“The Honorable Shyne,” a documentary about the life and times of Opposition Leader Shyne Barrow, premiered on Hulu on Monday to rave reviews from viewers both locally and internationally. For several weeks, Barrow was in the United States, making media rounds to promote the new release. The biographical documentary debuted at number one on the streaming platform. This morning, Barrow sat down with reporters to talk about this latest achievement.
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“It’s the number one film show on Hulu worldwide. So I’m extremely grateful for that, you know. Thank you for everyone out there that has supported the Honorable Shyne documentary to make it number one. So I am extremely grateful for the reception that we’ve gotten so far, especially in Belize. There are a lot of people that did not know the Shyne story and because I am a political figure, the PUP has done an effective job, that’s the only thing I can say they’ve done an effective job at in their tenure, in this administration. But even before that, a narrative has been crafted about Shyne Barrow that, as you can see in the documentary, for those of you that have seen it; whether hearing from my father himself, hearing from my mother that I did not grow up with even a bronze spoon in my mouth. Coming from a single parent household and everything that I have, I had to endure great suffering and sacrifice to get there. But, from a political opponent’s standpoint, it’s not a story that they would want to tell. So I am delighted that people have gotten to see the complete journey, whether you support me politically or not, I think this is a Belizean success story, a global success story and so I am happy that people at least get to see who I am.”
The biography of Shyne Barrow, titled ‘The Honorable Shyne,’ premiered today on Hulu. This ‘rags to riches’ documentary dives deep into the life of the former hip hop artist turned politician. It covers his rise in the music industry, his ten-year stint in prison, his deportation to Belize, and his entry into politics. We caught up with Prime Minister John Briceño earlier today to get his thoughts on Shyne’s latest project.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Unfortunately for him, he is not running in the United States. He is running in Belize and I don’t think he’s getting any kind of coverage, the coverage that he is getting in Belize, let’s put it this way, is not coverage any kind of leader would want to get. But again, timing, it just so happened that P. Diddy has been arrested for a lot of alleged crimes, sexual, drugs, and all kind of stuff and Shyne was a part of that world. I don’t know if he was part of that, but it just so happened that he, according to him, said it back then during that time, that he took the fall for P. Diddy. It’s good marketing for him, he’s taking advantage, when a man is down is stepping on him to try to lift his profile. You don’t usually do that. I can be doing that to him every day, but it’s good theater for him. I am happy for him and he can continue doing that in the United States because that’s the life he wants. He doesn’t want to be here in Belize, he wants to be in the United States of America. The minute he became the Leader of the Opposition, the first thing he did he asked the Black Caucus in Congress is to support him in getting a visa. He’s pretty much more in the US than here and good for him. I have no envy for him, I don’t envy him. I am happy to be in Belize, Belize is my home, it’s the only home I’ve ever had and I don’t plan to go anywhere. Will I see the documentary when it becomes available? Of course, I will, and then see how they have spun things. I am sure that if the producers were to come and interview the people that were praising him back then, I’m sure you’d get a different picture. But they probably know that by now.”
Garifuna Settlement Day is just around the corner, and the celebrations are already in full swing. As Belizeans come together to honor the historic arrival of the Garifuna people, the police will be on duty to keep things peaceful and orderly. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams encouraged everyone to enjoy the festivities but reminded the public to do so respectfully, without infringing on others’ rights.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We are actively involved in the policing of the nineteenth time celebration activities in Belize City, in Belmopan and down south. I think those are the areas where we are seeing activities. Our specialized units will be deployed to these activities to assist the local police in ensuring the safety of people. I just want to encourage your call upon our citizens who are going to these events to celebrate the 19th, so please do so in such a way that you don’t expose yourself to harm. And if you’re going to enjoy yourself, do so in such a way that you don’t infringe on the rights of people. If you’re going to drive, don’t drink. If you’re going to drink, don’t drive at the end of the day, we want everyone to celebrate. And when the celebrations are over, we want everyone to go home to the family safe. That’s the important thing. And so making sure that we are civil in how we celebrate is important. And so I just want to ask everybody who are going to be a part of this nineteenth celebration to always consider the other person that is around and try not to do anything to hurt or to harm anybody. And once that is done, then I think we should be able to come back on Wednesday to say that, you know, we had a good nineteenth celebration.”
Tonight, we have a story that’s close to the heart of the Channel Five team. We’re celebrating the sixteenth anniversary of our morning talk show, Open Your Eyes. Since 2009, Open Your Eyes has been bringing educational and entertaining segments to viewers across Belize. As we mark this special occasion, we look back at how the show has evolved over the past sixteen years. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
This morning, viewers of the Open Your Eyes talk show were treated to a festive celebration with cake and champagne as the hosts marked the show’s sixteenth anniversary. Open Your Eyes first aired in 2008, with the current Channel 5 CEO, Marleni Cuellar, as the original host. She shared her journey and experiences as one of the show’s pioneers, reflecting on how far they’ve come.
Marleni Cuellar
Marleni Cuellar, C.E.O., Channel 5
“In 2008, when the show was launched, I came on board full time at channel five primarily as a host and it was an interesting time. The CEO at that time, Amalia Mai, had the vision to be able to create a morning show, a morning television show for Channel 5 or News 5 program as always has been such a important part of the daily conversation in Belize, but we felt we needed to have a different element, something that allowed us to have deeper conversations. That allowed us to be able to look at different aspects of culture and experience and life in Belize and to do a fantastic television production because we know we have a really great team here capable of doing that So that was the vision back in 2008 something positive something motivational and most importantly something informational.”
After fourteen years on the show, Cuellar stepped away from the spotlight to take on other roles within the company. But the show still needed a vibrant personality. That’s when news anchor Sabreena Daly was invited to join. She shared with us what it’s been like stepping into this exciting new role.
Sabreena Daly
Sabreena Daly, Host, Open Your Eyes
“So I’ve been a part of Open Your Eyes as a host for about a little bit over a year. And honestly, the only thing I can say is it’s been such a learning curve. Of course, you would know that my involvement primarily was in news as an anchor, as a feature writer. But being invited over to the morning show was different because obviously I have to wake up earlier in the morning. But for me, it was a learning experience because I get to have these extensive conversations that would normally be controlled by the news cycle, of course, the writing stories. But I get to engage with these persons that we are interviewing. Not only that, I get to learn a lot more. I have to do research. It’s really critical that the host does research, so that we’re able to know, one, the type of questions to ask, but also know exactly what our viewers are looking for as well.”
Daly credits her growth in the role to her mentors, Marleni Cuellar and fellow host Isani Cayetano. Other familiar faces on the team include Paul Lopez and April Martinez, who each bring their unique voices to the show. Behind the scenes, there’s OYE producer Viannie Reyes, who has been working her magic for about three years. She gave us a glimpse into her role as producer, sharing what it takes to keep the show running smoothly.
Viannie Reyes
Viannie Reyes, Producer, Open Your Eyes
“It’s definitely not a one man show. It’s a show that consists of quite a team that I have here and I’m grateful for the team that I have. It takes preparation, dedication and commitment to make a production successful as open your eyes. I do believe that gathering segments, not only just here in Belize City, but it comes from all over the country, depending on the topics that we have. We have to work two weeks in advance, sometimes three, to plan different segments. We need to get creative on topics, educational topics, informative topics that we do believe Belizeans would enjoy to hear and to listen to.”
Just this year, Open Your Eyes received a Special Mention at the Caribbean Broadcasting Awards. Cuellar attributes this to the consistent quality the show has maintained over the past sixteen years.
Marleni Cuellar
“We have a standard that was set from the beginning. That we ensure that we get guests who are well versed and understanding of different topics. That our hosts are as prepared as they can be for conversations, that we ensure that our audience have learned something new or understand something better or have been able to see a different perspective than they have seen before. And I think that’s a standard that we’ve carried through all these years and I’m very proud of that.”
As the show continues to grow, the team promises more meaningful conversations with guests and entertaining segments but this time, bigger and better. Britney Gordon for News Five.
The pressure is on for Belize’s own Halima Hoy as she gets ready to take the Miss Universe stage for the finals on Saturday. This year’s pageant, held in Mexico City, will see women from all over the world competing for the crown. As the big day approaches, we caught up with her Belizean support team in Mexico City to hear how they’re feeling as the excitement builds.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
The Miss Universe 2024 Pageant is underway, and people around the world are eagerly watching their contestant, hoping for a win. This year, Belizean beauty, Halima Hoy, is shining on the big stage. We caught up with Destinee Arnold, the National Director of Miss Universe Belize, for an update on how the competition is going so far.
Destinee Arnold
Destinee Arnold, National Director, Miss Universe Belize
“I am just elated with all of the support that we have been getting from our countrymen, and I am so proud of Halima for continuing to fight that good fight and leaving her all on that stage. It is my job to make sure that she is well prepared and putting her best foot forward during the competition and not pageant night to be her moral support to be there for her in times of need to provide that insight. Of course, I will be reviewing her performance from last night and helping her work out any kinks that I noticed. And we are just going to continue to fight and push forward so that we finish off stronger.”
Also joining Hoy in Mexico is her husband, Arthur Hoy. He feels a wave of emotion as he watches his wife’s hard work finally pay off.
Arthur Hoy
Arthur Hoy, Halima’s Husband
“Her job was Monday to Sunday, and it even took her away from Houston where we currently reside and she was living in Belize. So for the past couple of months my wife was for Belize and she still is Belize, but we’re in a great mental space. We are so proud of her. Her performance last night was very emotional for us. We, as a, with her, I was sitting with her team and we all got teary eyed when she came out because she looked so beautiful. She performed and she really made us proud.”
Despite the overwhelming love and support, Hoy and her team have faced some accusations. In a now-deleted Instagram post, they were accused of paying for Hoy’s placement in the pageant. Arnold finds these accusations to be completely unfounded.
Destinee Arnold
“For me, it’s honestly quite laughable that they would think that we would pay for placement. Pageantry is not a cheap venture, and we don’t get into pageantry Hoping to make money. It’s definitely a passion project, but we’re trying to change that perspective. We’re not trying to continue to allow pageantry to be a money pit. And one thing that I love about the new Miss universe organization, they want their national directors to contribute. In their ventures and their Miss Universe products, and that’s what we’re doing.”
She explains that the goal of the Miss Universe Belize franchise is to grow the industry and create new opportunities for Belizeans.
Destinee Arnold
“We are trying to introduce the Miss Universe projects in our country of Belize so that we bring in that that pageantry industry, because it’s a very lucrative industry. If you play your cards that’s not paying for placement. That’s being smart. That’s bringing another economic revenue to our country. That’s creating jobs. It’s creating a product. And if you cannot join in the celebration or join in the work to bring that to police, then, I’m okay with you not sitting at the table with us.”
On stage, Hoy unveiled her stunning national costume, a beautiful tribute to Belize’s Mayan roots. Arnold hopes that Belizeans can set aside the negativity and continue to shower Hoy with love and support as she strives to make Belize proud.
Destinee Arnold
“You can go to the choicely app and for her there is a fan vote for the top thirty, or you can just share her pictures, comment on the miss universe post that has Halima on it with your flag. Sending Halima sweet messages that are encouraged her because we are the fuel that drives her when she’s on stage. So we have to keep that energy going.”
The Ugundani Dance Group is putting on a variety show this Saturday at the Bliss. This vibrant collective has been dazzling audiences since the Eighties and is still going strong nearly forty years later. The goal of the show is to raise funds to help preserve Garifuna culture. Organizer Mathew Martinez has more details to share.
One lucky man is now five hundred and thirty-six thousand dollars richer after hitting the Mega Bingo Jackpot on Saturday. The jackpot was a whopping six hundred and thirty-one thousand dollars, but after the fifteen percent tax deduction, he walked away with a hefty prize. Today, the retired police officer, who served for thirty-seven years, got the surprise of his life when he realized he had won. We caught up with him as he picked up his big check.
Voice of: Mega Bingo
Voice of: Mega Bingo Jackpot Winner
“I have three family members whose birthday is the month of June. So, I picked my grandson. He born 2019, my oldest son, 1982 and my mother 1944 and that is how I get it.”
Reporter
“How did you find out you were a winner and what went through your mind?”
Voice of: Mega Bingo Jackpot Winner
“I was playing and when I informed by kids that I won nobody believed. So I had to do the replay and let them see.”
Paul Lopez
“And what was their reaction?”
Voice of: Mega Bingo Jackpot Winner
“They felt good they jump up.”
Reporter
“What is your plan for this amount of money?”
Voice of: Mega Bingo Jackpot Winner
“I will try to get my dreamhouse and share some with the family.”
Tonight, the Bliss Center for Performing Arts will come alive with a benefit concert to raise funds for the beloved Belizean musician, Sam Hamilton. The stage will be graced by performers, including the legendary Mighty Lord Rhaburn, who will delight the audience with a medley of hits. Organized by the Institute of Creative Arts, this heartfelt event aims to support Hamilton during his battle with illness. Kim Vasquez, the director of ICA, shares more about this special evening.
While Shyne Barrow faces intense scrutiny at home over his leadership of the U.D.P., the embattled politician is also under fire from well-known radio personality Funk Master Flex. Over the weekend, Flex launched a scathing attack on Barrow during his show on New York’s Hot 97 Radio Station. In a lengthy tirade, Flex accused Barrow, a former recording artist with Bad Boy Records, of being a liar. This accusation stems from statements Barrow made following the arrest and detention of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Isani Cayetano
“You’re coming under fire from multiple angles, here at home and most recently abroad. In the world of hip hop music and entertainment, you have a prominent figure such as Funkmaster Flex coming forward to essentially rake you over the coals for statements that you have made that effectively have drawn distance between yourself and Diddy, in the wake of his own issues in the United States. How do you respond to Funkmaster Flex calling you out as a liar?”
Shyne Barrow
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“It’s defamatory and my lawyer’s going to deal with it.”
Disney has released the trailer for the upcoming documentary The Honorable Shyne, which explores the journey of Moses “Shyne” Barrow. Barrow gained fame in the late 1990s as an emerging rap star, but his career took a downturn after he was charged in connection with a high-profile nightclub shooting involving rap mogul Diddy. In 2001, Barrow was convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison, while Combs was acquitted. According to Disney, the documentary offers a personal look at Barrow’s evolution. According to Barrow, the documentary shows a true image of his life.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader, U.D.P.
“It’s quite a journey of tragedy and triumph, and that was the main focus. I did not want to tell a victim’s story. People have been coming to me to do a documentary forever. I would say for the last maybe 20 years, people have wanted to do a documentary with me, but I did not want to tell the Sean Puffy Combs documentary. I did not want to tell the, Oh, you know, this is what happened to me. It’s all your fault documentary. I think now is the right time. And so I’m very fortunate to have the right partners that I could have entrusted, um, to tell the journey truthfully, not even bias to me and I believe this is a truthful depiction of my journey, triumph, tragedy, triumph again, and we continue the fight. And I would not have been able to survive anything that I have if maybe I grew up differently, you know, in my father’s bosom, you know, being pet and powdered. And you know, my father and I have never had a better relationship now and I’m not ashamed of that. And you will get to see in the documentary that my father is not this great orchestrator of Shyne Barrow. In fact, we, we differ on many things.”
