Sweet parang victory for Los Aluminos

LOS Aluminos de San Juan are the new National Parang Champions, having successfully beaten last year’s winners Los Pastores into third place. They were declared the winners for 2003 from among 11 other bands which competed in the competition on Saturday night at Parang Headquarters, Arima. Los Aluminos de San Juan also took the prize for the best dressed band. The band, which performed in second position at the grand finals of the parang competition were favourites from the start. The massive crowd which flooded the compound of the parang headquarters danced to the sweet music provided by Los Aluminos de San Juan.

Los Paranderos de UWI placed second for the 14th time and members said they are not going to give up. As one member told Newsday, “We will win when the time is right.” The 12 bands which participated in the competition were Los Aluminos de San Juan, Los Paranderos de UWI, Los Pastores, Los Minos de Santa Rosa, Los Amigos de Jesus, Los Buenos Paranderos, Salsa Picante, La Familia de Rio Claro, La Casa de Paranderos, Rio Suave, Rebuscas and Los Amigos Cantaroes.