Press Release

Local Flood Victims benefit from $115K donation

Cordell McClure

Victims of flooding as a result of heavy downpours in Central and South Trinidad now have access to over $100,000 worth of funds. The money was donated by Republic Bank Limited and will be accessed through the Red Cross Society and the Foundation for Enhancement and Enrichment of Life (FEEL).

The money donated, forms part of the Bank Disaster Relief Fund, which is geared towards providing much needed assistance to the Haiti rebuilding Cause as well as local flood victims.

In a media release issued by the Bank, , General Manager, Group Marketing and Communications, Anna-María García-Brooks is quoted as saying,  “In view of the recent damage in Central and South Trinidad caused by floodwater, many homes have been affected, with close to 500 families desperately seeking shelter. With crops being washed away and livestock being killed, many of these families’ primary sources of income have been adversely affected, leaving hundreds within our National community in an unfortunate situation.”

According to the release, the Bank encouraged customers and staff members at all its branches to contribute toward the Relief Fund, which has to date raised over TT$ 2 Million.

 “If we can help restore a sense of stability to these families in need, then together we can make a positive difference in their lives and take definite steps toward reversing the damage caused by the flooding,” García-Brooks added.  

Press Release

Local Flood Victims Get $115K Boost from Republic Bank

Enlarge Close

Local Flood Victims Get $115K Boost from Republic Bank

Port of Spain, Trinidad, Wednesday September 8, 2010: With contributions of $100,000 to the Red Cross Society and $15,000 to the Foundation for Enhancement and Enrichment of Life (FEEL), Republic Bank intensified its ongoing drive to assist those affected by the spate of flooding due to torrential rains in Central and South Trinidad.

This latest move follows in the same vein as the Bank’s well-received fundraising effort – The Republic Bank Disaster Relief Fund – to provide much needed assistance to the Haiti rebuilding Cause as well as local flood victims.

Throughout its 40 Branches in Trinidad and Tobago, the Bank has successfully encouraged customers and staff members alike to contribute toward the Relief Fund, which has to date raised over TT$ 2 Million.

Commenting on the Bank’s recent decision, General Manager, Group Marketing and Communications, Anna-María García-Brooks said “In view of the recent damage in Central and South Trinidad caused by floodwater, many homes have been affected, with close to 500 families desperately seeking shelter. With crops being washed away and livestock being killed, many of these families’ primary sources of income have been adversely affected, leaving hundreds within our National community in an unfortunate situation.”

“We continue to be deeply saddened by these reports and we believe that is our duty as an organisation committed to social responsibility to support the fundraising efforts of humanitarian associations like the Red Cross Society and FEEL.”

“If we can help restore a sense of stability to these families in need, then together we can make a positive difference in their lives and take definite steps toward reversing the damage caused by the flooding,” García-Brooks added.  

The public is asked to continue sending in donations, either through the Republic Bank Disaster Relief Fund, account # 180 482 532 501, or to donate items to the T&T Red Cross Society and FEEL.

Comparison of stories

Machel takes Soca Monarch crown

Trinidad Guardian

Published: Sat, 2011-03-05 07:11

After delivering what many fans consider to be his best performance of the season Machel Montano claimed the two million dollar grand prize in the Power Soca category at the 2011 International Soca Monarch Competition at the Hasley Crawford Stadium last night.

A capacity crowd turned out to see the crème de la crème of soca artistes perform but in the end, Montano’s popular song "Advantage", was chosen by the judges and the crowd for the Power Soca title.

Montana’s performance was his first at the competition in 16 years. His nearest rival Neil Iwer George placed second to receive $600,000. Third place went to Bunji Garlin. He will receive $300,000. His wife and past Monarch winner, Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez placed fourth in the competition and will take home $200,000.

In the other competition, the 2011 Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch is now Kes Dieffenthaler. He performed the popular "Wotless" to secure the first prize of half a million dollars. The second place went to Benjai for "Trini". He takes home $225,000. Third place went to Destra for "Cool it down". She is now $125,000 richer. Dexter "Blaxx" Stewart rounded up the 4th spot with "Tantie Woi" and will receive $115,000.

SOCA KING: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, right, presents the bmobile International Power Soca Monarch winner's cheque of $2 million to Machel Montano, at the Island People's Outrageous party, at Jenny's Car Park, on Cipriani Boulevard, Port of Spain, on Saturday morning. Photo: CURTIS CHASE

Machel is the Monarch

Kees takes Groovy title

By Wayne Bowman wayne.bowman@trinidadexpress.com

Story Created: Mar 5, 2011 at 9:29 PM ECT

Hundreds of patrons booed upon the announcement that Machel Montano had won the 2011 International Power Soca Monarch competition making off with the $2 million first prize.

The results were revealed at around 5:30 am yesterday after the marathon show that had gotten on the way at 9:30pm on Friday at the Hasely Crawford National Stadium, Port of Spain.

While many patrons did express delight over Montano’s victory as they exited the Stadium, even more were crying foul saying that Iwer George, who placed second, was the true winner.

During Montano’s performance of “Advantage” a large portion of the audience kept chanting, “Iwer, Iwer, Iwer,” every time Montano instructed the band to lower the music for him to speak to the patrons. The people jumped and waved as Machel sang, but from the moment he began to speak, they started chanting George’s name.

Earlier on George had sent the entire audience wild with his performance of “Come To Me” in which he appeared above the audience in a cherry picker customised to look like an airplane.

The patrons were waving and singing “Come to me” as George was deposited on a platform to the right of the stage where traditional mas characters including blue devils, jab jabs and moko jumbies were dancing.

George had the crowd running from side to side and then to the judges’ platform in the middle of the football field and back to the stage. Surveying the field and expressing delight over how many people were in the stadium, George shouted, “The promoter make a lot of money.”

He then returned to the cherry picker calling on the people to follow wherever it went, which they did. Long after George ended his performance people were shouting, “Iwer.”

Montano came down from the rafters of the stage with guidelines attached to his outfit and was greeted by a cheering audience. Two of his dancers also had guidelines attached to them and they took flight several times during the performance.

Declaring that he will be defending the Power Soca Monarch title next year, Montano sang, “Destra in trouble because she coming after. When I done with Iwer, he have to retire.”

With the audience chanting, Iwer,” Montano then turned his chiding towards Bunji Garlin singing, “Bunji we tired of your fire lyrics, tonight I giving you licks. Bunji don’t know what to do with Fay Ann, is like he is the woman and she is the man.” The crowd cheered over that comment, but some boos could be heard in the mix.

When Destra did take the stage she told the audience Montano’s behaviour on stage was disrespectful and called on the patrons to wave their hands if they agreed with her in saying, “No advantage.”

People began to wave and Destra said, “You don’t come on stage and disrespect artistes. Bunji work hard, Fay Ann work hard and I work hard. No advantage.”

With flames at the foot of the stage and shooting from the speaker towers flanking it, Bunji Garlin who placed third had the patrons jumping and singing as he sang, “Hold A Burn.” Responding to Montano calling him a woman, Bunji said, “Well a woman will beat yuh tonight.”

Bringing a microphone on a stand to the stage Bunji said that it represented his lyrics and what will happen to anyone that comes against him. When a man representing Montano touched the microphone it burst into flames along with the man’s hand.

Bunji had the audience erupting into cheers several times as he freestyled comments such as “Ah go beat yuh bad, see if Anand Ramlogan go help yuh” and “When yuh go by Kamla, give she a CD not one yuh burn,” aimed at Montano who he eventually said he had no more time to waste on.

Fay Ann Lyons singing “Consider It Done” placed fourth. Appearing on stage sporting a mohawk hairstyle and an outfit reminiscent of the movie, Mad Max, Lyons did have the audience singing the chorus of her song when the music stopped every time she got to that part of the song. Climbing one of the speaker towers, Lyons also got some people to move in whatever direction she told them to.

In the Groovy category, Kees Dieffenthaller came out the winner with his performance of “Wotless” in which he was joined on stage by Lord Nelson. For his efforts, Dieffenthaller took home $500,000. Benjai placed second with “Trini,” while Destra took third place with “Cool It Down” and Blaxx came in fourth singing “Tanti Woi.”

HOW THEY PLACED

Power

1st Machel Montano - $2,000,000

2nd Iwer George - $600,000

3rd Bunji Garlin - $300,000

4th Fay Ann Lyons - $200,000

Groovy

1st Kees Dieffenthaller - $500,000

2nd Benjai - $225,000

3rd Destra - $125,000

4th Blaxx - $115,000

My Analysis

The story by the Trinidad Express was much more detailed. In fact, there was no mention in the Guardian’s story about the reaction of the audience. One could have easily got the impression that the results were very well accepted. The Expresse story capsulated the show very well. One similarity was the headline. Both newspapers knew readers would have been curious about who emerged victorious and they used that premise to capture their attention. Both stories also focused mainly on the Power Soca Monarch and only dedicated one paragraph to the Groovy Soca.

Thousands play Mud Mas in Scarborough

Mus mas dominates Tuesday Carnival

Story by Cordell McClure

Photos by Adamson Charles

Tuesday Mas in Scarborough is usually about looking pretty in your costumes and having a good time as you gyrate along the approximately 1 hr trek down Carrington and Wilson streets. This was certainly not the case for everyone in this year’s carnival as thousands opted to play mud mas.

While many local designers were still fitting revelers on Main street uptown around 1pm, hundreds were already gathering at the Bagatelle base of the ‘Mudern Mud’ camp. It was there they would get to register for the now ultra popular band. Public Realtions Officer of the Band, Selassie Trim noted that the Band’s management has taken the organization of the group to a higher level. “Our band has been attracting players from all strata of society and this year we have introducing a VIP section in the band with food and drink,” Trim said.

 For a fee of $30, revelers would be able to access specially treated and prepared mud to be used along the parade.  The anxious revelers-mostly young people-wore very little clothing, and in some cases as old as they could possibly find. “I don’t have time to spend $1,000 just so; this is where the action is,” Darrel James, one of the revelers remarked. This sentiment was reiterated by others in his group as they posed for a photo by our photographer.

Not everyone was happy that they were required to pay for the mud. One irate woman claimed her group was allowed get mud without charge in Roxborough the previous day. “Mud is free, why must we pay for it,” she argued.

By 4 pm, the crowd at the camp had grown significantly. The camp directors tried feverishly to deal with the rapidly growing group. A policeman soon arrived and took control traffic clogged by the huge crowd. Some revelers began to vociferously express their displeasure with the long delay in moving off.

One hour later, it was time to hit the streets. Led by two large music trucks, the marauding hordes of mud revelers began prancing through the streets. As has now become the norm, many spectators joined the band as it made its way through the streets of Scarborough. Security tried as much as they could, but there was no stopping the spectators who joined at will. The mud mas group stretched for several hundred feet-making it the biggest band on the parade.

.

But soon the flow of the band was interrupted-something had gone awfully wrong. ‘Kit Promotions,’ one of the leading mas bands, somehow crossed the path of the mud revelers. Over 75 of their costumes were soiled and had to be withdrawn before judging.

Many of the mud mas revelers, paid very little attention to the calamity of the other band. Most of the energized revelers used the opportunity to get a few more drinks from vendors who had lined Carrington street. By the time the group reached downtown Scarborough, there were approximately 3,000 revelers.

Kit promotion went on the win the band of the year title despite the mishap.

Getting Down: Two of the revelers in the Mud Band in Scarborough

A Night in Scarborough

A Night in Scarborough

Cordell McClure-00042857

Jour 123

It is quickly becoming a nightly tradition in the Tobago’s capital. After a hard day’s work, many head to Scarborough to visit one of the many fast food outlets that line Milford Road. But these are not just your regular outlets; they are makeshift kitchens, on wheels in some cases, serving up many of your favourite delicacies.

As the sun goes down in the horizon, the padlocks on the mostly metal housings are opened and fires lit, signalling the opening of the kitchens. It wouldn’t be long before customers begin converging around their favourite cooks. On an average night in Scarborough, you are likely to get, Jamaican Jerk, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Gyros and even some stewed pork if you are lucky. Many of these vendors remain open until the wee hours of the morning-hoping to catch hungry party-goers.

One such vendor is Rita Ragoonan, a Trinidadian woman who has decided to seize this business opportunity in Tobago. She admits that business on the streets at nights is very competitive, but noted that it is a means of survival. “They have many people selling the same kinda thing, it is up to me to make sure my customers are happy,” Ragoonan said. Even as she added a dash of ketchup to her now popular burgers, the cook by profession revealed that her secret is to ensure your products are tasty along with excellent customer service. “I do whatever it takes to make my customers happy,” she reiterated.

Despite the savoury dishes available at nights, there is one thought that is not so palatable- the hygienic conditions under which these vendors operate. Checks to these outlets revealed that most of them had no form of toilet facilities. There is also a limited amount of clean water available. In fact, many of these vendors cook with water stored in containers. “I go over to the Esplanade whenever I want to go,” one vendor said. Another told us that she does whatever is necessary before she comes out to work.

The food badges issued by the Health Department are usually on prominent display in these booths. It is not clear though, how many checks are done on these facilities and how often. This however, seems to be of little concern to those who flock these food outlets at night. Their only concern is to get a taste of their favourite food and satisfy their craving.

A vendor prepares some burgers for her customers.

Photo; Cordell McClure