Street sellers in Chinatown.
It was already in 1854 that the first Chinese came to Panama to work on the Panamanian railway, many of them came down from the US after the gold rush. By now its the largest number of Chinese in central America: 200,000. In the 80's when the China was opening up their was a second big wave of Chinese arriving. Panamanian Chinese have a stung influence on the Panamanian economy.
The Kwang Chow restaurant in Chinatown. Chinatown is not what it used to be; it has deteriorated over the years, partly because many businesses moved to the newer areas of Panama City.
Restaurant Kwang Chow in China town.
La Casa de Curiosidades Chen is in Bairro Chino, Chinatown.
Susana Ho de Shiao and one of her daughters in the office of Supermercado El Pagoda on the wall landscapes of China.
The Shiao family in their first supermarket. Now they own Supermercado El Pagoda is in Mananitas. They are originally from Guangdong province, China. Susana was born in Guangzhou, China and came with her grandmother and two brothers in 1984 to Panama. She married Antonio in 1988, who arrived in Panama in 1977 with his parents. They both knew each other from her village in China. They ran three different bakeries before they started Supermercado El Pagoda. A very successful supermarket which by working hard brought them a small fortune. They have four children and live in an affluent area in Panama City.
The Shiao family in their first supermarket. Now they own Supermercado El Pagoda is in Mananitas.
Susana Ho de Shiao on the roof terrace of their mansion in Panama City.
The grandmother from Susana Ho de Shiao who she came with to Panama in 1984.
The house in the village in China where Susana was born with her father and grandfather.
The Shiao family now own Supermercado El Pagoda is in Mananitas. They are originally from Guangdong province, China. Susana was born in Guangzhou, China and came with her grandmother and two brothers in 1984 to Panama. She married Antonio in 1988, who arrived in Panama in 1977 with his parents. They both knew each other from her village in China. They ran three different bakeries before they started Supermercado El Pagoda. A very successful supermarket which by working hard brought them a small fortune. They have four children and live in an affluent area in Panama City.
Alex Antonia Shiao playing on the street of their gated community in Panama City.
The Shiao family: Antonia Shiao, his wife Susana Ho de Shiao and their four children Luisa, Cesar, Ana Patricia and Alex Antonia.
Wan Luan Song (69) and his wife Qi Di Huang (54) have a traditional herbalist practice in Chinatown. She came in 1988 from Guangzhou, China and met her husband in Panama. They have their own practice since 1997. They came for economical reasons.
The apartment of Wan Luan Song (69) and his wife Qi Di Huang (54) have a traditional herbalist practice in Chinatown. She came in 1988 from Guangzhou,
China and met her husband in Panama. They have their own practice since 1997. They came for economical reasons.
The wedding picture of Wan Luan Song (69) and his wife Qi Di Huang (54). They have a traditional herbalist practice in Chinatown. She came in 1988 from Guangzhou,
China and met her husband in Panama. They have their own practice since 1997. They came for economical reasons.
Wan Luan Song (69) in China. He and his wife Qi Di Huang (54) have a traditional herbalist practice in Chinatown. She came in 1988 from Guangzhou,
China and met her husband in Panama. They have their own practice since 1997. They came for economical reasons.
Wan Luan Song (69) and his wife Qi Di Huang (54) have a traditional herbalist practice in Chinatown. She came in 1988 from Guangzhou, China and met her husband in Panama. They have their own practice since 1997. They came for economical reasons.
Zhaomei He (57) and her daughter Lizandra (18). Zhaomei works at the mini-supermarket 'Panama'. The owner is Sjung De Chin (61) is the owner. They both came in 1989 from guangzhou, China, just before the American invasion. They live in the back of the store.
Zhaomei He (57) in China. She and her daughter Zhaomei works at the mini-supermarket 'Panama' and has one daughter Lizandra (18). They came in 1989 from Guangzhou, China, just before the American invasion. They live in the back of the store.
Zhaomei He (57) in Panama when she just arrived. She and her daughter . Zhaomei works at the mini-supermarket 'Panama'. and has one daughter Lizandra (18). They came in 1989 from Guangzhou, China, just before the American invasion. They live in the back of the store.
The temple in China town.
The Ho brothers from left to right: Enrique (73), Tom (71), Luis (78). They were all born in Panama. Their father was born in 1890 in China and migrated to Panama via Japan, Hawaii and Guatemala in 1906 to Panama. They have one sister Ana, who lives in the USA.
Enrique, Ana, Tom and Luis Ho, 1945
The Ho brothers with their sister Ana, who presently lives in San Francisco.
View of panama City from the apartment of Wan Luan Song ((69) and his wife Qi Di Huang (54) have a traditional herbalist practice in Chinatown. She came in 1988 from Guangzhou, China and met her husband in Panama. They have their own practice since 1997. They came for economical reasons.
