Biographical notes about Victorio Vergara Batista Victorio Vergara Batista was born on 19 February 1944, in La Candelaria, county of Paraíso, District of Pocrí, Province of Los Santos. His parents were Garbiel Vergara and Juliana Batista, and his siblings are Augusto, Luciano and Olga Vergara. Victorio was the youngest of all. His father as well as his two brothers, Augusto and Luciano, was an accordion player. Considering how difficult is life for those in the show business, Don Gabriel tried to avoid his son Victorio to follow his steps. Nevertheless, Victorio did the impossible in order to get his father support his dreams of devoting himself to the accordion. In 1959, for the first time the doors of fame were opened for Victorio, when he had the opportunity to take turns with Dorindo Cárdenas, one of the best Panamanian accordion players, during the celebration of “Santa Librada de Las Tablas” in the Royal Gin Dance Hall. After his launching, Victorio continued through difficult paths in order to earned his reputation, alternating interpreters like Dorita Peña, Angélica Murillo, Bertie Solís until the favourable joining of Lucy Quintero together with Lucho De Sedas, with whom he structured the group that was to rise to fame. From the tribute to the “Pearl of Monagrillo” to themes like “Cubanita de mi amor”, Victorio’s group began to gain recognition among the listeners of folk music shows and among dancers. Fame was knocking at his door. In few years, Victorio Vergara started imposing his style supported by the accompaniment of Lucy and Lucho, whom for many were the most complete and admired group of our folk music. Victorio Vergara Batista, “the Tiger of La Candelaria”, recognized and remembered for his charisma, gentlemanliness and energy on stage, promoted with his music the reencounter with our roots and the projection of our idiosyncrasy to the urban and rural areas. With his group “Plumas Negras”, he became an authentic ambassador of the variety of rhythms and melodies from his home town Los Santos and its patron saint “Santa Librada”. His unexpected death on 21 July 1998 left a void in music which is still felt in the national folklore.