Taiwanese diplomats observe the exhibit’s photographs.

Visitors are invited to the exhibit "La Encantadora Taiwan" ("The Enchanting Taiwan"), a collection of 40 photographs showing the culture and natural wealth of this Asian island. The exhibit opens Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m at the National Institute of Culture's art gallery, located on the French Plaza, in San Felipe. The exhibit is part of INAC's summer season in Panama City.

Ricky Martin’s hit, "Livin’ la Vida Loca", has transformed him into a world-renowned pop-music icon.

Get ready to shout aloud! Puerto Rican-born Enrique José Martín Morales (a.k.a. Ricky Martin) who has captivated millions around the world with his hit "Livin’ la Vida Loca", has included Panama in his current international tour. Everything is ready for his concert, scheduled March 20 at Las Islas Theater of Atlapa Convention Center.

With over 55 million records sold worldwide and a career spanning two decades, Ricky Martin has found his niche in the history of entertainment, forever changing the world’s perception about Latin music. His most recent album, “Life”, was released on October 11 of this year.

The new album includes the single, "I Don’t Care", written and produced by Sean Garrett and Scott Storch.

Panama will be one of the countries of his world tour, which will take him through Latin America, the United States and Europe.

Chilean songstress brings romance to Atlapa's stage

Chilean-born romantic songstress Myriam Hernandez.

Thousands are expected to attend the concert of Myriam Hernández, one of the most outstanding Latin romantic singers, on Thursday, March 22 at at Atlapa Convention Center.

Born Miriam Raquel Hernández Navarro in 1967, she enjoyed a measure of success as a teen performer in Chile, the country of her birth, but her international career took off after 1988 at age 21 with the release of her namesake album, which included the hits, "El Hombre que yo amo" and "Ay Amor".

Myriam has also found success as a composer. The salsa version of her song, "Herida", rendered by Brenda K. Star, reached number one in various Latin American countries, as well as "Daniel" –a complete hit in Brazil. She has recorded songs with Paul Anka, Celine Dion, Ricky Martin, and Julio Iglesias, among others.

For tickets, call Atlapa’s box office, 526-7000.

Expocomer 2007

By Rodrigo López

Expocomer, the largest commercial fair of Central America, will celebrate a milestone this year, with the 25th version of the event, which will take place at Atlapa Convention Center March 7-10.

Organized by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama, Expocomer is the venue through which 475 exhibitors from 33 European, Asian, African, Latin American and North American countries seek to introduce the latest in machinery, high tech, fashion, medical supplies, vehicles and toys to Latin America.

This year, it is estimated that between US$30 and US$40 million will be traded during the fair, where businesspeople can obtain international representation to launch their new products in Panama and abroad, as well as the establishment of trade opportunities through the Colón Free Zone, the world’s second largest free-trade emporium after Hong Kong.

Expocomer will also be open to the general public. For more information, visit www.expocomer.com

Opera:

“The Barber of Seville” is one of the five most famous famous operas of all time.
El Barbero de Sevilla es una de las cinco óperas más famosas de todos los tiempos.

A troupe of renowned Italian and Argentinian opera singers will take part in Gioacchino Rossini's "The Barber of Seville", on Thursday, March 15 at Anayansi Theater at 8:00 p.m.

The opera is the first part of the Figaro trilogy by French playwright Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais. The original Beaumarchais version was first performed in 1775, in Paris at the Comédie Française at the Tuileries Palace.

Rossini is well known for his fast work at composition, and true to his style, all the music for Il Barbiere di Siviglia was completed in under three weeks; though the famous overture was actually borrowed from a prior Rossini opera, “Aureliano in Palmira”. Barbiere was first performed on February 20, 1816, to disastrous failure: The audience hissed and jeered throughout the performance, and several on-stage accidents occurred. The second performance, however, met with quite a different fate, becoming a roaring success.

Tickets cost $25, $50, $75 and $100, for sale at all Blockbuster video rental stores.

Call Atlapa's box office: 526-7000.

Proffessional wresthing

Wrestle Mania slated for Figali Convention Center

A total of 18 "gladiators" will thrill wrestling fanatics March 9, when the mega company of professional wrestling, WWE Raw presents the show "Wrestle Mania", at the Figali Convetion Center, on the Causeway of Amador

The fighters are: John Cena, Umaga, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Randy Orton, Kenny Dykstra, Jeff Hardy, Nitro, Carlito, Melina, Mickie James, Maria, Chris Masters, Cryme Tyme, World’s Greatest Tag Team, Val Venis, Vladimir Kozlov and Super Crazy

Tickets prices are: $150, $100, $75, $50, $25 for sale at Video Avenue, Ticket Plus. Reservations: 507-279-0333 or 507-279-0332.

Champions, Chorrera, meet Alianza Chilibre

National pro soccer season kicks off at Rommel Stadium

The ball rolls out on Panamanian soccer fields once again on Saturday, February 23 with the opening game of the National Professional Soccer (Football) Association Championship (ANAPROF).

The present champion team, San Francisco of Chorrera, will kick off the season against Allianza Chilibre in the Rommel Fernandez Stadium in Juan Diaz at 8p.m.

Saturday
Soccer continues on Saturday 24 at 8p.m. in the Toco Castillo stadium in Santiago, Veraguas, with Atlético Veraguense lining up against the Sporting 89 of San Miguelito.

In another encounter on the same day the re-organized squad of Atletico Chiriqui will confront the Arabe Unido team from Colon at 8p.m.

Sunday
On Sunday ANAPROF presents two exciting encounters . In the Balboa stadium the People´s Classic will be played between Plaza Amador and Municipal Chorrillo. In the Gian Carlos Gronchi stadium in Pedregal the powerful Tauro F.C. will face the recently moved up Chepo F.C. which has provided many young players for the juvenile teams of the country.

This season promises to be very interesting with all the teams shaping up well and ANAPROF stepping up its campaign to attract more people to the stadiums as well as continuing the project of installing artificial grass in 5 fields. The project has already started in the Armando Dely Valdes stadium in the city of Colon.

It should be noted that ANAPROF produces the greatest number of players who sport the national colors in the various international champion-ships.

Golf

Golf enthusiasts should mark Saturday, March 17 on their calendar as the date of the next "Play 4 Kids" Tournament at Coronado Golf and Beach Resort. Formerly known as the "Benefit Tournament for Nutre Hogar", this tournament began seven years ago and to date has collected more than $120,000 and bought more than 30,000 toys for children from impoveristed backgrounds all over Panama.

In November 2006 it was decided to change the image and name of the tournament to better reflect its aims. "Play 4 kids" is the snappy new title for both the tournament and the program sponsored by Continental Airlines, Copa Airlines, the Panama Marriot Hotel, the Coronado Golf and Beach Resort and the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM).

Baseball season gets under way this weekend

Once again Panamanian passión for baseball runs high. Starting February 23 the cry "Play Ball", will resound in stadiums all over the country.

Chiriqui and Herrera are the teams likely to add spice to the game when they clash in the Rio Cedeño stadium in the town of Chitre at 7p.m. on Friday, February 23.

On the same day Colon and Coclé are set to battle it out in Mariano Bula stadium in Colon at 7p.m.

The action continues at 7p.m. the following day at the Rod Carew stadium in Panama City when Panama Metro and the Herrera troup clash in a duel that promises to be not for the faint-hearted.

On Sunday, February 25, two more games are programmed. Bocas del Toro and Chiriqui Occidente confront one another in the Calvin Byron stadium in Bocas del Toro while the Chiriqui troup challenge Veraguas in the Kenny Serracin stadium in David. Both games start at 5p.m.

Former world champ fights at Figali Convention Center

Samaniego (left) trades punches with Pierre Brodman during his last fight in the U.S.

El Centro de Convenciones Figali será el escenario el próximo 24 de marzo del regreso de excampeón mundial panameño, Santiago Samaniego, cuando se mida ante Alfonso "El Huracán" Mosquera.

En el combate pactado a 10 asaltos y 154 libras, estarán en juego el fajín Fedelatin de la Asociación Mundial de Boxeo (AMB).

Para Samaniego es importante volver a los cuadriláteros y tratar de disputar nuevamente una corona mundial. "Tengo hambre de ser nuevamente campeón del mundo y, para eso estoy trabajando muy duro" señalo "santi" durante la presentación de la pelea el pasado martes de 13 de febrero.

Por su parte Alfonso "El Huracán" Mosquera, se siente seguro de ganar el combate. "Yo soy un boxeador de verdad y quiero la victoria, no me importa quien sea el oponente voy a buscar la victoria" agregó "El Huracán".

Esta será la pelea estelar de una velada compuesta de 10 combates, la mitad de carácter internacional.

En la pelea coestelar se medirán el venezolano Jean Piero Pérez y el panameño Rafael Concepción.

El abreboca estará protagonizado por Ogleidys Suárez de Venezuela y Kathia Montuno de Panamá.

Expat benefit dinner aids Malambo Orphanage, Arraijan

The first benefit dinner of the organization, "Charity Expat Socials", at the City Grill in Panama City raised over $900 dollars for the Malambo Orphanage".

"There was standing room only. Expats ate, met new friends and had fun", said Stuart Greatbanks, founder of the organization.

The next charity event to benefit the orphanage will be at the Beirut Restaurant across from the Hotel Marriot Casino, February 26, starting at 6:45pm. The buffet-style dinner will be "all you can eat". There will be a cash bar for those who want mixed drinks, beer or wine.

The food will include all the Middle Eastern specialties as well as Hindu food and food from Indonesia. Vegetarians will enjoy a wide variety. "This will be a special attraction for those who have traveled a bit and enjoy these cuisines or for those who would like to try something different", said Lynda Greatbanks.

The group will meet in the dining room upstairs which is large enough to seat in excess of 150 people. The sponsor of the event is John Edwards of Private FX. The charity´s goal is to "Give Something Back". All expats and Panamanians are invited and warmly welcome. As usual all funds received are donated immediately to the Nuns who run the Malambo orphanage.

Any individual or company wishing to sponsor an event, can contact:
Stuart Jackson Greatbanks. Tel. (507) 263-2243,
stu@gslrealestatepanama.com
Cel. (507) 6674-6492 or GSL Real Estate, Vía España /Eusebio Morales, Panamá, Republic of Panamá. http://www.gslrealestatepanama.com