An absent son who was always present
In honor of ‘El Trokita’ a black granite plaque was placed in Chapala’s Paseo de los Ausentes
A permanent altar set up by the family in memory of Jorge Luis Padilla Perales during the 50th birthday of his sister Silvia Araceli at El Toro restaurant.
Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).– Trokita was an example to follow. Jorge Luis Padilla Perales, 1970 – 2021, better known in Chapala and California as ‘El Trokita’, was and will continue to be the absent son with the most presence in his hometown. His memory was engraved forever in the Paseo de los Ausentes on February 24.
“Hijos Ausentes” or Absent Children is a time-honored tradition for children who emigrate to the US or Canada to send money back to help support their family and hometown community. The Paseo de los Ausentes is a walkway in Chapala dedicated to their honor.
Jorge Luis was the oldest of five siblings and originally from the La Purisima neighborhood in Chapala. In 1987 he left for the United States at the young age of 17, with the mission of helping his mother Margarita Perales Perez after the separation with his father Jose Luis Padilla Sanchez.
From a young age, Padilla Perales was very supportive, «he took care of his people,» recalls Sandra, the second of the siblings, to whom he was very close. Once in California, ‘El Trokita’, a nickname that has been passed down through the generations to the men of the Padilla family, dedicated his time and effort to a graphic design printing company, with which he managed to support his family.
Like most absent children, there were times when ‘El Trokita’ visited. But he «never traveled empty-handed,» his family recalled. Jorge began his altruistic work by collecting money from fellow California emigrants to support Chapala’s needy with resources.
«He organized fairs and events,» said his sister Silvia. Trokita was supportive of those in need, «he bought medicine for the sick and even bought wheelchairs,» added Sandra.
For these and many other things, such as distributing food, promoting sports and supporting the education of children, Jorge remained until his last breath as the active link between the absent children and his people, an action that earned him the love of the people of Chapala.
After his death, still unknown to the family, on November 15, 2021, Sandra dedicated a corrido (story told through song) to her brother so that everyone in Chapala and California can remember him as he was. It can be found on YouTube with the title «Jorge Luis Padilla ‘El Trokita».
Sandra acknowledged that no one can match the social work that her brother was able to do to benefit the community of Chapala. But that does not mean that his legacy will be lost, «we will do our best to continue his mission, each one in the best way we can,» she said.
Following the death of ‘El Trokita’, the Government of Chapala announced Salvador Alcántar Hernández as the new Coordinator of Chapala’s Absent Children on February 24. The same day the black granite plaque honoring the memory of Jorge Luis Padilla Perales was placed in the Paseo de los Ausentes next to Chapala’s main square.
Translated by Christalle Dalsted
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