The National Panamanian friendship reunion, now in its 31st year of bringing friends and families together for a lifetime of memories, has pulled off another trailblazing event. The friendship reunion event was strategically and skillfully deployed by its three executives: Ricardo Layne, Rolando Rolo Phillips and Amelia Spooner, their organizing committee and volunteers. Marva Phillips recalls how the event began: “It started by military men (Panamanian US Armed Forces Veterans) who decided to stage a Reunion in a different state, the first being South Carolina. Each year it would grow bigger and bigger.”
NPFR has been living its vision for over three decades. President Ricardo Layne said in an interview with Positive Tourism News in relation to NPFR’s vision and mission “our tremendous goal to be successful, unity, our ambition to bring Panamanians together and celebrate our culture; throughout the years we have managed to do that. We are bringing more people into our organization to celebrate. Future goals & objectives will include more ITEC measures using technology to help with promotions. We will use social network to highlight successful reunions, in addition, we will continue to reach out to the Panamanian government to work with NPFR to further our cultural goals.”
Show stopping events are the hallmark approach of this cutting-edge organization, bringing people together to fellowship, network and do business. The Panamanian Marching Band of the USA stole the show on Saturday morning with their drum, horn & percussion salutes, providing the backdrop of an exciting musical program of free entertainment. A cameo appearance by Congresswoman Yvette Clarke of the 9th Congressional district of New York (Democrat) added volumes to the day’s reunion. She spoke briefly to the group and offered good wishes to their families and communities, before joining guests in the VIP area.
Preceding the main event which featured Willie Gonzalez, was The Panamanian Ballet Folklórico Nuestra Panama , based in the USA. The troupe dazzled the audience with their traditional folk dance, charisma and execution. Following the dance performance, special awards were presented to NPFR 2016 Distinguished Honored Veteran, Calvin Thomas Sr. and Civilian to Professor Dorotea Small for her dedicated years of service to the Panama Community.
Winston Toussaint, a Panamanian living in Fontana, California, USA, recently found his best friend Theo Chambers, retired Panamanian US Air Force Sergeant with whom he lost contact over 40 yrs. ago. Chambers has tried to locate Toussaint for the past 19 years, without success, until a month before the Reunion. Toussaint said “we reconnected, he is doing great; he is married and came to the Panamanian Reunion. It is a good thing when our people come together without controversy”. In conclusion Toussaint said “the Reunion can be used for social change when more people get involved and give their input or suggestions for development through social media.”
By the time the featured entertainer, Willie Gonzalez and band took the stage, the NPFR Disk jocks had already warmed up the audience, who were now ready to ‘dance the night away’ to ‘salsa sensual de amor.’ Guests were feted to a delightful four-course meal during which time the organizers welcomed their guests, thanked them for coming and announced New York as the Reunion venue for 2017. The Original National Panamanian Friendship Reunion brought down the curtain in Brooklyn, NY in fine style reminiscent of the good old days in their beloved Panama.
