The famed San Sebastián Fiestas, the culmination of a Puerto Rican Christmas celebration, always honor Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of San Juan, Puerto Rico. St. Sebastian was a Roman citizen and a captain in the Praetorian Guard, the elite unit responsible for protecting the emperor. He was martyred for his faith in the 3rd century, and is the patron saint not only of the city of San Juan but also of athletes and soldiers. He is known for his strength, courage and resilience, making him an excellent patron for Puerto Rico.
In the 1950s, parades on the Feast of St. Sebastian were organized by local churches to help raise funds. Over time, the custom has grown into a long weekend of celebrations and parades, with art, music, dance, and delicious foods. Puerto Rican communities in many states also hold celebrations of this kind. In San Juan, Jacobo Morales is the guest of honor for 2026.
Jacobo Morales
Jacobo Morales is a Puerto Rican filmmaker, actor, writer, and cultural figure, widely regarded as one of the most influential directors in Puerto Rico’s film history. His film Lo que le pasó a Santiago was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, the only Puerto Rican film ever to receive an Oscar nomination so far.
In 1971, Morales played a revolutionary in the Woody Allen film Bananas. He wrote and directed a number of films from the 1970s to the 2000s, including Dios los cría, Nicolás y los demás, Linda Sara, Dios los cría II, and Ángel. He also wrote several books of poetry.
But for some of his fans, he is best known for the short film introducing Bad Bunny’s most recent album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. It was Morales who said that he wished he had taken more pictures.
Bad Bunny also welcomed Morales, age 90, onto the stage during his Puerto Rico residency.
He has won awards as a director and an actor at several global competitions, and has been honored at the National Puerto Rican Day Parade.
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