I remember reading the UPR Confessions about the members of the Tuna and thinking, “I need to see this for myself.” So I did. I must admit, towering at six feet tall, this gorgeous musician is not only hard to miss but hard to find disappointing. He has a voice, the talent, and confidence of a born superstar performer, so if you’re not the type to get starstruck (hey, maybe even if you are!) and are up for a sensitive, passionate, funny man, this is your guy. Meet this week’s Campus Cutie: Francisco Torres.
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Name: Francisco Javier Torres ColĂłn
Age: 23
Major: Music
Classification: 5th year
Relationship status: Single
Nickname: Pancho
Hometown: Caguas
HCUPR: What’s it like being in UPRRP’s famous Tuna?
Francisco: Joining the Tuna was a wonderful experience. I made great friends, developed as a performer, singer, and represented the University of Puerto Rico traveling to Chile in 2012 and Spain in 2013. I was an active member from 2009 until March 2014.
HCUPR: How would you describe yourself?
Francisco: In general, as a cheerful and sincere person with strengths and weaknesses like any other.
HCUPR: What do you do on your free time?
Francisco: Besides studying, I take time off to go to the movies, spending time with my family and friends.
HCUPR: Music is a thing that seems to be around you a lot. What significance does it have in your life?
Francisco: Music has been a part of me since I was a child. My parents, both musicians, met in the UPR Tuna in the 80’s. My 3 brothers are also musicians. I have always been surrounded by chords, rhythms, melodies and vocals. Silence is important, but I couldn’t imagine my life without music.
HCUPR: What are your ideal date and partner?
Francisco: The date and perfect person…. A place where we both feel comfortable and is unrelated to any issue or situation of our daily lives. The perfect person does not exist but you need to love them before anything… traits like confidence, independence, loving, honesty and faithfulness; it’s as close as it gets.
HCUPR: If you could meet anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
Francisco: I’d like to meet Paul McCartney. A musician and singer for life because his music transcended generations.
HCUPR: Favorite quote and why.
Francisco: “If you have the habit of taking things with happiness, you’ll rarely find yourself in difficult situations.” –Baden Powell. I love this phrase because it reminds me that you need take everything with a positive attitude, doesn’t matter the circumstance.
HCUPR: Something not many people know about you.
Francisco: I’m an Eagle Scout since March 3, 2009.
HCUPR: What instruments do you play?
Francisco: My main instrument is the flute. I also play the piccolo, guitar, a little bit of piano. I also sing and write songs.
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HCUPR: How was your experience participating in our school’s production of The Sound of Music?
Francisco: It was a very gratifying experience. I had never acted in a professional production. I had the opportunity to act and learn from great actors and people from the UPR theater group.
*All photos taken from Francisco’s social media accounts. To find out more about this Cutie, this is his Twitter/IG handle:Â @fj_pancho