Manuel Ortega Romero

Writer, radio broadcaster, moderator, and scriptwriter for humorous programs on Cuban radio and television.

He was born in Ciego de Ávila. While still very young, he traveled with his family to Spain, his parents' native country, where a large part of his life took place. As a young man, he fought for the Republic in the Spanish Civil War, suffered the horrors of a concentration camp in fascist France, and was active in the ranks of the Socialist Youth.

He returned to Cuba in 1939 and immediately joined radio as host of a political guidance program titled La hora de la juventud, which aired through the radio station CMCA. From there he began his professional training.

He was part of the cast of several radio stations, such as CMBF—in its first location on Prado Street—, CMZ, Radio García Sierra, and Mil Diez. The latter functioned as a means of dissemination for the Popular Socialist Party, known as "the people's station" (1943) and is where he became known as one of the leading figures in radio broadcasting in our country. There he also worked as a writer for the humorous program Radio Locuras, which was later taken over by Marcos Behemaras.

He ventured into sports commentary and, together with Ibrahim Urbino, narrated some baseball games, which earned him the distinction of "rookie of the year" awarded by the newspaper Hoy. He is also the author of some musical pieces, performed by renowned singers such as Elena Burke and Marta Justiniani.

In 1948, the Popular Socialist Party's radio station was raided and shut down by the government of Carlos Prío Socarrás, at which point Manolo Ortega went to work at COCO, owned by Guido García Inclán, on the political satire program "Cuba en llamas".

Subsequently, he was a booth announcer at CMBF, when it was already part of the CMQ Circuit and located in the Radiocentro building. On December 18, 1950, when Channel 6 (CMQ Televisión) of Cuban television was inaugurated experimentally, he participated in the opening program: "Tensión en el Canal 6", with a script by Marcos Behemaras.

His professionalism as a broadcaster and host opened many opportunities for him in television. On January 5, 1951, he was hired as exclusive announcer for the CMQ News, sponsored by Cervecería Hatuey. Additionally, he served as commercial announcer on other prime television programs such as Cabaret Regalías and Aquí todos hacen de todo.

He participated in the clandestine struggle against the Batista tyranny; for this reason, his name was registered in the files of the BRAC (Repressive Bureau of Communist Activities).

After the triumph of the Revolution, he became the regular presenter of acts in which Commander in Chief Fidel Castro intervened, on radio and television, for almost 30 years.

Among the numerous recognitions that endorsed his contributions were the Distinction for National Culture, the Alejo Carpentier Medal, and the honorary title of Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba.

His presence became regular in the two daily broadcasts of the National Television News, inaugurated on November 2, 1961, alongside broadcaster Eddy Martin. He remained in that space for more than twenty-five years.

During his professional life, and with greater dedication after his retirement, he carried out essential pedagogical work in the training of new generations of broadcasters and journalists. He received numerous recognitions: Distinction for National Culture, Alejo Carpentier Medal, and honorary title of Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba. He died on October 22, 2003.