Second-place winners St Francois Girls' College play Erphaan Alves' Soca Global at the Junior Panorama finals in January. Photo by Vidya Thurab[/caption]
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Several streets was block off around the Red House as members of the military practice their parade for the ceremonial opening of parliament in January. Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]
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President Paula-Mae Weekes addresses MPs, senators and judges at the re-opening of the Red House in January. The Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago sat in the Red House for the first time since 2011. Photo by Jeff Mayers[/caption]
Read story: Stranger in the House: a return visit to Parliament
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Black Indians on display at the launch of Tobago Carnival on January 19. Photo by David Reid[/caption]
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Thousands have a blast at the Black 2 Blue Breakfast Party, Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba in January. Photo by Chequana Wheeler[/caption]
FEBRUARY
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Baby dolls from Newtown RC, Belmont and St Francis RC on parade at the Ministry of Education's Schools' Carnival Champions showcase 2020 at the Grand Stand of the Queen's Park Savannah, in February. Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]
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Trinidad-born rapper Nicki Minaj, left, wipes the tears of a girl from the St Jude's Home for Girls in Belmont, Port of Spain, after she began to cry during Minaj's visit to the home on February 28. Photo bySureash Cholai[/caption]
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Kees Dieffenthaller, left, and Iwer George party on Carnival Tuesday in Port of Spain. Photo by Roger Jacob[/caption]
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STRONGMAN: Power lifter Rondell Hunte easily lifts a woman during the Ash Wednesday cooldown at Maracas Bay. Photo by Jeff K Mayers.[/caption]
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Port of Spain mayor Joel Martinez, left, and Arts and Culture Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, right, congratulate the King and Queen of J’Ouvert, Herbert Pierre and his daughter Lillian. Photo by Roger Jacob
Machel Montano and his wife Renee share a kiss at Machel Monday, The Wedding at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
MARCH
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Mason Hall Primary School copped second place in the Primary School Folk Song category at the Music Festival in March. Photo: David Reid[/caption]
APRIL
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The new Curepe Interchange as seen from the north, above the Southern Main Road in Curepe, was opened in April. Photo by Jeff K. Mayers[/caption]
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A long stretch of Manzanilla Beach remains unoccupied in April as people were forced into their homes by stay-at-home measures enacted to slow the spread of covid19. The beach is covered in sargassum seaweed. Photo by Jeff K. Mayers[/caption]
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A customer washes her hands before entering Xtra Foods supermarket, Arima, in April. Government had advised that frequently washing hands was one way to curb the spread of coronavirus. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
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A customer at the San Fernando market adheres to the government's call to cover your face while in public. Photo by Lincoln Holder[/caption]
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Police officers were deployed in downtown Port of Spain in April and made sure people were not gathering in numbers larger than five. Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]
MAY
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GREAT ESCAPE: Minister of Finance Colm Imbert sets off on a short jog as he tries to avoid social activist Nazma Muller when she confronts him about marijuana-related legislation outside the Red House on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, in May, as two police officers look on. Photo by Roger Jacob[/caption]
JUNE
[caption id="attachment_833198" align="alignnone" width="683"]
A protester talks to the media on George Street, Port of Spain on day three of protests over the police killing of three men from Morvant in June. Photo by Jeff K. Mayers[/caption]
Read story: Stand-off in Sea Lots between residents, police
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Protesters and police clash during protests in east Port of Spain on June 30. Protests broke out after police shot three men dead the previous weekend. Photo by Jeff K. Mayers[/caption]
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Azalea,12, and Jayley, 14, ride waves on Gundee Beach, at Five Islands Water and Amusement Park, Chaguaramas, in June. Photo by Angelo M. Marcelle[/caption]
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DEFACED: The defaced statue of Christopher Columbus seen through locked gates in Independence Square, Port of Spain in June. Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
A protester makes a statement on racism with a sign at the Black Lives Matter protest, Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain on June 8.[/caption]
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The Trini Flash water taxi sails past the Carnival Fantasy cruise ship, anchored off the Port of Port of Spain in June, when 26 nationals were transported ashore and put in state quarantine. Photo by Roger Jacob[/caption]
JULY
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Suspected covid19 patients arrive at the Caura Hospital after additional coronavirus cases were discovered in July. Photo by Roger Jacob[/caption]
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UNC Oropouche East candidate Dr Roodal Moonilal and a lion mascot greet supporters on Mohess Road, Penal, on July 17, nomination day for the general election. Photo by Lincoln Holder[/caption]
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A worker from Trinidad Innovation sanitising Ramish & Leela Supermarkets after a covid19 patient visited the store in San Juan . Photo by Jeff Mayers[/caption]
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Principal of Nelson Street Girls' RC School Lisa Lync, ensures there is social distancing as schools re-opened for SEA students in July The exam, originally carded for March was rescheduled to August 20 due to covid19 restrictions. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
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Small contractor Alastai Ramharack protest at the OAS compound at Golconda, San Fernando, in July. Photo by Marvin Hamilton[/caption]
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PDP Tobago East candidate Watson Duke, second from left, accompanied by the party's Tobago West candidate Tashia Grace Burris, as well as family and party supporters, speaks to the media before filing nomination papers for the general election at the John Dial Multipurpose Facility, Tobago. - David Reid[/caption]
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UNC candidate Marsha Walker walks away after the PNM leader Dr Keith Rowley told her "I will have nothing to do you. You slandered me!" outside the Point Cumana Regional Complex, Carenage. Photo by Jeff K. Mayers[/caption]
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Teron Mohan, interim president of the Barkeepers and Owners Association (left) and members of the association protest over covid19 rules on bars at the Queen's Park Savannah opposite the Office of the Prime Minister in July. Photo by Roger Jacob[/caption]
AUGUST
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While beaches remained closed, workmen construct dining decks on Maracas beach in August. Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]
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San Fernando Boys' RC students leaving the school after sitting their SEA exam under covid19 regulations.The SEA exam was originally carded for April 2, was initially projected to take place in May but took place in August due to covid19 restrictions. Photo by Lincoln Holder[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_841559" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
People flocked to Store Bay, Tobago, in August ahead of the Government’s closure of all
Women inmates sew face masks at Golden Grove Prison, Arouca. Photo by Angelo Marcelle[/caption]
Read story: Prisoners join fight against covid19: making 3,800 masks
[caption id="attachment_841301" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
One Race...Human is the message the management of Carrat Shed Restaurant & Bar in Marabella. The message was prompted by several racist posts on social media following the 2020 general election. Photo by Marvin Hamilton[/caption]
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UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar shows her inkstained finger to supporters as she left the Hermitage Presbyterian School after voting in the August general election. Photo by Lincoln Holder[/caption]
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Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his wife Sharon arrive for the swearing-in ceremony of the Cabinet at President's House in August. Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]
SEPTEMBER
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Rahkeem Cornwall (right) of St Lucia Zouks hits a six while wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran of Guyana Amazon Warriors watches during the teams' Hero Caribbean Premier League semi-final match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. (Photo by CPL T20 via Getty Images) -[/caption]
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Members of the Special Operations Response Team and police from the Financial Intelligence Branch at the home of the administrator of the popular investment scheme "DSS" in La Horquetta. Photo by Roger Jacob.[/caption]
Read story: Drugs Sou-Sou shut down – for now
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TKR supporter Joey "Posh" Richardson chose the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port of Spain as the backdrop to celebrate the team's winning performance in the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba in September. The CPL took place in Trinidad Tobago after Government agreed to allow matches to take place with compliance to covid19 measures. Teams and staff quarantined prior to matches and matches took place at two venues without fans in attendance. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
Read story: Rowley: CPL has lifted TT’s spirits
OCTOBER
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Tennis player Makeda Dain checking out this Halloween jack-o'-lantern carved pumpkin at Country Club, Maraval, during the Lease Operators Junior Tennis Tournament. Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]
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Sherry Sookhoo, parent representative of the group Justice for CSEC & CAPE 2020, carries a placard during a protest over CXC results by members, including students, at Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain, in September. Photo by Vidya Thurab[/caption]
Read story: CXC protests continue; exam query results unchanged
NOVEMBER
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Parishioners at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, San Fernando, practise physical distancing during mass. Photo by Chequana Wheeler[/caption]
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Families pack household items on the roadside. They were among 20 families evicted from housing previously owned by Petrotrin at Clifton Hill, Point Fortin. Photo by Marvin Hamlton[/caption]
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Promising boxer Shirley Wolfe sits on a mattress with her father at their home off the Southern Main Road in Claxton Bay after they were threatened with eviction for squatting. Photo by Lincoln Holder[/caption]
Read story: TT national junior boxer, 13, homeless
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Signs of coastal erosion near Coral Point, off Icacos Beach Road, Icacos. Photo by Jeff K. Mayers [/caption]
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Calling for prison reform, these protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of National Security and opposite the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain. Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]
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Nadirah and Asha Ramsook celebrating their Divali with lighted deyas to place around their
Drugs Sou Sou (DSS) protesters hold placards while facing the Red House in Port of Spain on November 6 after police raided the scheme's HQ and confiscated funds . Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]
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Venezuelan children having a meal after arriving at the Los Iros beach after being deported and then returning to Trinidad by pirogue. Photo by Lincoln Holder[/caption]
Read story: Venezuelan women, children land again at Los Iros
DECEMBER
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Christmas is coming: The scene at Chinatown in Port of Spain. Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]
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National swimmer Aqeel Joseph, 18, practises his butterfly stroke while training at the Centre of Excellence Swimming Pool Complex in Macoya. Joseph will be leaving the country to attend the University of Indianapolis to study engineering. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
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Shoppers flock to Charlotte Street, Port of Spain, in huge numbers on foot and in cars in an attempt to get those all-important, last-minute items on Christmas Eve. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
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Jeremiah and his brother Joshua at the December 28 Holy Innocents' Day mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC Church, Harris Promenade, San Fernando. Photo by Lincoln Holder[/caption]
[post_title] => 2020: A (long, terrifying, anxiety-inducing) pandemic year in photos
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People who are experiencing water supply disruptions in parts of South East and Central Trinidad can expect a normal water supply on Sunday.
In a release, the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) said customers in Claxton Bay and Couva among other areas in Central Trinidad, had experienced a disruption to their normal water supply due to disruptions at the Caroni Water Treatment Plant and the Point Lisas Desalination Plant in recent weeks..
The release said both facilities were now fully functional and residents should receive a normal water supply by December 20.
In South East Trinidad, WASA said areas such as Biche, Stonebright and La Savanne, Mayaro, should also receive pipe-borne water by Sunday as repairs to leaking pipelines were completed on Friday.
The authority did not give a timeline for a return of normal water supply to Freeport and Calcutta, explaining that there is a deficit at the Freeport Water Treatment plant.
'The authority wishes to assure customers that it is working to regularise the pipe-borne water supply to all impacted areas at the earliest and continues to liaise with parliamentary and local government representatives, in relation to providing a supplementary truck-borne water supply to customers where necessary," the release said.
Opposition MPs met with WASA on Friday after being inundated with complaints from residents in their constituencies about a poor supply of water for weeks.
[post_title] => Water delivery in Central, East to normalise by Sunday [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => water-delivery-in-central-east-to-normalise-by-sunday [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2020-12-19 13:03:54 [post_modified_gmt] => 2020-12-19 17:03:54 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://newsday.co.tt/2020/12/19/water-delivery-in-central-east-to-normalise-by-sunday/ [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [16] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 863191 [post_author] => 112 [post_date] => 2020-12-17 09:44:55 [post_date_gmt] => 2020-12-17 13:44:55 [post_content] => You now need to make an appointment with the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) in order to renew your expired national identification cards. The EBC announced this in a press release on Thursday. The release also said all national ID cards which are currently expired or due to expire in 2020 would be valid until June 30, 2021. The EBC said it will introduce a new format for the card under "new protocols which are required for health and safety considerations under the current pandemic." People with expired cards can call the EBC offices from December 21 to make an appointment for renewal. The commission said appointments will be scheduled from January 4, 2021 and EBC offices will be open for extended working hours for three months, including Saturdays. [post_title] => Appointments needed to renew ID cards [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => appointments-needed-to-renew-id-cards [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2020-12-17 10:05:12 [post_modified_gmt] => 2020-12-17 14:05:12 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://newsday.co.tt/2020/12/17/appointments-needed-to-renew-id-cards/ [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [17] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 851858 [post_author] => 112 [post_date] => 2020-10-14 19:12:54 [post_date_gmt] => 2020-10-14 23:12:54 [post_content] => Trinidad and Tobago has distributed US$205,958.99 to 298 stranded nationals through five overseas missions between August and September. The money was humanitarian aid announced by the Prime Minister during the initial period of covid19 restrictions which included closure of the country’s borders in March. The borders remain closed. The five overseas TT missions used to distribute the money were the High Commission in London, the Consulate General in Miami, the Consulate General in New York, the Embassy in Washington, DC and the Consulate General in Toronto. Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Amery Browne shared the information with Newsday on Wednesday, in response to questions submitted about nationals abroad, particularly in the UK. Questions were sent to Browne after UK MP Steve Baker, during questions to that country’s Foreign Office Minister Wendy Morton in Parliament on Tuesday, said this country’s stranded nationals, some of whom are staying in his constituency, were terrified and “burning through their savings.” Morton answered by saying her office was in touch with its counterpart in TT. Baker then called on Morton to join him in calling on the TT government to make sure their citizens get home. “I think it’s our common humanity to enable people to return to protect their homes.” In his response to Newsday, Browne said Government was cognizant of the “very serious challenges” many nationals who normally reside in TT but were abroad when the borders closed, now face. He pointed to the shift in policy that Dr Rowley announced for an increased rate of granting travel exemptions by the Ministry of National Security. “This adjustment has been made and more nationals have been getting the opportunity to travel home. The existing limitations are guided by protocols of our public health officials, and once the covid19 numbers continue to improve our nationals can anticipate further improvements in the ease of return.” Throughout the past six months, many citizens hoping to return home have expressed feelings of frustration and hopelessness. In July, Rowley told the country that approximately 8,000 citizens had applied for exemptions since March. At the time, he said the ministry had approved approximately 4,500 exemptions. Government has not yet provided an updated figure for those still waiting on exemptions to enter the country. Browne said that with specific reference to the United Kingdom, the High Commission disbursed the pound sterling equivalent of US$29,044.24 to nationals whose applications were approved. “In addition, information was provided via social media on guidelines from the Ministries of Health and National Security of Trinidad and Tobago as well as bulletins with information from the British Home Office and generally trying to maintain contact via e-mails, text messages, WhatsApp messages and telephone calls,” the minister said. Since the initial announcement of funds, which ended in September, Government has not announced any additional financial assistance for stranded-nationals. [post_title] => US$205k in aid sent to stranded Trinis [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => us205k-in-aid-sent-to-stranded-trinis [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2020-10-15 07:09:54 [post_modified_gmt] => 2020-10-15 11:09:54 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://newsday.co.tt/2020/10/14/us205k-in-aid-sent-to-stranded-trinis/ [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [18] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 850156 [post_author] => 112 [post_date] => 2020-10-05 17:30:01 [post_date_gmt] => 2020-10-05 21:30:01 [post_content] => Finance Minister Colm Imbert delivered a three-hour-long presentation of Trinidad and Tobago's 2021 budget in Parliament on Monday. The budget, delivered in light of depressed oil prices and in the context of a pandemic, placed priority on agriculture and increased use of local content, the digital transformation of the country for innovation, growth, and education, as well as construction. Here are the key takeaways: 1. Government has approved a $500 million agriculture stimulus package in 2021, in addition to regular budgetary allocations. It has promised to increase the use of digital technology in agriculture and focus on food security in light of an intolerable food import bill. The government will also look at developing downstream agriculture industries and creating a strong agri-business eco-system. Imbert said food security must be a major activity in the new economy. He said the government will also guarantee state agricultural purchasing and distribution of local content for the school feeding programme, public hospitals and the protective services. [caption id="attachment_839397" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
In this file photo, farmer Richard Singh ploughs his land in Warrenville, Cunupia. Both major parties in their manifesto, addressed their plan for the agriculture sector. FILE PHOTO[/caption]
2. Over the next ten years the HDC will deliver over 25,000 homes on state land and will provide a mix of housing solutions for people of different levels of incomes and socio-economic standings. According to Imbert's breakdown, 10,000 starter homes at a cost of $250,000 will be offered for a monthly payment of $925 with no downpayment. An additional 5,000 affordable homes will be available at a cost of between $350,000 to $500,000, starting with a five per cent downpayment. Another 5,000 are expected to be built, valued between $650,000 and $900,000 for middle-income buyers. Young professionals will also have access to homes built by the HDC valued between $1 million and $1.5 million.
[caption id="attachment_828356" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
The HDC Harmony Hall housing development.
A driver fills his gas tank.[/caption]
6. Government will extend the salary relief grant to December 2020 for people who work in the creative and cultural industries. Imbert said the government would establish a local content guideline for local media houses and by 2022, provide incentives to increase the local music played on radio stations.
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Workmen put finishing touches on booths at Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain during preparations in January - Sureash Cholai[/caption]
7.Anyone earning $7,000 per month or less will be exempt from income tax as the personal tax allowanced has ben raised from $72,000 to $84,000. It will take effect in January 2021.
8. Government has allocated $50 million for the acquisition of computers for needy students. This will be done in a joint effort between the ministries of Education; Public Information and Digital Transformation; and Social Development and Family Services.
Government has also introduced a programme to deliver wireless hotspots for students without internet access. The devices will be provided for 45,000 students.
The government will also remove all taxes on mobile phones and software. Imbert also announced technology-based tax allowances for businesses.
[caption id="attachment_843868" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
A man looks at laptops on display at a Courts outlet on Frederick Street. - Sureash Cholai[/caption]
9. Government will look at other options for the purchase of the Pointe-a-Pierre oil refinery if an agreement is not finalised with Patriotic Energies and Technologies by October 31.
[caption id="attachment_796112" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
President general OWTU Ancel Roget at the unveiling of the official logo of Patriotic Energies & Technologies at Radisson Hotel, Port of Spain. - JEFF K MAYERS[/caption]
10. The new fast ferry will arrive and go into service on the seabridge by the end of December . It will be able to carry more than 900 passengers, and 250 cars and will take less than three hours to get to Tobago.
[caption id="attachment_839396" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
This file photo shows the Galleons Passage inter-island ferry docked at the Scarborough port.[/caption]
11. The Ministry of Works has been advised to find a private-sector partner to run commercial operations at the Port of Port of Spain, with the inter-island ferry remaining under the Port Authority.
12. The Government will remove concessions on new cars, making it more expensive to import them, and will decrease the age of foreign-used cars that can be imported from five years to three from January 2021.
13. Imbert announced mandatory valuations so that the property tax can be determined.
Check our website for full coverage of the 2021 budget.
'I made the decision to just be 100 per cent authentic with my music and not make commercial music just for getting ahead,' says Cyrilia. Photo courtesy Cyrilia Lopez -[/caption]
In the song, she shares her feelings on the emotional distance between her and her mother.
“When it says, 'Do you ever think about the times we never met when I needed you and you were not there,’ I was talking about living in my aunt and uncle’s house. and they treated their children differently from me and I would look at the connection they have and that was not the connection I had with them, because I was not their child and...I was like, 'Where were you?'
“I think we have this shameful culture in the Caribbean where people say. 'You only have one mother, you know,' but I think you need to break off ties with any family member if they do not feel right within your energy and show you that they do not care about what you need to go through.
"That’s what this song is for, to let people know if you aren’t happy doing something just break it off.”
Cyrilia, 29, writes all her songs. On her first EP she wrote One Day, a song with hopeful lyrics, for her sisters. She wrote love songs based on past relationships and songs that reflect her own growth as a woman.
And while she is committed to her singing career, it wasn’t a career she let herself dream about when she was a child, coming from a troubled home.
“I never even knew that music was a thing I could do. It was often looked down as 'Don’t waste your time with these things, study real subjects,' and one parent day at school, the teacher said, 'Hey, she could go to the US and study performing arts,' and I was like, 'Wait, this is a real thing that I could do? People go to school for that?'"
[caption id="attachment_894906" align="alignnone" width="683"]
TT-born singer Cyrilia wants to carry the flavour of the Caribbean in her music. Photo courtesy Cyrilia.[/caption]
She did the the SAT exam and planned to go to a US college to study education, then switch to a performing arts major.
“I did the SATs and a school accepted me, and the family I was living with said they would sponsor me.”
She said they made an agreement that the family would pay for her to go, but told her when she got to the United States she would need to work and support herself.
In anticipation of that, she got a job in Trinidad, with her mother, but the family disapproved of the relationship.
“They said if I decided to go work and stay with my mother, then they would not support me moving to the US any more. When they said that and did that to me, I was gutted. They came together and removed me from Facebook and said that I would end up like my mother and make children out of wedlock and have tattoos and piercings.”
When that dream ended, Lopez looked to different avenues to perform. She performed at SanFest, an annual culture festival in San Fernando, and competed on Digicel Rising Stars.
But, she said, in Trinidad, "I felt like the scene of music I was doing, there was not a big market for it. It would be easier if I do soca or dancehall or reggae. I just left and realised there is a bigger world outside and I did not need to box myself in.”
She started hearing about people getting jobs as performers on cruise ships and looked for similar opportunities.
“I went on Google and searched for companies hiring musicians abroad, and I found a company that was hiring in the region. They would bring those people, make a band and take them to Asia to perform – and I went to Beijing for four and a half months.”
Beijing, she said, was a culture shock.
“I was so scared, because I was thinking, 'I’m from a third world country, what if I get human trafficked or my organs harvested?' Watching too much Lifetime on TV has you thinking those things.”
Despite her fears, she signed a one-year contract to work with a band, singing top 40 Billboard music in China before moving to South Korea.
[caption id="attachment_894904" align="alignnone" width="683"]
Currently living in South Korea, singer Cyrilia says when she was growing up in TT, 'I never even knew that music was a thing I could do.' Photo courtesy Cyrilia[/caption]
It was in Korea that she started refocusing on her own music.
“I made the decision to just be 100 per cent authentic with my music and not make commercial music just for getting ahead which is what would have happened if you talked to me two years ago. I would have said, 'I want to get people’s attention, I want to be famous,' and now I’m like, 'I don’t give a s--t.' I’m so on with being authentic to myself.
"We all have a choice. I fine-tuned my direction. I knew I wanted to do things differently, there was spiritual growth and self-awareness and so much things." She knows pleasing herself won't please everyone.
“People ask what kind of genre of music I am singing, or, 'What kind of artiste are you –blues, R&B?' I am from an island where there is so much diversity, where you can partake in so many things and why would I suppress any of that?
"I am done with trying to box myself in. I’m a multi-genre independent recording artiste. Why box me in?”
Her focus now is to realise her dreams, making the connections that will take her music further as she looks forward to a covid19-free world where she can perform to live audiences again.
“I want to have sold-out shows for sure. I want to carry the flavour of the Caribbean. As mixed as I look and as mixed as the Caribbean is, I am going to infuse that into my branding and my stage.
"I want to start off with intimate acoustic concerts first."
While she prepares for that experience, she says she is working with the resources she has.
“I don’t have money to pay a marketing company right now, so I am investing in myself and I do my videos and recording sometimes at home. Instead of looking at where you could be and focusing on, 'I should wait until I get there,' just look at what you have right now and make do.”
She said she is focused less on doing things for “clout” and more on working with different people, adding that she is working on singles with Grammy-award winning and nominated producers and artistes.
“I want to make enough money to give back and maintain my family. Being a parent, I realised how difficult it is to raise a child. Even in the household where I was abused or basically a slave, I still feel the need to repay them, because it is hard: where are you getting the food, the money, working hard to buy cloth for a uniform? I know some days we had nothing.
“I want to have programmes for children suffering in poverty and human trafficking. I’m focused on collaborating with a foundation in Vietnam (where she will be moving in the near future) on human trafficking and I also want to be able to help single parents.”
The issues are close to her heart and intertwined with her own goals for success and while her stories fuel her singing career, Lopez intends to use her singing career to make life better for those around her.
[post_title] => Singer Cyrilia makes music for the soul
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