BTB Announces Winners of first ever Patriotic Video Competition
The month of September is normally brimming with a sense of patriotism. For three artists, that feeling of pride and nationhood landed them the top prizes at a first Patriotic Video Competition. There were many entries to the event, but the judges found that a submission from a duo from the west, best captured originality, creativity and love for country. Duane Moody reports from the House of Culture.
Duane Moody, Reporting
At the House of Culture this morning, the winners of the first ever Patriotic Video Competition held by the National Celebrations Committee were announced. The top three video entries were showcased and their winners honored. While the criteria for the competition did not require professional videos, the standard of the submissions were so impressive that they were ready for the TV screens.
Shari Williams, Communications Officer, NICH
Shari Williams
“People were encouraged to use any kind of instruments they could—phone; a tablet, to record any kind of literary or performing art piece that they wish to share or express their patriotism for Belize. We didn’t have a whole lot of entries, but we had some really, really good entries. We sat down and looked at originality, creative and how well they expressed that love for Belize. It is success all around and the commission is definitely looking at having this competition another year.”
Williams says that while the competition was to engage the younger generation, it was not limited and persons from all walks of life entered the video contest; including a senior group. And while all overflowed with patriotism, it was the submission from the west by Jose Collado and Nigel Thompson, better known as Negro Loco, which won maximum points from the judges.
Jose Collado
Jose Collado, Winner, Patriotic Video Competition
“It feels awesome. We are very happy about this prize; this achievement. It is amazing that NICH did this and we actually won. We put a lot of effort in our song and in our video and it paid off in the end. So we are very happy, very exciting and looking forward to the September celebration to perform this song and be with the people and celebrate this September.”
Nigel Thompson, Winner, Patriotic Video Competition
Nigel Thompson
“Le gustaba la gente y conseguimos como five hundred and odd likes, shares and we really appreciated what people do fi we.”
Jose Collado
“Yeah, the video, we actually did it in three days—we did the song and video in three days. So the first day, we wrote the song, composed it and recorded it. the next day we said let’s do the video—shoot it on green screen; a white background—and combine it with footage from previous parades.”
Andrea Polanco
Andrea Polanco, Media & PR Manager, B.T.B.
“The B.T.B. decided to partner with the National Celebrations Commission, the ISCR because we just believe that not only just September time…I know at this time a lot of people feeling very patriotic and showing their pride. But we just felt that it is very important to jump on board this initiative to really get our citizens to show that they are proud of Belize. We want people to own Belize. And so we said we are going to reach out to industry partners and see what they want to provide as prizes. And so we really have to thank them because they came out really, really big giving stay at their properties, giving tours, we have Diamonds International giving three hundred dollars spending cash—as just incentive to get our young people involved; to get our citizens involved—to be a part of what the B.T.B. is trying to do; to promote Belize.”
Taking second place was the Belmopan Senior Stepp, a group of seenagers, both male and female, who advocate for keeping patriotism alive. Danielle Rodriguez won third. Duane Moody for News Five.
