Belize Fashion Fusion 2014 a Success

This past weekend Nouveau Model Management, Belize's premier modeling agency partnered with well known wedding, fashion and events photographer and Philanthropist, Will Moreno from Will Moreno Photography to present an innovative show designed to promote Belizean fashion designers, Belizean jewelry designers, an international fashion designer with Belizean family ties all showcased on the runway by the beautiful and elegant models of Nouveau Model Management.

The fusion of designers such as Danny Torres from Jada's Fashions, Mauricio Canelo of De-Yans Fashion Jewelry, Lula Bennett of Lula's Impressions, supported by local boutiques such as Catwalk Fashions, Pink Boutique and Eve'e Secrets Lingerie made for a spectacular event. The main reason for the fusion and the fashion show was to show a child some love for Valentines as all profit from the show gets donated to charities such as the Belize Association of California and the Love Foundation for the less fortunate Belizean Children. The show was hosted by Jackie Castillo and William Neal.


Photo by: Danae Studios

International Designer, Geraldine Quijano, from Merida, who has Belizean family ties certainly amazed the audience with her swimsuit designs from the ultra modern to the retro styles that are now being used by international celebrities.

 

The audience was pleasantly surprised at the level of entertainment that they received not only from the runway segments by the designers but by the performances from the shadow dancers who's energy kept the audience wondering if they were real. There were also special performances by the band, Verge of Umbra as well as the Nu Generation Dance Company and Wilson Grinage.

 

 

 

 

 

There was also a segment where members of the audience got the opportunity to have fun and strut the runway which had the audience cheering and clapping for their favorites.

 

 

In the end the night was a success as the models from Nouveau Model Management finished off the show with a final walk showcasing all NMM Models who graced the runway.

 

This show has certainly set a new standard for runways shows in Belize and has certainly left the audience looking forward to Fashion Fusion 2015



 

 

 





Mixed Martial Arts makes its debut in Belize by the House of Shotokan

On Saturday, April 20th the House of Shotokan proudly brought Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fights to Belize. These UFC style fights have become very popular and fans from all over Belize made their way out to cheer for Team Belize.

For the first time in Belize the octagonal cage and mat had been set up for these young men to do battle. Their opponent was Team Mexico who showed tremendous fighting style.

There were a total of 9 fights including the fight for the MMA championship belt which was taken by a Belizean. You can view the fights here: http://www.youtube.com/user/PlatinumRealEstate1

In the end Team Mexico won 5 matches and Team Belize won 4 matches including the Championship belt. Belizean, Jamil Smith, won his championship match to become the new MMA Champ in Belize. Unfortunately for the Mexican fighter who ended the fight with an illegal kick to the face while the Belizean fighter was down.

Spanish Lookout Mennonite Community in the Cayo District of Belize

Spanish Lookout, Cayo District, Belize

Spanish Lookout is a small yet very modern Mennonite community in the Cayo District of Belize that is very accessible off the Western Highway. Well known for their farming capabilities and skilled craftsmanship the Mennonites in Belize have made a name for themselves in Belize.

In 1958 Kleine Gemeinde Mennonites who objected to a new social welfare law in Mexico moved to Belize, creating the Spanish Lookout settlement when they found that the land was very fertile and readily available in Belize. The citizens of this community speak Plautdietsch; most also speak English and Spanish. It is largely an agricultural community with some light industry, furniture making, prefabricated wood houses and the only oil field in production in Belize.

Belize - Paradise has been found in Central America and the Caribbean

Have you ever wondered what paradise looks like? Do you like to look at breathtaking views? Have you ever wondered what it feels like to walk in the past? Do you want to experience Central American and Caribbean culture and cuisines at its very best? Are you looking for adventure? Are you looking for your getaway location? You can find all this and more in Belize with the help of Platinum International Real Estate and Investments who is dedicated to effectively marketing and selling the finest selection of properties in Belize in all price ranges. Platinum International Real Estate is a full serice real estate company whose agents cover the entire country of Belize to include: Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize, Belmopan, Cayo, Stann Creek, Toledo and the island communities of San Pedro-Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Turneffe, St. George's Caye among many other areas around Belize around.

Belize is a small, unspoiled Central American country located on the Western Caribbean coast nestled between Mexico and Guatemala and kissed on her shores by the jeweled waters of the Caribbean Sea. Belize is fast becoming a world renowned destination for tourists and international investors alike. Belize is considered by many of our local and international real estate clients to be the most beautiful and undiscovered spot ideal for vacation and retirement that allows them to enjoy the unique cultural diversity of a Latin American as well as a Caribbean Country, or a place to call HOME. Belize is the ONLY English speaking Central American country due to the historical influences of the British Buccaneers and Colonialists that settled in the country for over a century. It is home to a multi-cultural society made up of Creole, Mestizo, East Indian, Chinese, Lebanese, Garifuna, Maya, and Mennonites just to name a few. Belize's population of approximately 300,000 is a diverse cultural mix of languages and ethnic groups. It is a country rich in culture and tradition and rooted in common beliefs of working together for a strong economy. The Belizean people are very friendly and a simple hello and smile is given everywhere you go no matter who you are or what you do.

Belize consists of approximately 8,866 square miles of land mass and is dotted with 266 square miles of offshore islands. This juxtaposition offers a unique perspective that appeals to everyone from the eco-tourist to the avid water sportsman. People that visit Belize keep coming back to immerse themselves in the rich cultural diversity and the well preserved forests and barrier reef that we call paradise. People enjoy soaking in the cool azure Caribbean waters; taking day trips to its world renowned fishing grounds; snorkeling preservation sites; diving the Great Blue Hole and surrounding waters or taking a hike in the lush protected rain forests that keep the country so serene and steeped in nature. Spelunkers also enjoy the challenge and privilege of being among the few to explore our vast networks of cave systems many of which remain untouched and unexplored. Belize is known for its high concentration of Mayan Temples and meandering rivers - not to mention the exotic wildlife and pristine tropical forests. Inland Belize is a treasure trove of Mayan archaeological temples and ceremonial sites, some of which have remained undiscovered in the jungles for hundreds if not thousands of years. Belize can boast to having the largest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere that is also a World Heritage Site, the largest interconnected Cave System in Central America, the only Jaguar Reserve in the entire world, and more than 500 species of birds guaranteed to intrigue bird watchers or nature lovers alike. Belize truly is an Adventurer's Paradise. The pristine offshore waters of Belize nurture the beautiful crystalline white sandy beaches and is the natural habitat of a wide and diverse marine life ecosystem. Divers, snorkelers, marine biologists, and fishermen have come to recognize Belize as one of the best water-sport destinations in the world. Belize is also praised for its dedication to conservation and preservation of the natural environment.

The preservation of such beautiful places in Belize is essential for generations to enjoy even after we move on and leave our legacy behind.

To learn more about Belize, CLICK HERE.

Photos have been used with permission from Olivera Rusu Photography.
To look at some of the magnificent photos, CLICK HERE.

Corozal Town's Early History

Corozal Town of Today

To the extreme north in Belize you will find the town of Corozal which was founded in 1848 by refugees from the Maya Indian uprising against the Spanish in neighboring Yucatan. This uprising, known as the Caste War (from the Spanish "castas" or race), began as a war against the Spaniards, but it eventually became a war against the Mestizos. The Mestizos who are half Spanish and half Indian, had proven to be formidable allies of the Spaniards, and were thus mortal enemies of the Maya Indians.

A massacre at Bacalar, Mexico which was a Mestizo stronghold about thirty miles north of Corozal Town, finally led to the exodus of thousands of Mestizos from Bacalar and the surrounding areas in Mexico. Between 1848 and 1856 more than 10,000 Mestizo refugees crossed the Rio Hondo, the river that now serves as the boundary between Belize and Mexico. The immigrants sought refuge in northern Belize, and increased the population of Corozal Town to 4500. Mr. James Blake, a magistrate, let them settle on lands in the Corozal District and helped them to establish the new crop, sugar cane.

The Mestizo refugees were far from safe in Corozal Town as the Maya Indians from the Mexican base in Santa Cruz Bravo, which today is now Carrillo Puerto, made several incursions into Corozal Town. In defense, Corozal became a garrison town and Fort Barlee was built here in 1870. Today, the brick corner supports of the fort surrounds the post office complex of the buildings across from the central town square.

The immigrants brought with them Mestizo culture: Spanish and Yucatec Maya language, Catholicism and Maya folklore, the use of alcalde system, their family structure and way of life. Soon, there emerged a local replication of the society of the Yucatan within the boundaries of a country ruled by English expatriates.

Cerros Maya Ruin in Corozal

Across the bay from Corozal Town are the mounds of Cerros, the first Maya coastal trading center. Cerros is considered one of the most important late pre-classic Maya sites because it represented the first experiment with kingship in the Maya world. Cerros was important as a coastal trading center and expressed new forms of art and architecture that proved to be crucial for the classic Maya art and architecture. The remains include a number of temples, plazas, ball-courts, canals, and minor structures. Cerros’ tallest temple rises 21 meters above the plaza floor. The most interesting artifacts so far discovered are the five jade head pendants.

Santa Rita Maya Ruin in Corozal

Within Corozal Town can be found another Maya ruin from the fourteenth century AD. Known as Santa Rita, the pyramid site sits atop the remains of a Maya city that dominated the area for more than 2000 years. This site was important during the late Post-Classic Period and was occupied up to the time of the time of Spanish contact in the 1500’s. The largest building in the central core of Santa Rita has been excavated and consolidated, and open to the public. Archaeological excavations there have shown Santa Rita to be the ancient province of Chetumal, where a large part of the Post-Classic civilization once thrived at the time of the first Spanish attempt to conquer the Yucatec Mayas in the early 16th century. Burial sites rich in jewelry and artifacts have recently been unearthed there.

A sight worth seeing is the vibrant mural in the Town Hall. Painted by the Belizean-Mexican artist Manuel Villamore, it surrealistically depicts the rich history of Corozal.

Battle of St George's Caye Celebrated in Belize on the 10th of September Every Year

The Battle of St. George's Caye was a short military engagement, came as a result of the outbreak of war between Britain and Spain in 1796, lasted from 3 September to 10, 1798, fought off the coast of what is now Belize. However, the name is typically reserved for the final battle that occurred on September 10.

The battle took place between an invading force from Mexico, attempting to claim Belize for Spain, and a small force of resident woodcutters called Baymen , who fought for their livelihood assisted by black slaves. After the final two and a half hour battle, ravaged by sickness, the Spaniards withdrew and the British declared themselves winners.

Background
The territory that is now Belize was under dispute from as early as the mid 1750s by Great Britain and Spain. While Spain never occupied Belize, she apparently considered it part of her Central American territories, such as Mexico and Guatemala. The British had entered the territory as of 1638 to harvest logwood and later mahogany. Spain recognized this trade in the Treaty of Paris (signed in 1763) but did not undertake to draw boundaries (which would have suggested that Spain was giving up claims of sovereignty to the area), leading to further disputes. Indeed, from 1779 to 1782 the settlement was practically non-existent, its settlers having been deported to Havana, Cuba.

The Treaty of Versailles and the Superintendency
In 1783, hostilities were brought to an end by the signing of the treaty of Versailles, which allowed the Baymen rights between the Belize and Hondo rivers; this was extended with the 1786 Convention of London to the Sibun River. Cutting rights were granted to the settlers on the condition that the settlement be recognized as belonging to Spain; Superintendent Col. Marcus Despard was to administer the terms of the treaty. Due to conflicts with the inhabitants Despard resigned, but by 1796 it was clear the issue would have to be settled.

Escalation and preparations
Humphreys relates that in a 1796 visit to the area, Visitador Juan O'Sullivan claimed the British were encroaching on Spanish territory in Mexico by cutting near the Rio Hondo. Upon his return to Spain, hostilities broke out between Great Britain and Spain as a result of the Napoleonic Wars. The Spanish viewed the situation seriously and determined to take out the British.

Colonists appealed to Jamaica Lieutenant Governor Alexander Lindsay, Sixth Earl of Balcarres, for assistance. Even though he was in the midst of the Maroon Wars, Balcarres nonetheless sent muskets and ammunition to the settlement and a further shipment arrived on Lt. Thomas Dundas' ship HMS Merlin in December 1796. But upon his arrival, Dundas noted panic in the settlement and the subsequent dispatching of slaves to cut logwood instead of preparing to defend the settlement.

Balcarres then named Major (promoted to Lt. Colonel) Thomas Barrow Superintendent of the settlement. Barrow, a seasoned veteran of war according to Humphreys, immediately began whipping the unruly Baymen into shape, and martial law, stopping all activities in the settlement, was declared on February 11, 1797. On March 18, magistrates Thomas Potts, Thomas Graham and Marshall Bennett all asked Barrow whether there were any incoming messages from Jamaica. Barrow admitted that more help would be on the way soon, to alleviate the fears of the Baymen, but Humphreys calls the actions of Potts and company "cowardly" and says that even after that reassurance morale was low.

The June evacuation meeting
Impatient with the plans to defend the settlement, the Baymen called a public meeting for 1 June 1797. At this meeting, the Baymen voted 65 to 51 to defend the settlement and cooperate with Barrow. This initial support wavered considerably between then and September 1798, as reports came in of the size of the Spanish arrived just north of St George's Caye in early September 1798, all secured by Don Arturo O'Neill Tirone, Yucatán Governor and Commander of the expedition, had secured: reportedly consisted of 32 vessels, including sixteen heavily armed men-of-war and 2000 troops broken down below.

“ ...two very large frigates, an armed brig, and two sloops carrying two 100 pounders, and four gunboats carrying each a 24 pounder in bow; with several other armed vessels, arrived... at Campeche, and taking aboard about 300 troops, then sailed and (made a rendezvous) at the island of Cozumel;...the two frigates and the brig left the fleet there and as the deserters understood, returned to La Vera Cruz... A schooner of 22 guns, to which they (the deserters) belonged, then became commodore...All the small vessels of the fleet were to be sent to Bacalar to assist in embarking the troops at that place, said to consist of 12 companies of 100 men each... ”

This estimate was severely reduced due to outbreaks of yellow fever and dissent in the Spanish army. Nevertheless, it was enough to frighten the Baymen into posting lookouts near the boundaries of the territory.

Baymen's preparations
The Merlin's command in 1798 was Captain John Moss, a strategist on the order of Barrow. By July 18, 1798 the fleet had reached Cozumel, leading the settlers to agree to arm their slaves, an act that affected the outcome of the battle due to the slaves' knowledge of warfare. There were still some who were cautious and demanded evacuation, including Potts, but Balcarres ignored them and imposed martial law on July 26. The Settlement lineup consisted of the following:

“ Merlin, HM's sloop of war; two sloops, Towser and Tickler, with one 18 pounder and 25 men each; one sloop, Mermaid, with one short 9 pounder and 25 men; the schooners, Swinger and Teazer, with six four pounders and 25 men each; seven gun-flats, one 9 pounder and 16 men each. ”

In addition there were 700 troops ready to deter attack by land.

The Battle
From September 3 to 5, the Spaniards tried to force their way through Montego Caye shoal, blocked by the defenders and shallow waters. The military commanders, Moss and Barrow, differed on where to put their resources for the next phase of the fight: Barrow thought they would go to the land phase, while Moss decided on defending St. George's Caye. Moss arrived in time to stop the Spaniards, setting the stage for September 10.

September 10
On the morning of September 10, 1798, fourteen of the largest Spanish ships sailed to within 2.5km of St George's Caye, keeping to the deep water to the east, and began firing. Captain Moss of the Merlin held his fire – the Spanish broadsides were falling short. At 1:00 pm that afternoon, the Spaniards and British lined up off St. George's Caye. The Spaniards stormed through the channel, and at 1:30 Captain Moss gave the order to open fire. Guns blazing, the Merlin and the Baymen's fleet swept forward, wreaking havoc among the heavy and crowded Spanish ships. The Spaniards engaged the British in a two-hour fight which ended in defeat for the confused Spaniards who were already weakened by desertions and yellow fever. They suffered heavy losses and fled in disorder to Caye Chapel. There they remained for five days, burying their dead on the island. Moss reported no one killed and the side in good spirits. Barrow was dispatched and arrived in time to see the end of the battle and prevent the slave men from boarding the enemy. The Spaniards were in full retreat by September 13, and Barrow agreed to send vessels to further push the Spaniards back. On the morning of September 16 the defeated fleet sailed for Bacalar.

Aftermath
Though a victory was won against overwhelming odds, the Battle of St George's Caye was not by itself decisive. No one in Belize could be sure that the Spanish would not once again attempt to remove the Baymen by force. The legal status was as before: a settlement where the inhabitants could cut timber but which did not constitute a territory of the British empire. Sovereign rights remained, nominally at least, with Spain.

However, in purely practical terms the power of the Spanish empire was waning while the British empire was consolidating and expanding. But in Belize the slaves were still slaves, though they had fought valiantly alongside the Baymen: their owners expected them to go back to cutting mahogany. Emancipation came no earlier than elsewhere in the British empire. Indeed controversy still exists within Belize over the fact that the battle was fought between two European powers to establish rule over a colony. It created the conditions for Belize to become an integral part of the British empire and enabled the slave owners to claim that the slaves were willing to fight on behalf of their masters. Whatever its legacy, the 1798 expedition was the last time that Spain attempted to gain control over Belize; Britain gradually assumed a greater role in the government of the settlement

The event is celebrated every September 10 in Belize as St. George's Caye Day or National Day.