CNN’s World’s Treasures asked Jeff Morgan, Executive Director of the Global Heritage Fund to compile a list of key Mayan sites in Mexico. The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Chichen Itza in the state of Yucatan and Palenque in Chiapas made the list. The seaside site of Tulum, in Quintana Roo, was described by Morgan as a “picturesque” and “photo-friendly” spot.
Mundo Maya is a tourism initiative linking the Mexican states of Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Yucatan and Tabasco. This region is home to 6 of Mexico’s 27 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the most found in any other country in the world. Mexico estimates that 52 million tourists will visit southeastern Mexico in 2012, spending approximately $23 million.
Reporting the positive stories about Mexico, the good news
The inspirational, individual stories of how people doing amazing things in Mexico
The good news in Mexico that you might not read about in the daily papers or see on local news
Community efforts in Mexico, with a non-profit section
Showcasing Mexico’s greatest assets and cultural resources
Video testimonials showcasing what people love most about Mexico
Covers a variety of news and content including travel, leisure, entertainment, arts, culture, people, places, community, cuisine, living and much more!
High-end regional lifestyle magazine, 805 Living, selects Mexico as a ‘Great Escape of 2012′ in its January/February 2012 issue.
The four page color spread written by Jennie Nunn, features the gorgeous city of San Miguel de Allende (Guanajuato) and highlights iconic images of its most picturesque sites.
“Cobblestone streets, a symphony of ringing church bells from the nearby neo-Gothic La Parroquia de San Miguel cathedral, and the smell of freshly baked bread from panederias set the scene in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.”
The MEXICO Report sends great thanks to 805 Living Magazine for selecting Mexico as a Great Escape of 2012 and showcasing the wonderful city of San Miguel de Allende and its many charms.
Gabriela de la Garza is a well-known actress in Mexico with an impressive portfolio of work, from modeling to television, film and theatre to taking an active role in the community. Recently I had the opportunity to meet with her, thanks to Aida Bernal of Spellbound Entertainment, to discuss her activity in the community and what Mexico means to her.
What I learned and enjoyed hearing most in the interview was that she utilizes her celebrity to bring awareness to the issues that matter most in her life such as education, the environment and women and children’s issues.
Gaby was born in Mexico City to musical parents: Sergio de la Garza Richardson (pianist) and Carmen Tames Mejia (organist) and is the granddaughter to Manuel Tames “Regulo”, one of the most recognizable faces from Mexico’s Golden Film Era.
Raised in Mexico City and Guadalajara, she developed her musical skills and went on to study contemporary dance at the prestigious Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes. Concurrently, she began booking commercials and print/modeling jobs for Ford Models and other international agencies. She became a host for then popular music show “Ya-TV” produced by HBO and Warner Music that aired in South America, Mexico and Miami.
Without leaving her artistic endeavors behind, she received a degree in Psychology from the distinguished Iberoamericana University in Mexico City.
Gaby at PF Change charity event
Gabriela has become one the best known actresses in Mexico. She landed a small role as an avatar in 20th Century Fox’s 2009 hit “Dragonball Evolution” and in 2010 she had leading roles in two hit television series: “Bienes Raices” and the hugely popular “Las Aparicio” as well as several independent films.
Gabriela’s passion for theater has led her to produce and star in several plays in Mexico: “Una Pareja Perfecta” (A Perfect Couple), “Hamlet Garcia” and “The Shape of Things” among others. Gabriela received Best Actress in a Leading Role honors in the 2010 Argentina International Telenovela Festival (FyMTI) for “Las Aparicio”.
Gabriela landed the lead role on the critical acclaimed HBO Latino series, “Capadocia” which will air in Mexico, the U.S. and Latin America in 2012. Her film, “Nos Vemos Papa” (See You Dad) premiered at the 2011 Morelia Film Festival and her film “El Fantastico Mundo De Juan Orol” had its gala premiere in Mexico City in December 2011. Orol will also go the Guadalajara Film Festival in March 2012.
1.Where area of Mexico City are you from and where did you grow up?
I am from Mexico, City. Born and raised in Colonia Condesa and San Miguel Chapultepec, near Chapultepec one of the big lungs of the city.
Gabriela de la Garza at a Greenpeace event
2. What organizations are you involved with now?
Greenpeace Mexico, Levantemos la mano por la educacion (Raise our hands for education) who are very concerned about the quality in public schools in Mexico and InMujeresDF (Women Institute of D.F.) who work every day for women’s rights.
3. What do you do for (or with) the organizations?
I’m an activist and I can’t bear injustice. I feel that I have the obligation to work and fight to live in a better world with better opportunities for everyone particularly women and children and that includes our planet. With these organizations, I try everyday to make everyone understand that together, we can make the change.
4. Why is important for you to give back to your communities in Mexico?
Because our lack of everything is huge! I’m especially interested in education – I want Mexico to be a great country for everybody not just a few.
5. Can you share a special memory from your volunteer work that left a lasting impact on you?
When I went to visit the women in jail for research on my character (I play the role of a police officer who infiltrates a private women’s prison in the 3rd season of HBO Latino’s critically acclaimed “Capadocia” series) to begin shooting Capadocia, I was saddened and moved by how some of them live in there with their little kids. They don’t have milk, diapers, clothes and the basic things to take care of them properly. Not to mention toys. It’s a tough life for both mothers and babies.
6. Being from Mexico, what do you want people to know about your country?
Even though we are living a difficult time, Mexico is a great country with awesome people. I’m proud to be Mexican and I want the whole world to really know us.
The 7th annual Puerto Vallarta Writers’ Conference will take place February 24-26, 2012 at Biblioteca Los Mangos at Avenida Francisco Villa 1001 in Puerto Vallarta.
“Keeping Writing Short” is the focus this year and workshops will include Using Social Media, Writing Dialogue, Short Stories/Flash Fiction, Short Essays/ Journal Writing and Writing for Children.
Presenters for the 2012 conference include Daniel Grippo, Joy Eckel and Eileen Obser of the Puerto Vallarta Writers’ Group, plus William C. Gordon, Mitchell Wieland, James Strauss, Joe Staszak and Marcy Posner, a literary agent with Folio Literary Management of New York City who will be holding meetings with those wishing to pitch their books and projects.
Jacquelyn Mitchard, whose novel “The Deep End of the Ocean” was named one of the most influential books of the past 25 years by USA Today, is confirmed as the Keynote speaker for Friday night’s opening.
Early conference registration is available at $110 U.S. or 1,500 pesos until Feb 1 and will raise to $125 U.S. or 1,800 pesos. Seating is limited so early registration is recommended. To register, visit http://www.puerto-vallarta-writers-group.com/Registration.php. Those wishing to attend only the keynote speaker presentation can pay 200 pesos at the door.
For those living in Puerto Vallarta, payments can be made to Maria Ruiz at the Saturday writers’ group meetings at Biblioteca Los Mangos. Others can pay by direct deposit or PayPal (for an additional $5).
