Francisco Rafael Carbón Yarizales

Radio broadcaster, born in Banes, Holguín. National Radio Prize. Franco Carbón was decorated with the Distinction for Cuban Culture, the Cuban Radio Microphone, the 45th, 50th and 55th Anniversary Seals of Radio Rebelde and artist of merit of the ICRT, as well as with numerous awards and recognitions. He also received the Diploma for Artistic Merit from the Superior Institute of Art.

During his professional career he was part of prestigious and professional broadcasting stations, such as Radio Reloj, Radio Liberación and Radio Rebelde, he was a professor to various generations training broadcasting professionals in Cuba, he was recognized as one of the best radio broadcasters in Cuban radio.

Francisco Rafael Carbón Yarizales, or simply Franco Carbón was born in the Lobo neighborhood in the municipality of Banes in the province of Holguín, his childhood was spent between agricultural work and the study of reading and writing, subjects which were taught to him by his parents.

He enrolled in a public school which was located in Las Vegas de Samá, a place about 12 km away from his home, school where he studied from first to fourth grade, then he completed fifth grade in another school located in the cutting zone area.

In 1949 he moved to Banes to continue his studies, enrolling in sixth grade at the Los Amigos school, studying there primary and high school. During this time he combined his studies with his work of transporting milk from Aguas Gordas to Banes, fulfilling his work under the most varied conditions, due to the poor condition of the roads.

In 1953, the CDNI Radio Banes station was created in Banes, and it was in 1954 through the efforts of his friend Alfredo Norma Pérez, that he joined the station on the payroll as a broadcaster, remaining in the position until 1956.

In 1957 he finished high school and moved to the city of La Habana with the purpose of studying medicine, seeking his economic support he began working as an insurance salesman and later moved to work in a Bank, where he worked as a sub-accountant. During this stage he was informed that he could take the test to become a broadcaster, presenting himself to it and passing it, during the course of these years he studied History of Art at the University of La Habana.

On August 1st, 1966 he began working as a broadcaster at the prestigious Cuban radio station Radio Reloj, after passing the elimination test. In 1968 he ended his contract with Radio Reloj and moved to work at Radio Rebelde performing his duties as a broadcaster until 1991 when he moved to Radio Liberación station, working there until he returned to Radio Rebelde until his retirement after more than 50 years of work.

As a professor he taught classes to journalists and producers from provincial and national radio stations: Ciudad de La Habana, Santiago de Cuba, Pinar del Río, Radio Banes, among others. He also taught classes to the support group for people with HIV/AIDS. As a broadcaster in 1963 and 1964 he worked at the CTC Nacional.

Franco Carbón died on July 13, 2014 at age 78 from cancer.

Distinctions and Recognition

Diplomas
Diploma from UNEAC for his outstanding merits and contributions to the development of Cuban art and literature. November 2006.
Diploma from UNEAC for merits and contributions to the development of Cuban art and literature.
Julio Lot Diploma from the Association of Film Radio and Television of UNEAC. December 2005.
Diploma for Artistic Merit from ISA, 2002.

Recognition
Recognition from Radio Rebelde for the excellence of his work. April 2005, Radio Rebelde.
Recognition for participation in the Open Forum of May 1st, 2000.
Recognition from the Chair of Philology and Classical Tradition and the Organizing Committee of the Congress on Contemporaneity of the Classics, 1998.
Recognition as Laureate of the Culture Union, 1997.

Awards
Prize for Excellence. February 2006, Radio Rebelde.
Radio Camagüeyana Prize – Sense of Life. Camagüey 2004.
Espejo de Paciencia Prize. Department of Culture. Camagüey 2004.
First prize for best interview, National Radio Festival, held in the province of Holguín.

Medals
Medal for the 80th Anniversary of Radio, 2003.
Medal for the 45th Anniversary of Radio Rebelde, 2003.
Medal for the 55th Anniversary of the CTC, 1992.

Other
Aldabón de la Periquera, from the city of Holguín for personalities of Culture, 2003.
Certificate as facilitator at the Workshop of the National Center for STI-HIV Prevention, 2003.
Commemorative Seal for the 80th Anniversary of Radio. November 2002.
Indio of the city of Banes as highest recognition, 1997.
Distinction from the Adolfo Guzmán Cultural Center, Medal and Certificate, 1996.
Microphone presented by Cuban Radio, 1995
Distinction September 28th of the CDR, Medal 1995.
Distinction for National Culture, bestowed by Armando Hart, Medal, 1992.
Diploma for Artistic Merit from the Superior Institute of Art
He is a member of UNEAC.