December 2019 - Chabil Mar Villas

FLIGHT An Inspirational Film For Future Astronauts and Families

Posted on December 13, 2019

“FLIGHT,” is a short film made by Jamaicans that continues to wow audiences as it tours the international film festival circuit, including the esteemed “Belize Film Festival” which has been receiving and judging films since 2005. It was at the Belize Film Festival that FLIGHT took home “Best Short Film.”

Kia Moses, co-director of the film, expressed how surreal it was to her to have made such a prestigious film. Her wish was to produce a film that would reach people all over the planet. Despite the praise of critics, Moses is also humble enough to admit her doubts that her film had anything special to it. This attitude changed after receiving accolades from the “Black Women Film Network.” Between receiving commendation from that organization and then Guadeloupe’s Nouveaux Regards Film Festival, bolstered her faith that she had created something special.

FLIGHT is a story about a young Jamaican boy who longs to travel across the stars and explore the cosmos, if only to become closer to the mother he lost. The boy’s father, still quite active in his life, repeatedly shoots down the boy’s optimistic dreams until he discovers the reason why his young son aspires to join a space program. Wishing to help his son achieve his dreams, the father not only supports his son with all of his heart but is even brought on as the co-pilot of the boy’s imaginary space shuttle.

While each film festival has its own stipulations for submission and excellence, Moses believes that the human element of her story is what has continued to grab the hearts and minds of audiences. Moses opines that the natural development of the characters, the realistic, at-home depiction of Jamaica and the dynamics between father and son are the major draws.

When asked about other film-makers, Moses believes that it is never too late to begin a career as a director. Despite the imminence of her 35th birthday, Moses has no formal film training, only some familiarity with advertising. She advises anyone with dreams of filming to not overthink themselves or their decisions, just run and see how things turns out; fight any perfectionist tendencies, allow the picture to flow naturally and you will be amazed at what you have when you step back and see the final product.

Chabil Mar Villas wishes to congratulate Kis Moses and Adrian McDonald and wishes the duo continued success.

Chabil Mar Resort Congratulates Belize’s Newest Beauty Queen

Posted on December 5, 2019

She’s beautiful. She’s charming. And she’s Belizean! Imagine the excitement this nation felt on November 26, 2019, when Jalyssa Arthurs was crowned Miss Central America.

Beauty pageants come and go, but that doesn’t diminish the excitement an entire nation feels when a crown is placed on the head of “one of their own.” That dream came true for Belize when the 5th edition of the Miss Central America pageant was held at the Јоѕé Dе Lа Сruz Меnа Тhеаtеr іn thе сіtу оf Lеón, Nісаrаguа.

Belizean beauty ambassador Jalyssa Arthurs may only be 19, but she exhibited the poise and elegance necessary to take the crown over all other contestants on that warm September evening. Jalyssa was so thrilled to win, she could hardly believe it had happened. “Тhіѕ іѕ thе fіrѕt tіmе thаt Веlіzе hаѕ wоn thіѕ раgеаnt!” she exclaimed.

“І lеаrnеd а lоt,” she told reporters eager to interview her after her win. “Representing mу bеаutіful јеwеl Веlіzе was the thrill of a lifetime,” despite the fact that she experienced what many travelers do when visiting foreign lands. “Belize is thе оnlу Еnglіѕh-ѕреаkіng соuntrу іn Сеntrаl Аmеrіса, so there was a lаnguаgе bаrrіеr. But not only was I able to соmmunісаtе wіth fellow contestants, I еvеn lеаrnеd some Ѕраnіѕh!”

What will Jalyssa do now that she has achieved this honor? No mystery. “І hоре tо rерrеѕеnt nоt оnlу Веlіzе but аll оf Сеntrаl Аmеrіса іn thе mоѕt impactful way I can. І wіll dеfіnіtеlу uѕе thіѕ рlаtfоrm tо hеlр іmрrоvе Belize’s role on the world stage and I intend to be an ambassador for Сеntrаl Аmеrіса, too.”

Having represented Belize in the 2018 Miss World Pageant without a win, Jalyssa offers this advice to women eager to achieve success: “Don’t give up if you don’t win the first time!”

Chabil Mar Resort is proud to congratulate this bright, talented young woman. Resort management and staff can’t wait to see what Jalyssa accomplishes for herself and her homeland in the years ahead.

Gymnast Simone Biles Gets Warm Welcome in Belize

Posted on December 3, 2019

Olympic gymnast Simone Biles recently vacationed on Ambergris Caye in Belize, where she was presented with several honors.

Biles, one of the most decorated gymnasts in the world with more than 25 championship medals, is of Belizean heritage and retains Belizean citizenship. She was taking a break from her rigorous training routine before representing the U.S. at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Belize in Love

Biles was vacationing with her boyfriend, NXT wrestler Stacy Ervin, Jr., and the two sent a series of romantic photos while strolling the stunning beaches of Belize. Fans swooned over one picture of the happy couple that Ervin posted with the caption, “I Belize in a thing called love.”

As we all know, it’s easy to fall in love when you’re in Belize. Ervin and Biles soaked up the sunshine and spent a few days in tropical bliss before heading back to their training schedules in the U.S.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Simone Biles (@simonebiles) on Dec 1, 2019 at 11:28am PST

Biles Helped Put Belize on the Map

Manuel Heredia, Jr., Belize’s Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, greeted Biles and presented her with the country’s coat of arms, saying, “You helped put Belize on the map, and for that, we are very proud.”

The mayor of San Pedro Town, Daniel Guerrero, gave Biles the keys to the town. Biles, in her turn, told the Belizean athletes in attendance, “If you work hard and dream big, you can achieve anything.”

Chabil Mar Extends a Warm Welcome to Simone Biles

Chabil Mar extends a warm welcome to Biles. We join our fellow Belizeans in expressing our pride in her accomplishments and welcoming her any time she wants to come back for some warmth, sunshine and love. If you’re ready to experience the same thing, book your own romantic Belize vacation with us.

Belize’s Glover’s Reef providing refuge for new generation of sea turtles

Posted on December 1, 2019

Credit: R. Coleman/WCS.

Sea Turtles Thrive in Glover’s Reef

Good news has been reported from the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Belize Fisheries Department. According to a new study recently published in the journal Endangered Species Research, more than 1,000 young hawksbill sea turtles have been counted in the protected waters of Glover’s Reef Atoll on the Belize Barrier Reef.

Currently listed as an endangered species, the hawksbill turtle uses the sheltered inlets and shallow waters of Glover’s Reef Atoll for foraging and nesting. Thanks to a concentrated effort on behalf of the Belize government and non-profit wildlife organizations, the number of young hawksbill turtles in the area has risen since 2009 when in-water counting of the endangered species first began.

“Seeing an increasingly healthy and growing population of hawksbill turtles at Glover’s Reef is excellent news for other species throughout Belize and the greater Caribbean,” said Nicole Auil Gomez, the Belize country director for the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Glover’s Reef Atoll is a rare coral atoll located off the coast of Belize. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Reserve System, the second-largest barrier reef on the planet, protected locations like Glover’s Reef Atoll are essential for maintaining the region’s marine biodiversity.

The Wildlife Conservation Society, in conjunction with the Belize Department of Fisheries, have been conducting field research on sea turtles living in the coral reefs in and around Glover’s Reef Atoll since 2007. The recent study published by the Wildlife Conservation Society listed more than 1,000 hawksbill turtles as well as loggerhead and green sea turtles in the area, determining that the population was thriving. According to the report, the robust population of juvenile sea turtles is a positive indicator of long-term health of the species as well as proof that a well-managed protected marine zone can produce positive results.

“On behalf of everyone at the resort,” said Larry France, marketing manager of Chabil Mar, “we heartily support the ongoing conservation efforts at Glover’s Reef. Preserving and protecting the environment, including sea turtles, is an important step in keeping Belize wild and beautiful for generations to come.”

Chabil Mar, an award-winning resort located on the Placencia Peninsula in Belize, offers guests the opportunity to snorkel and scuba dive at places like Glover’s Reef on the Belize Barrier Reef. Travelers wishing to see sea turtles in their natural environment and enjoy the rich abundance of natural wildlife should consider staying at Chabil Mar for their scuba diving and snorkeling vacation.