This is an old shot of the Teatro Capitolio. Image thanks to our friends at LatinOL.com.
That early morning light caught me at a time when I was the sole representative from the Magnolia and War Zone Buildings neighborhood. I stood there like a soldier at rest, a proud member of the National Institute Marching Band drum section. Continue reading
This is the Monument at the entrance to Parque Porras. Statue of Belisario Porras is in the center.
As I walked to school I had started to experience for the second time in my life something I felt every kid I was seeing that morning felt deeply in the pit of his stomach. I walked briskly noticing the early morning crowd of kids dressed mostly in white uniforms as I had done the year before, some of them members of the various schools in the area. We were all to gather at our respective schools to organize ourselves in readiness for the big parade. Continue reading
This is an army jacket cut in the Eisenhower fashion, very similar to the way ours was cut, only ours was much more stylish.
In our last post we discussed the deep nationalistic sentiments inherent in most of us children from Panama’s barrios. But it was especially the Institutores who acquired the reputation for leading the Third of November marches in displaying their patriotism. Continue reading
Image thanks to the Panama America
Looking back on last month’s patriot activities in Panama I couldn’t help but conclude that we Panamanians are natural born marchers; we love parades, marching bands, and all street exhibitions that allow people to march in a group like comparzas. Continue reading
Posted in Instituto Nacional de Panamá
Tagged carnivals, National Institute of Panama, Susu
Image thanks to LatinOL.com
Before the month of November closes I just wanted to highlight the importance of patriotism, pomp and ceremony and how they filled in a big gap for young people like me while I was growing up in Panama. As I’ve pointed out before, having acquired community support had been mostly accidental with me since my immediate family’s support had always been questionable. Continue reading
I needed my marching uniform to support my Barrio.
The last semester of 1952 would be the last report card that I would receive from the National Institute. The chain of events leading up to this break with my prized ambition of graduation from this illustrious institution will soon be manifest. I had always hoped to follow in my Uncle Eric’s footsteps and continue on to my university studies. But, fate would have it another way. Continue reading
Posted in Instituto Nacional de Panamá
