December 06, 2024
Celebrating Mother’s Day in Panama: A Day of Love, Chaos, and Traffic
Mother’s Day in Panama, celebrated every December 8, is a deeply meaningful tradition that honors mothers for their love, dedication, and sacrifices. This cherished holiday is rooted in history, shaped by a unique blend of religious and cultural influences. With this year’s celebration falling on a Sunday, Panamanians will enjoy an added bonus: Monday is a public holiday, giving families more time to celebrate.
However, as beautiful as the occasion is, the festivities come with their challenges—particularly the legendary traffic that defines the days leading up to Mother’s Day.
Why Panama Celebrates Mother’s Day on December 8
Panama’s observance of Mother’s Day on December 8 has historical and religious significance. In 1924, the Rotary Club of Panama proposed May 11 as Mother’s Day, which was approved by then-President Belisario Porras. However, in 1930, a Catholic women’s guild petitioned the National Assembly to change the date to December 8, aligning it with the feast of the Immaculate Conception—a day dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a figure representing maternal love and devotion.
The petition was accepted through Law 69 of 1930, officially declaring December 8 as the day to honor all Panamanian mothers. The change reflects the country’s strong Catholic traditions, making Mother’s Day not only a family celebration but also a religious observance for many.
How to Celebrate Mother’s Day in Panama
1. A Family Feast Celebrate with a home-cooked meal or treat Mom to her favorite restaurant. Panamanian classics like arroz con pollo, tamales, or sancocho often take center stage on Mother’s Day menus. For those dining out, reservations are essential, as restaurants are guaranteed to be packed.
2. Thoughtful Gifts Gift-giving is an important part of the day. Whether it’s jewelry, flowers, or something homemade, a thoughtful gift speaks volumes. This time of year also coincides with the withdrawal of Christmas savings plans, adding a unique element to the shopping frenzy as families look to splurge on both Mother’s Day and holiday gifts.
3. A Day of Pampering Give Mom a day of relaxation with a trip to the spa or a DIY pampering session at home. A massage, manicure, or simple breakfast in bed can make her feel truly special.
4. Nature and Adventure For families who enjoy the outdoors, Panama offers plenty of options. Take a stroll through the Metropolitan Natural Park, relax at a nearby beach, or explore the scenic beauty of El Valle de Antón.
5. Quiet Family Time Sometimes the best celebration is the simplest one. Spending the day at home, sharing stories, playing games, or watching Mom’s favorite movies can create lasting memories.
The Traffic Tangle: What to Expect Before Mother’s Day
While Mother’s Day is a heartwarming celebration, it also brings an annual challenge: traffic chaos. This year, the convergence of Mother’s Day, holiday preparations, and financial activities adds to the congestion.
1. Christmas Savings Withdrawals
December marks the release of funds from Christmas savings plans, a popular practice in Panama. Thousands of people head to banks and cooperatives to withdraw their year-long savings, flooding malls and stores to buy gifts for both Mother’s Day and Christmas.
2. Holiday Shopping
December is already one of the busiest months in Panama. Combining Mother’s Day with holiday preparations creates a perfect storm in commercial districts like Albrook Mall, Multiplaza, and Soho Mall. Long lines, packed parking lots, and crowded streets are inevitable.
3. Family Travel
Many families travel to the interior to celebrate with relatives, causing significant delays on highways, especially the Pan-American Highway.
Tips for Navigating the Chaos
- Withdraw Early: If you’re participating in a Christmas savings plan, try to withdraw funds early in the week to avoid the rush.
- Shop in Advance: Purchase gifts and groceries well ahead of time to sidestep the crowds.
- Leave Early: Whether traveling or heading to an event, plan to leave hours earlier to account for traffic.
- Stay Local: Opt for nearby celebrations to minimize travel stress.
- Use Public Transport: Parking will be a nightmare, so consider taking buses or using rideshare services like Uber.
A Celebration Worth the Effort
Mother’s Day in Panama is more than just a holiday; it’s a time to reflect on the love, strength, and devotion of mothers. Despite the traffic jams, crowded malls, and logistical headaches, the joy of spending quality time with family makes it all worthwhile.
This December 8, as you celebrate the incredible mothers in your life, take a moment to appreciate the deep cultural and religious roots of the holiday. And remember, whether you’re braving the traffic or enjoying a quiet day at home, the love and gratitude you show will mean the world to Mom.
TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:
Temporary Suspension of Works on the Main Roads of the Country this Weekend
The Land Transit and Transportation Authority (ATTT), in collaboration with the National Police’s Traffic Operations Division, has announced an important measure to ensure smooth traffic flow during the Mother’s Day holiday.
From 12:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6, until 11:00 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2024, all works, activities, and projects that involve the occupation of traffic lanes on the main roads of the country will be temporarily suspended.
Main Roads and Highways
The suspension will apply to key sections of the Pan-American Highway, specifically from La Espiga in La Chorrera to the Border in Paso Canoas.
Similarly, the section from the intersection with the South Corridor to the district of Chepo will be free of interruptions.
In addition to these sections of the Pan-American Highway, the measure includes a ban on work on other major roads connecting various regions of the country.
The most important roads include:
• Dr. Belisario Porras Avenue
• Domingo Díaz Avenue
• Vía España
• Transístmica Avenue
• Balboa Avenue
• José Agustín Arango Avenue
• José María Torrijos Avenue
• Ricardo J. Alfaro Avenue
• Israel Avenue
The suspension of works aims to facilitate the movement of citizens during a long weekend, especially during a time when celebrations and travel to other provinces are expected to increase.
Furthermore, traffic authorities hope that by clearing the busiest roads of ongoing roadwork, travel times will be reduced and the risks of accidents related to construction projects will be minimized.
The ATTT urges drivers to take the necessary precautions during this period, recommending:
• Planning long trips in advance, especially to other provinces.
• Respecting traffic signals and the instructions of traffic officers in areas of high traffic.
• Avoiding peak hours on major avenues and highways.
These are the Safety Recommendations from the Police for the Year-end Economic Activity
As December begins, economic activity at the national level increases due to the disbursement of Christmas savings and the payment of the third installment of the thirteenth month.
According to the payment schedule from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the payment of the thirteenth month in the public sector will be made effective on Friday, December 6.
In this regard, the National Police is promoting various security measures for both nationals and foreigners to help avoid becoming victims of criminals.
• The main recommendations include:
• Store valuable items in the car trunk.
• Make sure to properly lock the car doors and windows.
• Use ATMs located in shopping centers.
• Do not display money in public.
• Be aware of the activity around the area where you are.
The Police reported that patrols will continue in commercial, banking, and residential areas to ensure safety.
It is worth noting that on December 15, the private sector will pay the thirteenth month.
Inauguration of an Exhibition of Recovered Panamanian Archaeological Pieces
The authorities inaugurated the exhibition “Recovered Heritage: Our Legacy Returns Home,” which will be open to the public free of charge at the City of Arts in Llanos de Curundú.
The exhibition features archaeological pieces that were recovered and repatriated to Panama from five countries. These pieces date back to between 550 A.D. and 1,000 A.D., according to the Ministry of Culture. They come from the regions of Greater Coclé, Greater Chiriquí, and Greater Darién.
Panama has recovered nearly 400 pieces that had been trafficked to other countries.
“The repatriation of archaeological pieces is an act of historical justice that strengthens our identity as a nation,” said Foreign Minister Javier Martínez Acha.
This exhibition will be open until December 13.
President Mulino Formalizes Panama’s Accession to Mercosur as an Associated State
The President of the Republic of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, formalized on Friday, December 6, Panama’s accession to Mercosur as an Associated State to this economic and trade bloc.
An Important Step for Panama
Panama’s accession to Mercosur opens new opportunities for the country in terms of trade and regional integration. Mercosur is considered the fifth-largest economy in the world, with a GDP of 4.5 trillion dollars.
Members and Associated States
The bloc is composed of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay, and has Associated States such as Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, and Suriname. Additionally, Bolivia is in the process of formalizing its accession.
The Panama City Hall Announces the Date for the Removal of Stickers and License Plates in December
The Panama City Hall announced that, starting Friday, December 6, vehicle owners with license plates for this month can pick up their stickers.
Essential Requirements
To collect the sticker, taxpayers must have a valid vehicle inspection and have paid the circulation tax.
Location and Hours
The pickup can be done at the Plate Delivery Center, located in Francisco Arias Paredes Park, from Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WHO Considers the Health Risk from Oropouche Outbreaks in American Countries to be “High”
The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the health risk from the oropouche virus in the Americas as “high,” due to the disease, which is similar to dengue and chikungunya, having confirmed more than 11,000 cases in the region so far this year.
Since the last assessment of the disease in August, cases have been reported in three new countries in the region (Ecuador, Panama, and Guyana), as well as in the United States, Canada, and three European countries. However, the global risk remains low, according to the new report from the United Nations’ health agency.
In addition to the mentioned countries, infections have also been recorded this year in Bolivia (356 cases), Brazil (9,563), Colombia (74), Cuba (603), and Peru (936), as well as in the Cayman Islands, the Geneva-based organization emphasized.
The WHO urges countries at risk to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and reinforce preventive measures in the population to reduce the geographic spread of the virus.
Pregnant women and newborns would be among the most vulnerable groups to this infection, which could also affect the fetuses of these mothers during pregnancy, warned the agency.
The cases recorded in Europe, apparently imported by people from affected American countries, mainly Cuba, have been diagnosed in Spain (21), Germany (three), and Italy (six).
Oropouche is an arboviral disease caused by the virus of the same name, circulating in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. It is transmitted primarily by the bite of the Culicoides paraensis mosquito and similar species, which are present in wooded and aquatic areas.
The symptoms of the disease resemble those of dengue, including fever, intense headaches, joint stiffness, nausea, and vomiting.
Most patients recover within a week, although in some cases, the disease can last longer and, in rare instances, develop into severe forms of meningitis.
Currently, there are no antiviral treatments or vaccines for the disease, the WHO noted, advising against the imposition of travel restrictions to or from the affected countries.
