Expocomer 2007

Athletes from ten countries to participate in Portobelo Triathlon

The event is considered one of the most difficult of its kind in Central America.

One of Central America's toughest athletic competitions, the Portobelo Triathlon, will take place on Sunday, March 11.

The event, which will attract athletes from 10 countries, is unique in that it takes place between the 400-year-old ruins of Spanish colonial forts and castles, and the humid rainforests of Portobelo National Park, in the province of Colón.

The race includes a 35-km biking leg, swimming (1 mile) and a foot race through rocky, hilly terrain. There will be US$5,000 in prizes.

Athletes will battle difficult terrain, heat and humidity.

Portobelo's Triathlon was started seven years ago by John Collins, a U.S. expat who has taken part in numerous thriathlons around the world, such as Hawaii's famous Ironman triathlon. The event is now organized by Union de Triatlón de Panamá (UTP), which organizes a series of high-endurance competitions throughout the year.

At the end of the event, the municipality of Portobelo and the Panama Tourist Board will offer a program including folklore dances and live music.

Located 100 km northeast of Panama City, the small town of Portobelo is the capital of the Costa Arriba region, a long stretch of Caribbean beaches dotted by small hamlets inhabited by the descendants of African slaves. Rugged as it is beautiful, Costa Arriba is also becoming a popular resort area.

For more information, log on to: www.triathlon.org.pa

Surfing contest at Playa Catalina

Playa Catalina, in the province of Veraguas, will host the second competition of the Surf Soberana National Circuit, which will take place March 17-18.

Some of Panama's best surfers are expected to participate in the contest, which will be divided into three categories (Open, Women and Junior).

The first competition of the National Circuit was held in February in Isla Grande (Colón) and was won by Gary Saavedra.

Pablo Milanés:

Romance and social justice in song

Cuban singer Pablo Milanés.

One of the creators of the "Nueva Trova" genre in Latin America, Cuban-born singer Pablo Milanés, will offer a concert at Atlapa Convention Center on March 17.

Known and loved throughout the region for his strong, romantic lyrics, Milanés, a master guitar player, is also considered a controversial figure among far right Latin American factions, due to to his blunt criticisms of the region's social and political reality.

Pablo Milanés is the author of the hits "Yolanda" and "El breve espacio en que no estás".

Tickets cost $75, $50, $30 and $20, for sale at all Blockbuster video rental stores.

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.

Community fair at Playa La Barqueta

A community fair will be held at Playa La Barqueta in Chiriquí on March 11 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is sponsored by the local Peace Corps, CREA (Conservation through Research, Education and Action) and the Antonio Anguizola Foundation. Local artisans will offer their handicrafts. Snacks, homemade sweets, cold beverages, folkloric dances and a discotheque in the evening, will also be offered.

To get to La Barqueta, drive to Las Olas Resort to the West of David.

Buses will be provided to the fair from Boquete, Dolega and David. Fares will be $20 per person round-trip from Boquete, $1.50 per person round-trip from Dolega and $1 per person round-trip from David.

For further information or directions, contact Sue Waligora at siouxwaligora@yahoo.com

All ready for David’s
International fair

The fair features entertainment, games and exhibits for all tastes and budgets.

One of the most important annual events in western Panama is just around the corner. The David International Fair, held in the capital city of the province of Chiriquí, will take place March 15-25.

Featuring almost 500 industrial, agricultural, tourist and commercial exhibitors from throughout the Americas, the David International Fair is one the largest of the long series of country festivals taking place throughout the Isthmus during the dry season (December-April). Although it was originally conceived as an agricultural event, the fair has grown to attract people of all ages and tastes, as it offers games, varied pop musical performances, folklore shows and tourist activities.

Located 483 km. west of Panama City along the Pan-American Highway, the city of David is a growing metropolis which combines modern amenities and country charms. Situated on a fertile coastal plain, David is the capital of the country’s top cattle and agricultural region –a province rich in beautiful landscapes along its ample coasts on the Pacific and within its valleys surround by majestic mountain peaks.

Although David’s climate is hot, it is less than an hour away from the cool-weather mountain resort communities of Boquete, Volcán and Cerro Punta, which are attracting growing numbers of foreign retirees and second-home buyers.

Linked to the capital by an excellent bus service and daily, scheduled flights (departing from Albrook’s Gran Terminal de Transporte and Marcos A. Gelabert Airport, respectively), David boasts a number of excellent hotels and good entertainment.

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.

Concert Dinners:

An evening of gourmet and musical pleasures

Professor Luis F. Morales, piano, and Graciela Núñez, violin.

A "Cena Concierto" --a "Concert Dinner", is scheduled for Wednesday, March 21 and Thursday, March 27 at Il Boccalino Restaurant. Patrons will be delighted by Graciela Nuñez, violin, and professor Luis Fernando Morales, piano.

Nuñez, a U.S. Educated Fulbright scholar, is one of the lead violinists of the Panama Symphony Orchestra. This will be her third performance at the Concert Dinners, which are the brainchild of professor Morales, a Panamanian-born concert pianist educated in Brussels, London, Rome and Madrid. Professor Morales is the head of Panama City's Academia Polifonia, a music academy for children and adults.

As guests enjoy "Du und du", a vals by Johann Strauss II and a sonata by Beethoven, they will relish Crema di Pomodoro, Gnocci all'Cardinale and Lombo all'vino.

Tickets cost $30.00 and are for sale at the Argosy Bookstore (Vía Argentina -223-5344), or by calling Mr. Morales himself, 6702-0417.