The Art of Life: Freedom & Faith

Freedom & Faith

By Christopher Emmanuel

"Freedom & faith is tied to responsibility and consequences"

I saw a boat named “Freedom” in the back by the lagoon. Just the name makes you want to ride in it. I am sure everyone is looking for a ride to freedom. Naming a boat is an important thing for a fisherman. Many times it’s a name of the love in their lives. Other times it’s an endearing quality or nick name they feel connected to. For many the right name provides a sense of protection and faith. Here in San Pedro there is a ceremony for blessing boats with faith for safety at sea. A boat is significant on the water and having a faithful connection can be a life line when travelling at sea.

Does faith and freedom go together? Freedom conjures up wonderful images for us all-we all want to sail free and clear. Finding freedom is not always an easy task. Each person has a concept on what freedom means. But for most it’s like a boat in the wind. Sometimes the wind dies and we are left standing still wondering, other times we need to dock it, tie it down till the storms of confinement pass.

Freedom always require faith, every journey requires faith to reach a destination. We can say then true freedom is really not an all out doing without care, but the ability to make choices and in that, in this part of the world we all have that. Choice is truly freedom, a gift from the Divine

Books by Christopher Emmanuel can be purchased at his Art Gallery in The Sunbreeze Hotel, Art of Touch, Pages Book Store, Black Orchid Spa and Sol Spa.

Marco Gonzalez officially becomes a National Park

On Friday April 1st, Minister Heredia signed the final Statutory Instrument (SI), making Marco Gonzalez a national park. The official signing took place at the Belize Tourism Board office at 2:00pm. In attendance were Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture; Ms Diane Haylock, President NICH (National Institute of Culture and History). From Belize Institute of Archaeology were: George Thompson, Acting Director; Dr. John Morris, Associate Director, Research; Brian Woodye, Associate Director, Parks; Dr. Allan Moore, Associate Director, Education; Melissa Badillo, Staff Archaeologist; members from the Marco Gonzalez Board of Directors, members of the media and other invited guests.

George Thompson, Diane Haylock, Minister Manuel Heredia

Hon. Manuel Heredia, Jan Brown

Diane Haylock, Hon. Heredia, Jan Brown

Marco Gonzalez Site:

Read more about the Marco Gonzalez site:http://sanpedrosun.blogspot.com/2010/07/exploring-marco-gonzalez.html

San Pedro Under 20 Football Club in Valley of Peace

Sports have been a stronghold in the lives of residents of San Pedro. Residents actively participate in everything from beach volleyball, softball, sailing, kayaking and of course football. Fuljencio Hoare is no stranger to the sport of football in San Pedro. Recently acquiring the guidance of Coach Omar Moreno, Fuljencio “Fully” Hoare has created the San Pedro U20 Football Club (SPU20FC).

The SPU20FC hopes to provide an alternative to the many young, talented, athletic youth on the island. The venue will afford the youth the opportunity to create life long skills such as sportsmanship, group work, how to become a team player, responsibility and self control while providing them the basis for a healthy lifestyle. As proven in the past, the club also provides the perfect platform for athletes to showcase their talents and compete to become a member of the Belize National Selection, which travels internationally to represent Belize.

Visit our web site for the full story.

House partially destroyed in fire in San Pedro Town

A two story concrete and wooden structure was partially destroyed in a fire on on Wednesday night. The house is the property of Mr. Armando Gonzalez, however at the time of the incident, it was being rented by two separate families.

The San Pedro Fire Department reports that they received the call sometime around 8:30pm of a fire in the Boca del Rio Area. Upon arrival at the corner of Sapodilla Street and Laguna Drive, they discovered a blaze coming out from the upper wooden section of the building.

Within 15 minutes of arrival, fire officials managed to get the fire under control, the fire was brought under control but not before destroying the upper flat of the building, which was occupied by Carolina Campus and 3 other family members.

According to Campos, all four were eating at a food stall across the street when someone informed her that there was something burning inside the building. By the time she ran across to her house the entire roof was engulfed in flames.

As for the lower flat of the building which is concrete, fire officials managed to control the fire on time, however the content inside the ground floor received water and smoke damages. To post time, the cause of the fire was not released - however Ms Campos informed that the fire began around the electrical panel box area.

Child Stimulation month ends

Under the theme "Parents educate your Child", Child Stimulation Month came to an end wit the various primary schools getting together and marching down the main streets of San Pedro.