The National Parang Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NPATT) celebrated its annual Junior Parang Competition on November 15 and 16, 2024, at El Dorado East Secondary School. This year’s event, themed ‘Somos Un Solo Pueblo – We Are One Village,’ showcased the vibrant parang traditions, uniting schools and fostering lifelong friendships. St Gabriel’s Girls’ RC School emerged victorious in the primary school category, continuing their winning streak from the previous year. The competition featured 25 primary and 15 secondary schools, with new elements like the People’s Choice Award and a challenge trophy adding excitement. A highlight was the ‘Tribute to the Icon Presentation,’ where students theatrically honored parang legends, blending music, history, and performance. Joseph Bertrand, NPATT’s youth officer, emphasized the event’s role in preserving parang culture while nurturing young talent. Prizes included $8,000 for first place, with special awards for Best Lead Singer, Best Presentation, and more. The competition also saw international participation from La Casita Hispanic Cultural Centre. Bertrand envisions parang becoming a staple in school curricula, teaching subjects like Spanish, history, and art. The event, open to the public, drew large crowds, with proceeds from votes supporting participating bands. NPATT’s efforts to modernize operations, such as introducing digital registration, reflect their commitment to keeping parang traditions alive for future generations.
作者： admin
-
Melly Rose’s Wah Yuh Want on Canada’s Office Movers
Soca artist Melly Rose’s 2022 single ‘Wah Yuh Want,’ featuring Sekon Sta, has secured a spot in the second season of the popular Canadian television comedy series, ‘Office Movers.’ The show streams on Crave, a leading Canadian streaming platform. Produced by Kasey Phillips of Precision Productions, this inclusion marks a significant achievement for Melly Rose and the broader Caribbean music industry. In a press release, Melly Rose expressed her pride, calling it a ‘proud and powerful movement’ for herself and Caribbean music. The release emphasized that this feature highlights the global appeal of soca music and the increasing recognition of Caribbean artists on the international stage. The second season of ‘Office Movers’ will also showcase tracks from other renowned Caribbean soca artists, including Iwer George, College Boy Jesse, Teddyson John, Badjohn Republic, and Preedy. Additionally, Trinidadian comedian Gervail ‘Jr Lee’ Lemo will make his debut on the show. Melly Rose shared her excitement, stating, ‘This is such a big moment for me and for Caribbean music as a whole. Hearing ‘Wah Yuh Want’ in an international TV show for the first time is indescribable. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who made this possible, especially Kasey Phillips from Precision Productions for his exceptional work in syncing the tracks and securing this feature. It’s an honor to see our soca music and culture represented and celebrated on this level.’
-
Naparima manager: SSFL title in our hands
Naparima College has reclaimed the top spot in the 2025 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division, positioning themselves as the frontrunners for the title. Their 1-0 victory against St Mary’s College on November 10 propelled them to 34 points, one point ahead of St Benedict’s College. With only one match remaining, Naparima’s manager, Percy Samlalsingh, emphasized the importance of securing a win in their final game to clinch the championship. Despite describing their recent performance as their worst of the season, Samlalsingh highlighted the team’s resilience in overcoming a mid-season slump that saw them earn just one point in three matches. The team now looks forward to their decisive match against Signal Hill on November 27, which could secure their fifth premier division title, having previously won in 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2019. Samlalsingh also noted the team’s significant improvement from last season, where they finished seventh, and expressed optimism about bringing another trophy to Naparima College.
-
Signal Hill thump St Anthony’s 4-0 in SSFL
Signal Hill Secondary continued their impressive late-season surge in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premiership standings with a commanding 4-0 victory over St Anthony’s College on November 13. The match, held at Signal Hill’s home ground in Tobago, showcased the team’s determination to challenge for the title. Jermaine Morgan opened the scoring in the 17th minute, followed by J’Meke Watkins, who doubled the lead just five minutes later. After halftime, Kyle James extended the advantage in the 49th minute, and Immanual Wright sealed the emphatic win with a fourth goal in the 79th minute. The result propelled Signal Hill into fourth place in the standings, tied with St Anthony’s on 25 points but with a superior goal difference. In another rescheduled fixture, Scarborough Secondary secured a crucial 4-1 victory against Trinity East, though they remain in the relegation zone. The league resumes on November 17, with Signal Hill set to face St Augustine Secondary in another pivotal match. The final rounds of the season promise intense competition, with Signal Hill potentially challenging league leaders Naparima College for the title on November 27.
-
Hillview clinch SSFL boys’ ‘Big 5’ crown with win over Speyside
Hillview College has solidified its dominance in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) by securing the First Citizens Boys’ ‘Big 5’ championship division playoffs. On November 12, the team achieved a decisive 2-0 victory over Speyside Secondary at their home ground in Tunapuna. This win marks their fourth consecutive triumph in the tournament, further cementing their status as this year’s champions. Khalid Jones, the standout player of the match, scored both goals in the eighth and fifteenth minutes, setting the tone for Hillview’s commanding performance. Speyside, the Tobago championship division winners, faced their first loss in the five-team competition, having had their previous three matches postponed due to inter-island travel challenges. They are now set to play rescheduled games against Mucurapo West Secondary, Palo Seco, and Presentation College Chaguanas. Meanwhile, Palo Seco, the south championship division victors, secured their first Big 5 win with a 2-1 victory over central champions ‘Pres.’ With Mucurapo West currently in second place, the race for promotion to the premier division for the 2026 campaign remains intense. Hillview College, with 12 points, leads the standings, followed by Mucurapo West with six points and Palo Seco with three.
-
Understanding diabetes in children
Diabetes, traditionally viewed as an adult health concern, is increasingly affecting children, prompting medical experts to address its causes, symptoms, and management strategies. Dr. Leonardo Akan, a pediatric endocrinologist, highlights the critical role of insulin in regulating blood sugar levels. Insulin, a hormone, facilitates the uptake of sugar by cells, ensuring balanced glucose levels and storing excess sugar for future use. Disruptions in this system can lead to diabetes mellitus (DM), with Type 1 and Type 2 being the most common forms in children.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, necessitating insulin replacement. Genetic predisposition, viral infections, dietary factors, and geographic location (linked to vitamin D levels) can trigger this condition. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is often associated with obesity, poor diet, sedentary lifestyles, and genetic or ethnic factors. Certain ethnic groups, including African, Hispanic, Indian, and Asian populations, are at higher risk, as are children born to mothers with gestational diabetes or obesity.
Symptoms of diabetes in children include frequent urination, increased thirst, weight loss, fatigue, headaches, and blurry vision. Severe symptoms like fruity-smelling breath, rapid breathing, or confusion may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate medical attention. Diagnosis involves blood sugar tests, urine tests, and glycosylated hemoglobin A1C tests.
Once diagnosed, children should be referred to specialized healthcare teams for comprehensive management. Dr. Akan emphasizes the importance of parental support, encouraging self-care, open communication, and maintaining routines. Dietitian Dana Chong stresses the need for balanced meals with consistent carbohydrate intake to stabilize blood sugar levels, especially for children on insulin.
Dr. Akan advises parents to educate themselves about diabetes care, empowering them to make informed health decisions for their children. Healthy living, including proper nutrition and physical activity, is essential for effective diabetes management.
-
Tatil goes blue for diabetes awareness
In a striking visual initiative to mark Diabetes Awareness Month, the Tatil building at 11a Maraval Road, Port of Spain, has been illuminated in blue throughout November evenings. The forecourt of the building is adorned with blue fabric, flags, and health messages, emphasizing key preventive measures such as maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, eating nutritious food, monitoring blood sugar levels, staying hydrated, and remaining active. This initiative is part of Tatil and Tatil Life’s corporate social responsibility program, which has focused on diabetes awareness since 2019. The campaign aims to educate the public, advocate for healthier lifestyles, and foster community partnerships to combat the growing prevalence of diabetes. By transforming its headquarters into a beacon of awareness, Tatil underscores its long-term commitment to promoting public health and encouraging individuals to take proactive steps in managing and preventing diabetes.
-
Reggae Boyz leave TT singing the blues – World Cup dream ends
The dream of Trinidad and Tobago (TT) qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an abrupt end on November 13, as the national team played to a 1-1 draw against Jamaica at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The result left TT with no chance of advancing, leaving approximately 20,000 fans disappointed and distraught. The match, part of the Concacaf World Cup qualifying Group B, saw TT finish with six points, unable to secure a top-two spot in the group. Curacao leads the group with 11 points, followed by Jamaica with ten. Only the group winner qualifies directly for the World Cup, while the second-placed team enters an intercontinental play-off. Jamaica took the lead in the 53rd minute through Renaldo Cephas, but substitute Kevin Molino equalized in the 86th minute, briefly reigniting hope for the home crowd. However, TT’s inability to secure a second goal sealed their fate. Under the guidance of head coach Dwight Yorke, a legendary TT footballer, the team had shown promise but ultimately fell short of expectations. Yorke’s tenure brought renewed interest in local football, with packed stadiums and increased sponsorship. However, his frequent changes to the starting lineup and the exclusion of several experienced players drew criticism. The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions, with TT creating chances but failing to capitalize. Despite the late equalizer, the team’s World Cup aspirations were extinguished, leaving players and fans alike in despair as they exited the stadium into the cold Port of Spain night.
-
PNM: Is someone interested in BLCA?
Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has raised concerns over the government’s recent decision to ban fetes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA), questioning the timing and potential foreign interest in the venue. Speaking at a media conference in Port of Spain on November 13, Beckles referenced Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo’s statement during the 2025/2026 budget debate about creating a state-sponsored real estate investment trust (REIT). Tancoo described the initiative as a landmark effort to democratize state-owned assets, diversify Trinidad and Tobago’s capital market, and broaden public participation in national wealth creation. High-value income-generating properties, including land, office buildings, and commercial infrastructure, would be transferred into the REIT, with shares listed on the TT Stock Exchange to allow investors to earn dividends. Beckles questioned whether the BLCA was among these properties and hinted at potential foreign interest in the venue. She also criticized the government’s handling of noise pollution, noting that it is a widespread issue not unique to the BLCA. Beckles recalled developing an app during her tenure as planning and environment minister to monitor noise levels in Woodbrook, with plans to share data with other communities. She emphasized that the BLCA’s carpark, used for events, is restored after use, with fees withheld if requirements are not met. Beckles also expressed concerns about the potential loss of revenue for Carnival 2026, citing the cancellation of the Independence Day parade and the extended state of emergency. She questioned the Prime Minister’s refusal to consult with promoters, stating that state-owned facilities like the BLCA belong to the public. Former ministers Faris Al-Rawi and Dr. Amery Browne echoed concerns about the impact on Carnival and regional perceptions of Trinidad and Tobago.
-
Cancel Christmas?
As Jamaica approaches the festive season, the island finds itself at a crossroads, balancing the need for celebration with the somber reality of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation. Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Jamaica are traditionally vibrant, family-centered occasions filled with cultural richness, delectable cuisine, and continuous festivities. However, this year, the conversation has shifted to whether such celebrations are appropriate in the wake of widespread destruction.