Seven Outstanding Belizeans Receive Belize @41 Awards
It is the first day of September and to kick of the month of festivities the National Celebrations Commission recognized seven outstanding Belizeans with the Belize at 41 Awards. The awardees are exceptional Belizeans who have dedicated their lives to nation building with the use of various talents. The award ceremony was held at the House of Culture in Belize City. News Five’s Paul Lopez has that report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Seven Belizeans were honored today with Belize @41 Awards, for their contributions to Belizean Music, Dance, Literary Arts, Visual Arts, Theater, Traditional Knowledge, and Creative Community Action. Among the awardees was Belizean Actor Ray Gongora. He received the Beverly Smith Lopez Prize for Acting in theater and film.
Ray Gongora
Ray Gongora, Recipient of Beverly Smith Lopez Prize
“Beverly Smith and I grew up together. As young people in our twenties, we entered the stage. Beverly I would probably say found her, found her and brought her on to stage, and worked with her and developed the Beverly Smith that you knew. Everybody knows her as Du Du Darling. That’s what I introduced her as. For me, Beverly dah mih my cunumunu and we loved each other until forever. So, to receive this is very much an honor for me as well as for her and what she has done for this country and for me also as a performer.”
Pen Cayetano received the George Gabb Award for his contributions to visual arts. Dawn Adderly received the Rosita Baltazar Prize for contributions to dance. Bredda David Obi received the Andy Palacio Prize for his contributions to Belizean music.
Bredda David Obi
Bredda David Obi, Recipient of Andy Palacio Prize
“I represent Belize bout five or six different countries already, and everybody feel happy and satisfied. So, dah wah blessing fih now people seh brotha David, mek wih give you this kinda honor. Coming under Andy dah wah special treat, because one spell dah me and Andy use to carry the Belizean music. Unu nuh know this, me and Andy use to be the representation for music all bout. When I first meet Andy I was doing a show dah Dangriga, Holy Ghost. This youth show up with ih guitar pan ih back, bright eyed and very aggressive. Ih seh, Bredda David I would want do a song. Well, the lone look from this lee musician I said he special. 3:38 I said sure. The man gawn up and do a song named the struggle goes on, serious track.”
Lawrence Vernon received the Zee Edgel Prize for his contributions to literary arts. Susano Blanco received the Don Eligio Panti Prize for his contributions to the protection and development of traditional knowledge. And, Brad Pattico received the Leela Vernon Prize for his contributions to creative community action and safeguarding cultural heritage.
Cordel Hyde
Cordel Hyde, Acting Prime Minister
“Together, they are the best of what we have. Can we imagine a Belize without them and their gifts and how privation would stalk the land? Theirs have been a paint brush of what it meant o be Belizean, quintessential Belizean, pure Belizean, unadulterated Belizean, no copycat, just authentic as it comes, Belizean to the bone. They have followed in the tradition of those for whom the awards have been named, persons who all started as children, represented us all around the world, and were selfless in sharing their gifts and knowledge. They gave back everything they had. They were all teachers in one way or the other, pure genius their class, thoroughly and beautifully Belizean.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
