It was the best Panorama ever

The visitors from foreign appeared mesmerised, in awe of the steel pan music and the infectious happiness all around. To me, it was the most successful Panorama final evening ever. It seemed as if all roads led to Port-of-Spain and the Queen’s Park Savannah was alive with the sound of music. There was an intrinsic atmosphere of happiness that the people of TT could still come out and party.

Downturn in the economy? What downturn could they possibly be talking about? Everyone was dressed to impress and spending money. I checked the faces of the vendors. Not a sour face in sight anywhere on the drag and on the Savannah pitch.

All the finalists deserved to be there. My favourites, Exodus, All Stars, Invaders, Desperadoes, Phase II, saw me not getting home until 3.30 am. But the wait was worth it. All points should have been the same, but for presentation, with their flashing lights and hot steel pans, All Stars brought the house down.

In fairness, All Stars won Panorama 2017 because the band played the most popular soca tune as it aptly describes what is happening in TT . From Scarborough to Cedros, we are living the Full Extreme. We are existing in extremely political and challenging times but collectively we have to say, we don’t business. Nothing, like in nothing at all, will kill off the inherent joy of being Trinidadian/ Tobagonian.

Kudos to all concerned, the bandleaders, the players, the vendors, the well behaved general public, in the staging of Panorama 2017.

Lynette Joseph Diego Martin