Human Interest

“BIOMUSEO” Cultural venue in Panama celebrating 10 Year Anniversary.

The wife has us going. I’m interested in the diving exhibit. https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/vida-y-cultura/biomuseo-celebrara-sus-10-anos-con-los-patrones-de-la-cumbia-YA6345375?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc ‘A Night at the Biomuseo’ is an activity that the cultural center will carry out to celebrate its anniversary. In its first decade, the Biomuseo has been visited by more than 1 million people from Panama and the …

Human Interest

WOW- Election Year and Gabby remembers there are Indigenous voters, lets shake some hands.

On the third day of his tour of the Ngäbe Buglé Region, a large crowd reiterated their support for Gaby in the midst of indigenous cultural demonstrations https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/panama/politica/carrizo-anuncia-ministerio-indigena-ante-miles-de-panamenos-en-la-comarca-ngabe-bugle-IB6102802?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Residents of the 27 townships of the Müna and Ñürüm districts gave a great welcome to presidential candidate José Gabriel Carrizo. On …

Art/Entertainment

Carnaval is HERE. Not exactly on par with Brazil, but a big deal in PANAMA nonetheless.

In parallel to the celebration, the 2024 electoral campaign adds an additional element of interest. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/politica/panama-da-inicio-a-sus-carnavales-2024-con-esplendor-y-una-campana-electoral-GH6090697 Infectious music and an explosion of color mark the beginning of the 2024 Carnivals, which this year takes on special meaning as it coincides with the 2024 electoral campaign, adding a political touch to …

Local Culture

Panama getting geared up to promote tourism for 2024.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/panama-tendra-guia-inversion-turistica-iniciativa-omt-caf-AELE498877 Panama will develop a Tourism Investment Guide, a tool promoted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Development Bank of Latin America-CAF to promote the tourism business in the sector in the region. This guide, which the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Paraguay and Ecuador already have, will be created …

Agriculture

Sociologist says 18 days of protest reveal RACIST undertones within Panama.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/231108/jesus-alemancia-crisis-minera-aflorado When 18 consecutive days of anti-mining demonstrations have passed, tensions are growing between those who demand an end to the closures and those who continue protesting in the streets due to distrust that the Supreme Court will rule in favor of the company Minera Panamá. The speeches against the …

Human Interest

Panama riots still main story of LATAM.

Fecamco issued an alert about the crisis that has affected Panama for almost a month, marked by road blockades in rejection. The businessmen made an urgent call to the Panamanian Government and other actors involved to immediately establish a dialogue that promotes the search for a solution. The Evangelical Alliance of …

Chiriqui

Issues with Indigenous disputes causing a “perfect storm” of in country infrastructure.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/231117/manifestaciones-tomaron-calles-pais In Panama City and in the interior of the country the scenes were the same: Street closures and mobilizations. The protests began early at a slow pace, but progressively increased as citizens traveled by different modes of transportation to get to their workplaces. In the capital city, public transportation …

Human Interest

Indigenous Panamanians: So often overlooked are trying to be a part of tourism.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/230830/indigenas-ngaebe-bugle-apuntan-turismo-mostrar-preservar-cultura A traditional ritual with smoke and purified water allows visitors to enter the forest or houses in the Ngäbe-Buglé indigenous communities of southern Costa Rica, where their inhabitants are beginning to see tourism as an opportunity to showcase and preserve their culture. and to generate income. Nearly 3,200 Ngäbe-Buglé …

Agriculture

Protected Panamanian tree species found illegally mined. 9 apprehended

More than 300 cocobolo tucas ( Dalbergia retusa) were seized at several sawmills in Cañitas, Chepo, east of the district of Panama, within the framework of operation “Sovereignty 3”, developed between intelligence agents of the Third Brigade of East Panama of the National Border Service (Senafront), in conjunction with the Environmental Crime …

Human Interest

Panama throws it’s hat in the ring for BEST COFFEE

This May 27 and after six days, the national tasting of the Best of Panama (BOP) 2023 ends, after analyzing 186 lots of 42 kilograms among the natural geisha, washed geisha and varietal varieties , announced the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP, for its acronym in English). The SCAP announced that the national judges will …

"JB"

THINGS TO DO: Panama is making an investment in preserving it’s unique culture.

I’ll quit my nitpicking for a minute and suggest as our contributor Joyce often does, some of the brighter spots of being in Panama. A country rich and diverse is history, it has become the leader of Museums and points of interest to visit in Latin America. I would suggest …

Infrastructure

LOCAL: Fire erupts in central Panama.

The Panama Fire Department tries to put out a fire in some warehouses and workshops on Monday afternoon, April 17, on Seventh Street, in Río Abajo. At 1:37 pm, the fire started on Seventh Street in Río Abajo, in a tire sales location, confirmed the Fire Department. Subsequently, the fire …

Church

Expelled Panamanian Priest confirms he was punished by Ortega party.

The Panamanian priest Donaciano Alarcón confirmed that he was expelled from Nicaragua after the police authorities of that country accused him of preaching in favor of the Nicaraguan bishop Rolando Álvarez, who was sentenced to more than 26 years for crimes considered “treason”. “On (Holy) Monday we had the Chrism …

Local Culture

With COVID affecting last two Carnivals, Panama has high hopes.

After two years on hiatus, this 2023 the Carnival festivities in Panama resume: shows, dances, music, algorical costumes -feathered and sequined-, parades of wagons, tunas, culecos and mojaderas.But beyond its appeal, Carnival is also a driver of economic dynamism. In Panama, historically, the carnival festivities or the god “Momo” have …

"JB"

Have to post. This actually just occurred to me.

Perhaps, being an ex-pat and living here has made me obtuse over the years to something that is very clear.  Panamanians as a WHOLE,  do not speak English very well. (if at all). We have travelled to Mexico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic to name a few. All have in general …

Art/Entertainment

Panama and DISNEY intersect on stage in surprisingly entertaining way.

https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/cafe-estrella/cultura/220915/moana-guerrera-llevada-teatro-aba?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc The adventures of Moana Waialiki, one of the most seasoned princesses in the world of Walt Disney Animation Studios, have been brought to the Aba theater since last Sunday, under the direction of Agustín Clément and the production of Anina Horta. The plot of the play ‘Moana’ is very …

Bocas del Toro

Money to be spent in Bocas and Pedasi. AMAZING

https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/cafe-estrella/destinoestrella/220827/renovaran-centro-visitantes-bocas-toro?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc In order to provide national and international tourists with a quality experience, Iván Eskildsen, administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), gave the order to proceed to the company RCContractors, Inc. to begin the remodeling works of the visitor centers of the districts of Boquete, Bocas del Toro and …

Local Culture

International Book Fair reveals Panama reads ,ore than one would think. Great Interest

https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/cafe-estrella/cultura/220822/feria-internacional-libro-demostro-panama?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc ‘Panama does read’, one of the slogans of the 2022 International Book Fair (FIL), was demonstrated with a full house during the five days of the event. After two years of being done virtually, it returned in its face-to-face format to a new home, the Megapolis convention center. The attendees …

Local Culture

EX-PATS and Locals alike: Take advantage of MUSEUM MONTH in Panama.

I personally have visited both “Rainforest Doscovery Center” and “Biomuseo”. Had a great time at both. https://club.prensa.com/mes-de-los-museos/ Museum Month: Museums tell stories In the month of May we celebrate the month of the Museums and we have organized together with the Network of Museums and Visitor Centers of Panama a special tour:  Museums …

Bocas del Toro

18 months on sidelines, and Bocas still a MESS.

An unprecedented crisis is experienced by the Municipality of Changuinola, in Bocas del Toro, as a result of the fact that the municipality has been closed for 26 days in protest because the eight representatives of the Democratic Revolutionary Party refuse to ratify the treasurer appointed by the mayor Yesica Romero . …

"JB"

Ex-Pat Lifeline: The raft has been afloat for awhile.

I have expressed my thanks to those that have stayed in contact long after Covid and my time in the hospital. Not a army of people, but I am thankful that PNO and the ExPat Exchange has allowed me to meet some great people. I have been a huge proponent …

"JB"

ANATI delivers TITLES to “well deserved” in Veraguas. So why haven’t EX-PATS got theirs in 12 years from developers?????

He has his TITLE…….where is YOURS EX-PATS??? OP ED: by “JB”– In a sign of good charity and humanity, ANATI, the final word on land ownership in Panama has awarded legal title of property to 70 families in need, and a Health Center in Veraguas. Good news indeed. So why …

Economy

Panama City crawling back to life as restaurants are up and operating.

With dividers and panels up…..dining sees an uptick in the city. https://www.prensa.com/impresa/economia/80-de-los-restaurantes-estan-operando-ventas-suben-10/ Four weeks after the restart of operations after being closed for more than 7 months, the Association of Restaurants and Related Products of Panama, reports that 80% of the stores are operating. Domingo de Obaldia, president of the …

Human Interest

As does rest of world, Panama facing hearing the voices of growing LGBT community on marriage rights.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/201005/cidh-enciende-debate-matrimonio The debate on the right to equal marriage ignited in Panama after the hearing held last Friday at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) requested by the Fundación Iguales. At the hearing, the IACHR condemned that Panamanian legislation is discriminatory in the sense of not having adjusted it …

"JB"

Hoping all PNO couples had a pleasant Valentine’s weekend.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson Sorry for the sporadic posting lately, but much has been going on behind the green Oz curtain over here. Not only are we following some corruption cases pretty closely, but we are trying to organize a fundraising function for WOUNDED WARRIOR in Old Town over …

Conservation

The Panamanian Capital of “Illegal Logging” is actually RICH with History.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/200126/expedicion-darien Since the discovery of the South Sea by Vasco Núñez de Balboa in 1513, the great powers of the world saw the need to make a passage between the two oceans that would facilitate trade and navigation in times of war. There were many expeditions and studies carried out since …

"JB"

Indigenous of Panama: Native inhabitants fall victim to religious “Bubba Miseh”

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- As my readers know, I am not a member of the Jewish faith, yet my granddaughter is being raised between two faiths, as her father is Jewish. That is how I first learned of the Yiddish term of Slavic origin above. “Bubba Miseh”, as I …

Environmental

Take a 500 year walk into History.

https://impresa.prensa.com/vivir/Ruta-transistmica-paso-mulas-neopanamax_0_5418208190.html Because of its importance for global communications, the colonial transistmic route has remained in force until today. From the Hispanic trail, following ancient tribal paths on foot and mule to conquer a new sea, to the construction of an interoceanic canal, there are 500 years of history marked by …

Local Culture

Ministry of Culture seeks to restore National Fortress Landmark.

https://www.prensa.com/sociedad/Ministerio-Cultura-Castillo-San-Lorenzo_0_5412208757.html The Ministry of Culture uploaded to the Panama Buy portal a public event for the restoration of the Castillo San Lorenzo del Chagres, in the province of Colón, will be restored. This colonial fortress is part of the Monumental Complex of Portobelo and San Lorenzo, and since 2012 it …

Entertainment

SEPT.5th starts Icarus Film Festival in Panama.

http://laestrella.com.pa/vida-cultura/cine/festival-cine-icaro-panama-presentara-diez-peliculas-nacionales/24136090 From September 5, Panama will receive the 12th version of the Icarus Film Festival, with the aim of achieving recognition of Central American audiovisual expressions, within which Panamanians are an important part. “We are making cinematographic works that represent us as societies that have their own cultural identity and …