2024-08-23 - Channel 5 Belize

Flor Augustin Keeping Faith in her Dreams

In just a few short days, Belizeans all over the country will tune in for the finale of KTV the Remix Season Six. With just three contestants remaining, the competition is more tense than ever, as fans have until Sunday to cast their vote for the winner. On Thursday, we brought you the story of finalist Elijah Noralez and how he is preparing for next week’s big show. Tonight, we feature two other finalists who are eagerly awaiting that day. We travelled all the way to San Pedro to speak with contestant Flor Augustin. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with that story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Flor Augustin’s love for music began, like most things in her life, with her mom. She was just eleven years old when she began singing at church. And since that moment, she has never stopped.

Flor Augustin, KTV the Remix Finalist

“My mom was actually the one that gave me that little push. She asked me to, you know what, canta conmigo. She was Spanish, so sing with me, sing this beautiful hymn with me. So I was like, okay, why not? Which I was really scared ’cause it was in front about 40, 40 persons I think in church. But, we did a precious him. And that’s where it all started from there to school, to high school, and now to KTV.”

Marion Ali

“And that’s where you said you discovered the talent?”

Flor Augustin

“Yes. That’s where I said, you know what, my mom, actually my mom and she had always believed. Believed a lot in God. Me too. She said, you know what? I think. You’re given a gift and you should use it. And it hits me a lot lately cause I think I should use it.”

Making it to KTV the Remix has been on Flor’s bucket list since she first watched the show back in high school and, as she explains, this year was her year to take the stage.

Flor Augustin

“It’s like a goal that I had to try out. Which I did last year. With my online audition because I was busy at work, so I couldn’t attend the live ones So I sent my online audition, but unfortunately, I didn’t make it but that didn’t stop me I was like no next year I’m going to the live ones and I will tell them I came back just to prove you guys that you know I think I got the voice and I deserve a shot.”

Flor spends most of her days working as a restaurant supervisor at Margaritaville Resort in San Pedro. She is here, all the way from Independence Village in Stann Creek, where she visits her five-year-old son Juliyan whenever she can. All that travelling is arguably Flor’s greatest challenge. Her support team has been there every step of the way. As a friend, Luis Diaz describes what it’s like being her fan and critic.

Luis Diaz, Flor’s Friend

“I’m not the only one that comes together and listens to her when it comes to her singing her rehearsal We have other servers and bartenders that also join in and listen to her and then everyone we sit around the bar She sings at the other side and at the end of her music everyone just tell her like we are the judges to her and then we let her know what we think about this where she can do better where and then we debate among each other. So that’s the process for most of the weeks.”

If Flor were to win KTV the Remix Season Six, the money, she says, would go towards building her home in Independence. The love and support she’s received has been overwhelming so she sends a message to all her supporters that the road through life may be difficult, but it is worth the journey.

Flor Augustin

“It’s tough. We will meet our challenges and a lot of people will leave us. A lot. And it’s gonna be hard, but we just have to have faith in God and never give up. Because we have other people that, you know that love us and that they don’t, they wouldn’t want to see us giving up or crying all the time or feeling sad. They want to, they want the best in us too. So for those other special holding on to life and be grateful for every single person you have around you.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

KTV Finalist, only 19 Wants to Help Kids

If the next KTV the Remix champion will be Chelsy Castro, she will need your help. Chelsy shared with News Five that she was not able to get herself a sponsor for the voting competition, whose winner is determined by the number of votes they receive. Chelsy is only nineteen, but aside from wanting to continue in music, she also wants to help children. News Five stopped in with Chelsy for a little while to get to know who she is when she’s not on the KTV stage. It happens that at only nineteen, she has been turning a few heads on the island already among people who know her talent and have asked her to perform at special events. The winner will be announced on Tuesday night, but voting ends at midnight on Sunday and Chelsy says if she wins, she wants to invest the money in children. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.

Marion Ali, Reporting

If you’re a fan of KTV the Remix, you may have seen her and heard that lovely voice as she sang each Tuesday night at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts. Chelsy Castro is only nineteen years old. Born in Belize City, she now lives, works and studies in San Pedro. As a nine-year-old, discovering her singing talent came one day while attempting to brighten someone’s day.

Chelsy Castro, KTV the Remix Finalist

“I had a friend who was in a fire accident and she went to the US for surgeries and stuff like that and it was like on her birthday week And so my mom decided like, you know, let’s just sing a little song for her. At the time we didn’t know that I could sing. So I did it and then she was like, “you’re kinda good” (laughs). Yeah.”

Chelsy’s mom, Cindy Fuentes works with children in the arts and also sings. She coaches her daughter for every KTV session. She says Chelsy has long surpassed her ability.

Cindy Fuentes, Mother of Chelsy Castro

“I do sing at karaoke’s. Um, not that good. Not that karaoke good, but not that – stage good, but the drama and all that, that would come from me. I do a lot of – I help school when it comes to the festival of arts and so I’m the most artistic when it comes to stage performance and how she should stand, what she should do, facial. So I’m the one that does all that for her.”

We met Chelsy on the job, at Belizean Melody Art Gallery on Barrier Reef Drive. It’s a not-for-profit gallery that promotes the works of Belizean artists only. While Chelsy herself does not paint, she helps to run the display room. She’s also majoring in business management at the San Pedro Junior College. For the past six weeks, she has been juggling homework, her eight-to-five, and KTV preparations.

And if we were to go by her performance, specifically on the night of July twenty-third, when she wowed the audience with her rendition of the Latin song, Que Agonia by Yuridia and Ángela Aguilar, you would think she speaks Spanish fluently. She doesn’t and had to put in extra hours to get that performance down pat.

Chelsy Castro

“I was like planning out songs for each of the genres and for Spanish. We focused on that more because I don’t see Spanish. And so I was like –”

Marion Ali

“At all?”

Chelsy Castro

“Well, agua (laughs) good morning.”

Chelsy does not have a sponsor for her appearances on the show, instead she sings karaoke at nightclubs. When the audience cheers her on, she asks them to vote for her. She also sings at events where people who have recognized her talent, ask her to perform. Now that she has reached this far, she has greater musical pursuits on the horizon.

Chelsy Castro

“I’m actually consider considering to like potentially becoming a Belizean artist. I’ve got in contact with like producers and they want to help me out and so like potentially I could be publishing my own music.”

Chelsy sees herself composing her own music, as well as performing well-known covers, should she land an opportunity in the music industry. She also wants to help children.

Chelsy Castro

“I’ve never had a vocal teacher Until KTV when I met Miss Giselle, that was my first time going to a vocalist So I wanted to with the 10, 000 invest in like some music instruments to also help children and give them that support that they need thankfully I had from my mom, but, you know, I can give that to other kids, give them that vocal lessons, like, with that $10,000 I can, like, teach myself to, like, give to others.”

Chelsy’s favourite songs are from soundtracks. She left us with this treat from the Little Mermaid. Marion Ali for News Five.

Never Letting go of the Gift of Life

Every year, doctors from various parts of The U.S. travel to Belize to provide life-saving corrective surgeries for young cardiac patients. The initiative is facilitated through the Rotary Club and has been saving lives in the country for decades. Today, we stopped by the Lion’s Club in Belize City where the Gift of Life clinic was being hosted. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

To be happy and healthy, that’s the wish all parents make for their children. But good health and happiness come easier to some than others. For the parents and children at the annual Gift of Life pop-up clinic, they are fighting hard for it. Pediatric cardiologist, Doctor Gul Dadlani is visiting Belize for the fourth time as part of this program.

Dr. Gul Dadlani, Pediatric Cardiologist

“The Gift of Life program through Rotary is fantastic. About one in a hundred children are born with a congenital heart problem, meaning a heart problem that’s there at birth. Many of those will need a surgical procedure to correct that. So the gift of life program brings cardiologists and a full team to diagnose those heart conditions and then allows those that need surgery to be able to raise the funds to send them out of the country to have their heart surgery and come back and lead a great quality of life.”

The most common diseases observed by the doctors include a ventricular septal defect which is a hole between the lower chambers of the heart. Ten -year-old Jacinto Penner recently received surgery at the K.H.M.H. from the Gift of Life Doctors in Belize. Jacinto’s father, Milton Penner, says his family’s life has been changed watching their little heart warrior make a full recovery.

Milton Penner, Father of Jacinto

“It was last year in October. It’s almost a year ago. And it was a very smooth process. It was absolutely wonderful and marvelous. The fact that we were able to do this in Belize, very amazing. Very happy about it.”

Britney Gordon

“Now that your son is recovering, you guys brought him back here today just for follow ups and just to make sure everything’s alright?”

Milton Penner

“Yes he is perfectly fine. After the procedure he is actually recovering in a very beautiful way. We never saw, after leaving the hospital, it was like an instant fix, like instantly. There was not a sign ever again. It was, it was just a very beautiful thing for, to watch, to see him. Just recover and not a sign ever again. And now we’ve been back once. This is the second time after the procedure and He’s doing excellent.”

Jacinto is one of many patients whose lives have been touched by the program. The doctors are spending three days in Belize City after one in Dangriga. Nurse Heidi Hess, who has been coming to Belize for the past twenty-four years, estimates that the team sees at least one hundred children annually.

Heidi Hess, Pediatric Cardiac Nurse Specialist

“I feel very connected to the country and to the people here. Everyone is so friendly. The children are fantastic. And I’ve, I love watching them grow up and now they’re growing up and getting married. And they come in and they bring their own children for me to see. And that’s very rewarding.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Lawrence Ellis Endorsed as PUP’s Candidate in Mesop.

Businessman Lawrence Ellis has been endorsed as the People’s United Party’s standard bearer for the Mesopotamia division in Belize City. The current area representative is the leader of the United Democratic Party, Moses Barrow.

In a Facebook post, PUP Leader and Prime Minister John Briceño urged Mesopotamia voters to embrace a new era of leadership, emphasising the need for fresh energy and representation in the constituency. He is confident that Ellis will bring change to Mesopotamia.

“Mesop needs new energy, new representation and a new leader to breathe new life into this area of our commercial capital. Let’s break 40 years of UDP neglect in Mesop.,” the Prime Minister said.

Rowland Parks Awarded the Zee Edgell Prize for Literary Arts

Retired journalist Rowland Parks of Pomona Valley has been honoured with the Zee Edgell Prize for Literary Arts, recognising his contributions as a journalist and poet. The announcement was made by the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) on its Facebook page.

NICH said, Parks’ journey to literary acclaim began despite an early departure from school. His thirst for knowledge eventually led him back to education, where he earned a journalism degree from Baruch College, City University of New York. His literary talent first gained recognition in 1977 when his evocative poems were featured in “An Anthology of Belizean Poetry: Vol 2.”

“However, it was his seminal work, “Poems of Passion, Patriotism, and Protest,” co-authored with luminaries Dickie Bradley and Evan X Hyde, that truly cemented his place in Belize’s literary landscape. Leading up to his recent retirement in 2021, Parks distinguished himself as one of Belize’s preeminent photojournalists, capturing the essence of his homeland through his lens.”

NICH explained that before retiring in 2021, Parks was celebrated as one of Belize’s leading photojournalists, capturing the essence of the nation through his photography. Earlier this year, over 20 of Belize’s most esteemed poets and writers gathered to pay tribute to Parks, highlighting his lasting influence on Belizean literature and journalism.

Belize Bank Warns of Scam

The Belize Bank Limited is warning its customers of an ongoing scam. A scam alert from the bank tells customers to “be alert of fake social media profiles encouraging you to send a secure message via Belize Bank Online Banking with the possibility of receiving a deposit to your savings accounts.”

The notice also informs customers not to participate in these types of illegal activities. The Bank is urging customers not to click on any links or engage in initiatives like these.

Dr. Chantal Ononaiwu to Join the CCJ Bench

Dr Chantal Ononaiwu of Jamaica has been selected by the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC), the independent body responsible for recruiting staff and judges for the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), to join the CCJ as a Judge, filling the vacancy created by the untimely retirement on 31 December 2023 of Mr Justice Jacob Wit, who died on 16 January 2024.

Dr Chantal Ononaiwu is an attorney-at-law with over 20 years’ experience at the Bar. In particular, she has specialist expertise in Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Law and International Law, including International Trade Law, and varied legal experience as an adjudicator, litigator, legal advisor, and university lecturer. Apart from her international trade law experience, Dr Ononaiwu has expertise in Commercial Law, having worked in the international business and financial services sector as the Director, Value Proposition Development at Invest Barbados. She also served as a Vice-Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce Digital Standards Initiative Legal Reform Advisory Board. Further, at the start of her legal career, Dr Ononaiwu worked as counsel in the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Division of the Attorney General’s Chambers in Jamaica.

Dr Ononaiwu has lectured in International Trade and Investment Law, Public International Law, and Criminal Law at The University of the West Indies. Her academic work includes publications in the areas of International Trade Law, Investment Law, Public International Law, and Constitutional Law.

Dr Ononaiwu most recently served as the Director, External Trade, CARICOM, leading the coordination of the organisation’s external trade policy. During her tenure, she advised CARICOM and its Member States on international trade and investment issues and was a negotiator for the Community in negotiations of international trade agreements. She also has experience as an international trade adjudicator, having served as a member of a panel that adjudicated a World Trade Organization dispute.

Dr Ononaiwu is a Rhodes Scholar and holds the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy in Law from the University of Oxford; Master of Laws from the University of Cambridge; and Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from The University of the West Indies, as well as a Legal Education Certificate of Merit from the Norman Manley Law School.

In making the announcement, the Chairman of the RJLSC and President of the CCJ, the Honourable Mr Justice Adrian Saunders, took the opportunity to commend the process used to recruit Judges of the Court, stating, “The RJLSC prides itself on a recruitment process that is competitive, premised on merit and experience and fiercely independent. Each appointment reflects our unwavering commitment to selecting individuals of the highest calibre, based solely on their expertise, integrity, and dedication to justice. During the recruitment process, we received applications from The Bahamas, Great Britain, Canada, Nigeria, Dominica, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Of the applications received, four candidates, three females and one male, were shortlisted for further consideration and subsequently interviewed by the entire membership of the Commission in Port of Spain in person. This process ensures that our Court continues to be a beacon of fairness and excellence, characterised by the utmost professionalism and impartiality.”

It is expected that Dr Ononaiwu will take the oath of office in October 2024. The RJLSC is currently conducting recruitment exercises for further appointments to the Bench, including the post of President to replace Justice Saunders who will retire in 2025.

Press Release

Department of Transport Opens New Spanish Lookout Branch to Boost Regional Services

The Department of Transport has officially opened its new branch in Spanish Lookout, situated on Iguana Creek Road in the Cayo District, marking a significant advancement in transportation services for the area.

The inauguration ceremony took place on Thursday, drawing attendance from key government officials, community leaders, and local residents. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Youth, Sports, and Transport, delivered remarks alongside Minister of State Gilroy Usher from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Transport; Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change; and community leader Harry Letkenan.

The new branch will enhance accessibility and convenience for residents and businesses, offering services such as debit card payments for transactions.

The Department of Transport believes that this branch will become a crucial hub for the community, contributing to the growth and development of the region.

Trinidad and Tobago to Redesign Coat of Arms, Remove Colonial Symbol

During a convention for the People’s National Movement on Sunday, Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced that Trinidad and Tobago will update its coat of arms by late September, a decision that received a standing ovation.

“This marks a significant step towards removing the colonial remnants embedded in our constitution,” Rowley stated.

The current coat of arms, featuring hummingbirds, a palm tree, and Trinidad’s national bird, the scarlet ibis, has remained unchanged since the island gained independence from the UK in 1962. This redesign represents the first major change to the symbol. Additionally, the country will soon hold public hearings to consider removing statues, signs, and monuments with colonial ties.

Rowley is also advocating for the country to sever ties with the UK’s Privy Council as its highest court of appeal, a legal connection still maintained by several Commonwealth nations, including Trinidad and Tobago. He expressed his desire for the country to no longer be “squatters on the steps of the Privy Council,” as reported by local media.

As part of this broader move to shed colonial influences, the new coat of arms will replace the image of Christopher Columbus’s three ships—the Pinta, the Nina, and the Santa Maria—with the steelpan, a percussion instrument that originated on the island and holds significant cultural importance. This change has been widely praised across the eastern Caribbean nation.

Another Charged In Connection with Brutal Double Murder

In connection with the brutal murders of Joel Andrews and Martin Sho, police have arrested and formally charged two men with two counts of murder each. Earlier this week, Ian Roy Herrera, a 22-year-old Belizean construction worker from Hattieville Village, was charged with murder. Today, investigators charged Blake Norman Lewis, a 25-year-old Belizean labourer from Belize District, with two counts of murder.

The victims, Joel Andrews and Martin Sho, were discovered on a farm near mile seventeen on the George Price Highway in October 2023, both suffering from chop wounds and gunshot injuries. The police were alerted to the scene following a tip about an aggravated burglary that escalated into a double homicide.

The investigation suggests that robbery was the primary motive behind the murders. It is believed that the suspects targeted Andrews, as his home was found ransacked and his firearm was likely stolen.