Marta Elena Martinez Vidal is the lovely 17-year old who represents El Salvador.

Taking over pageant duties is Maria Jose Zavala Orellana, a 22-year old model, representing Guatemala, in place of Hania Henandez Manchame.

Taking the Honduras reins is Saida Etelina Centeno Martinez, a 21-year-old student who replaces Cindy Pamela Martinez.

Making her first appearance on a Belizean stage is the beautiful El Salvador representative, Marta Elena Martinez Vidal. The seventeen year old beauty enjoys shooting hoops and playing the violin. Marta is in her final year of high school and hopes to become a great fashion designer. If Marta had the choice to live anywhere within the Munda Maya countries, she would love to be on Belizean soil. “Belize has an immense Mayan treasure, and internationally known for its second largest barrier reef in the world. With its friendly people, mix of cultures, and all of its glorious characteristics, Belize is definitely a beautiful place to live in.”

    Having her dad as her hero, Marta states that she has learned much from him, “He has helped me with his teachings and has prepared me to face my future challenges. As young as I might be, I have learned to win and lose, that is important in life.”

    This week, the Costa Maya Festival announces that both Guatemala and Honduras have new candidates who will participate at this year’s pageant. Representing Guatemala is Maria Jose Zavala Orellana, 22-years-old, a model and a law student presently in her final university year. Describing her country, Maria states that it is beautiful and rich in flora and fauna. “It is full of culture and traditions that make it even more special. It is an honor to represent my beloved nation.”

    Taking the Honduras reins is Saida Etelina Centeno Martinez. The 21-year-old beauty ambassador is currently a student and enjoys hiking. Her poise will certainly make her a strong contender at this year’s pageant. And for the first time ever, Panama joins the Costa Maya Pageant! Details of the newest delegate to form part of our prestigious pageant will be in next week’s issue of The San Pedro Sun, since as of press time, full details had not been divulged.

    New addition to the festival also includes songbird Ricardo Montaner. Venezuelan pop singer Ricardo Montaner was born as Hector Eduardo Reglero Montaner on September 8th, 1957 in Valentín Alsina, Buenos Aires, Argentina, but moved to Venezuela when he was six. During his youth he performed in the church chorus in the town of Maracaibo and soon after launched his career in the early 80’s. But it wasn’t until 1987 when Ricardo became popular in Venezuela with the singles “Yo Que Te Amé” and “Vamos a Dejarlo” belonging to his self-titled album.

    The following year he came out with “Ricardo Montaner 2” with songs like “Tan Enamorados” and “A Donde Va El Amor” while acting in the popular soap opera “Niña Bonita”. This also became a tool to make his songs known to the rest of Latin America. He won four platinum albums in Argentina alone. His next two albums, “Un Toque de Misterio” and “En el Último Lugar del Mundo,” became classics of the popular music in Mexico, Central and South America with hits such as “La Cima del Cielo”, “Me Va a Extrañar”, “Déjame Llorar” and “Será”.

    By 1997, Ricardo was already a well established artist in the Spanish speaking music world and could give himself the luxury of experimenting with other styles of music, without forgetting the roots that had made him so popular a decade earlier. Short in stature, high in talent, Ricardo is undoubtedly one of the most popular artists of all time in the Latin pop world and an icon in modern romantic music. In 2007, Ricardo released “Las Mejores Canciones Del Mundo” with “Hoy Tengo Ganas De Ti,”

    “Echame a mi la Culpa” featuring Juanes. “Las Mejores Canciones del Mundo” is having great success all over the world and part of his tour will include the Costa Maya Festival. Ricardo Montaner has sold over 24 million albums, and keeps breaking records in arenas and theaters all over the world and now we can enjoy him live at the Old Football Field grounds.

    Costa Maya tickets are now available and may be purchased at: Costa Maya Office, Lala’s Store, Fantasy Garden, Ambergris Store, Emerita Muñoz, Leni Nuñez, Milo’s Ice, Rock’s Shopping, Pier Lounge, Footprints, Island Magic and San Pedro Post Office.

    Tickets are as follows: Season Pass, Adult - $100.00; Kids - $ 45.00. Thursday Pageant Night Adult - $25.00; Kids - $10.00, while on Friday/Sunday tickets are sold for Adult - $20.00; Kids - $10.00, International Night (Saturday) Adult - $90.00 and Kids - $20.00. Children under five years may enter the grounds free of charge.

From August 2nd – 5th, San Pedro Town will once again welcome its Central American neighbors to rendezvous in “La Isla Bonita” in celebration of one of Belize’s most awaited and festive events of the year - The International Costa Maya Festival. During these four days of festivities, Belize joins the Mundo Maya countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico to stage this one-of-a-kind show. As we get ready to celebrate yet another year of this festival, we must not forget the hardworking team who came up with this clever concept. This week, The San Pedro Sun travels back in time to provide its readers with a history of the Costa Maya Festival.

    In 1991, a chapter of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry was formed in San Pedro and John Edwards was elected as Chairman. He and a few others, such as Don Pearly, Kevin Gonzalez and Stuart “Taff” Elliott felt it was a natural function of a Chamber of Commerce to promote business for San Pedro during the slow season. They formed the nucleus of the committee which was to plan the first event of this kind to take place on Ambergris Caye. The first Festival Committee consisted of Chairman Don Pearly, Bruce and Victoria Collins (former owners of The San Pedro Sun), Katie Brickey, Carlos Pariente, Eddie Halliday Sr., Jack Westerhold, Ann McGlaun, Kevin Gonzalez, Santos Acosta, Eli Pearly, John Edwards, Taff Elliott, Llewelyn Burgess and Alida Nuñez.

    During a trip to Honduras, several committee members attended the Festival Folklorico of San Pedro Sula where each of the Central American countries participated, with the exception of Belize. From information gathered on this trip, the committee came up with the idea of inviting the Mundo Maya countries to gather at a festival in San Pedro to share their musical and cultural diversities. They were hoping to attract many visitors to the island, who would arrive by way of private aircraft or sea vessel, so they named the event The International Sea & Air Festival.

    The first festival was held July 21st - 26th, 1992, on the grounds of the San Pedro Roman Catholic School and featured Denyse Plummer “The Calypso Queen” of Trinidad and Tobago as its headliner. This festival was a five-day event, as was the 1993 festival. A sixth day was added for the third festival in 1994, but one of the invited countries (Cuba) did not show up. Each festival proved to be very successful, bringing much-needed income to the island. Every evening during the festival, one of the visiting countries was scheduled to perform. This concept, unique in its own way, attracted hundreds to the event. Each night, the country being showcased displayed their finest music, cultural dances and crafts.

    As the years passed, the festival got bigger and better. For additional entertainment, other events were planned to take place at different locations in town each morning of the festival. These would include: bicycle, golf cart and cardboard boat races, parades and much more. Wanting to cater to all age groups, the organizers also introduced mechanical rides for the youngsters.

    Eventually a new attraction was introduced: the Miss Sea and Air Pageant. This event proved to be a favorite of many. Ms. Sylvia Castro of Mexico was the first Miss Sea and Air Festival, starting a tradition of international contestants. In 1993, Ms. Diana Galvan of Guatemala won the title. In 1994, Tessie Duran Tonaco of San Pedro Town was the first local woman to win the title. Over the years, women from all over the world participated, including representatives from Central America, North America, Australia and Europe.

    As time passed, the pageant was changed to the Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant. Contestants are now required to be a titleholder in their country, making this event a first-class pageant. The first Reina de la Costa Maya Queen was crowned in 1996, a lovely representative from Mexico, Miss Maria del Socorro Retolaza. Each year the crown passed to the following: 1997 – Miss Carol Aquino from Guatemala, 1998 – Astrid Ramirez (also from Guatemala), 1999 – Denise Guzman of Mexico, 2000 – Sandra Glower Silis of El Salvador, 2001 – Evelyn Lopez of Guatemala, 2002 – Elsa Burgos of Mexico, 2003 - Leilah Pandy of Belize, 2004 – Marisol Rojas Avila of Mexico, 2005 – Johanna Fernandez and 2006’s crown was taken by Lissa Saenz of Honduras.

    Today, the festival has gained international exposure because of the wonderful entertainment provided by performers from all of the Mayan countries. To give you an idea, the following lively acts have put many in the party mood: The Garifuna Kids, La Gran Banda, Los Ilegales, La Salsa Clave, Chico Flores, Los Malecates, Garibaldi, Los Phoenix, Santino’s Messengers, Rene Alonzo and La Banda Lazzer, Paloma Martin and Mariachi, Los Galleros, Los Gatos Bravos, Andy Palacio, Sergio Blas, Kairo, Laura Leon, Las Chicas Roland, Maribel Guardia, Niurka, Pablo Montero, Kumbia Kings and Los Mismos. The pageant has also featured many famous international hosts: Mauricio Islas, Rodrigo Vidal, Valentino Lanus, Gabriel Soto, and Rafael Amaya.

    The festival has gained international recognition and is organized every year by a dynamic and hard working team. Some of the long-standing members include: Gach Guerrero, Einer Gomez, Wil Alamilla Jr., Milo Paz Jr. and Marisa Salazar. Through their dedication, this team of volunteers has managed to make the festival an event that brings much-needed income to the entire island. Today, the festival is celebrated for four days and will once again feature lively music, folkloric dances, children’s entertainment, food and drinks galore and many other surprises.

    On behalf of the Festival Committee, The San Pedro Sun invites one and all to be a part of this wonderful celebration of the Mundo Maya – The 2005 International Costa Maya Festival! See you there on August 2nd.

Hania Henandez Manchame is the 22-year-old who's accepted the challenge of representing Guatemala at this year's Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant.

The Festival committee has confirmed the International performer as Ricardo Montañer.

    Having participated in the Miss Guatemala Pageant, Hania states that that experience will help her. Although she did not walk away with the crown she did win great accolades including being named Best Legs and Miss Internet. Hania now joins Miss Belize Maria Jeffrey, Miss Nicaragua Daniela Sequeira and Miss Honduras Cindy Martinez in a battle for the coveted crown, title and great prizes. It will be a great night full of poise, glamour and beauty at the Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant slated for August 2nd, 2007.

    The Costa Maya Festival 2007 will also now be headlined by internationally renowned artist Ricardo Montañer. The San Pedro Sun will have further details on Mr. Montañer in next week’s update of the festival!

    Sponsors are still being sought for the festival itself. Be a part of one of Belize’s biggest festivals. This year’s grand sponsor will now be Bowen and Bowen Limited. Bowen offered the Costa Maya committee a great sponsorship package, one which they could not pass up. Included in their package is a generous monetary donation, advertising assistance, and the assistance with set up and tents. It is a great way to celebrate our proud Belizean Bowen and Bowen products. Because of their grand sponsorship, Bowen beers will be sold for three dollars at the festival grounds.

    The Costa Maya Committee is still in need of sponsors to make this international festivity a raving success. But, what kind of sponsor would you like to be?

    Grand Sponsor: $25,000 donation of cash or a combination of cash and services. Grand Sponsors will have a street banner hung in a prominent downtown location one week prior to the Festival. Additionally, the company logo will appear on the sleeve of the official Costa Maya t-shirt, your logo will also be printed on all tickets and will be displayed at the festival grounds. The company will also receive prominent radio and print media recognition before and after the festival, plus a booth to display your product during the festival and twelve festival passes. Diamond Sponsor: $10,000 donation of cash or a combination of cash and services. Diamond sponsors will have a street banner hung in a prominent location one week prior to the festival. Additionally, the company logo will appear on the back of the official Costa Maya t-shirt, prominent radio and media recognition before and during the festival, plus a booth to display their product during the festival and eight festival passes.

    Platinum Sponsor: $5,000 donation of cash or a combination of cash and services. Platinum sponsors will have a street banner, logo display on the back of the official Costa Maya Festival t-shirt, plus acknowledgements on radio and print media and six festival passes.

    Gold Sponsor: $2,500 donation of cash and/or services. Gold sponsors will receive coverage on the radio and in the media, and four festival passes.

    Silver Sponsor: $1,000 donation of cash and/or services. Silver sponsors will be acknowledged in the print media and receive two festival passes.

    Bronze Sponsor: $500 donation of cash and /or services. Bronze sponsors will be acknowledged in the print media. Friends of Costa Maya: Any donation below bronze sponsorship is acknowledged as a friend of the Costa Maya Festival.

    If you or your business would like to be a sponsor of the Costa Maya International Festival, kindly call (661) 7779 or (226) 2180.

    Four day tickets will run at $95 for adults and $45 for children, $25 will be charged for pageant night for adults and $10 for kids. International night will be $60 for adults and $20 for kids while $20 will be charged for the rest of the nights and for those nights kids will pay $10.

Cindy Pamela Martinez is the 19-year-old charmer who is looking to keep the crown in her country, Honduras!

A former contestant, Maria Jose Rosado Solis is now scheduled to partake of the festivties as one of the hosts for the event.

    As with every year, one of the biggest nights is the Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant and with six countries vying for the title, walking away with the crown will be no easy feat. One lady up for the challenge is Miss Honduras, who we gladly present to you this week. Cindy Pamela Martinez is the 19-year-old charmer who will represent her country with grace and will fight to make Honduras proud.

    The five foot seven inch belle is a first year student in the Business Administration field. This brown eyed beauty ambassador loves to read and hopes to not only take the crown and title but fall in love with Belize and its people.

    The schedule of events is the hard task ahead for the Costa Maya committee members but its one that they are close to completing. Below find the events already listed for the 2007 Costa Maya Festival. Pageant Night (Thursday) will start at 8:30 p.m. with a two and a half hour show. Entertainment will be provided by the following, by order of appearance: San Pedro Dance Company, Steel Band, the actual pageant, Take the Lead and DNA rounds up the entertainment. The honor of hosting the pageant has once more been bestowed upon Mexican beauty Lilian Villanueva who will be tentatively joined by Maria Jose Rosado Solis. Maria, who was second runner-up in 2005’s Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant, may also host the festivities on Friday and Saturday nights, as well.

    Friday Night will be cultural night and will include soothing Marimba music, opening ceremonies, cultural presentations by Belize, Guatemala and Mexico, presentations by the San Pedro Dance Company, Mario Barrios of Guatemala, and Mexican cultural dancers. Ending the night will the Chicas de Samba direct from Honduras who, with their seductive and fast hip shaking moves and electric music, will inject much spirit and dance unto audience members.

    Saturday Night is stil being worked on but what is certain is that the Salvador Grupo Crash will once again participate and put on their thrilling performance once more. Of course the biggest anticipation for Saturday is the presentation by international superstar Reyli, so start making your plans and preparations to definitely attend Saturday’s event.

    Sunday will have a presentation by Crash as well as Chabelita from Univision’s La Hora de la Risa who will take center stage and make everyone have a delightful time. Full of humor, music and dance, Sunday is shaping up to be a great ending to yet another successful Costa Maya Festival. Four day tickets will run at $95 for adults and $45 for children, $25 will be charged for pageant night for adults and $10 for kids. International night will be $60 for adults and $20 for kids while $20 will be charged for the rest of the nights and for those nights kids will pay $10.

    Office is now open, with two people at the helm, Wil Alamilla Jr. and Anna Nuñez and they are available from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. For further information visit their office on Barrier Reef Drive or call 226-2180.

The lovely Daniela represents Nicaragua for this year's Costa Maya 2007 festival.

    Daniela strongly believes that pageants help people to grow as people and to help unions and friendships formed between countries. The Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant is one that she plans to fight and work hard in representing her Nicaragua. A country full of warmth and hospitality is her native land with Marina Puesta del Sol, located in Chinandega in Nicaragua, is her most favorite place. Daniela’s philosophy in life is that everything in life has its price and one has to work and fight hard to achieve their goal. And that is precisely what she has done to achieve her goals – fight for her dreams. The young beauty ambassador hopes that one day she will be the owner of her own business, a business within the tourism field.

    The Costa Maya Committee is still in need of sponsors to make this international festivity a raving success. But, what kind of sponsor would you like to be?

    Grand Sponsor: $25,000 donation of cash or a combination of cash and services. Grand Sponsors will have a street banner hung in a prominent downtown location one week prior to the Festival. Additionally, the company logo will appear on the sleeve of the official Costa Maya t-shirt, your logo will also be printed on all tickets and will be displayed at the festival grounds. The company will also receive prominent radio and print media recognition before and after the festival, plus a booth to display your product during the festival and twelve festival passes.

    Diamond Sponsor: $10,000 donation of cash or a combination of cash and services. Diamond sponsors will have a street banner hung in a prominent location one week prior to the festival. Additionally, the company logo will appear on the back of the official Costa Maya t-shirt, prominent radio and media recognition before and during the festival, plus a booth to display their product during the festival and eight festival passes.

    Platinum Sponsor: $5,000 donation of cash or a combination of cash and services. Platinum sponsors will have a street banner, logo display on the back of the official Costa Maya Festival t-shirt, plus acknowledgements on radio and print media and six festival passes. Gold Sponsor: $2,500 donation of cash and/or services. Gold sponsors will receive coverage on the radio and in the media, and four festival passes.

    Silver Sponsor: $1,000 donation of cash and/or services. Silver sponsors will be acknowledged in the print media and receive two festival passes.

    Bronze Sponsor: $500 donation of cash and /or services. Bronze sponsors will be acknowledged in the print media.

    Friends of Costa Maya: Any donation below bronze sponsorship is acknowledged as a friend of the Costa Maya Festival.

    If you or your business would like to be a sponsor of the Costa Maya International Festival, kindly call (661) 7779 or (226) 3462.

The gracious and lovely Maria Jeffery will represent Belize at the Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant.

    The 25-year-old, five feet, ten inch Belizean beauty is a nurse and one day hopes to become the Head Nurse of her native country. Maria states that in the future she plans to be even more involved with charitable work. Her interests include reading, fishing, sports, dancing, cooking, painting, camping gardening, supporting great causes involving children, traveling, modeling and nursing. However, she enjoys fishing, traveling and sharing nursing tips and information the most.

    Contestant participation has already been confirmed by Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, and Guatemala, while Nicaragua and Costa Rica are yet to respond as of press time. However, their representatives have done well in the past and without a doubt these two Mayan countries will join in the fun of La Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant. The Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant contestants are slated to arrive in Belize City on July 25th. While in Belize City they will enjoy an excursion provided by Discovery Expeditions who will take them on an eco-adventure tour at Peccary Park. This will include an ATV ride through the jungle, a kayak and jungle adventure. The girls will overnight in Belize City after which they will travel to San Ignacio and stay at the newly opened boutique Ka’ana Hotel. San Pedranos will get a chance to meet the girls on Saturday (July 27th) for the slated Noche San Pedrana, which will be sponsored by Reef Radio.

    Official photographer for this year’s event will be Shamir Guerrero and Greg Forman will be this year’s pageant coordinator. Mr. Forman is looking for a fresh new look for the pageant, while Goodmark Jeweler’s Belize will be offering a beautiful jewelry set for the grand winner. Ramon’s Village remains as the Official Resort of the Costa Maya Festival as well Delta Airlines remains as the official airline.

    Entertainment for Thursday’s festival night will include the San Pedro Dance Company, Take the Lead, DNA and a few other participants that will be announced in the coming weeks. As for who will host this year’s pageant? Well, the male host will be San Pedro’s very own Eiden Salazar Jr., while his co host has been tentatively set for Alicia Machado. Knowing the organizers of the festival, whoever they choose is bound to be someone fabulous!

    Entertainment for the rest of the festival’s nights will include the popular Crash from El Salvador, headliner Reyli, Honduras’ Chicas de Samba. Sunday will also be fun filled, complete with the entertaining comedic act of Nora Velasquez from La hora de la Risa show which airs daily on Univision (Channel 13). She is sure to bring in a lot of fun and jokes for the day.

    Costa Maya 2007 is almost here, plans are almost finalized and the fun, excitement, glamour is ready to begin. Don’t get caught unawares! Start planning for this wonderful festival; it is right around the corner!