Buzz on the street
Metro In Santo Domingo
If all goes as planned, Santo Domingo is to become the first city in the Dominican Republic and the second ever in the Caribbean to boast a metro subway system.
Growing out of the need for a reliable and efficient mode of public transportation in a city whose overpopulation, traffic and pollution is detrimentally affecting its residents, the Santo Domingo metro is expected to carry 200,000 passengers a day. This would ostensibly relieve the capital’s most congested roads in the center of the city, the Maximo Gomez and Hermanas Mirabal Avenues. This metro is part of a "National Master Plan" to improve public transportation, and will complement the "carror publicos" (shared taxis) already in existence. Presently, only one line is being constructed with a north-south alignment and it will have 16 stations, six elevated and ten underground. The total track length of 14.5 kilometers (9.6 miles) will link Villa Mella in the north with La Feria in the south.
For the Metro: Proponents say that in addition to cutting down on emissions and road congestion, the metro will prove to be less costly than building and maintaining additional roads and is a forward-thinking solution to create a better standard of living for urban residents and commuters. Against the Metro: However, the metro has been vocally criticized as being way too expensive and too high a priority for the Fernandez administration, which adversaries believe should be more focused on fighting poverty and funding education. Critics also worry about whether or not the metro will still be running six months or a year after it is put into service, and whether it can be afforded. Although the idea for a metro was first suggested to former President Hipolito Mejia by Brazilian President Lula da Silva, it wasn’t until the election of current Dominican President Leonel Fernandez that the project was put into motion, and although public funds have been used to start construction, the president claims the metro will be up and running by the private sector by February 27 of next year.
But as of late 2007, the Santo Domingo metro looks like nothing more than a bunch of deep tunnels in the ground, with scant rail laid and citizens wondering whether Fernandez is a little too ambitious (in both his expectations as well as politically: Fernandez is hoping to win another presidential term in May of 2008.) "Leonel (Fernandez) spent an important part of his life in New York, and he understands the benefits of a Metro," said Leonel Carrasco, assistant director of the subway project, speaking to the New York Times in September of the president. The metro has now greatly exceeded its anticipated costs, reaching a whopping $700 million and growing, but only time will tell whether or not it has been money well spent.
Julio Marcano graduated from the Altos de Chavón School of Design in 1987 where he was the recipient of the Ruth Vanderpool scholarship from Parsons School of Design in New York. After finishing with his studies he worked for Anne Klein as assistant in the design team and as an illustrator for other prestigious firms. From 1990 to 1992 he worked as fashion Director of the Altos de Chavón School.
G. Luis Gutierrez graduated in 1993 from the Altos de Chavón School of Design where his talent and dedication earned him the Designer of the Year award.
Having realized the similarities between their designs they joined forces. In the beginning Gutierrez-Marcano navigated the prêt-a-porter waters, but when their clientele, seduced by their avant garde designs, fluid lines and perfect craftsmanship, demanded exclusive tailor-made outfits, they knew the time had come for them to enter the couture world. Julio Marcano & Gutierrez compliment eachother perfectly as seen in their 2007 Moda Dominicana Collection.
Warrior Women: 2007-2008 Autum/winter collection
The women as fighters that through the years have defended their right to liberty and showed the world all their potential is the inspiration for their couture line.
Mythology has been the reference to represent a strong and brave woman walking unstoppable towards the future. Powerful Greek Amazons join forces with the Valquirias virgin warriors with their capability to turn into swans, creating a mixture of beauty, power and legendary elegance.
Silhouettes built in contrasting forms, bias cuts and innovative cleavage moulded and visualized directly on the mannequins bring to life a collection of unmistakeable sensual and exotic spirit with renewed air full of energy, complementing an eclectic mixture of textiles under which there’s a space for everyone.
The collection travels between neutral and intense colors. It’s an aloud symphony of luminous tones with brushstrokes of blues, silver, purples, copper and coral, everything orchestrated with the quality and technique we have come to expect from Gutierrez-Marcano.
What they’re up to:
• On October 3th they’ll be on their way to Panama, where they were invited to close the Panamanian Fashion Week on Friday 5th at 21:30.
• They have also been invited by SinFlash Mag to take part in the Venezuelan Fashion Week later this year and to the Bolivian Fashion Gala at the end of October.
To contact them:
Federico Geraldino 85, Residencial Alondra, apt 301A, Ensanche Paraíso. Tel: 809.549.3683
Dominican Republic is Number One
The addition of several multi-million dollar investment projects including three Small Luxury Hotels of the World, championship golf courses, world-class spas and the largest luxury yacht marina in the region help to enhance the Dominican Republic’s current standing as the most favored destination in the Caribbean.
History
Making History Now…
The Dominican Republic’s urban capital is the first city in the New World
When Christopher Columbus first landed on Hispaniola (the name of the island the Dominican Republic shares with Haiti), the infamous admiral of the sea and his doomed crew had shipwrecked on the north side of the island near Puerto Plata. The men erected a settlement, naming it La Navidad in honor of their December 1492 landing date, and Columbus left for Spain. A year later on his second voyage, Columbus returned to find the settlement burned to the ground and no trace of his men. A second settlement was established and left in the care of Columbus’ older brother Bartolomew. Around 1502, Bartolomew moved La Isabela across the island and near to the area known today as the Colonial Zone. In 1990, the oldest city in the New World was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Players born and reared in the Dominican Republic dominate North America’s favorite pastime
A staggering 40 percent of the players in the major leagues originate from the Dominican Republic. Household names include Sammy Sosa, Pedro Martínez, Manny Ramírez and David Ortíz to name a few. The Dominican passion for baseball is evident among the dedicated fans that turn out for the winter baseball league, which runs from October to January. Minor leaguers coming up through the ranks play in the Dominican league as a training ground for the major leagues.
Also making sports headlines
Marcos Díaz set a new world record with his double-crossing of the Gibraltar Strait in 8 hours and 34 minutes (2005). He is the current Absolute Champion in the International Crossing of the Toroneos Gulf competition, a title he has held since 2004.
Felix “Super” Sánchez brought home the first-ever gold medal for the Dominican Republic in the 400m hurdle event at the 2004 Summer Olympics Games.
Golf
#1 Golf Destination in the Caribbean
With more than 20 golf courses – and counting – the Dominican Republic has more golf campos de golf than any other Caribbean island. The best among them is the Teeth of the Dog located at the renowned Casa de Campo resort. The Pete Dye-designed course consistently ranks among the top 50 in the world and number one in the region. Coming soon, the Dominican Republic will boast championship courses designed by greats in the field such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Nick Price.
Old & New
The ultimate playboy is the last playboy of the 20th century
There have been several famous characters well known for their powers of seduction in the history of our planet. ‘Don Juan’ de Maraña of Seville, Spain, Giovanni ‘Casanova’ of Venice, Italy and Porfirio Rubirosa of San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic. A Dominican diplomat, polo player, and Formula One racecar driver Rubirosa was well known for his prowess with women. He was married to Woolworth fortune heiress Barbara Hutton and American tobacco heiress Doris Duke. Rubirosa also married French actresses Danielle Darrieux and Odile Rodin had affairs with Zsa Zsa Gabor, Rita Hayworth and others.
Queen of the Big Screen
María Africa García Vidal, the girl from Barahona in the remote southwest who would grow up to become María Montéz, was a huge box-office draw for Universal Studios during World War II. Dubbed the “Queen of Technicolor” her exotic look mesmerized audiences who flocked to see her in films such as Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Gypsy Wildcat, Savage, and Sudan. But it is her role in Cobra Woman for which she has been best remembered. Her line “Give me that Cobra Jewel” is quoted often in gay circles. An image of her as Tollea Naja appears on the back cover of Gore Vidal’s novel Myra Breckinridge.
Diversity makes DR more than a destination of beautiful beaches and luxury accommodations
Located in every major region of the country and ranging in size from 10 square miles to several hundred are 14 national parks and seven scientific reserves protecting at least 300 known species of birds, 5,000 species of plants and 1,400 species of land and sea animals in endangered wildlife areas, virgin forest and fragile desert land. Its biggest mangroves swamps, and some of its most beautiful and remote beaches all lie within the national parks or scientific reserve system.
From the highest point in the Caribbean to the lowest, both are found in the Dominican Republic.
Located in the Cordillera Central mountain region are the Armando Bermúdez and José del Carmen Ramírez National Parks. The two parks’ main claim to fame is Pico Duarte – the highest mountain in the Caribbean at 10,128 feet. Further south in the Dominican Republic’s most geographically diverse region is the Isla Cabrito National Park best known for the massive saltwater lake at its center. Lago Enriquillo (Enriquillo Lake) occupies a desert valley between two mountain ranges and stretches for 26 miles. At 140 feet below sea level, it is the lowest point in the Caribbean.
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Dance
Dominican music and popularized around the globe
The Dominican Republic’s best-known music is the merengue, a fast-paced rhythm that started out in the tradition of big band with large horn sections but has since developed a more contemporary style heavy with electronic influences. In more recent times, the bachata, long shunned by cosmopolitan Dominicans from the capital as of the music of the rural country folk, has been increasingly accepted as the music gains popularity on the international stage.
In jazz circles
Grammy-winning pianist and composer Michel Camilo is well known in jazz circles for his superb technical ability. He has played with some of the biggest names is Latin jazz, including Tito Puente and Paquito D’Rivera, Dizzy Gillespie and Stanley Turrentine.
The DR’s thriving art scene includes a number of prolific painters, sculptors and photographers of international acclaim, among them: Cándido Bído, Dionisio Blanco, Yori Morel and Raquel Paiewonsky.
Top Exports from the Dominican Republic
Cigar Country
The largest producers of cigars in the entire world, famous brands made with Dominican tobacco include Montecristo, Partagas, Romeo y Juliet – even the Cuban Cohiba. In 2006, Cigar Aficionado named the 100% Dominican-made Fuente Fuente Opus X the absolute finest stogie around.
Café
Drink your cafe’ & enjoy the internet at the same time WiFi Hot spots …
Coffee flourishes in the Dominican Republic because several factors come together to create unique growing conditions: altitude, latitude, rainfall and soil. Sustenance farmers who have been cultivating coffee all their lives grow the DR’s best. The 100% Arabica beans are shade-grown, cultivated organically and hand-picked and selected before arriving at tables and coffeehouses around the world.
Coffee
Dominican coffee is among the best in the best in the world, served in coffee houses and sold in markets around the globe. In the Dominican Republic, look for the Santo Domingo Coffee brand sold in white pouches.
