The Anaga massif is getting ready for a celebration as Gregoria Alonso, affectionately known as Goya, and a prominent figure in the community struggle in this rural area, following in the footsteps of her father, Ángel Alonso, the last mayor of her hometown Afur, has recently been honoured with the Canary Islands Gold Medal 2024 by the regional government.
She is known for her immense heart and unwavering dedication to her people. Goya has been actively involved in neighbourhood groups for over five decades, leading to her role as a representative on the Reserve Council of the Anaga Biosphere.
Her life has always been intertwined with the massif and as a historical figure in Anaga, she has successfully united Afur and Roque Negro, paved the dirt track connecting the hamlets to the capital of Tenerife, secured an ambulance and a doctor for the area, equalized bus fares between Santa Cruz and La Laguna residents, and reinstated a road maintenance crew, among numerous other accomplishments.
Goya is overjoyed to receive this recognition for her humanitarian work, which will be presented on May 30, Canary Islands Day, in the form of a medal from the president of the regional government, Fernando Clavijo. “If I am being awarded this honour, it is because I deserve it. Most importantly, I will receive it while I am still alive, proudly in person,” the Anaga community leader expresses to DIARIO DE AVISOS. She recalls receiving the news directly from Clavijo himself. “When he called me, that day I was a bit upset after some interactions with certain individuals. I thought someone was playing a joke on me as I did not realise he was the president. I owe him an apology because I often play pranks and initially thought it was one,” shares the award recipient with a chuckle.
In her steadfast commitment to ensure the voices of the Rural Park hamlet residents are heard by politicians, Goya views this recognition not as a personal accolade but as a tribute to the entire Anaga massif. She notes, “Many people have been congratulating me these days and I tell them they better get me some sneakers because all the favours I have done over the years have always been for the benefit of the residents, without seeking anything in return.”
Recalling her father’s tenure as the municipal mayor of Anaga, Goya mentions her initial advocacy efforts for elderly welfare. “I began my activism in City Hall in the 70s, my first battle was advocating for financial aid to impoverished individuals for hospital visits or medication. I also pushed for aid for my people. I vividly remember entering City Hall and seeing the current mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, who was just a child back then when his father was a councillor in Anaga. That’s why I always remind the current councillor that he ought to respect his elders, as I am older than him,” shares Goya playfully.
This resilient yet compassionate woman carries with her heartwarming and sometimes poignant tales. Her profound wisdom reflects the essence of the land where she was born, Afur, 75 years ago (“57 backwards,” as she puts it). “Assisting others is ingrained in me, it is a part of me. My greatest reward is witnessing their happiness as a result of my actions. Perhaps growing up in poverty, where neighbours helped each other in exchange for a cookie or a piece of candy, instilled in me the urge to do good deeds,” muses Goya.
Recollections
“In 1964, while I was still young, I started working because there were eleven of us in the family, including my parents. Despite the school being nearby, few attended as we needed to bring income home,” she reflects. In 1970, she began caring for a girl in La Salud neighbourhood and leveraged her father’s mayoral position to advocate for Anaga’s necessities. “Back then, Afur had no road and the hamlet residents were utterly neglected,” she laments.
“The first road started opening via the forestry house, the initial access to the hamlet. We, the residents, sold firewood and forest fruits to pay the tractor driver. Later, my father would collect five or ten pesetas from each household to continue track construction. This road survives today due to the immense effort of the residents. Consequently, I will not permit its closure,” she asserts.
Goya’s experiences are countless, as she jests, “If I were to recount them all, even Petete’s book wouldn’t suffice.” She even recalls a time when she rallied the National Police to assist an elderly woman in the village to obtain her ID.
“So, whenever politicians express ideas that do not resonate with me, I caution them to be prudent. As the saying goes, ‘I know the bird by its droppings,'” she asserts. Despite her stern stance, she appreciates the political leaders at City Council and Cabildo with whom she has interacted over the years. “I am grateful to everyone except the former Cabildo president, the socialist Pedro Martín, who did not grant me an audience in four years, causing me considerable distress as it was the first time in history a president dismissed my requests,” shares Goya. She stresses the importance of politicians who empathise with and assist residents more regularly.
“I am not malevolent, but I do not tolerate mockery. Illiterate, yes, but not foolish. I speak my mind, irrespective of whether it pleases others,” she asserts. Goya clarifies, “I never sought meetings for personal gain, but to advocate for justice for my people. I do not see myself as the mayor of the hamlets, but I am undeniably the most engaged in the struggle. If more individuals prioritised community welfare over personal gain, Anaga would undergo a transformation,” she opines.
Vision for the Future
Goya embodies solidarity, advocacy, and love for the land surrounded by mountains and lush greenery where she was born, grew up, and still resides. “The hamlets endured several years of isolation. Commencing in the 1970s when road construction commenced, it signalled progress enabling us to own cars and move around, significantly altering life in the villages,” she emphasises.
However, she reflects, “In recent years, many youth have abandoned the area due to restrictions imposed by the Master Plan, prohibiting heirs from constructing unless they own 10,000 square metres. This regulation affected my son and other neighbours’ children, leading to an exodus. It was a grievous error.”
“Addressing Rural Park Challenges through Resident Input”
For fifty years, Goya has been visiting the City Council and the Cabildo to advocate for Anaga, from Taborno to the upper reaches of Los Campitos, demanding dignity for her community. She carries the essence of laurel and heather sap in her veins, mirroring the trees that grace her cherished Rural Park, a Biosphere Reserve. Concerning recent complaints from residents about visitor overcrowding impacting the area, she suggests a solution. “The issue could be mitigated if the Civil Guard monitored the Cruz del Carmen region during weekends to prevent incorrect parking. Furthermore, the City Council should install tree segments on the roads to discourage vehicles from halting there. We must seek solutions by listening to residents,” emphasises Goya.
