标签： Trinidad and Tobago

The Dr Sister Phyllis Wharfe Auditorium radiated with festive energy on December 11 as St Joseph’s Convent in San Fernando presented its annual Christmas Song and Dance Interhouse Competition. This year’s theme, ‘The Star of Bethlehem,’ provided the backdrop for an extraordinary display of student talent and creativity that transcended mere competition.

Five houses—St Joseph, St Xavier, Notre Dame, St Theresa, and Blessed Ann Marie—engaged in a spirited contest spanning three performance categories: choral music, dance, and traditional parang. After an evening of exceptional presentations, Blessed Ann Marie House achieved a remarkable sweep, claiming victory across all categories and securing both the championship trophy and well-earned accolades.

The event represented far more than artistic rivalry; it demonstrated the profound discipline and dedication cultivated through the school’s performing arts program. Students balanced intensive rehearsals with academic responsibilities during the crucial end-of-term examination period, resulting in performances that showcased both technical proficiency and genuine emotional expression.

A particularly impressive aspect emerged during the dance segment, where students overcame the absence of formal dance training facilities. Master of ceremonies Michelle Dowrich, a retired teacher from the institution, noted the exceptional quality of choreography and execution despite the lack of specialized flooring or instruction.

In the classical music category, houses presented carefully curated selections including ‘We Three Kings,’ ‘The First Noel,’ and ‘O Come All Ye Faithful,’ with Faith Phillip of St Xavier House earning recognition as Best Conductress. Judges praised the choirs for their dynamic engagement, articulate delivery, and balanced vocal arrangements.

The dance performances emphasized storytelling through movement, with adjudicators evaluating clarity of expression, technical execution, and synchronization with musical changes. Each house developed distinctive thematic approaches, blending traditional Christmas melodies with contemporary Caribbean influences including soca, calypso, and musical theater elements.

The parang category received particularly enthusiastic response from judge Dr. Francesca Allard of Los Dinamicos Parang Group, who declared the tradition ‘in good hands.’ She highlighted significant advancements in vocal quality, lead performances, and overall presentation, while noting the authentic joy visible in every performer’s expression.

As the final notes faded, the event stood as testament to the institution’s commitment to developing well-rounded individuals through artistic expression, community engagement, and cultural preservation—truly making the Star of Bethlehem shine brightly through youthful talent and creative passion.

A family-owned Trinidadian enterprise has masterfully bridged cultural divides through an innovative culinary initiative. The Little Store in Curepe, maintaining its six-decade legacy, has reimagined traditional Hindu sweets (methai) by infusing them with beloved Christmas flavors, creating a unique gastronomic fusion that honors both traditions.

The concept emerged during the pandemic’s challenging times when General Manager Vinayak Sankar and his team began experimental kitchen sessions. As an essential business providing groceries and funeral supplies, they sought creative avenues to sustain operations. These experiments evolved into a limited Christmas collection that creatively merges Hindu confectionery traditions with festive seasonal elements.

Their innovative lineup features butterscotch barfi, spiced gulab jamun balls, sorrel jalebi, and gingerbread-shaped roat—each maintaining traditional preparation methods while incorporating festive flavors. The gingerbread roat has gained particular popularity for its customizable Christmas shapes, becoming a novel addition to Trinidadian holiday dessert selections.

Sankar emphasizes that the integrity of traditional methai remains uncompromised: all products remain eggless, salt-free, and additive-free, preserving their religious suitability for offerings. The sweets are prepared fresh daily, maintaining quality and authenticity.

Customer response proved overwhelmingly positive, with immediate interest upon the products’ shelf placement. The innovation has attracted younger demographics and non-Hindu customers, reflecting growing cultural openness. Despite initial skepticism from some traditionalists, the initiative has fostered cross-cultural appreciation and dialogue.

Now in its third seasonal iteration, the Christmas methai collection has demonstrated commercial success beyond expectations, prompting development of additional fusion concepts. The store’s sister company, Chatak Food Products, has introduced Jazz Mix—a festive variation on traditional chiblo snack—further expanding this cultural culinary exchange.

Sankar reflects that this initiative represents more than commercial innovation—it embodies Trinidad and Tobago’s multicultural identity, promoting unity and mutual respect across diverse communities during the holiday season.

The recent killing of a protected ocelot in Grande Riviere has sparked outrage and concern among conservationists in Trinidad. This incident highlights critical gaps in wildlife protection and enforcement mechanisms despite substantial government investment in preservation strategies.

Trinidad’s ocelot population represents a unique evolutionary case study. Unlike their mainland counterparts, these wild cats evolved without competition from larger carnivores like jaguars or pumas, having become isolated when rising sea levels separated Trinidad from the South American continent millennia ago. This distinctive biological heritage makes their conservation particularly significant.

Disturbing evidence emerged when activists discovered a slain ocelot containing eight shotgun slugs upon examination by University of the West Indies veterinarians on December 17. Social media circulated images of the magnificent creature with its distinctive black, brown, and cream fur markings, drawing public attention to the incident.

Environmental experts suggest hunters may be targeting ocelots to boost agouti populations, demonstrating a fundamental misunderstanding of ecological balance. While not universally classified as endangered, anecdotal evidence indicates declining ocelot numbers due to human activities, with this incident providing troubling confirmation.

The situation raises serious questions about the implementation of the government’s $160,000 ocelot management plan developed by the Ministry of Planning and Development. Conservationists now question whether these protections exist merely on paper rather than being actively enforced.

Commentator Paolo Kernahan observes that such incidents reflect broader educational deficiencies regarding environmental stewardship. This knowledge gap leads to destructive behaviors that ultimately undermine both biodiversity and economic potential.

Paradoxically, the October budget emphasized tourism development through initiatives like the “Turtle Tourism Capital” project, promoting integration of “culture, conservation and community.” Wildlife protection represents not just an ecological imperative but also an economic opportunity that requires serious enforcement measures to prevent such counterproductive actions.

Residents of Phase One, Powder Magazine in Cocorite are reporting a dramatic resurgence of criminal activity and a corresponding decline in police patrols, creating an atmosphere of pervasive fear more than a year after a mass shooting devastated their community.

The traumatic memory of the May 4, 2024 attack remains vivid, when gunmen in a dark-colored vehicle opened indiscriminate fire outside Building F, killing four residents—Shaquille Ottley, 22; Antonio Jack, 57; Sadiki Ottley, 31; and Jonathan Osmond, 36—and wounding eight others.

During a recent visit by Newsday, explicit music blared through the concrete corridors as early as 9 AM, with groups of men congregating outside the same building where the shooting occurred. Multiple residents, speaking anonymously due to safety concerns, described deteriorating conditions including suspected illegal occupancy of a ground-floor apartment in Building F that they believe serves as a base for criminal operations.

An elderly resident revealed she has abandoned reporting issues to police after numerous unanswered complaints. ‘I just give up now,’ she confessed, noting that fear prevents her from evening walks after dark. ‘I feel it’s only a matter of time before they shoot it up again.’

A mother with young children described how security concerns dictate her family’s movements, restricting outdoor activities after 6 PM despite daylight hours. She and others acknowledged that while police presence was consistent immediately following the 2024 tragedy, providing a sense of security, these patrols have now virtually disappeared.

The community’s appeal for intervention extends directly to Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander, with residents urging personal engagement and increased patrols. ‘The young people in here not lost. They just need better role models and real attention,’ one resident emphasized.

Despite reaching out to multiple authorities—including Housing Minister David Lee, Senior Superintendent Sylvester Williams, and Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro—Newsday received minimal official response. Minister Lee pledged an ‘immediate investigation’ into illegal occupancy claims, while other officials provided no substantive comment on the reduced police presence or ongoing security strategies.

Young men in the community expressed their own misgivings, acknowledging constant concern about violence while demonstrating deep distrust toward law enforcement. ‘Anybody could just run in and shoot up the place,’ one stated quietly, capturing the prevailing sentiment of vulnerability abandoned by those tasked with their protection.

PRINCES TOWN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – The funeral of prominent disability rights advocate Sudhir ‘Wheels’ Ramessar on December 21 became a powerful celebration of an extraordinary life dedicated to service and empowerment. The 59-year-old president of the TT Paralympic Committee, who passed away on December 19, was remembered as a transformative figure who transcended physical limitations to become a national inspiration.

Religious leader Pundit Roopnarine Maharaj delivered a poignant eulogy that challenged attendees to examine their own lives. ‘He received this human form but did not squander it. How many of us possess capable bodies yet fail to realize our potential?’ Maharaj reflected at the Broomage Road service. ‘Wheels accomplished exceptional things despite his challenges—a testament to what determination can achieve.’

The ceremony drew distinguished figures from across the sporting and political spectrum. Former TT Olympic Committee president Brian Lewis traveled from Port of Spain to honor his friend, describing Ramessar as embodying ‘unmatched courage and integrity.’ Lewis revealed his recent conversation with Paralympic athlete Akeem Stewart, who is grappling with the dual loss of his coach and his mentor Ramessar.

Transport Commissioner Clive Clarke remembered Ramessar’s selflessness: ‘He offered voluntary assistance whenever needed, always prioritizing others’ wellbeing.’ Former foreign affairs minister Dr. Amery Browne, emotionally moved, recalled always addressing him as ‘Mr. President’ in recognition of his dignified leadership. Browne highlighted their time at the Rio Paralympics where Ramessar’s profound commitment to disabled athletes became unmistakably clear. ‘In hundreds of conversations, he never once requested anything for himself—only advocated for others.’

Ramessar’s sister Rehanna shared intimate family memories, describing him as ‘a brother who became like a son to us all.’ Through tears, she noted how his passing elicited deeper grief than even their father’s funeral, underscoring the profound bond he maintained with nieces, nephews, and siblings.

The service concluded with Ramessar’s cremation at Shore of Peace Cremation Site in South Oropouche, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire the disability community and nation alike.

In a landmark ruling concluding one of Trinidad and Tobago’s longest-running familial legal disputes, the High Court has mandated the disbursement of over $5 million from court-held trust funds to settle decades-old costs between warring brothers. Justice Robin Mohammed delivered the decisive judgment that will see Joseph and Robert Elias receive payment from their brother Emile Elias’s share of their mother’s estate.

The protracted legal conflict originated in 1985 with probate litigation concerning the estate of their father, Nagib Elias. The recent proceedings centered on enforcing costs orders from litigation in both 1985 and 1995. The judgment creditors, Joseph and Robert Elias, acting as executors of their father’s estate, sought recovery of $4.9 million in outstanding costs that they claimed Emile had persistently refused to pay.

Justice Mohammed’s ruling established crucial legal precedents regarding limitation periods, determining that the Limitation of Personal Actions Ordinance—not the Limitation of Certain Actions Act—governed the dispute. This finding enabled the recovery of both principal amounts and accrued interest dating back to the original proceedings.

The court quantified the debt at a principal sum of $1,578,482.27 as of 2012. Following a partial payment of $400,000 in 2016, the outstanding principal stood at $1,178,482.26. The court calculated accrued interest at $3,892,677.74 as of December 9, with daily interest continuing to accumulate at $161.43.

The enforcement mechanism targeted Emile Elias’s entitlement to a one-fourth share (US$983,505.50) of a trust established under the will of Linda Elias, which had been paid into court earlier this year pending resolution of these proceedings.

Justice Mohammed rejected Emile’s limitation defense, noting that acknowledgments and partial payments had effectively restarted any limitation period. Both parties agreed that appointing a receiver was unnecessary since the funds were already under court control.

The court awarded costs to the judgment creditors at a discounted rate of 75 percent, citing missed settlement opportunities and the unfortunate familial nature of the dispute. Justice Mohammed expressed hope that this ruling would finally conclude the four-decade legal battle between the brothers.

Legal representation included Deborah Peake, SC, Ravi Heffes-Doon and Samuel Harrison for Joseph and Robert Elias, while Douglas Mendes, SC, Jason Mootoo, SC and Adrian Byrne represented Emile Elias.