San Fernando West marked the beginning of the Christmas season with a vibrant celebration of music, culture, and community spirit. On November 14, the constituency hosted its first Christmas fundraiser under the patronage of MP and Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath at the Naparima Bowl. The event, aimed at supporting the annual Christmas toy drive, brought together patrons for an evening of live parang music, local cuisine, and festive camaraderie. Singer Joel John opened the night with nostalgic renditions of Christmas classics, setting a warm and cosy tone. The energy escalated with Fuego Caribeño, a parang band from Vistabella, whose fiery performance in vibrant red outfits electrified the stage. Their set included a Spanish twist on ‘Dance with Me,’ Scrunter’s soca parang hit ‘That Eh Working Here Tonight,’ and their award-winning ‘El Annuncio,’ culminating in a lively rendition of ‘La Bamba.’ Una Solo Voz followed, offering a contrasting elegance in black attire. Their performance, accompanied by the legendary Clarita Rivas on the cuatro, showcased the band’s versatility and captivated the audience. Amid the festivities, Dr. Dowlath honoured four distinguished constituents for their contributions to society, including Sabrina Mowlah-Baksh, Dr. Catherine Ali, Ivan Toolsie, and Dr. Jamwant Maharaj. The evening concluded with outdoor celebrations, featuring food stalls and continued music, fostering a sense of community and Christmas cheer while raising funds for the toy drive.