Passport to Panama with Jack

Panamá Gastronómica 2011.

2011-09-03T16:00:00.000-05:00

From September 1 toSeptember 3, 2011, was held at the Atlapa Convention Center, the Congress andExpo-Fair "Panamá Gastronómica 2011." According to the organizers themission of this activity is to position the country as a gastronomic destination,been a window to the world of Panamanian products and talents.

Several nationalchefs and others guest chefs which came from abroad participated in the event,including one of the "Iron Chefs". Several conferences were presentedby these chefs over three days, and also held a group competition between chefstudents with his tutor from different universities.

I loved visiting“Panama Gastronómica”. There were many companies’ stands that are related withsales cooking products , food and drinks. This year they implemented the WineRoute, where participants paid for a wine glass engraved with the name of theevent, and may apply at each stand that promoted wine tasting.
There were standsselling cuts of meat and you could prove it. My God, it was delicious! There were also some universities that madefood preparation exhibits as snacks and then a chef distributed them. That wasa fight among the attendees who wanted to taste.

Conclusion, everything was delicious. I leave the address ofthe event's website Panama Gastronómica 2011 if you wantto know what happened there and if you want to participate next year.
I placed some photos of the event. Enjoy them.

Panama, Where the world meets: Adventure.

2011-08-18T08:16:00.000-05:00

Panama, Where the world meets: The Panama Canal.

2011-08-17T07:56:00.000-05:00

How the Panama Canal works.

2011-08-15T18:22:00.000-05:00

     Did you know that the Panama Canal was excavated in one of the narrowest and lowest parts of the mountainous Isthmus of Panama, linking North and South America? The Panama Canal is 80 kilometers long from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean and a ship takes about 8 to 10 hours to cross it.
      The Panama Canal operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It has only closed its doors to world trade twice: first as a result of a landslide in 1915, and the second on December 20, 1989, during the U.S. invasion to Panama.
To explain the operation of the Panama Canal, I will present it from two points of view: one, from inside the canal and the other, following the displacement of a ship through the canal.

The engineering of the Panama Canal

          The water to raise and lower the ships in each set of locks, actually a sort of stairs, whose steps to ascend or descend are filled or emptied of water, it’s obtained by simple gravity from Gatun Lake. The water enters through the main sewer system. From this main sewer, 10 sets are under the lock chambers from the sidewalls, and 10 sets are from the central wall.
      Each sewer has a set of five holes of 4.5 feet of diameter. As you pour the water into the mainsewer, it is distributed through 100 holes in the floor of the chamber into the airlock where the ship. In this way, the ship can be raised to the level of the next chamber or to the level of the Gatun Lake, if it’s the last chamber. If it’s to lower the ship, we make the reverse procedure: the water is drawn through the sewers until the water level is the same to the next chamber or lock, or to the sea level if it’s to leave the Canal. For each ship which transiting by the Canal, it’s used about 52 million gallons of fresh water, which flows by gravity through the locks and then discharged into the ocean.

Displacement of a ship through the Canal

          Each set of locks of the Panama Canal is named by the town where it was built: Gatun (on the Atlantic side), Pedro Miguel and Miraflores (on the Pacific side).
      A ship transiting the Canal from the Atlantic towards the Pacific enters to the Canal from Limon Bay, after passing through the Cristobal breakwater. This stretch of sea level in the Atlantic is 10 kilometers long and 152 feet wide, through a mangrove swamp which is at sea level.
      The ships descend or ascend about 26 feet through the three chambers of the Gatun Locks. Each camera measures 33.53 meters wide and 304.8 meters long. The length of the Gatun Locks, including the approach wall is more than two kilometers. After the ship has pass through the Gatun Lake up to Pedro Miguel Locks at the southern end of Gaillard Cut. Down there about 9 meters in one step to Miraflores Lake level, which separates the two sets of Pacific locks. The ship the last two steps down to the level of the sea in Miraflores Locks which has more than 1.600 meters long. The gates of Miraflores are the highest in the entire system due to the sharp variations in the Pacific tide.
      Ships transiting the Panama Canal are towed from one camera to another in each set of locks by electric locomotives (mules), specially designed for this purpose.
      The canal employs about 240 practical to transit the ships using the waterway. The captains of the ships that cross this route have to cede control to the staff exclusively responsible for this phase of the transit. This reflects the need to observe the maximum safety standards imposed by the movement of ships through the Panama Canal.
      Ships from around the world transit daily through the Canal. Around 13 to 14 thousand ships use the Panama Canal each year.

Panama, Where the World meets: History.

2011-06-19T22:14:00.004-05:00

The second video...

Panama, Where the World meets: Traditions.

2011-06-15T21:38:00.014-05:00

At last "La Autoridad de Turismo de Panama" (Panama's Tourism Authority) launched the advertising of Panama as a country brand, with the slogan: “Panamá: Unimos al Mundo”, or in English, “Panama: Where the World meets”.
I'm impressed with the quality of the four videos filmed in HD. That´s why I selected a big screen. I posted the first one about traditions and folklore. Enjoy it!

Agua.

2011-03-28T09:40:00.002-05:00

The music video contains images of "Culecos" or "Mojaderas" which are held every morning of the 4 days of Panamanian Carnival. There are images of various Interior’s places inside the country during these days.
The song is a "merengue" of Dominican Wilfrido Vargas and sung by him. The lyrics of the song were inspired by the "Culecos" of the Panama's Carnival's, where people gather in the town's central park to be doused with water by tanker trucks parked at the edge of the street. People shout: "Agua", "Agua" (Water!, Water!) while the man which has the hose is dousing water to all the people, while they jump and chant the "tonadas" (songs) of the “Tuna” (group of people and musicians who accompany and support their queen, either Calle Arriba-Up Street or Calle Abajo-Down Street, during their performances). See: Las Tablas Carnival 2010: “Culecos”.

Mola: A Textile Art.

2011-03-03T11:03:00.053-05:00

Molas are the textile art made by the Kuna Indians who live in the northwest of the Isthmus of Panama, known as “Comarca de San Blas”.

The origin of the mola comes from the painting of the body (tattoos) which was then transferred to fabrics. The Molas represent the cosmogonic thought, a graphical view of a world full of colorful and full of anthropomorphic and zoomorphic meaning of the indigenous culture. The striking and colorful geometric shapes paint mythological scenes, the creation of the world, custom scenes, flora and fauna of the region inhabited by the Kuna Indians.

Molas are the decorative apparel fabrics, square or rectangular shapes, worked inside out with the embroidery technique called applied embroidery (appliqué / reverse), made with colorful cotton fabrics of different colors. Stack consists of 3 to 5 layers of fabrics of different colors, and cut the shape in the form of ornaments, from the first layer to show the color underneath. The cutting then finally is folded. The color of the lower layer creates the outline of the image. Only the last layer is not cut. The best molas consist between 4 and 6 layers, embroidered with tiny stitches, with regular and balanced colors.

The confection of a MOLA can take 30 hours to double or triple the time, depending on the degree of design complexity and the number of layers of fabric they have.

Kuna women are who make the molas and each one is unique and unrepeatable. Traditionally it’s part of the Kuna’s feminine attire (chest and back of the blouse of the woman) and an element of cultural identity that characterizes the people. The mola is drawn up by the woman who will use it, so its characteristics depend on the taste of the author, as well as its texture and size.

In addition to making the molas for clothes, Kuna Indians make molas to sell to the people that appreciate the beauty of the design and colors. They are usually sold in rectangular or square cloth to put them in a picture frame to hang on the wall or where you most appreciate them. For example, I have seen molas in furniture cushions, framed molas, decorating offices or homes, in blankets for bedding, and on clothing as well as in women and men.

I made a video of all the molas I found online and had good resolution in order to appreciate the details and colors in video of this wonderful art of the Kunas.

An Isthmian Festival.

2010-11-12T10:43:00.005-05:00

I would like to "post" a news that appeared on a Panama’s newspaper and I found it interesting to post on the blog. I hope that you find it interesting.

“34 years ago, Henk Van Der Kolk was an architect who wanted to turn around his life and did so.

This Canadian is one of the founders of the Toronto’s Film Festival, considered one of the most important in the world alongside Cannes and Venice.

Beginning in November, he will reside in Panama, in the community of Santa Clara, home of T. Rob Brown, a patron of the arts, who is married to Yolanda, Van Der Kolk’s painter daughter.

As he was in love with the isthmus, he wants to make a film festival here (Panama).

Perhaps it couldn’t be difficult if with a handful of employees and enthusiasm founded in 1976 the Toronto’s Film Festival.

He believes that Panama is the ideal spot of Central America for this project because it has a stable currency, safety, an efficient network of air links and has become a popular place to go to retire and says he is proof of that.

We are pleased that Panama also offers the option of being in a tropical rainforest in the morning and be back at night to sleep in a five star hotel.

Such variety is another impetus to develop, because in his opinion it wouldn’t be more difficult to convince Hollywood producers to shoot in this land.

His Isthmian Festival would have a strong Latin American component, and he regretted that a high percentage of the screen quota in Panama is lead by commercial Hollywood cinema.

The first version of the festival will be in April 2012. "Panama has a better infrastructure than Toronto had 34 years ago when he started the festival. Perhaps it not achieved the same worldwide, but will be as similar as possible."

He is pleased to have been well received by the Ministers of Tourism, Salomon Shamah, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Roberto Henríquez and INAC Director, María Eugenia Herrera.

How much required investment is not known , but he began to knock doors in North America.

It should not be difficult if your team is able to get the $ 7 million that is needed each year to “jump-start” the Toronto Film Festival.”

On the other hand, it is already taking the first steps for the development of cinema in Panama. In the City of Knowledge (Panama City), since 11th to 22th October, 2010, it developed the II Meeting of “Cine Iberoamérica Panamá, 2010”. Among the films to be projected highlight two that have seal of Panama: “Chance” and “Business”. During this meeting, film workshops and film competitions were held.

By: Daniel Dominguez Z. La Prensa.

Translation: Jack
See Spanish publication at: vivir + LA PRENSA

Door Spot - Panama, It will never leave you

2010-10-24T22:06:00.000-05:00

The commercial says everthing...

The Harpy Eagle.

2010-10-17T22:57:00.000-05:00

The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is a falconiform bird specie in the Accipitridae family living in the Neotropics and it’s the second largest eagle in the world, but the most powerful and robust. It’s surpassed in size (distance between the ends of the wings) only by the eagle of the Philippines (Pithecophaga Jefferyi). The female’s average size is 100 cms. length, size of 200 cms. and weight of 9 kgs. The male has smaller dimensions up to 196 cms. in size and weighing approximately 8 kgs.

Its plumage is gray on the head; black on the back, upper wings and chest; and white on the underside of the wings and abdomen. The tail is black with three gray bands. It has an erectile crest of feathers on its head. It also has a sharp beak and claws that can reach 15 cms long. It can live even 40 years.

The Harpy Eagle is a predator. It’s favorite prey are climbing mammals such as monkeys, sloths and coatis. It also feeds of reptiles (such as green iguanas, snakes) and birds. Despite its size, it has the ability to penetrate the dense and thick foliage of the jungle to hunt their prey, one of the animals proportionately strongest in the world (up and carried in flight three times its own weight). It prefers to live in dense virgin forests, so the loss of its habitat puts it in endangered extinction species, their morphology is highly adapted to the habitat in which hunting. For this purpose, their wings are proportionally over the trunk not too long (allowing it to fly swiftly into the dense canopies of trees).

The harpy eagle is the Panama’s national bird. The Act was registered as No. 18 of April 10, 2002 in Official Gazette No. 24,530, with four items, setting the third items fines up to five thousand dollars (B /. 5,000.00) for those who capture, traffic, cause injury or death of adult Harpy Eagles, offspring, eggs or nests. It is protected by institutions such as ANCON, ANAM, The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (...), “Patronato Amigos del Águila Harpía”, among others.

COAT OF ARMS OF PANAMA

"Square Trees".

2010-08-09T13:49:00.000-05:00

Have you ever heard about square trees? Only in Panama, a tourist place known as “El Valle de Antón”, you can find these kinds of trees.

Physically, the trees are not square. They are called "square trees" because the base of the trunk is totally square. If you measure with a measuring tape each side of the trunk, you get the same dimension. In addition, as a curious fact, the inner rings of the tree, which are used to tell the age of a tree that grows one each year, are square too.

The trees can reach a height of 12-15 meters.

Messi and his Friends Team vs The World Team.

2010-07-26T18:51:00.030-05:00

A few days after the World Cup South Africa 2010, with the victory of Spain, on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 was a great joy for all Panamanians. Under the sponsorship of Samsung and organization of 141, was held in Panama City the friendly game of “Messi and his Friends vs The World”.
The event was held at the newly renovated National Soccer Stadium “Rommel Fernandez”, with a full capacity of 26,000 spectators and the most modern in Central America.

Rommel Fernández Stadium

In addition to the Panamanian fans, fans came from Central American countries and Colombia, through tour packages sold in those countries. Furthermore, these tourists took to shopping and visiting the Panama City.

That night the stadium was filled to its full capacity. Nobody wanted to miss the World football star, the Argentinean, Lionel Andrés Messi, FC Barcelona player and winner of the title FIFA WOLRDPLAYER 2009.

The teams were composed of the following players:

Messi and his Friends Team

Lionel Messi, Martín Palermo, Sebastián Abreu, Franco Zuculini, Cafu, Gabriel Milito, Juan Arango, Lucio, Leandro Lázzaro, Ariel "Burrito" Ortega, Mario Yepes, Josué, Nicholas Otamendi, Juan, Ricardo Sá Pinto

The World Team

Marco Materazzi, Christian Vieri, Mariano Pernía, Fernando Couto, Iván Helguera, Fernando Morientes, Edgar Davids, Dwight Yorke, Kevin Kuranyi, José Francisco Cevallos, José Pinto, Jaime Penedo, Blas Pérez, Gabriel Gómez, Nelson Barahona.

Technical Directors: Hernán "Bolillo" Gómez and Cesar Farías.

Football Referee: Horacio Elizondo.

Press conference at Intercontinental Playa Bonita Resort and Spa

Although it rained that night, this did not stop the game from being held. More than 25,000 people attending the stadium between Panamanians and foreigners, most of who were Central Americans and Colombians, were shouting the name of the Argentinean star: Messi, Messi! It was a magical moment for all present and TV viewers who watched live transmission of the friendly game. They could not believe seeing a soccer game with many Football World Stars in Panama. It was like being in a World Cup.

In brief, the first goal was made by the Spanish Fernando Morientes, from the World team, to Ecuador goalkeeper José Cevallos in the 8th minute of the first half. Then in the 13th minute, Brazilian Lucio, who belonged to Messi and his Friends team, evened the score, beating Barcelona goalkeeper, José Pinto.

Messi scored three goals in the 32nd, 45th and 87th minutes. The other two goals from Messi and his Friends team were scored by Leandro Lázzaro in the 53rd minute, and the other by Zuculini Franco in the 89th minute.

Blas Pérez,, from the Panama’s National team striker and World team, scored three goals to minutes 72nd, 79th and 90th, the latter being the most precious, a "hat trick" (chilena), ending the game 6-4 in favor Messi and his Friends team.

Some moments of the game!!!

Blas Pérez's "HAT TRICK" (Chilena)

Players' withdrawal at Rommel Fernández Stadium

Las Tablas Carnival 2010: “Culecos”.

2010-07-23T15:14:00.000-05:00

     In the Interior towns of the Republic of Panama is where most Panamanians celebrate the carnival tradition, by four consecutive days before Ash Wednesday.
     The carnival is organized by the people, divided into two streets, "Calle Arriba" and "Calle Abajo" (Up Street and Down Street), although in some villages or towns there is a third street. During this carnival festivities, the two streets are rivals and they compete to see who is better in the town's central park, where both "tunas" face other. They compete on who is better: the most beautiful queen, floats, fancy dresses, "murga" and "tuna". Generally, both “tunas” are considered winners by themself in each presentation.
     In this post I want to define three words that are important in Panamanian carnival tradition.
     “Tuna”: group of people and musicians who accompany and support their queen, either Up Street or Down Street, during their performances.
     “Murga”: group of musicians who play the songs of the queen during carnival; usually, they go in a float behind the queen; the song lyrics are to ennoble their queen, or to make fun of the Queen's family and her “tuna”. But they don’t mention names, only assumptions facts. You have to investigate who they talking about. All people who sing are behind their Murga or queen.
     "Culecos" or "Mojaderas" are made on the morning of carnival from 9 in the morning in the town's central park. The "Culecos” are made with tanker trucks parked on the streets around the park and throw water through hoses to all who attend. Each "Tuna" (Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo) presents a single float with the company of their "murga".
     In the "Culecos" or "Mojaderas" each queen goes on a float inspired by a specific theme, like her dress, trimmed with rhinestones, sequins, and feathers of exotic birds. Definitely, the queens are the only ones that are not wet, obviously, because the water would damage the dress and they would lose their grace.
     The videos that I posted are from Las Tablas Carnival 2010. The background music is played by a "murga", but it is only to give it a carnival atmosphere. They are not the songs that were sung and performed in this carnival. In addition, I posted the pictures of the costumes or fancy dresses that were exhibited at the "Reina Torres de Araúz Antropology Museum" in Panama City, weeks after the carnival. In this way, you can see the details of the costumes.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13th, 2010.
Calle Abajo de Las Tablas Theme: Cards Games
Calle Arriba de Las Tablas Theme: Diwali: Lights Festival - Nepal

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14th, 2010
Calle Abajo de Las Tablas Theme: Valentine
Calle Arriba de Las Tablas Theme: Aphrodite

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15th, 2010
Calle Abajo de Las Tablas Theme: Romany Lineage - Gipsy Lineage
Calle Arriba de Las Tablas Theme: Marie Antoinette Josèphe Jeanne de Habsbourg-Lorraine: Forerunner of French fashion.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16th, 2010

Calle Abajo de Las Tablas Theme: Cockfights

Calle Arriba de Las Tablas Theme: The Music of My Land

Amador's Causeway - Calzada de Amador.

2010-07-22T12:59:00.000-05:00

Amador’s Causeway or “Calzada de Amador” is located, exactly, in the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. It’s a path that connects Panama City with Naos, Perico and Flamenco Islands. This road was built with material from the extraction of soil from Culebra Cut, when building the Panama Canal. During the Spanish conquest, the islands were a favorite anchorage of Spanish galleons arriving in Panama City and loaded with treasures snatched from the Inca Empire. In 1913, the islands became part of Fort Grant. This fort was used to defend the Panama Canal entrance against possible attacks from Germany or Japan during the First World War.

     The Amador Causeway is now a tourist spot and perfect for walking, jogging, skating, biking and enjoying beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean: the ships awaiting permission for transit through the Panama Canal and the fabled Bridge of the Americas; whereas at the other side, you can see the smashing horizon and modern Panama City and its skyscrapers, as well as the Old Town of Panama City (Casco Antiguo).
     Throughout the entire roadway will find fast food restaurants, American franchising, Italian, Mexican, Cuban, Greek, International restaurants and, of course, Panamanian restaurants. There are also seafood restaurants, as well known in Panama for their freshness, quality and taste.
     Both the beginning and end of the road, you can find bars, nightclubs, discos, some with dance floors and music for all likes.
     Another attraction is the Smithsonian’s Marine Exhibition Center, a place to learn about the flora, fauna and see some exotic species of marine life both the Caribbean and the Pacific of Panama.
     Small shopping centers, marinas for yachts, hotels and a convention center, could not miss in this wonderful place of the country.
     In 2011, will be inaugurated the Museum of Biodiversity, designed by Frank Gehry, which will be one of the biggest attractions of the place. You can see more information on Categories-Megaprojects-Panama: Bridge of Life – Museum of Biodiversity.
     I made a video with my photos. I hope you enjoy it.

Real Estate in Panama, January-June 2010.

2010-07-18T09:07:00.000-05:00

My name is Panama - IPAT's Tourism Commercial

2010-06-29T00:23:00.000-05:00

     The video that I post was Panama’s first tourism commercial that I remember. It was created to promote the tourism for the Miss Universe beauty pageant in 1986, celebrated on July in Panama City.
     I remember at that time, the responsible authority for tourism in Panama was IPAT (Panamanian Tourism Institute), today, ATP (Panama’s Tourism Authority), and the government was under the dictatorship of General Manuel Antonio Noriega.
     "My name is Panama" or "Mi nombre es Panama" was the promotional slogan of tourism which is now a trademark that sells Panamanians items such as molas, woven on clothing; cartoons alluding to Panamanian folklore and culture, and printed on t-shirts in multiple colors; and national handicrafts http://www.mynameispanama.com/.

Venezuelan contestant Barbara Palacios Teyde, in her response to the jury at the Miss Universe in 1986 said: "We must highlight the great work that Panamanians do when they have foreign people in their land, as in our case, we, the misses of this pageant. I think it should be emphasized at all times that they not only have beautiful lands, but the Panamanians are people, beautiful people, who always offer a lot of warmth. I think that is very precisely that slogan that says: My name is Panama!!!”

Atlas Ads: a Panamanian Beer.

2010-06-07T21:58:00.001-05:00

Atlas is one of the most recognized and consumed beer in the country, and its logo appears at events such as carnivals, fairs, musical events and on the walls of store retailers around the country, such as advertising and sponsorship.

My purpose of this post is not to advertise the product and assess its quality and taste. I wish to highlight of their commercial advertisements folklore, culture, landscape and the melting pot of races of our country during the last thirty years. Not only is the beer, is the country, Panama.

The main objective is to know the landscape of Panama and its people. Remember that the first videos presented were made in the 80s and the last are the most current. Before each set of videos I put the lyric of them in English so you can understand what each group of video wants to transmit. Enjoy them.

Cerveza Atlas: "Así es mi país" (This is my country) ((1985-1986).

This is my country
and so are my people,

first people who love and feel ...

This is my country

and so are my people, people who work and enjoy.

This is my country

and this is my first people, people who enjoy the present.
This is my country

and this is my people, people who love and feel...

Cerveza Atlas: "Así es mi país" (This is my country) ((1986-1987). Other version.

This is my country
And so are the things we like

Because we like them...

And so are my people

People who enjoy the present...

Who know sure what they feel

These things we like always

These things we like always.

Cerveza Atlas: "Así es mi gente" (This is my people) (1989).

These are the people, the people of Panama.
What joy that good, drink the Atlas their beer.

Take life with joy, always drink your Atlas very cold.

These are the people with Atlas to enjoy.

Here and there, and throughout Panama.

These are the people, the people of Panama.

What joy that good, they drink the Atlas their beer.

People are happy, the people are friendly.

As our people like no other.

These are the people with Atlas to enjoy.

Here and there, and throughout Panama.
These are the people, the people of Panama.
What joy that good, they drink the Atlas their beer.
The people of Panama, here and there, drink Atlas.

Cerveza Atlas: "Yo soy el sabor" (I'm the flavor) ((1991-1992-1993) Salsa rithm.

I‘m of this land,

and I have the happy flavor of my people.

My soul is golden, sun caress

And the white foam of my beaches

comes from inside me ...

I'm city and fields

from color neighborhood

I'm first, I'm the flavor

Atlas: I'm first

Atlas: I'm the flavor. Bis.

Cerveza Atlas: "Nuestra gente, nuestra cerveza" (Our People, Our beer) (2009).

We are that happy land

We are really Panamanians.

We’re going foward, we enjoy today.

And It’s one and our, what a great beer,

made with our rithm.

Pure Panamanian, it’s Atlas the flavor.

We first, we have flavor

Atlas, we are first

Atlas, we are the flavor.

Aladdin The Musical.

2010-06-03T11:55:00.002-05:00

     From April 8th to May 9th, 2010, Disney’s Aladdin The Musical was stage on “El Teatro en Círculo”. The costumes and props were among the details that most attention.
     The musical was live, and the songs performed by Panamanian artists, highlighting those who have participated in Mega Projects on TV like Rafael Moreno (Vive La Música, fourth season), as Aladdin and Anne Lorain Lanier (Latin American Idol, third season ), as Princess Jasmine. Of course, we have to highlight the work of other actors and dancers on stage, male and female choirs, as well as all the work behind the scenes.
     Andres Morales, belonging to the cast of the TV show "La Cáscara", was The Genie of the magic lamp . I think this was the ideal role for him, because he has the versatility to imitate people and personality like "The Genie".

I am glad that we are growing Broadway-style musical here in Panama, with Panamanian artists, musicians and professionals.

Laffit Pincay Jr.

2010-05-30T12:45:00.002-05:00

     Laffit Pincay Jr. was born on December 29, 1946 in Panama City. He is considered the biggest Panamanian horse-racing pride. "The Corsair", as he is known since he arrived in the U.S. tracks, is a member of the American Horse Racing Hall of Fame, as well as in Panama.
     He made his debut on March 22, 1964, and won his first victory on March 28, 1964, with the same horse that debuted named "Huelen". The same year he won his first main event, "Clásico Independencia de Estados Unidos" with the horse “Alucinado II."
     Since 1965, he has been riding on the Presidente Remon racetrack in Panama City, he managed to enter to the elite group of riders who win over 200 races in a year, topping the statistics of riders with 249 victories in 696 opportunities.
     In Panama, he completed 1,395 rides, winning 449 races, 298 seconds, 216 thirds, 180 fourth places, and 258 times out of silver.
     In 1966, Pincay Jr. was hired by Fred W. Hooper, a prominent horseman, to ride and compete in races that were held in the United States. His first victory was on July 1, 1966, riding the horse "Teacher's Art", owned by Hooper, at Arlington Park in Chicago.
     His success in the United States can be summarized as follows: He set a record for most wins in a year by imposing 380 horses in 1971; He was inducted into the National Museum of Horse Racing and Hall of Fame in 1975 at 29 years old; He leaded all sums earned in the United States in seven times (1970 -1974, 1979, 1985), the horses that he rode generated revenues of $ 203 million; He won five times the "Eclipse Award”, top honor of American horse racing (1971, 1973, 1974, 1979 and 1985), more than any other rider in history; He got his win 8,834 on December 11, 1999 with "Nip Iris" in Hollywood to become the new leader among the riders in the world with the most wins in history, dethroning American rider Bill Showmaker who held a mark of 8,833 wins in his retirement in 1990.
     In 1980, Laffit Pincay Jr. was hired to ride the Mexican specimen “Pikotazo” at the “XIII Clásico Internacional del Caribe”, winning the race.
     He won four races of the U.S. Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby "with" Swale "in 1984, the" Belmont Stakes” three times consecutive with "Conquistador Cielo" (1982), "Caveat" (1983) and "Swale "(1984).
     Laffit Pincay Jr. also won seven races of the millionaire series called "Breeders Cup": Classic for 3 million dollars with "Skywalker" in 1986, the "Distaff" twice, "Bayakoa" in 1989-90, the "Juvenile", three times with "Tasso" (1985), "Capote" (1986) and "Is It True" (1988) and "Juvenile Fillies" with "Phone Chatter” in 1993.
     On February 13, 2002, with the success of "STAGE PLAYER" in the second race of the day, the number of wins of Pincay Jr. reached the 9,300 dreamed goal victories.

On April 29, 2003, almost 39 years after that first success, the Panamanian rider announced his retirement from the profession due to a physical injury caused in an accident while attending a horse race.

Sancocho - Chicken Soup.

2010-04-03T10:21:00.005-05:00

     Sancocho is a typical Panamanian chicken soup seasoned with yams, onions, cilantro, oregano, garlic, pepper, and salt. Its origin is in the Azuero Peninsula, to be precise in Los Santos Province. There are other ways depending on the region of the country where it is prepared. In some places other ingredients such as corn, squash, cassava and “otoe” are added . You can also find beef soup (Chiriquí Province) or fish soup (Colon Province).
     The soup is one of the most representative dishes of the Panamanian cuisine, and it is usually accompanied with a bowl of white rice. It's the dish that can not be missed on the restaurant menu in the country, and its low cost and taste is one of mayor demand.
     This revitalizing soup can be taken at lunch, at dinner after a hard day at work, and after a carousal to recover energy. In many country parties the soup is served between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. for those who want to replenish their energies.
     Top “sancochos” are slowly being cooked first to smooth chicken meat, and afterwards so that the yam is tender and so it disolves, making the soup acquire a thick consistency.
     In the Interior, it is prepared in a large pot and stove with wood, giving the soup a smoky special taste. This type of Sancocho can be found in “fondas” (small restaurants) in the Interior during festivals, regional fairs and during Carnival.

The soup has healing properties, it contains nutrients and vitamins, which can help to reduce cold symptoms. People make the soup when they have flu, an upset stomach or after a long night of alcohol consumption.

On August 16th, 2003 and to celebrate the Centenary of the Republic, the world's largest Sancocho, called "The Centennial Sancocho” was made.

To do this we had to compile a special stainless steel pot with its respective lid, as well as designing the stove (burners), how to hold it, the instruments of server and mix , using for the latter wooden oars, all which was a Guinness Record.

The preparation of the Centennial Sancocho began at 5:30 am and ended at 11:00 a.m. People immediately proceeded to serve the soup in cups. The cost of each cup was $ 0.25, and the funds raised were donated to Hospital del Niño (Children’s Hospital), a public hospital.

Some important Guinness Record data:

Pot size: 2.00 meters high and 3.00 meters in diameter.
Chicken and yam Quantity: 3.0 tons (3,000.00 kg.).
Onion Quantity: 1500.00 pounds (680.38 kg.).

Garlic Quantity: 80.00 pounds (36.28 kg.).

Cilantro Quantity: 60.00 pounds (27.21 kg.).

Oregano Quantity: 10.00 pounds (4.53 kg.).
Pepper Quantity: 5.00 pounds (2.26 kg.).

Salt Quantity: 80.00 pounds (36.28 kg.).

Water volume: 2033.00 gallons (9,148.50 liters).

Heat of the burners Gas: BTU 4,000.000.00.

Number of cups served: 21,365.00 dishes approximately of 12 ounces each.

Cost per cup: $ 0.25.

Number of Volunteers: over 300.

Urban Photography Festival 2010.

2010-03-25T13:54:00.001-05:00

The first Panama’s Urban Photography Festival took place from March 11th to 14th, 2010, and the event was inside of Santo Domingo Church’s dilapidated structures where you can find the famous “Arco Chato” (Flat Bow).

     The event was promoted by the Casco Antiguo de Panama Office, to collect the photographic works of professionals, amateurs, and enthusiasts, highlighting the art, historic places, how people live in the streets every day, people, buildings and houses, food and folklore of Panama, among other things.
     All who wanted to exhibit their work could do for free, as the entrance.
     To participate in the competition you had to register and pay a cost depending on the category and professional level. Fifteen categories were awarded, with total on prizes of about $ 6,500.
     I visited the exhibition one day and I post some photos of the Festival. The day that I visited the exhibition were exposed only a few photos. Every day, different photos were exposed with its author, being spread all photos of participants and non participants during the four days of the event.

La Pinta and La Santa María, tow artificial islands on Panama Bay.

2010-03-23T14:05:00.003-05:00

The Mexican company ICA (“Ingenieros Civiles Asociados”) will build during 2010 two artificial islands in front of Panama City, on Panama Bay, with an investment of U.S.$ 140 million, where 138 exclusive residences will be built to become the " most exclusive and elegant mixed-use community of the city”.

Initially the project consisted of three islands: La Pinta, La Niña and La Santa Maria, as the names of the three saling ships of Christopher Columbus. But for environmental reasons it was decided to remove La Niña island from the project.

The two islands will be located 150 meters from the coast, over the sole real estate area known as Punta Pacifica. La Santamaria will have 10.3 hectares of land where 72 lots will be distributed to residences and La Pinta will distribute 8.8 hectares for 66 lots. The total hectares of land is 19.1, equivalent to 5 baseball stadiums. The lots will vary between 800 and 1800 square meters and will be sold between U.S.$1500 and U.S.$5000 per square meter. The cost of the residences is not included.

The construction of the islands consists of dredging for about five months for each island to extract marine mud in order to place it on barges and then move to specific "environmental unaffected” sites in the sea. The project also includes the construction of a seawall with rocks up to two tons and then continue with the filling with various materials including sand, stone and basalt rock. In total, it will need four billion cubic meters of materials, which is equivalent to the size of two pyramids of Egypt.

The project has all the requirements to prevent environmental and ecological damage, and will be built with high tech.

The residences will be finished between 2011 and 2013, according to the construction company.

"Flor del Espíritu Santo" - Dove Orchid.

2010-03-22T16:06:00.005-05:00

The “Flor del Espíritu Santo” (Holy Spirit flower) was declared national flowerof the Republic of Panama on October 21th, 1980.

The plant is known scientifically as "Peristeria Elata” and it is of the gender of “Peristeria” which is the group of plants belonging to the orchid family (Orchidaceae) whose common name in English is" Dove Orchid "(“Orquídea Paloma” in Spanish) or" “Holy Ghost Orchid". The common name of this genus comes from the Greek word "Peristerion" which means "dove".

The plant consists of globose pseudobulbs up to 12 inches high, four leaves that reach up to 1 meter. The flower stalk comes out from the base of the bulb with a length between 1 to 1.8 meters and can produce a total of 4 to 12 flowers. Each flower has petals of a deep ivory, adorned in the center of the flower with a well-defined dove with outstretched wings, stained or painted purple, and anther and pistil yellow. The flowers’ fragrance is nice and intense.

Annually, the plant flowers between the months of July to October if the bulb is mature or reach their optimum size. If the plant is young, you must have patience in its flowering until the bulb reaches maturity. It grows best at altitudes between sea level and 800 meters. In the wild, growing on large trees in the forest, very aerated soils with organic matter and rich in humus. It may also be found in low shrubs, small areas on the upper slopes, and sometimes on the roadside.

The Holy Spirit flower is a very rare and beautiful flower, exotic for nationals and foreigners. For this reason, it should encourage its growth throughout the Panamenian territory.

Panama - Van Halen.

2010-03-21T12:07:00.003-05:00

"Panama" is the most popular song of Van Halen’s 1984 album. On the web are some speculations about why the name of this song. Here I mention a few.

     The song was written about a stripper named "Panama", which David Lee Roth, Van Halen singer and song writer, met at a presentation in Arizona. The critics accused him of writing songs about hard partying, sex and race cars.
     Another is that the song is about a car that Roth saw race in Las Vegas and the name of the car was Panama.
     Despite all these assertions or theories, the name of Panama has a common origin, the country. The word has its origins of the Indians village called "Hanama" and the Spanish colonizers knew as Panama.
     Any person, object or place named Panama, has its origin of its name on this country.

Panama Viejo - Old Panama.

2010-02-23T18:43:00.009-05:00

“Panama La Vieja” or “Panama Viejo” (Old Panama) is the name of the architectural vestiges of the first and oldest Monumental Historic Spanish city's on land that exists today. It was founded on the American Pacific coast on August 15, 1519 by Pedro Arias de Àvila (Pedrarias), commissioned by the Spanish Crown to establish a city that was the starting point for the conquest of North and South America. Pedrarias was the first governor of the city and on September 15, 1521, Panama received by royal decree the title of City and Coat of Arms granted by Charles I of Spain.

The city received the name “Panama” because it was seated on an Indians’ fishing village that was called Panama, and in their dialect the word means abundance of fish and butterflies, and a green, leafy tree with the same name.

For its strategic location, Panama La Vieja became an important port through which much gold and silver came from Peru and other places in America to Spain, and was also the port that received the goods coming from Spain to the colonized territories.

The city was sacked in 1671 by English pirates, led by Henry Morgan. They reached the coast of Panama from the Atlantic and crossed the isthmus to reach the city. They didn’t arrive in their boats as the tales and stories tell. In addition, pirates would have had to go to Cape Horn, Argentina, and navigate the entire Pacific coast of South America to Panama. And if they did, they could not have landed directly in the port city protected by mangroves and a shallow coast.

By safety of the inhabitants and city’s properties, Don Juan Perez de Guzman ordered the evacuation of the city and ordered to fire powder deposits causing a huge explosion and burning throughout the city. The city was abandoned by its inhabitants leaving their dilapidated structures and these being forgotten. The city was moved a few miles further west, and it is what we know today as “Casco Antiguo de la Ciudad de Panama” (Panama Old Town). In another post I will tell you all about it.
Currently, the place is an archaeological site managed by Patronato de Panama Viejo (PPV). The administration has been responsible for preserving the structures still standing that can be enjoyed by future Panamanians and tourists.

The tower of the Cathedral is one of the structures that is striking and is a symbol and image of the country abroad. In the interior of the tower was built a spiral staircase where you can see in each level until the belfry the growth of Panama City through each of its windows.

PANAMA VIEJO'S VISITORS CENTER

La Chorrera International Fair 2010.

2010-02-18T19:35:00.004-05:00

La Chorrera is a city near Panama City, located west of the country. To get there, you have to cross the Bridge of the Americas or the Centennial Bridge which connects the lands separated by the Panama Canal.

Every year we celebrate the La Chorrera International Fair in this city and this year is its 50th edition.

The main objective of the fair is to provide a commercial showcase for agricultural and livestock products produced in the region. I saw exposure of cattle as well as agricultural products planted in the place. You could see how plants are of the different products such as sunflower, lettuce, peas, tomatoes, rice and others. There was an exhibition of all fruits, tubers and vegetables produced in the country. It was interesting.

At the fair, the crafts are highlighted and sold, crafted by Panamanian hands like hand-painted clay pots for plants, pottery items to decorate walls, leather sandals and other leather goods, hammocks, jewelry, molas (Kuna Indians' embroidered fabrics), “polleras” (Panamanian female costume) and accessories for the pollera, and also for the Panamanian man costume, bamboo or teak furniture, paints, confectionery and Panamanian candies, including peddling goods in general. I also found with many stands selling plants. And you could not miss in this fair a zoo with exotic species both local and elsewhere that can adapt to the climate of the country.

Being an International fair, there were some countries that exhibited some of its products, especially handicrafts. Some countries present were: Colombia, Ecuador and Peru and others. Very good idea to export handicrafts, thus bringing the traditions of countries around the world.

The fair is very large and takes time touring it completely. You can find several Panamanian food stands, as well as grilled. Very famous are “chorizo” (sausages) and “carne en palito” (stick meat). I found some stands of some restaurants of the country. One was a fast food restaurant and another was a pizzeria. There were also stands with soda and beer can sales in every corner of the fair. I must remark that the sun was shining as a delicious tropical summer while in the north were being freezing cold and snow storms did not stop.

It was an enriching experience, which ended in the area of rides. It's amazing how people like to feel the fear feeling and defy gravity. Definitely, this area you could only hear the screams of people excited and enjoyed these rides. I would have liked to stay up at night to appreciate the place lit by colorful lights that hypnotize and entice the viewer to ride on their iron structures.

Panama Hats.

2010-02-03T12:12:00.005-05:00

I was always impressed by the beauty, style and simplicity of Panama hats. Actually, this hat is not made in Panama, therefore, it isn’t part of the country’s folklore. But I wanted to do a post about it and classified in the category of folklore because it’s a clothing’s handmade article. Its glorious fame was accidental since it graced the heads of men who took part in the history of Panama.
Genuine Panama hats are made in Ecuador, and the most famous are those from a city called Montecristi. The raw material of the Panama hat is known as "Toquilla" but was called by scientists "Carludovica Palmata" in honor of the King of Spain Charles IV and his wife Ludovica. It is a type of palm that grows only along the coasts of Ecuador, between 100 and 400 meters above sea level and where the land remains wet.

Before a hat weaving, the weaver must decide the fineness of the hat. The thinner the straw, the finer the hat. This is accomplished by separating or cutting with nail, one, two or three times the fiber of the leaf to achieve the desired thickness of the straw. The palm has to be wet so that the fiber is not broken. To measure the quality of the fabric of a hat simply count the number of weaves per square inch. If there are less than 100 weaves per square inch, the hat is considered low quality. Hats with more than 1200 weaves per square inch are considered fine and the hat can cost more than $ 1,000. It is logical, because the thinner the fiber, most weaves have to make the weaver to finish the hat. In the country, in Panamanian souvenirs shops, you can find Panama hats, at prices among $10 to $15. They have the same design, but the fiber of the fabric is thick, so they are not fine.

The toquilla hat was known as Panama hat because the construction of the canal, where it was used for protection against the hot sun. Its popularity increased when U.S. president, Theodore Roosevelt, visited the construction works of the Panama Canal and was photographed wearing a Panama hat. The photograph went around the world in print.

The Panama hat style was widely used in costume design for Hollywood films such as The Wind, Casablanca, Key Largo, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Man Who Would Be King, and Dick Tracy.

CHANCE The Movie.

2010-02-02T14:20:00.000-05:00

On January 15th, it was released in Panama “Chance” the movie. “Chance” is the first movie written and directed by Abner Benaim, a Panamanian director, and shot entirely on Panama City’s locations.

The film is about two maids who work in a wealthy family's house in Panama, who owed one and a half month of their salaries. In retaliation, the maids achieve to get their money in three days and radically change the lives of every family member.

Amongst the international actor and actresses are: Francisco Gattorno (Fernando) Cuban actor, Isabella Santo Domingo (Gloria) Colombian actress and Aida Morales (Paquita) Colombian actress. The Panamanian actor and actresses are: Rosa Lorenzo (Toña), Juan David Valdes (Daniel, the boy) and the twins Maria Cristina and Maria Alejandra Palacios (Marité and Mariví).

If the movie is listing on your movies showtimes, watch it. I recommend this film. You’re going to die from laughter! I applied the trailer to put English subtitles but it was impossible. I hope the producers will put subtitles or translate it so that it can reach the English-speaking market.

Spots

Gorgona Beach.

2010-02-01T21:43:00.003-05:00

Gorgona Beach is located 80 kilometers from Panama City in the district of Chame.

The beach is very visited by Panamanians and tourists for its white sand and refreshing waves of the Pacific Ocean. In the area there are many summer houses, a private club and homesites that have swimming pools for adults and children, huts on the edge of the pool and others facing the sea, “hamacas” (hammocks), BBQ and private parking.

In the video, you can appreciate craft fishing boats that adorn the landscape in contrast to the architecture and people enjoying the hot summer in Gorgona Beach.

Eco Fair 2010.

2010-01-29T13:37:00.015-05:00

   From January 9 to January 10, 2010, the ECO Fair was held in the “Salón Las Totumas” of the ATLAPA Convention Center.
     The event attracted my attention because it is the first time you see a fair of this kind in the country, where the audience becomes aware of the new ecological practices for environmental conservation. There were stands of several associations and institutions for environmental conservation, as well as manufacturers of recycled and biodegradable products. At the fair you could also find products that work with solar energy, “bio-friendly” appliances, bamboo and recycled materials furniture, electric cars, organic foods, among others.
     There were also lectures and workshops about recycling of different materials and themes related to environmental conservation. There were also runways with environmental awareness.
     This type of fair in our country are very importance in our times by the information generated, because our planet is currently undergoing radical changes in climate and geological disasters as consecuense of the polluting action of the human being.

Birdwatching in Panama: IPAT's Ad.

2010-01-14T14:06:00.007-05:00

     The following video is about birdwatching in Panama. In the video appears Rubén Blades, Panamanian singer and tourism minister in 2004-2009 period, and IPAT’s head (Panamanian Tourism Institute). In 2009, IPAT changed its name to ATP (Panama's Tourism Authority).
     Our country is internationally recognized as one of the countries with more bird-watching and bird-counting, which I can assert, because every morning I wake with birdsongs from my window (ooohhh!).
     Below, you can see some photos of two birds that I took from my balcony. I don’t know their breed because I am not a birds expert.
     I'm also pasting in this post a brochure about bird-watching in Panama with photographs of birds can be found in the wild.

New Year Dolls.

2010-01-05T17:00:00.003-05:00

     A Panamanian tradition for the new year, besides a lunch or family dinner, are stuffed dolls of bomblets and other fireworks. These dolls are burned at midnight when we receive the new year and are exposed outside of houses and also in sidewalks next to streets, one or two weeks before the new year. The most common places to see them are along the Interamerican Highway, the Interior of the country.
     New Year dolls come to represent the Panamanian political figures, national and international celebrities who have excelled for his or her actions during the past year. What is fascinating about these dolls is the originality of its creators to make them look like of the person they represent.
     During my tour on the Interamerican Highway, I saw many dolls, who was most resembled was the Panama City’s Mayor, Bosco Ricardo Vallarino.

Christmas on Cinta Costera.

2010-01-04T08:05:00.001-05:00

There were 11 holiday villages along the entire Cinta Costera in Panama City. The "Christmas" subjects were harlequins, Santa Claus, candy village, gingerbread dolls, pirates, sea world, fairies, goblins, aliens, animals, among others. Thanks God, there was a "Nacimiento".

Christmas in Malls.

2009-12-30T15:11:00.000-05:00

One of the Panama's tourist attractions are the Shopping Centers or Malls, especially in holidays. The video contains photos of the five biggest malls in the country in celebration of these holidays of the end of the year.

"Cats" in Panama.

2009-12-22T11:12:00.007-05:00

During December 16th, to 20th, 2009, the musical “Cats” was playing, an Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Musical Production that has been presenting for twenty-one years in England, Broadway and in many cities all around the world. The event was organized by INAC (National Institute of Culture) and Showpro, which brought the entire theatrical company: Columbia Artists Theatricals.

The stage is the Anayansi Theater at the Atlapa Convention Center. The scenery is exactly what is designed for the musical, a city dump where the tribe of Jellicle Cats meet. The sound and light effects was impressive. The wardrobe was very "cat-like" and the voices of the different actors were masterful, as well as their flexibility for dance moves. The main lesson of the play: "A cat is not a dog." No, I’m kidding. You have to see the musical to reach your own conclusions.
I couldn’t take many pictures because it was forbidden. By the way, the cat down this post is my cat Kitti. It's beautiful, isn’t it?

Christmas Village - Multicentro Mall.

2009-12-14T10:33:00.006-05:00

This year, Multicentro decorated an area of the mall with a Christmas village. As you can see on the video, the village has the width of the spiral staircase and some pieces have movement as well as lights.

Christmas Bazaars 2009.

2009-12-12T07:31:00.001-05:00

This year there were two Christmas bazaars in Panama City. One at the Andrés Bello Park in “Corregimiento de Bella Vista”, and the other at the Belisario Porras Park, organized by Mayín Correa, Panama’s province governor.
The Governorate Building opened its doors to all Panamanians to visit the interior of the building, which was the first Presidential House. It was decorated with Christmas ornaments, a Christmas tree in the middle of the lobby and a giant “Nacimiento” on the first floor.

Real Estate in Panama, October 2009.

2009-11-10T13:09:00.001-05:00

     Panama is a great place to live. It’s listed as one of the best countries in Latin America for American retirees. Among the incentives are: Foreigners, who buy new homes or apartments in Panama, are exempted from land tax payment for a period of 20 years; the exemption from income tax for abroad profits; and discounts for all services to retirees.
     Panama has private hospitals with sophisticated technology and also a Public Health System. There are also pharmacies with a wide range of medications available. One benefit is that some drugs doesn't need prescriptions, as in United States. Only those that are required to.
     It has the largest banking system in Latin America. Panama's currency is the Balboa, but the dollar is the legal tender paper money in the country. The relation of the dollar is 1:1 to Balboa.
     In Panama all the places are very close. There are shopping centers strategic located with all types of needed services. As a country with a free zone, items such as clothing and electronic appliances are cheaper than other countries. The distances from the city are very short. If you want to go to the beach, it only takes 1 hour to go to the closer one.
     Panama's climate is tropical. There are two seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. It isn’t a country with the presence of atmospheric phenomena such as hurricanes or tornadoes, and even less of earthquakes. That’s one of the reasons that Americans built the Panama Canal in this country.

Ricardo y Alberto Gaitán

2009-11-07T12:10:00.009-05:00

They were born in Panama City, Republic of Panama.

     Since the age of nine, they began to study piano and singing.
     In 1989, they formed with his father and six more members, the group "Impakto" performing tropical music in bars and parties.
     In 1997, Ricardo y Alberto represented Panama in the OTI’s Song Festival in Peru. Then, they began to be known in the Panamanian musical entertainment as “Gaitanes”. This year they launched their first musical album "Entrégate", with works of composers as Omar Alfano and other Panamanians.
     In 1999, they joined Crescent Moon Co., whose directors are Emilio and Gloria Estefan, where they developed as singers, songwriters and producers. They recorded their second album, "Ricardo y Alberto", which highlighted themes were “Taca Taca”, “Mi amor no es un favor” and “De que nos vale”.
     Among the musical projects in where they have participated, there’s one with Marc Anthony and the Spanish version of "You Sang to Me" (Muy Dentro de mí). This song was awarded with the BMI and ASCAP prizes for Best Song of the year. They were also nominated for "Premios Lo Nuestro" and "Premios Billboard a la Música Latina".
     In 2004, they received a Grammy, a Latin Grammy and a Latin Music Billoboard nominations, being the only producers of “Travesía”, disc of the composer and singer Víctor Manuelle.
     In 2006, they released their third album titled "Monte Adentro," dedicated to Panama and their parents.
     In 2008, Ricardo and Alberto won two Grammys, one for the production of "90 Millas" (Gloria Estefan’s disc) as "Best Traditional Tropical Album of the Year" and another for the song “Píntame de Colores” as “Best Tropical Song of the Year”, also played by Gloria Estefan. In those same categories they won the “Billboard Latin Music Awards 2008”.
     They have done several projects with other artists who include: Ricky Martin, Paulina Rubio, Jon Secada, Thalía, Fernando Villalona, La India, Jennifer Peña, MSM and many others.
     For the 10th Latin Grammy Awards 2009, celebrated on November 5th, 2009, in Las Vegas, Nevada they were nominated in 7 categories. Among them, it was the song “No vale la pena”, played by the Puerto Rican Isaac Delgado, as best tropical song.

Panama: Bridge of Life - Museum of Biodiversity.

2009-10-30T22:04:00.026-05:00

This is one of the most anticipated projects by Panamanians: The Museum of Biodiversity. It’s an architecture masterpiece, with a cost of $ 60 million, designed by the famous Frank Gehry, which will open in 2011. It will be located in a narrow land between the Panama Bay and the Panama Canal, known as the Amador’s Causeway. The site size is approximately 35,000 m2, from which close to 4,100 m2 will be occupied by the museum’s building, and the rest will be a landscaped park with trees and native aquatic plants of the country.

The museum will be a journey to the past, where visitors relive the formation of the Isthmus of Panama, geologic event that separated the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Thus, as Frank Gehry, together with several collaborators from various scientific fields, professionals from different areas, and Panamanian academic institutions , have created a masterpiece on the natural and cultural diversity that has evolved in the Isthmus of Panama. In short: a fusion of science and art.

The museum's mission is to provide an adventure of knowledge about the geological history and formation of the Isthmus of Panama three million years ago and the events that occurred in the global climate and sea to separate the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and land, the two continents together to form the bridge to the great American biotic exchange.
The museum will feature eight galleries:

1. The Ramp of Life: the origin, evolution and their classification.

2. Panamarama: ecosystems or rich flora and fauna abodes visually presented through 14 screens.

3. The Isthmus’s formation: modeled sculpture of this unique geological event.

4. The encounter of Two Worlds: the animals’ migration from the North and South of the Americas after the formation of the land bridge that joined them.

5. Culture and Nature in the Isthmus: enclosure that collect human history in Panama and its interaction with the environment.

6. The Oceans Divided: two aquariums, one representing the Caribbean Sea and the other the Pacific Ocean products of the separation of the seas as the land barrier was erected between them.

7. The Interdependence Gallery: allegory and exhibitions whose contents express the interdependence of living organisms is an essential attribute for the preservation of life on the planet.

8. The Panama Gallery: exhibition will show visitors the location of our wealth: the seas and lands, ethnic groups, parks, recreation and entertainment places, museums, and other national offers.
The responsible persons for the design of this magnificent museum are:

Architectural design by Frank Gehry.

It is one of the world's most famous architects. He received the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the highest global recognition of architecture, and the National Medal of Arts. Among his creations are the building of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, his most famous work, Vitra Design Museum in Weil-am-Rhein, Germany, the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis, Minn., the Experience Music Project in Seattle, Washington, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California.

Museum Exhibitions by Bruce Mau Designs.

They specialize in graphic design and collaborated with some of the leading architects, artists, writers, curators, academics, investors, businesses and institutions in various projects that are recognized internationally for creating innovative designs.

Botanic Park Design by Edwina von Gal.

She’s a landscape designer and has done several commercial and residential projects in various parts of the world. She has received merit awards from the AIA and the ASLA, and Quill & Trowel Award of the Garden Writers Association of America in 1998.

The museum's offices are on Amador Causeway, known as "Cause Way", Duplex 147. The telephone numbers are: (507) 314-1395 - (507) 314-1396. Here you could see the scale model of the ambitious project and more detailed information. And look who visited the offices of the museum when they were visiting Panama: Mr. and Mrs. Smith ... Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

I leave you with a video that explains better what will be the Museum of Biodiversity, Panama and knowledge to the world.

Crossing The Panama Canal

2009-10-29T11:56:00.002-05:00

The Panama Canal is considered the eighth wonder of the world. Why? Can you imagine sailing a boat 26 meters above sea level? This video is a journey through the Panama Canal, starting from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. I found it on You Tube. Enjoy the landscape!

Panama: The path less traveled (3). Casco Antiguo.

2009-10-21T18:56:00.003-05:00

“El Casco Antiguo de la Ciudad de Panamá” (Panama City’s Old Town) is now Humanity’s Heritage, proclaimed by UNESCO. It’s the Panama City’s site that preserves the oldest buildings. Its construction began, after pirates destroyed what is known today as “Panama La Vieja” (The Old Panama) in 1671. During the military dictatorship, the buildings were neglected. But thanks to democracy that exists today in the country, governments have been invested in its reconstruction and maintenance for future generations.

"Fiesta Alrededor del Mundo 2009" - "Party Around the World 2009".

2009-10-20T19:44:00.002-05:00

Fiesta Alrededor del Mundo (“Party around the World”) is an event that takes place every year, where the participating countries, led by their embassies in Panama, are assigned to a stand where they sell food of their region to raise funds for charity. It had been so successful, that now they are selling handcrafts and other products from all countries. In addition, the stands are decorated with folk motifs of each country.

     Jack was there and you don’t know what I ate: first, I ate a German sausage with bread, you could add ketchup and mustard, but I decided to eat it without sauces and enjoy the taste of the sausage itself. It was good. Then in Mexico’s stand, I got some “nachos”. It was a dish of white corn tortillas, with a bean sauce and an avocado sauce, and white melted cheese above. You can’t imagine it... you had to be there.
     I kept going about the place and devoted myself to taking pictures of all the possible stands, but there were so many people who stopped in front of the stands. I went to the Chilean’s stand to get a Chilean chicken empanadas and a "mil hojas” (thousand leaves), Chilean desert which consists of nuts and caramel layers. You can see it, it’s in the photographs.
     I can say that almost all best known countries were there. I remember: United States, Canada, Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Korea, Japan, Switzerland, Russia, Germany, Italy, Finland, Sweden, Holland, Ireland, Great Britain and many others.
     This event was organized by “Caravana de Asistencia Social” http://www.caravanasocial.com/ (Social Assistance Caravan), a nonprofit association composed of Diplomatic Corps and Consular ladies of Panama and Panamanian and foreigner residents ladies. The offices are located at 51th Street, Federico Boyd Ave., Edificio Pedreschi & Pedreschi and the phone number is (507) 223-6078.
     I can’t wait until the next Fiesta Alrededor del Mundo in 2010.

ATP's Museum of Biodiversity Ad.

2009-10-19T17:54:00.007-05:00

This video is from the Panama’s Tourism Authority (ATP). I couldn’t get the English version, but I translated the content.

“Three million years ago, an isthmus emerged from the waters,

creating two oceans and joining a continent.

That strip of land is today the country with the most important biodiversity sample of the Americas.

That country is Panama, and only Panama

will be the home of the Biodiversity Museum,

A unique work in Latin America.

Panama, it will never leave you.”

Biodiversity Museum: Frank Gehry's architectural design.

2009-10-16T09:19:00.025-05:00

In 2011, The Biodiversity Museum will be inaugurated, a Frank Gehry’s architectural design. But, who is Frank Gehry? I leave you with these videos from You Tube.

Blog Action Day 09.

2009-10-15T09:58:00.010-05:00

Today, I join with the voice of thousands of bloggers who write about the same issue on the same day: climate change.

Panama, perhaps, is not one of the major environmental pollutants that contribute to the greenhouse effect, but it’s a country that does not escape the consequences that is hindering the surface of our planet because of pollution from stack industries. The greenhouse effect causes energy emitted by the earth escapes to space, causing cooling in the area and the death of many animals.

Climate Change ... reminds me of Science classes in school, models and slides from my classmates. But the climate is changing faster. Panama is a country that does not often have tornadoes or hurricanes as the Caribean Islands or Florida, or the center of United States. But between 2008 and 2009, we regularly had the presence of these atmospheric phenomena, causing damage in populated areas, where zinc sheets rooftops released by high winds and trees falling with their roots. You can imagine what could cause a larger phenomenon in Panama, a country knowen for its abundant plant and animal biodiversity, and a lush tropical rainforest, a haven for all these species.

I hope tomorrow, when I will be old, can still contemplate the wonders that I'm enjoying at this time in my country. I wish to convey my message to ANAM (National Environment Authority) and the Foreign Affairs Ministry, who are going to the meeting that will have all world leaders to discuss climate change in December 2009, make their voices heard to those countries that pollute highest percentage in the world. Be watchdogs on project performance and pollution reduction agreements that are done by the countries.

I urge everyone to cooperate with environmental practices so that our children will inherit and enjoy the natural beauty that offers our planet today.

Visit: http://www.blogactionday.org/
#BAD09

Margarita Henríquez

2009-10-14T11:02:00.004-05:00

Margarita Henríquez was born on April 17th, 1991, in La Villa de Los Santos, Los Santos province.

She began her singing career with her father, Juancín Henriquez, and his typical music group.

She won many prizes in folk song competitions in categories such as “saloma”, religious chant, “tamborito”, in the “Premios Zarate 2005” (Zarate Awards 2005). In the same year, she won "Proyecto Estrella 20-30”, a youth singing contest organized by the “Club Activo 20-30” of Panama, a non-profit organization.

She was honored by her people as "Señorita 10 de Noviembre" in 2005, a patriotic celebration held at La Villa de Los Santos. Then, she joined MEDCOM, a local television network where she was co-host on a show called "Aires de Mi Tierra".

Her greatest achievement was winning Latin American Idol 2008, a singing contest celebrated in Buenos Aires, Argentina, thanks to her talent and the support of all the Panamanian people. Each of Margarita’s interpretation was assessed by the jury as very good. We remember Jon Secada’s famous frase: "Bien canta'o, Margarita" (Well sung, Margarita). According to a local newspaper, Margarita won by 75.3% of the votes sent via cell phone to her competitor, María José Castillo from Costa Rica.

Now Margarita has her first CD titled "Margarita" and has ambitious plans in the music industry. Good luck, Margarita!!!

Panama: The path less traveled (2).

2009-10-11T09:42:00.008-05:00

This video reminds me the Jurassic Park movie, where you could appreciate the beauty of the lush tropical rainforest. In Panama, there are protected areas called National Parks where tourists from all over the world make tours to get to know what really is a tropical rainforest: a place full of mystery, variety of exotic plants and abundant wildlife characteristic of the place. There are also many places where ecotourists can have an incredible adventure, and maybe visit places that have never been traveled.

In Panama, there are ecotourism and extreme tourism agencies giving service to take people to these kinds of experiences and have contact with nature in its virgin state.

EXPOMANUALIDADES 2009: XVI Art and Craft Fair.

2009-10-09T13:58:00.003-05:00

     It's amazing what human hands can create.
     In Atlapa Convention Center, from Oct 2 to Oct 4 2009, took place EXPOMANUALIDADES 2009, the XVI Art and Craft Fair. This exhibition brought together several companies that promote handcraft products, were was highlighted Aileen Art World Company as the event organizer.
     I was impressed by the stand of Fundación Laboral de Jóvenes y Adultos con Discapacidad", where handicap people create craft products and these are sold. In the first pictures you can appreciate their stand.
     There were other stands showing painted wood art with child themes, handmade dolls, jewelry, paintings, "origamis", wooden birdhouses, painted aluminum buckets with ecological designs, hand wovens in great variety, ceramics, and as an exception , ornamental plants and flowers. In short, everything that can be considered craft was there.
     The Panamanian art were also stand out over the handcraft: the famous "Molas", multicolored fabrics highlighting panamanian flora and fauna , created by the Kunas, one of our indians tribes; feathers and ceramic potteries painted in pretty colors that seemed to become alive.
     Food stands with a variety of dishes were at the back of the fair. I was able to try “siu mai” (4 pieces per order). You may wonder, what is "siu mai"? Well, it is a pork and mushroom dumpling that is served at Dim Sum (Chinese breakfast). But you can order "siu mai" at any time in Chinese fast food restaurants in Panama.
     Before leaving the fair, I could see a Panama’s folk dance group interpretation, which the audience loved it.

Going down to Panama

2009-10-08T12:14:00.001-05:00

The following video is from the song Going Down to Panama, written and composed by Alex Robinson (Slim) and David Seitz (Shorty). You can visit their website: http://www.shortyandslim.com/, where you can find other songs and cd’s inspired by their Panamanian roots.

Annie The Musical

2009-10-07T09:16:00.007-05:00

In “El Teatro en Círculo”, from 9 to 30 September 2009, Annie The Musical was on stage, book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. This time, its production was conducted by Alida Gerbaud de Fábrega, direction by Bruce Quinn, and musical direction by Dino Nugent. I can tell you it was very good.

     The play is about an orphan named Annie who lived in an orphanage in New York. She shared, played, and also did all the building’s cleaning responsibilities with other orphans like her, led by Miss Hannigan, a evil woman in charge of the orphanage.
     On day, Annie had luck when Mr. Warbuck, a billionaire, decides to share with an orphan for a week at his home. In this way, Annie enters the life of this billionaire filling him with joy, like all who worked in Mr. Warbuck’s mansion, who considered the most important thing was making money.
     Finally, Annie is adopted by Mr. Warbuck, who falls in love with his assistant Grace Farrel, and spend together the best Christmas eve of their lives.
     Here I leave you with a photos video and original music from Annie The Musical in Panama. I hope you enjoy it...you will.

Our National Costume and Fantasy Dresses: Winners on Beauty Peagents.

2009-10-06T11:06:00.003-05:00

National costumes are indicative of the culture and folklore of the origin of the place. In Panama, the national costume of Panamanian women is called “Pollera”.
Panama has excelled in many international beauty pageants by the laborious work of their artisans, expressed in every “pollera” or fantasy dress culture, folklore and history.

Thus in 1986, the Panamanian delegate at the Miss Universe Pageant, Gilda Garcia Lopez won Best National Costume Trophy with a “pollera”, embroidered in black thread and flowers design patterns. Then, other Panamanian hopefuls to the universal beauty medal, have chosen to wear the “pollera” on future editions, leaving Panama prideful with each pollera’s flying on the Miss Universe runway. They were: Lia Victoria Borrero, wearing a sewn (“zurcido”)and embroidered pollera in red shades, with orchids and butterflies designs; and Carolina Dementiev, wore a cross stitch embroidered pollera, in red and orange threads.

Panama has been awarded in beauty events by the fantasy dresses that delegates have worn, similar to those that are made for carnival, in which exotic birds feathers dominate. The artisans are inspired by art, culture and traditions of Panama, as well as flora and fauna. Among the successes that have been obtained making these original designs have been: Miss Universe 2004 Best National Costume, a creation inspired on Indians’ gold art, called “Huacas”, designed by Rogelio Gonzalez; Miss Earth 2008 Best National Costume, costume inspired by the Guaymi Indians’ clothing and pottery designs paintings; in Miss Universe 2009, designer Randol Chin wins best national costume, with a design inspired by Portobelo’s Devils, worn by Diana Broce, Panamanian delegate on that event.

Finally, Liseth Diaz wins Miss Continente Americano 2009 Best National Costume, wearing a design inspired by the Native Indian princess Anayansi, who helped Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, The South Sea discoverer, now Pacific Ocean. The confection was conducted by Rafael Morán and the gold pieces details were made by Jose Alberto Sosa.

Panama: The path less traveled (1).

2009-09-24T13:51:00.003-05:00

The following video takes place in Bocas del Toro’s Islands, one of the Panama’s nine provinces.
Bocas del Toro differs from other provinces because most of the population lives on islands. The houses or residences, with Afro-Caribbean influenced architecture, are built over the Caribbean turquoise waters that bathe the coasts. Transport is by boat going from one dock to another, as shown in the video. The food of the place...Mmm! Yummi. Watch the video!

XIII Collectionists Fair

2009-09-23T11:01:00.005-05:00

   It's amazing what people collect as hobby: some collect coins, others stamps, fans collect items of their idols, and the most eccentric people collect antiques or rare things.
   On August 27, 28, 29 and 30, The XIII Collectionists Fair took place in the Bellamar Hall at El Panama Hotel, organized by Banco Nacional de Panamá, Asociación Numismática de Panamá and Dirección General de Correos y Telégrafos. Among the exhibition were coins, paper money, Panamanian stamps and books, medals, memorabilia from all the world, as well as Panama Canal stuff.
   Entering the exhibition, you could see the collection of stamps. There were stamps commemorating the fourth centenary of Don Quijote and literary criticism, stamps dedicated to art, the first printed stamps of different countries, stamps dedicated to history personalities, stamps and sealed envelopes of the Third Reich or Nazi empire and Panama's first stamps. It was a journey through the history of Panamenian mail.
   Further back in the room was the Panamanian and world coins display, as well as the paper money exhibition, which protruded Disney dollars and dollars with printing errors. I could also see collections of thimbles, snowmen manufactured statues, Matchbox (miniature cars), patches and buttons of the Fuerzas Armadas de Panamá (Panama Armed Forces) from military dictatorship times, Coca-Cola promotional items, baseball cards, among many more. Ahh! And there is always some collection to Star Trek fans.

Irving Saladino

2009-09-22T22:30:00.010-05:00

He was born on January 23th, 1983 in the province of Colon, Panama. Despite the fact that he grew up in a province known for its danger and poverty, Irving Saladino began his passion in sports participating in 1,500 meters races, instilled by his brother David. After a short time, he decided to leave the competition because the track was far away from his home and because other personal factors.

   When he turned 13, a professor convinced him to return to training. So Irving Saladino started his career taking Ivan Pedroso as a role model. At this time, Ivan Pedroso was a Cuban athlete who began achieving world success in long jump.
   He participated in the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, where he failed to qualify for the finals, primarily due to an injury suffered during training.
   His leap to fame was in 2006 when he won the silver medal at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Moscow with a jump of 8.29 meters, only 1 cm of distance away from the winner, Ignisious Gaisah from Ghana.
   In the European Athletics Circuit, he has won five of the six tests that make up the Golden League. He won in Oslo, Rome, Zurich, Brussels and Berlin, as he was 2nd in Paris, just after Ignisious Gaisah, who had already defeated in the indoor world championship.
   In the 2007 World Athletics Championships in Osaka, Japan, Saladino makes history by achieving the gold medal with a jump of 8.57 meters.
   On May 24th, 2008, during the meeting in Hengelo (Netherlands) Irving jumped up to 8.73 meters breaking his own record and getting the seventh best long jump in history.
   On August 18th, 2008 in 2008 Olympics Games in Beijing, Irving Saladino won the gold medal in long jump. He made a jump of 8.34 meters, surpassing South African Khotso Mokoena (8.24 meters) and Cuban Ibrahim Camejo (8.20 meters).
   It´s the first Panamanian athlete who has won an Olimpic gold medal, and the second Olympic medalist from Panama. He’s also the first Central American male athlete who has won a gold medal in the Olimpic Games.

Welcome to the Blog "Passport to Panama with Jack"

2009-09-19T14:29:00.008-05:00

I give you all a warm welcome to the blog "Passport to Panama with Jack". This blog will run through Isthmus of Panama, a country full of riches and exhuberant culture, appearing in all its glory through photography and video. Comments are meant to make you imagine you are with me through all possible places of the country, enjoying all the moment of the Panamanians' human warmth.

"Passport to Panama with Jack" can be a guide for tourists who are visiting the country, inspiration for photography lovers, a world of dreams to hikers with challenges, a gateway to the country for foreing companies with the desire to settle here, and the eyes of those who want to see beyond the distance in search of new experiences and adventures.

Give me your passport...grab your mouse...and prepare to discover a world you could never imagine, Panama.