Several artistes will entertain at the event which takes place at Mellow Moods at Bourg Mulatresse, Santa Cruz, from 11 pm to 4 am. Tickets cost $60.

Joseph-Crawford, 43, sister of local artiste Keturah Gamba, is a stage four cervical cancer patient but despite her deteriorating health she remains determined to win this fight against cancer.

According to one of the organisers, Dane “Mr Kronic” Layne, Joseph-Crawford’s determination is based on the fact that she has to care for her son and a teenage daughter.

“Carlene is at the stage where her organs are being affected and traces of cancer can be found in her lymph nodes. Her kidneys and parts of her lower intestines have been affected a while but now she is having major problems as her lungs are now contaminated thus affecting her breathing,” Layne explained.

Layne is one of several entertainers scheduled to perform at the event. Other acts include Ziggy Rankin, Lady Lava, the TYT crew from Boom Champions and Kerry John, among others.

Layne said Joseph- Crawford who is from San Juan, urgently needs to purchase a nebulizer machine and a home oxygen system. However, she does not have the financial means to do so on her own.

“In addition to this, she is in heavy debt due to past medical expenses.

All monies paid at the gate will be given to Carlene to aid in medical expenses. Any support given to this event will be highly appreciated,” Layne said.

Gamba who via her Facebook page is promoting the event says her her sister is not able to breathe for more than a few hours on her own without an oxygen system.

On one of her many posts, she wrote: “The intentions of my family is to raise the required money to purchase a home oxygen system, nebulizer system and to repay some medical debts owing for the past months.” In another she stated: “I am also singing and my face is not on the artwork…It is a fund-raiser not an event for show!!! To all my fellow artistes who are still passing through even though your faces are not on the artwork….

THANK YOU!” Anyone who wants to assist can deposit funds to Joseph-Crawford’s Scotia Bank account number 42135004009709.

She said Rowley cannot shrug off the preliminary audit findings which allege Petrotrin has been defrauded of more than $80 million. Persad-Bissessar insisted, “This matter reaches far beyond Petrotrin and is serious enough to warrant the attention of the DPP, Commissioner of Police and Integrity Commission.” Noting that Rowley identified A&V Drilling and Workover Limited owner Nazim Baksh as his friend, Persad-Bissessar was alarmed that Rowley called Baksh after the alleged findings of the preliminary report were publicised.

While Rowley said the matter had nothing to do with him, Persad-Bissessar asked, “ By speaking with the person who runs the company accused of a crime, whose interest is Rowley seeking?” Persad-Bissessar said as Prime Minister, Rowley’s sole interest should be in seeking the national interest, ensuring any stolen monies are recovered, and those found to have been engaged in wrongdoing held accountable.

She reiterated her call for the dismissal of Energy Minister Franklin Khan, drawing comparisons to Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan and the procurement of the Cabo Star and Ocean Flower 2 vessels for the domestic seabridge.

On Thursday, Rowley said Persad-Bissessar knew there were proper procedures to investigate these matters. He also said by her own actions, Persad-Bissessar could prevent herself and the country learning the truth about this issue. The Opposition was expected to pose more questions on this matter to Rowley later in the day in the House of Representatives, during Prime Minister’s Question Period.

United National Congress (UNC) Women’s Arm chairman Dr Catherine Ali claimed Rowley engaged in name calling to demean Persad-Bissessar. She said the Gender and Child Affairs Division in the Office of the Prime Minister should condemn Rowley’s statement.

Mayor of Chaguanas Gopaul Boodhan said he is working alongside the police and the Chaguanas Chamber of Commerce to make the borough a safer place for shopping, recreational and social activities.

Addressing a town meeting at the auditorium of the Chaguanas Borough building on Thursday evening, Mayor Boodan said a sudden spike in criminal activities prompted him to call an emergency meeting with police and other stakeholders.

Present at the meeting were Central Division head Snr Supt Kenny Mc Intyre, Chamber executives, members of the the Inter-Religious Organisation and several NGOs.

“I am concerned and very determined to rectify this current situation regarding crime, as the safety of our burgesses has always been of paramount importance,” Mayor Boodhan said, adding he is committed to working with all stakeholders. Going with the theme, ‘Zero Tolerance to Crime’, Boodhan said, “Whatever we had before has not worked, something new needs to be done, we must have a better plan for Chaguanas.” Mc Intyre told the gathering that the primary concern of the business community is robbery, illegal vending and traffic congestion.

He called for better communication between businessmen and the police. Mayor Boodhan called for private security at various businesses to work together with the police.

Mc Intyre said there is a need to establish watch groups in the various communities and to install devices that can alert the neighbours in times of any robberies.

“We have to find better ways to communicate with each other so that the police can get information in a timely fashion,” he said.

He called on the Chaguanas Chamber of Commerce to increase the amount of cameras in their businesses so that they can monitor what is happening almost in real time.

Boodhan reminded that Carnival is on the heels of Christmas hence the reason they are putting things in place “so that we can enjoy a safe Christmas and also events leading up to Carnival 2018,” he said.

With that one, firm statement, she ended any possibility of her children playing off teachers against parents.

I have no doubt that we could have gone to our parents if any teacher acted abusive in any unacceptable manner, but my mother’s message had been crystal clear: Respect your teachers. Listen to them.

You don’t go to school to make friends with your teachers. They are not there to entertain you. You go to school to learn from them.

Teachers had permission to discipline us without contacting our parents. (We prayed they would not contact my mother because no teacher could devise a punishment for disobeying a teacher that could match my mother’s.) As students, we accepted that teachers did what they needed to do to maximise their teaching time. This I always understood.

What I am beginning to realise now, as I look back on my mother’s firm resolve on the issue, is that my mother was really saying that we are responsible for our own education.

She must have known — as we knew — that some teachers were better than others. Some devised more exciting lessons. Some were nice; others were grumpy. (I will forever remember Miss Long, a teacher, who decided to ruin her reputation as a fun teacher by going on a diet when I had her in fifth grade). But it was up to us to study hard and learn — even in those years when we did not have the best of teachers.

Somewhere along the line — especially when helicopter parents flew into the picture — we lost respect for teachers. We suddenly began making value judgments about teachers’ personalities or teaching styles. Strict but fair teachers became overshadowed by “fun” teachers, who often overlooked discipline. Students suddenly possessed the ability to undermine a teacher’s authority by playing off parents against teachers.

While parents attacked teachers (sometimes literally speaking) and teachers fought to defend themselves, students began to lose valuable ground in their education.

This is not to say that teachers should never be questioned and that there should be no accountability for delinquent teachers who are not performing up to scratch.

What it is saying is that we need to allow teachers to do their jobs, and we need to stop the senseless undermining of teachers who perform.

Teachers are professionals and we must trust that they know what they are doing unless we have overwhelming proof that they don’t.

Parents need to hold their own children accountable for their behaviour in school. Students need to understand that they need to listen to teachers, complete assignments and be respectful in class, and they can’t gloss over their poor behaviour simply by criticising a teacher to deflect from their own wrongdoing.

There is something to learn from every teacher — even the ones who are not the most engaging.

This I learned long ago from my mother’s lesson on taking teachers seriously.

Member of Parliament for Couva South Rudy Indarsingh yesterday accused Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley of speaking with a “forked tongue” when he met with the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) for several hours at his St Clair office in Port of Spain, on Wednesday.

The announcement was made by JTUM’s president Ancel Roget and comes weeks before Government announces its budget for fiscal 2017/2018.

Yesterday, Indarsingh a former trade union leader and government minister, questioned what would happen to workers in the new year.

“What would happen after January 1, 2018?” Indarsingh questioned.

“You tell the labour movement there will be no retrenchment for the public service workers for the rest of the year, but the big question is: will the floodgates be reopened after the first?” He surmised that without economic growth the numbers could not be sustained.

“If the economy does not grow, and based on the Government’s performance after two budget presentations, two mid-term reviews, draw down from the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund and so on, I don’t foresee any growth and job creation,” Indarsingh said. “If they cannot raise revenue to fund whatever budget they have to bring, then there will be overall cuts across the board in all of the ministries. And that could only signal further job losses.”

Bassarath, however, praised the bravery of players from top cricket nations for taking part in the Afghanistan T20 league.

Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder, Emrit, escaped injury while playing for Boost Defenders in the Shpageeza Cricket League in Afghanistan on Wednesday when a suicide bomber killed at least three people and injured a dozen just outside the stadium in which Emrit was playing. The attack, in which no players or officials were injured, took place close to the Alokozay Kabul International Cricket Ground in Kabul.

Emrit, who described the situation as the scariest thing he has ever experienced, has cut short his participation in the league and will leave Afghanistan tomorrow morning to return to Trinidad.

Bassarath said the incident is not good for cricket, but knows Afghanistan is trying to grow the sport by inviting international players.

“It was unfortunate that this happened while the tournament was in progress. It is not good for cricket, but we must understand that the people of Afghanistan have a team that is an upcoming team that can challenge some of the international teams. The people in Afghanistan would have wanted to see some of the top class players.” The other overseas players at the ground were the South African duo Cameron Delport and Morne van Wyk, while the Zimbabwean trio of Vusi Sibanda, Sikander Raza and Ryan Burl were also playing.

The TT CB president believes Emrit felt he would have been safe to participate in the Afghanistan league so he accepted the offer.

“I am quite sure that Rayad would have been given the assurance that everything would be alright. Hence the reason he would have accepted the offer to go to Afghanistan. The authorities in Afghanistan would have given the hope that it will be safe, because not every day or every week a bomb will go off in the capital city.” West Indies will tour Pakistan at the end of November for three T20 matches, a country where safety is a concern also. Bassarath said Cricket West Indies must monitor closely what happens in the next two months and decide if the tour can take place.

“I am quite certain that assurances would have been given to Cricket West Indies that the situation is going to be okay and hence the reason why they accepted the invitation. If things deteriorate to an extent where lives will be threatened I think Cricket West Indies will have no other choice but to avoid sending players to Pakistan.”

Fast-forward 20 years later and Phillips Promotions and Beacon are celebrating 20 years of hosting cycling events with the sixth annual Beacon Cycling on the Avenue event on October 4 from 7.30 pm.

Yesterday, at the launch of the event at Mike’s Bikes in Woodbrook, Phillips said he admires Beacon’s executive director and CEO Gerald Hadeed for his vision for cycling. “The discussion (between myself and Hadeed) was always based on ‘what can we do?’” Phillips said.

“I have had phone conversations where Mr Hadeed would have called me five o’clock in the morning and say ‘boy you see that stage of the Tour De France.’ Strangely enough he would have conversations with me saying ‘we going into some projects and one day we are going to get big enough that we could sponsor a team going to the Tour De France.’ Here it is you have someone dreaming about the potential of what his company can do.” Phillips believes Beacon has increased the popularity of cycling in TT .

“I can say that this partnership has changed Trinidad and Tobago.

People do not go by a single day and not see people on a bicycle, that was not so at the point in time (when Beacon started sponsoring cycling).” Hadeed thanked Phillips, his family and his team for their integrity in hosting cycling events which has made the relationship between Beacon and Phillips Promotions stronger. Hadeed said, “Michael and his family, I don’t know what to say about them other than they have been great organisers. A lot of sponsors don’t get what they deserve basically because the promoter has to be an honest person. In the case of Michael Phillips and his family, they have been working hard at promoting Beacon and helping Beacon establish its brand. I want to say thank you Michael.” Hadeed said Beacon will continue giving back to TT through sponsorship. “It is only fair that we return some of what we make and what we do to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and I promise you, the media, and I promise Trinidad and Tobago to continue to do so.” This year’s Beacon Cycling on the Avenue event will include 10 races on the night with the main 35-lap race for international, elite one, elite two and invitational cyclists closing the night’s proceedings.

Norlandy Sanchez of Domincan Republic is aiming for a hat-trick of titles in this year’s main event. Juvenile, junior, women, masters, elite three and elite four cyclists will also compete on the night. The Beacon Cycling on the Avenue will end a busy period for cycling in TT , as the Republic Day Cycling Classic and the Tobago International Cycling Classic will he held days before the Beacon event.

In the first game of a double-header, on August 24, Amigos posted a score of 75 runs for eight wickets in their allotted 15 overs, with Chevorn Griffith making 22 and Adrian Ramcharitar contributing 21.

Damian Peters was the chief destroyer with the ball with figures of three wickets for 16 runs, while Nicholas Edwards had 2/14 and Antonio Samlal 2/20.

New Recruits needed 13.5 overs to reach 76/3 in reply, as Antonio Aziz (30) and Jonathan Narine (20) led the way with the bat.

In the other match on the day, D’Boss Team had a narrow six-event win over Kitchen Krew.

Kadeem Williams made 33 and Kris Samlal 21 as D’Boss Team were able to muster 89/8 in their allotted overs. Joshua Millien had 5/13 and Aaron Dass 2/17 for Kitchen Krew.

However, Kitchen Krew were restricted to 82/8 in their response, despite 24 from Phillip Ramnarine and an unbeaten 15 from Ameade Ramroop. Safraaz Ali claimed figures of 2/15 for D’Boss Team.

Other Results – KNOCKOUT (Round of 32) – August 7: ASII 114/6 (15 overs) – Dillon Mahadeo 31 not out, Anthony George 19, Roshan Sinanan 12 not out; Rick Cassie 2/7 vs SHERRY’S BAR RAMPANT RECRUITS 60/6 (15 overs) – Ryan Cassie 19, Rick Cassie 11, Christopher Gaitan 10 not out. ASII won by four wickets.

KINGS 43 (14.2 overs) – Feraz Mohammed 14; Terry Ramnarine 3/6, Steffon Bassie 3/10 vs D’ BOSS TEAM 46/0 (6.1 overs) – Ryan Ramasray 18 not out, Christopher Jagmohan 15 not out. D’ Boss Team won by 10 wickets.

August 8: WINNERS 113/5 (15 overs) – Sheldon Balroop 24 not out, Avian Mejias 22, Marlon Moonsammy 17, Terrance Rampersad 10 not out; Vikash Mearns 3/11, Shane Ramnanan 2/12 vs D’ ALLIANCE 39 (14.4 overs) – Stephen Lopez 4/5, Ryan Brusco 2/18. Winners won by 74 runs.

AutoRama GUNNERS 93/7 (15 overs) – Justin Mungaroo 18, Brandon Ramoutar 14 not out, Amit Jaggernauth 12; Robert Madray 2/11 vs WRECKIN’ KREW 36 (12.5 overs) – Vikash Rambharose 11; Shakeem Prince 3/9, Darren Chaitra 3/13, Daniel Mahabir 2/3, Jibran Jahoor 2/5.

Gunners won by 57 runs.

August 11: RAM’S DEPOT BAMBOO UNITED 104/4 (15 overs) – Steve Singh 24, Rajeev Ramoutar 21 not out, Dinesh Maharaj 20, Kevin Ramsharran 14; Vinood Bandoo 2/17 vs MT HOPE MASTERS 55 (14.5 overs) – Vijai Teemal 16; Amit Ramesar 4/9, Kevin Ramsharran 3/5. Bamboo United won by 49 runs.

POISON SPORTS 78/7 (15 overs) – Reno Nanan 30, Franklyn Nero 16, Jose Padilla 13; Mark Cumberbatch 2/9, Sudarshan Hosein 2/10, David Balkaran 2/23 vs ALM RAMPAGE 57 (13.4 overs) – Nigel Ali 10, Sudarshan Hosein 10; Julian Seepersad 4/4. Poison Sports won by 21 runs.

August 12: CHARLIEVILLE SUPER KINGS 84/5 (15 overs) – Arshad Khan 30, Christopher Vincent 26, Nazad Ali 10 vs PRESIDENTE VALLEY BOYS 33 (12.4 overs) – Christopher Vincent 4/7, Salim Hosein 3/1, Yaasir Mohammed 2/9. Charlieville Super Kings won by 51 runs.

HOME BOYS 121/4 (15 overs) – Stephan Wharwood 34 not out, Dillon Mungal 26, Duran Ramnath 19, Sunil Sanasie 17; Michael Gopaul 2/29 vs JUST FOR KICKS 21 (7 overs) – Lyndell Nelson 4/7, Amrit Sooknanan 2/3, Aneil Sammy 2/7. Home Boys won by 100 runs.

August 14: ALL-STARS XI 57 (14.4 overs) – Ram Lalchan 16; Peter Mahase 4/5, Riad Mohammed 3/8 vs MIX-UP BOYS 58/6 (15 overs) – Juan Carlos Narine 23 not out; Dwayne Scipio 3/14. Mix-Up Boys won by four wickets.

SWAZIE IMPORTS SMASHERZ 34 (12 overs) – Ryan Bissoon 3/5 vs KNOCK SQUAD 36/1 (7.4 overs) – Jerry Thomas 17 not out. Knock Squad won by nine wickets.

August 15: D’ A-TEAM 43 (14.5 overs) – Rohan Sookdeo 11; Aaron Dass 2/6, Joshua Millien 2/9 vs KITCHEN KREW 44/3 (6.5 overs) – Christopher Thomas 20 not out. Kitchen Krew won by seven wickets.

CAFÉ DIAL TIGERS UNITED 45 (12.5 overs) – David John 16; Terrance Tinto 3/6, Steffan Ramkissoon 2/8, Dexter Welch 2/15 vs AMIGOS 46/6 (12.5 overs) – Nicholas Jitman 12 not out; Ray Badall 2/6. AMIGOS won by four wickets.

August 16: HUNTERS 66 (10.4 overs) – Atiba Villafana 34, Kegan Moonesar 13; Terrance Jadoo 3/16, Dave Ragbir 2/7, Earlan Williams 2/10 vs EL DORADO GOLDEN KNIGHTS 51/8 (12.5 overs) – Ashmeer Banwarie 18; Joshua Ramrattan 4/8. Hunters won by 15 runs.

NEW RECRUITS 84 (14.1 overs) – Hyden Rampersad 31, Harvey Rampersad 14; Rohan Padarath 4/10, Brent Marshall 2/5, Gregory Quevedo 2/7 vs LEGENDS 36 (12.3 overs) – Antonio Samlal 3/8, John Edwards 2/6, Alex Fredericks 2/11. New Recruits won by 48 runs.

August 17: DRUNKEN’ MASTERS 52 (14.4 overs) – Avinash Dookran 12, Nicholas Kowlessar 10; Roger Muttoo 3/6, Mickel Frederick 2/6 vs 90.5FM BAMBOO ALLSTARS 53/7 (13.1 overs) – Shankar Singh 11, Clint Williams 10; Kishan Ramtahal 3/4. Bamboo All-Stars won by three wickets.

TOOL TIME WIN LOSE OR DRAW 101/8 (15 overs) – Rohan Parsan 28, Sameer Ali 17, Riaff Ali 11; Ravi Ragoonanan 3/16 vs NIGHTNGALE SC 69 (14.1 overs) – Sharaz Mohammed 21, Ravin Mohan 12; Anesh Sookoo 3/8, Pradeem Ali 2/9, Riaff Ali 2/14, Sameer Ali 2/19. Win Lose or Draw won by 32 runs.

KNOCKOUT (Round of 16) – August 18: ROAD RUNNERS 25 (7.1 overs) – Roger Bisnath 2/3, Rino Sahadeo 2/5, Ravi Ramcharan 2/15 vs BLOOD BROTHERS 28/4 (4.3 overs) – Satesh Dass 2/0, Suresh Bangat 2/16. Blood Brothers won by six wickets.

CHARLIEVILLE SUPER KINGS 63/9 (15 Overs) – Christopher Vincent 18, Aamir Khan 15; Akeem Leera 3/6, Julien Seepersad 3/8, Kellon Charles 2/22 vs POISON SPORTS 59 (14.4 overs) – Jose Padilla 16, Sheldon Belcon 14; Athir Khan 2/7, Christopher Vincent 2/13.

Charlieville Super Kings won by four runs.

August 19: BLOOD BROTHERS 66/5 (12 overs) – Roshan Ramcharan 29 not out; Romel Rampersad 2/13 vs HARD DRIVE 63 (11.4 overs) – Romel Rampersad 25; Rino Sahadeo 3/15, Avinash Mohammed 2/25. Blood Brothers won by three runs.

TOOL TIME WIN LOSE OR DRAW 76/9 (15 overs) – Rishi Mannah 19, Verune Ramnarine 19, Sunil Boochan 14; Richie Wight 3/15, Jerome Duberry 2/10 vs KNOCK SQUAD 65 (14.4 overs) – Brian Seusaran 11 not out; Anesh Sookhoo 3/12, Pradeem Ali 2/4, Ameer Ali 2/5. Win Lose or Draw won by 11 runs.

August 21: 90.5FM BAMBOO ALL-STARS 50/6 (15 overs) – Ravindra Singh 21; Terrance Rampersad 2/3, Avian Mejias 2/6 vs WINNERS 51/6 (11 overs) – Deepak Kumar 12; Roger Muttoo 2/8, Daniel Mason 2/9. Winners won by four wickets.

August 22: AUTORAMA GUNNERS 108/5 (15 overs) – Justin Mungaroo 37, Hanuman Moonsammy 28, Sanjay Jawahir 14 not out vs HUNTERS 75 (14.4 overs) – Keston Villafana 15, Atiba Villafana 10; Shakeem Prince 5/6. Gunners won by 33 runs.

INVADERS UNITED 37 (9.5 overs) – Vijay Harrinanan 10; Terrance Ragoonath 4/10, Shannon Haridass 3/7, Micky Joseph 2/14 vs BRING DRINKS KREW 39/1 (5.1 overs) – Ramesh Narine 23 not out. Bring Drinks Krew won by nine wickets.

August 23: ASII 103/5 (15 overs) – Anthony George 23, Ariz Khan 13; Kevin Ramsharran 2/8 vs RAM’S DEPOT BAMBOO UNITED 47 (12.1 overs) – Sunil Beepath 14; Anthony George 2/2, Jameel Hosein 2/4, Dillon Mahadeo 2/8.

ASII won by 56 runs.

HOME BOYS 77/9 (15 overs) – Aneil Sammy 17; Riad Mohammed 3/6, Amrit Sammy 2/7 vs MIX-UP BOYS 76/0 (11.4 overs) – Peter Mahase 29 not out, Juan Carlos Narine 20 not out. Mix-Up Boys won by 10 wickets.

Rowley, for the first time, publicly disclosed that A&V Drilling and Workover Limited owner Nazim Baksh is his friend. Rowley said he does not disown his friends when allegations are made against them but also that his friends do not receive special treatment from his administration.

He also disclosed that Cabinet is now discovering a problem relating to natural gas production and exports. Reminding reporters Government recently dealt with a red sand shortage issue, Rowley said the gas matter is now being reviewed. He described it as a very large problem which is, “in fact, very real.” Rowley said Persad-Bissessar has had a lean period “bussing marks” since the People’s National Movement (PNM) has been in office.

While she can make politics out of any issue she wishes as Opposition Leader, Rowley described her ‘fake oil’ outburst at a UNC rally last Sunday as, “a bit of an overreach.” “You can behave as an effective Opposition Leader. I think the country’s better for that…but ‘jamettery’ is not really the way to deal with this thing if you are going to get the best out of it,” Rowley said, adding, “Sometimes that kind of behaviour itself might be an impediment to getting to the root of the problem.” The word ‘jamette’ comes from the French Patois word ‘diametre’ and means a loose, low-class and socially unacceptable person (usually a woman).

‘ALL AH WE TIEF’ SCENARIO Rowley said by Persad-Bissessar making the issue political, it could make the miscreants happy by creating an ‘all ah we thief ’ scenario. “I don’t subscribe to that and the PNM does not subscribe to that,” Rowley declared. He said Persad-Bissessar is well aware, “you don’t just refer a matter to the Fraud Squad.” He said Petrotrin submitted preliminary reports on August 8 and 17, on this matter.

Rowley said in both cases, Petrotrin said it had more work to do in determining what the matter is.

(See Page 10A) Expressing his hope that Petrotrin will appoint independent investigators soon to examine this issue, Rowley said if the final report confirms the preliminary findings, “then it goes on to the Fraud Squad and wherever else you want to send it.” Saying all citizens must be concerned about this issue regardless of political persuasion, Rowley said, “If this particular matter pans out, it raises greater and more serious concerns about what goes on in Petrotrin.” Rowley said he was concerned to the point of frustration that mechanisms to accurately report the State’s revenues on certain commodities have broken down over time.

PM CALLED BAKSH In confirming Baksh is his friend, Rowley said, “I am not carrying any chip on my shoulder…my shoulder is very square.” The PM said he first heard the news about the ‘fake oil’ scandal while in the US for a medical check-up.

Confirming that he telephoned Baksh about the scandal, Rowley said Baksh flatly denied the allegations.

Reiterating that this matter is being handled by Petrotrin, Rowley said, “We are all to be held accountable for our own individual conduct.” Rowley said the selection of Baksh’s daughter Allyson as a government senator was based solely on her own merit. While she participated in the PNM’s 2015 general election campaign, Rowley said, “I don’t think she should be pilloried for anything which does not concern her.” Rowley, who is PNM political leader, said he did not know if Baksh or his company contributed financially to the party. While indicating he would be surprised if Baksh did not contribute, Rowley said, “I don’t know what all of my friends are doing all of the time. I am glad to know there are people who I can count among my friends.” In an immediate response, the UNC’s Women’s Arm slammed Rowley’s “jamettery” description of Persad-Bissessar’s behaviour as distasteful and demanded an immediate apology from Rowley to all women. The Women’s Arm said it continues to be dissatisfied with Rowley’s references with regard to women.

“We hope this alarming occurrence will be rectified since it is reckless and demeaning,” the Women’s Arm said.

The screenings –which will be held on Republic Day, September 24, at MovieTowne Port of Spain, San Fernando and Tobago– are sponsored by the Ministry of Community Development Culture and the Arts.

Among the feature films to be screened is Quick Pick, by Tobagonian film-maker Miguel K Lashley. It focuses on young construction worker Travis Duke who is out of luck with love, work and money, until a winning lotto ticket changes his fortunes. With no cash in hand yet, he borrows money from a drug lord to kick-start the celebrations and buy a car and a condo. But has Travis put the cart before the donkey? Another feature film in the T+T line up is Clifford Seedansingh’s The Lies We Tell, a comedy about a serial adulterer and what happens when the tables are turned.

Green Days by the River will open the festival at NAPA on Tuesday.

According to Bruce Paddington, founder and ttff festival director: Feature T+T will be a day for Trinbagonians to come together to celebrate who we are, through the cinematic stories of some of the nation’s finest film-makers. “Film is a powerful vehicle for strengthening national identity, instilling national pride and preserving local culture in an increasingly globalised world,” Paddington said in a media release. Moko Jumbie by Trinidadian-American director, Vashti Anderson. It tells the story of Asha who, on vacation from England to visit family in rural Trinidad, soon discovers there’s trouble in paradise. Drawn to her neighbour, a young fisherman, the strain between the two families, one Indian and one African, is palpable and as Asha’s attraction deepens, she must navigate racial taboos, family disapproval, political turmoil, and mysterious hauntings by ancestral spirits.

Moko Jumbie, which is Anderson’s feature film debut, was a selection at the 2017 LA Film Festival.

There is also a strong offering of short films in the programme, many from young and emerging film-makers. Salty Dog, by director Oliver Milne, features the familiar faces of actors Nickolai Salcedo and Errol Roberts –the salty dog of the title, alongside actress Kandyse Mc Clure. When the rug is pulled from under his feet, Mortimer (Roberts) must navigate the stormy waters of his relationship with his estranged son (Salcedo).

As tensions flare between the two and reconciliation seems near impossible, the son starts to check out retirement homes for his father.

In Maya Cozier’s Short Drop –when Bartholomew, a retired civil servant, takes a drive downtown, Shanice mistakes his car for a taxi and hops in. Along the way, they encounter a wide range of Trinidadian characters, from cross-dresser Hott Pepper to gang member Tan Tan. It becomes a long day of reckoning with memories, friendships, and revelations.

Director Kevin Bhall’s beautiful animation, Temple in the Sea, chronicles the life and work of Siewdass Sadhu, an indentured labourer who laboured for years to build a temple in the sea at Waterloo.

The story is told through the eyes of a young girl coming to terms with her heritage and identity.

Bhall’s animated productions have earned critical nominations and local awards, including at the Animae Caribe Festival in 2005 and 2016 respectively.

In Visibly Me by Nicola Cross –a 47-year-old woman with no partner and no children finds herself invisible and feels she has no choice but to find the antidote.

Exploring memory and perspective, the director’s deeply personal reflections will resonate with those who have found themselves “invisible” at some point in their lives.

Over 34 T+T films will be part of the Feature T+T Republic Day screenings at MovieTowne with some in competition for awards – for Best TT Feature Film (TT$10,000) and Best TT Short Film (TT$5,000), both sponsored by the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts.