speed!! I cannot tell u how impressed and pleased I am with this Co. As for favorite design well obviously I live my Conga girl but I’d love to see them put a classy old car on a girl cut Tshirt (v neck and shaped). Well this is long, but my enthusiasm is sincere!! Love ur blog by the way!!
I love the cafe con leche.
old cuba.. maybe brown n white landscapes w/ palmtrees swaying in fields..
i like habana brand clothing
I Like HAVANA BRAND CLOTHING
The design that I would love to see is a shirt with the island in the colours of the flag with maracas, mangos, bongos, and palm trees surrounding the island. I would have to say my favourite shirt from the Havana clothing is the lady sitting on top of the Conga drum. It’s beautiful. I like your Facebook page 🙂