Bruno Torres -The Future of Panama

If you have been at the Coronado Resort lately, you may seen this young man in the picture behind the counter. His name is Bruno Torres. He is 17 years old. He is a gifted student with a high IQ and a hope to someday use his talents for the betterment of his country, Panama. Bruno grew up in a humble home in Ciudad Jardin, Las Mananitas, Panama City.  His mother recognized that she had a gifted child when Bruno was reading and solving math problems at the age of 3. She sought to get him into an advanced school through a scholarship granted by La Prensa. However Bruno was too young to meet the criteria. Being a persistent woman, his mother did not give up and petitioned to have her child noticed. Her case drew the attention of Roberto Eisenmann and Wendy Tribaldos, who took it upon themselves to see that Bruno would receive the education that would bring out the potential in the boy.

Thanks to scholarships, Bruno received his education through the International School of Panama, The Civic freedom and Pro-Childhood Development Foundation (Fundación Para el Desarrollo de la Libertad Ciudadana y Pro Niñez), and the social program “La Prensa en las Escuelas”. His elementary and high school studies were completed at this prestigious School, where, he met many students of others nationalities which Bruno says, “helped him to form a global mind”.

Studies have not been a challenge to Bruno. He completed pre-kinder, kinder, first grade and second grade in just 6 month. However psychologists held him back from being promoted to grades beyond his age, so that he could receive proper socialization through children of his own age.

At the age of 13, Bruno’s was awarded a trip to visit the Lunar Specialized Surveys Sub Agency (sub agencia especializada en estudios lunares) in California. This was his first experience with robotics and was instrumental in his decision to pursue the field of engineering.

"Since I was a child I wanted to become an astronaut," he said, "I hope to get into NASA, but if not, Russia and Japan also have a good space programs.”

I asked Bruno what he tough about the state of the world today. “We advance in so many aspects, but at the same time we’re destroying ourselves. We need to find a balance between man and nature. We must find an alternate energy sources to stop global warming. Recycling is important. The solution is not going to be found in one day, and it depends on people’s moral sense. I agree with the use of new technologies for the benefit of mankind”.

For Bruno, Panama should already be a first world country.  “We are a nation that has a great potential thanks to the Canal, but the money needs to be spread throughout the country. It is necessary to have more control over this situation”.

 “I don’t like politics so much, but I have noticed is that there is no continuity in projects when governments take turns in the control.  We need a stable infrastructure and if we don’t succeed this, we will get stagnant”.

“The younger generation is trying to succeed, but there is also a lot of young delinquency. The education in our country is not efficient. Large investments are made in education and the outcome don’t reflect the investments made. If a mind is not educated, it will go the wrong way.”

Bruno himself was a victim of youth delinquency. Five days after graduating high school, Bruno was attacked by three young boys at his home who wanted to steal his computer. He was seriously injured.

"I think, if I am going to make any change, I will do it my way; I want to be always at the vanguard. If I specialize in something I want to do it well and want my achievements to benefit my country in some way.”

“I look up to Mr Roberto Eisenmann. He is a model of simplicity, I admire the way he expresses himself and respect his sense of giving something to our country. I look up to my mother, for her humility and work. She has taught me that if you fall down, you must stand up again and go on.”

During his spare time Bruno likes to read, and he loves Internet, "It is like a giant library where one seeks and finds" he says. Bruno tells us that he does not reject an invitation to a party; he likes to listen to all kind of music, from techno to bachata. Bruno’s like to play volleyball and currently he’s learning to play golf. Other Bruno’s hobby is the anime.

While Bruno is waiting for another chance to apply to NASA, he will enroll in a technical aviation program.