The year is 2005, and the start of the summer programming is approaching. A group of producers from Holguin is preparing the premiere of a new show on CMKO Radio Angulo’s Sunday afternoon schedule. The main driving force is Amalio Carralero Reyes—writer and director. Along with Flor Vega—advisor—, Dayana Agüero—announcer—, and Yenny Pérez—sound engineer—are finalizing the details of this great musical revue.
But there’s a problem: everything is ready, and just days before its premiere, the show doesn’t have a name. The team is in despair! That’s when their sound engineer, the young Yenny Pérez “Yiyi,” comes up with the idea of using the name of a song by the group Havana Abierta. Which is a perfect fit: “La Algarabía” (The Merriment).
Photo: Taken from Facebook
Since then, this program has been a source of celebration, fun, and joy on Sunday afternoons on Radio Angulo.
The production team also included Celso Enrique Garcés. Then a cultural promoter who is still part of the program. And Walter Pérez as a contributing assistant.
Over these almost 21 years, Bárbara Rodríguez worked on “La Algarabía” as an advisor from 2006 to 2009, when Flor Vega rejoined the team. The master control room has been occupied by producers such as Daniel Jorge Castillo, Yandré Marrero Cabrera. Dianelis Remedios, who became a substitute announcer, and currently Alain Ricardo.
While Yamilka Arredondo Lara was the announcer. Yinet Cruz Cabrera joined the program in 2009—also assuming the role of director. And it’s the voices that distinguish “La Algarabía”. Those voices have managed to connect with listeners in such a way that it feels like one big family.
Yinet Cruz, announcer for La Algarabía on CMKO, has poured her heart and soul into the show for all these years. Sharing her boundless passion not only for radio but also for music. “When we talk about this program, we can’t fail to mention its great collaborators. Like Rodolfo Santiago Rojas, who attracted young musicians and took the show to towns like Cacocum and Rafael Freyre. As well as workplaces and recreational centers in Holguin. Also, Reynaldo Pupo Ricardo, who braved the distance every Sunday to help with production. A task later joined by the charismatic Celso,” he recalls.
And of course, we can’t forget the contribution of a Catalan-Holguin artist who brought a wealth of knowledge about music and art in general.
Among the main segments of “La Algarabía” has been “From Bravo to Patagonia.” An idea conceived by poet and screenwriter Mayda Pérez Gallego, with contributions from Maricary Chirino. This segment, which began in 2010, promotes Latin American music through interviews with renowned singer-songwriters. Following the hiatus of the “Rhythms of Latin America” segment.
“With the technological revolution in 2025, the program experimented with voice cloning. Incorporating a virtual announcer named Alberto in the ‘No Tie’ segment,” explains Yinet herself.
And indeed, you can enjoy great music, expert commentary on a topic related to a particular genre or artist. Recordings of interviews that are part of the musical sound heritage. Or even hear the host, Yinet, lovingly humming a fragment of a song. That’s the magic of radio, and that’s the magic of this music magazine.
In these 90 years of CMKO, “La Algarabía” will continue to be that haven of enthusiasm. Also that reminds us every Sunday afternoon that radio can connect generations.
By: Yailyn Ojeda Grass
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