Mario Sepulveda Becomes Chile Mine Rescue 'Breakout Star'

The Chile mine rescue effort looks set to wrap sometime near daylight on Thursday, with all 33 miners expected to be successfully retrieved. As the ordeal continues through the night, perhaps none of the miners is making as big of an international splash as Mario Sepulveda, who's being hailed as the San Jose mine's "breakout star."

The second of the miners to emerge, Sepulveda came bearing souvenirs which he enthusiastically delivered to onlookers after his ascent. And the 40-year-old electrician delivered what has already become the rescue effort's signature quote, albeit one which has been translated differently depending on the source, at a news conference. "I was with God and with the devil, and God took me," Sepulveda is quoted as saying in The Telegraph. Or, according to USA Today, "I was with God and I was with the devil. They fought me, and God won."

Translations notwithstanding, Sepulveda's reputation as a bit of a camera-saavy figure precedes him. Alternately nicknamed "Super Mario" and "the presenter" by the press, Sepulveda might also seem familiar to global audiences from his narrations of the grainy mine videos which appeared on various news organizations as well as on YouTube, one of which he reportedly concluded with, "Over to you in the studio."

Just hours after his ascent, Sepulveda insists he isn't allowing his presumed role as the Chile mine's leading man go to his head. "I make a plea to the media to not treat us as like an artist or a showbusiness figure," Sepulveda is quoted by The Telegraph as saying. "I would like you to show me how I am: a miner. I will continue to work as a miner."

See video of Sepulveda being pulled out from underground and the latest live updates from rescue efforts here.

Comments

[Tamra Williams]

04:35 AM on 10/16/2010

I think Mario should keep working with the mines, but in a capacity of working with the Ministy of Mines, to be a spokesperson for mine safety, and to push for reforms, so that the chances of this happening again are very slim. There is so much he can do with that awesome personality. God Bless him and his family and fellow miners.

[Fez]

12:32 PM on 10/14/2010

Mario, you've got major skills and a personality that will allow you to never have to work as a miner again. Take some time off and return as a motivational speaker. The courage and grace that kept you alive will be your ticket to success.

[Wood]

12:13 AM on 10/14/2010

Super Mario!

[JavaManiac]

08:45 PM on 10/13/2010

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

I know there are still five rescue workers to get out - but I have been holding my breath for 20 some hours - praying that nothing would go wrong with their rescue capsule, the rescue shaft, the cable, etc.

Thank God - "Los 33" are now free of their underground prison.

[Tom Joad]

07:55 PM on 10/13/2010

...great story...for once, technology does not fail us...best wishes to all the miners and their families!...welcome back!

[xsm941f]

07:37 PM on 10/13/2010

The camera. Some lose all self-respect when there's a camera. Dude...get a grip.

[mlaiuppa]

04:02 PM on 10/13/2010

All due respect to Mario, but they will probably not continue to work as miners. For various reasons. But they will not go back to their old lives and their old work.

[Puddin]

09:39 PM on 10/13/2010

How do you know this...

[Wood]

12:13 AM on 10/14/2010

I wouldn't go back..