Canal Zone nostalgia at Casco Viejo, Panama

For many years, the Panama Canal has been the defining icon of Panama. It is also one of its main economic engines and one of the world´s top engineering treasures.  It was inaugurated in 1914 with the crossing of the vapor Ancon, although some quote that a French self-propelled ocean vessel called Alexandre the Valley crossed it a few days earlier.

As part of the terms negotiated, Panama gave the United States a large piece of land that would serve to place the military basis and  mega infrastructure needed to keep such an incredible venture. Many of the tropical forest that Panama has around the Canal nowadays are part of what they call the “watershed” which consists of large protected forests that provide with the water for the entire system.

In the year 2000 and as per a later treaty (the Torrijos Carter) the Canal was handled to the Panamanians along with the controversial “Canal Zone”.

While a lot has been written about it and in different tones, the truth is that it defined generations in both sides of the fence, as even Americans born in the Canal Zone area felt a bit Panamanian and created their own tropicalized culture that became known as the “zonian” culture.

Today, Casco Viejo, which back in the days was basically what was known as Panama City but is now a colonial town that gained its UNESCO  World Heritage Site in 1997 and  is being revitalized through private and government investment,   is home to the first official “zonian” memorabilia store in Panama.  It is located in the road between the two towns, as both connected through what is today Santa Ana and Chorrillo. It is also steps away from Santa Ana plaza, which was known back in the day for the famous Cafe Coca Cola and the number of bars and nightlife. It is said that the performance shows in Santa Ana (and Plaza 5 de Mayo) where excellent, and that it was here where Peron met first Evita.  Who knows!  The store is small but big in significance for this upcoming colonial neighborhood.

Winning over Poverty: one Woman at a time

For some time now, Fundacion Calicanto at Casco Viejo (Panama) has been carrying out an experimental program at the colonial district. The goal, to effectively break the cycle of poverty. Their target: women. Their belief: by changin a woman, you change a family and affect a society.  The cost: $900 per woman.

The program has been running now effectively for about two years, and has graduated over a hundred women from Panama´s poorest areas including it´s colonial Quarter Casco Viejo which is currently undergoing a revitalization process that has already positioned it as Panama City´s second tourism destination and cultural heart.

How is all of this happening? keep reading…

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty in Panama’s Historic District Through Hospitality Training

A grass roots program in the impoverished historic district of Panama City has a remarkable track record of turning around the lives of unemployed women through hospitality industry training. The program, created by the non-profit Fundacion Calicanto, graduated its sixth class on May 5, 2010 at the Panama International Hotel School.

Panama City, Panama (PRWEB) May 10, 2010 — If history is any guide, one month from now at least 85% of the 16 currently unemployed women who graduated today from Fundacion Calicanto’s “CAPTA” program will be permanently employed in the hospitality industry.

The graduation, which took place today at the Panama International Hotel School in Panama City’s Ciudad de Saber (www.panamahotelschool.org), was the sixth group to have gone through the intense two-month program. To date, over 120 women have graduated, and more than 85% of those women obtained permanent employment following graduation.

The emotional ceremony was attended by the womens’ families, program donors, staff and dignitaries, including U.S. Ambassador Barbara J. Stephenson, who praised the program for its effectiveness in empowering women, and spoke about the role of women in breaking the cycle of poverty in developing countries.  MORE

Business and Sports Hub: Panama

Not sure if this was something planned, but sometimes it is even better when it sprouts organically.

Panama has been for quite a while now, a banking hub for the region. Most recently, Panama´s main airline COPA expanded operations, turning the country into a fantastic hub for the America´s, which facilitated the relocation of multinationals into the country. The Panamanian government also paved the way for these companies to come in through tax exemptions and easier visa procedures.

So far, the country has received 36 multinationals. This year, the Panamanian Government seems to have a goal:  100 companies.  But it isn´t all.  Panama seems to be decided to be the center of main sport events as well.

Last month,the IX Juegos Centroamericanos where celebrated in Panama. The news now is that the country just won the hosting for the Juegos Bolivarianos for 2011.  Panama´s interest on sports is probably fueled by recent glories brought to the country by athletes such as Irving Saladino (who won gold medal in the Olympics) and Alonso Edward, a young Panamanian who got his silver medal but ran shoulder to shoulder with Usain Bolt at Berlin in 2009.  But probably it also responds to a multilateral tourism campaign thought to develop roots larger that just attracting people to events and to trade.  Both activities have a beautiful by- product: it creates educational and professional opportunities at interesting and  productive fields.  And particularly in sports, it seems Panamanians have always had an excellent track record, just to mention the most recent ones: from beisball stars Mariano Rivera and Tito Lee to boxing legend Roberto Duran.

Here is the list of the 36 multinationals already settled in Panama:

Procter & Gamble
inelectra
Sinopec
LG Consulting
Roche
Caterpillar
AIA Services
Hyundai
AES
Total
Volconsa
Endress + Hauser
Western Union
Thunderbird
Peugeot
Halliburton
Pan American Life
Cemex
Moffatt & Nichol
ABB
J. Safra Asset
Kumho
Heineken
Phillips
BMW
Genzyme
Cargotec
Nestle
Hyosung
Mars
SAB Miller
Otis
Ericsson
Adidas
Sanofi Aventis.

Since 2007 several multinationals have moved their headquarters to Panama. The first one to break the ice was Maersk. Today, there are 36 multinational companies in the country and the government´s goal for December 2011 is to reach the 100.  See below the list of the first 36, although including Nestle is probably not fair as they´ve been in the country for many, many years.

But also, it isn´t just about the Multinationals who have come in to inject their energy into the economy. There is also an important group of International NGO´s that have moved to Ciudad del Saber, only 15 minutes away from Casco Viejo.  Institutions like United Nations (with all their different funds and regional offices) and UNICEF have made a mark in the economy.

Today´s Article at Capital Finaciero notes that the multinational executive is spending anywhere between $50,000 to $100,000 in Panama. From school to rentals, they´ve kept the market strong.  So far, they´ve calculated 700 executive families have moved to Panama. And the best is yet to come, as the works of expansion of the Panama Canal have not even started fully.

Here is the list of the 36 “new” kids on the block:

Procter & Gamble
inelectra
Sinopec
LG Consulting
Roche
Caterpillar
AIA Services
Hyundai
AES
Total
Volconsa
Endress + Hauser
Western Union
Thunderbird
Peugeot
Halliburton
Pan American Life
Cemex
Moffatt & Nichol
ABB
J. Safra Asset
Kumho
Heineken
Phillips
BMW
Genzyme
Cargotec
Nestle
Hyosung
Mars
SAB Miller
Otis
Ericsson
Adidas
Sanofi Aventis.

Dance Month in Casco Viejo, Panama

Panama isn´t known for having an organized art season or opera or ballet season. Other than the National Concert Association, all other shows are privately organized.  However, Casco Viejo has started to become a center of gravity for most art events in Panama and this month dancers have felt its pulling effect.

Last week, Panama´s National Ballet Company presented among other pieces Chopiniana at the National Theatre, the entrance was free. This upcoming weekend, DanzaNova will be inaugurating their dance program with children of the neighborhood. The event will be on Sunday, at 6 p.m. at Galería San Felipe (Calle 2nda).

Then is the mega production of the Wizard of Oz, also by a Casconian and dancer (well, actually first dancer and then Casconian!) Analida Galindo. The production will have more than a 100 artists on stage and will be held at the National Theatre.

And finally, at the ends of May (I believe the 24th) the Argentinian Embassy will present a fantastic Tango and Piazolla performance where Astor Piazolla´s grandson will interpret his famous grandfather.

Waving the flag for other arts this month there is the art show by Cartooch at Espacio Panama (Galeria San Felipe) which will be showing throughout the month.