The Tobago People’s Party (TPP) has entered the second day of its rigorous screening process for candidates vying for seats in the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections. The event, held at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex on November 16, saw nominees accompanied by enthusiastic supporters as they presented their cases to the party’s screening committee. Led by TPP political leader Farley Augustine, the committee has been meticulously evaluating candidates since November 13, focusing on three of the 15 electoral districts. Among the districts under scrutiny were Buccoo/Mt Pleasant, Plymouth/Black Rock, and Bethel/New Grange. Notably, incumbent Terance Baynes, Assistant Secretary of the Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and Urban Development, was among the two candidates screened for the Bethel/New Grange district. The remaining eight candidates for this seat, including Tynielle Jack and Cloyd Williams, faced the committee on November 16. Earlier in the day, nominees for the Mason Hall/Moriah seat, including incumbent Ian Pollard and first-time contender Allan Stewart, underwent the screening process. Stewart, accompanied by his family, expressed confidence in his performance, emphasizing the importance of youth representation. Retired police officer Bevon Dennis highlighted his focus on safety, security, and employment opportunities for young men. Pollard, seeking re-election, defended his track record, attributing challenges to financial constraints and political opposition. The TPP’s screening process underscores the party’s commitment to selecting capable candidates for the THA elections, with a focus on community development and effective representation.
标签： Trinidad and Tobago
特立尼达和多巴哥
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Garvin Medera back at Digicel
In a strategic move to bolster regional leadership, Digicel has appointed Garvin Medera as the CEO of its Atlantic Region. The announcement, made on November 17, marks Medera’s return to the telecommunications giant, where he previously held key roles, including chairman of the Digicel Foundation TT and CEO of Digicel Play. Medera’s extensive experience, particularly his tenure as CEO of Caribbean Airlines (CAL), aligns with Digicel’s mission to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency across its markets. His leadership at CAL, which focused on operational profitability, digital modernization, and customer-centric strategies, is seen as a valuable asset for Digicel’s ongoing transformation. Marcelo Cataldo, Digicel’s Group CEO, praised Medera’s regional expertise and global vision, emphasizing his ability to drive the company’s next phase of growth. Medera expressed enthusiasm about rejoining Digicel, highlighting his commitment to fostering connectivity and service excellence. This appointment comes as Digicel undertakes significant restructuring efforts to address financial obligations, including the recent closure of its publishing and broadcasting arm, which impacted over 50 employees. Medera’s return signals Digicel’s focus on leveraging seasoned leadership to navigate its evolving landscape.
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SEWA TT to send over 1,000 food buckets to Jamaica
In a remarkable display of solidarity and compassion, approximately 150 volunteers from SEWA TT, a non-governmental organization, dedicated their Sunday to packing essential relief items for hurricane-stricken Jamaica. The event took place at the Divali Nagar site in Chaguanas, where volunteers meticulously filled plastic buckets with food staples, hygiene products, and other necessities. These buckets, designed to be sealable, pest-proof, and reusable, are set to be shipped to Jamaica later this week, aiming to reach those in dire need by early December.
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Family Reading Circle rolls to Port of Spain
The Bocas Lit Fest, in collaboration with Let’s Read, is set to host its popular Family Reading Circle at the St Joseph Old Road Community Centre in Port of Spain on November 22. The event, scheduled from 10 am to 12 pm, aims to cultivate a love for reading among children aged seven and under through interactive read-aloud sessions and community engagement.
Featured author Mary Cuffy, known for her Ladybug series, will lead the session by reading from her works, including ‘Lola and the Dancing Ladybugs,’ ‘Lola and the Magic Sticks,’ and ‘Lola and the Fascinating Cocoa Bean.’ Cuffy, a storyteller and lecturer at the UWI Open Campus, specializes in early childhood literacy and music, bringing her expertise to this initiative.
The Family Reading Circle is part of Bocas Lit Fest’s ongoing efforts to promote literacy and creativity among young readers. Over the past two and a half years, the organization has partnered with Let’s Read TT to host numerous such events at The Writers Centre. These sessions provide a platform for parents and caregivers to encourage reading in a communal setting, fostering empathy, imagination, and lifelong reading habits.
Community outreach remains a cornerstone of Bocas Lit Fest’s children’s programming, as demonstrated by initiatives like the nationwide Children’s Storytelling Caravan. Earlier this year, a pilot session was held at the St Helena Community Library, further expanding the program’s reach.
The upcoming event at the St Joseph Old Road Community Centre will feature Let’s Read’s extensive children’s book library, allowing families to explore literature together. By creating a supportive environment for shared reading, the program aims to enhance literacy, social cognition, and behavioral development.
For more information about future Family Reading Circles, contact melvina@bocaslitfest.com.
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Michelle Baptiste: Reshaping women’s future
Michelle Baptiste, a 48-year-old entrepreneur from Chaguanas, Trinidad, is redefining the future of women through her Caribbean shapewear brand, Selecfit. Her journey is one of resilience, independence, and self-belief, inspiring women across the region. Baptiste’s early life was marked by instability and hardship. Growing up in a single-parent household, she faced numerous challenges, including frequent relocations and emotional scars from abuse. Despite these struggles, she found solace in books, which nurtured her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Baptiste’s family background in tailoring and her early ventures into entrepreneurship laid the foundation for her future success. After years of selling internationally made shapewear, she identified a gap in the market for products tailored to Caribbean women’s unique body types. This realization led to the creation of Selecfit in 2009. Despite financial constraints and personal losses, Baptiste persevered, expanding her brand to multiple locations and introducing complementary products like Slim Tea and Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies. Her commitment to quality and authenticity has earned her a loyal customer base, and she now aims to manufacture locally and expand regionally. Baptiste also uses her platform to promote body positivity and mentor aspiring female entrepreneurs, encouraging them to embrace their potential and take bold steps toward their dreams.
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Gui’s Garvin Cadogan celebrates first anniversary – Trinis get a taste for Korean food
Garvin Cadogan, a 61-year-old entrepreneur with a diverse career spanning stock trading in New York to owning one of Trinidad’s most popular Korean BBQ restaurants, exemplifies the art of seizing opportunities. His journey began in Brooklyn, where he taught a Korean student how to trade stocks. Grateful for his mentorship, she encouraged him to open a Korean BBQ restaurant in his homeland, Trinidad. With her support, including menu development and staff training, Cadogan launched Gui Korean BBQ in November 2024 at Ariapita Avenue’s Food Square. The restaurant quickly gained popularity, offering authentic Korean dishes like BBQ meats, rice bowls, and dumplings. Despite initial resistance, Cadogan introduced fried rice to cater to local tastes, leading to the creation of the Gui Fried Rice Factory. The open-concept kitchen allows customers to interact with chefs, customizing their meals. Cadogan’s success has spurred expansion plans, with a new branch in Valpark set to open in December and future locations in Chaguanas, South Trinidad, Arima, and Tobago. His philosophy of seizing opportunities and adapting to customer demands has been key to his thriving business. Cadogan’s daughter, Leah, plays a pivotal role in managing and marketing the restaurant, with plans to diversify into retailing frozen dumplings and wontons. Despite challenges, their commitment to consistency and innovation ensures Gui Korean BBQ remains a beloved culinary destination in Trinidad.
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Hadco offers Pasture Fresh lamb, prime cuts for Trinidad and Tobago market
Hadco, a leading food company, unveiled its new Pasture Fresh lamb range at a high-profile event held at The Forge in El Socorro on November 7. The launch aimed to highlight the superior quality of grass-fed lamb, sourced from New Zealand, and its potential to elevate culinary experiences. The event was attended by Hadco officials, restaurateurs, culinary partners, and media representatives. Marc Clarke, Hadco’s marketing manager, emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering not just food but culture, joy, and quality. He described the Pasture Fresh lambs as pasture-raised, free-roaming, and naturally fed, ensuring tenderness and exceptional flavor. Brandon Harry, the brand manager for Pasture Fresh, likened the product to the ‘Wagyu of lamb,’ promising unmatched quality. Chef Khalid Mohammed, one of nine global brand ambassadors for Pasture Fresh, prepared six innovative lamb dishes for the event, showcasing the versatility of the product. The dishes included spicy lamb chorizo tacos, Persian grilled lamb burgers, and Trinitario cacao-crusted rack of lamb. The Forge’s state-of-the-art kitchen allowed guests to witness the culinary process firsthand. Hadco’s new lamb range will soon be available in various cuts, including lamb chops, sausages, and patties, catering to both professional chefs and home cooks. The launch reflects Hadco’s dedication to raising industry standards and providing consumers with responsibly sourced, high-quality products.
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Marinna Shareef takes audience into her inner world
Marinna Shareef, a 27-year-old full-time artist, fearlessly channels her inner world into her vibrant and surreal creations, often exploring themes of bipolar disorder and Caribbean identity. Her work, rich in color and symbolism, reflects her personal struggles and cultural heritage, offering a deeply intimate narrative. Recently, Shareef completed a one-week residency at York University’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change in Canada, where she engaged with students, delivered artist talks, and completed a painting in just three days. During her stay, she also showcased her collaborative piece, *God of Whimsy*, at the *Nature’s Wild with Andil Gosine* exhibition in Toronto. This work, part of her *God of Depression* and *God of Mania* series, marked her first collaboration with another artist. Shareef found resonance in Gosine’s book *Nature’s Wild: Love, Sex and Law in the Caribbean*, which explores themes of inherited trauma and identity. Her art often evokes mixed reactions, ranging from discomfort to laughter, mirroring her own experiences with bipolar disorder, diagnosed at 18. Despite the challenges, Shareef remains stable and uses her art to process her emotions, creating surreal and pop art self-portraits that delve into the highs and lows of her condition. Her work incorporates Trinidadian iconography, such as local snacks and nostalgic objects, blending comfort with metaphor. Shareef’s art is meticulously planned, rarely spontaneous, and serves as a form of advocacy for mental health awareness. She aims to destigmatize mental illness and inspire others to seek help. With a bachelor’s degree in visual arts from UWI, St Augustine, Shareef has already held solo exhibitions and won awards for her work. Mentored by artists like Christopher Cozier and Andil Gosine, she continues to refine her craft and aspires to exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. For now, she focuses on applying for residencies and grants, determined to share her message through her art.
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Malachi Joseph, a football prodigy in the making
At just eleven years old, Malachi Joseph is already making waves in the world of football, showcasing exceptional talent, discipline, and an unwavering passion for the sport. Hailing from San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, Malachi is being hailed as a future star, both locally and internationally. His recent performance in the Victoria Educational District’s Under-11 Primary School Football Tournament has solidified his reputation as a standout player. On November 4, Malachi led his team, St Paul’s Boys’ Anglican Primary School, to a decisive 3-0 victory against San Fernando Boys’ RC School at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, earning him the title of Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Malachi’s skills on the field are undeniable. As a midfield attacker, he demonstrates effortless ball control, sharp awareness, and remarkable confidence. His dedication to the sport is evident in his rigorous training regimen, which he balances seamlessly with his schoolwork. Inspired by football legend Lionel Messi, Malachi dreams of following in his idol’s footsteps by joining the FC Barcelona Academy in Spain. ‘Messi is my favorite player. I want to be a professional player and feel good when I play on the field,’ Malachi shared.
His journey began years ago, not on a formal pitch, but in the yard of his family home in Marabella, where he honed his skills by kicking bottles. Recognizing his natural talent, his mother, Nicole Peters, enrolled him in the Dunstan Williams Soccer Academy (DWSA) at the age of six. Since then, Malachi has remained a dedicated member of DWSA and continues to train under the guidance of coach Anthony Sherwood, who helps refine his technical and tactical understanding of the game.
At school, his coach, Rondell Renwick, praises Malachi not only for his skill but also for his attitude. ‘He is disciplined, and mark my words, he’s one for the future. He is special,’ Renwick said proudly. With his eyes set on a professional career, Malachi Joseph is undoubtedly a name to watch in the world of football.
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US Embassy: US Military ties run deep in Trinidad and Tobago
As US military personnel arrived in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) for a week-long training mission with the TT Defence Force (TTDF), concerns over escalating tensions with neighboring Venezuela have surfaced. The US Embassy, however, has sought to allay fears, emphasizing the longstanding security cooperation between the US and TT, which it claims benefits both nations and the broader region. This marks the second visit by the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), deployed in the Caribbean since late August to combat suspected narco-trafficking. Their previous visit in October saw the USS Gravely, a guided missile destroyer, dock in Port of Spain, sparking accusations from Venezuela of provocation and collusion with US intelligence agencies. Foreign Minister Sean Sobers announced the return of the 22nd MEU for exercises in urban and rural settings, including nighttime helicopter operations. The rapid succession of US military activities in the region, coupled with recent airstrikes targeting drug smugglers, has raised eyebrows. While Washington frames its presence as a counter-narcotics effort, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro views it as a threat. US President Donald Trump has hinted at further actions against Venezuela, though specifics remain undisclosed. TT’s government, led by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has expressed strong support for US military actions, citing the country’s vulnerability to illegal drug and weapons trade from Venezuela. The US Embassy highlighted recent collaborations, including infrastructure upgrades and donations to a local school, as well as joint training exercises aimed at enhancing regional security. These efforts, the embassy asserts, underscore the enduring partnership between the US and TT, rooted in shared values and mutual defense goals.