Rafael Manzanares Aguilar typical folk dance with a jocular character is "El Zopilote", inspired by flying and walking characteristics of the buzzard, commonly seen in Honduras. This dance was compiled by Professor Manzanares in the city of Yuscarán, department of El Paraiso, and it was choreographed and initially interpreted by the Cuadro Nacional de Danzas Folklóricas. In 1997 Rafael Manzanares was the Liberal Party mayoral candidate for Tegucigalpa, in an election that he lost to the National Party Candidate, Doctor Cesar Castellanos Madrid. In 1998, during the presidential administration of Carlos Roberto Flores, he was appointed minister of the Secretary of State for
Rafael Manzanares Aguilar Culture, Arts and Sports. Rafael Manzanares was also a commentator for HRN radio. Rafael Manzanares in his ethnographic field work documented many different traditional dances from villages and towns of Honduras. Included among these are the following dances archived by the National Office of Folklore of Honduras ("Oficina del Folklore Nacional de Honduras"): The following are some of the many awards and recognitions bestowed on Rafael Manzanares Aguilar. Rafael Manzanares Aguilar Rafael Manzanares Aguilar (July 17, 1918 – August 28, 1999) was educated in law, a professor and Honduran folklorist, an author and a musical composer. Rafael Manzanares was one