The Ministry of Culture (MiCultura) and the State System of Radio and Television (SERTV) have been offering recognition to 12 Panamanian musicians for their valuable and outstanding musical background.

That distinction was given at the National Crafts fair to musical legends such as Gustavo Young, Edilma Saltarín, Fabio Martínez, Jaime Ellis, José Barqueda, Leony Herrera, Lubek Spano, Maricelda Isaac, Pete Romero, Roger Bares, Silvia Mendoza and Maritza Varga.

Roger Bares, a Panamanian singer expressed "this is the first time that national artists have been taken into account, it's a valid recognition, because we are losing our essence and we have to rescue them."

"The emotion I felt I gave her at the tidal stage, I actually couldn't talk much, there were tears out there." Bares added.

The Minister of Culture Giselle González Villarrué, for her part, said "I thank you and have laid the foundations for your training and thank you on behalf of four million people, from Panamanian people who also remember them a great deal, and you have put the name of Panama high."

The most excited honors thanked MiCultura and SERTV for their award.