Santo Domingo. – The Dominican Republic mourns the passing of
María Cristina Camilo Rodríguez, known as
Maíta, pioneer of Dominican radio and television, who died this Friday at the age of 107.
And despite being multi-awarded for her career, Maíta passed away and the
Soberano Grand Prize, the highest award in the country's artistic industry, never reached her hands, although she had all the requirements to receive it.
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Maíta, born in San Francisco de Macorís on December 25, 1917, became the first radio announcer and television presenter in the country, leaving a historical legacy in communication and the arts. Throughout more than 70 years of career, she was recognized with the
Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella, multiple
Golden Microphones, awards from the Chamber of Deputies, and a
special Soberano Award in 2021. However, the
Gran Premio Soberano, the highest recognition that distinguishes Dominican artists, was never awarded to her.
His passing underscores the loss of a historical figure who marked generations and who, despite the numerous tributes received in life, could not see his career crowned with the award that symbolizes the highest artistic distinction in the country. The artistic community and its followers have expressed deep sorrow that one of the living legends of Dominican broadcasting and television has departed without receiving this recognition.
Maíta was also highlighted for her commitment to senior citizens and her teaching work, and her legacy includes the training of numerous communicators and artists. Her departure represents a milestone in the history of Dominican media and leaves a void that will hardly be filled.
Acknowledgements
On April 18, 1977, Dominican Broadcaster's Day, Camilo received the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella, in the Knight's Degree, from President Joaquín Balaguer, along with the actress Monina Solá. The Dominican Broadcasters Circle awarded him the Golden Microphone award on four occasions, also the first Grand Golden Microphone, in 1991, and the special "Great Golden Voice" Award in 2023.
In 2014, her biography titled María Cristina Camilo: Una estrella dominicana, 92 años de historia, was presented at the Eduardo Brito National Theater, with her presence, that of the book's author, producer and theater director, Luis Dantes Castillo, and the Minister of Culture, José Antonio Rodríguez. Three years later, the Chamber of Deputies of the Dominican Republic presented her with a parchment, "for her consecrated work as a broadcaster, theater, film and television actress." At the event, the president of the Chamber, Lucía Medina, defined her as "a living legend" of Dominican broadcasting, theater and cinema.
The Gardo Radio Awards, in their first edition in 2020, distinguished her with a statuette, for her long career on the airwaves. That year, she was also distinguished by the Santo Domingo Bella Vista Rotary Club, in the category of Women of Values. In 2021 she received a special Soberano Award for her career of more than 70 years in the media. The Soberano Awards, granted by the Association of Art Journalists since 1985, annually award the best in music, popular art, theater, cinema and communication at a gala.
That same year, she inaugurated her star on the walk of the La Voz del Yuna Museum, in Bonao, which houses the replica of the original radio station, the first in the country, and where she began as a broadcaster. In addition, the National Police of the Dominican Republic paid tribute to her, with the presentation of a plaque, in recognition of her "artistic and human trajectory" and as a "teacher of teachers".
In 2022, the Senate of the Dominican Republic presented her with an award for her career "in benefit of Dominican art and culture." At the event, Senator Franklin Peña, representative of the province of San Francisco de Macorís, where Maíta was born, and promoter of the tribute, highlighted the communicator's work for the benefit of the elderly.
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