By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - This is hilarious. You know, this weekend I appeared on a major network television news program that was viewed by literally millions of people in the United States and around the world. I spent most of the day on Sunday live-blogging the events in Panama as they unfolded, with the riot police clashing with the protesting indigenous Ngäbe-Bugle Indians. Then later on Sunday my beloved New York Giants beat the Patriots 21-17 and won Super Bowl XLVI. So, by any standard whatsoever it was a "good weekend." But when you think about it, my participation in these events required me to basically sit on my ass and stare at a computer monitor or television screen. After watching this video, for some reason it feels like I just get enough done this weekend. Because "needing" is one thing, and "getting" is another. You'll see what I mean if you watch this video. More than 2.6 million views in less than two days. Warning: This has nothing to do with Panama, but it's undeniably cool...

Copyright 2012 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

First The Bachelor's Courtney Robertson stripped down to skinny dip with Ben Flajnik in Puerto Rico, and now TV's most hated bachelorette is taking her skin-flashing to Panama. When Robertson, Flajnik and the remaining bachelorettes trek to Panama to meet with locals, the women go on a date that requires them to dress in traditional garb -- including a skimpy see-through bikini top made of beads.

Clearly never one for discretion, Robertson opts to let it all hang out by wearing the skimpy outer layer without her bra underneath, shocking her local hosts. "We're getting dressed up and these girls are so prude. Why be modest? We're one with nature, it's raining, let's go bikini-less," she argues, as bachelorettes Emily and Lindzi look on in horror. "I'm bare-chesting it. I wanted to do the local flavor. It's fun."

For more of Robertson's wacky antics -- and her fellow competitors' reactions -- check out the wild clip above before the full episode of The Bachelor airs Monday at 8 p.m.(EST) on ABC.   

The Panama Air Festival 2012 became a true family attraction as hundreds of people went to the Howard Airport to enjoy displays of airplanes, custom cars, model airplanes, skydiving and more. The aerial acrobatics was one of the main attractions performed by international guests: Fred Cabanas and Gary Ward who drew waves of applause from the audience. Musical artists Principal, Víctor Juliao and Roba Morena performed on stage. Among the aircraft on display were models of the Boeing and Cessna line, and several helicopters. Panama Air Festival 2012 was organized as part of the celebrations of "Pilot Day" as well as the celebration of the 43rd Anniversary of the Civil Aviation Authority. (Telemetro)

   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - The US Embassy has started a Film Series program, which is free to the public, and it starts this week. Received today via email: Hi Don, We are starting a Film Series, this week, Thur. Jan. 26. We will have a different film, one time every month, free to the public. Here is some information if you would like to spread the word. - US Embassy Film Festival. Date: Thur. January 26, 2012. Film: The Tuskegee Airmen (in English with Spanish Subtitles). Information: Based on a true story of the 332nd Fighter Squadron. A group of African American pilots overcame racist opposition to become one of the finest US fighter groups in World War II. Doors Open: 6:15 pm. Show starts: 7:00 pm. Location: Museo Del Canal, San Felipe, Plaza de la Independencia. Entry Fee: GRATIS. Limited seating!"

Editor's Comment: Here's your chance. If you haven't been to the Museum of the Inter-oceanic Canal then this would be a great opportunity to check it out, and catch the movie as well. Here's a link to their website with the exact location of the museum in Casco Viejo in case you've never been there. The museum itself is wonderful and definitely worth the trip under any circumstances. The museum is open on Thursday from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, and the ticket office closes at 4:30 pm. So if you want to see the museum itself, then go early, check it out, leave and eat dinner somewhere (there's lots of excellent options nearby), and then go back at 6:15 when the doors open to catch the movie at 7:00 pm. Here's a little known fact - Panamanians and permanent residents with identification can enter the museum for free on Sunday mornings from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon.

Copyright 2012 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

The Air Festival is back in Panama, and this year promises a number of attractions and exhibits for the whole family. The event, organized by the Civil Aviation Authority, the Tourism Authority of Panama and Cable and Wireless, will be held at the Panama Pacific International Airport at Howard on Sunday January 29 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and is free. The activities include: skydiving, exhibition airplanes, model airplanes, children's games, food sales, bikers, skaters, and presentations with artists such as Principal, Los 33, and Roba Morena. There will be expert presentations by American pilots Fred Cabanas and Gary Ward, who perform extreme aerial stunts. (Telemetro)

   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - A friend of mine sent me a link to this performance by the West Virginia University Marching Band - a tribute to the armed forces played during the halftime performance at a recent game. From the description of the video: "No celebration of our freedom can be complete without a tribute to the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to preserve and protect our country. The WVU Band presents our "Armed Forces Salute," which features a medley of the songs from all branches of our great military. This selection will close with a stirring rendition of "America, The Beautiful." • The United States Army! • The United States Coast Guard! • The United States Marines! • The United States Air Force! • The United States Navy! No one can argue the great service that the men and women of the armed services have provided to our nation over the centuries. By serving in two World Wars, the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and in the war on Terror, as well as continually providing support and aid to those in need when all types of disasters strike, our American service men and women have made us all swell with pride. Therefore, we pay honor to all the brave men and women who helped to make, and continue to make this country, the greatest nation on earth!"

Editor's Comment: Check out the video, it's a "don't miss..."

Copyright 2011 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

To celebrate Children's Day, starting this Friday, 15 July 2011, there will be activities at the Omar Recreation and Cultural Park in Panama City for all children. The event, entitled "A Fantasy of Stars - Giving Dreams To The Boys And Girls of Panama" will start on Friday and end on Sunday, 17 July 2011. During the course of the event there will be different shows with clowns, magicians, folklore and pet shows. Besides the shows, children can also play for free on the baseball and basketball courts, inflatable jumping areas and rides. The schedule of the fair is from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, 15 July. On Saturday and Sunday the fair will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. This event has been organized by the Office of the First Lady. (Telemetro)

Editor's Comment: We went to this last year. Sarah had a great time. Lots of stuff for the kids to do. However if you look closely at this photo from last year you will see it was taken in a downpour. Expect the same and plan accordingly.   

Panama will implement a "Lotto" lottery system, similar to those used in the United States, with six numbers drawn and a minimum starting prize of $3 million dollars. The ticket will cost $2.00 dollars. This was announced by the Director of the National Lottery, José Pablo Ramos, who said the law already allows for the institution to explore new games. Ramos said they would hold an international bidding process and the winning company will be that which meets the requirements and which has the financial capacity (to build and implement the new system). (TVN Noticias)   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - You know, when there are only a couple of days left in any month, the traffic arriving to the website during that time either make the month record breaking, or just a "normal" month of solid traffic. Well, as it turns out, May 2010 has a shot a breaking a couple of records, but it's going to be close. Therefore, as is my standard practice, I like to toss up something a little different to try to "pad" the stats a little, just to see if it might help to put things over the top. I make blatant pleas to all of you, my faithful regular readers, to help spread the word, to send articles and links to friends and relatives who you think might be interested in the website. But mostly, I toss up photos of hot chicks in tiny bikinis because, well, I just kinda like to do that. This month it's time for something a little different. I like science, a lot. I love those programs where they film stuff in super high definition slow motions cameras, because it allows you to see things you don't normally get a chance to see because it goes by too fast. I love this video for a couple of good reasons (grin). First of all, check out the ball of water seemingly suspended in the air after the balloon has broken but before gravity has taken back over to bring the water crashing down. Then there's the "bounce and resonance" affect that's clearly visible. Anyway, I'll set aside any further weak attempts to justify why I'm throwing this video up on the website. If you can think of anyone who might think it's cool too, send them the link. Good lighting, sharp focus, super slow mo', and water balloons. What's not to like?

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

The Veneto Hotel is holding a series of poker tournaments, starting tonight and running through Sunday, 30 May, 2010. For all dates inscriptions start at 7:00 pm. The first two nights, 27 and 28 May, there will be $2,500 guaranteed cash prizes, $50 buy-in, unlimited rebuys until the first break. On Saturday, 29 May, there will be $4,000 guaranteed cash prizes with $100 buy in. The winners from the first three days have free entry to Sunday's "Big Tournament" with a grand prize of $10,000. Note: All tournaments must have at least 20 participants or they will be canceled.   

ARIES:
There is a lot of baby potential brewing in the darkness of your psyche, Aries. It’s like a seed germinating in the depths of the dark, dark earth; very fragile but full of great possibility. Take care of your baby seed; send it positive thoughts and lots of love and it could turn into a new romance, or an exciting creative project. The choice is yours. Career developments need lots of focus and ambition, you will need to put some logs on the fire and intensify your drive. The slow and steady method works best. Also watch your own ego; it could get in the way of a good thing. It’s not just about you; it is also about the team you work with as well. Financially; overspending is a great temptation, especially when it comes to fun events. You want to do something lavish, but you will need to hide the plastic money away for this week. Treat yourself like a movie star, but avoid outings that require a lot of cash. Saturn; the teacher, dresses up in Virgo school-marm gear once more, which means that it is time to face old health issues. Have you been eating all your greens, Aries? Do you get enough exercise? If not, you’ll get a reminder that it’s time to change your ways.

To read your horoscope click here:
http://www.playacommunity.com/daily-h...004022959/   

ARIES:

Romantic adventures spark thanks to the chemistry laden combination between Venus the planet of love, and chatty Mercury in your sign, and Neptune in social-loving Aquarius. Shared adventures await, full of magical surprises. You find it easy to express yourself, people are more than happy to listen with rapt attention. This Tuesday, during the full moon, doors open up for you, and new partnerships are forged that inspire you to achieve great things. Chances are high that you’ll find a new best friend. Your connections are the key to success, so make use of the contacts you have. By the end of the week, things slow down considerably, but it’s an excellent time to make some extra money, use that fiery charm of yours to impress the right people. Drive sales forward with a “can do” attitude. If you believe in your success, it will happen.

To read your horoscope click the link below:
http://www.playacommunity.com/daily-h...003262935/   

The second annual Isla Bastimentos Boat Race weekend will be held on March 27-28, 2010. The purpose is to bring the entire Bocas del Toro community together for a fun weekend of boat races, water sports, sport games, food, drink, and music. Sukimotor, S.A. is the main sponsor and is giving away a 15 hp Suzuki motor to be raffled on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Many other prizes will raffled on an hourly basis on both days. Last year over 1,000 people attended comprised of locals, tourists & expats. This action packed event will include motor boat races, cayuco jousting, lumberjack log rolling, kayak relay races, cayuco paddling contest, diving for dollars, greased pole climbing, blind dinghy races. The money raised from the concessions, local businesses & vendors will go to the community for specific community projects. For info, contact 6880-3050 or email jbseligman@aol.com.   

You do not want to miss the March 24 Expat's West Mixer at El Rincon de Chef! Please click on this link to RSVP. Once again we will be dancing the night away after a wonderful meal from Chef Fernando. Only this month it's not salsa, no it's not line dancing...... IT'S DISCO!!! And you thought Disco was dead!! Well not at Expat West! We will be joined by such favorites as Donna Summer, The Bee Gees, Michael Jackson, KC and the Sunshine Band and many more. You've got two weeks to practice your John Travolta moves. (Yes, we expect to see them!!) Come and join us as we shake our booties and dance the night away to all those tunes you still know the words to! We are very pleased to announce that Chef Fernando is presenting an ITALIAN styled menu this month. You can view the full menu on our events calendar. Once again if you will be eating at Rincon del Chef please complete the RSVP form on our website so that Chef can be prepared accordingly. A big thank you again to all those that did utilize the RSVP form last month. Prize sponsors this month are: - $25 gift certificate from Panama Roadrunner Security Transport - Dinner for 2 at La Carreta by the Restaurant - A lovely surprise by VIP Insurance - And you just never know what is in Playacommunity’s hat. Please join us this month for a fun evening, the opportunity to meet new people and to catch up with old friends. Remember to come and meet me at the Playacommunity table in order to obtain your door prize tickets. Get down!!!! Linda van Dyk http://www.playacommunity.com   

If you're a fan of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) then the Superbook VIP Sports Club is the place to be this Saturday night, 20 February 2010. The Ultimate Fighting Championship takes Australia by storm for the first time and fans at Sydney’s Acer Arena will be treated to explosive matchups featuring two early Fight of The Year candidates. In the main event, a world heavyweight title shot is on the line when unbeaten young gun Cain Velasquez takes on former UFC and PRIDE champion Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira. Plus, UK superstar Michael “The Count” Bisping hopes to spoil the middleweight debut of the legendary ‘Axe Murderer’, Wanderlei Silva. UFC 110: Nogueira vs. Velasquez, Saturday, February 20, live on pay-per-view from the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia. UFC 110 Relentless is being broadcast via pay per view, but the people at the Superbook will bring you all the action for free! The Superbook VIP Sports Club - Panama's Premier Sportsbook - has recently completed all renovations, so come by early and enjoy a quick game of pool and your favorite refreshments while getting ready to enjoy Saturday Night at the Superbook catching all the action friom the UFC! Superbook will have the latest lines for all the headline fights. Drink Specials: We will have the following drink specials for the UFC Fight - All national beers by the bucket 6 for $7, Heineken 6 for $10, Smirnoff Ice, Budweiser, Corona, & Miller - 6 for $11. The fight starts at 8:00 pm. Remember at the Superbook bet today get paid today!   

ARIES
At work, the best thing you can do is to remain in the background. The less you say, the better your position. Luck comes to those who are willing to stay silent and allow their work to speak out for them. Push all your passion into your cause. Inspiring conversations occur between you and your friends, if you are feeling empty, connect with someone who lives a dynamic creative life. When it comes to love, this Valentines Day, you’ll need to show the softer; more vulnerable “you” to someone, this action will solidify your relationship and make it stronger. It may feel scary to open yourself up like that, but in the end, it will allow your love to understand that you have feelings too. See this as an act of courage. Poetry and balcony serenades come highly recommended by planetary forces.

To see your horoscope, visit http://Playacommunity.Com at: http://www.playacommunity.com/daily-h...oroscopes/   

ARIES
This is a week chock full of brilliant creative ideas. They come rushing out of your subconscious like a flock of bats rushing out from a hidden cave. You can’t ignore that feeling- you know the one that leads you to a better situation. Challenge yourself to move one step further along the game board. Push aside fear and move in for the kill. You have hidden allies, ones that you have not considered before. Someone steps in and makes things much better for you. A good plan helps you deal with unexpected surprises, the more prepared you are, the better, because then you can take advantage of any good fortune that comes along.

To see your horoscope, visit http://Playacommunity.Com at: http://www.playacommunity.com/daily-h...oroscopes/   

It's too bad for people who like to watch pornographic films in bars and taverns. You can't do it in the district of Boquete anymore, thanks to a recent decree handed down by the Mayor which bans such displays in these establishments. Manolo Ruiz, the mayor of the district, said these displays are detrimental to good morals. The owners of these premises who do not comply with this new rule will be fined $500 for the first offense, and they can be fined up to $5,000 dollars for the second or subsequent offenses, and their clubs can also be closed. (Source: Mi Diario)

Editor's Comment: WTF? What the hell are you people doing up there in Boquete? Porno in bars? Really? Sit around and drink beer with your buddies while watching porno in public? That's just weird.But hey, whatever. Boquete has always been a "little different" if you know what I mean... The word "Boquete" is actually derived from an old Indian word which means "friggin' weird."   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - The Panamanian press is having a field day today with president Ricardo Martinelli. Over the weekend he "summoned" the owners of the major television stations in order to ask them to self-regulate the content of the news, arguing that there is too much of an emphasis on crime and violence. Martinelli went on to criticize the popular television soap operas that are mostly from Colombia, which contain depictions of organized crime, drug trafficking, killings, murders, and good looking women with big hooters. Then this morning this happy-snap photo appeared on the cover of the "El Siglo" newspaper, showing Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli and Vice President Juan Carlos Varela posing with two actors in those same soap operas he was criticizing. And of course although he surely posed for photos with all of the actors, they published the photo of him posing with the actors who play the parts of some of the worst and most violent offenders (within the plot and story line of the soap opera), namely Julián Arango who plays Álvaro José Pérez (a.k.a "Guadaña") and Wílber Alirio Varela who plays Milton Jiménez (a.k.a. "el Cabo") in the series. Reacting to all of this today, Ricardo Martinelli came out and said that posing with people who visit Panama is part of his job. In my humble opinion this entire cycle is and was completely unnecessary. The president should do his job to control crime, and if there is less crime then we reporters will do our jobs and report on it less. Anyway, that's what's going on, for what it's worth. And obviously, the photo credit goes to El Siglo.

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

ARIES
Expect a busy interactive week as opposite planetary forces influence your daily activities. Your luck increases, so it’s great to network and take advantage of opportunities. You’ll find it easy to interact with people from all walks of life. Bring some creativity into your work life. Romance, especially amongst friends, heats up. It’s easy to get involved in a fling. Don’t expect any long term commitments; the time isn’t right to make any promises. Any large event works for you, so if you’re planning a big lavish party, do so, Aries. This is also a wonderful time to buy a lottery ticket, since your fortune is great. Plan something bold and lavish for the full moon this Saturday. Go over the top, because victory favours the brave.

To see your horoscope, visit http://Playacommunity.Com at: http://www.playacommunity.com/daily-h...oroscopes/   

Some of the relatives of the women who were arrested during a raid conducted by immigration authorities at various brothels in Panama City are desperate and very annoyed. The women say their papers are in order but they are being deported to their home countries anyway. By way of protest, one of the women undressed inside of the Transitional Prison of the Immigration System. For her part the Director of Immigration, Maria Cristina Gonzalez, denied such accusations. She said the women are being deported because they do not, in fact, have their papers in order. They lack the card for "performing artists" issued to allow them to work in prostitution legally for nine months in Panama. Relatives of the detained women say they are sleeping on the floor due to overcrowding in the immigration jail. During the raid more than 60 people from different nations were arrested for not having their papers in order. (Source: TVN Noticias)   

The Panama Air Festival 2010, a show of extreme stunts and acrobatics, will take place on Sunday 31 January, reported its organizers. This is a free event organized by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), with sponsorship from Cable & Wireless Panama. The event will be governed by the strictest safety standards, following the required standards in the United States (U.S.), according to a press release. The protagonists of the show are pilots with experience in the field of civil, commercial and military aviation. The festival will feature Fred Cabanas, an experienced pilot who has three gold medals in world aerobatics championships, and a world championship in the World Air Games Unlimited. Cabanas will be flying in his "Pitts Special". Attendees can get to the event by going to the old airport building at Howard, from 9:00 am. The organizers recommend attendees wear light clothing, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, hats and sunscreen. Additionally, at the Panama Air Festival 2010 there will be attractions such as skydiving, model planes, helicopters, commercial aircraft, among others. (Source: La Prensa)    

Expect a sizzling and fun social life this week, Aries. Venus enters into friendly Aquarius, so everyone’s out to have a good time. This is an excellent time to develop friendships, and book in parties. Emotionally, you run deep, however, and it is a good idea to tap into subterranean emotional waters in order to come to terms with good fortune. Mediation, and paying attention to sleeping dreams, helps you see the signposts of good fortune. An exacting partner expects you to work hard, but do your best to appreciate your self worth. You can’t please someone who’s never happy. Instead allow your reputation to speak for itself, someone positive will eventually notice and congratulate you for your efforts.

To see your horoscope, visit http://Playacommunity.Com at: http://www.playacommunity.com/daily-h...oroscopes/   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Warning - this has nothing to do with Panama. I spent 20 years in the United States Air Force, retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant. Early in my career I was stationed at Osan Air Force Base in Korea where I worked with a unit involved in U2 operations (let's leave it at that.) Later in my career I flew on C-130's for a living and the time I spent above 20,000 feet banging along in the "Herc" was some of the most enjoyable of my entire career. However, that's nothing compared to flying in a U2, which I never had the opportunity to do. This is a link to a wonderful video sent to me by a friend with whom I used to work in Korea. To get the full effect, when you start the video hit the little "full screen" button. This truly is an amazing video.

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

Career changes are in the works this week; you’re ready to evolve into the next level. Break down your old methodologies and reinvent yourself. You don’t need to be stuck in a rut, dare to shake things up so that you can change your life. Your intuition leads the way—so don’t ignore that nagging feeling. Mercury begins to move direct by the end of the week, which means that you’re absolutely brilliant minded—impressing co-workers with your innovative brilliant moves. The Solar eclipse on the 15th inspires you to network and make new career connections.

To see your horoscope, visit http://Playacommunity.Com at: http://www.playacommunity.com/daily-h...oroscopes/   

ARIES
There is a lot of Capricorn planetary energy this New Year that you can take advantage of, since it hits your tenth house of career; which means the universe asks you to fine tune your sense direction, to seek out your life’s purpose. It’s not all full speed ahead since Mercury will be in retrograde until the 16th. The first part of the month should be your opportunity to take stock and to contemplate your next move. Use planning and strategy, visualise your next move, patience isn’t a strong suit for you, but this week you’ll need to develop it. Practice makes perfect, so if you need to work on something, continue to do so for the first two weeks of January. As you attain perfection, refreshing new ideas come your way.

To see your horoscope, visit http://Playacommunity.Com at: http://www.playacommunity.com/daily-h...oroscopes/   

There’s nothing like a bit of banter when you’re blowing things up, as the first Battlefield Bad Company game proved. Now EA is reuniting the hapless B Company for more destructive action and amusing quips. Expect to cause chaos and ride a host of vehicles in locations stretching from snowy Russian villages to the Panama canal and look forward to extensive online multiplayer options. And this time: You can destroy whole buildings, including the frames. (Source: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk)   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - The Pangea restaurant in Panama City will be holding a New Years celebration: "Dear Friends, We would like to invite you to a great party December 31! Please click this link for more information. We look forward to seeing you!"

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.    

ARIES
This week you will be tempted to work extra hard, as a matter of fact, work will be a comfortable place for you to escape to, especially if you are experiencing relationship problems. Be careful though, it’s not worth it to cause long term damage when you build a wall of silence between you and a partner. You’ve got tough lessons to learn about love for the rest of this year, but these lessons will help you understand that love takes work; you got to tend the garden in order to get flowers. Patience, fair play, and perseverance will help you make the best of everything. Office affairs are troublesome deals, especially at this time, do your best to avoid getting entangled in a situation that you will later regret.

To see your horoscope, visit http://Playacommunity.Com at: http://www.playacommunity.com/daily-h...oroscopes/   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - If you've really been paying attention lately you might have heard people complaining about the sale of "married numbers" for Panama's National Lottery. Here's what happens. Everyone has a favorite number, and a lot of people want to buy numbers that mean something to them - most often a birthday or something like that because they think those numbers are luckier. Of course there are 99 numbers playing in the lottery but there are only 31 days in the month. Therefore, there's a higher demand for "lower" numbers (from 1 to 31) and the people selling the lottery numbers don't want to be given the "higher" numbers because they are harder to sell. The people who hand out the the tickets have been playing favorites (thanks to the payment of bribes, no doubt) so that some people get more "lower" numbers and less "higher" numbers, while others complain that they can't get any of the more popular lower numbers to sell. Then on the street they sell the numbers as "married" meaning that if you want to buy a lower number then you're required to buy a ticket with a higher number as well. The vendors do this in order to "entice" (force) the buyers to take the relatively unpopular higher numbers. And of course this practice is illegal - the lottery ticket vendors are required to simply sell the numbers they are given and they can't force anyone to buy a ticket with a higher number or place any kind of condition on the sale of a ticket. Anyway, the government is now taking steps to clean this whole thing up by more closely regulating how the numbers are issued to the sellers in the first place, and to take corrective administrative action against those sellers who try to sell "married" numbers. This might sound like a trivial little thing, but the National Lottery is incredibly important to the hundreds of thousands of Panamanians who play every week and who track this stuff like hawks. Anyway, that's what's going on. If you pick four numbers and get them right, your $1 ticket is now worth $2,000 bucks. Good luck.

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.