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 Colegio Moisés Castillo
Ocaña is located in La Chorrera District, the second most populated city after Panama City, with
a population of 123, 718 according to the 2000 census. It is
located at the west side of the Panama Canal.
The origin of the name
"La Chorrera" is due to the
abundance of waterfalls in the region. This city was founded in 1510
by the Spaniards. In 1515, Gaspar de Espinoza described it as
inhabited after the invasion to the natives and with no important
village or chief (cacique). The territory of the actual city
originated from a large farm called "El Caimito", owned by Juana
María de la Coba, with more than three hectares, when she
decided to return to Spain, she sold the lands to her neighbors, who
started to build their houses, founding in this way the first
town. Later on September 12, 1855, under the government of
President Dr. Justo Arosemena, La Chorrera was legally recognized as
a district and its first Mayor was Leopoldo
Castillo.
  Colegio
Moisés Castillo
Ocaña was founded on Jan.
27, 1971, and its Marching Band
in June 1972, by inspiration and
initiative of its Principal, Prof. Abdénago Domínguez
G. Originally, the members of this band were teenagers
between 11 and 15 years old, and it was compounded by clarinets and
melodicas. Among the first musical instruments, 60% were
donated by the Panama City Fire Department and mostly dated from
1916. Its first Technical Director was Prof. Rufino Lorenzo
González (q.p.d.). Currently, this High School has approximately
3,200 students enrolled.
 The High School is honored
with the name of a beloved and famous writer, Moises Castillo
Ocaña,who was born in La Chorrera City, where he did his elementary school education, then in
Panama City continued his autodidactic education. Moisés Castillo, owned the newspaper
“Miscelánea” since 1942. He was the creator of the Ricardo
Miró Award, a great booster of the Panamanian Literature.
Since young age, he showed great interest on
literature. His first poems appeared in 1921 published in the
newspaper “Diario de Panamá”. The same year, he started as a
reporter for the newspaper “La Nación”. Moises Castillo wrote poems and novels in
conjunction with his brother Félix Ricaurte, such as Breviario
Lírico (1925) and Fiestas Escolares (1927), among others. His
works are picturesque scenes of his hometown and the
contryside.
His most important poem book was “Romances de
Mi Tierra” (1939), which was awarded in a literary contest in
Matanzas, Cuba in 1940. The same year, the Panamanian
Government awarded his “Himno de La Paz” (Hymn of Peace).
(Pictures courtesy of
Ing. Eric
D. Acevedo G. from www.chorrera.com)
On
Nov. 3, 1972, the band participated successfully in the Independence
parades that year, and received from Panama City Hall a Special
recognition for being the first and only high school Marching Band
from La Chorrera District.
(Pictures courtesy of
Ing. Eric
D. Acevedo G. from www.chorrera.com)
On
June 12, 1973, Principal Abdénago Domínguez presented a Duel
Resolution, which proposed the name of Víctor Raúl González;
first trumpeter, who died prematurely at age 15, as name for the
Marching Band.
(Pictures courtesy of
Ing. Eric
D. Acevedo G. from www.chorrera.com)
On
Oct. 26, 1973, the Band wins the honor to represent The Province of
Panama at the 2nd Encounter of Marching Bands, held at the Urraca
Institute, in the Province of Veraguas. In the same year, the
Marching Band was the first to climb the Ancon Hill, former
U.S. territory overlooking Panama and Panama Bay, sometimes also
called Hill of the Buccaneers, from the tradition that Morgan the
Pirate and his man first saw Panama from that height; this was a
historical event published in all the newspapers.
(Pictures courtesy of
Ing. Eric
D. Acevedo G. from www.chorrera.com)
From
1974 –1976, it was the winner of the first places in the Province of
Colon, excelling for its musical interpretations and for its
discipline and orderly displacement.
(Pictures courtesy of
Ing. Eric
D. Acevedo G. from www.chorrera.com)
Since 1977 and for the following five years,
the Band was given the honor and the distinction of performing the
National Anthem, at the Antón Municipal Court, Province of Coclé, at
the beginning of the protocol events of November
5th.
The
charisma of this band has been always the respectful behavior, and
the true musical vocation of its members; most of Panama famous
musicians and professionals of the music originated from this
selected group. Another characteristic of this group is the
constant support to events with a social sensibility, like benefit
events, religious, civic and cultural events. One event to
remember was the one commemorating the genocide in the town of
Lidice during the Second World War.
During the eighties, the Marching Band kept
the first place, Among the local and national events, especially in
the Cities of Los Santos, Santiago, Las Tablas and the contest
organized by the Club “The Millionaires”, famous for their one
meter-tall trophies and donors of musical instruments to the
winners.
Since
1994, the Marching Band is under the direction of Prof. Dimas
Rodríguez.
(Prof. Dimas
Rodríguez, Director of the Marching Band, receiving a trophy on
behalf of its members) (Picture courtesy of Lotería Nacional de
Beneficencia)
On
Nov. 28, 1995, the members of the band and its director are honored
with the title of “Meritorious Sons of the district”.
In
1999, the band performed at the ceremony of transfer of the Panama
Canal, In conjunction with the National Symphonic Orchestra and the
Republican Band.
The
Colegio Moisés Castillo Ocaña Marching Band “Víctor Raúl González”
is currently one of the best musical groups in the Republic of
Panama.
AWARDS
All the followings are national contests in
Panama.
1974 -1976:
First Places in the Province of
Colon.
1991:
7 Awards (3 First Places).
1992:
14 Awards (8 First Places).
1993:
18 Awards (16 First Places).
1994:
14 Awards (12 First Places).
1995:
15 First Places.
1996:
14 First places.
1997:
14 Awards (12 First Places).
1998:
15 Awards (13 First Places).
1999:
14 First Places.
2000:
14 First Places.
2001:
15 Awards (13 First Places).
2002:
15 First Places.
2003:
14 Awards (13 First Places).
2004:
18 Awards (17 First Places).
2004:
18 Awards (17
First Places).
First
Place: Las Tablas, Santiago, Los Santos, Aguadulce,
Panama Christmas Parade,
2nd Place:
National Lottery of Panama Contest - 28 Nov.
3 Trophies as
Best Musical Band.
2005:
First Place: in Santiago, Las Tablas, Los Santos , National Lottery of
Panama Contest,
Aguadulce, La Chorrera (28 Nov).
First
Place at Panama Christmas Parade
2006:
First Place: La Chorrera (Nov. 28)
5 trophies ac
Best Musical Band
3 Trophies as
Best Ex- Students Band
Trophy as Best
Band at Independence Parade in Panama City
Trophy as Group
with Best Discipline
OTHER AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
The Marching Band “Víctor Raúl
González” has received more
than 150 certificates or recognitions and 50 honor
plaques.
* Honor Recognition in the Malta Vigor
National Contests.
* 1995: “Meritorious Sons of La
Chorrera District".
* 2001: “Meritorious Sons of Las Tablas
District”
* Gold Medal “Victorio Vergara”.
*
First and Second Places at the Panama National Lottery
Contest.
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