Bunji takes Soca Monarch crown... and Iwer’s Lexus

Ian Antonio Alvarez, more popularly known as Bunji Garlin or the Black Spaniard, produced a masterful performance on Friday at the Queen’s Park Oval, to capture the 2004 International Soca Monarch title. Bunji’s entrance on stage was dramatic. In the darkness there was a sudden burst of five flambeaux, with flames shooting high into the air, then Bunji dressed in a red Chinese kimono got into delivering a stirring rendition of his “Warrior Cry.” While on stage, Bunji was joined by moko jumbies and a large sized dragon that he claimed was trying to get the better of him, but Bunji went on to show the audience exactly what he had planned for the dragon. Bunji put on a glove and dramatically flames shot out from each finger of the glove, stunning the audience in the process. It was at that time the crowd knew that the Black Spaniard was unbeatable on the night.

And as if to re-enforce the point, Bunji composed a verse on Iwer George’s statement earlier in the week about giving up the keys to his Lexus car to anyone beating him in the competition. Well Bunji had it all planned from early and he sang to the crowd about already planning to change the number plates of Iwer’s Lexus next week. That punch line created euphoria among the audience. Meanwhile Iwer in defence of his title could only managed to place eleventh. Perhaps the unfamiliarity of the song “Carnival Come Back Again” may have caused his downfall. Placing second was early crowd favourite Shurwayne Winchester who perhaps had the greatest impact upon his stage entrance. Like Bunji who performed just before him, Winchester had the entire Oval jumping in a frenzy to his “De Band Coming.” Winchester had an entire band on stage that included a king, blue devils, sailors and even ‘pan round de neck.’ However, somewhere during his delivery something went amiss. Nevertheless the performance was good enough to earn him second place. Eighteen points behind was Destra Garcia who came on stage in search of her rag Clyde to background “Mission Impossible” music. Had her voice been up to par she may have placed higher with “Bonnie & Clyde” but in the end, she was relegated to third spot.

Also creating favourable impressions on the audience were Denise “Saucy Wow” Belfon and newcomers Blazer and Soca Elvis. Belfon came on the stage dressed in a blue sari, soon shed it and got into a saucy energetic routine with her “Indian Man.” Blazer acted the part of having gone through so many “Stages” in life. It was a moving rendition while Soca Elvis just entertained the crowd along with his stuntman Cyclops. However the show was not without its hiccups. Scheduled to start at 9.30 pm, that didn’t happen until 10.05 pm with the playing of the National Anthem. It was only at that time were the food and drink allowed to be served to patrons who thought they were going to the biggest all inclusive event. The actual competition got underway at 10.40 pm and finished at 2.20 am. The crowd waited some 45 minutes before results were given.

Those who stayed to the end heard the results as follows: place/artiste/points
 1. Bunji Garlin — 455
 2. Shurwayne Winchester —  453
 3. Destra Garcia —  435
 4. Denise Belfon —  422
 5. Blazer —  405
 6. Soca Elvis — 384
 7. Timmy — 381
 8. Onika Bostik — 378
 9. Michelle Sylvester — 376
 10. Terry Seales — 365
 11. Iwer George —  362
 12. Blaxx — 359
 13. Sean Caruth — (not announced)
 14. Faye Ann Lyons — 350
 15. Spongy — 348