10th of September Celebration kicked of in San Pedro

With the awaiting ceremony in Central Park for the coronation, the ceremony commenced at 9am. Students from different schools lined up in various groups to represent their schools.  On August 30th, Michelle Estrella Nuñez was Selected during the Annual Miss San Pedro Pageant. She was crown in Central Park during the ceremony on Wednesday September 10th and the other contestants Ramon’s Village Resort Michelle Nuñez was joined onstage by Doris Soriano sponsored by Diamante, Elma Gonzalez sponsored by Castillo’s Hardware, Daphney Panti sponsored by Fido’s Restaurant and Bar, Illeny Aguilar sponsored by Captain Sharks and Janelli Ack sponsored by Jaguar’s Temple where present at the ceremony and where given certificates and a gift. Each contestants where presented by each Town Council on stage. 

As the weather hold up for the ceremony and the parade, it was less worried to mentioned the that it was no waiting for the rainy, but I enjoyed watching the parade. The good thing though it did not rain too hard. As the parade started by its respective order, it took nearly 10 minutes for the commencement of the school parade. It was fun to watch the children having fun in their respective school and various number of bands playing on the parade the 10th of September Song. I've met a few people (TOURISTS) asking me for a bit of history about Belize while watching the parade.  I explained  to them the history of how the tenth of September become a holiday which is celebrated today. And their willing to come back next year. I hope to see next time my friends!

Well, as it was worth standing on a warm peaceful day I'm looking forward for the 21st of September which we are just getting started with the celebration. Who is ready for the 21st? Are you? Well here are some photo's I took while standing and enjoy my day in San Pedro while watching the parade in the Beautiful La Isla Bonita. Do enjoy the photos.

Coronation at the park  Ramon’s Village Resort Michelle Nuñez

The crowd in tune of the speech

Children watching the stage 

The crowd stood on a side to watch the parade 

Happy 10th of September and a 33rd years (216th) of service of Independence to all Belize

The Tenth Day of September (Song)

It was the 10th day of September
In ninety-eight Anno Domini
when our fore-fathers
won the glorious fight
at Old St. George's Caye
Hip! Hip! Hurrah. Hip! Hip! Hurrah.
Then hail them - cheer them.
Let our grateful loyal hearts not fail them,
as we march and sing and shout in merry glee
The Battle of St. George's Caye.
Hip! Hip! Hurrah. Hip! Hip! Hurrah.

History of St. George's Caye Day:
In 1796 England and Spain went to formal war and the Spanish made a determined effort to free the area from the unwelcome English. A Spanish naval force was sent from Campechy, Yucatan in the summer of 1798 against the settlement at the Belize River, but the English learned of their intent and repulsed them from fortifications on St. Georges Caye.

England was victorious in the war against Spain and this was the last Spanish attempt to dislodge the English. In the 1800's the influence of Spain both on the seas and in the New World ebbed, and in the 1820's Spanish possessions in Central America achieved independence. With this independence, Great Britain concluded new treaties to secure British sovereignty over Belize. Great Britain and Guatemala were not able to come to formal agreement on the British jurisdiction over Belize, but the present boundaries were set in 1859 between Britain and Guatemala.

In 1862, Belize became a British Crown Colony and with the granting of independence in 1981, the existence of Belize as a legal entity was secured.

Copa Centroamericana Team stays tie and a shocking winner El Salvador

The 2014 Copa Centroamericana kicked off Wednesday, and it is being played for the first time in the United States. Be sure to check up on FutbolMLS.com's Copa Centroamericana homepage for the latest information on the tournament.

Panama 2, Costa Rica 2

FC Dallas forward Blas Pérez got La Roja on the board first, and Panama took a 2-0 lead into the late stages but could not hold off the Ticos. Johan Vanegas and Celso Borges (via the penalty spot) each scored in the final 10 minutes to level the score. Pérez and LA Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo went the distance for Panama, while Portland winger Rodney Wallace played 53 minutes for Costa Rica. Panama now needs a four-goal win over Nicaragua to win Group B and advance to the final.

Guatemala 2, Belize 1

La Bicolor made harder work of it than they should have but held on to beat Belize 2-1. Former MLS striker Carlos Ruiz got the opener for Guatemala, while Sounders winger Marco Pappa went 77 minutes in the victory and Marvin Ávila scored what proved to be the decisive goal. The lone Belize strike came from Deon McCaulay, who was the world-wide top goalscorer in qualification for the 2014 World Cup and has trialed with multiple MLS teams.

Honduras 0, El Salvador 1

Vancouver Whitecaps defender Johnny Leverón and Los Catrachos found themselves on the wrong end of a surprising scoreline, falling 1-0 to El Salvador on a goal from San Antonio Scorpions midfielder Richard Menjivar. Leverón went the distance on the Honduras backline

An Eye Opener view: Residents help impoverished Belizean villages, learn life lessons

Fallon Simmons — pictured during a recent mission with Belizean children — helped 16 North Okaloosa volunteers provide health care to people in seven impoverished villages. “After getting (to) see the poverty these people lived in, all I wanted to do was help them out even more," the registered nurse said.

A recent health care mission in Belize was eye opening for several North Okaloosa residents.  

Seventeen volunteers spent a week in the Central American country providing clinical treatments, supplies and health education to people in seven impoverished villages.

Although several volunteers, including organizer Dr. Joseph Peters, were already aware of the area's health care needs, a number of first-time participants — who arrived Aug. 27 and returned last week — said the experience was memorable. 

“After getting (to) see the poverty these people lived in, all I wanted to do was help them out even more,” Fallon Simmons, a Crestview registered nurse, said in an email.

Volunteers evaluated and administered physicals to adults and children, and physicians prescribed any necessary medications, Simmons said.

“The thing I enjoyed most from this trip was seeing just how appreciative these people were that we came to help them,” she stated. “They all were so kind and polite at all times. They are willing to walk for miles away just to be seen for an hour by some doctors and nurses.”

Sharlene Cox, who said she helped register nearly 650 people for health screenings, noticed the change in culture.

Belize VS Guatemala to play tonight in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas

Cosmos midfielder Andres Flores and his El Salvadoran teammates will have a lot to make up after they dropped a 2-1 decision to Guatemala in the first game for both sides at the Central American Cup at RFK Stadium Wednesday night.

Seattle Sounders midfielder Marco Pappa scored twice -- a goal in each half to lead the Guatemalans. Rafael Burgos tallied El Salvador's lone goal.

Flores, who is on loan to the Cosmos from Isidro Metapan (El Salvador), captained his national team.


Guatemala has never lost to El Salvador in 10 CCA matches, improving to 6-4-0.

In contrast to the nine previous meetings in which eight goals were recorded, this game was a high-scoring affair.

The top five teams from the seven-team competition will qualify for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, while the sixth-place team will meet the fifth-place side in the Caribbean Cup for a spot in the Gold Cup.

Guatemala next plays Belize at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas Sunday, while El Salvador meets Honduras later that day in the same venue.

This is the first ever worlds championship gold medal Belize has ever won in any discipline or sporting event

Veteran footballer, track & field, and body building athlete, Daland Jones won the Gold medal in Shot Put, beating the American Jerry Ropelato at the North, Central American and Caribbean World Masters Athletics (NCCWMA) Championship, held in San Jose, Costa Rica that was held from August 21-24.

Three most experienced veterans athletes from Belize travelled to Costa Rica for the event. Philip Andrewin, in the Masters on the 65th category (65 – 69 yrs), took went up to participate on the 100m, 200m, High Jump, Long Jump and Shot Put. Lawrence Craig, in the Masters 55 category (55 – 59 yrs), represented in Shot Put, High Jump, and for the first time won the Silver medal in the Triple Jump. (Lawrence was on 4th place in the Shot Put in his category.) In the Masters 55 category (55-59yrs) Daland Jones took part on the Discus, Javelin, and won the Gold medal in the Shot Put. On the top 4 Masters 5 finishers played in the Shot Put were Daland Jones (Belize, 10.44m), Jerry Ropelato (USA, 10.36m), James Bristol (Trinidad & Tobago, 10.34m), and Lawrence Craig (Belize, 9.05m).

“When a group of mostly Costa Rican fans saw the chart with Belize leading in the Shot Put, they began cheering for Belize. They were chanting ‘Be-lice! Be-lice!’; and when the second place American made his final throw, and they saw I had won, they erupted in an even louder chant and celebration for Belize. It was an awesome feeling, seeing the Belize flag above all others, and I was emotional and humbled to be able to win the Gold for my country.” In winning the Gold for Belize, Daland said he had entered to participate in the World Championships in Leon, France, in August, 2015.

"The NCCWMA had competitors from all over," said Daland, as it was the first hemispheric masters championship. One of the largest groups in the competition was from Costa Rica, followed by the USA, and then Canada. Some Athletes where invited for next year's outside region for this event in the World Championship in France, which will actually have representation from all nations.

Former Immigration Director removed for being Honest in the passport department

Wikileaks cables show that former Immigration Director Gareth Murillo was aware about the political pressure to allow Chinese Immigrants travel to Belize via Cuba. Murillo made contacts with the US State Department regarding corruption in the Immigration Department.

1. (C) SUMMARY: On June 21, 2007, Gareth Murillo, Director of Immigration, met with RSO Belmopan to share information re a suspected corrupt Immigration Officer assisting a Cuban with a counterfeit Guatemalan passport and U.S. visa, and the political pressure to issue visas to Chinese (and the flow of Chinese through Cuba). END SUMMARY. 

2. (SBU) Director of Immigration Gareth Murillo requested a meeting with RSO Belmopan the afternoon of June 21, 2007. In the meeting, he presented photocopies of a Guatemalan passport and a U.S. visa for Juan Emelio PINEDA GUZMAN (SUBJECT). Murillo stated SUBJECT was Cuban, and had been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Miami on June 16 because both the passport and visa were counterfeit. SUBJECT had departed Belize that day via 

American Airlines to Miami. 

3. (SBU) Murillo stated American Airlines had been approached by U.S. ICE with the potential of being fined for allowing a blatant counterfeit document through. The American agent at the airport in Belize City reported that he remembered SUBJECT going through the checkpoint, but that he was 

escorted by a Belize Immigration Officer, N.Z. Murillo said Z. had long been suspected of corruption, 

and asked if ICE could obtain a statement from SUBJECT that could be used to fire Z. RSO told Murillo such an attempt would be made, and asked if charges would be brought; Murrillo stated if a sworn statement had enough evidence, he would attempt to charge the officer. 

4. (C) Murillo also spoke of the political pressure to grant visas to Chinese and Cubans. Many, he said, come through Cuba. He stated he would ask "those in position" to stop putting such pressure to grant so many visas to Chinese, due to the overwhelming workload and inability to screen the 

applicants. (Belize is a human smuggling transit point, and it is widely believed that large numbers of Chinese are moving through Belize with the sanction of politicians.) RSO asked Murillo how many came through Cuba, and he said he was unsure. RSO asked if he would provide that information, and he replied that he would. It has now been one week, and in each contact since Murillo has not had that information. 

5. (SBU) Following the meeting with Murillo, RSO contacted Miami Field Office (DS/FLD/MFO) re obtaining a statement from SUBJECT. Special Agent Fernando Cepeda contacted Immigration 

officers at Miami Airport, and confirmed SUBJECT's arrival, detention, and release. An address for SUBJECT has been obtained, and SA Cepeda is attempting to contact SUBJECT to obtain a statement re Zelaya. 

6. (C) RSO believes Murillo's assistance and commitment is limited, and does not expect accurate numbers of visas issued from the Belizean Embassy in Cuba. 

7. (U) Point of Contact for this cable is Patrick Harms, RSO, Belmopan, 501-822-4011, ext 4007. 

MMTS is coming to Belize!

The Music, Model and Talent Showcase of the Islands (MMTS) is an exclusive event where international agents and industry executives journey to The Bahamas to scout entertainment, acting and modeling talent from the Caribbean region.

MMTS brings together top industry professionals from across the globe, whose business is to identify and develop future stars!

MMTS has created an annual, week-long conference which consists of music, modeling and acting. Top fashion and talent scouts, personal managers, casting directors, booking agents, record labels and music producers judge MMTS competitions and conduct seminars while searching for new singers, producers and songwriters as well as models and actors to work in the entertainment and fashion industries.

•Beginning August 2014 there will be 37 castings spread across 23 countries in the The Bahamas and The Caribbean culminating in our week-long Conference July 13-19, 2015.
•All of the Auditions are FREE, so check our Event Calendar for a Casting Call near you.
•If you are male or female, between the ages of 5 and 65 there is a category for you whether you are a petite or plus model, actor, singer, songwriter, producer, singing group or band.

MMTS is a one-of-a-kind event for the islands, and is the only modeling and talent showcase in the world specifically targeting the Caribbean market, and we are taking Caribbean Talent to the World!

If you would like more information you may contact, Will Moreno, the Managing Director of Nouveau Model Management in Belize who is the Official MMTS Belize Regional Director.

Tickets available at islandmmts.com 
Saturday, October 4 at 12:00pm in UTC-06
At the Radission Fort George Hotel and Marina, Belize

Press Release - The Ministry of Health announces Food Borne Research study

Last week the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Belize and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) presented the results of the Burden of Illness (BOI) research study on Acute Gastroenteritis and causes of Food Borne Illness in Belize.

The study launched in September 2012 and was aimed at estimating the proportion of the population suffering from Acute Gastroenteritis (AGI), also known as stomach flu, at a specific time period while also estimating the economic burden the disease has on the public health system. In addition, the study investigated the more common biological agents transmitted through food and water which cause foodborne illnesses in Belize.

A total of 2,901 questionnaires were completed from the 3,110 households sampled, with a response rate of 93.6%. The results showed that the prevalence of self-reporting Acute Gastroenteritis was 7.1% for the period September – October, 2012 (low AGI season) and April – May 2013 (high AGI season). 

The predominant biological agents contributing to the disease and other related illnesses over the study period were parasites; however, the highest burden was found for Rotavirus infections. The highest monthly prevalence of cases of AGI came from the Cayo District followed by the Belize District. The burden of AGI on the public health system was estimated at BZ$6.2 Million annually taking into consideration basic medical services, supplies, hospitalization as well as working days lost and the need for caregiver services.

Foodborne infections are linked to a significant number of illnesses and deaths worldwide. Studies have shown that 70% of diarrheal diseases are foodborne. Research also shows that cases are not reported to the health system. The results of this survey provide evidence that the estimated health burden of AGI and other foodborne diseases are significantly higher than what is reported to the Ministry of Health.

The results will be used for targeted interventions in food safety and improvements in underreporting at the laboratory level.For more Information contact: Englebert Emmanuel Burden of Illness Coordinator/ Director of License Accreditation Ministry of Health 822-2325

Ruins in the jungle and plentiful sea life await visitors in the tiny place called Belize

A modern copy of an ancient frieze adorns El Castillo at the Xunantunich complex of Mayan ruins in Belize. The jungle city was built up over millennia. The nation’s Institute of Archaeology says Belize is home to more prehistoric buildings than modern-day ones.

SAN IGNACIO, Belize — The same turquoise waters that lure tourists to Caribbean destinations slosh around Belize’s island chain. But tiny Belize has a major advantage in reeling in the holidaymakers — spectacular Mayan ruins tucked away in lush jungle. The nation is home to more prehistoric buildings than modern-day ones, according to its Institute of Archaeology.

That ancient appeal draws in backpackers eager for adventure as well as divers ready to gawk at its bustling reefs or plunge into its famed Blue Hole. Belize has all the ingredients for a surf and turf vacation — at least for those who don’t mind the odd giant cockroach or neon green frog that might invade their jungle dwellings.

Caye Caulker is a laid-back island that caters to budget tourists who want to explore Belize’s nearby barrier reef. The island is crowded with tour companies that ferry visitors to reef hot spots. Snorkelers can see fish, of course, but also squid, octopus, lobster and crabs.

CAVES AND SKELETONS

Evidence of human sacrifice in Mayan times litters the floors of the Actun Tunichil Muknal caves, where the skeletons are welded in place by limestone sediment. Mayan pottery is also frozen in time there. To get to the caves, visitors are led down a gentle jungle trail that includes several river crossings. Next comes an invigorating swim across a frigid pool of water at the cave’s mouth. Water winds throughout the cave, and visitors have to squeeze through impossible-looking openings before being rewarded with the archaeological trove.

PYRAMID IN THE JUNGLE

Just a fraction of Caracol, a once-powerful Mayan city state, has been unearthed by archaeologists. Once home to 150,000 inhabitants (nearly twice the population of Belize’s current industrial center, Belize City), the site was lost until a logger stumbled upon it in the 1930s. Shards of ancient pottery are scattered around the complex, which includes astronomical buildings, ball courts, palaces and a 141-foot-tall pyramid.

STONE WOMAN

This complex of ruins got its Mayan name, Xunantunich — meaning “Stone Woman” — from a sun-soaked apparition said to haunt the site. The city was built up over millennia and its history is sketched out neatly at the newly opened visitor center. At the site itself, the main attraction is the ruin known as El Castillo, which towers above the jungle. Four stucco friezes depicting Mayan gods once hugged each side of the building. Now just two remain, and they’re both covered up by fiberglass copies to preserve the originals.

PALACE

Even from its perch high up on a hill, Cahal Pech lives in the shadow of its more impressive neighbors, Caracol, Xunantunich and Tikal. Cahal Pech — which unflatteringly means “Place of the Ticks” in Yucatec and Mopan Mayan — sits on the outskirts of San Ignacio, a popular base for those exploring Mayan ruins. Under the cover of an encroaching jungle, visitors can get a glimpse of how the upper crust lived in Mayan times through the site’s palace structures.

BARRIER REEF

Caye Caulker is a sandy strip of land surrounded by a bounty of sea life. The more laid-back alternative to San Pedro provides a base for the thriftier tourist looking to explore Belize’s nearby barrier reef. The island is crowded with tour companies that ferry visitors to reef hot spots, such as the intimidating Shark Ray Alley.

Eerie night snorkeling affords an opportunity to watch the fish scurry to find a home among the reef before darkness falls. When things do turn truly nocturnal, snorkelers armed with underwater LEDs have an opportunity to spot squid, octopus, lobster and crabs.

IGUANA PROJECT

Iguana scurry all over San Ignacio thanks in part to the efforts of the Iguana Project, which hatches and releases the critters whose eggs are regularly gobbled up by predators in the wild. A guided tour of the facility where they’re kept allows tourists to see the scaly beasts up close.

Belize Sports in Tennis: 17 year old Marco Mendez became No.1 in winning Tennis

Over The past weekend, the Belize Tennis Association hosted the to honor the National Men’s Singles for the “Eric Eusey Trophy” at the Belize Pickwick Club tennis courts. In the first round, No. 1 seed Mike Sosa defeated Dr. Atanacio Cobb, 6-0, 6-1; and No. 2 seed Curtis Musa defeated Ellison Flowers, 6-1, 6-3. Marco Mendez walked over Guillermo Rayo, 6-0, 6-0; and Peter Quan overcame young Richard Huang, 6-1, 6-4.

In the first semifinal, 17-year-old Marco Mendez showed us the returns on hard work and training by defeating No. 1 seed Mike Sosa, 6-2, 6-2. Mendez’s game is a solid one, and perhaps the best Belize has ever seen so far.

The second semifinal proved to be a marathon 3-hour match between No. 2 seed Curtis Musa and Peter Quan; but in the end, Curtis overcame Peter, 7-6, 6-1.

In the finals, the young Marco Mendez proved too much for Curtis, and took the victory over him, 6-0, 6-0, demonstrating powerful ground strokes and an all-round solid game!

The sponsor, Mr. Eric Eusey, Jr., son of past tennis legend Eric Eusey (in whose name the tournament is sponsored), presented beautiful trophies to the runner-up and champion. This is the eleventh year Eric Eusey has sponsored this tournament, and committed to continue sponsoring it.

The Belize Tennis Association extends congratulations to young Marco Mendez, who is the second youngest (Billy Musa, Jr. won it at 16 years old in 1979) to win this coveted title of the No. 1 Male Tennis Player in Belize!