Miss Guatemala 2000 Evelyn López

    Mexico's "Tesorito" (treasure), the vivacious singer and actress Laura Leon will headline this year's International Costa Maya Festival scheduled for August 16^th to 19^th. With a unique style of singing and a body "to die for," "La Tesorito" has the gift of being loved by everyone. Her frank and spontaneous personality is highly praised, especially in these artistic fields. Unlike other artists she kept her birth name, Laura Leon. Ms. Leon describes her virtue in Mexican newspapers and magazines as being "a woman who gives everything to her job." Her fault, she says, is not devoting more time to herself. Her favorite historical personality is Jorge Negrete, a musical legend in Mexico. In speaking about her age she modestly mentioned, "I am a Sagittarius, born on November 24^th and I feel as if I am twenty." Many people in San Pedro, Latin America and even international viewers have seen Laura Leon's impressive dramatic skill on soap operas such as "Dos Mujeres Un Camino", "Mujeres Engañadas" and "El Premio Mayor." Her sensual voice has been recorded on many CDs and included in her repertoire are the ever-popular songs "Yo soy del club de mujeres engañadas", "La Abusadora" and "El Taki Taki." 

    Adding to this festival full of glamour, culture, music and definitely stardom is another rising star in the Mexican and international scene. We speak of no other than the famous Argentinian soap opera personality Juan Soler. Sure to draw a large crowd of women to the festival grounds, Juan Soler will be the official conductor of the Reina de la Costa Maya International Pageant to be held on Thursday, August 16^th. Recognized for his dramatic roles on various Mexican soap operas, his latest being "Locura de Amor," Juan Soler will definitely impact the female population of San Pedro. A recent article regarding young rising stars in the well-known Mexican magazine, TVyNovelas, stated the following about Juan Soler. "Thanks to ëLocura de Amor,'  he stopped being the ëcute baby face boy' of soap operas like Pueblo Chico, Infierno Grande, to become a whole new person on the small screen as a seductive man, that remains attractive even though he does not shave his beard."

    Possibly the best combination of artists for this growing festival, the committee has done a fine job selecting this year's feature entertainers. Also confirmed for the grand jump-up on Sunday August 19^th is the mighty Santino's Messengers - a perfect way to end this grand event. The committee continues to work on other details regarding cultural presentations and the pageant.

    The Costa Maya Committee would like to thank the following sponsors who have pledged their support to the festival. Cash Sponsors: Diamond - Belize Tourism Board and Coca-Cola. Platinum - Maya Island Air and Ministry of Finance. Silver - Belize Bank. Bronze - Angelus Press and Belize Telecommunications Limited. Friends of the Festival - La Diosa Spa. Service Sponsors: Diamond - Ramon's Village Resort. Hotel Sponsors - Caribe Island Resort, Martha's Hotel, SunBreeze Hotel, Holiday Hotel, Spindrift Hotel, Victoria House, Mayan Princess, Nellie's Management, Banana Beach Resort and Coconuts Hotel.