Costa Rica Pilgrimage to the Virgen de Los Angeles

Prayers ascend today as many pilgrims walk toward la Basilica in honor of the Virgin of the Angels. This year the virgin wears a dress with the phrase “Yes to life,” a motto the Catholic Church chose to use for the celebration, adding an activism aspect to the August 2 holiday. 

Pilgrims walking with a light blue scarf on their neck are doing so to march under that slogan representing the right to life. My prayer is that these pro-life activists are also doing something to help the children born into situations of risk, that they volunteering in orphanages or adopting children born to unready parents, respecting the rights that come after the right to life such as the right to safety and love and home.

Many are participating in the pilgrimage to ask for miracles or show their gratitude for miracles and blessings received. One mother participated with her son before he was hit by a car and now does so again to ask for his healing. An elderly couple promised the virgin they would try but might not get all the way to Cartago. They thank her for their marriage of 45 years. A man participates to thank the virgin for saving his father from his deathbed and giving him 15 more years of life.

Costa Rica & Central America Dengue Epidemic

Dengue was first seen in Costa Rica in 1992 and it is causing problems to this day. Central America is currently facing a dengue epidemic that caused 200 deaths. Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala are hit the hardest. 

The Ministry of Health in Costa Rica has registered 2,639 patients this year, a 160% increase from the same period last year. There have been no related deaths this year. The places in Costa Rica with the most cases are Sarapiquí, Pococí, Guácimo and Alajuela.  There have been 1,272 cases in the Central North region and 658 in the Huetar Caribe region. 

The Ministry of Health asks the public to destroy breeding grounds of mosquitoes. 110,000 homes throughout the country are being sprayed to eliminate around two million hatcheries. 

Dengue causes flu symptoms and can evolve into a life-threatening condition. Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, fatigue, restlessness, and blood in vomit.

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Costa Rica Fashion Week Begins

Costa Rica Fashion Week edition 18 starts tomorrow and goes through the fourth. There will be catwalks, parades, “Expomoda,” and workshops. We’ll get to see designs from over 45 national and 12 international designers. 

The event will be held at the Costa Rica Convention Center. Between all the designers, there will be something for each member of the family. This year there will also be a focus on fashion for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and larger sizes. 

Both public and private educational institutions will participate as well as recent graduates emerging in the field. International designer Reynaldo José, from Puerto Rico, will be one of the guests teaching workshops. His designs which are inspired by the eclipses of the moon and sun will also be seen on the catwalk. 

A one-day ticket costs ¢25,000 and a two-day one costs ¢40,000. They can be purchased through Publitickets.com. There are also free talks and workshops. To register, go to www.costaricafashionweek.org.

Costa Rica VAT Increase? Fake News

Have you heard that the IVA is being raised to 16%? Many of us have but, luckily, it’s just a bit of viralized fake news. Not to worry, the IVA is to remain at 13%. Fake news seems to spread even faster than real news these days. 

In less than 24 hours six different Facebook profiles posted this news. They have a combined 120,000 followers. It was shared over 980 times. A meme-like image was even created that said “VAT from 13% to 16%.”

The reports were about statements made by the president of the Uccaep, Gonzalo Delgado, who has since clarified that he never confirmed this alleged request to increase the VAT tax rate. 

The Minister of Finance, Rocío Aguilar, confirmed “with all certainty” that the Government is not contemplating a raise in the VAT and added that the news “lacks any basis, foundation, except the interest of generating discomfort.”

Protecting the Pilgrimage in Costa Rica

Pilgrims will soon be on their way to Cartago and unfortunately so will scammers. The police warn the faithful to make the journey without valuables and to keep phones and wallets in front bags. 

There will by over 1,000 police, along with crossing guards, firefighters, the red cross, and transit police. Still, the authorities warn that they have been made aware of a plan to scam pilgrims. 

There will be elderly people dressed in poor clothing pretending to be from far away and lost looking for an address. Be advised not to help anyone find an address. Instead, tell them to ask the police for help in order to avoid becoming a victim of robbery or assault. Stay on the main road in the company of others. 

Last year, at least 30 complaints were received for crimes during the pilgrimage. The Ministry of Security is strengthening its forces for August 1-3 to protect the pilgrims. The police will be on bicycles, motorcycles and foot.