Hector ‘El Gugu’ Cortez: ‘I want to make a better world, for people to be happier’

His voice is sweet, clear and determined.

He is eight years old, and although his name may not mean much today, Hector Cortez is the son of one of the most famous radio ‘locutores’

“Nobody believes me at school,” says Hector ‘El Gugu’ Cortez, who shares segments on the air with his father, Terry ‘El Terrible’ Cortez of 97.7 FM La Raza.

“I start by saying, ‘Hola amiguitos’ says the kid who is perhaps the youngest announcer not only in the United States but in the world.

“I want a better world, a message of positivity, to make this society better,” he says seriously.

Terry proudly says, “It is the lesson I wanted to impart, when we drive on our way home there are homeless people and we always share money with them.”

Hector practices martial arts and is close to getting his black belt.

“Nobody believes me at school, well, a few,” he says.

El Terrible says, “my son could knock out anyone in a second, but he is very generous and would never do it.”

“El Gugu” knows that the future of communications is changing and he plans to do something on YouTube. He loves to play with his dad in the park on Saturdays although he says with that childish mischief: “he is already getting a belly and sticks out his tongue when he runs.”

And he adds, “my dad works a lot, he goes to work at three  in the morning and although I would like to spend more time with him, I know that he does an excellent job with the community. The time I spent with him in the park I really enjoy.”

Hector enjoys mathematics and although he is fascinated by the world of radio and time with his dad he wants to do something related when he grows up.

He really likes to make jokes and asks me: “what is the richest animal?” And I ask him, which one? And he says, the sheep, it has a lot of wool!

“My dad is a great ‘locutor’ and as a dad he is the best!”

El Terrible: “Everyone has a difficult life, but it is possible to overcome it”