By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
As originally published in Texas Border Business newsprint August 2018
Laredo, Texas – On July 5, 2018, and during a well-organized ceremony, Pablo Antonio Castro Zavala, President of the Las Vegas Walk of Stars organization made an important announcement that recognizes the efforts of exceptional stars of the Latin community.
He said, “Our main mission is to recognize the hard and tireless work that people do worldwide with the recognition by Las Vegas Walk of Stars based in Las Vegas, Nevada.” According to Pablo, Las Vegas is a city of Casinos where fifteen years ago they started this walk of fame. He said, “Through a decade of work we have been able to recognize the career and trajectory of many artists like Vicente Fernandez, Juan Gabriel, Ricky Martin, Chayanne, Gloria Estefan, Cristian Castro, Veronica Castro, Paquita la del Barrio, Los Tigres del Norte, José José, Camilo Sesto, and many other artists who had succeeded here in Las Vegas, Nevada.” He continued, “Artists who had filled stages, contributed to this community, and also to the economy in Las Vegas. That’s why The International Press Association Radio and Television highlights this organization to present the ‘Máximo Orgullo Hispano’ Award to a Hispanic.” He also pointed out that receiving the Diamond and Gold medal awards are an honor to anyone selected as a recipient.
“Tonight,” he said, “We have the privilege and the moral commitment to grant these recognitions to someone from Sinaloa, our Mexican motherland,” Pablo asked for a loud applause for Mr. Francisco ‘Pancho’ Ochoa, born in Sinaloa, and proudly Mexican.
Before asking Don Pancho to the podium he shared an anecdote about the late Father Francisco Mireles who offered church services in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. He said, “When Father Mireles went to Las Vegas as our guest, he told me: “Hey Pablo, there´s a man in Laredo with a great heart, I don’t know if you happen to know Don Pancho Ochoa. He is the founder of several businesses.”
As he got to know more, he found out that Don Pancho is an experienced businessman and a philanthropist. Don Pancho had worked his way to the top through many sacrifices but never forgetting where he came from and was always sharing his wealth.
Friends, family, and dignitaries attended, his sons Francisco and Carlos were present, so was his daughter Flérida. As always, Don Pancho’s wife, Flérida de Ochoa was present.
Pablo told Don Pancho, “Las Vegas Walk of Stars has something for you. Our directive committee unanimously approved a place for Don Pancho in The Walk of Stars in Las Vegas in recognition for everything he has done.” He continued, “His unconditional contribution for this community, the expansion of the Pollos Locos restaurants in the 70s in Las Vegas, Nevada, and all the projects he has developed.”
Don Pancho in going to be the first Mexican businessman to have a star in the most visited and most emblematic street in the city, a 200 kg star with his name engraved on it. His name on the star in recognition of him as an outstanding businessman, a creator of jobs, and for his philanthropy.
“You are going to become the very first one on that street, just in front of one of the most important places in Las Vegas, The Bellagio, and Paris hotels. We are going to have your star soon,” Pablo said.
According to Pablo, 50 million people from around the world visit Las Vegas in a year and will see the star on that privileged place that is at the Paris Hotel and Casino right beside the Eiffel Tower Replica. He also mentioned that the star will be just in front of the dancing waters of the Bellagio Hotel. “Your family, your grandsons, your great grandsons, your friends, and the mayor of Laredo, Texas, they are going to see your name on the star in Las Vegas,” he said.
When Don Pancho came to the podium he said, “I feel very excited and thankful with Pablo Antonio Castro who came to Laredo, Texas just to honor us with this recognition.” He continued, “I humbly accept it. I share this one with my wife, Flérida. Most of the recipes we used are hers. Also, with my eighteen grandsons, my brothers, I share this one with them, too, and with all the Pollo Loco´s Team around Mexico and in Texas because without their support we could never have achieved this.”
He said that he has four important dates in his life… the first one is when he got married fifty years ago. “On September 29, my wife and I will be celebrating our 50th anniversary,” he said. He continued by adding that the other three as follows: January 3, 1975, when he opened the very first Pollo Loco in Sinaloa; which is still up and running. December 8, 1980, when he arrived in Los Angeles, California to start the first Pollo Loco on Alvarado Street and Sixth Street.
The third date important date for him is July 1, 1987, when he opened his first Taco Palenque in Laredo, Texas. “We never imagined the success of this very small business,” he said.
He invited everyone to be with him in Las Vegas for the important ceremony of Las Vegas Walk of Stars unveiling. At the time of the event, Don Pancho announced the unveiling date to be the 19th of September of this year.
