In August 2013, the Government of Aruba recognized young and talented Aruban role-models by featuring their profiles in a weekly planner. Local young poet Osvaldo Correa and I had the honor of being selected as role-models for this project. For the official launch of the weekly planner, we were asked to compose a poem to be recited that night. On a beautiful afternoon in Aruba, Osvaldo and I sat down to collaborate on this piece. I expressed how tired I was of the saying in our native language Papiamento: "Hobennan ta e futuro di mañan" meaning "The youth is the future of tomorrow" and emphasized the importance of the present instead. Osvaldo shared some eye-opening stories of experiences and the sometimes hard life of the youth around him, and came up with some inspiring insights as to how the youth can be empowered. Together we wrote this piece entitled "The youth is the future of the present."

Hobennan ta e futuro di presente

"Mi no conoce mi mes paso mi no conoce tur hende" (I do not know myself because I do not know everyone else) features in my second collection of poetry entitled "Spiel di mi Alma" (Mirror of my Soul).

Mi no conoce mi mes paso mi no conoce tur hende

"Palabra Bunita" (Beautiful word) features in my second collection of poetry entitled "Spiel di mi Alma" (Mirror of my Soul).

Palabra Bunita

Vocals & Composition: Edselyn Figaroa
Lyrics: Rosabelle Illes
Arrangement: Dimitry Frans

Paz Cu Bo

Aruban poet Rosabelle Illes reciting in EDMD TeleCuraçao FM

Aruban poet Rosabelle Illes experiments in the studio with Colombian musician Ivan Jemaima to activate Illes' latest piece "Mira mi."

Mira mi - Rosabelle Illes ft. Ivan Jemaima

Love has a few things to say....

Written by Aruban poet Rosabelle Illes
Steelpan music by Aruban musicologist Charissa Granger