With a very hot, lively and energetic line up of performances, the San Pedro International Costa Maya Festival kicked off last night on Ambergris Caye, Belize. The show included theatrical and lively performances by the Alma Caribeña dance group from Mexico, the explosive dance presentations by Grupo Crash of El Salvador, the cultural drumming and dancing of the Charikaniri Garifuna Dance Group of Belize and the lively sounds of Belize’s Youth Connection Band accompanied by an energetic Ernestine Carballo and Harrison “Dawgie” King; DJ Patron kept the music flowing.
For the first time at the festival, pageant preliminaries of the Miss Costa Maya took place in the midst of all the performance of the evening. The seven contestants graced the stage with their national costumes and casual wear. They boasted the natural talent of their home country’s designers and artists and also participated in a casual conversation with the evening’s hosts. Judges scores of the national and casual wear segments will be added to the contestants scores of the main event that include a swimsuit, cultural costume and evening wear segments.
Costa Maya Festival continues this evening with Pageant Night and a host of other performances from Belize and the region. San Pedro is boasting a packed island with thousand of visitors from around the country and world coming to enjoy a fun-filled weekend in La Isla Bonita.
Miss Costa Maya Pageant Preliminaries
Miss Belize Marcia Moody: This delegate was born and raised in the San Ignacio, Cayo District and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Education. She enjoys playing football, swimming and fishing, dancing and pageantry. She is no stranger to the stage, as she most recently placed as first runner-up in the 2016 Miss Universe Belize.
Miss Costa Rica Adriana Moya Alvarado: This delegate hails from San José, the capital city of Costa Rica and loves architecture and traveling the world.
Miss El Salvador Naydin Madeline Valladares Renderos: This delegate is originally from San Salvador and is in her second year of International Relations Bachelor’s Degree studies. She enjoys dancing, socializing with friends and family, photography, running and studying. She speaks Spanish, English and a little bit of Italian as well.
Miss Guatemala Hilary Dhianette Castillo Cumings: This delegate is proud to be representing her beloved country ofGuatemala at the 2018 Costa Maya Festival. The Architecture and Interior Design student enjoys volunteer work, and when she isn’t organizing events, she loves to dance, garden and catch up on her studies.
Miss Honduras Mary Cruz Cardona Galindo: This delegate is a stunning 5’5” brunette TV presenter who enjoys playing wind instruments, volleyball, visiting historic locations, and learning about new cultures.
Miss Mexico Cynthia de la Vega Oates:This delegate hails from Nuevo Leon, Mexico and is a model, business woman and beauty queen.
Miss Panama Emigdielys Arlyn Samaniego Batista: This delegate is both a model and a model instructor at Physical Modelos, who enjoys public speaking and considers herself quite the extrovert. She is eager to bring her fashion and modeling savvy to the stage at the Costa Maya Festival.
Costa Maya Festival Performers
Alma Caribeña from Mexico
Grupo Crash from El Salvador
Garifuna Charikaniri Dance Group
Youth Connection Band
Ernestine Carballo
Harrison “Dawgie” King