Victor Manuelle's Kingdom

The king of the Puerto Rican Day Parade, salsa star Victor Manuelle, says on Sunday he will feel prouder than ever to be a Boricua. Salsa star Victor Manuelle wrapped up two concerts in Mexico last weekend before heading to New York this week to be crowned King of the Parade.

Besides being a reason to be proud, he said, it's a very big responsibility, because in this moment I represent the sentiments of all Puerto Ricans in New York City. Only Ricky Martin has previously been bestowed the title of king, two years ago at the 50th anniversary of the parade. Come Sunday, the Bronx-born Manuelle said, he will feel prouder than ever to be Boricua. Manuelle, 40, a godfather at the 2006 parade, is considered among the best of the young soneros (salsa improvisers). He has been on the La Historia Contina tour with another salsa star, Gilberto Santa Rosa, since February. Right after the parade, Manuelle said he will go back to touring, with more concerts planned in the U.S. and a trip to Peru. He's also promoting his latest CD, Muy Personal, which was released last month. The CD is his fourth under his own label, Kiyavi. In between touring, Manuelle will start working on a CD that he wants to wrap up by September. The album will have a song written by his compatriot Luis Fonsi who this week has the No. 1 spot in Billboard's Hot Latin Song chart in salsa and ballad versions.

But in the meantime, the focus is on Sunday. Like for everyone else, the favorite part of the march is seeing the spirit of Puerto Ricans, he said, вhow it grows, seeing the massive and collective support of all Boricuas.