By TRACEY EATON / The Dallas Morning News

HAVANA – For 39 years, Cubans have awakened to the familiar voice of Aurora Basnuevo, undisputed queen of radio.

She's host of one of Latin America's longest-running comedy shows and creator of a character named Estelvina, the quintessential Cuban mulatta.

Fiery, straight-talking and self-assured, Estelvina regularly puts her macho husband in his place.

"Straighten up," she tells him, "or I'm going to smack you so hard even the photo on your ID is going to cry."

In July, Ms. Basnuevo won the country's national humor award for her contributions to Cuban culture. Her secret? She does comedy the old-fashioned way.

"I don't use bad words. I don't say bad things about my country. And I don't ridicule people. Anyone can get a laugh that way.

"Humor is a serious thing. The problem is, some people don't take it seriously."

Ms. Basnuevo, 65, started out as a singer in 1957 and was soon starring in musical comedies. That led to a role in a television series, San Nicolás del Peladero (Saint Nicolas of Peladero). "It aired for 23 years, a record that hasn't been broken," she said.

Her radio show, called Alegrías de Sobremesa (Joys of After-Dinner Conversation), is broadcast on Radio Progreso three times daily.

Generations of Cubans have grown up listening to the show. And today, Ms. Basnuevo can hardly walk the streets without strangers calling out, "Hey, Estelvina," and inviting her into their homes.

"People think I'm part of their family," she said. "They talk to me very openly about their problems. It's beautiful to see that my character has seeped so far into the soul of the people."

Her 35-minute show, a blend of humor and music, doesn't delve too deeply into the problems of society, focusing instead on the plight of ordinary people, especially youth.

"Estelvina doesn't age, but she changes as young people change," Ms. Basnuevo said. "I ask teenagers on the streets what they talk about. And I incorporate that."

She concedes it's not easy to be funny all the time because she has her own problems. A painting of a clown with a tear in his eye hangs from the wall of her apartment.

"My character Estelvina helps me deal with that," she said, glancing at the painting. "If I weren't working in comedy, I think I'd be a wreck. But when I'm working, I'm happy. I realize my mission is to make people laugh."