Two brothers took the titles at the Flavourite National Schools Soca Monarch competition yesterday.The competition which lasted three hours was held at the Jean Pierre Complex, Port-of-Spain, but began nearly two hours late.Stefan Camejo, 10, who is a pupil of Sacred Hearts Boys' RC, Port-of-Spain, could not control his enthusiasm when he was announced the winner.He jumped and leaped across the stage. He won the primary school competition with his song titled Road Travellers.
His elder brother, Sergio, 15, lifted Stefan off the ground and hugged him when he was announced the winner in his category. His song was titled Moving On.Students whistled and screamed and waved at the boys on the stage.Sergio, a student of Fatima College, was also a former Junior Soca Monarch winner.The boys' father, Enrico Camejo, who is the lead guitarist for soca artiste Bunji Garlin, smiled broadly and waited for his sons at the base of the steps leading to the stage.
He said the children began competing in 2011 and Sergio won the competition when he was in primary school."When [Stefan] turned seven he entered in 2012. He came second," he said.Enrico said the children got some singing practice with the Marionettes Chorale."They got a little training with me and go with me to band rehearsals," he said.
Enrico said Sergio had begun writing his own songs."I helped him a little bit but he can write. His mother, Akella, helps him," he said. The competition saw students dressed in colourful costumes including Indian garments, crime scene outfits, space gear and mas costumes.