In early 1988, I met Selena in San Antonio at the Desperado night club. I became good friends with her dad Abraham, and brother A.B. One weekend, her father asked me to join them on a trip to Midland, Texas where they were scheduled to perform. When we arrived, the crowd was so large that her father asked me to be her security guard while he handled other business. From then on, I became Selena's "bodyguard". Throughout that time, I had the opportunity to meet several artists and musicians which I am friends with today. As she appeared on shows like "El Gordo Y La Flaca", "Despierta America", "Premios a lo Nuestro", "Furia Musical", just to name a few, becoming more and more in demand. During this time, on a trip back from Monterrey, Mexico, when she arrived back in San Antonio I was given the nickname "Chocoroll" which is rolled up pastry in Mexico by Selena, or as everyone now knows me, "Choco".
Since Selena had become more and more famous, it became more and more obvious that I could not attend far away functions with her. Around that time, In October 1991, I met the love of my life, Esmeralda. Eleven months later, we were married and I decided that it was time to give up my "life on the road". Years later, in 1995, Selena was taken from her friends and fans and since then, she has become a legend. After that time, I appeared in magazines that paid tribute to Selena, including "People", "Furia Musical", "TV y Novelas", and television shows with Connie Chung, Martha Flores, and news broadcasts.
Around 1999, I was approached by an artist I had met several years ago when I worked with Selena. Her name was Stefani. She knew my background with Selena and asked me if I would be willing to be her bodyguard. I was eager to do this work again, so I agreed. Since that time, I became her bodyguard, but more importantly she has become a close friend. I have enjoyed spending time with her and her family and we have shared some very special memories together.
Today, I still think about Selena. Everytime I hear her songs on the radio, or see the movie about her life, I think about her and what would have been. She will always have a special place in my heart.
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