Jennifer Chiong, Miss Guatemala

Karina Gordon, Miss Nicaragua

Anais Solis, Miss Panama

Melonie Gillett is set to perform for Costa Maya.

Guatemala – Jennifer Chiong    

    Miss Jennifer Chiong recently returned from the Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam and is bringing all her experience to the Reina de la Costa Maya pageant. Miss Guatemala is 25-years-old and stands at five feet seven inches. Currently she is a business woman and holds a degree in Communications. Jennifer enjoys modeling and traveling and she aspires to be the owner and manager of an international modeling agency in Guatemala.    

Nicaragua – Karina Gordon    

    Nicaragua’s beauty ambassador for the Costa Maya Festival 2008 is 18-year-old Karina Gordon. She is a five foot six inch tall model who is both beauty and brains, as she pursues her degree in Public Contracting and Finances Management. Karina intends to graduate with honors especially in her finances courses. For her, an education is very important for a young woman to obtain because it opens the door for many wonderful opportunities. Karina enjoys reading, modeling, and spending time with family and friends.    

Panama - Anais Solis    

    For the first time since the inception of La Reina de La Costa Maya, Panama is vying for the crown. Twenty two year old Anais Solis stands at five feet, five inches tall. The beautiful brunette is currently studying Business Administration. Anais enjoys dancing and having fun. She was crowned at Miss Realmente Bella, Señorita Panama 2008, a “reality show” inspired by the hit show “America’s Next Top Model” that was created to select the Panama delegate to the Miss Universe 2008 pageant. We welcome her to Belize and wish her the best of luck!    

Melonie Gillett to perform at Costa Maya    

    Directly from Burrell Boom, Belize District, Melonie Gillett will perform at the International Costa Maya Festival and perform her new release “Rush.”    

    From the get go, Melonie has worked hard to achieve her dream of becoming an artist. Born on August 23rd, 1984, her musical inspiration is derived from the proud heritage that she carries. Belizean to the bone, Melonie combines her love for the country with the modern day beats of R&B, Reggae, Dancehall and Alternative music. With these great influential pieces, Melonie has finally managed to complete the puzzle known as “Finding Me,” her new album.    

    Melonie fondly reminisces, “I remember in school, only my family and really close friends knew that I could sing. I was always shy about it. I didn’t really come out as singer until my early teens when I realized that if I wanted to be a singer, people had to hear me sing. It was then, with all the positive reactions, I knew I had to do something with my voice. I knew I had to sing!” Although she is fairly young in the music industry, Melonie has held nothing back and has come out in full force. Part of her album, contains the single “Can’t resist me” where she has incorporated a Punta insert with the beat of R&B. A fabulous, hip swinging combination “Can’t resist me” has become a club banger with a fantastic, out of this world new hit.   

      As opposed to other artists, Melonie derives from her inner battles and strength and has tried to stay true to herself. She not only sings about issues facing herself but sings of the struggles that people all over the world. It might only be a first step, but getting through this first step has been years of dedication and perseverance. “It took me a while to get where I am now, but this is where I have always wanted to be. The possibilities are endless! I hope that I can bring energy, soul and passion to music and in so doing, bring energy, soul and passion to you!” Melonie Gillett “Finding me” encompasses every struggle, battle, happiness, laughter, tear, emotion – it imprisons all.    

Tickets  

       Tickets for the four days of Costa Maya are $100 for adults and $45 for kids. Tickets are now available at the following locations Island Magic, Ilna Nunez (602-2308), Milo’s Center (226-2196), Milo’s Ice (226-2196), Wally’s Electrical Supply, Leni Nunez (226-2408), San Pedro Post Office (226-2250), Fantasy Gardens, Emerita Munoz (226-2085), Danny Boy Tours (226-2180), Footprints (226-2689), La Divina Providencia (226-4205) and Caye Supplies.  

       Tickets will ensure entrance to the ground on all four night and Costa Maya is hosting 227 artists for 2008. Artists include Bryndis, Fabiola Rodas, Chupitos, Klan Destinos and Supa G.  

   Sponsors for the International Costa Maya Festival 2008 are as follows:

Grand Sponsors: Belikin - Coca Cola – Crystal, South Beach Development Company Limited and Arcus Developments Diamond: Belize Tourism Board, NICH, RSV Limited, Reef Radio, Ramon’s Village Resort Platinum: San Pedro Town Council, The San Pedro Sun, Tropic Air, Krystal Shipping, Smart, Maya Island Air, Rick and Stephanie Dalton, AmbergrisCaye.com, Caye Caulker Water Taxi, Ambergris Today Gold: Monchos Island Auto Rental, Western Union, Belize Bank, Caribeña Enterprise / Coral Cable Vision, Discovery Expedition, Fido’s Court Yard, Milo’s Enterprises, Fiesta F.M., Riverside Tavern, Atlantic Bank Silver: Victoria House, Sueño Del Mar Resort, Amigos del Mar Dive Shop, Reef Seeker Glass Bottom Boat, Costa Maya Reef Resort, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Thunder Bolt Water Taxi, Costa del Sol, Ambergris Caye Chamber of Commerce, Premium Wines & Spirits, Seaduced by Belize, Radio Oye F.M. Bronze: First Caribbean Bank, Mata Rocks, Castillo’s Hardware, Wally’s Electrical Supply, Refri Tech, Wine de Vine, Gene and Sonja Lewis, Captain Sharks, Pepperoni’s Pizza, BC Bar and Grill Friends of Costa Maya Festival: Blue Water Grill, Xanadu Resort, Rene Castañeda, Belize Legacy Resort, FootPrints, La Cantina Bar, BCI Ltd, CPA Services, Caribbean Treasures Hotels: Mayan Princess, Nellie’s Property Management, Martha’s Hotel, Victoria House, Sun Breeze Hotel, Sun Breeze Suites, Holiday Hotel, Hotel Mopan, Blue Tang Inn, Royal Caribbean Resort, Lily’s Hotel, Coral Beach Hotel Restaurants: Riverside Tavern, Mickey’s Place, El Fogon Restaurant, El Patio Restaurant, Sunset Grill, Elvi’s Kitchen, Ramon’s Restaurant, Harbour View, Fido’s Court Yard, Celi’s  Restaurant, Wet Willy’s and Hidden Treasure.