AGP Executive Report

National Celebrations: President José Raúl Mulino has canceled the November 3 dawn festivities at the Presidential Palace, including performances by bands, citing solidarity with families affected by the earthquake. A decision on patriotic parades is still pending. Living Heritage: Panama’s handicrafts carry stories and cultural knowledge, with visitors encouraged to learn from makers and buy thoughtfully rather than treat traditional work as souvenirs. Portobelo’s Congo Culture: The community’s heritage keeps music, memory and local life at the heart of its cultural identity. Cultural Travel: Bocas del Toro’s appeal extends beyond its beaches, with Afro-Caribbean music, food and traditions central to the region’s character.

Handicrafts: Panama’s handmade work carries cultural knowledge as well as craft. Visitors are urged to ask about its origins, buy respectfully and support makers directly. Social Media: Influencer Gracie Bon defended her photos at earthquake-damaged sites, saying she hoped the attention would help families rebuild; critics had called the images insensitive. Living Heritage: A feature on Portobelo highlights Congo traditions, with music, memory and community at the heart of the region’s culture. Cultural Travel: Bocas del Toro’s Afro-Caribbean music, food and language are part of its identity, alongside its forests, mangroves and marine life.

Heritage Recovery: A Venezuelan team has sent 40 tons of aid and is inspecting schools and historic buildings damaged by Panama’s earthquake, supporting efforts to assess and protect the country’s cultural landmarks. Bocas del Toro Culture: The province’s appeal goes beyond beaches, with Afro-Caribbean music, food and language, Indigenous communities and local guides offering visitors a richer way to experience its culture and ecology. Portobelo Traditions: Congo heritage keeps music, memory and community at the heart of cultural life in this historic Caribbean town. Guna Yala: Community and culture are central to a more meaningful visit to the region, where respectful tourism can support local life.

Books & AI: A report on AI companies’ destructive scanning of millions of books raises fresh concerns for authors and publishers: physical copies are cut apart for training data, often without creators’ permission. Social Media: Panamanian influencer Gracie Bon defended photos she took amid earthquake rubble, saying she hoped the attention would help families rebuild; critics questioned the shoot’s setting. Cultural Heritage: Portobelo’s Congo traditions keep music, memory and community at the center of Panama’s cultural life.

Influencer Backlash: Panamanian model Gracie Bon defended posing among earthquake-damaged buildings after critics called the photoshoot insensitive. Congo Heritage: Portobelo’s Congo traditions keep music, memory and community at the heart of local culture. Indigenous Culture: A feature on Guna Yala highlights how community and cultural traditions shape a meaningful visit to Panama.

Panama’s Living Heritage: Portobelo’s Congo traditions—music, dance, dress and storytelling—remain rooted in community memory and Afro-Panamanian identity, with the annual Festival of the Pollera Congo, Masks and Congo Devils helping pass customs to younger generations. Influencer Backlash: Panamanian influencer Gracie Bon defended sharing photos near earthquake-damaged buildings, saying her presence could draw attention to affected communities. Critics questioned whether the images centered the disaster or her social media profile. Cultural Travel: A new feature on Guna Yala highlights how local culture and community can shape a more meaningful visit to Panama.

Social Media: Panamanian influencer Gracie Bon faced backlash for photos taken among earthquake-damaged buildings. She denied staging a photoshoot and said she wanted to draw attention to affected communities and encourage help. Regional Arts: Panama is among the countries represented at Holguín’s Ibero-American Culture Festival, returning Oct. 24–30 with photography, music, dance and arts-education events. Music History: Jamaica Music Atlas has added Panama to its online guide to reggae’s roots, venues and artists across 12 countries.

Influencer Backlash: Panamanian model Gracie Bon defended photos taken among earthquake-damaged buildings, saying she wanted to draw attention to affected families and encourage donations. Critics said the images made the devastation a backdrop; her claims that she visited to help were not independently confirmed. Ibero-American Arts: Panama is among 10 countries represented at Holguin’s Ibero-American Culture Festival, returning Oct. 24–30 after a two-year break. The program includes photography, music, dance and arts education. Panamanian Music: The band Making Movies, whose sound draws on Panama, is set for a free outdoor concert in Columbia, South Carolina, on Oct. 15.

Celebrity & Social Media: Panamanian model Gracie Bon defended photos taken among earthquake rubble, saying she wanted to draw attention to affected families and encourage donations. Critics accused her of turning the disaster into a photoshoot. Regional Arts: Panama will be represented at Holguin’s Ibero-American Culture Festival, returning Oct. 24–30 after a two-year break. The program spans photography, music, dance and literature, with delegates from 10 countries. Panamanian Sound Abroad: Latin Grammy-nominated band Making Movies, whose music draws on Panama, is set for a free outdoor concert in Columbia, South Carolina, on Oct. 15.

Cultural Heritage: Panama’s earthquake damaged 13 church temples, adding historic and community sites to the recovery effort. Panama Music: Latin Grammy-nominated band Making Movies, whose sound draws on Panama, will play a free outdoor concert in South Carolina on Oct. 15. Celebrity Watch: Panamanian influencer Gracie Bon faced criticism for posing among earthquake rubble; she said she visited to donate supplies and raise support for affected families.

Latin American Film: Sudbury’s Abya Yala festival runs Oct. 15–18, pairing films from across the region with photography and live music. Its name, used by Guna people in Colombia and Panama, means “living land” or “land that flourishes.” Cultural Heritage: Reports say Panama’s powerful earthquake damaged 13 church buildings, prompting messages of solidarity. Textile Traditions: Panama’s and Vietnam’s first ladies connected over their countries’ ethnic textiles at a Hanoi event.

Cultural Heritage: Panama’s powerful earthquake damaged 13 church temples, putting historic religious sites among the losses from the disaster. Latin American Cinema: Sudbury’s Abya Yala Film Festival runs Oct. 15–18 with films, photography and live music celebrating the region; its name comes from a Guna term used by Indigenous people in Panama and Colombia. Fashion & Culture: Panamanian and Vietnamese first ladies shared a moment around their countries’ ethnic textiles at a cultural event in Hanoi.

Heritage at Risk: Panama’s 7.7-magnitude earthquake damaged at least 13 churches. In historic La Villa de Los Santos, the upper section of St. Athanasius Church’s bell tower collapsed and cracks have left the building inaccessible. The damage threatens a landmark in a town central to Panama’s independence history. Textile Traditions: Panama’s and Vietnam’s first ladies shared a cultural moment in Hanoi, bonding over ethnic textiles and bringing traditional craft into the spotlight.

Heritage at Risk: Panama’s earthquake damaged at least 13 churches. In historic La Villa de Los Santos, part of St. Athanasius Church’s bell tower collapsed, leaving a landmark tied to the country’s independence story closed off. Panama in the Spotlight: Bocas del Toro made Lonely Planet’s list of 50 top destinations for 2027, putting the archipelago among the guide’s recommended places to visit. Textile Exchange: Panama and Vietnam’s first ladies connected over traditional textiles during an event in Hanoi, bringing ethnic designs into focus during the countries’ growing cultural ties. Football: Panama is among the teams heading to the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals in November, with a place in next year’s finals and direct Gold Cup qualification at stake.

Cultural Heritage: Panama’s 7.7-magnitude earthquake damaged at least 13 churches. In historic La Villa de Los Santos, part of St. Athanasius Church’s bell tower collapsed, damaging a landmark tied to the country’s independence story. Football: New Zealand’s Football Ferns canceled their two-match series with Panama after the quake; the squad and staff are safe. Film: Panama and the Dominican Republic signed an agreement to promote film co-productions, creating new opportunities for cross-border projects. Music: Farruko says he is entering a new musical phase with slower, romantic reggaetón after exploring spiritual and electronic influences.

Latin Music: Farruko says he is entering a new phase, making slower, romantic reggaetón for listeners to enjoy after exploring spiritual themes and other sounds. Film: Panama and the Dominican Republic signed an agreement to promote film co-productions, opening a path for more cross-border projects. Cultural Exchange: Panama’s first lady and Vietnam’s first lady connected over traditional textiles during a Hanoi event, spotlighting the region’s craft and heritage.