Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Belize's Pok ta Pok team, Ek' Balam, won the Pok ta Pok World Cup again.  Congratulations!  They traveled to Merida, and retained their crown with this threepeat.

'Mérida has kicked off an international Pok ta Pok tournament, also known as the "Mayan ball game" World Cup...

Belize’s team took a strong early lead, winning four matches in a row against two Guatemalan teams, as well Panamá and Mexico. Their victory was a three-peat. Previously Ek’ Balam Belize won the 2017 and 2019 Maya ball game championships.'

Pictures from the Ascenthium concert at the Soul Project.  They rocked the house as they raised funds for their journey to Panama.

Ascenthium will be playing at The Bluff this Saturday.  It's their first fundraiser for their trip to the Wacken Open Air Central America rock competition, which will be held in Panama.  

"We're at The Bluff On Saturday hosting our first fundraiser for W.O.A's Central American heat. The band will be jamming and Ascenthium merchandise will be on sale. Come out and help Belize's Metal Battle candidate get to Panama. The Winner of the Preliminaries will represent the region in Germany! Metalheads of Belize, we need your help to start out on the Road To Wacken!"

Feelgood video of the day.  Sacred Heart Junior College student Jarret Davis is in Panama at the Copa Centralamericana, and his brothers made a really cool video wishing him the best.  This video defines camaraderie. 

They tied Panama yesterday, 0 - 0.  They play every other day, and tomorrow they take on Costa Rica.  Go Jaguars!  

The Panamanian reggae band, Cellula, will be playing at the Cayo Welcome Center Saturday, July 23rd, starting at 7:30pm.  Another great free concert.  Thanks, NICH!

"Coming to the Welcome Center through Nich, a Band from Panama that will be performing at 7pm. All are invited!"

Congratulations, Destinee Arnold, for winning the Costa Maya pageant!  Destinee represented Belize amazingly well, and capturing the third victory at the Costa Maya pageant. 

Miss Costa Maya 2013 - Destinee Dominique Arnold (Belize)
1st Runner-up: Ariadna Orellana (Nicaragua)
2nd Runner-up: Cleirys Velasquez (Panama)
Best National Costume: Cleirys Velasquez (Panama)

Congratulations Ascenthium!  They'll be heading to Panama next year to represent Belize at the Wacken Open Air Central America.

"Belice ingresa nuevamente a la batalla por la plaza en Centroamerica al Wacken, Ascenthium.

La banda de Belice ASCENTHIUM ha sido ingresada y calficada como participante de la competencia Centroamericana en miras a una plaza en el W:O:A en Alemania.

El pequeño caribeño país ya aportó el año ante pasado su primer banda, la cual no solo dio pelea, sio que logró llevarse la fina de la batalla en Guatemala con VERGE OF UMBRA, los que se presentaron exitosamente en el festival teutón logrando en dicha ocasión un sexto lugar entre las 30 bandas de todo el mundo que compiten en la final.  Ahora ASCENTHIUM queda en espera a fin de mes, de no presentarse ninguna otra banda concursante, estarían automáticamente en la final en Panamá en el mes de Abril, compitiendo contra los demás países del area."

NICH brought Cellula to the Cayo Welcome Center, where they jammed out their rocking reggae beats.  The music was energetic, and the crowd had a great time.  Thanks, Cellula and NICH!

A little bit of the concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA7vjrXV62Y

"The Panamanian Reggae group Cellula played a free concert at the CAYO Welcome Center on Saturday. They knew their reggae, playing many oldies, and some of their own creations. Having a trupet section, and a funky keyboardist set them aside. The rain didn't stop them from having a great concert. Thanks, Cellula!

The after party was at Bamboo Bar, where the shots flowed like water."

The Belize Zoo, which is celebrating its 30th year, and just had Panama the Harpy Eagle's 10th 'hatch' day party, is shown in a new video entitled 'The Wonders at the Belize Zoo.' 

"The Zoo was buzzing with festivities last week as we celebrated the 10th birthday of Panama our male harpy eagle!  Over 100 students, parents and teachers from the communities of Indian Church, La Democracia, and San Carlos came to the Zoo to wish this beautiful bird a very happy "hatch" day.  Students got to be eagles for a day, with masks and wings, and received prizes, birthday cake, and valuable knowledge about the importance of raptors like Harpy Eagles to our great country.  We thank our friends at The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for helping us provide a special day for the children of Belize."

Congratulations to the Belize Senior Female Volleyball Team!

"The Belize Senior Women’s Volleyball Team won Bronze at the World Championship Qualification Tournament, Group G, held in Panama City, Panama this past weekend.  This is a first for Belize female team and is the result of the development of players and teams despite the many challenges faced.  Belize females returned to international competition in 2008 and in four years improved well enough to qualify to the second round of the World Championship qualification process which will take place in 2013."