Lleva puesta la tradición, NJOY the art

A Legacy Born in Puerto Rico

My story begins in the mountain town of Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, where my abuelos were born and raised before eventually making their home in the vibrant cultural hub of Ponce. In a testament to her strength, my abuela traveled to New York each time she gave birth, returning home every time to rear her children in Ponce. Among them was my father. Born in Manhattan but raised in the heart of Ponce, the music and soul of the island shaped exactly who he was.

At 18, my father joined the U.S. Army. His service took him to Germany, where he met my mother (who was also in the U.S. Army), and where I was born, and later to Texas, where my brother and sister were born. After serving in the Persian Gulf War, his military career concluded, leading our family on a journey through Allentown, Pennsylvania before finally settling in Virginia, where I spent most of my childhood near the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

A Tradition of Service & Pride

Service runs deep in our blood. At 21, my brother and I stepped forward to join the U.S. Marine Corps, and a year later, my sister proudly followed in our footsteps. As a family of veterans, our time in uniform allowed us to see the world. My own deployments and travels took me from Okinawa and the Philippines to California, and later to the landscapes of Jerusalem and Alaska.

Yet, no matter how many thousands of miles I traveled, or where the military stationed me, two truths remained unshakable in my heart: Soy Boricua and Mi padre es de Ponce. I have always carried a fierce pride in my roots, my culture, and my last name—Estremera.

Connecting Back to La Isla del Encanto

Eventually, my journey brought me back to Virginia, where I have proudly made my home in Hampton Roads. I have always found my deepest joy in creation. Driven by a desire for a profound connection to La Isla del Encanto, I felt an undeniable pull toward the Vejigante—the ultimate symbol of Puerto Rican Carnaval, folklore, and artistic resistance.

Crafting traditional, multi-horned Ponce-style caretas became my way of reaching back through time. It is a bridge to my heritage, a tribute to my father, and an honor to all of my Boricua ancestors who came before me.

Because of this deep personal connection, NJOY Estremera is more than a business—it is a labor of love. I pour ultimate pride, precision, and care into every single piece of papier-mâché, ensuring you receive the absolute best I have to offer. Whether you take your mask to the energetic streets of Carnaval or place it as a breathtaking centerpiece on your wall, you are holding a piece of our living history.

Lleva puesta la tradición, NJOY the art!