Parang will not die with the older generation but will remain alive with the youths of today.That was the message delivered by Servol's Programme co-ordinator David Jankey as he addressed a roomful of students at Servol's Central/East zone Parang Festival on November 25 at the People of Praise Hall, Arima.Jankey said the purpose of the festival was to preserve the culture of parang in the minds and hearts of students.
It was a day of fun, laughter and music as the students of Servol Central-East Zone served up a banquet of talent during their parang festival, titled Ole'. It included performances from five of Servol's centres, as well as a performance from the school's external Adolescent development Programme in the Youth Training Centre (YTC).
Servol instructors go to YTC to train students in life skills in an attempt to rehabilitate them and keep them grounded in society. The festivities opened with a rendition of the Parang Now Start, quickly followed by a version of the 12 Days of Christmas, that had the audience laughing as it featured items like six single dollars and a fully loaded BMW vehicle.
Students and instructors collaborated to present fun, interactive performances, one of the highlights being a slightly controversial yet highly amusing skit based on the Ian Alleyne hosted talk show Crime Watch.Another highlight to the festival was the performance by Servol's Chaguanas Centre, which stood out purely because of the absolute talents of the singers.
When one of the students, Renee Martin began singing, it was almost as if parang legend Daisy Voisin had resurrected.According to assistant programme co-ordinator, Gillian Johnson, the trainees at the various centres were usually young people filled with talent but lacking in opportunities, and so activities like the Parang Festival gave them a platform to show off their skills while having fun.