By Carolina de la Cajiga
In 1914, the revolutionary leader Pancho Villa proposed to D. H. Griffith, Hollywood producer and cinematographer, the exclusive right to film him in battle in exchange for funds to finance his war against the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz. The film was called “The Life of General Villa,” with Villa in the lead role. In 2002, Warner Brothers hired Spanish actor Antonio Banderas to portray Pancho Villa in a new film titled “And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself” where Banderas retells the story of the first film. Why hire a Spaniard to represent Pancho Villa when there are so many Mexican actors who could fit the bill?
This second film was shot in San Miguel de Allende and the surrounding area, including Atotonilco and various old haciendas. One day, the film’s producers went to Gilberto Alcalá’s optician’s shop in search of early 20th-century eyeglasses. His father, having a collection of antique glasses, happily rented them. These spectacles now belong in the history of international cinema.
Some of Óptica Allende’s clients include celebrities such as photographer Spencer Tunick; actor and politician Damian Alcázar; and actress and producer Christian Bach. Although, for Alcalá, the greatest satisfaction lies in providing service to anyone who requires his expertise, no matter who they are.
Since he was a chavo (a young guy), Alcalá learned the job of optometrist by helping his father who, in 1968, opened the first optician’s shop in San Miguel. Later, he earned a degree in optometry at ETAC (Estudios Tecnológicos y Avanzados para la Comunidad), Coacalco Campus in the State of Mexico. For the past 20 years, he’s been in charge of the shop. What he likes most is when clients arrive looking for specific adaptations and adjustments that chain opticians don’t do. The more complicated the case, the more effort and the more satisfaction for Alcalá.
The profession of an optometrist carries great responsibility and goes hand in hand with ophthalmologists. Their primary function is to detect and prevent problems in the eyes, to determine the proper graduation for each eye, and adjust lenses as well as contact lenses to the specific needs.
For some weird circumstance, while at the shop, many customers leave their belongings behind, perhaps while trying on their glasses. Some of what has been forgotten are cell phones, backpacks, hats, computers, and even food. This happens so often that Alcalá has assigned a place to keep the abandoned items until the owners return. The most unusual loss was a Chihuahua a lady left tied to the leg of a chair and did not return until several hours later. All the time, the chucho (pooch) remained fresco como lechuga (fresh as a daisy).
Alcalá’s customers are local and international. The best advertising is word-of-mouth. Patrons spread the word, and that’s how his clientele grows.
You can find Óptica Allende at Hernandez Macías 136, Centro, 415 154 7330. The hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 11:00am to 8:00pm, and Saturdays from 11:00am to 5:00pm. They are also on Facebook under opticaAllendesma and are a member of the VIP Club San Miguel.
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