A tribute to the boss – the heart of a national treasure
Machel Montano is the “Boss”
People are saying that Machel Montano is far more than a soca superstar; he is a living national treasure.
People are saying that the new “Like Ah Boss” documentary finally shows the younger generation exactly what true blood, sweat, and lifelong dedication look like.
People are saying that the boy from Siparia didn’t reach Coachella by accident; he built the Monk Monte empire through gruelling schedules, absolute discipline, and the fierce loyalty of his inner circle.
People are saying that what makes Machel a true role model is his bravery in showing his scars.
People are saying that by opening up about his quiet battles with depression and his past missteps, he is teaching upcoming artists that real greatness isn’t about being perfect, it is about having the strength to rise higher every time you fall.
People are saying that Machel’s decision to step away from the exhausting Carnival “hustle” is the ultimate mark of a king whose legacy is secure.
People are saying that when a man has “seen it all, done it all, has it all,” his greatest act is building a ladder for the next generation.
People are saying that with his new “Soundbridge” educational program, he is putting his money where his mouth is to elevate the youth.
People are saying that every citizen should echo his powerful reminder: oil and gas is not our richest resource; the raw talent of our people is.
People are saying that his demand for our children to be “higher educated” proves his heart beats for the future of Trinidad and Tobago.
People are saying that as he hunts down his 12th Road March title to break Lord Kitchener’s legendary record, the entire nation needs to stand up and salute his unmatched contribution.
People are saying that win, lose, or draw this Ash Wednesday, Machel has absolutely nothing left to prove to anyone.
People are saying that on that Fantastic Friday night, when he took the stage at the Flava Food Village for a free performance, every citizen should have gone out to witness history. People are saying that it was the end of an era, and it was the perfect time to give the Boss his flowers while the music was still playing!
Tribe’s bag of goodies
Archbishop Jason Gordon
People are saying that they agree with Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon that Tribe went too far by including an adult toy in its goodie bag given to female masqueraders.
The angry pontiff repeated the refrain six times while delivering his sermon at the daily mass at the archbishop’s chapel in Port of Spain last Tuesday, February 9.
The archbishop further stated that Carnival is going astray and suggested that if Tribe cannot pull back on its own, the government would have to regulate it.
Chief Executive Officer of Tribe Carnival Dean Ackin disagreed with the archbishop’s comments and said that Tribe is never afraid to lead from the front.
People are saying that while they support the archbishop’s sentiments, they do not agree that any government should interfere with “we culture” because once that starts there will be no stopping of government intervention in all aspects of their lives.
People are saying that while Gordon’s anger is understandable, he should realise that morality in the nation had begun its decline a long time ago with people playing mas almost naked and, at times, even copulating in the full glare of the public regardless of the presence of minors.
Increase in the price of cement
Trinidad Cement, Claxton Bay
People are bawling at the recent increase in the price of cement which today is being sold at $74 as against $44 seven years ago.
People are saying that this will result in increases in low-cost house construction by more than fifty percent.
People are saying that the 15-percent increase in cement which was deliberately effected on Monday, February 9, will result in a decline in construction and eventually an increase in unemployment with all its deleterious effects
People are saying that imported Rock Hard cement, which is being sold at $64 a bag, has seen an increase in its sales and confirmed by its managing Director, Ryan Ramhit
Fine them/Jail them
The sign attached to a light pole at Arouca Junction
People are saying that far too often our lamp posts are littered signs promoting various events, with fetes being the major ones; but sporting events are not excluded. Even the trees along the median on Wrightson Road are not exempted.
People are saying that after the events take place, no attempts are made to remove the crude signs with their poor spelling and syntax; and they are left on the lampposts and other places for months, even years, after the event.
People are saying that the litter laws should be updated and enforced and that enforcement cannot be too difficult since the organisers of the event can be easily ascertained.
People are saying that these law breakers should be heavily fined and for repetitive infractions should even be jailed for failing to maintain a clean Trinidad & Tobago. A nation that is dismissive of its environment is a nation in the throes of decline.
B for Barry; B for Boos; B for Better
Minister Barry Padarath on stage at the Hyatt Regency Carnival fete
People are saying that Barry’s performance on the stage at the Hyatt Lime fete last Wednesday night deserved a boo, not so much for his performance, but for his politicalisation of the event that has drawn the ire of many.; and which was not really necessary.
People are saying that nothing useful has been gained for his party, his ministry, nor the country for this performance.
People are saying that Barry could gone to the Hyatt Lime fete with less flamboyance and sense of entitlement.
People are saying that they disagree with the criticisms of MPs Marvin Gonzales, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly and Stuart Young, as well as Patriotic Front Leader Mickela Panday who are all just making a mountain out of a molehill.
Dimanche Gras and the Calypso Monarch competition
Helon Francis has been crowned Calypso Monarch 2025
People are saying that the calypso competition this year will be the only blot on the Dimanche Gras night simply because it is the poorest crop of calypsonians ever to hit the stage for any Dimanche Gras show.
People are saying the lyrical content of the compositions is poor, there is hardly any rhyme, and definitely no music.
People are saying that while the prizes have increased over the years, the standard has been dropping in direct proportion to these increases.
People are saying that minutes after the calypso monarch has been crowned, no one remembers what was sung.
People are saying they do not agree with Chalkdust when he said that the problem is one of poorly trained judges, even though there may be some merit in his criticism of the judges.
People are saying that the real problem is the fact that currently we have some of the laziest calypsonians ever who refuse to take the time to look at national issues and to compose accordingly.
People are saying that today’s calypsonians hurriedly compose something that makes little or no sense.
People are saying that gone are the days of such compositions as “Ah fraid Karl”; “Portrait of Trinidad”; “Education”, and “Lying excuses”.
People are saying that the worst judges can still judge the best calypsos, but while calypsos of yesteryear were too political; today they have gone full circle and have been instructed to totally exclude politics.
People are saying that today’s crop of calypsonians lack creativity and have poor command of the English language so they are unable to come up with songs that are not overtly political yet biting at the same time.
People are saying that even today with the absence of any calypso tents, the art is in a coma and will die soon unless rescued by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO), which may be to be possibly blamed for the current situation.
