Belén

"*Nosotras no sabemos lo que és tener una mama señor, pero te aseguro que és la mama que todo quisiéramos tener. És lo mas parecido a una mama que hemos conocido.*"
— Mili talks about Belén to Jorge Clementi in name of the orphans.

**Belén Fraga**, portrayed by Romina Yan, is a main character and adult protagonist of the First Story (season 1, 2, 3 and 4) of *Chiquititas*.

After Belén's storyline ended, she was replaced by three different characters in *Chiquititas'*s following seasons. Her role is taken by Ana Pizarro (Grecia Colmenares) in Season Five, Luz Liñares (Romina Gaetani) in Season Six, and Mili Urién (Agustina Cherri), a former *Chiquitita* who returned for the show's final season.

## Conception

### Choosing Romina Yan for the Role

Romina Yan was already working in television with children television. Romina Yan's first appearance on Argentine television came during 1991, when the then sixteen-year-old appeared as a dancer in a show named *Jugate Conmigo* ("Come Play With Me"), hosted by her mother Cris Morena, alongside Michel Brown (Tomy), Luciano Castro (Tano), and Trinidad Alcorta (Clarita). The music for Jugate Comigo was composed by Cris Morena and Carlos Nilson. So in many ways, Chiquititas sprouted from this project.

### Inspiration for the Character

Belén shares many similarities with musical leading ladies for children's musical, such as Maria from The Sound of Music, the character Mary Poppins, or Ms. Little from Matilda. It's always a young woman who changes, and is deeply changed the lives of the kids they protect. The character is about a young woman coming to adulthood and getting in touch with a nurturing, loving maternal instinct.

## History

### Backstory

Belén was born in Campana, where her parents still live. Her father was a metal worker and trade unionist, which led to him being fired for having lots of trouble with his employers, due to political reasons. Then he went to work for a service station. She tells Martín that she was feisty and rebellious as a teenager, which led her to have problems at school. She told Martín that she had two boyfriends, one at the age of 13 years old, that lasted for 6 months, and another one at the age of 18, that lasted for 3 months.

She moved to Buenos Aires 5 years before the story begins to study at the university to become a social worker, and a few years later Piojo came to live with her. At first they lived in pensions and student houses, until Belén met Clarita and Leticia and they rented a simple house together. They met when she started to work at La Pureza, as a way to support herself in the series. They are all working class people who make do with little money.

In the first season she's almost finishing her studies, but is taking longer because she has to manage work and studies and doesn't have enough time to dedicate exclusively to her graduation. During her time in Buenos Aires, her godfather Saverio became a father figure and family support for her in the city, and she started frequenting him at his job at Rincón de Luz and developing a friendship with the orphan girls.

### Season 1

Belén is a young woman who lives with her younger brother Felipe "Piojo", her friends Clarita, Letícia, and Letícia's little daughter Sol. She is a university student who's learning to become a social worker. In the beginning of the series, while doing the dishes in their small apartment, Clarita and Belén talk about the factory being sold and the changes about to happen in their workspace. They are afraid of how this is gonna their jobs. They mention how their roommate Leticia is out late with Rolando, a fellow factory worker, a guy they both think is a jerk who's undeserving of her.

#### A Mother Figure to Sol

Her young daughter Sol, who's 5, wakes up and asks about her mother's whereabout. Belén conforts her saying that her mother is busy at work, but that she has no reason to be sad, as she is there with her, and puts her to sleep. We see from the start how much she cares about the girl and acts as a mother figure. Later on, at Belén's flat, Letícia returns home from her date with Rolando, who's a little drunk and tries to force himself onto Letícia, who's trying to break up. Belén defends her friend Letícia, and the aggressive drunk leaves.

#### Working at La Pureza

After they learn of the changes in the factory, due to selling of the company, the employees argue about the new owner's proposition that they ask to resign to be readmitted, Belén says that the will accept as long as their are really hired back and are paid all indemnity. Rolando points out how hard it is to find a job, and ask the employees to accept the offer, even without a written agreement. Belén ask him what he's getting to be defending this position. You see that she's feisty and speaks out. They take a vote and Rolando wins. Belén says that she feels sorry for all of them, as that decision will affect them all.

#### Belén's relationship to Rincón de Luz

She's been frequenting Rincón de Luz for five years, so she's known Mili since she was 7. She is a frequent visitor to the orphanage at first due to her godfather Saverio working there as a cook, but little by little she develops a relationship with the girls, who she cares very much about.

## Personality and Traits

Belén is passionate, tender-hearted and idealistic. She has a loving nature but is hot-headed and feisty. belén has socialist inclinations, advocating for workers rights.

## Relationships

In the first season, Belén falls in love with Martín Moran, Ramiro Morán's son, who comes back after living in

### Familial

#### Piojo

Piojo is Belen's younger brother who is always making trouble. Belén loves her brother dearly, but is very tough on him with good reason, as he is irresponsible and unreliable.

### Romantic

#### Martín

##### Belén's first impression of Martín

On the beginning of Season 1, Belén, Letícia, Clarita, Piojo and Sol are reunited for super, when they see Martín giving an interview for the local tv news about the economy, She's very skeptical towards his discourse, saying that economy is apart from politics, to which she answers that that's the typical neo-liberal discourse. He says that the only solution is the capacitation of workers to new technology, to what she answers ironically:

"*Ah, claro, porque la gente tiene todo el tiempo y la plata en mondo para capacitarse mientras sus hijos se mueren de hambre.*"
— Belén about Martín interview on TV, for the pilot episode.

The next day at La pureza, Letícia informs the other workers that Rolando betrayed them, and 11 employees were not rehired, including Clarita. Martín overhears their conversation while Belén seys that they are all bloodsuckers as she repeats what he said on TV passing criticism. She explains that the company lied in keeping with their agreement and he justifies by saying he was just hired and will look into this matter. Martin brings this matter to Aguedo, who introduces Martín to his daughter Dolores Aguero, she works for the factory, they both pretend not to know what he's talking about. Martín asks Belén to explain the situation, and Dolores says she's unaware of this agreement and snaps at Belén for saying she doesn't believe her. Dolores asks for the papers proving the fact of her argument, and Belén says it was a word agreement. Dolores says that this is ridiculous, and Martín says they were naive. Belén tells him that if she believes that Dolores didn't knew about this agreement, then he might be stupid.

They meet again at Rincón de luz when Belén is telling her godfather Saverio about what happened at the factory. After that they start to see each other regularly,

### Non-Familial

#### Mili

*"Nosotras no sabemos lo que és tener una mama señor, pero te aseguro que és la mama que todo quisieramos tener. És lo más parecido a una mama que hemos conocido."* - Mili about Belén to Dr. Jorge Clementi in season 2.

#### Tomy

In S2.E18, Tomy declares himself to Belén, but she gently refuses his advances. Instead, she asks Tomy to pay attention and look around, as there are many opportunities waiting for him.

## Music

As the main protagonist, Belén is one of the few characters to have a many themes of her own.

## Quotes

* *"Its no use crying over what is lost."* - Belén to Martín, S1\_E019.

## Trivia

* The character was portrayed by Romina Yan from 1995 to 1998 on television and on stage, as well as in the *Chiquititas* feature film.
* After her storyline ended in Season Four, she had some cameos in 2000 and 2001, during the series' seasons Six and Seven.

## Other versions

### *Chiquititas: Rincón de luz*

In the *Chiquititas* feature film, Belén is a young woman who lives in a world of fantasy and music, and is surprised by a tiny elf named Tok. Tok takes her to a sympathetic wise man, who offers her one of his fairy tales. She should choose a story to live in, but Belén wants to write her own. She then picks the Book of Life, also named "The Tale Of The Blue Diamonds" by the wise man. Immediately after starting to read it, Belén ends up in a small, adorable village, where she meets Alejo, a charming but rude sourdough. She follows a note in the streets about an orphanage in need of a cooker, and is taken to that place, where the orphans are actually treated as slaves by its owners, the redoubtable Colonel and his attendant. Initially, Belén is not well received by the kids, and the wise man tells her that the greatest things are always the hardest to obtain. Belén gradually starts to change their lives, easing their suffering with love and songs. She sings for Sebastian while he is grounded after trying to escape from the manor, and for Maria, Tali and Juanita, during a stormy night. Also, she helps Camila to get closer to Felipe, Alejo's assistant.

Sebastian disappears from the manor, and Belén is told by the attendant that he would not cause problems anymore. She is gagged by the *chiquititas*, and Belén finds Sebastian trapped inside a trunk. She decides to tell the Mayor and his whole town about the Colonel's cruelties, and does so, but he does not believe in her. The Mayor orders her to take the *chiquititas* back to the manor, which Belén declines in order to protect them. They escape from the village, finding refuge in Alejo's cabin. There, Alejo tells them the legend of the Blue Diamonds, and states that they are "too close", and if found, their lives would be changed forever. Agustín has a magical artefact that indicates the Diamond's location, and he follows its way alongside Fred and Sebastian. Belén and the other children notice that they're gone, and go in search of them. Belén finds the boys inside the mine, with the ambitious Colonel, who also knows the legend of the Blue Diamonds, and also looks for them. Belén is attacked by the Colonel and faints. Alejo then arrives and tries to knock him down. After his henchman misses his shot, the mine starts to collapse. When the sunlight comes through the opening above, Belén remembers the lines about the Blue Diamonds. The kids realize that the Blue Diamonds are actually Belén's eyes. The Colonel is scared, believing that she's a "witch", and tries to attack her once again, but Alejo knocks him down. The cave crumbles and everybody except Alejo manages to leave the mine. Outside, the Colonel and his Intendant are arrested. Belén and the children grieve as they think that Alejo died in the landslide, before the man emerges in the water, calling for Belén's name. Belén finally manages to change the orphan's lives forever, as she forms a family with them and Alejo. The Wiseman and Tok once again visit Belén, and she is congratulated for having a happy ending, which Belén contradicts, stating that it is her story is actually about to start.

### Chiquititas Brasil

#### Carol (Flávia Monteiro)

The character is named **Carolina**, fondly known as **Carol** by the orphans. She follows the same story of Belén with some alterations. Carol works at the Pureza factory, which belongs to the Almeida Campos, and first meets Júnior there. Their relationship is destroyed by his father's constant blackmails, and Júnior decides to leave Carol with his sister Gabi, who is mentally ill. The character of Sol was adapted into two different ones in this version, Dani and Maria. Carol allowed Dani to live with her father, and found Maria in the streets, taking her to the Raio de Luz manor and developing an intense mother-and-daughter relationship with the little girl. She met doctor Fernando Brausen and they eventually fell in love for each other, until his ex-wife Andréia reappeared in his life. Fernando's little son Diego wanted his family reunited and asked his father to take care of Andréia (as she is sick) first, and then live with Carol afterwards. As Fernando leaves with his family, Carol is left heartbroken. However, she reassures Maria and the other the saddened orphans stating that, even though sadness is part of life, they must be strong enough to never let themselves to be knocked down by sorrow. Carol uncovers the truth about Mili's past, revealing it to Gabriela. Days before Christmas, she reunites the orphans and tells them her story. Carol fondly remembers Mili with a picture of her, after she leaves with Gabriela at Christmas night. Carol fights for Maria's custody against Felipe Mendes. After she wins on court, Felipe assumes the identity of Manuel, to stay closer to both Maria and Carol, for whom he has fallen in love. While decorating a party for the kids, Carol falls from the portable stair. Helena, an evil woman who hated her and the orphans, hypnotizes Carol and makes her unable to walk. Carol becomes desperate, but "Manuel"'s love releases Carol from her sudden paralysis, and she stands up again. Carol falls for "Manuel" and the couple become engaged, but their relationship is torn apart after she discovers his truth, at the day of their wedding. In the end of Season Four, Carol forgives him and friendly allows Maria to live with Felipe. Carol is invited to promote the institution's activities and becomes unsettled between accepting it or not. She chooses to go after the orphans encourage her, as they want every children in need to have a mother like her. At New Year's Eve, Carol gives the Book of Life to the orphans as a gift, and says goodbye to them. At their farewell, Pata and Mosca tell Carol that she is their "guiding shine", which they will be waiting to return.

However, they are forced to leave the house, and move on to an inland granary (taken by Estrela and Alfredo the Chef). After arriving there, the children discover that Carol had supposedly died in an airplane crash, and are left desperate under the supposed death of theirmother. However, the woman literally falls from the sky, right on Rian and Cora's wedding cake with her balloon. After her return, Carol settles in the granary, alongside Estrela, her adorable grandfather Tonico and, once again, she is reunited with her *chiquititas*. The granary then becomes their newest home, Raio de Luz, and a new orphanage.

Rian is the owner of a mansion located nearby the granary, and Cora is his fiancée. As Rian gradually falls for Carol (and vice versa), Cora is left angry, committing illicit acts to take Carol and the orphans away from her life. She almost makes Carol to be arrested, which is prevented by Rian. In the end, she's caught in act by the police. Carol and Rian are finally free to get married, and after doing so, they adopt the remaining *chiquititas*.

### Chiquititas México

#### Belén (Ana Serradilla)

As the Mexican version of the show has only one season adapted, Belén's storyline was the very same except for the series finale, where she ends up with Martín Morán.

### Chiquititas Brasil 2013

#### Carol (Manuela do Monte)

Actress Manuela do Monte portrays Carol in the 2013 Brazilian adaptation of the story. Carol is a Psychology academic and works as a waitress at the Café Boutique, which belongs to Júnior's wealthy family, the Almeida Campos. At the Café, she first meets Júnior and four street children, Pata, Mosca, Binho and Rafa. Carol briefly welcomes them in her own house. The kids are introduced to the Almeida Campos' institution, the Raio de Luz manor, under her intervention. Pata is admitted but Binho, Mosca and Rafa are left out, since boys are not allowed at the place. It is after Carol convinces Sofia, the house admin, to receive them that the two become part of the manor. Sofia becomes interested in Carol's delicacy and psychologist skills and invites herself to work with them. At the manor, she is "tested" by the *chiquititas* to prove she's not as rigorous as Ernestina and meets Chico, their chef. Sofia eventually grows tired and unable of keeping Mili's secret and becomes sick, asking Carol to assume her place as a mother to the orphans if she dies, which Carol promises. Carol eventually becomes fond for the *chiquititas*, particularly with Mili, with whom Carol becomes best friends. As a romance grows between Carol and Júnior and they engage, his father José Ricardo and his aunt Carmem are left annoyed that he is dating a lower-class woman, to the point Carmem orders Carol to leave the manor, saddening the *chiquititas* who start a hunger strike in protest. José Ricardo also blackmails Carol to take Dani, the little daughter of her best friend Letícia who recently died, away from her. Carol tries to run away with Dani, but fails and succumbs to José Ricardo's blackmail, breaking up with Júnior and meeting the charming medical doctor Fernando, neighbor of the manor. Before an ill, redeemed José Ricardo dies of heart failure, he formally nominates Carol as the manor's new admin, for Carmem's anger and the *chiquititas'* rejoice. Carol then grows as a mother to the orphans, giving them enough care such as advising Mili when she has her first period, helping an overweighted Rafa to improve his health and making him, Binho and Mosca show interest for their school obligations. She eventually manages to place Dani at the orphanage, and later finds Maria, a little, shy and quiet girl in the streets, making the manor her home as well.

Carol and Júnior's on and off relationship continues as Carol becomes torn between Júnior and Fernando, finally choosing Júnior, and up to the point she needs to face his ex-girlfriend Andréia, who comes back from London bringing Júnior's supposed son Diego with her. Carmem eventually manages to get Carol fired from her position by accusing her of stealing from the institution's budget, putting Cíntia (José Ricardo's unscrupulous "girlfriend" who ran away after her true intentions were uncovered) back in her place, so they can find an assumed treasure, hidden inside the old Raio de Luz manor. Carol and Júnior eventually discover the truth behind Mili's origins, and Carol reunites the girl and her fellow *chiquititas* to tell them her story. In the end, Carol and Júnior get married, she reassumes her position in the Raio de Luz manor and gives birth to a son.

## Replacements

Belén's role was taken by three different characters in *Chiquititas* subsequent years on television and on stage.

### Ana Pizarro (Grecia Colmenares)

Ana is an adorable woman who arrives in the orphan's lives after her balloon falls right on Juan and Pia Maza's wedding cake. The Maza's mansion is located near the Granary where the children live, and Ana becomes their "mother", as she starts a relationship with Juan, for Pia's angry. Ana notices that the Maza children, as much as their father, are all living in grief, and gradually change their situation, making Juan a more present and better father. Ana also maintains contact with Anita, and angel in the form of a little girl nobody else is able to see. In the end, Ana and Juan get married, but they both die in an air plane crash. Pía insanely burns down the granary, and dies there. In *Chiquititas Season Six*, a traumatized Juanita, who was left orphan, names her doll Ana. Ana shared her maternal role with Candela (Marcela Kloosterboer), the teenage protagonist. Ana is the only adult protagonist that is not featured in the opening credits with the cast.

### Luz Liñares (Romina Gaetani)

Luz runs away from the police and ends up in front of the Rincón de Luz manor (where the granary children had arrived days before). She's immediately recognized by Maria as their new "mother", what makes Camila jealous since this position was assumed by her. Luz then becomes the orphanage's director, but she has to struggle against the manor's occult owner, a Phantom-of-the-Opera-like figure, named Rafael Sander, and his valet Enzo. Sander is an embittered man who wants the *chiquititas* to leave the house he built for his son, who died in a car crash, with his wife. Enzo follows his orders and tries to expel the orphans from the manor. Also, Luz has to deal with Paula, the deceased wife's identical twin sister who always loved Sander and wants the manor for her. Luz and Sander fall in love for each other and end up getting married, after he leaves his angry, in a magical ceremony with the orphans as guests. The Rincón de Luz manor is given from Sander to Luz as a gift, as he states that, in the past, it was a home for children. She completes, saying that "now, the history repeats itself". She leaves with Sander and Juanita in search of his lost son, who was supposedly still alive, and the manor and its orphans are left in Enzo's care.

### Mili Urién (Agustina Cherri)

Mili lived in the Rincón de Luz manor in the past, being the reason the orphanage was raised. Mili left the story after being reunited to her mother, and comes back after she dies. The girl finds a place ruled by an ambitious woman, Lidia, sent by the Juvenile Court to be its newest director, in Luz and Sander's absence. Also, the Magic Window is closed. Mili decides to assume a new identity, in order to get in the orphanage and change the orphan's current situation. She appears as Greta, a rigorous supervisor. As Mili, she works in a nearby bar, where she meets its owner Ramiro, and falls in love for him. When Mili discovers Lidia's true intentions, she decides to reveal her identity for the orphans. The kids do not believe in her, except Maria, who recognizes her from the Book of Life's writings. Lidia tries to send the children back to the Shadow reformatory, and finds out Mili's real plans. Mili is left tied in the attic, desperate and unsure about what happened to the orphans. After they escape Lidia's trap, she is arrested due to her abuses, but the cruel woman still manages to destroy the manor. Mili and the *chiquititas* watch Rincón de Luz magically rebuilts itself, as the spirit of Belén is seen in the skies.