The Garcia Family: Eva, Hondo, Candice, Angelique and Alex
Candice Avila-Garcia/MySA
While “Garcia” may be a common name in San Antonio, my last name carries a bit of “puro” lore. Growing up in the 90s without cable, I relied on good old rabbit ear antennas (the real ones know). Local channels were my only option, and I religiously tuned in to Fox News at Nine, the earlier newscast before bed. With my 9:30 p.m. bedtime, I knew when the weather hit, it was time to say goodnight.
Monday through Friday, I would watch Michael Valdes, Karen Martinez, and chief meteorologist Alex Garcia on TV. Their on-air chemistry was magnetic—more like family than just anchors delivering the news. It felt like they were right there with me, shaping my evenings and deepening my connection to San Antonio. I was especially drawn to the local weather reports—the adrenaline rush of breaking news during unpredictable storms fascinated me (just ask my coworkers). But during my elementary school days, I never considered a career in journalism. I loved writing and storytelling, but I never imagined working in the news industry.
That all changed with a twist of fate. While attending the University of the Incarnate Word, I landed an internship at KABB. About a year later, that internship turned into a full-time job. At KABB, I had the chance to work on a special weather feature project with Alex, focusing on hurricanes and their unpredictability. Little did I know, Alex manages one of the nation’s largest tropical storm conferences. I’ll never forget the moment Alex praised my writing—a huge compliment, especially for someone just starting out in her first job after college.
After two and a half years at KABB, I transitioned to a morning producer role at KENS. In the media world, everyone knows everyone, and I ended up crossing paths with Alex Garcia’s son, “Hondo,” at KENS. He worked at KABB as a photographer before moving to KENS, but our different shifts meant we only saw each other once.
A few months later, I received a message from Hondo asking about photographer jobs in Austin. That simple message eventually led to years of marriage. In a twist only San Antonio TV news could provide, I became Alex’s daughter-in-law.
Alex and his grandson David
Candice Avila-Garcia/MySA
This wasn’t just about family ties. It symbolized how far I’d come—how San Antonio shaped me, how the city’s weather was always a part of my life, and how the unpredictable storms of life sometimes bring us full circle. From watching Alex on TV as a little girl, to working with him in the newsroom, and then sharing family dinners, I realized just how much he had shaped my story.
San Antonio thrives on connection—stories passed down, blending the past and future. Alex embodied that spirit, teaching me how to tell a story that mattered. Weather wasn’t just a forecast; it was part of the community’s daily rhythm. And in return, life gave me something beautiful: a family.
While I still see Alex as the calm, steady presence on TV, he’s now also a mentor, family, and guide. Just like San Antonio, my journey with Alex reminds me that life often takes us places we never imagined, yet somehow connects the dots in the most unexpected ways.
