Annual Panama
Jazz Festival P:11
FEBRUARY 2007 15 Cents
Welcome!
W elcome to the Panama Eagle,
an English-language newspa-
per for the Anglophones of Panama.
People have been telling us ever since
we started the Noticias Bajareque Ti-
mes in Boquete that we ought to do a
paper for Panama City too. And we’ve
noticed the influx of US, Canadian and
Brit expats. Even more noticeable is the
huge building boom going on in pre-
paration for an expected onslaught of
thousands more Norteamericanos. So,
after some hesitation, we’ve conclu-
ded that the time is right.
The Nature Among Us
Harpy Eagles - masters of the jungle sky
By Lyn Odom
S porting wingspans measuring
more than seven feet, talons the
size of bear claws and legs as thick
as baseball bats, Harpy Eagles, Harpia
harpyja, are the ultimate hunters of
the jungle canopy. This powerful rap-
tor, with exceptional eyesight focused
through piercing yellow eyes, has the
ability to fly through the jungle cano-
py maneuvering easily through bran-
ches, leaves and trees. The Harpy Eagle
missiles its way towards prey, such as
sloths, monkeys, coatimundi, anteaters
and even iguanas, hitting them with
such force they often break the prey’s
backbone.
Mature Harpy Eagles can weigh 20
This is a monthly newspaper and as
such we won’t be covering the day-to-day
goings on of business and government.
The Spanish-language press here does a
great job of that and if you’re interested
in that you should learn to read Spanish.
Actually, you should learn Spanish
anyway if you’re going to live here. You’ll
get a lot more out of the experience and
it will make life much easier.
But we believe there’s a legitimate
place at the table for an all-English
newspaper too.
The English-speaking community
has its own interests, issues, foibles
and favorites. It needs a vehicle for
communication, dissemination and
pounds and stand more than 20 inches
high. Females usually grow twice as
large as the males, but both sexes look
similar. They are gray, black and white
in color, have black throats, a full-
feathered face and feather tufts atop
their heads that resemble that of great
horned owls. The tail feathers are wide
and rounded and the front edges of the
mottled black wings are white. Their
bellies are white, as are their thighs,
with the exception of black feathered
stripes running through them.
The legs above the talons are yellow
and featherless. Beaks are sharply
curved and pointed - well adapted
Continued on P:13
 PANAMA EAGLE
information. Our goal at the Panama
Eagle is to provide you, dear reader, with
the lowdown on all things Panamanian
in order to improve and enrich your life
here. We don’t have any political axes
to grind and we aren’t beholden to any
business interests so what you’ll get
from us is just independent thinking.
Like our namesake, the eagle,
(Panama’s national bird is the Harpy
Eagle. See Lyn Odom’s story below)
we’ll keep a sharp lookout for your
best interests and strive to keep you up
to date on life in this great city.
Enjoy!
Ted Harrison,
Publisher
Harpy Eagle, National Bird of Panama
What Are We Doing
Here?
It’s a brave new world. So what
are you doing here?
If you’re from North America
chances are you’re either passing
through Panama as a tourist, thinking
of moving to P:3
New Traffic Laws and
Fines are in Effect
In 2006, 437 people were killed in
motor vehicle accidents in Panama.
On January 1st of this year, the
Autoridad Del Transito y Transporte
Terrestre (ATTT, the Panamanian
Transit Authority) issued a new and
revised traffic schedule which includes
much higher fines. P:4
The Crossroads of the
World
Since ancient times and long
before the arrival of the Spaniards,
Panama has been the crossing point
from one ocean to the other. P:6
TOP STORIES
A Tale of Two Hostels P:3
Tourism Rally
Chiriquí 2007 P:5
The Crossroads of
the World P:6
Starting a business
in PANAMA P:8
Panama Eagle A Look at a
5334 apt. 2, Avenida A Este,
Boquete, Chiriqui
9am -3pm Monday-Friday
Book
6714-4007, 720-1451 By Roberto Manzana

www.panamaeagle.com Title- Banana People

Author- Clyde Stephens and 14
Delivery other Banana People
Nacional - B/.12.00 per year
Non Fiction-2002
International - B/.24.00 per year
ISBN 0-9727340-2-3
Events 333 pages
Please email info@panamaeagle.com
Advertising A collection of short stories from
Maria Boyd: 6615-5059, 6714-4007 folks that lived and worked in the
Display Ads heyday of the United Fruit Company in
Ad copy must be received by the 5th of Central America.
each mopnth. Of the 48 stories in this book, 34
Classified ads: were written by Stephens, a former
Close at 5: 00 pm on the 5th of each United Fruit Company Director of
month. Banana Research. This is Stephens’
Published by: Chiriqui Publishing, second work of stories that chronicles
S.A. the lives, adventures, and culture of
Editor: ?? those that chose to practice their
trade in the jungles of South and
Writers: Roberto Manzana, Sandra Central America during the early days
Snyder, Brandon Clogston, Lyn Odom
of the fruit companies’ growth and
Photography: Robert Boyd development.
Layout: Design Presentations Earthquakes, plane crashes, never
before seen insects and animals,
The Panama Eagle stories of peoples of different races
needs an editor! and creeds and cultures that came
(so our managing editor can together to form a big “family” that
get back to his real job). became known among themselves as
- Banana People.
We’re looking for somebody Through World Wars, crop
with good administrative skills crippling diseases, floods, and political
and a knowledge of Panama controversies, (including revolutions),
City. Interested? the Banana Family grew and developed
Send your CV to into an amazing job driven culture that,
to this day, calls for many reunions all
editor@panamaeagle.com over the banana producing world.
Stephens is good at doing something
Get your message all cultures need to do - document all
the tales told around boardroom tables,
directly to the campfires, drunken dinners, and during
English-speaking com- long hours waiting for planes, ships,
munity of Panama! canoes, or any manner of transport to
Call/email take them on to their adventures.
Maria Boyd Stephens and other writers speak
of entire jungle communities with
and place your display golf courses, swimming pools, air
ad strips, hospitals, warehouse and dock
order today: facilities, and laboratories, carved
6615-5059 from lands previously inhabited by
or indigenous peoples.
Some of the stories are so inner-
ads@panamaeagle.com
Continued on P:10

PANAMA EAGLE  ANSWER on P:9

What Are We Doing Here?
By Brandon Clogston
P anama (and this is one of your
first testing-the-water vacation / re-
search trips) or, like me, you’ve already
done your research and now call this
lovely little isthmus your own tropical
homeland.
It’s really quite a phenomenon
if you think about it. Along with
Panama’s economic and real estate
boom (which is the reason many of us
are here), we Expats living in Panama
-a newly recognized and integral part
of Panama’s growth- are all trying to
find our footing and blend in with this
already storied and dynamic republic
and its people.
But here we are in Panama. Enjoying
life in a place where the weather is
always warm, the music is always
loud, and the women always beautiful.
A place where, no matter what
language you speak, you can always
communicate.
Speaking of communicating, cheers
to the Panama Eagle. Here’s to a
new source of information on for us
Expats in Panama. May we all gain
something from its presence in this
more than historic time of growth for
this country.
Having said that, I’d like to use this
column as a place to start conversations
and provide information - a portal
into our little fishbowl of an Expat-
in-Panama world we’ve got going on
here so to speak.
So what will these conversations be
about? It could be anything. It could be
a cynical take on riding shotgun with
one of Panama’s out-of-his-mind-wild-
like-a-banshee taxi drivers or it could
be something as simple as tips on the
best way to cruise out to the beach for
the weekend and where to stay.
I’ll get things started. Last week,
someone told me there are no good
places to watch sports on TV in Panama
City. I disagree. Here are my top three
picks and why:
La Terraza (just up the street from
the Veneto Hotel and Casino in El
Cangrejo) -- This bar doesn’t bill itself
as a great place to watch sports, but
nonetheless, its a nice place to catch
a game as you’ll always find someone
willing to watch with you – even if they
aren’t that interested. Just one thing
though. If you plan on watching more
than one game at a time, La Terraza
may not be the best option as they
only have one TV.
The Veneto Hotel and Casino (Via
Veneto in El Cangrejo). While the
service is dreadful, (be ready to start
asking for another beer before you’ve
started drinking the one in your hand
because the waiters are that slow), the
Veneto offers plenty of seating and
multiple screens for multiple games.
Warning: If you want to stay warm,
wear long pants and keep the sandals
at home -- the Veneto keeps the AC on
blast so you’ll have enough energy to
plunk down a few bucks on the tables
following the game.
Bola’s Steakhouse (El Dorado just
across the street from The Do-It
Center). This is the best place to watch
sports in Panama and has been since
it opened. On top of serving up great
munchies and burgers, good service
and great ambiance, Bola’s is where
you’ll find the most serious fans rabid
about following their teams and always
up for a good debate on who’s who in
the world of sports. Go there for any
big sporting event (like the Super Bowl)
and you’ll meet some nice fans and
have a good time.
So, do you agree or disagree with my
picks on where to watch some sports?
Drop me a line at PanamaInsider@
Yahoo.com and let’s talk. Unless, of
course, we see each other in person
at one of these places I’ve mentioned
above.
Let the dialog begin!
 PANAMA EAGLE
En Panama with Roberto Manzana
Casco Viejo, the old, and the very old
Photo By: R. Manzana
A Tale of Two Hostels
P
anama City is host to some the to one of Casco Viejo’s most famous
landmarks, the Iglesia San Jose which
best accommodations in the world.
houses the amazing Altar de Oro., It
The price range is as varied as you can
is a really old fashioned neighborhood
imagine offering everything from spec-
with tiny stores, one room street side
tacular city view suites to the most
cuartos filled with music, laughter, life,
basic of beds. Hostels are inexpensive,
and the smells of cooking. Beggars and
no frills rooms in a communal setting
lawyers fill the sidewalks and benches
with common kitchens and gathering
in the many parks that dot this amazing
spaces. Recently I traveled through Pa-
area that is undergoing a renaissance
nama City and sampled two different
of sorts with one beautifully restored
hostels.
three-story waterfront home owned by
I found the Hospidae Casco Viejo
minister of tourism and former actor/
after having researched Panama City
musician, Ruben Blades. Blades’ house
hostels on the internet and made a
is in an area that boasts the beautiful
reservation via email and even received
Teatro Nacional and the Palacio de las
a confirmation, something many
Garzas.
higher priced hotels in the city seem
Unfamiliar and unsure about myself
to be unable to do. . An admitted
and hostel housing, I had reserved
stranger to hostel accommodations I
a private room with a bath for the
harbored some reservations about this
princely sum of $12.00 total. I checked
low budget type of travel but tried to
in with the owner, Ricardo Garces,
not have any pre conceived notions or
an amazing young Columbian man
expectations.
who had given up corporate banking
The taxi driver knew the area but
to remodel the one hundred year old
not the hostel, which has been opened
only one year and is located right next Continued on P:10
New Traffic Laws and Fines are in Effect
By Staff
W e have been told that this year
they will have more patrols to
enforce the traffic regulations and that
the heavier fines and rules will be im-
posed. All vehicles, without exception,
are required to be fully licensed and
inspected to operate on any of the
Nation’s roads and highways. These
are rules your lawyer doesn’t neces-
sarily know. Listed below are some
of the laws and fines. For further in-
formation, go to www.transito.gob.
pa - Click on Reglamento de Transito.
It’s a PDF document and the rules and
fines are on pages 86-91. You should
also be aware, that transit regulations
require that you carry a copy of these
regulations in your vehicle.
Mad Dogs and Englishmen
Sandra T. Snyder
E l Cangrjo is one of my favorite
neighborhoods and it pains me to
see how it is changing. First, there are
too many new buildings and no new
infrastructure to support them.
Whether you are concerned about
adequate water, sewage treatment,
trash removal, cell phone coverage,
Internet connection speed or electricity,
the new buildings and the people they
will attract, will tax the existing systems.
Next, the addition of casinos in the
neighborhood brings more traffic of all
kinds filling the streets with more cars
passing through the area, looking for
parking places, and blocking traffic.
Today I had a number of errands to
do in El Cangrjo - a visit to the printer,
the Chamber of Commerce, the bank
and lastly to get my car washed. Dry
season, summer, has finally arrived and
The Panama Eagle needs an editor!
(so our managing editor can get back to his real job).
We’re looking for somebody with good administrative skills and a knowledge of
Send your CV to editor@panamaeagle.com
PANAMA EAGLE
New Traffic Laws and Fines are in
Effect
Photo By: R.Boyd
a good wash is in order. So I find myself
sitting in the shade in a pink lawn chair
while the car has a bath.
Everyone else seems to be out today
doing errands as well. Local business
people, students, neighborhood people
all dressed conservatively for the city, in
work uniform, slacks and shirts, casual
skirts or jeans. However, this season
there certainly are more tourists than
in past years and they also pass in
review before my chair. Frightening!
A couple in shorts and Birkenstocks
amble past. A young couple in their
twenties, pass in matching shades of
ratty looking gray t-shirts un-tucked,
gray shorts, flip flops and his-and-her
pony tails. Another young man passes
displaying an incredible array of tattoos
on his bare arms. He is accompanied
by a young woman who has the words
Panama City. Interested?

Infraction
Un-registered vehicle
Fine
B/. 25.00
Expired licence Plate B/.50.00
No Licence Plate B/.50.00
Vehicle will be impounded
Driving without a valid license B/. 75.00
(your foreign license is only good for 90 days)
Talking on Cellular Phone while driving B/. 75.00
You must attend safety school
Alcohol on Breath B/. 500.00
Driving while intoxicated (Drunk Driving)
First Time License suspended for 1 year B/. 1000.00
Second Time License suspended for 3 years B/. 1500.00
Third Time License suspended indefinitely B/.2500.00
Attend seminars and meetings after each intoxication citation
“Trust” tattooed around her neck. I can
only wonder, trust whom? A middle-
in his best Nike nylon bathing suit,
short length also, with dime-store
aged couple in shorts and tennis shoes rubber sandals. They seemed headed
each have on a funny hat. He has on in the direction of the closest casino, a
a soft well-worn golf hat and she a
crochet floppy hat covering her head
block and a half away. This is a current
popular destination for viejo verdes and
and shading her eyes. A young couple, other tourists, providing still more local
pushing a baby carriage over the narrow color and entertainment for us locals to
sidewalk, is clad in exercise shorts and observe from a distance.
shirts reminiscent of a racquetball court. After all it is nearly noon, summer
They are followed by yet another elderly in the city and for those from cold
couple who are almost beyond belief. climates it probably seems like swim
Remember the cartoon of the elderly suit weather regardless of the fact they
Playgirl, about 80, with long thin boobs are in a city, no pool in the area, and
hanging to her waist, and a nose almost they are actually headed out to lunch.
as long? The woman passing before The car washing goes slowly. More
me was not as thin as that character or less slowly than elsewhere I am not
in the funny papers but the rest of the sure, but with each passing spectacle
description was accurate. Neither her the muchacho’s attention is drawn
blouse nor her red bikini top under the away from the job, a smile appears,
blouse covered, supported or hid her sometimes even an out loud laugh. I
appendages- long bouncy appendages. may not know what these tourists are
Her short shorts likewise exposed her thinking to go out in public in such
knobby-knees. She was accompanied attire but it is clear what the car wash
by what appeared to be her husband boy thinks - crazy gringos.
Eaglets Wanted!
D o you need to stretch your wings
or scratch your itch to write? Loo-
king for a venue for your beautiful
photos? Want to share your expertise?
The Panama Eagle is looking for wri-
ters, photographers, columnists, car-
toonists, puzzle pundits and reporters.
We plan to fill these pages with content
by, for, and about the English-speaking
community in Panama City. If you are
among the talented inhabitants of Pa-
nama, and want to share your wisdom,
we have a perch for you.
If you’ve developed a knowledge
of gardening in this climate why not
share it with the rest of us? If you have
finessed the ins and outs of home
maintenance here, let us know too.
Eat out a lot? Contribute restaurant
reviews. Read a lot? How about book
reviews? Theater and concert buff? Art
afficionado? Release your inner art
critic and contribute to our communal
wisdom!
We’re open to suggestions of
any kind as long as it’s a subject of
interest to a significant segment of
the community. Computers, sports,
fashion, food, recreation, shopping,
nature, business, art, ... are just a few
of the beats we’d like to see covered.
If you’re interested in writing a column
or occasional pieces email us at editor@
panamaeagle.com.
Even if you’re not into creative
writing we’d still like to hear your
opinions and suggestions. What do
you want to read about? Should we do
a shopping mall comparison? A “How-
to” on business licenses? A feature on
how Panamanian charities work (or
don’t)? Care to divulge your favorite
fishing hole? Let us know and we’ll do
it for you: editor@panamaeagle.com
Do you have issues? Or questions
about issues? Send us letters to the
editor. If something really burns you up
or you can’t get a straight answer on a
pressing problem then give us a crack
at it: letters@panamaeagle.com
And don’t forget our classified
ads. This month we’ve borrowed a
page from our sister publication, the
Noticias Bajareque Times, to give you
an idea of what your Classifieds will
look like. But next month it’s your turn.
If you want to sell an old bicycle; find
household help; rent your apartment
or buy a siamese cat then this is the
place to come. We have the cheapest
classifieds in Panama - only 99 cents
for your first 17 words - so it’s a no-
brainer to advertise with us first. But
there’s a bonus: your classified goes
up on our website as well, expanding
the reach of your ad way beyond the
print circulation. Send us your ad by
email (clasads@panamaeagle.com) or
enter it directly on our website: www.
panamaeagle.com/clasads
If you have a non-commercial
announcement we’ll print it free in
our “Que Paso?” or calendar columns.
Check these sections every month for
news of events, meetings, celebrations,
etc. Let us know what’s happening
and we’ll get the word out: editor@
panamaeagle.com
This is your newspaper. We’re not
here to push a political viewpoint,
front for special interests, cater to the
tourists, or sell real estate. We’re here
just for you. So send us your stuff; give
us your opinion; let us be your voice.

“Tourism Rally Chiriquí 2007”

January 26th, 27th and 28th
I.S.

H istoric or classic cars are consi-

dered those that are in good con-
dition and are 25 years old or more.
In panama however, the groups
involved in this activity are a bit more
flexible since they categorize the cars
as antique at 21 years old. Also, exotic
cars are accepted even though they
are not antique but are subject to turn
into cars of historical or classic interest,
scarce or advanced technologies,
like those of Maseratis, Rolls Royce,
Mazda Miata or Toyota Prius like José
Digerónimo explained to us.
These days, the new lines of cars, their
speed, comfortableness and in general
all of the beauty and pleasure of the new
models captivate us when we buy one.
Nevertheless it seems incredible that still
many of these cars, which are considered
antiques, continue functioning. These
cars must be kept with extreme care so
that the pleasure of having something
good which will eventually become a
piece of sentimental value. This is one
of the reasons why some collectors A vintage auto participating in the rally
choose to safeguard their cars for many Photo By: I.S.
years. We can be sure that they take In Cuba for example, when some them with what they can create or find, modify them until they do work since
this preservation of classic cars very pieces of those classic cars are no and put in parts of cars of other brands. gasoline is more expensive and difficult
seriously. longer working, they invent or replace If these other parts do not work, they Continued on P:13

 PANAMA EAGLE
The Crossroads of the World
R. Boyd
B lessed with a convenient geo-
graphy of low lying hills, long rivers
and a narrow isthmus, Panama was an
obvious choice for a supply route for
goods from Spain’s scattered empire.
In 1510, Vasco Nu¤ez de Balboa
established the town of Santa Maria
de Antigua, the first permanent
Spanish settlement on the mainland
of Spain’s growing empire in the
new world and in 1514, after having
discovered the “Great South Sea”
(Pacific Ocean) the year before,
he and his men cut a crude path
through the jungles of the Darien to
carry his ships across the isthmus to
the Pacific. These ships were used by
Pizarro to make his first discoveries in
Peru. In 1515, under the direction of
the Governor of Darien, Pedro Arias
de Avila, also referred to as Pedrarias,
another force was sent over Balboa’s
trail to explore the lands to Panama’s
West along the Pacific Ocean. During
their exploration, they found a village
beside the sea, which the natives
called Panam  (an indigenous word,
meaning “Place of Abundant Fish”).
The natives told the explorers of a
trail that they had been using for
hundreds of years that led to the
opposite ocean.
Roast Beef de Lomo o Filete
Pachi - Creative Culinary Works- www.creativeculinary.net
Roast Beef style Beef Filet
Ingredients:
2 1/2 pounds of beef filet
2 tablespoons Pesto (home made or
PANAMA EAGLE
A force of 80 men, led by Diego de
Alvarado was sent to explore the route.
After an expedition of about three
weeks, Alvarado reported to Governor
Pedrarias that the trail was about 50
miles long and that it ran through
luscious savannahs and through low-
lying hills, and that it was a quicker and
easier way to cross Panama. In 1517,
Pedrarias ordered Gaspar de Espinosa
(The founder of Nata and Alanje),
to build a road along the trail that
Alvarado had discovered.
Setting up a base of operations at the
abandoned town of Nombre de Dios
on the Northern side of the Isthmus,
Espinosa began the job by widening an
old trail that intersected with the trail
to Panam  near Portobello.
He enslaved four thousand natives
to assist with the construction of the
roadway. Taking smooth river rocks
from nearby streams and rivers, they
placed them in the roadbed at a width
of two meters.
They covered the stones with clay
and packed it down to provide a smooth
surface. Along the route, they captured
more peoples to work on the road; they
used the huts of the displaced peoples
as rest areas for weary engineers. At the
Rio de Lagartos (named by Columbus
for the many crocodiles he saw resting
store bought)
1 tablespoon onion seasoning mix
1 tablespoon grainy Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups beef stock
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon butter
Onion Seasoning Mix
1 medium white or yellow onion
3 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons minced parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

The Crossroads of The World
on the river banks), they placed very
large boulders at intervals across the
river and connected them with tree
trunks shaved down to form a roadbed
for the bridge.
They built an inn and outbuildings
and called the area Chagre after a
provincial district of Spain. It eventually
came to be called Chagres and the River
was called the Chagres (a key element
in the building of the Panama Canal).
The road was completed in 1519 and in
August of the same year, Pedrarias and
Roast Beef de Lomo
How to prepare it:
1. Prepare the Onion Seasoning Mix:
Pass the garlic through boiling water
for 10 seconds; place
all ingredients in the bowl of a
blender and refrigerate.
2. Mix the tablespoon of onion
seasoning mix, pesto, mustard, ¼
teaspoon salt and rub on the
filet. Allow to rest for 1 hour or up to
one day refrigerated.
Picture from archives
his officers, traveled on a cobbled stone
road, from Nombre de Dios to inspect
the new city of Panam  being built by
Espinosa at the site of the original native
village.
This road was called El Camino Real
(The King’s Highway) and, at about
50 miles long, it was wide enough to
allow two carts to cross paths traveling
in opposite directions without driving
on the embankment. The Spanish had
spared no expense in the construction
of this road.
3. Preheat the oven to 300°F and
place the filet over a rack and pan add
the salt and remaining
pepper and pour the stock into the
pan. Arrange into the preheated oven,
decrease the
temperature to 275°F and bake for 1
hour and 30 minutes.
4. Remove from the oven, cover
the filet with foil and set aside for 15
minutes.
5. Slice thinly to serve.
6. For the sauce: Place the drippings
and the stock (remove the fat) and
transfer to a saucepan.
Mix the flour and butter to a paste,
pour into the pan and cook over
medium heat until thickened.
Pour over the sliced filet or into a
sauce cup.
Maca - the newest kid in town
Sonia Jones, ND from the Haven Spa and Alternative Medicine Clinic, Boquete
M ost people have not heard of
Maca (Lepidium peruvianum), a
root that grows in the Peruvian moun-
tains, at high altitude of about 8,000
to 14,500 feet. Here high in the Andes
mountains it is inhospitable. Where
maca flourishes in intense sunlight,
violent winds, and below-freezing tem-
peratures! It has long been known to
the native Incas for its rich nutritional
value. In 1994 less than 50 hectares
were devoted to the commercial culti-
vation of maca and by 1999 over 1200
hectares were under production due to
rising demands worldwide. Maca was
domesticated about 2,000 years ago
by the Incas, and primitive cultivators
of maca have been found in archaeo-
logical sites dating as far back as 1600
B.C. Wonder why it has taken us so
long to find out about it?
It has higher levels of calcium than
milk and in a form at is more readily
absorbed by the body. Other foods
that are a better source of calcium
than milk (due to easier digestion,
absorbability and utilization of the
mineral by the body) are sesame
seeds, also tahini (a sesame paste
readily available in Panama), raw
almonds, dark green vegetables and
quinoa (available at the Haven), just
to mention a few. You will never see a
cow down the super market buying a
pint of milk for its calcium!
Maca is beneficial to both men
and women, known as a balancer of
hormones and energy levels. It has been
reported to help with libido, menopause,
pre-menstrual problems, energy,
stamina, mood swings, memory and a
whole lot more. Maca has been dubbed
the “Peruvian Ginseng” (however it is
not from the same family), there is a big
difference between ginseng and maca.
Ginseng is a powerful tonic that should
only be taken very short term, used on
a long term basis will cause imbalances,
the opposite of what you are trying
to achieve. Maca is a long term tonic,
an adaptogen that will continue to
balance the body’s systems, producing
a general sense of well-being. Maca
has been reported to help the adrenal
glands, these are the glands that get a
hammering when the body is stressed,
and are involved in allergic reactions.
Maca is being recognised as a nutritional
product that will boost energy and
improve stamina and endurance, so
athletes are beginning to use it. Maca
helps with the symptoms associated
with female hormone imbalance. The
symptoms can be varied- hot flashes,
sugar cravings, anxiety, mood swings,
cramps, bloating, sleep disturbance and
much more.
In Peruvian herbal medicine
today, maca is reported to be used
to enhance the immune system,
for anemia, tuberculosis, menstrual
disorders, menopause symptoms,
stomach cancer, sterility (and other
reproductive and sexual disorders), and
to enhance memory. Maca has been
growing in world popularity over the
last several years due to several large
U.S. marketing campaigns touting
its energizing, fertility enhancement,
hormonal balancing, aphrodisiac,
and, especially, enhanced sexual
performance properties.
I must however point out that any
supplement be it a herb or vitamin or
mineral or amino acid you are thinking
of taking or are currently taking for any
condition, should be accompanied by
lifestyle modifications. Even if you don’t
want to change all your habits completely
there are always simple things you can
do to improve your health. There is no
doubt - maca is a wonderful source of
natural vital nutrients. The synergy of
so many amino acids, vitamins, and
minerals in their natural state increase
the assimilation, uptake, and utilization
of them in the body. However, do not
expect a “miracle cure”, nothing is. Maca
contains significant amounts of arginine,
serine, histidine, aspartic acid, glutamic
acid, glycine, valine, phenylalanine,
tyrosine, and threonine). It also has high
levels of calcium, potassium, iron, plus
many other vitamins and minerals, fatty
acids (including linolenic, palmitic, and
Sonia Jones
oleic acids) and sterols (about 0.05% to
0.1%). In addition to its rich supply of
essential nutrients, maca also contains
alkaloids, tannins, and saponins, (they
also have some therapeutic value).
Remember they are called supplements
- supplementing a healthy diet or at lease
a healthier diet to bring about changes
in the body to relieve symptoms, reduce
pain, slow down deterioration and
reverse chronic conditions. Sounds far
fetched? Not at all. There is a mountain
of proven research that shows that a
healthy life style and supplements can
greatly improve your quality and quantity
of life. Really, your greatest asset is your
health. Don’t wait for your wake-up call!
For more information call Sonia at
The Haven Alternative Medicine Clinic
720 1943.

Tell us where you

live - and get the Panama
Eagle delivered to your
neighborhood. No need to give us your name, just send us your
street and building and we’ll endeavor to
get the Panama
Eagle onto your doorstep:
email to: myhome@panamaeagle.com
 PANAMA EAGLE
Starting a business in PANAMA
By Steven Rich, MBA (Marketing Manager for Panama Offshore Legal Services)
M any foreigner Expats are cre-
ating new businesses here in
Panama. There are so many opportuni-
ties to make money in this current real
estate boom. Open a bar, restaurant,
discotheque, hotel, motel, travel agen-
cy, tourist guide services, translation
service, retail stores, or expert tax or
accounting services. Full time or part
time business opportunities are avai-
lable whether you are retired and just
bored or still young enough to become
an entrepreneur.
No matter what type of business
you wish to start, you must first know
Panama laws and comply with them.
Let us first start with understanding
the different legal entities available to
conduct business in Panama.
BUSINESS ENTITIES
You will find three business structures
available in Panama:
Sole Proprietor - allows you and
your spouse & family members to
open a business as the sole owners.
Partnership - allows you to collaborate
with one or more persons in owning
the business.
Corporation - formally registered
with the government with a Board of
Directors, corporate officers, Registered
Agent, and issuing stock.
Sole Proprietors can have oral
agreements amongst its family
members. Partnerships and
Corporations need legal documents
prepared by a Panamanian attorney to
legally exist.
What Legal Structures Are
Available In Panama?
There are six different legal structures
here in Panama:
1. Corporation (Sociedad
Anonima) Law No. 32 of 1927 and the
Commercial Code (Decree-Law No. 5
of 1997, Article 5) allow the formation
of Corporations in Panama.
First, two persons called “Subscribers”
create the corporation. You can use 3rd
party “Nominees”
acting on behalf of Expats to execute
legal documents called the Articles of
Incorporation. File
the Articles with Panama’s Public
Registry office. Once the corporation
PANAMA EAGLE
is registered, only one shareholder is
required.
Corporation shares issued in
several classes can be par value or
not, officially registered (optional),
or issued in anonymous “Bearer”
shares. A Panamanian lawyer acting
as the corporation’s Registered Agent
is required. A minimum of three
Directors with their names listed in the
registered Articles of Incorporation is
required. File all changes of Directors
names with the Public Registry. There
are no other Public Registry filings
required unless you change the Articles
of Incorporation, merge with another
corporation, or dissolve.
2. Foreign Corporations
A corporation from another country
can do business in Panama by filing
certain documents with the Public
Registry:
1. A notarized Spanish translation of
their Articles of Incorporation;
2. Minutes from the Board of
Directors authorizing the Panamanian
registration;
3. Copies of the current financial
statements;
4. A Panamanian Consul certification
confirming that the company is
organized according to the laws of its
place of incorporation;
5. Notification of the transfer of
capital to the Panamanian business.
3. General Partnership
Panama permits General
Partnerships. Partners have unlimited
civil liability. Every partner can be sued
in court for any negligence or wrongful
acts committed by one partner while
conducting business.
4. Limited Partnership
Panama also permits Limited
Partnerships (called Sociedad de
Responsibilidad). The Commercial
Code and Law No. 24 of 1966 govern
Limited Partnerships in Panama.
You can have a minimum of two
to a maximum of 20 partners. It does
not matter what their nationalities or
residencies are. The Capital can be
anything from $2,000 to $500,000.
File all partners’ names with the
Public Registry along with the amount
of capital each contributed. The

civil liability for each administrator
appointed by the partnership must
be registered with the Public Registry
office. Partnerships consisting of five
or fewer members are not required to
have meetings. All other partnerships
must have at least one meeting a year.
An Individual Limited Proprietorship
(Empressa Individual de Responsibilidad
Limitada) is an alternative to a Sole
Proprietorship. Set up like a Limited
Partnership with only one member.
Civil Liability is limited to the amount
of committed assets.
5. Civil Partnership
Panama permits a Civil Partnership
(Sociedad Civil) under the Commercial
Code and Law No. 24 of 1966. Partners’
civil liability is unlimited. Lawyer,
accountants, and other professionals
often select this type of partnership.
6. Commandite Company
A Commandite Company (Sociedad
en Commandita) is a cross between
a partnership and a corporation. The
Commercial Code and Law No. 24 of
1966 govern this entity. A minimum
of one partner must have unlimited
liability. The liability of the limited
partners is limited to the amount of
capital subscribed. This legal entity is
seldom used in Panama.
GOVERNMENT PERMITS &
LICENSES
Now that you formed one of the
above-mentioned entities, you must
register your entity with the government
before conducting business. There are
six steps described below for registering
your business with the national and
local governments:
1. Income Tax Registry
Called the “Registro Fiscal”
(Fiscal Registry in English) this is the
Panamanian government Revenue
(Tax) agency dealing with income tax
returns. Your company receives an
income tax id
number from their office called the
Direccion General de Ingresos. You
will need to keep records of income,
expenses, and file an annual income
tax (or corporate tax) return and pay
any taxes owed.
The Panamanian government’s
website explains the necessary steps to
register in Spanish. Their website is at:
www.dgi.gob.pa
2. Commercial License
The MINISTERIO de COMERCIO e
INDUSTRIAS (Ministry of Commerce &
Industry) is where you get your Business
License. Every business in Panama is
required to have a business
license. This Panama government
website will give you information
regarding getting a commercial license
in Spanish: www.mici.gob.pa
3. Municipal Taxes
Upon obtaining your Panamanian
government licenses, you then register
with your local municipality in order to
pay your municipal taxes.
4. Social Security Number
Now go to Panama’s Social Security
Administration called Registro Patronal
de la Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) to
get a Social Security number for your
business and for yourself.
5. Sanitary Permit
Businesses dealing with food or
beverages need to get a Permisos
Sanitarios from the Ministerio de Salud
(Health Certificate from Ministry of
Health) to operate a sanitary business.
All employees (including owners
& management) preparing or serving
food or beverages (or being near food
or beverage preparation or service)
must obtain two different Permits.
The first requires a medical & dental
examination at a public hospital. The
2nd issued following a two-day health
& safety course.
6. Fumigation Certificate
Every business open to the public
must be fumigated. Hire a private
fumigation company every four months
to fumigate against ants, cockroaches,
and other bugs.
You must present a receipt from
the fumigation company and obtain a
Fumigation Certificate from your local
municipality. You must publicly display
the Fumigation Certificate at your
business entrance.
Hiring Employees
Once you obtain all required
government permits or licenses, you
can hire employees.
Continued on P:9
Starting a business in PANAMA
You cannot just hire a bunch of your
Expat friends as your workforce. Most
companies are limited to hiring only
a maximum of 10% foreigners (non-
Panamanian citizens). The labor laws
in Panama require 90% of all company
employees either are Panamanian
citizens, married to a Panamanian, or
foreign legal residents living here for at
least 10 years.
Exceptions exist:
Technical or specialized staff
otherwise unavailable in Panama can
increase your quota to 15% foreigners.
You must demonstrate that they are a
required workforce. You may petition
the Ministry of Labor for a higher
quota.
Companies with fewer than 10
employees can hire one foreigner.
Companies doing business outside of
Panama can employ foreign supervisors
and managers with prior approval from
the Ministry of Labor.
Every foreign employee requires
a work permit from the Ministry of
Labor.
Panama’s Labor Laws
Panama’s Labor Code of 1971
dealing with Labor Relations includes
all rights and duties of employees
and their employers. The key concept
for defining who is an employee is
“Subordination”. Whenever a person is
subordinate to another, an “employee”
relationship
exists. It will not matter if a written
contract describes the relationship as
not being “employment”. Independent
contractor relationships exist in
Panama. However, these associations
cannot involve subordination.
Basic employee rights under
Panama’s Labor Code include:
a. Written Employment Contract
b. Minimum Wage
c. Maximum Working Hours
d. Paid Vacations
e. Firing Employees for Good Cause
Employee Contracts
Written employment contracts
called an Inscripcion Contratos con
Trabajadores are required.
File two copies of the contract with
the Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo
Laboral.
During the first two years of
Continued from P:8
employment, employers can terminate
the contract. After the second year,
employees enjoy greater rights
protecting them from easy termination.
The law contains a list of “just causes”
for termination. Unlawful termination
results in minimum compensation for
the wronged employee. Employment
contracts can be for a fixed term or left
open-ended.
Minimum wage levels vary according
to the employee’s seniority.
Vacations: There are 11 public
holidays per year. Employees are also
entitled to a 30-day vacation every
year, known as “the 13th month”. This
bonus equals one-salary day for every
11 days of work. The 13-month bonus
paid in three equal installments: April
15th, August 15th, and December
15th.
Unions
Panama has unions that collectively
negotiate on behalf of their members. Its
members under defined circumstances
allow strikes after a majority vote. The
law requires mandatory conciliation
before a strike occurs. Only around
11% of the country’s private sector
employees are union members.
Leasing Office or Business
Premises
Leasing commercial space in Panama
is similar to most English speaking
countries. Here are the usual terms:
a. Must be in writing;
b. Properly describes the premise’s
location;
c. States length of lease term;
the amount and frequency of lease
payments; which party pays for gas,
water, electricity, and repairs; whether
this is a Security and/or Damage
deposit.
Mentions late lease payments,
tenant property damage, and renewal
of lease.
d. Signed by the property owners (or
authorized agent) and tenants.
e. Every signature notarized by a
Notary Public.
A competent real estate attorney
should prepare additional terms and
conditions. You should consult with one
before signing any lease agreements
prepared by your property owner.
 PANAMA EAGLE
Business Bank Account
Never mix your personal monies
with business funds. Sole Proprietors
tend to make this costly mistake. Open
a separate bank account for your
business. Partnerships and corporations
especially need to open separate
business or corporate bank accounts.
Here is what most banks in Panama
require when you open a business or
corporate bank account:
a. A personal interview so the bank
gets to know you. Some banks may
allow a telephone interview.
b. Clear copy of the account’s
Signatory and each corporate Director’s
Passport (the photo and personal
information pages and Panama’s entry
stamp page).
c. Clear copy of a second photo id
(driver’s license, residency or national
id card).
d. Two bank references for each
Signatory and Director. The reference
letter needs to address the satisfactory
conduct by the account holder and
that the relationship had been ongoing
for a minimum of two years. The
letter should also confirm the person’s
residential address. The letter specifically
addressed to that bank’s branch. Some
banks may accept just one reference
letter since many foreigners only use
one bank. Only original letters will be
accepted.
e. Two professional references
for each Signatory and Director. An
attorney, accountant, real estate
broker, stockbroker, insurance agent,
or employer can write the letters.
They must be written on the company
letterhead and include the duration and
nature of the business relationship with
the applicant. Only original letters will
be accepted.
f. Proof of Address in the form of
utility bills (water, phone, electricity,
ANSWER
cable TV) containing the applicant’s
name and residence address.
g. Company Profile letter describing
the type of business the applicant will
engage in. This includes the location
of the business, products or services
offered, nature and expected business
volume, origin of deposited funds,
monthly or annual estimate of funds
deposited, and the reason for opening
the bank account in Panama.
Have your Panama lawyer accompany
you to the bank to assist in a smooth
process.
Once the bank receives all documents,
they go to the bank’s Compliance
Officer who reviews them and the entire
application to make sure no money
laundering occurs. It will help if you first
go to a Panamanian bank where you
may already have a personal account,
as they will already know you.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are numerous
laws, legal documents, government
regulations, written contracts, and
government offices to visit before you
can start a business in Panama.
That is why you must consult with
a competent lawyer in Panama who
knows about Panama’s complex
Business, Corporate, Labor, Real
Estate, and Tax laws before going into
business.
Once you are registered, licensed,
have hired employees, moved into
your new office and opened a bank
account, hopefully, all you will need
to worry about are taxes. But, that is a
subject for another time.
STEVEN RICH, MBA is the Marketing
Manager for Panama Offshore Legal
Services in Panama City. Their phone
number is ++(507) 227 - 6645 and their
website is www.panama-offshore-
services.com
A Tale of Two Hostels
building and start up a new business
from scratch.
“Sixty years ago this building housed
two apartments but was vacant for a
long time. It all needed to be brought
up to current codes and meet certain
criteria set forth by the Oficina de
Casco Antiguo, including handicapped
accessibility” Said the personable 31
year old of his project. “I did everything
I could myself, what I didn’t do I
contracted and supervised everything
all the way through the project.”
My room was number one, off the
small downstairs lobby. The lobby
had a TV and a laptop with a good
internet connection free to guests. The
room was Spartan but clean, the bed,
unlike many in Panama, had a fresh
comfortable mattress and a wooden
frame. Historic photos from around the
city were arranged nicely on the walls
and a closet of sorts was available. The
new ceiling fan moved air sufficiently
enough considering the room had no
outside window.
The coldwater bathroom was tiny
but clean and working. After walking
around the area for several hours the
cool shower was actually refreshing.
Like many un air-conditioned room in
the tropics the air was damp, but given
that it is only 100 meters from the bay,
it wasn’t too bad.
Garces took the time to give me
a tour of the 16 room hostel. Seven
rooms were with baths and nine shared.
There was one “dormitory” style room
for the super budget traveler. “The
dormitory room is always the same
price no matter how many people are
in it”. Said Garces who truly intended
this place to be for people traveling on
a budget. By the same token he spoke
A Look at a Book
circle that the names and titles of the
many people described have meaning
mostly to Banana People and their
immediate group.
Some of the detail is so good that
soon your head is buzzing from the
heat and mosquitoes of paddling down
the Changuinola River in a dugout
canoe; or your stomach is wrenching
from dropping 1,000 feet in a very
small aircraft, at night, in a howling
PANAMA EAGLE
Continued from P:3
of one French woman who rented a
room for six months and came and
went as she pleased indicating that he
welcomed long-term stays.
There is a well built kitchen for use
to all guests with a courtyard gathering
place that was the center activity for
guests.
The innkeeper was kind enough
to arrange a pre dawn taxi ride to
Tocumen Airport for me ($20), another
added bonus to the stay. Overall, I
was impressed with my first hostel
experience and would recommend the
Hospedaje Casco Viejo to any adventure
minded traveler on a budget, or anyone
who wants to be totally immersed in
an area rich with history and teeming
with life.
On my return trip I reserved a
room again via email (and received
confirmation) in the 138 year old Lyons
house in San Felipe. My taxi was again
unfamiliar with the place or that there
actually were accommodations in
this ancient part of the city. So far no
hotel chains have invested in this area
that is slowly warming up to tourism.
For centuries it has been a residential
neighborhood that contained a good
portion of the cities historical treasures
including museums, churches, and
government buildings, along with all
of the small services that support a
working class community.
While only two blocks from my
earlier hostel experience, the Lyons
house was a different world. It
is a classic example of crumbling
Spanish colonial building that the
neighborhood is full of. The entrance
is one flight up off Calle de Cordoba.
The second floor landing featured
a caged in reception/office and was
Continued from P:2
thunderstorm.
The terrible massacre of Standard
Fruit Company in 1931 by Sandinistas
in Nicaragua is told in one of the more
solemn stories giving the book a good
balance of the good and bad times
experienced.
The book includes many interesting
tales of the multi-cultural mix that the
banana people are, from Yugoslavs
to Chinese to Costa Rican “Ticos” to
10
offset by a brightly painted and cozy
but very old living room furnished
with seriously beat sofas and chairs.
There was a color TV and a single
internet ready computer with the
common kitchen down a short hall.
The owners and employees here speak
only Spanish so be prepared. I was
shown a choice of rooms and selected
a large one on the third floor hoping
to catch some moving air. In spite of
the traditional high ceilings the rooms
were hot but equipped with ceiling
fans driving me to spend much of my
time seated before the open French
doors that looked out over the street
scene and had obviously had not been
closed in years. The entire atmosphere
of the neighborhood came drifting up
and in. The rooms are sin baño with
a common bath for each floor. The
baths were spartan and ill maintained
but working with cold water.
Small Bits of broken glass and trash
littered the hallways and room, feral
cats skulked about in the hallways this
was definitely a place for the hard core
survival traveler. At $10.00 per night the
Lyons house was for sure the low end of
what accommodations there are in the
San Felipe area of Casco Viejo with the
possible exception of hourly rooms.
A single bed, a rickety table, one
chair and a nightstand furnished the
room. There was a closet. The iron rail
on the balcony was not one to lean
on.
The constant police presence was
on top of potential disturbances from
the homeless and troublemakers
that roamed the street of this poor
neighborhood. Street cleaners appeared
at dark and worked to remove the
debris of the day.
Teribe Indians. It chronicles the manner
in which the banana industry impacted
their lives and families, especially during
times of world crises.
Towards the end of the book Stephens
is able to capture the atmosphere
generated and the effects of the U.S.
Invasion of Panama, which had a
huge impact on the by-then extremely
powerful Chiquita Banana Company.
A group of company executives were
The 138 year old Lyons house
Photo By: R. Manzana
History surrounds the Lyons house
with the Iglesia Catedral Santa Maria
La Antigua just one block away on
the Plaza de la Independencia. Also on
the plaza is the Museo de Historia de
Panama, a relic filled room that details
some of the history of this amazing
area. Several modern new restaurants
are scattered around the area but the
Lyons house is served by a tipico place
on the street level where like most of
the local eateries, it would be hard to
spend more then three dollars.
Did I feel safe? Absolutely but then I
watch my back, pay attention to what
is going on around me, dress down,
don’t wear jewelry and have developed
a way to read and deal with street
people, a good knack to have.
Adventure, super budget travel, not
for everybody but attainable in the San
Felpe area of Panama City’s amazing
Casco Viejo.
staying in the city during the invasion
and were chased down and held at
gunpoint by the radical Batallion de
Dignidad.
Stephens gives lectures of banana
culture and the history of the industry
and lives with his wife Phyllis part of
the year at Hospital Point in Bocas del
Toro, Panama.
Feel the Jazz!!!
Fourth Annual Panama Jazz Festival
January 17-20, 2007 Panama City, Panama
By Roberto Manzana
Saturday in Casco Viejo
T he fourth annual Panama Jazz Fes-
tival was about much more then
several days of music. It was about
education, history, cultural exchange,
and sheer brilliant musicianship, all
based around and saturated with that
illusive vibe that is- Panama.
The four day event kicked off on
Wednesday, January 17th with the”
Noche de Gala” at the incredible
art deco opera house-styled Teatro
Nacional in Casco Viejo. The opening
night festivities were aimed to
entertain the event’s sponsors and
other dignitaries with an opening night
reception following the show. This
year’s festival was dedicated to famous
Panamanian jazz singer Barbara Wilson,
who’s passing we mourned in 2005.
Fittingly enough Reggie Boyce (y Jazz
Effects), trumpeter and long time band
leader for Wilson, was the anchor for
the evening that also included music
from foundation director and multi-
Grammy winner, Danilo Perez, the
incredible seven year old drummer
Milagros Blades, the New England
Conservatory, Berklee College of Music,
and standout Panamanian saxophonist,
Carlos Ubarte.
Thursday’s program, entitled,
“Noche Panamericana”, moved to the
Photo By: Manzana
equally beautiful Teatro Anayansi in
ATLAPA. It was an evening of cultural
blending with the Panamamerican
Big Band under the direction of Victor
“Vitin” Paz with the Universidad
de Panama, and the New England
Conservatory, Berklee College of Music.
Banda Tributo a Chile cooled jazz fans
with their stunning blend of voice and
instrument while experimental harpist
Edmar Castaneda of Columbia set
people on their ear with his trombone
and drum supported set. One of the
evening’s highlights came in the form
of a performance by young artists,
Tony Madruga (12 years old-piano),
Jahaziel Arrocha (17 years old-sax) and
Milagros Blades (7 years old-drums).
These three are well on their way to
being world-class musicians and were
in good company with Danilo Perez
and the other stars of the festival.
Many of the weekend’s performers
did double duty with daytime clinics
and workshops covering a diverse
list of topics that included Musical
production and auditions for the
scholarship program with the New
England Conservatory facility de Bellas
Artes at the Universidad de Panama.
Day three returned to Teatro Anayansi
for “Noches de Reencuentros”. Opening
11
act Nnenna Freelon mesmerized the
packed house with her amazing range
and cool vocal stylings backed up by
Brandon McCune, Wayne Bachelor,
Kinah Boto and Beverly Botsford.
During the quieter parts of her show
you could hear the slow breathing of
the audience almost as one. Beautifully
accented by excellently produced
lighting effects and sound mixing,
Freelon defiantly left her mark on the
third night show, promising more for
the Saturday outdoor event.
After a set change, the reunion part
of the show began with a masterfully
put together super group consisting
of Pianist Danilo Perez, drumming
legend Billy Cobham, a world-class sax
duo consisting of seasoned Latin jazz
professionals Carlos Garnett and Jorge
Sylvester, guitar player turned jazz bass
star Santi Debriano, and former Ruben
Blades/Paquito D’Rivera/Danielo Perez
veteran percussionist Renato Thoms.
The music was seamless and flowing in
spite of the fact that they hadn’t played
together as a group very much at all
in the past and only for a few short
rehearsals for the festival.
Saturday’s change of venue and style
from indoor, ticketed, nighttime show,
to free outdoor daytime festival, proved
a winner. The Plaza Catedral became
transformed into a full festival site for
the day, complete with a full covered
stage with excellent festival sound and
lights. Event sponsors Ricardo Perez
and Movistar took full advantage of
the crowd that grew to an estimated
5,000 with displays, giveaways, and
even a carnival band complete with a
fully costumed carnival dancer.
Reggie Boyce and Jazz Effects with
singer Idania Dowman opened the
show around 3pm, firing up the already
sweltering crowd with a short set,
once again honoring Barbara Wilson.
By sunset he crowd had swelled to
capacity in the 500 year old square
in San Felipe which had taken on the
atmosphere of a really big family party.
The smell of cooking food filled the
square as people gathered in laughing,
dancing groups, some with full dining
room tables, chairs, and canopies.
The tempo of the program escalated
into the night inspired by a fiery set
from the amazing Colombian harpist
Edmar Castendeda, playing a modified
concert harp with acoustic pickups and
accompanied by a fantastic trombone
(Marshall Gilkes), hot drummer (Dave
Silliman), and Andrea Tierra on vocals.
Nneena Freelon returned with a
completely different show from her
cool as ice program of the night before,
pulling out some hot jazz standards and
even a Stevie Wonder cover.
Danilo Perez played some four-
handed piano with twelve year old
Tony Machuca, with backing from
Jahaziel Arrocha on sax, and drummer
Milagros Blades.
The next act, “Mildes”, kicked the
excitement up yet another notch as
this group of young people added a
huge tipico element, so far missing
from the show. The fully costumed
group of 20 took to the stage with
five of them taking over the drumming
chores, led by wiz kid Milagros Blades
in the seat warmed by Billy Cobham.
“Viva Panama” got anyone who was
still seated up on their feet, joining
in on the singing of this Panamanian
anthem. They continued to roll thru a
set of fantastic tipico singing, dancing,
and drumming to the absolute delight
of the culturally mixed crowd, with
singers rotating for each tune.
Other activities during the course
of the weekend included late night
sessions at hot gathering spots Pencas,
and in San Felipe including Platea, and
La Casona. A wonderful photographic
exhibit of Barbara Wilson documenting
the years of her career was hung at
Casa Gongora, also in San Felipe.
Jazz Fan
Photo By: Manzana
PANAMA EAGLE
Ancon Hill Continued from P:16
established neighborhoods in urban the growing shortages of this precious preserving their quality of life and their it - like a previous request to do that
areas around the country - parks liquid around the world - life on our property values, like Vecinos El Cangrejo for the whole of the city - has gone
which should be under expansion, planet. (vecinoselcangrejo@hotmail.com), La unheeded. Among the comments heard
as is being fought for in El Cangrejo, All these activities have had Confederacion de Comunidades de were the desire to define a mechanism,
instead of threatened with shrinkage immediate impacts on Panama City, las Areas Revertidas (Reverted Areas which could later be used as a model
and destruction, to compensate for the visibly and exponentially diminishing Confederation of Communities), for other neighborhoods, to expand
skyrocketing densification of populated its quality of life. Demands continue el Comite ProDefensa de Bosques that neighborhood’s park, rather than
areas - but have now extended to every to pile on to the already overextended Urbanos (Committee to Defend Urban destroy it.
imaginable preserve, including those infrastructure which fails daily in its Forests), (www.caminodecruces.org, Nature’s role in human health, both
previously believed to be “protected” ability to meet the needs of established www.albrook.org, etc.) to name a few, mental and physical, with its effects on
, a term which appears to have lost communities stressed and suffering the speak to the intensity with which these society cannot be denied. We no longer
its true meaning along with words abuses of unnecessary construction problems are being felt and lived in live on the same planet as before which
like “development”, “investment” and activity imposed upon them without communities around the capital. The seemed to have the unlimited ability to
“progress” for us here. the requisite resident participation same thing echoes around the country. heal from our abuses and destructive
The entire watershed of the described by law and civilized Listening to residents during Town actions. Today Panama is a microcosm
Panama Canal has now also become behavior. Halls - like the one held on the 23rd of this very situation, yet, with every
fair game in this growing war. With Established city planning, norms of January in El Cangrejo’s only park, opportunity to show the world how
an inconceivable and unjustifiable and codes are disregarded and activity with members of the Government and things can be done responsibly, and
change in law, furtively approved by proceeds without any appropriate or attended by more than 500 people properly, if we can manage to regain our
the Legislative Assembly under cover rational planning framework, and with - citizens defined with precision common sense and halt the destructive
of darkness during special “urgent” no established - or effective - course of what they urgently require from the frenzy that reigns here today.
sessions held during the dying hours appeal. Government to maintain their mental Ancon Hill will continue to unify its
of 2006, the immediate urbanization Thankfully, Ancon Hill’s power to and physical health, demanding respect defenders. Silently reminding us of the
of the entire reserve has - essentially - unify thinking human beings has not and the enforcing of laws to bring love we all feel for this little jeweled
been permitted. peaked. order to the chaotic state in their areas. strip of our planet. Majestically holding
This latest attack, against not only Groups are banding together given Their distress is palpable in the face of out hope that truth, intelligence
public health - by placing Panama’s most the urgency of this crisis which is, the overwhelming economic power and the common good will supplant
significant source of drinking water and fundamentally, one of public health represented by the ill-conceived, poorly- misdirected private interests which,
one of the largest fresh water reserves and which is spreading across the controlled, and often unnecessary because of the buzz received from
in the world at risk - but also against nation. Citizens advocating for the projects threatening their environment their frenetic and even avaricious pace
the economic future of the country, intelligent development of Panama City and rapidly destroying all that has been or possibly simply due toignorance,
not to mention the priceless loss of (www.AlianzaProCiudad.org), those achieved in Panama over years of hard fail to recognize the negarive impact
irreplaceable natural diversity, is a crime keeping watch over Ancon Hill ( www. work and personal investment, while their decisions have on the whole of
against our planet and has catalyzed cerroancon.com), groups fighting to protests and appeals are ignored. a community. A community to which,
disparate groups, serving to unify them saving and expanding their established An immediate moratorium was they too by sharing the planet, also
further. This change in law threatens neighborhood parks like the Amigos requested during that meeting to allow belong. Ancon Hill will not allow us to
Panama’s ecological balance, the well- del Parque Andres Bello (“Friends of the neighborhood to be brought back forget.
being of all its communities and - given Andres Bello Park” - Via Argentina) and in to some semblance of control, but

Harpy Eagles Continued from P:1

for tearing hair-covered hide and thick
flesh.
All raptor talons are more like
machines than flexible fingers. When a
raptor clenches its talons around prey,
they are not able to just let go. Rather
a ratchet-like release, which takes a
few minutes, is what makes the grip of
talons so powerful.
A friend of mine used to work in
a zoo where she became particularly
fond of a Harpy Eagle. She would
often take him on rounds with her
to feed the other birds. She reported
that one day as she and the bird were
making rounds the eagle spotted a
squirrel within striking distance. He lit
off her shoulder, but was caught by the
leathers tethering him to my friend, so
he was forced to abruptly return to her
shoulder.
Unfortunately, the ratchet
mechanism of the eagle’s talons had
already kicked in. Even though my
friend had a leather protection pad
on her shoulder, the eagle’s talons
ratcheted into her shoulder and into her
flesh making my friend fall to her knees
in pain. All she could do was wait for
the talons of her feathered friend relax,
which took several minutes. The lady
keeper still sports the scars from some
20 years ago.
In 1999, eight nesting pairs of Harpy
Eagles were recorded in Panama. They
build huge nests of large sticks above
the canopy of the jungle. The nests are
well built and may contain more than
400 pounds of wood. They choose the
tallest tree in their territory and use the
highest crutch of the tree to secure the
base of the nest. The nesting pair will
very often bring new, green twigs and
leaves to the nest, and it’s believed
this behavior works to rid the nest of
parasites.
Approximately every three years the
female will lay two eggs. Incubation
is about two months, but usually only
one egg hatches. Young Harpy Eagles
fledge at about six months of age, but
remain in their parents’ territory for
about a year.
The call of the Harpy Eagle includes
a series of long whistles and short
clicks. Adults will sometimes clatter
their beaks to tweak the feeding frenzy
of their chick.
Harpy Eagles are one of the most
magnificent, powerful birds of prey.
Spotting one in the wild would be the
opportunity of a lifetime since there
are so few of them.

PANAMA EAGLE 12
Tourism Rally Chiriquí 2007
to get than petroleum. The motors of
many of these cars have been adjusted,
or modified, to function with the refined
fuel. And it is precisely in Cuba where
one can appreciate many of those cars
that for us are of collector’s items and
for some a ‘rarity’.
Here in Panama, Mr. Jaime Claramun,
of Autopista Magazine, kindly shared
with us information about these events
that were held in previous years. The
Classic car club was founded in 1996
and from that time one they have
organized trips, exhibitions and Rallies
in Panama.
The first Rally was organized together
with Costa Rica and they invited cars
from all of South America using the
Ferry Crucero Express. The participants
were 17 cars from Colombia, one from
Ecuador, and three from Costa Rica and
Panama each. The winner of the event
was the Colombian Camilo Steuer
with a Porsche 356 from 1957. The
road that was used was from Panama
City to Bambito the first day and from
Bambito to San Jose de second day.
For the year 2000 they resumed
the events and increased the number
of participants and enthusiasts. They
English Radio in Panama
interviews and announcements. Two
other shows are on their schedule -
“Drivetime ” with John Wolf (Mondays,
6-7pm), and “Your Weekend Starts
Here” with James Sebastian (Fridays,
6-7pm).
The website goes on to say that
negotiations are currently underway to
extend the English broadcasting hours
throughout the week and The PBC
is currently processing the necessary
applications for operating its own
station. So hopefully before long we’ll
be listening to full time English radio
from the PBC. In the meantime they also
offer streaming audio of the Sunday
Night show from their website at www.
on-the-radio.com/on-the-radio-2.html.
Up in the hills of Chiriqui there are
also a couple of growing operations.
M.E.T.O. Boquete is a long established
radio station broadcasting on 103.5
FM from studios in David.
However in 2005 they started a
weekly “Spanglish show”, hosted by
Continued from P:5
renew the theme of the Rally and the
magazine AUTOPISTA sponsored the
event. The result was that the number
of members of the club increased to
over 100 than actually registered.
In March 2003 was the first Classic
Rally, organized by AUTOPISTA, in
which sixteen vehicles participated. The
winner was Guillermo Ronderos and
his sons with a Mercedes from 1965.
In October of that same year the first
Rally Autopista was held for two hours
in Panama City in which 38 participants
were entered and the winners were
Vicente Recuero and Roider Castrellin,
with a Porsche 911 from 1972.
Since then, they have held between
one and two rallies every year with 20
and 30 cars in each.
Mr. Claramun mentioned to us that
from the beginning of the Rallies they
have set up a system in which a book
of instructions is used to establish the
route that must be followed and which
no participant knows in advance.
The books consist of photos so that
cars without instruments can also
participate in the rally. During the route
there are set times for each portion
and in certain points during the route
Continued from P:16
some lively, fluently bilingual MCs, that
airs every Saturday from 2-4pm. The
program is a mix of announcements,
interviews, commercials, banter and
occasionally live music. It’s almost
always done remotely from somewhere
in or around Boquete. One week it will
be at the Feria, the next at a restaurant,
then at the CEFATI building, etc. The
public is invited to come and participate
and local groups send representatives
to make their own announcements
and pitches for charities, concerts,
performances, etc. It’s done in a
mixture of English and Spanish so the
whole community can understand.
You can catch the Spanglish show
live on the radio if you’re in Chiriqui,
but if not they also stream it live over
the internet at www.altiva.com/. And if
you’re busy on Saturday afternoon it’s
usually recorded and uploaded to the
website of our sister newspaper, the
Noticias Bajareque Times, where you
can either stream it or add it to your
13
there are hidden persons checking
those times.
To determine the winner, for each
second that one of the cars passes
another it accumulates a point. In
the end the winner is the one that
accumulates the least points during
the route. There is also a handicap
system which multiplies the final point
by 1.XX where XX is the year of the
car. For example a Ford A from 1930
multiplies the point by 1.30, while a
Ford Mustang from 1970 multiplies by
1.70. The Tourism Rally Chiriquí 2007,
which is being held in conjunction with
clubs in Costa Rica, is the second of its
kind. In the neighboring countries these
events occur six times a year and about
80 models participate each time. They
even have a championship, informs us
Mr. Claramun.
In Mr.
Claramun
own words,
in addition
to the Rally,
which is the
competitive
part of the
event there
podcast playlist for later enjoyment:
www.boquete-bajareque-times.
com/. Click on the Podcast Page link in
the left navbar .
Also in Boquete is a pure internet
broadcaster called Gateway to Panama.
Formed by a group of expats, it has a
sound studio in downtown Boquete
from which they record their show,
Window 2 Panama. This is an hour-long
show which is recorded each Tuesday. It
features interviews with guests from the
business and public sectors of Panama
and is aimed mainly at people who live
outside Panama and are considering
moving or visiting. Nevertheless these
shows can be quite useful for the
residents as well since much of the
information is about current events and
conditions in Panama.
The show is hosted by Jim Sayers
and Elizabeth Worley and engineered
by Howard Hill.
It’s not broadcast on radio, but is
instead looped and fed continuously
will be a meeting with cars of both
countries and El Salvador, where we
hope that some cars of Chiriquí are
included. There has already been some
contact made with local participants.
To be part of this rally you only have to
bring a car older than 1987.
Boquete relives its history and creates
new memories with the realization of
this event. Locals and foreigners can
appreciate the well preserved models
of the antique car lovers, some of
which are over 20 to 25 years old.
Other cars can also be appreciated and
are often cheered by many and chosen
as winners or favorites.
Congratulations to the organizing
group for choosing Chiriquí and
especially Boquete for this event which
for us is a unique pleasure.
by internet to Miami where it is
streamed to the internet. You can
listen anytime by going to the website
(window2panama.com) and clicking
on the “Live Streaming” link.
Gateway has ambitious expansion
plans too. They’re trying to get together
a fishing/boating/sailing show, a coffee
show, and various other programs of
local content.
Eventually they hope to fill up their
broadcasting day with a plethora of
new shows catering to all different
interest groups. Of course then they
won’t be able to repeat the same show
over and over all day so they’re looking
to podcasting to provide access to
people who can’t catch the shows live
or during a scheduled rebroadcast.
All in all it sounds like things are
looking up for English-language audio
programming in Panama. There’s lots of
local talent here and before long we’ll
be able to enjoy it almost anywhere
and any time.
PANAMA EAGLE
 CLASSIFIEDS •
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20 hrs. of JUNGLE TRAILS.
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PANAMA EAGLE
Phone: 6714-4007  Fax:720-1451  Email: clasads@panamaeagle.com
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call. Lenny Joyner: 6530-
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400
Real Estate
for Rent
Two bedroom house apar-
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bright. 10 mins. from Bo-
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Call 6574-3677 * hbasko@
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30ft Airstream trailer for rent.
$500/mo.+deposit +mo-
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while your house is being
built. 6444-7375 or email
gregkirchgessner@hotmail.
com. “Will email photos”
Three bedroom house.
Modern, clean and bright,
spectacular view over-
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Call 6574-3677 * hbasko@
hotmail.com
Three bedroom townhouse
in Valle Escondido overloo-
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views, convenient location,.
See www.villa12.info for
photos and full details
For Rent: New modern
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in Volcancito; for single,
mature, responsible adult.
Long term beginning March
1. Non smoking; no pets.
Fully furnished. Direct TV. In-
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Bonnie: 6589-0259 (Boque-
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Office for rent in the Main
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spaces. $575.00 per month!
Contact: Lisca@panama-
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500
Real Estate
for sale
Boquete Centre View Lot:
An Excellent Investment.
Only 2 min.from Main St.
Suitable for condominiums,
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residence, hotel, commer-
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ity. $10,260 sq.mt. Priced
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$ 53,000.00 for 2 HOUSES,
clean and simple, 1,295
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Laura Pedreschi at 6613-
1863, www.barurealty.com
$ 65,000.00 HOUSE, , 3
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800 mts2 lot in Volcán.
Contact: Laura Pedreschi at
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Sell in Volcan, one lot +
- 7,660 sqm. (2 acress) at
$10.00 meter. 6613-1863 /
6483-6524
Valle Escondido Villa For
Sale. 3 Bedroom 3 bath
with Loft, wrap around
Terrace, private downstairs
entrance. Large room for
home gym or 4th bedroom
plus extra storage room or
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per sq ft. in Valle Escondido.
720-2395
95,000.00 HOUSE, 2
bedrooms/1 bathroom with
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in Volcán. Contact: Laura
Pedreschi at 6613-1863,
www.barurealty.com
$325,000 HOUSE, 3 bed-
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in 3,670 mts2 property in
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Laura Pedreschi at 6613-
1863, www.barurealty.
com
FOR SALE: Classic country
house 30 minutes from PC
on large lake. Please view
our website for pictures and
details: panamapropertyfor-
sale.net
For Sale – Lot in Boquete
$25.00 m2 . 2506m2. cel:
6674-1598
Beautiful lot in Potrerillos
Abajo near The Zapadora,
nice area. Good road, water
and electric to property.
Lovely old growth trees
and excellent building sites.
3,000 sq.mt. $30,000. Call
6616-4462 / 6616-5244.
$ 45,000.00 LAND, 1.5
hectares, road, electricity,
water, creek, close to town
of Volcán. Contact: Laura
14
Pedreschi at 6613-1863
www.barurealty.com
House for Sale in David.
Nice area. For business too.
3 room, 2 bath. 718 sft.
For more informations call:
6706-9727
FOR SALE 9 year old Ameri-
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Arriba, Chiriqui area on
5,000 meters titled property.
Private setting with many
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utes from David. Will subdi-
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Last lot out of 3! 11/2 + HA
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Terrific views to the endless
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Property with ID #:A253
web page: http://www.
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view lot 10,200 sq.mt. Ask-
ing $18,00/mt. Gateway
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view lot 10,200 sq.mt. Ask-
ing $18,00/mt. Gateway
Panama Realty 6672-5151
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Contact: Laura Pedreschi at
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$304,000.00 BED AND
BREAKFAST, 2 houses, next
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Información 6687-1607.
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700
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FOR SALE. Canadian Treat
pine. CANSTRUCT S.A.
Estación Prime. Coquito. Via
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6701-0494 / 6530-3053
Around Panama Photo by R Boyd

15 PANAMA EAGLE
Ancon Hill -- Symbol of Unity, Symbol of Hope
By: Leila Shelton-Louhi
A mong the many familiar images
of Panama City - symbolic given
their national, historic, patriotic, eco-
nomic or ecologic importance A par-
ticular national monument, imposing
and more ancient than the existence of
humanity itself , draws our eyes like a
magnet whenever we find ourselves in
the city.
This multi-faceted symbol known
as Ancon Hill serves as a peaceful
backdrop to our daily lives, providing
more profound psychological respite
from our harried daily lives than we
consciously appreciate. It speaks
for resilience, a symbolic and real
testament to nature’s creative power
which demands our respect, and it
stands for its particular role in Panama’s
history --reinvented over the centuries
- and encompassing not only this
nation’s relatively short life, but our
planet’s immeasurable timespan and
its countless varieties of life with which
we co-exist and of which we are, but
one.
Added to its role as a national park,
Ancon Hill is a symbol of hope and
English Radio in Panama
By Staff
The Spanglish Show on stage at the
Boquete Feria
Photo By: Staff
U p until recently if you wanted to
listen to English language radio in
Panama you were pretty much limited
to US, Canadian and British stations that
streamed their shows over the inter-
net. No local content to be found. But
things are now changing. Several star-
tups in Panama are getting a toehold
in the broadcasting market here and
pretty soon we can look forward to
PANAMA EAGLE
power; calling beyond patriotism to
include the unique human story that
continues evolving here; demanding
its place among the geologic structures
that form the Isthmus of Panama and
planting in us an inescapable love of this
physical place in which we live. By its
very shape - evoking images of a human
lung - it reminds us of its potency as a
symbol of nature and of the importance
of preserving that greenery so crucial
to purifying our air, and it urges us to
meet our commitment to preserve and
sustain our mutual well-being.
Over the past three years, Ancon Hill
has been transformed into a unifying
symbol for Panamanians and others
striving for structured development Symbol of Unity-Symbol of Hope
Photo By: R. Boyd
in Panama providing true progress for
the nation through wise investments organized to protect it. They gained It is alarming how many green spaces
that consider the collective well-being strength as other groups - battling to - of equal importance to our physical
of not only this country’s people and maintain a balance between human and mental health - around the entire
environment, but of the world. activities and the necessary limitations country of Panama are under attack
This transformation began when to those destroying the environment today. These morally reprehensible,
Ancon Hill became the victim of a that sustains us - offered their support, and even criminally censurable, acts
cynical attempt against its preservation. attending rallies such as the annual include not only damages to the
Citizens, watching out for this nature walk, which took place for the few and small parks in some of the
quintessentially Isthmanian landmark, third year this past 9th of January. Continued on P:12
appreciated as young adults. However,
we have elements of Panamanian,
Latin American and Caribbean music
that were never part of that scene.
lots of English language programming
Invent a name for the format if you
with Panamanian content. Here’s what
must, but it’s something you won’t find
we came up with after a quick investi-
anywhere else on Panamanian radio.
gation:
Nor, if you are living abroad and are
Seems like Eric Jackson has been
interested in Panama, is our unique mix Jim Sayers in the sound studio of
around forever. His Panama News just
of talk and music anything like what Window2Panama
hit the ten-year-old mark and now
you will find where you are living.” Photo By: Staff
the gadfly of Panamanian politics has
The shows started in late October purpose of bringing English language
started off on a new venture - a radio
of last year and air twice a week on programming to Panamanian Radio
show. To quote his website, “The
Radio Libre (870 AM) - Mondays and and Television. The philosophy is to
Wappin’ Radio Show is typically about
Fridays at 6-7 pm. The latest show is Inform, Entertain and Educate. The
one-quarter talk and three-quarters
always available by audio stream on programming has started by securing
music. On the talk side of it we bring
the internet at www.thepanamanews. two hours on Sunday evenings with
you the main stories from Panama
and usually a little bit longer piece
on a major story in the Latin America
com/Wappin.html. “Wappin’”, by
the way, is Panamanian Spanglish for
Radio Metropolis on FM frequency
93.5.” The “Sunday Night at the
“What’s happening?”. Metropolis” shows started on the
and Caribbean region. The music is an
First off the mark, however, was first of October 2006 and are hosted
eclectic mix in some ways reminiscent
the Panama Broadcasting Corporation. by Gerry D with a mellifluous British
of the old free form radio in the USA
Their rather ambitious mission accent and with news by John Mack.
before the corporations took over and
statement (quoting from their web They consist of rock ‘n’ roll oldies
segregated it into rigid formats. We
page) states “The Panama Broadcasting mixed with news and occasionally
mostly play older music with which the
Corporation was formed with the
Baby Boomer generation grew up and Continued on P:13
16