Culture lovers enjoyed a welcome taste of parang at the Parang Headquarters at the Priority Mall on Easter Sunday evening.

That's when the National Parang Association, in collaboration with Tidco, made presentations to pioneers of the parang art form.

The most celebrated was centenarian Venactio Bailey Almarales, who also got a special gift from Courts Furniture Stores.

Almarales, in appreciation, sang two of his favourite parang songs.

Due to ill health recipients Paul Castillo, Marcelino Jiminez, Rigsby Papponette and Hamilton Clement were absent.

However, those present, like Willie and Tito Lara, Wayne and Lennox Flores, Felix Jiminez and Percy Angenon, received their awards with speeches and songs.

President of the Parang Association, Cynthia David-Ross, was given a special award from show host, Judy Oliverie-Benicourt.

The Amoco prizes for the primary and secondary schools' parang champs were presented to Newtown Girls' R. C. and Pleasantville Senior Comprehensive, respectively.

Parang lovers danced merrily to songs dished out by 1998 parang champions Alicia Jagessar and Los Alumnos de San Juan; Carib shaman (Medicine man) Cristo "Galeron" Adonis and Los Ninos del Mundo; the Lara Brothers; Los Ninos de Santa Rosa and DJ Splendid Sounds.

In the year 2000, the Parang Association intends to stage an Easter parang competition based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

TOP