Cervecería Nacional Dominicana, the manufacturer of Presidente Beer, is spending upwards of US$1 million to contract top notch stars of Latin contemporary music for the Festival Presidente de Música Latina that opens 26 June in Santo Domingo. The beer company is expecting upwards of 120,000 people to attend the three days of the Festival that will be held at the Olympic Stadium of this capital city. The Festival is known as the most important music festival in the Caribbean. According to a report in Listín Diario newspaper, Ricky Martin has been paid US$225,000; Juan Gabriel, US$125,000; Alejandro Fernández US$110,000; Grupo Maná US$100,000; Carlos Vives US$65,000; Azucar Moreno, US$35,000; Grupo Niche and Jerry Rivera US$20,000; Victor Manuel US$16,000. The amounts do not include allotments to cover local expenses. The Listín Diario reports that local merengue stars that will be performing in the Festival – Milly Quezada, Fernando Villalona and Hermanos Rosario – will be paid US$10,000 for their performance.
