Dream Big, Wake Up with Little: Jonathan Montelongo's Viral Cuban Decalogue

Content creator Jonathan Montelongo recently published a reel on Facebook that struck a chord globally, amassing over 113,000 views, 8,227 likes, and 847 comments. His humorous and touching decalogue on Cuban identity resonated deeply, evoking laughter and tears from Cubans worldwide.

The idea originated when a Spanish friend inquired about what it takes to be Cuban. Montelongo's response turned into a vivid two-minute and 25-second portrayal that no national identity manual could rival.

The list begins with essentials: saving loud beans in case something arises, offering coffee to the exterminator because "even if you don't know him, he's hustling just like you," and keeping a new pair of underwear ready for a hospital visit. These three items alone encapsulate decades of scarcity and neighborhood solidarity.

Cultural Traditions and Rituals

Next, it highlights New Year's Eve rituals: throwing a bucket of water into the street at midnight to ward off the bad, rolling an egg, and parading a suitcase around the block on December 31st to attract travel and opportunities. These traditions are practiced by millions of Cubans both on the island and abroad, as evidenced by the images of Cubans walking with suitcases that circulate on social media every year-end.

Baseball and Beyond

Montelongo cleverly distinguishes between baseball and "peloteo," saying, "Baseball is a sport where you have fun with a team, and 'peloteo' is a farce where a team enjoys at your expense." In the context of current Cuban sports, this remark carries more weight than it initially appears.

The video also delves into the generational experience of the school-to-field program, initiated in the 1970s, which sent students to work in the countryside for 45 days. There, students could trade "a can of cuquita [sweetened condensed milk] for a bowl of torrejas." For those who haven't experienced this, something essential is missing from their identity.

The Emotional Conclusion

The video concludes with a poignant statement that deeply affected viewers. "To be Cuban, you must dream big, even if you wake up with little," Montelongo states, adding, "What makes you Cuban is that while I was telling you all this, thousands of Cubans smiled around the world. Because for a moment, they returned to their grandmother's house, the neighborhood where they grew up, the beat of a drum, a table where nothing was ever wasted."

The comments section overflowed with confessions blending laughter and tears. "You made me laugh and cry simultaneously because I will never stop being Cuban," commented one follower. Another, from the island itself, noted, "I remain in Cuba, and I smiled (my eyes also 'watered')." Some even requested a sequel with more sayings from the national repertoire.

This video deeply resonates with a diaspora estimated to exceed 1.7 million Cubans since 2020, scattered from Miami to Sweden. Montelongo, born in Pinar del Río, is among them. He left Cuba in late 2023, driven by fear, insecurity, and a lack of future prospects, reaching Miami in March 2024 after crossing multiple borders and waiting for his turn on the CBP One app.

From Miami, Montelongo has built a community of more than 262,000 followers. His conclusion on Cuban identity leaves no room for doubt: "Being Cuban isn't a nationality. Being Cuban is something else entirely. It's a collection of memories you carry for life, and while borders may separate you from your land, they can never distance you from the Cuba you've learned to carry within."