Outstanding Personalities of 2007

Bandleader Brian MacFarlane's depiction of what he labelled as “the rich cultural elements and exotic images of India” emerged as the most impressive mas portrayal for Carnival 2007.

“India: The Story of Boyie”, was applauded by spectators who were moved and awed by the band during its presentations at various competition points around the City.

The portrayal included a massive and impressive golden elephant; long, flowing costumes that spoke to our longing for ‘true’ Carnival costumes rather than what is now known as ‘bikini mas”; rich colours full of glitter and personality.

MacFarlane won the coveted George Bailey Band of the Year title and the Lil Hart award as well. For him, it was the first time that his band had won in the large band category, his second year as a designer/bandleader in the large band category, and his third year overall as a bandleader.

Valene Maharaj

On May 20, Valene Maharaj was crowned Miss Trinidad and Tobago, to represent the twin-island Republic at the 2007 Miss World Beauty Pageant in Sanya, China, on December 1.

With the support and attention of the local Pageant Company, led by Good Living columnist Peter Elias, Maharaj went on to capture the Queen of the Caribbean title, as well as third position in the final in Sanya. Her style, beauty and poise captured the world.

Maharaj, who grew up in the small St Margaret’s Village, has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration, her ambition being to work within the fashion industry. She has already been accepted to do a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion and Marketing at the American Intercontinental University and is in the running for a scholarship.

Her motto comes from TT’s national anthem… “Live with boundless faith in your destiny". According to Valene, “Being an ambassador for my country has been the highest honour in my life and I am doing my best to represent well.”

Mickela Panday

The 27-year old Mickela shot into the limelight and stepped out of the shadow of her father, UNC Political Leader Basdeo Panday, in 2007. Following in her father’s footsteps, Mickela became an attorney-at-law and is a member of the legal team which will represent him in hearings before the Privy Council in London in February to determine whether there will be a re-trial of his integrity case.

Mickela was chosen by the UNC Alliance to contest the newly-created constituency of Oropouche West in the November 5 General Election and won the seat convincingly, impressing thousands of supporters and independents with her charisma and passion. The youngest representative amongst the 41 elected MPs in the new House of Representatives, Mickela joins her father and uncle Subhas (Princes Town North) in the front bench of the Opposition.

Giselle Salandy

For 2007 she was presented with the Chaconia Gold Medal by President George Maxwell Richards after she was voted the First Citizen’s Sportswoman of the Year for 2006. In March she successfully defended her titles at the ‘Magnificent Seven’ showdown at Skinner Park, San Fernando by beating ex-World Boxing Council (WBC) Middleweight champion and No.1 contender Yvonne Reece of the United States.

Controversy and trying times were to follow – she lost money when she tried to promote her own card; she had to change trainers before being declared medically unfit by doctors on the night of the fight at Skinner Park. But Salandy returned to the ring November 30 at the Jean Pierre Complex and defeated Stone in an exciting 10-round encounter by a unanimous decision.

With the win she became the only fighter to have successfully defended her titles — the WBA, WBC, NABC, WBE, WIBA and the IWBF on four occasions.

Jack Warner

He may be one of the most controversial figures in recent Trinidad and Tobago history but Jack Warner managed to grab the limelight more times than not in the past year.

In sports he has incurred the wrath of the English with not just his pronouncements about the relevance of English football but he was under constant scrutiny of the venerable BBC for his monetary adventures with FIFA.

But the apparently Teflon-coated Jack triumphed over his critics and detractors time and again.

It was in politics that Warner shook the roots of the United National Congress Alliance when he was chosen as joint political leader with Basdeo Panday to fight the December general elections.

As a major financial backer of the party Warner has exerted great influence on the direction of the UNC A but as co-political leader he has, literally, changed the face of the party which is known for its traditional Indian base.