Soraida Asad: I Spoke for the Elbows
Soraida Asad Sánchez: From Talkative Student to Telemundo Anchor
Table of Contents
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Soraida Asad Sánchez, now a familiar face as an anchor for “Telenoticias Weekend” on Telemundo, recalls a time when her talkative nature was seen as a hindrance rather than a strength. What some teachers viewed as a classroom disruption, Sánchez now recognizes as the very quality that propelled her journalism career.
Early Years: A Budding Communicator
“I talked even for the elbows,even with my shadow,and I continue to do it,” Sánchez said,reflecting on her school days. Despite excelling academically, her report cards often noted her difficulty staying silent. “That is part of my way of being… I think there was the communicator gene, from the first moment.”
Growing up in San Juan, Sánchez’s curiosity and desire to understand the world around her fueled her ambition. “I was always curious and questioned,” she said. ”I did not settle for a simple answer; I wanted to know why it is not a ‘why yes.'”
Finding Her Voice
Sánchez describes herself as an insecure and shy child who gradually blossomed. Dancing helped her come out of her shell. She eventually became a class leader and made friends easily. This transformation from a reserved girl to a confident communicator is evident in her on-screen presence today.
Embracing Her Heritage
Sánchez proudly acknowledges her Puerto Rican and Palestinian roots.Her father, who arrived in Puerto Rico more than 70 years ago, met her mother in Naguabo. “When he arrived it was with his cousin to see how the business were. my mother’s family in Naguabo were customers of that cousin, so there my dad met my mother and fell in love.”
She believes her diverse background has enriched her life and is something she has passed on to her three teenage daughters. “I understand that I have been able to take both cultures the best and that I also transmitted to my daughters,” Sánchez said. She cherishes the memories of her childhood, recalling her father’s entrepreneurial spirit and her mother’s dedication to their family.
Career Milestones
Sánchez’s career began shortly after graduation at Super Kadena 1320, a local radio station. “It was at a station that was called Super Kadena 1320. I had a week and a half of having graduated and I went because I had a scholarship on average.” She credits a contact from the University of the Sacred Heart for connecting her with the station owner, Reinaldo Royo.
Her resume includes stints at Notiuno, 11q radio, and the newspaper *El Nuevo Día*. she also contributed headlines to the morning program “The Circus of the Mega.” In 2018,she made her television debut with WIPR before joining Telemundo in 2024.
“As the opportunity arose at two months and I became the anchor reporter of ‘weekend telenotics,'” Sánchez said.
Joining Telemundo
Sánchez describes her experience at Telemundo as a dream come true. “telemundo is a space where I always wanted to work… And I was given the opportunity. And I am in a team with high professionals, with a work surroundings that I like, that I enjoy it… it is a family. And from the first day they received me with open arms.”
Passion for Journalism
Sánchez is passionate about both hard news and human-interest stories. “I really like the ‘hard news’ and I like human interest, because informing is my passion. However, human interest is the tool that we as journalists have to help those who need it, because it is part of our responsibility.”
Balancing career and Family
One of the biggest challenges in her career has been balancing her professional life with raising her three daughters. “I love my profession, but I love my family, who are my three daughters… So handling the two things has always been a challenge that I have come out.”
As a single mother, Sánchez emphasizes the importance of organization. “I always bet on the organization. I think I am extremely organized and that is an advantage.”
Personal Life
Currently, Sánchez is not in a relationship.She is divorced. “No. Currently,I have no partner. I divorced after a long time marriage. The most retractor of that experience was not even the betrayal that was there, it was the issue of taking three girls forward that they were also in a state of surprise.”
She views difficult times as opportunities for growth. “I believe that we all go thru internal storms… behind each storm… the atmosphere is cleaned, so I believe that they are the storms of life, they pass and we can fall, we can cry, but we do not take love to the stone with which we stumble hug it.”
In a future partner, Sánchez seeks emotional intelligence, respect, and loyalty. “It must be a person with emotional intelligence, a person who is respectful, complete and that is loyal, but above all, beyond respecting me, is that I understand that I have three people who depend on me and respect is not just for me.”
Future Aspirations
Sánchez hopes to return to radio or writing in the future. “I have the desire to return to radio or write in some space… I would love to write or return to radio. That contact with the audience is a very special contact. The radio has a very exquisite magic.”
From Talkative Student to Telemundo Anchor: The Story of Soraida Asad Sánchez
Soraida Asad Sánchez is a familiar face on Telemundo’s “Telenoticias Weekend,” but her path to becoming a respected anchor wasn’t always a straight one. This Q&A delves into her inspiring journey, highlighting key moments, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped her career and personal life.
Soraida Asad Sánchez is a prominent journalist and anchor for ”Telenoticias Weekend” on Telemundo. She is recognized for her engaging on-screen presence, her passion for storytelling, and her dedication to both hard news and human-interest stories.
Interestingly, what some teachers considered a hindrance – her talkative nature – became a key strength. She reflects on her school days by saying, “I talked even for the elbows, even with my shadow, and I continue to do it.” This innate ability to communicate and connect with people ultimately propelled her into a successful journalism career.
Sánchez grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico.She describes herself as a curious child who always questioned things and wasn’t satisfied with simple answers. She was also initially shy but found her voice through dance, eventually becoming class leader.
Sánchez is proud of her diverse heritage. She is of both Puerto Rican and palestinian descent. Her father, who came to Puerto Rico from Palestine, met her mother in Naguabo. She believes this mix of cultures has enriched her life and is somthing she has passed on to her daughters.
Sánchez’s career began shortly after graduation with a scholarship role at Super Kadena 1320,a local radio station. From there, she worked at various outlets, including Notiuno, 11q radio, *El Nuevo Día* newspaper, and contributed headlines to the morning program “The Circus of the Mega.” After contributing for years, she moved to television, starting with WIPR in 2018 before joining Telemundo in 2024.
Sánchez enthusiastically says that joining Telemundo was a dream come true. She expressed, “Telemundo is a space where I always wanted to work, and I was given the opportunity.” She found herself in a supportive environment among skilled professionals, describing the work surroundings as a “family.”
Sánchez is passionate about both hard news and human-interest stories.She sees informing the public as her passion, and views human-interest stories as a crucial tool for journalists to help those in need. She believes telling human interest stories is part of a journalist’s responsibility.
Balancing her career and raising her three daughters has been a significant challenge. As a single mother, she emphasizes the importance of organization as a key to managing both aspects of her life successfully. she views difficult times as opportunities for growth.
Sánchez views difficult experiences as opportunities for personal growth. She believes that “behind each storm, the atmosphere is cleaned,” implying that challenges, while painful, ultimately lead to clarity and strength.
She seeks a partner who possesses emotional intelligence, demonstrates respect, and embodies loyalty. Above all,she emphasizes the importance of understanding her role as a mother to three daughters and showing respect for the family unit.
yes, Sánchez hopes to return to radio or writing in the future. She cherishes the connection with the audience that these mediums provide, saying, “The radio has a very exquisite magic.”
Sánchez is currently an anchor for Telemundo’s “Telenoticias Weekend.” Outside of her journalism, she is a single mother raising her three daughters. She values organization, as it helps her balance a demanding career with family life.
Soraida Asad Sánchez: Career Timeline
| Year | Role/Milestone | Details |
|---|---|---|
| post-Graduation | Radio Debut | Began career at Super Kadena 1320. |
| Various years | Contributions | Worked at Notiuno, 11q radio, *El Nuevo Día*, and “The Circus of the Mega.” |
| 2018 | Television Debut | Joined WIPR. |
| 2024 | Joined Telemundo | Became Anchor for “Telenoticias Weekend.” |
| Ongoing | Family Life | Raises three daughters. |
Soraida Asad Sánchez’s story is a testament to the power of embracing one’s authentic self and the importance of perseverance in pursuing one’s dreams. Her journey from a talkative student to a respected Telemundo anchor serves as an inspiration to aspiring journalists and anyone striving to achieve their goals.