Are there any famous people from Panama that influenced it?

Question

Are there any famous people from Panama that influenced it?

Answer 1

Roberto Duran ... a national hero because of his boxing success !!

Answer 2

Simon Bolivar, Omar Torrios, Manuel Noriega.

Answer 3

My vote for the most famous person in this part of Panama's time line with a positive influence is Ruben Blades.  He is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, lawyer, actor, and politician.  But in 2004 he put his artistic career on hold when he became the Minister of Tourism of Panama (however he did perform during Carnival this year!).  He is one of the biggest public forces behind the huge thrust to renovate Casco Viejo one of Panama early neighborhood built during the France's attempt to build the Panama Canal .  Think French Quarters in New Orleans and that's pretty much the architecture of Casco Viejo which is some of the highest per square meter property being sold in Panama (Gracias, Sr. Blades!).  

Another project of RB is a program to train young gang members as tour guides. He recruited them from the streets of the neighborhood where he grew up and where he now owns a home, in the historic center of Panama's walled city (Casco Viejo) that is being gentrified with chic clubs and restaurants. Of the initial group of 20 trainees, one was killed and a few dropped out. But for the rest, Blades says, there is hope. http://www.calendarlive.com/music/cl-ca-...



So my vote is for Ruben Blades.  

For other information about Panama see http://www.panamaexpertos.com/