La Villa pays homage to enigmatic
heroin with parades, folklore activities

By: Milagro Vallecillos

The long list of patriotic festivities observed throughout Panama this month makes a stop in the town of La Villa, province of Los Santos, considered by historians to be the first Isthmian community to rebel against the Spanish crown almost two centuries ago.

No one can deny that the events of November 10, 1821 in this otherwise sleepy community, were powerful enough to motivate a group of Panama City gentlemen to declare independence from Spain a week later, but many aspects of how the "First Cry" actually took place remain a mystery. The average Santeño will tell you that the revolution was started by Rufina Alfaro, a young, but shrewd beautiful brunette from the outskirts of town. The fact is that, although many parks, schools and even a Panama City district are named after her, there are no records of her existence, not even a portrait of her.

The Santeños, nevertheless would "kill" anybody not willing to join them in the celebration, which has become a national holiday. Located in the Azuero peninsula –a region considered the "Cradle of Panamanian Culture", the First Cry for Independence in La Villa is marked by colorful parades, folklore dance performances, bullfighting (bloodless), fiddling competitions and fireworks.

There is no party in Los Santos without folklore.

La Villa is located 256 kms. southwest of Panama City. Drivers need to get on the Pan-American Highway towards the interior provinces and travel 216 km to the town of Divisa, where they will need to make a turn to the right. Visitors will enter La Villa right after passing Chitré, the region’s largest city (a bridge over the La Villa river separates both cities). Another way to get there is by bus. An excellent service to La Villa and Chitré departs from Gran Terminal de Transporte, located in Albrook. There are also scheduled flights to Chitré, departing from the Marcos A. Gelabert Airport (Albrook).

Things to do, places to visit
Although La Villa is a sleepy community during most of the year, it undergoes an impressive "metamorphosis" during the November 10 celebrations, the pre-Lenten Carnivals (February / March) and the Azuero International Fair (March/April). Some of the town’s most important landmarks include:

• The San Atanacio Church, a National Monument, built in 1721.
• The Juan Díaz Archaeologi-cal Site: Located on a small hill three kilometers from downtown, along the La Villa river, it harbors a number of pre-Columbian relics.
• Museo de la Nacionalidad: Housed in a Spanish colonial house, this museum harbors documents, relics and furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries.