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Issue
43
Chago’s Dream
Text and Photos Tlecu
Info provided by Irene Sandoval
1979 Cadillac Coupe de Ville
Owner Santiago “Chago” Hernandez R.I.P
Car Club sons of Mexico
Salinas, CA
Model Tomasa
Some say that dreams never become reality, but not for a man
named Santiago “Chago” Hernandez. He came into
this realm on October 3, 1984 to a small town in Juchipila,
Zacatecas, Mexico where he was raised by his abuelita “Mama
Chuy” until the age of 14. Then his life would change
and the seed of “Chago’s Dream” would be
planted.
As he went to school and worked he became fascinated with
what every teenage Chicano admires, those low and slow machines
inscribed with beauty and pride, lowriders. Living with his
mother he worked hard to provide but never lost sight of his
dream. Then he bought a ’79 Cadillac Coupe de Ville,
which he worked on after work, school, and on any free time
he had and began modifying it to his dream that would be the
first car in his “Sons of Mexico” car club.
Then just like in dreams where you are tossed from one place
to another with no control, life tossed him a hand that he
couldn’t fold. He was diagnosed with leukemia that caused
him to undergo radiation treatment. Just as it seemed he was
going to win the hand with the flop, the river came out and
there was no winning. There was a cancerous tumor that was
found behind his left eye and across his nose and throughout
his body. It seemed as if his dream turned into a nightmare.
He confided in his Tia Irene where he expressed his aggressive
and lonely state, his view on death and being able to protect
and provide for his mother, brothers, ors sister. She tried
her best to explain death and that he would always be in their
hearts. She stated that he had a special mission to do and
what it was they didn’t know yet but they knew that
God had one in mind, that was the reason that he was going
through these trials. Through these phone conversations he
revealed his dream to her and that it was on hold and wouldn’t
get finished.
Irene contacted her niece and asked if she could send some
lowrider magazines and posters to him. Her niece’s boyfriend
in turn posted it up on Layitlow.com and that’s when
others began to become part of the dream. He received gifts,
phone calls, and visits from individuals and car clubs around
the world. His lonely world changed delightfully which allowed
him to forget his illness. The change in him was so profound
that the lowrider community had no idea what they were doing
for him.
Soon car clubs put in unto themselves to finish the dream
for Chago. Once they began working on it, they got word that
Chago only had a few weeks to live. Questions arose to as
if the car would be completed in time. God works in mysterious
ways because Chagos Angels, those who help in any way possible
for Chago, prayed for him while others completed the car in
three weeks. It was complete the way Chago wanted it. Then
Chago told Irene that when was going to receive the car but
she stated that it was not hers to have but she would hold
it till his younger brother turned eighteen and if he didn’t
earn the car, it would pass to the younger brother. She promised
to take the car to as many show possible and show it cancer
fundraisers.
The time came when “Chago’s Dream” became
a reality. As Chago was sent home to die on May 6, 2005, the
car was being finished up. Then on May 8, 2005 his dream was
presented to him at his home in Salinas, CA. He was able to
spend some time with family and friends and enjoy his ride
for a few hours and ride in it.
Chago returned to the hospital that Sunday night and he went
blind and lapsed into a semi coma on Tuesday. Irene spoke
with Chago and told him that she will always be in her heart
and loved him very much and not to be afraid of death. That’s
when his time would come to just close his eyes and follow
the light and the Angels would take him home. He passed away
on the morning of May 19, 2005 but one wish was yet to be
completed, to go to Las Vegas and show off his car on the
strip. On November 5, 2005 his last wish came true. Irene
has the pleasure and honor to drive his car on the Vegas Strip
on that magical night. That night his spirit was felt as he
drove his car; a few car club members from Las Vegas also
experienced it.
This is one dream that not was dreamt by one but experienced
by many. “Chago’s Dream” not only represents
Chago, yet in fact is Chago. Through him and his dream came
respect, unity, and carnarlismo that these clubs have for
each other. This is a symbol that Lowriders are not what mainstream
society has branded them, but are in fact the very fabric
that makes this country great.
“Chago’s Dream” is a memoriam to him, and
will be experienced through is brother’s eyes as they
fulfill his dreams of going to shows and parades.
Chago shall live and stay in the Lowrider community forever
as the one that was able to bring together a dream of becoming
one of them. Chago will live forever through “Chago’s
Dream” and his car club “Sons of Mexico.”
Irene would like to thank all those that have participated
in every aspect in making this dream become a reality. Que
vive Chago! www.Chago.com |
