Parades, music, dancing for biggest party of the year

Panama City Carnival revelers will flock to Via Trasistmica for the five day celebration February 1 to 5. Each day City Carnival Queen Liseth Diaz will adorn her float and blow kisses while dancing to music played by her “murga” band in the big parades. Along the route there will be stages for live music performances, the “sancocho” vendors selling typical Panamanian-style chicken soup, and “toldo” clubs.
At the “culecos” thousands of people jumping in the streets under jets of water will shout “Agua! Agua!” to attain relief from the heat. Carnival in Panama City offers musical variety, dancing, tasty Panamanian street-fare and an abundance of beer and liquor among some of the most party-minded people on the planet.
The main stage will be located on Via Trasistmica between The Oxford School and and La Salle High. This is where the most famous performers will make presentations and where the Queen and her court will spend most of the Carnival. Other venues, called “toldos” will be set up in the surrounding area of Via Trasistmica. Each one will have a musical theme: Raggeton (at Fernandez de Cordoba Avenue), Salsa – Merengue (at Ford, formerly Motores Colpan), Old-style Panamanian Typical (at West 64th Street), and Modern Typical (at the former Triangulo Hangar), among others.
The parade will begin each day at 3:00 pm with 20 floats per day. “Toldo” clubs will begin presentations at 9:00 pm that will last until 4:00 am. The Queen, her two princesses and the runners-up for the crown will participate by visiting the different “toldos” and animating the public.
Panamanians come from all over the world to celebrate the biggest party in their country every year. Panama shuts down and everyone has a license to party. It is a time to relax and cut loose. People act crazy in the streets, dye their hair all sorts of colors and really get into the true spirit of the celebration, which is to work out all the carnal desires before repenting for Lent.
Smiles abound. In such a social environment, many friendships are made. Some of them even last a lifetime. Anyone new to this party should remember to drink lots of water, protect themself from the sun and open their heart. Beautiful things happen when this hard-working, important country stops for a few days just to have a good time.

Carnival Tip
Keep cash in a safe place, like in your sock inside your shoe. After a while at the Panama City Carnival, you might not notice when somebody bumps into you from behind and presto! No billfold.

New Amcham President
Miralles looks ahead

Jose Miralles was installed as the new 2008 president of The American Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Panama (AMCHAM) last Tuesday, January 22 at the Marriott Hotel in Panama. AMCHAM's mission is to promote bilateral investment between the U.S. and Panama through forums, alliances, networking an sharing of information. Originally from Puerto Armuelles, Panama, Miralles is ready to provide the coaching necessary to assure that all the growth Panama is seeing will be sustained in years to come. As he says, “You never have a second chance to make a first impression.”
Miralles, a civil engineer, knows that this is an important year for Panama. AMCHAM, established here in 1979, will be his platform to promote sustainable development, incite social consciousness, and ultimately steer the favorable investment climate in Panama towards a profitable future.
For Miralles, one key to growth in Panama is the social conscience of the investor. He of course wants companies to do very well, but also wants to make sure they are aware that the long-term success of their investments will depend largely on the social sustainability of the company. He says that starts with a commitment to employees, the environment and the community.
On Panama's side, Miralles sees a great need for a long-term education plan that will meet the needs of the growing country. He wants to see immediate work done to qualify people to work in the growing hotel and tourism industries. He notes: “It's great that we have the cruise ship home port here, but it is also a huge commitment. We need to be ready with an English-speaking work force that knows how to perform the jobs that are being put in their hands.”
Security is important to the investment climate too. He says: “With growth there are good and bad things. One of Panama's strong points has been its security and we have to make sure it stays that way and gets even better.” Transportation, both public and private, must also be attended, “before it collapses.”
A Graduate of the University of Minnesota, Miralles is a founding partner (1994) of the Franklin Covey Organization which provides leadership and strategic services to the region and a member of The Rotary Club Panama South. He recently formed part of the National Scrutiny Board, representing Panamanian citizens' interests voting and passing referendums regarding the Canal when the $5.25 billion dollar expansion plan was approved.
Tourism is one of the biggest growth sectors in the country now. Unable to speak directly about the current tourism legislation proposal because he had not read a draft yet, he was able to say that in regards to any plan, the best ones have two or three goals that all parties work towards together on.
Membership at AMCHAM is available starting at $50 for students and goes up to $1450 for large corporations. A full list of prices, a description of the organization, activities and benefits of membership is available at www.panamcham.com
www.panamcham.com or call 301-3881.

Carnival in
Las Tablas and the passionate war between Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo

By Jacob Ehrler

Viva Calle Arriba! Viva Calle Abajo!! The emotion aroused at Carnival in Las Tablas is reminiscent of minor revolutions, small colonial wars or a feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. Calle Abajo (lower street) pulls the popular vote. Calle Arriba (upper street) plays the class card. The two compete neck and neck to have the prettiest queen wearing the most sparkling crown and luxurious dress on the most tastefully decorated float with the most people following behind singing her praise.
Morning parades are during “culecos” where revelers are doused with water to revive them from the heat of the sun. Queens entertain crowds and show off their figures on simple floats, a new design each day. Evening parades are gala events with two themed floats per calle per day. Princesses to the court adorn the floats and the queens take their place high on the second float under spotlights. They are followed by “murgas” (bands) who play loud music with brass instruments.
“Tunas” (crowds) march behind the “murgas” and sing the praise of their queen, their calle and their dominance of the Carnival. They sing about how awful the other queen is, blowing any flaw she may have into a song. They also insult important members of the other calle with nasty lyrics.
Marvelous displays of distaste between calles surprise newcomers when they see the animated hand talk, shouting and other forms of vibrant expression. Watch closely, because that colorfully-dressed young man shouting to a lady up on a balcony just said that her queen is fat, has cockroaches in her hair, and her mother is a drunk. Then he called the woman next to her a lesbian.
It's that bad. But pay close attention because the young man also gave her the international 'call me' sign and they agreed to meet up for a drink after the Carnival, when they will not have to worry about what calle they represent. Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo affiliation divides the town right down the middle and even separates husbands and wives who prefer to just see each other after it is all over.
And it's not without reason. Over $500,000 is spent on the floats, gowns, and fireworks between the two camps each year. They receive no government funding. Activities are held year-round to raise money and generate support. Affluent people make donations to their calle. Parents of the queens joke about taking out a mortgage just to get through Carnival. It is truly their party.
Throughout the year, Las Tablas is a quiet town of 10,000 in the agricultural Azuero Peninsula where people smile and young men help old ladies cross the street. Many Panamanians who live in the city have family ties in this well-to-do farmer's town. During Carnival nearly 100,000 people jam in. Crossing the small park at the center of town can take 20 minutes with all the people waiting for the floats to emerge and take three slow rounds of the park.
On Tuesday the queens, princesses and town-ladies wear the traditional Panamanian “pollera” dress for the evening parade. The mood becomes solemn and not just because it is the last day of the Carnival. Polleras are hand-made by the women of Las Tablas and the surrounding areas. The most elaborate dresses cost tens of thousands of dollars and require thousands of hours of work. As part of the traditional custom, women also wear “tembleques” (arrangements of pearls) in their hair and a collection of gold necklaces, each piece with a special meaning that can be traced back to the town's Spanish colonial beginnings.
But the party does not end quietly. At sunrise on Wednesday, Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo start “quemando” (burning) fireworks. The roaring starts when they begin to throw ropes of firecrackers and the pile becomes a fire. Hearing loss sets in when the Queens arrive, walking on the street for the first time in five days. The men begin to unload boxes of firecrackers into the blaze.
The queens dance slowly toward one another while smoke billows up from the fires in the town center. They sing their songs inaudibly along with the most loyal members of their “tuna” and the “murga” still plays along. Sunlight hits the crowd and the queens finally face off in the “topón” (climax), dancing dangerously close to one another, showing off their gold, pearls and perfect dresses. When they are finished, they lead their bands back to camp. Each calle shares warm goodbyes, marvels in their victory and makes commitments to stomp the enemy out once again in the year to come.
Viva Calle Arriba! Viva Calle Abajo!! The emotion aroused at Carnival in Las Tablas is reminiscent of minor revolutions, small colonial wars or a feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. Calle Abajo (lower street) pulls the popular vote. Calle Arriba (upper street) plays the class card. The two compete neck and neck to have the prettiest queen wearing the most sparkling crown and luxurious dress on the most tastefully decorated float with the most people following behind singing her praise.
Morning parades are during “culecos” where revelers are doused with water to revive them from the heat of the sun. Queens entertain crowds and show off their figures on simple floats, a new design each day. Evening parades are gala events with two themed floats per calle per day. Princesses to the court adorn the floats and the queens take their place high on the second float under spotlights. They are followed by “murgas” (bands) who play loud music with brass instruments.
“Tunas” (crowds) march behind the “murgas” and sing the praise of their queen, their calle and their dominance of the Carnival. They sing about how awful the other queen is, blowing any flaw she may have into a song. They also insult important members of the other calle with nasty lyrics.
Marvelous displays of distaste between calles surprise newcomers when they see the animated hand talk, shouting and other forms of vibrant expression. Watch closely, because that colorfully-dressed young man shouting to a lady up on a balcony just said that her queen is fat, has cockroaches in her hair, and her mother is a drunk. Then he called the woman next to her a lesbian.
It's that bad. But pay close attention because the young man also gave her the international 'call me' sign and they agreed to meet up for a drink after the Carnival, when they will not have to worry about what calle they represent. Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo affiliation divides the town right down the middle and even separates husbands and wives who prefer to just see each other after it is all over.
And it's not without reason. Over $500,000 is spent on the floats, gowns, and fireworks between the two camps each year. They receive no government funding. Activities are held year-round to raise money and generate support. Affluent people make donations to their calle. Parents of the queens joke about taking out a mortgage just to get through Carnival. It is truly their party.
Throughout the year, Las Tablas is a quiet town of 10,000 in the agricultural Azuero Peninsula where people smile and young men help old ladies cross the street. Many Panamanians who live in the city have family ties in this well-to-do farmer's town. During Carnival nearly 100,000 people jam in. Crossing the small park at the center of town can take 20 minutes with all the people waiting for the floats to emerge and take three slow rounds of the park.
On Tuesday the queens, princesses and town-ladies wear the traditional Panamanian “pollera” dress for the evening parade. The mood becomes solemn and not just because it is the last day of the Carnival. Polleras are hand-made by the women of Las Tablas and the surrounding areas. The most elaborate dresses cost tens of thousands of dollars and require thousands of hours of work. As part of the traditional custom, women also wear “tembleques” (arrangements of pearls) in their hair and a collection of gold necklaces, each piece with a special meaning that can be traced back to the town's Spanish colonial beginnings.
But the party does not end quietly. At sunrise on Wednesday, Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo start “quemando” (burning) fireworks. The roaring starts when they begin to throw ropes of firecrackers and the pile becomes a fire. Hearing loss sets in when the Queens arrive, walking on the street for the first time in five days. The men begin to unload boxes of firecrackers into the blaze.
The queens dance slowly toward one another while smoke billows up from the fires in the town center. They sing their songs inaudibly along with the most loyal members of their “tuna” and the “murga” still plays along. Sunlight hits the crowd and the queens finally face off in the “topón” (climax), dancing dangerously close to one another, showing off their gold, pearls and perfect dresses. When they are finished, they lead their bands back to camp. Each calle shares warm goodbyes, marvels in their victory and makes commitments to stomp the enemy out once again in the year to come.

Chupacabras in Chiriquí
(Things that suck blood in the night)

By David Dell

The Chupacabra story has aroused international attention since the first eyewitness sightings in Puerto Rico in the 1990’s. The story has been featured on mainstream television news networks, including CNN. Reports of sightings range as far north as Maine in US, to Chile in the south. According to Armando Rodriguez, head of the Volcán department of MIDA (the Panamanian Ministry of Agriculture) Chupacabra attacks have occurred in Chiriqui for the past five years.
The name Chupacabra means “goat sucker.” (Spanish: cabra, goat; chupar, to suck) Originally this was because of the reports of this creature sucking the blood from goats. However, in the latest reports, the Chupacabra has widened its taste to include sheep and chickens.

Six foot wingspam
Artists impressions based on eyewitness reports suggest a creature that has large eyes, a horned back and claws Based on testimony from the Chiriqui attacks – it has large wings with a span around 6 feet across.
Having talked to all three witnesses to the attacks I feel they are credible and these were not normal wild animal attacks. My feeling is that the Chupacabra is some weird genetic twist of the vampire bats that are common here.
In the fall of 2007 I heard of these stories, and like most people I regarded them with a healthy dose of skepticism – until I spoke with eye witnesses. The Chiriqui attacks haven’t always made it to the newspapers, because local businesspeople feared the story would impact the fledgling tourist industry. One witness told me his story only on condition that I didn’t name him or the Chiriqui resort that he worked for.
He told me that in Late July 2007, he found several sheep dead in a corral in a mountain pasture above Volcán. The animals had two small incisions made in the necks and had all the blood drained from them. The attacks continued night after night for almost a week until the property owner had him stand guard with a shotgun. He didn’t see the Chupacabra kill the sheep but he did hear a large flying creature that made a swooshing sound as it descended to attack its prey.

Samples taken
The property owner called in government vets to examine the dead animals to see if there was any evidence of the identity of the creature. According to MIDA, samples were taken by this vet and sent back to government laboratories in Panama City. This is where the story takes a twist. The vet in question, who doesn’t wish to be identified, refutes this. His story is that it was two weeks after the incident when he visited the site. The animals had long since been buried and therefore he didn’t take any samples.

Sleep too
Just a few miles west of this first location another attack occurred, also in late July. This time seven sheep were killed over a period of one week. Again the sheep owner had a guard stationed with a shotgun. The difference here is that the guard, Frank Delgado, claims he saw the Chupacabra flying low across the field where the attacks took place. It was around 11.00 p.m. at night but as the creature swooped over the field it was caught in the glare of a street lamp. I showed Frank the artists impression based on a Wikipedia drawing. He mentioned the creature’s wingspan was as wide as his outstretched arms. He also commented the creature flew in an awkward and ungainly manner, similar to that of a Pelican. Again, just like the first witness he reports the creature’s wings made a swooshing sound.

No wild animal
Similar to the first attack, the sheep all had puncture wounds in the neck and all their blood appeared to be drained from their bodies. My question to both these witnesses concerned the possibility that this was just some normal wild animal attack, but they said no flesh was torn or had been eaten. The creature's focus was purely on draining the animals of their blood.
About a month after the two sheep attacks, it appears the Chupacabra came back – this time his victims were chickens. Less than a mile from the second attack ten chickens, were in a wired enclosure on the Hemmerling property. The Hemmerling's housekeeper, 18, year old Julianna Bejerano, went out early in the morning to hang clothes on a line. The sight that met her eyes was chilling.

And chickens
Ten chickens lay dead, face down on the ground. On the back of each of their necks was a round incision about the size of a silver dollar. Feathers were strewn all around so there was evidence there had been a fight to the death. Similar to the two other attacks, there were no signs that any flesh was eaten. And once again the bodies had been drained of blood. A strange point about this incident is the house is guarded by several large dogs. Julianna told me that whatever attacked the chicken house, did so without arousing the guard dogs.
Skeptics may scoff at these accounts and say they are just another case of hysteria and misinterpretations of natural phenomena. Unlike the thousands of UFO sightings, with their fuzzy photographs, and blurry video’s, the Chupacabra story has clear physical evidence that cannot be attributed to wild animal attacks. A greater mystery is what happened to the hair and blood samples that were removed from the site of these attacks, and why does it seem that some form of official denial is now taking place. As Sherlock Holmes would say. “The mystery deepens.”

Real Estate Investing: tips for buyers and sellers

By: Manoj Chatlani, Senior Attorney and Steven Rich, Marketing Manager for Panama Offshore Legal Services

Panama’s booming real estate market creates opportunities to earn sizable profits, buying and selling all types of properties.
Here are some helpful tips that can save you time and money whether you are buying or selling real estate in Panama.
Sellers should follow these recommendations:
1. Calculate the title transfer taxes (whether title to property transfers to a buyer or transfer shares in a corporation owning property) to be paid to the government.
(a) If you sell the shares of a corporation owning property, you must pay a 5% transfer tax on the sold shares based on the sale value.
According to the law, the buyer must withhold the amount paid in anticipation of taxes. The buyer pays this amount to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

(b) If you transfer title of the property to a buyer, you must pay a 2% title transfer tax and 10% capital gains tax (10% of the difference between sale value and current registered value of the property).

2. Sellers using a real estate agent to sell/promote/negotiate their properties must agree on the broker’s commission and sign a written broker’s commission agreement to avoid misunders-tandings. Sellers and brokers often expect more when the deal closes.

3. Update your property ownership in the government Catastro office that is an agency of the Ministry of Economic and Finance. Some attorneys forget to update the property’s owner-ship after title transfers at the Public Registry. The update is not automatic with Catastro where all property taxes are paid. This must be done immediately after title transfers.

4. Organize all of the sellers’ documents so the buyer’s due diligence can be done quickly resulting in a faster closing. These documents include:

• Title Deed
• Articles of Incorporation (if
owned by a corporation)
• Survey of property (updated)
• Certificate of Good Standing of
property taxes from Catastro
Certificate of Good Standing
from IDAAN (government institute for water)
• Certificate of Good Standing of building maintenance (if condo)
• Improvements deed (update of all improvements made)

5. Define all terms and conditions with your buyer before you agree to sell. Include sales price and payment terms (dates and amounts), taxes and closing costs.

6. Never agree to receive the balance with a buyer’s check after the title transfer deed is registered in the buyer’s name. Once the buyer has title and the check bounces, you will have a difficult time being paid. A safer method will be to get a Promise to Pay Letter from a Panama bank that secures the payment after title transfers.

7. Buyers should follow these recommendations:

(a) When purchasing a farm or raw land verify that the survey is updated and confirm that the physical boundaries match the registered ones.
(b) Prior to signing any contract (whether a Promise to Purchase Contract or the Purchase Contract) clearly verify all terms and conditions. Verify that the written contracts require the seller to pay all transfer taxes.
(c) Before committing to purchasing verify the current registered value of the pro-perty and confirm property tax amounts (unless exonerated) that you will pay after you take title.
(d) Always perform a due diligence through a compe-tent real estate lawyer verifying clear title, boun-daries, etc.

In conclusion, buying properties in Panama can be profitable. Follow these practical tips when buying or selling in order to save time and money.

Pack a bicycle in your suitcase

DownTube bicycle available in Panama

Wouldn't you love to take your bicycle with you for weekend trips? But hopping on a plane, bus or taking a car with a bicycle can be cumbersome at best, if not impossible. But Islamorada Nautical Charts in Balboa near Panama City now offers a sturdy lightweight bicycle that folds down to fit in a suitcase in record time.
The DownTube bicycle opens up a whole new world of travel possibilities for sports enthusiasts and those who want to enjoy taking a spin wherever they happen to be. The bicycles weigh 25 pounds, have award-winning suspensions and fold down for storage in ten seconds.
Yan Lyansky of Philadelphia invented DownTube ten years ago. Since then, his company has expanded into a compact million-dollar empire thanks to the popularity of his folding bicycles. He says: "I just do the right thing, there were never any financial goals involved. It makes me feel good to help people." He continues as a mathematics professor for Temple University despite his company's success.
Take a spin on a DownTube bicycle at Islamorada Nautical Charts, Books and Supplies at 808 Balboa Road in Balboa-Ancon, Former Canal Zone. Call 228-4348 or write info@islamorada.com.

Once upon a time carnival was just for the aristocracy

By Juan Antonio Espinosa Aguilar. Don Chocho

The word Carnival derives from the "feast of the flesh" and it is one gigantic binge before the abstinence dictated by the Christian church during the 40 days before Lent. In Panama it means celebrating in the streets.
Panama´s carnival started during the end of the XIXth century when Panama was under the rule of Colombia.
Back then The Soverein Musical Band of the Isthmus played in parks and squares only. Anyway, the band was the forerunner of the "Murgas". They played popular tunes of the day such as danzas, minuets, mazurkas, polkas and quadrilles in civilian outfit.
The "Murgas", today are musicians who play the popular music in the streets with trombones, trumpets, clarinets and the bass drum.
Panama became independent in 1903 and by 1910, under a Carnival Board, the first queen, Manuelita Vallarino, was crowned. The queen was selected by the Panamanian aristocracy of the Union Club, which had just been founded in 1909, headquartered in the Casco Viejo. Popular dances of the times were known as "Tambor". These dances were the base for Panamanian folkloric typical genres. Groups played with acoustic guitars, violins, drums and other percussion instruments.
It wasn’t until the year 1913 that the carnival was declared an official event. Laura Arjona was crowned queen at the National Theater.
Cuban rhythms came to Panama in the 1920’s, across the first radio signals and in new records. The "toldos" (popular dancing spots in different part of Panama city) were then created, They were sponsored by brewery companies. "Toldos" today are still sponsored by liquor brands and are basically temporary discotheques during the carnival with live bands.
It wasn’t until after the mid ‘50s that the Carnival Board started selecting the queen from other levels of society, causing the Union Club to hold their own internal carnivals.
Another event which was tied to the four Carnival days was the "Carnavalitos" in the city of Colon. On the weekend after Panama City’s carnival people travelled by train or bus to enjoy Colon’s parades, comparsas and "toldos".
The parade in Panama City was always held on Central Avenue but in 1985, the new Board of Directors decided to change the route to Via España, because the population had grown. In those years performances by internationally renowned bands began to take place on the different stages set along the route. This was copied from the Miami Calle 8 Carnival.
The famous "culecos" are a tradition from the interior provinces. To cool off from the heat of the day, carnival goers get sprayed with water through a hose. The idea was transferred to Panama where crowds are seen jumping under a hose shouting "¡Agua, agua! (Water!, water!)”
Each province carries out its own type of carnival and tries to offer the public a new attraction each year.
In 2007, the parades and main events moved to a new route, the wide Transisthmanian highway, where an enormous crowd can fit and enjoy the modern day celebration of the Panama Carnival which started over a century ago. Each stage as well as the "toldos" will present groups with typical music, salsa, style of the past ("Recuerdo") and reggaeton
The "sancochodromo", a site that sells popular Panamanian chicken soup, was created to cure those with hangovers of the previous day with a hot plate of soup.
On Ash Wednesday, at approximately 5:00 a.m. a closing ceremony is held on the beach headed by the queen. It is known as "the burial of the sardine" which symbolizes the end of the feast.

Be careful with your Carnival fancy dress

Dress code at the Panama City Carnival is raising questions about freedom of expression. Panama City Mayoral Decree #1081 of December prohibits dressing as a policeman, firefighter or a priest during the city's carnival.
This is causing concern for the Foundation for Due Legal Process director Eduardo Bertoni, who warns, "This article's wording is too open because it prohibits the use of costumes to make political humor, political criticism or the criticism of public officials. This type of open prohibition is incompatible with the with the free exercise of freedom of expression."
"They're trying to shut the people up," says Andres Rodriguez, a member of The Front for the Defense of Economic and Social Rights, another group also concerned by Decree #1081.
The Mayor's office defended itself by saying that the measure seeks to maintain security during carnival.