Arts and Multiculturalism Minister, Winston "Gypsy" Peters, has described this year's International bmobile Soca Monarch Competition as one of biggest and most successful shows the Caribbean region has ever seen. He made the statement during his feature address at Tuesday's award and prize-distribution function, hosted by Caribbean Prestige Foundation (CPF) for winners of this year's Soca Monarch, Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch and Flavorite Supreme Ice Cream National School Soca Monarch Competitions.
It was held at the Hyatt Regency, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain. Guardian Media Ltd was one of the main sponsors of the competition. Soca superstar Machel Montano, who won the power category to earn $2 million, was among the winning artistes present to collect their prize money. Montano said he would defend his title next year. Peters, in his address, promised his ministry would continue to support the competition and the soca artistes of T&T as Carnival was one of the country's greatest exports.
He said: "Carnival is the biggest export we have and CPF must be recognised for all its hard work and dedication to the cultural artform, through Soca Monarch." Peters also paid tribute to the pioneers of calypso and soca, saying the entertainment industry must thank greats like Ras Shorty I, Maestro, Ed Watson and Pelham Goddard for paving the way for the local crop of soca stars. He also praised CPF founder and chairman, William Munro, for his foresight and dedication in maintaining a product which grew. The minister added his ministry had been working in collaboration with the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) on the arrangements to stage carnival in Tobago in October.
(Reporting by Bobi-Lee Dixon)
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As promised by Munro, a cheque from the foundation was presented to Peters for the Children's Life Fund. Munro promised that from every ticket sold from this year's competition, three dollars would be given to the Children's Life Fund.