Morning Edition: 13th October 2023

CCNTV6

Watch Morning Edition: 13th October 2023 - CCNTV6 on Dailymotion

Transcript

00:00:00 ♪ Peace a marlin and two climps ♪

00:00:01 ♪ And wouldn't do the trick ♪

00:00:04 ♪ Going back to basic ♪

00:00:07 (laughing)

00:00:12 - It's Friday, you know.

00:00:13 It's Friday, a very special good morning, Trinidad and Tobago.

00:00:16 I'm Marlon Hopkins, and welcome to the morning edition.

00:00:19 As I said, it's Friday, October 13th.

00:00:22 It's Black Friday, you know.

00:00:23 Only believe in them thing.

00:00:24 Black cat running across.

00:00:26 Look someone in studio saying, "Yes."

00:00:29 Yeah, you all believe in those things?

00:00:32 I don't, but a lot of people do, all right.

00:00:34 Kiana, I want an early gift from TNTech, right?

00:00:39 And for persons who are looking at the program this morning,

00:00:48 they are employed with TNTech, here's what the gift is.

00:00:52 I want you all to take a drive to the east,

00:00:55 but it has to be dark, right?

00:00:58 And then you turn around and you head on the westbound lane

00:01:03 of the Churchill Roosevelt Highway.

00:01:06 And I want you to look at all of the lights

00:01:11 on the side of the road that are not working.

00:01:14 There are a lot, a lot of lights that are not working

00:01:19 on the nation's highways,

00:01:20 especially on that westbound lane.

00:01:22 I can't speak for central, I can't speak for south.

00:01:25 All right?

00:01:26 But when you're coming down, especially in the morning

00:01:29 or you're driving home at night or wherever you're going,

00:01:32 there are large parts of the highway

00:01:35 where you can't see anything.

00:01:37 And you see those amber bulbs too?

00:01:40 They're not working anymore.

00:01:41 If it is possible, you can get the white ones,

00:01:43 you know, the white ones that look like my shirt

00:01:46 that lights up everywhere.

00:01:48 Yeah, so TNTech, please,

00:01:50 if I can get that early Christmas gift.

00:01:52 I know you're having some financial problems, I know,

00:01:55 but the RIC has to speak to us in a week's time, right?

00:01:58 So let's see, let's see if we can do that

00:02:00 because this town in darkness doesn't work anymore.

00:02:04 Yeah?

00:02:05 It's time to take a look at the Daily Express.

00:02:07 On the front page today,

00:02:09 Rowley Dam Vex, blasts bail for serious crimes,

00:02:13 names five MPs for crime talks with opposition leader.

00:02:17 Let's see who they are, if I can tell you that.

00:02:21 So Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has proposed his team

00:02:24 for anti-crime talks with the opposition

00:02:27 to be chaired by Attorney General Reginald Armour.

00:02:31 Now, according to the PM,

00:02:33 the government's team will also comprise

00:02:35 National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hines,

00:02:37 Energy Minister Stuart Young,

00:02:39 Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzalez,

00:02:42 and Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell.

00:02:45 Now, the Prime Minister was speaking

00:02:48 during the budget debate in the parliament yesterday.

00:02:51 And the front page on the Express today

00:02:54 really shows a picture of pain.

00:02:57 She was all I lived for.

00:03:00 A father's pain, Eddie Lallan,

00:03:02 father of murdered teenager Andrea Lallan, inset,

00:03:05 weeps as he holds on to his daughter's coffin

00:03:09 during her funeral service yesterday.

00:03:11 Lallan, who was injured in the gun attack

00:03:13 but took the life of his daughter,

00:03:15 was allowed to leave the San Fernando General Hospital

00:03:17 to attend the funeral at his home

00:03:19 at Old Mayaro Road, Libertville, Rio Claro.

00:03:23 Andrea's disabled uncle was also killed in the attack.

00:03:28 To the back page now.

00:03:29 Sports, Matthews urges more from batting group,

00:03:33 more to offer when these women face Australia in final ODI.

00:03:37 Even with the return of skipper Hayley Matthews to the lineup,

00:03:41 the West Indies women still struggled with the bat

00:03:44 in yesterday's second one-day international

00:03:46 at Junction Oval, Melbourne,

00:03:48 which was eventually abandoned due to rain.

00:03:52 It's good to see that the girls are doing well, yeah?

00:03:56 I see that they're still doing well, you know?

00:03:58 And it is good that we do have these competitions

00:04:01 where young people can make a living.

00:04:03 That's very, very important.

00:04:04 It's time to remind you of a Trinbago Unised feature

00:04:07 to participate, WhatsApp your videos or images

00:04:10 to 737-3778.

00:04:13 We do have this image, a lovely picture there.

00:04:17 (upbeat music)

00:04:19 All right, it comes from a viewer.

00:04:21 This is from where?

00:04:24 The fort in Tobago.

00:04:25 Studio, what you call this?

00:04:27 Don't tell me fort in Tobago, yeah?

00:04:28 Huh?

00:04:31 View from?

00:04:34 All right, okay.

00:04:38 All right, studio.

00:04:38 Studio, let me just say, very impressive.

00:04:44 Very, very impressive.

00:04:45 Yes, it looks like a volcano is erupting there, yeah?

00:04:49 But that's not the case, all right?

00:04:51 But still a beautiful picture.

00:04:52 Again, let's put your names to accompany

00:04:55 your pictures and videos because we wanna say

00:04:58 a very special good morning to you.

00:05:00 All right, so we do have a packed program

00:05:02 for you this morning.

00:05:03 You have the coffee, you have the tea,

00:05:04 you get something to eat, yeah?

00:05:06 You coming back?

00:05:07 (upbeat music)

00:05:10 ♪ We go down like ♪

00:05:15 ♪ We have a style like ♪

00:05:18 - TV6 presents the folk dance and dramology finals

00:05:21 of the Prime Minister's Best Village Trophy Competition.

00:05:25 Tune in for the spectacular showcase

00:05:27 from the best of the best

00:05:28 in the following cultural categories.

00:05:30 Spiritual dance, soca dance, national patriotic dance,

00:05:34 creative freestyle dance, limbo, French influence dance,

00:05:39 African devotional dance, African influence dance,

00:05:42 and dramology.

00:05:43 Don't miss out on the excitement.

00:05:45 It's the folk dance and dramology finals

00:05:47 of the Prime Minister's Best Village Trophy Competition

00:05:50 on CCN TV6.

00:05:52 - Combat the stress of today's busy lifestyles.

00:05:58 Use Astamin Fort for all-round good health and balance.

00:06:02 Astamin Fort contains power nutrients

00:06:04 for that extra energy and vitality.

00:06:06 Eight essential amino acids and vitamins.

00:06:09 Use Astamin Fort to boost energy,

00:06:11 build stamina and strength, improve performance,

00:06:14 relieve tiredness and stress,

00:06:16 and improve memory and concentration.

00:06:18 Astamin Fort is excellent supportive therapy

00:06:21 for diabetes and hypertension.

00:06:23 Get it now at leading pharmacies nationwide.

00:06:25 (upbeat music)

00:06:28 (soft music)

00:06:30 ♪ I'm moving ♪

00:06:44 ♪ Moving forward every day to Jesus ♪

00:06:49 ♪ I just let him lead the way every second ♪

00:06:52 ♪ Every minute, every hour of the day ♪

00:06:55 ♪ I'm moving with Jesus every day ♪

00:07:00 ♪ I'm moving with Jesus every day ♪

00:07:06 ♪ I'm moving with Jesus ♪

00:07:12 ♪ I'm moving with Jesus every day ♪

00:07:17 ♪ Mommy, mommy, I have to go to school ♪

00:07:24 ♪ Mommy, mommy, I want to learn the rules ♪

00:07:29 ♪ To become a great athlete ♪

00:07:34 ♪ Stand on my own two feet ♪

00:07:36 ♪ I could learn to brush my teeth ♪

00:07:38 ♪ Just like I'm set for the street ♪

00:07:41 ♪ But what I'd like in school the most as a man ♪

00:07:45 ♪ Is to stay with teacher Bula in retention ♪

00:07:50 - All right, welcome back everyone.

00:07:53 Just to tell you about some of the stories

00:07:55 in the Daily Express today,

00:07:57 Finance Minister Petritrin was losing billions,

00:08:00 Column slams myths.

00:08:02 Finance Minister Colin Inbert said yesterday

00:08:06 some opposition statements about Petritrin

00:08:09 represent mythology as he emphasized

00:08:13 that the former state owned refinery

00:08:15 had been losing billions of dollars.

00:08:20 HTC evicts bad pay Tarredale residents.

00:08:24 Police to trace origin of firearms in massive seizure.

00:08:28 Police are trying to determine where the cache of firearms

00:08:31 and ammunition seized in a forested area

00:08:33 in Santa Cruz on Wednesday originated.

00:08:36 Many of the weapons including AR-15s, M16s

00:08:41 and Uzi submachine guns had their registration numbers

00:08:45 removed or tampered with.

00:08:47 This could hinder the ability of law enforcement

00:08:49 to trace the origin of a guns,

00:08:51 a senior police official told the Express yesterday.

00:08:54 However, some of the weapons had visible numbers

00:08:57 and from initial checks,

00:08:59 police believe the weapons came from United States

00:09:02 and Latin America.

00:09:04 And you know, there's the view

00:09:05 or the find was so substantial

00:09:11 and the types of weapons,

00:09:16 how do I say?

00:09:19 So powerful that the police,

00:09:23 after they found it,

00:09:27 believe that these weapons are for a particular purpose

00:09:31 and I'm sure that they will speak more about it

00:09:34 maybe in the next few days,

00:09:36 but it was a very significant find.

00:09:39 So Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley is damn annoyed

00:09:42 with how the judicial system is granted bail

00:09:45 to those charged with serious crimes

00:09:49 in a wide ranging contribution to the budget debate

00:09:51 in the parliamentary chamber of the Red House yesterday.

00:09:54 The Prime Minister also rubbished

00:09:56 the United National Congress' community comfort patrol idea

00:10:00 saying it was hard to tell whether it was bandit or priest

00:10:05 driving in the nation's neighborhoods.

00:10:09 He said he was looking forward to meeting

00:10:11 with the opposition leader to discuss crime matters

00:10:14 to see what comes out of it,

00:10:16 but he says, "I am not holding my breath."

00:10:20 Yeah?

00:10:21 Kamala PM take over from Hines,

00:10:25 opposition leader Kamala Pasabi Sesser yesterday

00:10:27 called on Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley

00:10:29 to assume the post of National Security Minister

00:10:32 and replace the current minister Fitzgerald Hines.

00:10:37 All right, so some of the stories

00:10:38 in the Daily Express today, get your copy, all right?

00:10:43 So the Ministry of Education has had enough

00:10:45 and is now promising to deal

00:10:48 with violence at the nation's schools.

00:10:50 Now, this assurance has come from education minister,

00:10:54 Nian Gadsby-Dawley.

00:10:56 Of course, she was speaking during her contribution

00:11:00 to the budget debate.

00:11:01 Let's hear what she has to say.

00:11:03 - Power social media, Madam Speaker,

00:11:10 has made it impossible to ignore the fact

00:11:13 that we have a problem with our young people.

00:11:16 Too many of them, now the majority of our students

00:11:18 are in school doing what they're supposed to do, you know?

00:11:20 But we have too many students who are violent,

00:11:24 disrespectful, addicted to drugs and marijuana,

00:11:27 gang members, completely uninterested in education

00:11:32 and out of parental control.

00:11:35 Some parents are powerless to restrain their children.

00:11:38 And if a child has no fear for a parent,

00:11:41 they will have no care for a teacher.

00:11:43 And we are seeing that playing out more and more.

00:11:45 I want to say this to all parents and students,

00:11:50 that we have taken careful note

00:11:52 and we have given enough time for the return from COVID

00:11:55 and we have supported and we are helping.

00:11:57 But we have taken careful note of students

00:11:59 who are continually disruptive, violent,

00:12:02 disrespectful and out of control.

00:12:05 And there are provisions for the Minister of Education

00:12:08 to deal with it and we will take advantage

00:12:10 of all such provisions.

00:12:12 So I put parents and the students on notice.

00:12:16 - Okay, a strong statement there

00:12:18 from the Education Minister, Niaan Gadsby-Dawley,

00:12:21 on the violence at schools.

00:12:24 Of course, we have been seeing it all over social media

00:12:27 over the past few, I suspect I can say years

00:12:30 and more so in the past few weeks.

00:12:32 So we do have on the line at this time,

00:12:35 Tutor First Vice President, Mr. Adish Dwarka.

00:12:38 Mr. Dwarka, good morning.

00:12:40 - A pleasant good morning to you, Marlon.

00:12:42 A pleasant good morning to you as well.

00:12:44 - Well, Mr. Dwarka, I don't know about you,

00:12:47 but I was a bit surprised by some of the revelations

00:12:51 by the Education Minister.

00:12:53 What's your view on that?

00:12:56 - Well, it's actually, Marlon,

00:12:59 it is right in line with what I do as a teacher

00:13:02 because I've been an appointed dean

00:13:04 since the first set of deans were appointed, right?

00:13:07 So violence and dealing with indiscipline

00:13:10 and deviancy in school has been my thing

00:13:13 for the last 20 years.

00:13:14 So I'm familiar with the utterances of the minister.

00:13:18 Of course, Tutor, given the perspective of Tutor,

00:13:21 Tutor has been asking for the assistance

00:13:23 of the Minister of Education and the Ministry of Education

00:13:26 in dealing with the violence and the deviancy in schools

00:13:29 for the longest while.

00:13:30 So we appreciate the initiatives offered by the minister

00:13:34 and we look forward to working with her

00:13:36 so that we can plan properly

00:13:37 so that there is proper results

00:13:41 from whatever initiatives that we come up with.

00:13:44 - You're talking about drug addicts.

00:13:46 So the minister has spoken about drug addicts,

00:13:49 and she's speaking about gang members.

00:13:52 How widespread is the problem?

00:13:54 - Marlon, I can speak for,

00:13:57 I'm attached to the Arang Weston Secondary School.

00:13:59 It is one of the schools on the East-West Corridor.

00:14:02 And we, as a group of deans,

00:14:04 we would collaborate in terms of the issues

00:14:06 that we are having along neighboring schools.

00:14:09 And we would share information,

00:14:11 we would share strategies

00:14:12 in terms of how we can deal with those issues.

00:14:15 And when we have those discussions,

00:14:17 those kind of deviant behavior that the minister describes

00:14:21 are prominent in our discussions, right?

00:14:23 So we are familiar with the drugs in the schools.

00:14:26 We are familiar with the at-risk behaviors

00:14:29 in terms of violence and whatnot.

00:14:31 So we are familiar with those.

00:14:32 We have been working with the community policing

00:14:35 in the Sanwa, Baratara area,

00:14:37 also to get some assistance with dealing with those issues.

00:14:41 - But Mr. Dwarka, is this happening every day?

00:14:45 Is this an everyday occurrence?

00:14:48 - Well, it depends, Marlon,

00:14:49 in terms of the schools that we are looking at.

00:14:52 So it may not be prevalent in maybe South Trinidad.

00:14:55 It may not be prevalent in schools,

00:14:56 some of the schools in North Trinidad.

00:14:58 But we do have some at-risk schools

00:15:00 where violence and where we have

00:15:03 the gang infiltration has happened

00:15:05 because we are quite aware of the six

00:15:09 and the seven gang operating

00:15:10 all over the Sanwa, Labatula area,

00:15:11 that Baratara area there.

00:15:13 And they have some of the individuals,

00:15:16 some students who come to schools who have affiliation

00:15:20 because it is in their environment.

00:15:22 That is part of the environment, right?

00:15:24 And when they come to the schools,

00:15:26 it is very difficult sometimes for them to separate

00:15:29 what they learn from the gang

00:15:30 and what is happening in the school.

00:15:33 - But I'm just trying to find out

00:15:35 how does education happen, occur at these institutions

00:15:40 if you have the drugs

00:15:41 and you have the gang activity going on?

00:15:44 - Right, and Marlon, it all depends on the school

00:15:47 and the strength of the administrators and whatnot.

00:15:49 That is why the association has been lobbying

00:15:51 the minister and the ministry

00:15:53 to get some additional initiatives

00:15:54 because we have available the principal,

00:15:56 we have the availability of suspension,

00:15:58 we have the availability of applying

00:16:00 to the minister of education for extended suspension.

00:16:03 We have the ability of having conferences with parents

00:16:08 and with school supervision in order to deal with that.

00:16:10 However, sometimes it is necessary to have,

00:16:13 let's say for example,

00:16:14 crime symposiums within the school.

00:16:16 So we have the deviant behavior students,

00:16:19 those students with the deviant behaviors coming,

00:16:21 we have their parents attending

00:16:22 and we have members of the children's authority present,

00:16:26 we have members of the police service present,

00:16:28 we have members of the prison service present,

00:16:30 we have members of student support

00:16:32 so that we can give a holistic kind of discussion

00:16:37 so that the students understand their behavior

00:16:40 and we try to provide some kind of alternative for them.

00:16:42 However, we are working in a vacuum

00:16:44 in terms of consequences or major consequences, right?

00:16:48 And that is where we have been asking for some assistance

00:16:51 from the ministry of education

00:16:53 because take for example, suspension.

00:16:55 Some of these students suspension

00:16:58 really means a vacation at home

00:17:00 and the kind of remediation or the kind of reformation

00:17:03 that we would like to happen

00:17:05 from something like suspension doesn't usually occur, right?

00:17:09 And especially with the deviant students

00:17:11 and that is the concern that we have been having

00:17:13 and the challenge we have been having

00:17:14 with that measure that we have available to us.

00:17:18 - In fact, Mr. Dwarka,

00:17:19 because I know that it has been said before,

00:17:22 I can't remember who said it,

00:17:23 but someone in education said it,

00:17:26 that the suspension and even in some cases

00:17:31 when that student is removed from the student population,

00:17:36 it is seen as a badge of honor.

00:17:38 - Exactly, and they come in with a stripe

00:17:40 and they believe, well, okay,

00:17:41 and the suspension means nothing to them, right?

00:17:44 Now, of course we have the students who are willing to learn

00:17:47 and they are definitely learning

00:17:48 because when they hear about suspension,

00:17:50 it means something very significant

00:17:52 because they do not want to be a part of the school system,

00:17:54 they are losing out.

00:17:55 But for some of the deviant behavior ones, right?

00:17:59 It's a stripe and we can do this and we can do that

00:18:01 and I will go home and I will come back, right?

00:18:03 So therefore, any initiative, right?

00:18:07 Coming from the ministry

00:18:08 would be supported by the association,

00:18:10 especially if we have the opportunity

00:18:13 to partner with them in making it more meaningful

00:18:16 because any initiative,

00:18:17 we don't want another initiative coming

00:18:19 where it is similar to suspension

00:18:21 and the students see it as a stripe on their shoulder, right?

00:18:25 Just to move on, the initiatives must have consequences,

00:18:28 the initiatives must have the opportunity for transformation,

00:18:33 right, so that at the end of the initiative,

00:18:35 there is some change in the behavior,

00:18:37 or at least the foundation is laid

00:18:39 for a change in the behavior of the student

00:18:42 and not just a punitive measure

00:18:44 that is administered to the student

00:18:46 and then we go back to square one

00:18:48 after the measure has been implemented and completed.

00:18:52 - Principals, teachers, and in your case, deans,

00:18:57 are they equipped to deal with violence at schools?

00:19:01 - Some of us have additional training,

00:19:03 some of us, and those training were provided

00:19:05 basically on their own.

00:19:07 For example, we do have members of the teaching service

00:19:12 who have additional training.

00:19:13 For example, I'm a former prison officer,

00:19:15 so I would have left the prison service

00:19:17 and come into the education system

00:19:19 to assist with this kind of transformation, right?

00:19:22 And we have similar teachers

00:19:25 who would have had some kind of service

00:19:27 prior to coming into the service.

00:19:29 However, the majority of teachers

00:19:33 do not have this kind of ability to deal with them

00:19:36 and they need the relevant assistance from the deans,

00:19:39 from the school safety officers,

00:19:41 from the school administration,

00:19:43 and definitely from the Ministry of Education

00:19:45 to be able to deal with those deviant situations.

00:19:48 For example, we are all familiar with the viral video

00:19:52 and we would have seen that the female teacher was there,

00:19:54 right, and in terms of dealing with a situation like that,

00:19:58 I'm not too sure whether the teacher is able

00:20:01 to deal with situations like that,

00:20:03 apart from what she would have done,

00:20:05 just stand and listen and take the abuse.

00:20:08 And of course, after, do a report and what not,

00:20:11 and hope that the relevant personnel deal with the matter

00:20:14 so that she can go back to that classroom

00:20:16 and continue teaching.

00:20:18 - But Mr. Dwarka, I'm just trying to understand

00:20:21 this morning, how do deans operate?

00:20:24 Because I know when I was going to school,

00:20:27 it was a different environment when compared to now

00:20:30 in that the dean really had a lot of power at the schools.

00:20:35 We were definitely afraid of the dean

00:20:38 and in some cases, the dean would pull out his strap

00:20:41 and give you a two or three, right,

00:20:43 and send you to the principal's office

00:20:45 and that would be the end of it.

00:20:46 How are deans able to maneuver this treacherous environment

00:20:51 if I can call it that?

00:20:53 - Right, so what has to happen now, Marlon,

00:20:55 is that we need a lot of support.

00:20:56 So we need support from the administration

00:20:58 and we need support from parents

00:21:00 if we are to get any way in terms of assisting

00:21:03 and reforming these students.

00:21:05 So collaboration is one of the key.

00:21:07 And of course, not only collaboration, but discussion,

00:21:11 because as a dean, one of the major things

00:21:14 that we need to do is to have a discussion

00:21:16 with the students.

00:21:17 We need to understand them fully.

00:21:18 We need to develop a relationship with them

00:21:20 so that they begin to trust us,

00:21:22 that they begin to understand

00:21:23 that we have their best interests at heart

00:21:25 and that the advice and what we are giving to them

00:21:28 is for their best interests.

00:21:30 Now, that would obtain for, let's say, the majority

00:21:34 or some of the deviant students,

00:21:35 but of course, we have those who really don't want

00:21:39 to be a part of the school system, right?

00:21:41 And the basis for that is a number of issues.

00:21:45 One, they are sent by their parents.

00:21:47 One, it's an opportunity for them to come

00:21:50 and have fun and practice what they are doing

00:21:53 in their community in the school.

00:21:55 So there's a multiplicity of reasons.

00:21:57 And we have to look at what could be the root cause of it

00:22:01 and try to develop measures within our own school system

00:22:04 in order to deal with it.

00:22:05 For example, strategies that deans may use

00:22:08 in Napa-Rima College or in one of those other schools

00:22:12 where the deviancy is limited will not work in schools,

00:22:16 in upper schools in terms of the East-West Corridor

00:22:19 and other such schools.

00:22:20 So therefore, we have to be trying things

00:22:23 on a daily basis, on a weekly basis,

00:22:25 and coming up with different things.

00:22:27 That is why sometimes we enlist the assistance

00:22:30 of police officers, right, or from the children's authorities

00:22:34 so that they can come in and have discussions

00:22:36 with the students and let them know

00:22:38 these are the consequences.

00:22:39 Some of the things that deans try as well

00:22:41 is that they partner with the prison service

00:22:43 and they take students to various stores

00:22:46 at the youth training center

00:22:48 so that these young people can have a look

00:22:50 and see what really happens if you are convicted, right,

00:22:55 or if you are incarcerated, at least at the junior level.

00:22:58 And those are some of the things that we do, right,

00:23:01 to try to get some kind of change

00:23:03 and some kind of reformation for these students.

00:23:06 - Mr. Dwarka, we just have about two minutes again,

00:23:09 but the education minister would have spoken,

00:23:11 made two other announcements.

00:23:14 Out of many announcements in that,

00:23:16 in her contribution to the budget,

00:23:18 one of them was MILAT for girls,

00:23:20 because she says that more girls, young ladies,

00:23:23 are involving themselves in negative behavior.

00:23:26 And she also speaks about that maybe the time has come

00:23:29 for Trinidad and Tobago to have a discussion

00:23:32 on mandatory national service.

00:23:35 - Right, in response to that,

00:23:38 I was a part of the original MILAT when it started, right,

00:23:42 and there was a stigma attached to the MILAT

00:23:45 and the MIPAT program,

00:23:46 that only deviant students would go there,

00:23:48 and it's just for them to be disciplined and whatnot,

00:23:52 without understanding the full part of the program.

00:23:55 Now, we have the MILAT program

00:23:57 at the old teachers college that is located,

00:24:00 I think it's in Mousica Road.

00:24:02 That program has been oversubscribed,

00:24:04 because parents are now understanding the value

00:24:06 of putting their children in there,

00:24:08 apart from the discipline that is gonna be instilled

00:24:11 within the children that are there.

00:24:13 There is the academic part of the program as well, right?

00:24:16 And the parents are now actually begging teachers

00:24:20 to follow the requisite form

00:24:22 and to do the requisite recommendations

00:24:24 so that their children can go there now

00:24:28 so that they can be part of that program there.

00:24:31 So a MILAT for girls,

00:24:33 I think it is a welcome opportunity for those girls

00:24:36 who would like to have some kind of reformation.

00:24:38 And of course, it's a step in the direction

00:24:40 in terms of further education

00:24:42 for potential military service or employment

00:24:45 with Sydney Military Service and whatnot in the future.

00:24:48 So that is something that could be tried.

00:24:51 And I think based on the success

00:24:53 of the MILAT program for boys,

00:24:55 there we would have similar success

00:24:57 with that for the young ladies.

00:24:59 - Mandatory National Service?

00:25:01 - Mandatory National Service is an opportunity,

00:25:04 apart from the reformation and the transformation

00:25:06 that we would like in our young people

00:25:09 to have to be good and productive members of society.

00:25:12 It provides also an opportunity for them

00:25:14 to aspire for employment within the business service,

00:25:17 the public service, the fire service,

00:25:19 and of course the defense force services as well.

00:25:22 So that's an opportunity,

00:25:23 and we see it as an opportunity for the young people

00:25:26 to look forward to so that they can be part

00:25:28 of being a productive member of society.

00:25:30 - Yeah, Tutor Vice President, Alish Dwarka,

00:25:33 so it was a pleasure speaking with you this morning.

00:25:35 Thank you very much for your views.

00:25:37 - Thank you very much, Malan,

00:25:38 for giving me the opportunity

00:25:40 to share the views of the association.

00:25:42 - Absolutely, sir.

00:25:43 Thank you very much.

00:25:43 Until we meet again, until we speak again, yeah?

00:25:46 So we are going to a very short break.

00:25:47 We are coming back.

00:25:48 (upbeat music)

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00:26:56 (upbeat music)

00:27:00 (upbeat music)

00:27:02 (gentle music)

00:27:17 - I'm I, I cool, I rather.

00:27:22 I try to be invisible when they reach home,

00:27:27 but they see me, they always see me.

00:27:29 Oh, how are my parents?

00:27:31 They're doing great, everybody's well.

00:27:34 I have bruises and marks that I have to make up stories about

00:27:37 when people ask.

00:27:39 What they say?

00:27:39 I fall off my bike, you know what it is?

00:27:42 They beat me up and I'm tired of lying.

00:27:45 Once, just once, I want to say no, I'm not fine.

00:27:50 Please someone, just help me.

00:27:52 (gentle music)

00:27:55 (gentle music)

00:27:57 - Children have rights.

00:28:08 (gentle music)

00:28:10 (gentle music)

00:28:18 (gentle music)

00:28:20 ♪ Where you go ♪

00:28:32 ♪ Have your certificate to show ♪

00:28:36 ♪ To enjoy any kind of happiness ♪

00:28:41 ♪ Knowledge is the key to success ♪

00:28:46 ♪ Children go to school and learn well ♪

00:28:48 - And welcome back everyone.

00:28:50 Well, there are rumblings of protest

00:28:51 at the St. Augustine campus

00:28:53 of the University of the West Indies.

00:28:55 Today, we do have on the line at this time,

00:28:57 Dr. Indira Rampersad.

00:28:58 Dr. Rampersad, good morning.

00:29:00 - Hi, good morning, Roland.

00:29:02 - Morning. - Morning, viewers.

00:29:04 - Well, doctor, I suspect that the protest

00:29:07 is being linked to negotiations.

00:29:09 - The protest is about negotiations,

00:29:13 better salaries, better allowances.

00:29:16 Respect, recognition of the work

00:29:19 that the university staff does,

00:29:22 the academic, senior, administrative

00:29:24 and professional staff.

00:29:25 You know, we are being ignored

00:29:28 in a way that we're not comfortable with,

00:29:31 we're not happy with, we're not pleased with.

00:29:33 So basically, negotiations have reached a deadlock,

00:29:37 has broken down as far as we are concerned,

00:29:41 because the principal claims

00:29:43 she is trying to meet with the minister of finance,

00:29:47 'cause there seems to have been some kind of tussle

00:29:50 between the minister of education

00:29:52 and the chief personnel officer

00:29:54 as to who is really responsible for this.

00:29:57 Traditionally, it has been the minister,

00:29:59 the line minister is the minister of education,

00:30:02 but now we're hearing that really,

00:30:05 the principal would be engaging

00:30:08 or would like to engage the minister of finance,

00:30:11 been waiting on a meeting since August

00:30:13 and that has not happened.

00:30:15 And so we have no clue what is going on

00:30:18 because we categorically rejected the 2%

00:30:20 that was offered for the triennium 2014-2017.

00:30:25 And this is the period we are negotiating for

00:30:27 and none other.

00:30:29 So the staff categorically rejected that

00:30:32 and the membership met on September 29th

00:30:35 and overwhelmingly decided to take the drastic action

00:30:39 that we now have to take.

00:30:41 And I can outline to you some of these measures.

00:30:45 - Of course.

00:30:46 - Basically, the shutdown of the campus,

00:30:49 we're not going to be submitting our final exam papers,

00:30:53 which are due in the first week of November.

00:30:56 And we are shutting down the activities

00:31:00 of all the libraries,

00:31:02 which is the main library and other subsidiary libraries.

00:31:05 We have our library at the Mount Hope Medical Center,

00:31:08 the human resource division,

00:31:10 the registry, marketing and communication,

00:31:12 the bookstore, the student services,

00:31:15 division of facilities management,

00:31:16 the offices of the principal and the deputy principal,

00:31:19 settle, spec, graduate studies, examination sections,

00:31:23 admissions, business development office or STACY,

00:31:27 all other campus departments, centers and institutes.

00:31:31 We also plan in the boycott all meetings,

00:31:34 departmental faculty meetings, graduation ceremony,

00:31:38 prize giving ceremony, committee meetings.

00:31:40 And so the members have been engaged in this action

00:31:43 for the last two weeks.

00:31:45 Today, which is Black Friday,

00:31:47 we are going to now launch,

00:31:49 it's October outburst,

00:31:50 but within that October outburst is a Black Friday frenzy,

00:31:55 which we are going to launch today.

00:31:58 We'll be marching around the campus,

00:32:00 hoping to meet with the campus principal at 12 noon.

00:32:03 - All right.

00:32:04 So Dr. Rampersad, that action begins today.

00:32:07 How long are you all planning to continue for?

00:32:11 - The action began two weeks ago.

00:32:14 - Yes.

00:32:15 - So we're planning to continue this

00:32:18 until we are given our due respect

00:32:21 and our just dues with regard to a reasonable

00:32:24 and acceptable remit.

00:32:26 We are going to continue the action until then.

00:32:28 That is the decision that the membership has so far taken.

00:32:31 We are guided, the executive of WIGOT,

00:32:34 we are guided by the membership.

00:32:36 - Yeah.

00:32:37 Doctor, I'm just trying to understand,

00:32:39 you're saying that this has been happening

00:32:41 for a few weeks now.

00:32:42 So has the protest been sporadic or has it been continuous?

00:32:47 - Well, when the protest involves all those activities,

00:32:51 I just mentioned the inaction, right?

00:32:54 But the actual protest, the actual march is today,

00:32:57 and there will be more of them

00:32:59 unless they come with something better.

00:33:03 So it's ongoing.

00:33:05 Like I said, it's like no system support.

00:33:08 We were trying to shut down the entire system,

00:33:12 entire UEE system, okay?

00:33:14 Systems and operations of the university.

00:33:16 And ultimately and unfortunately,

00:33:20 the students' exams are going to be affected,

00:33:23 but nobody's listening to us.

00:33:25 There's deadlock, okay?

00:33:27 Campus principals,

00:33:28 I should have been trying to meet for the longest while.

00:33:30 Campus administration,

00:33:32 they are also quite frustrated.

00:33:35 The attrition rate on the campus right now

00:33:40 amongst the academic staff is 22%.

00:33:43 Very, very worrying.

00:33:44 The principal mentioned this in an interview

00:33:47 two nights ago in your news, the NC3 News.

00:33:51 It is very, very worrying that the academic staff

00:33:53 are now packing up and leaving

00:33:55 because they just cannot make ends meet.

00:33:58 This is part of the chant.

00:33:59 - Yeah, but Dr. Rampersad,

00:34:01 what about the parents who may be looking at us this morning

00:34:04 and may say that the action by your members

00:34:08 seems to be drastic?

00:34:10 - Well, we agree it is drastic.

00:34:13 We would agree with the parents there,

00:34:14 but we think many of the parents

00:34:16 are in the same position we are in,

00:34:19 particularly when you look at the rising cost of living

00:34:21 and transportation, diesel, premium gasoline, super gasoline,

00:34:26 food, including fish, milk, egg, and cheese,

00:34:28 bread and cereal prices, basic cooking materials,

00:34:32 cooking oil, food prices, vegetable prices,

00:34:34 all escalated and every parent out there

00:34:36 is feeling it today.

00:34:37 All right?

00:34:39 What labor is being treated with disdain

00:34:42 and disrespect in this country,

00:34:44 and this cannot continue.

00:34:47 The university is expected to fund,

00:34:50 you know, some of these increases,

00:34:54 which were not acceptable anyway, the 2%,

00:34:57 and the university is claiming

00:34:59 that it's been cut for the last eight years and cannot,

00:35:02 by any means, fund it.

00:35:04 So they don't have the money to fund salaries nor back pay.

00:35:08 The government has to disburse those funds,

00:35:10 and I repeat, and categorically,

00:35:12 so that this is a publicly funded university

00:35:16 by contributing territories of the region

00:35:20 to the UWI, the University of the West Indies.

00:35:23 Okay, the same obtains for the other campuses

00:35:26 in Barbados, in Jamaica, in Antigua,

00:35:30 and the open campus, now the global campus.

00:35:33 - Dr. Rampersad, could you please remind us

00:35:35 what exactly are you all asking for?

00:35:38 - We are asking for a better remit, Marlon.

00:35:42 The figure is to be negotiated depending on how it comes,

00:35:46 and it's also guided by the membership.

00:35:48 So that's not something I can state here.

00:35:50 Something that is better, something that is reasonable,

00:35:52 something that is acceptable,

00:35:54 something that can help us meet the rise in inflation

00:35:57 from 2014 to now, so that we can make ends meet,

00:36:02 something that we can live with,

00:36:05 something that we can live with,

00:36:07 something that can help us to survive in this environment.

00:36:10 - Yeah, what has been the impact on the student population?

00:36:14 Are you all, and also, are you all getting

00:36:16 the support of students?

00:36:18 Because I know this may have a negative impact

00:36:23 on their education.

00:36:24 - We met with the student guild body,

00:36:28 that was last week, Monday.

00:36:29 We asked for solidarity for our cause,

00:36:33 not necessarily our individual actions,

00:36:37 or specific actions, but for the cause,

00:36:39 the cause of exactly this,

00:36:42 that not having received an increase in salary

00:36:44 from 2014 to now, the fact that we have to live

00:36:48 on our cake salaries, our cake allowances,

00:36:53 we asked for solidarity with our cause.

00:36:58 They said they will get back to us,

00:36:59 so we are still waiting on them.

00:37:02 - All right, Dr. Raposad, what's the next step?

00:37:05 - The next step is to escalate the action, Marlon.

00:37:09 Like we said, the no submission of my acts was,

00:37:13 sorry, exam papers, was escalated this week.

00:37:18 If there are no exam papers, there may be no exams.

00:37:23 Okay, so while the various parties in the government

00:37:26 are discussing or disputing,

00:37:30 or trying to understand who is in charge,

00:37:33 our members are suffering.

00:37:35 Something has to be done now,

00:37:37 something has to be done immediately,

00:37:39 and that is what this action is all about,

00:37:41 a speedy resolution to this crisis.

00:37:44 We have negotiated in good faith, all good faith.

00:37:48 Last semester, we went, submitted the exam papers,

00:37:51 we even entered the marks,

00:37:53 the students were able to complete their degrees.

00:37:58 Many are going to be graduating in October

00:38:01 if the graduation comes off at the end of this month, right?

00:38:04 Because we got this,

00:38:05 it's also intended to boycott the graduations.

00:38:08 But we are hoping, Marlon,

00:38:10 we are still having some optimism,

00:38:13 but the members are extremely anxious

00:38:15 and are very frustrated

00:38:17 that there is going to be a speedy resolution

00:38:20 to this crisis.

00:38:22 - And Dr. Buell, have considered the impact

00:38:25 on the student population?

00:38:27 - We certainly have, and the student is not our target.

00:38:31 We're not specifically targeting negative impact

00:38:33 to our students.

00:38:34 That is not our purpose,

00:38:36 and we have explained that to them.

00:38:38 We have explained that to them in no uncertain terms.

00:38:42 Our action is directed at the powers that be.

00:38:46 Our employer is the University of the West Indies,

00:38:49 headed by the principal at the St. Augustine campus.

00:38:53 We represent the St. Augustine campus

00:38:55 and the global campus, which was the open campus.

00:38:58 Okay, our action have no means,

00:39:00 no means directed at our student,

00:39:02 because we are teaching.

00:39:03 Marlon, the one thing we decided we would do

00:39:06 so that our students wouldn't suffer that detriment

00:39:09 and a great extent is that the teaching

00:39:12 and learning process continues during the action.

00:39:15 - All right.

00:39:16 - But that can also be affected

00:39:19 if we don't get some positive reaction,

00:39:23 traction to this impasse.

00:39:25 - Dr. Rampersad, it's always a pleasure speaking with you.

00:39:28 Thank you very much.

00:39:29 - Thank you so much for having me, Marlon.

00:39:31 - All right. - It's my pleasure as well.

00:39:32 Bye-bye.

00:39:33 So it's time for a quick break.

00:39:35 We're coming back.

00:39:36 ♪ Don't speak so deep and freedom don't come cheap ♪

00:39:39 ♪ We're else in the world you know ♪

00:39:42 ♪ Jump high then wind down low ♪

00:39:44 ♪ And if you don't get on so they watch you, Siri ♪

00:39:48 ♪ Now leave it ♪

00:39:50 ♪ Now leave it ♪

00:39:52 ♪ It's here where you can see me ♪

00:39:54 ♪ It's here I go there ♪

00:39:57 - Colgate Total gives you a superior antibacterial protection

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00:40:41 ♪ Do you remember ♪

00:40:43 ♪ Who don't ♪

00:40:44 ♪ Don't we better love ♪

00:40:45 ♪ Do you remember the time ♪

00:40:47 ♪ I could hide your love again ♪

00:40:50 ♪ Do you remember ♪

00:40:52 ♪ Who don't ♪

00:40:53 ♪ Don't we better love ♪

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00:40:56 ♪ I could hide your love again ♪

00:40:59 ♪ Do you remember the time ♪

00:41:01 ♪ I didn't know ♪

00:41:02 ♪ Don't we better love ♪

00:41:03 - The 2023 Jazz Concert Series

00:41:06 for the Holy Trinity Cathedral Restoration Project

00:41:08 is going down South.

00:41:10 Saturday, October 21st, 7 p.m. at Sapphire.

00:41:13 South's first lady of jazz, Fonette Bigford,

00:41:16 welcomes steel pan virtuoso, Dr. Ray Holman,

00:41:19 ace musician, Leston Paul,

00:41:21 and the legendary brother, Valentino.

00:41:24 Tickets go on sale at the Sapphire box office

00:41:26 Thursday, September 28th, online at suntics.com/events

00:41:31 or call 288-TIXX or Sapphire box office 219-7272

00:41:36 extension 6015.

00:41:39 General seating 200, VIP 300.

00:41:43 A night of great music for a great cause.

00:41:46 See you at Sapphire.

00:41:47 (gentle piano music)

00:41:54 - Man to man, domestic violence is a real thing.

00:41:58 Even if you and your partner are living together,

00:42:00 under the law, you won't qualify for an order of protection.

00:42:05 But that doesn't mean that police or service providers

00:42:09 or even courts can't still help you

00:42:12 when we are working to make them do better every day.

00:42:15 Get help.

00:42:18 Get your friends help.

00:42:19 Get help to stop.

00:42:21 Call CADV.

00:42:23 There are options.

00:42:24 (upbeat music)

00:42:31 (dramatic music)

00:42:34 Maybe you could afford to pay up to $22,500 in fines

00:42:59 and lose your license permanently.

00:43:01 No?

00:43:02 Then don't drink and drive.

00:43:04 - A message from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

00:43:09 (upbeat music)

00:43:13 (singing in foreign language)

00:43:18 (singing in foreign language)

00:43:22 (singing in foreign language)

00:43:26 (singing in foreign language)

00:43:48 (singing in foreign language)

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00:44:25 (singing in foreign language)

00:44:29 (singing in foreign language)

00:44:43 (singing in foreign language)

00:44:47 - All right, everybody.

00:45:06 So welcome back.

00:45:07 We are talking about caregiving for the elderly now,

00:45:09 and there's a conference that is coming up

00:45:12 very, very shortly.

00:45:13 We do have our managing coordinator, Tamika Alfred,

00:45:16 and we do have also Ms. Asha Munger.

00:45:19 Ladies, thank you very much for coming this morning.

00:45:21 - Good morning, and thank you for having us.

00:45:22 - Yes.

00:45:23 Ms. Munger, let's begin with you.

00:45:25 Why is this conference so important at this time?

00:45:28 - Well, November's National Family Caregivers Month,

00:45:31 so we try to have our conference and expo

00:45:34 as close to it as possible.

00:45:36 This is a critical time.

00:45:40 A lot of families, a lot of persons are taking care

00:45:43 of their elderly loved ones,

00:45:45 and we find that they do not have that support.

00:45:48 They do not have the information,

00:45:50 so a lot of times, when you get that call,

00:45:53 like mom fell and she has hip surgery

00:45:55 and she gets back home, what do you do?

00:45:58 Where do you go?

00:45:59 Who do you call?

00:46:00 So this is a forum where people can come and get educated,

00:46:04 and you don't necessarily have to be taking care

00:46:06 of someone right now, but it's information

00:46:09 that I think the public should be aware of

00:46:12 for if and when that time comes.

00:46:14 - Ms. Alfred, who's the conference for?

00:46:18 - The conference really focuses on family caregivers

00:46:22 as well as professional caregivers,

00:46:24 giving them an opportunity to connect

00:46:27 with different persons throughout the Republic

00:46:29 of Trinidad and Tobago that can help them

00:46:31 to properly care for the ones that they would love

00:46:34 to care for effectively.

00:46:36 So it covers a wide range of services available

00:46:39 between corporate as well as small businesses,

00:46:42 bringing together a holistic approach to quality care.

00:46:45 - Yeah.

00:46:46 Is it that the conference tries to put a bit of structure

00:46:51 to the way that the elderly is being taken care of?

00:46:56 Because you know, it has always been done

00:46:59 in a sort of ad hoc way, right?

00:47:01 So is that also the aim, to put a level of education

00:47:05 and structure in place?

00:47:06 - Definitely, definitely.

00:47:08 We have persons who are offering products, services.

00:47:13 We have agencies, we have senior homes,

00:47:17 we have corporate that's coming on board

00:47:20 with nutritional items that you can use.

00:47:23 So you have different tiers of services and products

00:47:28 that will help you and guide you along.

00:47:30 So you may have a parent who is still very active,

00:47:34 maybe living alone, but can still do everything.

00:47:37 So you have maybe supplements that can keep them going,

00:47:42 nutritional information.

00:47:44 They may need a walker.

00:47:46 There will be persons with physiotherapy there as well,

00:47:49 being able to advise you and you can probably sign up

00:47:52 for some additional classes to keep them,

00:47:56 their stability levels, you know,

00:47:58 so that they have a better quality of life.

00:48:00 And then you may have persons who may require hospital bed.

00:48:03 So we try to make the information flow

00:48:06 from assisted living straight to being

00:48:10 fully dependent on care.

00:48:12 - Yeah.

00:48:13 Let's look at the rollout, Ms. Alfred,

00:48:16 of this conference on the day itself.

00:48:19 How is this going to roll out?

00:48:21 - Well, to be honest, we have a bit of a sneak preview

00:48:25 of our app launching on that day,

00:48:28 'cause we're trying to get this as something

00:48:30 that is very easy to interact with.

00:48:34 So we're promoting our magazine,

00:48:36 promoting our app, leading into having

00:48:38 all of these exhibitors available.

00:48:40 Persons could just walk right in.

00:48:42 It is absolutely free to the public.

00:48:44 So there is no need to think of you not being able

00:48:48 to have access to the space.

00:48:50 And to be quite honest,

00:48:51 even if you are not yet caring for someone,

00:48:54 this is the opportunity for you to come in,

00:48:57 interact with all of these persons.

00:48:59 Feel free to flow openly throughout this space

00:49:02 and learn, grow together as one.

00:49:05 - Yeah.

00:49:06 Ms. Mungall, date and time?

00:49:08 - It's Saturday, the 28th of October

00:49:11 at the Center of Excellence,

00:49:12 Terrania Hall, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

00:49:15 - Is there also going to be an opportunity,

00:49:18 and I think that you did allude to that,

00:49:21 that when people come,

00:49:23 they are not only exposed to equipment

00:49:27 and medication and so on,

00:49:29 but they do get the opportunity to speak with people

00:49:34 and so that the persons there,

00:49:37 the stakeholders there can impart some level of education

00:49:41 to the relatives of the elderly and so on.

00:49:43 - Oh yes, definitely.

00:49:45 We are trying to have a conference part to it

00:49:50 where we do a little bit of basic training on that day.

00:49:56 So we would have breakout sessions happening

00:49:59 during the course of the day,

00:50:01 talking about maybe lifting techniques, how to,

00:50:04 because some persons, you have the opportunity

00:50:07 to have a caregiver maybe during the daytime,

00:50:10 but at night, you still have to take care of mom,

00:50:13 help her off the bed, you may have to tune her,

00:50:15 you may have to change her.

00:50:16 So this is information that we're going to be sharing.

00:50:18 And of course, most of the exhibitors there,

00:50:22 we have other agencies there as well

00:50:24 who can add levels of information

00:50:27 on how to care for a loved one.

00:50:30 - What are some of the, Ms. Alfred,

00:50:33 what are some of the major challenges

00:50:37 still affecting the elderly in Trinidad and Tobago?

00:50:40 - I believe at this point, some of the most concerning

00:50:45 challenges that our elderly experience

00:50:47 is that they are alone a lot of the time.

00:50:49 They spend a lot of time alone.

00:50:51 And being alone is not always great for the elderly

00:50:55 due to the fact that they tend to experience

00:50:58 a lot of challenges and not have someone to lean on.

00:51:02 So what we are trying to really do

00:51:04 is prevent them spending too much time alone

00:51:09 by helping them if it's that they needed

00:51:11 the assistance of a caregiver,

00:51:12 or if their family now get the proper information

00:51:15 and understanding of what should be done

00:51:18 to prevent some of the experiences that they would have.

00:51:21 - You feel that in Trinidad and Tobago,

00:51:24 there is a level of expertise

00:51:29 when dealing with elderly people,

00:51:33 and how easy is it to tap into that expertise?

00:51:38 - There's a level of expertise,

00:51:42 but I think there's a lot more to be done.

00:51:45 The accessibility to the information is not there.

00:51:49 And this is one main reason why we are having,

00:51:53 this is our second annual conference.

00:51:55 And as Ms. Alfred had mentioned,

00:51:58 on the day we are launching our app,

00:52:00 which is downloadable for free.

00:52:02 So persons locally and internationally

00:52:05 can have access to the information.

00:52:07 We have our family caregivers guide,

00:52:10 which is a how to go to book

00:52:14 that we will be giving out for free on that day.

00:52:16 And it's also available on the app

00:52:18 together with something called our pink pages,

00:52:21 list of pharmacies and stuff,

00:52:23 because when you're caring for elderly, Marlon,

00:52:25 every cent counts, every cent counts.

00:52:28 And we are trying to work together with corporates,

00:52:32 small, medium, large enterprises

00:52:35 to offer discounts to persons,

00:52:37 and you can get our CSSL discount card as well for free.

00:52:40 So this is our give back,

00:52:42 where we can create that support mechanism

00:52:45 because you are really lost

00:52:47 when you have to take care of an elderly,

00:52:50 even if it's your spouse or your child, you know.

00:52:52 The support is there,

00:52:56 but tapping into it and knowing where to go,

00:52:59 that is what we don't have.

00:53:00 - Yeah.

00:53:01 Ms. Alfred, there has always,

00:53:03 there has also been another issue

00:53:06 on how to pick the right home,

00:53:10 because we have heard about horror stories in the past,

00:53:13 and I'm sure that some of them are going on right now.

00:53:16 So how do we,

00:53:18 and I'm talking about the relatives of the elderly,

00:53:20 try to pick the right home?

00:53:22 - I must say that the right home for your elderly loved one

00:53:28 may not necessarily be the right home

00:53:29 for my elderly loved one.

00:53:31 So based on the needs of that particular person,

00:53:35 when you are going out into homes,

00:53:37 don't just go to one space, you know.

00:53:40 Go to different ones, fill out the space, ask questions,

00:53:44 find out about their procedures for care,

00:53:46 find out about their procedures for emergencies.

00:53:48 Do they have a doctor available on call?

00:53:52 Do they have procedures in place for if something happens?

00:53:56 You know, what are their routines on a day-to-day basis?

00:54:01 Who are the persons that you should be in contact with?

00:54:04 Look at the way the nurses treat with the patients

00:54:06 that are already present in this space.

00:54:09 You know, have open conversations.

00:54:11 Do not be afraid to ask questions.

00:54:13 But is there an opportunity, or should I say,

00:54:16 is there an agency in Trinidad and Tobago

00:54:19 that would vet the home?

00:54:21 Is there somewhere that I can go

00:54:24 to see a review of the home?

00:54:26 - Well, there is a division of aging

00:54:29 that you can continue conversations with,

00:54:31 and there are a list of registered homes.

00:54:35 - Yes.

00:54:36 - So you can start there and have the conversations,

00:54:39 and the list of registered homes should be available

00:54:43 so that maybe you can start to streamline from that,

00:54:46 because of course they would have gone through

00:54:48 due diligence in order to get approved.

00:54:51 And that might be the better opportunity

00:54:54 where conversations can start.

00:54:56 - Yeah.

00:54:57 Let me stop jogging your old minds.

00:54:59 I know you just came to speak about the conference,

00:55:01 so let's get back to the conference, right?

00:55:03 Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about it?

00:55:06 - Well, I believe this conference is something

00:55:08 that I must say is not only for persons

00:55:11 that are focused on caring for someone right now.

00:55:14 If you are preparing even for your own self post-retirement,

00:55:19 what are your next steps?

00:55:20 What are your options?

00:55:22 How would your life be after you are no longer part

00:55:25 of the general working force?

00:55:27 This is also a space that you can come in

00:55:29 and learn so much.

00:55:31 It is fitting for the entire family.

00:55:33 Everyone should come out and participate.

00:55:35 We have games and activities and all of that

00:55:37 even open for the kids as well.

00:55:40 So it's a wonderful experience.

00:55:42 Come and enjoy.

00:55:43 - Do I have to register?

00:55:45 - Oh no, it's absolutely free.

00:55:47 You just come in 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

00:55:49 We welcome one and all.

00:55:51 - Yeah.

00:55:52 Ladies, it was a pleasure speaking with you all this morning.

00:55:55 I had to ask some of those questions

00:55:57 because I think that I've had some experience

00:56:00 with some of the homes and the elderly and so on.

00:56:02 So that's the reason why I had you answering

00:56:05 all of these questions this morning.

00:56:06 - No problem.

00:56:08 - Thank you very much for the information

00:56:10 because I think that you all are right.

00:56:13 When choosing a home or when dealing with the elderly,

00:56:16 some people just don't know how to deal with it.

00:56:19 And I'm sure that this morning the information

00:56:21 that you have given has shed some light

00:56:24 on some of the darkened areas.

00:56:26 So again, thank you very much.

00:56:27 - You're very welcome.

00:56:28 Thanks for having us.

00:56:29 - Miss Alfred is smiling, so that's a good sign.

00:56:31 All right, so we are going to a very short break.

00:56:34 We're coming back, everybody.

00:56:36 (upbeat music)

00:56:38 (upbeat music)

00:56:42 - Join our culinary journey

00:56:43 as Fatima Old Boys Association presents

00:56:46 Fatima Food Fest, Oktoberfest, Saturday, 14th October.

00:56:50 100 top chefs showcasing an array of food and desserts

00:56:53 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

00:56:55 With an open bar and live entertainment until 11 p.m.

00:56:58 Tickets are $400 all inclusive

00:57:00 with all proceeds supporting education at Fatima College.

00:57:03 Get yours at the Great Pocket Store at Fatima College

00:57:06 or any FOBA committee member.

00:57:08 Children friendly, so bring the whole family.

00:57:10 For details, call 628-4735.

00:57:14 - Cipriani College, it's your turn.

00:57:16 Bacchanal bubble on bad behavior is here.

00:57:19 - Henry stole $2 million.

00:57:21 - Nice guy, he's the last.

00:57:22 - The hilarious Bacchanal bubble on bad behavior

00:57:25 comes to Cipriani College on Saturday, 14th October

00:57:27 at 8.30 p.m. and Sunday, 15th at 6.30 p.m.

00:57:30 - Police! - Police!

00:57:31 - Sergeant Alexander Rogers, Portisby, NCID.

00:57:34 - Tickets available at our usual outlets.

00:57:36 Check social media and press for further details.

00:57:39 - More police! - What?

00:57:40 - Detective Sergeant Hayward, Canupia Police.

00:57:43 - Oh God.

00:57:44 - Had sinned.

00:57:47 Every man had sinned and come short of the glory of God.

00:57:50 So no ordinary man could have died for man.

00:57:53 God's design, God's not changed.

00:57:55 It expresses His fullness of joy.

00:57:58 Hallelujah.

00:57:59 It expresses His healing.

00:58:02 Hallelujah.

00:58:03 Hallelujah.

00:58:04 (gentle music)

00:58:10 (bells jingling)

00:58:12 (gentle music)

00:58:15 (bells jingling)

00:58:22 (gentle music)

00:58:31 (gentle music)

00:58:39 (bells jingling)

00:58:42 (gentle music)

00:58:46 (bells jingling)

00:58:55 (gentle music)

00:59:01 (bells jingling)

00:59:07 (gentle music)

00:59:10 (upbeat music)

00:59:18 - Good morning, I am Anselm Gibbs with a news update.

00:59:27 Prime Minister Rowley is congratulating the police service

00:59:31 after what the police commissioner describes

00:59:34 as the largest seizure of illegal firearms

00:59:38 in this country's history.

00:59:40 - Those 50 caliber weapons, Madam Speaker,

00:59:44 are a threat not to people or to gangs, you know.

00:59:48 They are a threat to the state of Trinidad and Tobago.

00:59:51 (guns firing)

00:59:53 And you have to ask yourself, whose sons and daughters

00:59:57 and nephews and boyfriends, who are these people

01:00:00 who are bringing these things into this country

01:00:03 and for what purpose?

01:00:05 - The opposition leader wants the Prime Minister

01:00:10 to take on the role of Minister of National Security.

01:00:15 - Criminals have no fear of the authorities

01:00:17 and no respect for the hopeless leadership

01:00:20 of the National Security Minister, Mr. Gerald Hines,

01:00:24 nor of the Prime Minister

01:00:26 as head of the National Security Council.

01:00:29 The attempt to kill Mr. Bush suggests

01:00:31 that organized criminal gangs like Bowman,

01:00:34 they think they could train their high-powered guns

01:00:36 and top officers of law enforcement and illegal capture.

01:00:40 - And in the weather forecast,

01:00:44 both islands can expect hot and sunny conditions,

01:00:47 which may be interrupted by cloudy conditions

01:00:50 and an isolated shower.

01:00:53 There's a low chance of the earth thunderstorm

01:00:56 favoring western and hilly areas of Trinidad this afternoon.

01:01:01 A hot spell-alert yellow level is in effect.

01:01:04 Temperatures are expected to climb to 34 degrees Celsius

01:01:08 in Trinidad and 33 in Tobago.

01:01:12 Seas will be slight to moderate,

01:01:13 with waves up to one and a half meters in height

01:01:17 in open waters and below one meter,

01:01:19 but occasionally choppy in sheltered areas.

01:01:23 A hazardous-seas-alert yellow level is in effect.

01:01:27 (upbeat music)

01:01:30 - Calling steel pan enthusiasts from around the globe.

01:01:35 The Patrons of the Arts Foundation,

01:01:37 in collaboration with the University of Trinidad and Tobago,

01:01:40 presents the 13th edition of its Artistic Bursary 2023.

01:01:45 This is your opportunity to pursue tertiary-level study

01:01:49 in the steel pan at the world's premier steel pan academy,

01:01:53 the University of Trinidad and Tobago.

01:01:56 The top three finalists will share the US $10,000

01:01:59 in prize money that will go towards accommodation,

01:02:03 course materials, travel, and other related expenses

01:02:06 of the pan fellowship diploma or bachelor of fine arts degree.

01:02:11 Be fully immersed in the culture, geography,

01:02:14 and history of the birthplace of the steel pan.

01:02:17 The final round will be a globally televised

01:02:21 live audience event.

01:02:22 For more information, visit patronstt.com/bursary.

01:02:27 Applications close on 31st, October, 2023.

01:02:32 (upbeat music)

01:02:34 (upbeat music)

01:02:37 - Beyond the Tape, weekdays at 5.30 p.m.

01:03:00 - Hello, I'm Peter.

01:03:04 An Englishman living in Trinidad for many, many years.

01:03:07 I've come to love this country

01:03:08 because of the warm-hearted people,

01:03:10 their diverse culture, the fantastic food,

01:03:13 and of course, the great weather.

01:03:15 A few years ago, I came across Habitat,

01:03:17 and boy, oh boy, this is what the country needs.

01:03:19 At Habitat, they work alongside families

01:03:21 to give them a better life,

01:03:23 providing more opportunities for families,

01:03:24 especially the children.

01:03:26 If each one of us does the same,

01:03:28 then all our actions will add up to create major changes.

01:03:31 I work with Habitat for Humanity

01:03:32 to make small but significant actions

01:03:34 which contribute to the life I have come to love

01:03:36 in Trinidad and Tobago.

01:03:38 Help build a home, and a home means an awful lot.

01:03:41 A house is not a home.

01:03:43 A home is a home.

01:03:44 It's where the heart is.

01:03:45 So come with me, and let's make it happen.

01:03:47 (upbeat music)

01:04:02 ♪ Tell me what you feel when the music load ♪

01:04:05 ♪ We are the mud and the oil ♪

01:04:07 ♪ And we come to dirty up the clothes ♪

01:04:09 ♪ I'm ready to tell them wine ♪

01:04:11 ♪ And strike the electric hose ♪

01:04:13 - All right, so welcome back, everyone.

01:04:14 So we are talking about World Sci Day now.

01:04:17 In studio with me this morning,

01:04:19 we have Nial Farnan, Dr. Nial Farnan,

01:04:24 lecturer, optometry unit,

01:04:25 deputy of clinical surgical sciences,

01:04:29 faculty of medical sciences.

01:04:31 Dr. Farnan, thank you very much for coming this morning.

01:04:33 - Thank you so much.

01:04:34 Thank you, Marlon.

01:04:35 - Yeah, let's talk about the significance of World Sci Day.

01:04:38 - Right, so World Sci Day,

01:04:40 it happens every second Thursday in October, every year.

01:04:43 And you know, the UWI optometry unit

01:04:46 like to think of it a day to step back

01:04:49 and think about how precious the gift of sight is.

01:04:52 Because you know, 80% of vision loss can be prevented.

01:04:57 So four out of five people who have lost their vision

01:04:59 do not necessarily need to go and lose their vision.

01:05:02 And you know, in today's busy world,

01:05:05 even if we do notice something's wrong with the eye,

01:05:07 sometimes, nah, I'll look at it tomorrow,

01:05:10 I'll look at it next month,

01:05:11 and then three years pass by,

01:05:13 and then people decide to get it checked.

01:05:15 But unfortunately, by then, it's too late.

01:05:18 You know, a lot of these eye diseases cause damage

01:05:20 that is irreversible.

01:05:22 And that's what World Sci Day is all about,

01:05:24 making people stop and think.

01:05:26 And the tagline is "Love your eyes."

01:05:28 Remember, we only get one set of them.

01:05:30 There's no eye transplants available or anything like that.

01:05:34 And so, you know, viewers, if something is going wrong,

01:05:36 we need to make sure we get it looked after very quickly.

01:05:38 - Yeah.

01:05:39 Doctor, you know, I was telling someone earlier this week

01:05:43 about my experience,

01:05:45 and I never knew that I had problems.

01:05:50 It was only when someone offered to give me their glasses

01:05:55 and I saw a sign just that magically appeared.

01:05:58 - Yes.

01:05:59 - So then the question is, what are some of the symptoms?

01:06:04 - Well, many of the eye diseases

01:06:05 that we're gonna discuss this morning,

01:06:07 there are no symptoms, you know,

01:06:09 and it's only through an eye examination

01:06:11 that people get realized that they have these eye diseases.

01:06:14 Now, some of them are very obvious,

01:06:16 but some of them,

01:06:17 most ones that cause vision loss and trinidad,

01:06:19 there are no symptoms.

01:06:20 It just goes gradually, day by day by day,

01:06:23 the vision is getting worse.

01:06:25 Now, in relation to spectacles,

01:06:27 for example, short sightedness

01:06:29 is when people don't see far away.

01:06:31 And if you think of people in school, you know,

01:06:34 sometimes the kids don't see what's on the board.

01:06:36 They'll ask little Jimmy or little Mary to the left,

01:06:38 what's teacher writing?

01:06:40 And of course, teacher catches them

01:06:41 and thinks they're trying to act up,

01:06:43 when it could be in fact, they don't even see the board.

01:06:45 And because remember,

01:06:46 the child doesn't know what they're meant to see.

01:06:48 A child just thinks everybody sees the World Prairie.

01:06:50 And then what does teacher do?

01:06:51 Some teachers put them down the back,

01:06:54 which makes it even worse.

01:06:55 And then of course, it even more disruptive.

01:06:57 And then you get into the corridor,

01:06:59 get sent to the principal.

01:07:01 Some people get suspended.

01:07:02 And again, an eye examination

01:07:04 can make the difference in people's lives.

01:07:05 - Yeah, but what should parents be looking for?

01:07:08 - So basically people who are squinting,

01:07:10 you know, when they're looking at the television teachers,

01:07:12 when they're looking at the board,

01:07:14 sometimes when children look like

01:07:16 they're not paying attention,

01:07:17 sometimes when they think, you know,

01:07:19 the child should be able to achieve more.

01:07:21 Sometimes the kids are covering their eyes

01:07:23 because one eye is not functioning to another.

01:07:25 People sometimes are trying to rub their eyes

01:07:28 because they're just, it's like, you know,

01:07:29 on the computer you have control,

01:07:31 that delete and alt, the reset button.

01:07:33 This is sometimes the kids doing a reset

01:07:36 because they're trying to make it better each time that way.

01:07:40 So when the kid is not able to function

01:07:42 as good as they should,

01:07:44 then that's definitely a time.

01:07:45 But every kid should have an eye exam.

01:07:46 Everybody should have an eye exam.

01:07:48 There's no reason why not to have an eye exam.

01:07:50 - What is the data telling you?

01:07:53 Who are the persons most affected?

01:08:00 - Great, so the UWI did a wonderful study

01:08:05 in 2013, 2014 called the NEST study,

01:08:08 the National Eye Study of Trinidad and Tobago.

01:08:11 And some of the leading causes of vision loss is glaucoma.

01:08:14 - Yes.

01:08:15 - And glaucoma is a group of eye diseases

01:08:17 where gradually as the years go on,

01:08:20 people start to lose their side vision.

01:08:22 Now think about it, Marlon,

01:08:23 when you were coming to the studio today,

01:08:24 you're trying to go through traffic,

01:08:26 you're trying to see the cars on the left,

01:08:27 the cars on the right,

01:08:29 and that's your side vision.

01:08:30 - Yes.

01:08:31 - But that could be bit by bit getting worse,

01:08:34 and you won't notice it until you maybe bump into a car,

01:08:37 or you're walking down the street

01:08:38 and you bump into another pedestrian.

01:08:40 And that's where glaucoma is called the teeth of sight.

01:08:44 Because for patients, it seems like it's all of a sudden,

01:08:47 but it's actually been happening

01:08:48 three or five years in the past.

01:08:50 - Yes.

01:08:51 - And then it's too late.

01:08:53 Glaucoma, there's no cure, but it is manageable.

01:08:57 And the quicker it's picked up via an eye exam,

01:09:00 the more manageable it can be.

01:09:02 - What contributes to glaucoma?

01:09:03 - Well, no one knows exactly why,

01:09:05 but definitely a family history.

01:09:07 So if your parents have glaucoma,

01:09:09 you're definitely more at risk.

01:09:10 If your brothers and sisters have glaucoma,

01:09:12 you're more at risk.

01:09:13 And people who are diabetic are more at risk.

01:09:16 And for some reason, after the age of 40,

01:09:18 that risk just get more and more and more risky.

01:09:21 And that's where an eye exam, which is painless,

01:09:24 can make the difference between knowing

01:09:26 whether you have glaucoma or not.

01:09:28 - Do you suggest that people have an exam

01:09:31 once per year, twice per year?

01:09:33 - Definitely with a family history of glaucoma.

01:09:35 So again, if your parents or if your brothers and sisters,

01:09:38 then definitely every year.

01:09:39 And if you are over the age of 40, for sure,

01:09:42 every two years, because it just happens.

01:09:44 And it's very prevalent in the Caribbean.

01:09:46 It's a lot of people, as I said,

01:09:47 it's one of the leading causes of vision loss.

01:09:50 - Yeah, what are some of the other contributing factors

01:09:55 to persons having problems with their eyes?

01:09:58 - So the next one then would be diabetes.

01:10:01 So uncontrolled sugar levels is one of the reasons

01:10:04 why people lose their vision.

01:10:06 Now, one of the problems when you're diabetic,

01:10:10 people have difficulties controlling the sugar levels.

01:10:12 So when we eat carbohydrates, rotis, potatoes,

01:10:15 white bread, things like that,

01:10:16 it causes our sugar level to rush.

01:10:18 But when a normal person with normal sugar levels,

01:10:23 the insulin comes and brings it all back down again.

01:10:26 Someone with diabetes, the insulin is not efficient

01:10:29 and the sugar level just keep going up, up, up.

01:10:31 Now, when the sugar levels go up and then they go down

01:10:34 and then they go up and then they go down,

01:10:36 the back of the eye gets confused.

01:10:38 Like, you know, what's happening here?

01:10:39 And the little vessels in the back of the eye,

01:10:42 they start to leak.

01:10:43 And again, Marlon, the scary thing there is

01:10:45 that it's not the center vision that gets lost.

01:10:48 It could be the side vision.

01:10:50 And we're not aware of our side vision changing

01:10:52 until it's too late.

01:10:54 And think about it, the little vessels are leaking,

01:10:56 next year they leak more,

01:10:57 the year after that they leak more.

01:10:59 And by the time they affect the central vision,

01:11:01 where people think is 20/20 vision, it's too late.

01:11:05 And then they need a major operation to get back some sight.

01:11:08 So the best advice I can give to the viewers

01:11:11 is to control the sugar level.

01:11:13 The more, the longer you're diabetic,

01:11:15 then the more likelihood things can go wrong.

01:11:18 So some people, you know,

01:11:19 when they're told they have diabetes,

01:11:22 oh, well, you know, it's an old person's disease.

01:11:24 I'll cope with it when it really starts giving me problems.

01:11:27 A lot of people, they don't even know they have diabetes.

01:11:30 It's only the doctor tells them.

01:11:31 And they're like, I don't have diabetes.

01:11:34 You know, I don't have the symptoms.

01:11:35 I don't have anything like that.

01:11:37 And again, five years have passed

01:11:39 before people really take it on.

01:11:41 And that's five years that the eye is changing.

01:11:44 And again, you know, we have an issue that way.

01:11:47 - Yeah, let's talk about trauma.

01:11:48 - Yes, so it's an unusual one in Trinidad and Tobago

01:11:52 because a lot of people don't, again, love their eyes.

01:11:56 You know, so for example,

01:11:58 a lot of people still drive without seatbelts

01:12:00 and they get into a car accident

01:12:01 and they hit their head off the steering wheel,

01:12:03 they hit their head off the dashboard,

01:12:05 or God forbid, they go to a windscreen

01:12:07 and they have facial trauma that way.

01:12:10 And people who are whacking the bush, okay?

01:12:13 So everybody who's doing whacking

01:12:14 should have on safety spectacles

01:12:16 because a stone comes up and that's all I got.

01:12:19 People who are doing DIY, you know,

01:12:22 whether you're woodworking,

01:12:23 whether you're doing metal grinding, anything like that,

01:12:25 again, particles come up to your eye.

01:12:28 And even just doing, you know, around the house,

01:12:30 you know, some people, we use different types of acids,

01:12:32 we use bleach, different things like that.

01:12:34 And then we just put it into our eye by accident.

01:12:37 Again, we have a problem that way.

01:12:39 So that's the essence of World Sight Day

01:12:41 is love your eyes, you only got one set of them.

01:12:45 And the other thing is, you know,

01:12:46 I think we'd all make millions if we had a time machine

01:12:49 because people, when they find out they lose their vision,

01:12:52 oh, I wish I could go back in time.

01:12:54 I wish I'd done this.

01:12:56 I wish I'd done that.

01:12:57 And unfortunately, at the moment,

01:12:59 we don't have a time machine.

01:13:01 - But Dr. Farnon, even, I suspect,

01:13:04 people who continue to rub their eyes,

01:13:07 that is a form of trauma.

01:13:09 - That's it, exactly.

01:13:10 And there is an eye disease, again, very common

01:13:12 in Trinidad and Tobago called parotichonis

01:13:14 that is actually one of the major factors

01:13:16 is people rubbing their eyes.

01:13:18 So again, you know, I often say to the parents,

01:13:20 tie the child's hand behind their back

01:13:23 so it'll stop them from rubbing their eyes.

01:13:25 - But what sort of damage does that cause?

01:13:28 - So it may cause changes to the front of the eyes.

01:13:30 So the front of the eye, the cornea,

01:13:32 like the clear window of the eye

01:13:34 is what helps us see so well.

01:13:36 And by actually rubbing it, you may be distorting it

01:13:38 and making visual problems.

01:13:40 - Can that be reversed?

01:13:42 - No, unfortunately not, not offhand.

01:13:44 Again, without a major operation.

01:13:46 - Wow.

01:13:47 Let's talk a little bit, doctor,

01:13:48 about the optometry clinic.

01:13:51 - Yes.

01:13:52 - And some of the services that you all offer.

01:13:54 - Yes, so the UWI optometry unit has a clinic

01:13:57 and it's based down in the Coover Multi-Training Facility,

01:14:00 the wonderful building that you see off the highway.

01:14:03 And we're open five days a week

01:14:05 and we have appointments in the morning

01:14:06 and we have them in the afternoon.

01:14:08 And this is where we train future optometrists,

01:14:11 the students, and they will see the patients

01:14:13 under the supervision of qualified, licensed optometrists.

01:14:18 And we have a lot of different services

01:14:20 that are unique to Trinidad and Tobago.

01:14:22 And we have a lot of equipment

01:14:23 that normally you wouldn't see in an optometry clinic.

01:14:26 And we see patients from all ages.

01:14:28 So we've seen six-month-old children.

01:14:30 We've seen, actually we saw a 104-year-old woman

01:14:34 a couple of months ago.

01:14:35 And it's all ranges.

01:14:37 So one of the things we're proud of,

01:14:39 we do specialty contact lenses.

01:14:41 So like the people we just talked about,

01:14:43 people with coroticonus,

01:14:44 they need specialty contact lenses.

01:14:46 So we're one of the few places to do that.

01:14:49 We specialize in kids' vision.

01:14:50 So again, you know, sometimes kids don't,

01:14:52 two eyes don't work together all the time.

01:14:55 And then the one we're very proud of

01:14:56 is our low vision clinic,

01:14:58 which we believe to be the only one in the nation

01:15:01 where people who have lost their vision,

01:15:03 unfortunately, culturally,

01:15:04 people think once I've lost the vision, I'm dotish.

01:15:07 I don't have anything else to do with society.

01:15:09 I've lost my vision, I've lost my life.

01:15:12 And that's not at all.

01:15:13 I mean, there's many wonderful people in society

01:15:15 that don't have good vision,

01:15:17 but can still give back to society.

01:15:19 And so with the use of magnifiers, telescopes, technology,

01:15:23 we can give people more back the function of life.

01:15:26 Again, viewers, you cannot get back the vision you've lost,

01:15:30 but with telescopes and magnifiers,

01:15:31 we can enhance the vision that they have

01:15:34 so they can function in everyday life.

01:15:35 - And people trying to access the services at the clinic,

01:15:39 how do they do that?

01:15:40 - Well, the easiest way, the telephone number is 225-1018.

01:15:45 And we have wonderful staff there.

01:15:47 And it is a reasonable cost.

01:15:49 And they can go ahead and book it.

01:15:51 Yes, definitely.

01:15:52 - Yeah, you hear what the doctor says.

01:15:53 - It's never a bad moment to get an eye exam.

01:15:55 There's no reason why not to get an eye exam.

01:15:57 It's painless.

01:15:58 We don't take out the eyes, people think.

01:16:00 We don't operate on the eye, anything like that.

01:16:03 Yeah.

01:16:04 - You hear what the doctor says, a reasonable cost.

01:16:06 Doctor, anything else you'd like to add

01:16:08 before you leave us this morning?

01:16:09 - Just again, viewers, just be very mindful.

01:16:13 We've only got one set of eyes.

01:16:15 We don't have any eye transplants.

01:16:17 And think about your daily life.

01:16:19 You're looking at the show,

01:16:20 you may be getting ready for work,

01:16:22 and you want to get into the car and drive on.

01:16:24 What would that be like if you didn't have the gift of sight?

01:16:27 - Yeah, Dr. Farnon, it was a pleasure

01:16:29 speaking with you this morning.

01:16:30 - Thank you.

01:16:31 - Thank you very much for the information,

01:16:32 and also an education that you have given us this morning.

01:16:35 Thank you very much.

01:16:36 - Thank you.

01:16:36 - Okay, so it's time for another quick break.

01:16:38 We are coming back, stay right there.

01:16:40 (upbeat music)

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01:18:29 - Slavery, a terrible time in our history.

01:18:39 The kidnapping, buying and selling of people for profit,

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01:19:29 (upbeat music)

01:19:33 - And welcome back everyone.

01:19:45 So we do have the opportunity now to take a few calls.

01:19:48 We are not done yet.

01:19:50 We still have one more interview for you

01:19:52 on the program today, but we can take calls at this time.

01:19:56 You're calling us on 623-1711.

01:19:58 The extension is 1995.

01:20:00 It is Friday, we're freeing up today.

01:20:02 You know, you hear the music, they're playing anything.

01:20:04 Right?

01:20:05 So you can call us now.

01:20:07 There are a number of issues that we can discuss.

01:20:12 Let me just tell you one of them.

01:20:14 So in the newspaper today, and of course,

01:20:15 the prime minister would have made this announcement

01:20:18 yesterday during the budget debate.

01:20:19 So 401 people in witness protection program

01:20:23 between 2019 and 2022, a total of $111 million

01:20:28 was spent on the justice witness protection program.

01:20:34 Now 73% on the actual people

01:20:37 and 27% on the administration of the program.

01:20:42 So he says these figures were outlined

01:20:44 by prime minister Dr. Keith Rowling

01:20:46 during the budget debate.

01:20:47 As I told you, where he also said

01:20:49 the program was international and it was not cheap.

01:20:54 Yeah.

01:20:54 You're calling us on 623-1711.

01:20:57 The extension is 1995.

01:20:59 We do have a call.

01:20:59 Good morning, caller.

01:21:01 - Good morning, Marlon.

01:21:02 Good Friday to you.

01:21:03 - Morning, morning.

01:21:04 - I want to commend you on your contribution earlier

01:21:07 where you asked if CNTEC could take a drive on the highways

01:21:12 and see how many lights not working.

01:21:14 I want to add to that.

01:21:16 When the officials from CNTEC are doing that exercise,

01:21:20 that is if they listen to what you are saying,

01:21:23 I would like Mr. Sinan to be with them.

01:21:25 Mr. Ron Sinan, yes.

01:21:27 And I would like them to traverse the Golden Grove Road.

01:21:32 Golden Grove Road is not a very long road,

01:21:35 but I would like Mr. Sinan and the CNTEC officials

01:21:39 to traverse that road around nine in the night

01:21:42 from London Street to the junction, to the Biafra Junction.

01:21:47 I want them to observe if they can see the white line

01:21:51 on that roadway when they're heading towards the junction.

01:21:55 I also want them to see when they arrive at the junction,

01:22:00 if they can tell where the median is.

01:22:04 If you want to be on the extreme right,

01:22:07 to swing right into Port, to head to Port of Spain,

01:22:10 I want them to take that right

01:22:12 and see if they can spot the median

01:22:15 before they reach on it.

01:22:16 You understand?

01:22:18 - Yes.

01:22:19 - That's one.

01:22:20 Two, Marlon, I almost threw myself,

01:22:24 I turned, aha, yes.

01:22:27 You spoke to Corporal Ali on Wednesday.

01:22:31 - Right.

01:22:32 - And the last question you asked him from a caller

01:22:35 was about the noise situation.

01:22:37 - Right.

01:22:38 - And he said the same thing again,

01:22:39 repeat the same thing and whatnot, whatnot.

01:22:41 I want to say to Dr. Rowley this morning that he's angry.

01:22:44 Well, Dr. Rowley might be angry,

01:22:48 but I'm sure that Dr. Rowley can sleep tonight peacefully

01:22:51 when he goes in his bed.

01:22:52 I won't be able to, today's Friday, the bar next to me,

01:22:54 close, not next, close to me,

01:22:56 is going to be making noise tonight as usual again.

01:23:00 And therefore, I also want to add, Marlon,

01:23:02 that while I'm happy that the police officers,

01:23:05 the police service would have found those weapons

01:23:07 when they are off the streets, this is great.

01:23:10 But I'm not fooling myself to say,

01:23:11 pray for the police service.

01:23:13 The same police service,

01:23:15 they are not going to protect me tonight

01:23:16 when the bar starts to make noise.

01:23:19 And on Sunday night, I'm going to get noise again.

01:23:21 - Yeah.

01:23:24 Thank you, sir.

01:23:25 I know that you have been speaking about it.

01:23:27 I have been speaking about it.

01:23:29 I know that there was a JSC meeting to discuss that.

01:23:33 I know that there was supposed to be some report,

01:23:37 and I think I'm going to have to follow up on that report

01:23:41 if a report was done,

01:23:43 and if there is any decision that has been taken

01:23:46 concerning noise pollution,

01:23:48 because I think I do understand your concern.

01:23:52 If you can't sleep at night,

01:23:55 and all your hearing is bong, bong, bong, bong,

01:23:57 boom, boom, boom, boom, boom,

01:23:59 then something has to be done about this situation, right?

01:24:02 Let's take another call.

01:24:04 Good morning, caller. - Marlon, morning.

01:24:07 - Morning. - Yes.

01:24:08 - First, let me just say morning to all the listeners,

01:24:10 all the viewers,

01:24:12 commend you on the job that you're doing.

01:24:13 - Thank you.

01:24:14 - You are ready to take over the program,

01:24:16 and make it a program of your own.

01:24:18 I know you can hear your producers in your ear

01:24:19 from time to time.

01:24:21 Keep up the good work.

01:24:22 - Thank you, sir.

01:24:23 - It seems that in the country right now,

01:24:24 so many different things going on,

01:24:26 so many things to talk about.

01:24:27 I just want to touch on the interview you did this morning

01:24:30 with the person from UE.

01:24:32 - Yes.

01:24:33 - Right.

01:24:35 Now, things are difficult with everybody

01:24:39 throughout the entire country, right?

01:24:42 And while I heard her say the intention

01:24:45 is not to make the children suffer,

01:24:48 while the intention isn't there,

01:24:51 but that is what is gonna actually happen.

01:24:53 - Yeah.

01:24:54 - Right, and while the children would have gone through

01:24:57 all that it took to get in UE, right?

01:25:02 They would have studied, prepared for their school life,

01:25:06 because this will impact them going forward.

01:25:09 You know, sometimes we don't look at it bigger picture,

01:25:12 and sometimes we have to put the children first,

01:25:16 and I say children because that's what they are still.

01:25:18 Right, thanks for that.

01:25:20 - All right, thank you very much, sir.

01:25:22 All right, you're calling us on 623-1711.

01:25:24 The extension is 1995.

01:25:26 Brooklyn woman robbed, boy 16, a suspect,

01:25:30 a 16-year-old is being questioned in connection

01:25:33 with a 62-year-old United States resident

01:25:37 being assaulted and robbed in Porta, Spain.

01:25:41 Let's take another call.

01:25:42 Good morning, caller.

01:25:43 - Hi, good morning, Colin.

01:25:45 - Morning.

01:25:46 - Good morning.

01:25:47 - Go ahead, caller, we're listening.

01:25:51 - I'm just, I am referring to the,

01:25:55 if you had concern in the age,

01:25:59 the age and their homes and for the age.

01:26:02 - Right.

01:26:03 - I know you were trying to go past the,

01:26:06 you were trying to go past the conference a bit.

01:26:11 But yes, I'm just giving you a heads up

01:26:15 in case you have to have these kind of interviews again.

01:26:19 You know, we need some regulation in this country.

01:26:23 I have been calling around for my mother's 93,

01:26:25 and I'm taking care of her,

01:26:26 but sometimes I need a break, I need to,

01:26:28 and I have been calling around.

01:26:30 You are getting in the order of 6,000

01:26:33 and bring your pampers.

01:26:35 Mother, that is a lot of money for taking care of,

01:26:37 I mean, these people eat a morsel of food.

01:26:40 You know, it's about you having the people there,

01:26:43 they get a bath and, you know, you take care of them,

01:26:45 and she's not bedridden,

01:26:46 and they're asked if she's bedridden.

01:26:48 So if she's bedridden, another cost.

01:26:50 I've called several of them, 7,000, bring your pampers.

01:26:54 Mother, this is, it is getting ridiculous.

01:26:57 You used up the telling you 10,000,

01:26:59 and you know, I wish that you had,

01:27:00 I know you were trying to push the interview a little,

01:27:04 but I mean, you had to contain it to what it was.

01:27:06 So you may get an opportunity and question,

01:27:09 I'd be happy if you would try to direct it

01:27:12 and hear what, you know, what they have to say about it.

01:27:15 And all that sweet talk again,

01:27:16 they're director of agent and all,

01:27:19 they have no time with you,

01:27:20 if you call the normal general thing.

01:27:23 - Yeah.

01:27:24 Thank you very much.

01:27:25 And as I say, I know a bit about what is going on

01:27:30 concerning these homes and the elderly.

01:27:32 And let me tell you,

01:27:34 much more is desired at some of these homes.

01:27:36 I'm hearing about a home charging $21,000.

01:27:40 What are they eating?

01:27:40 Caviar and drinking champagne on a daily basis, right?

01:27:45 So there has to be some control too.

01:27:49 $21,000, come on now man, let's take a call.

01:27:53 Don't get me upset this Friday morning here.

01:27:56 Caller, good morning.

01:27:58 - Hi, good morning.

01:27:59 Don't get upset.

01:28:00 - Yeah, yeah, yeah.

01:28:00 - I'm upset enough.

01:28:01 Okay, Marlon, I had called on Beyond the Tape

01:28:04 with reference to buy the Brian Lara Crypt Academy,

01:28:07 those guys that drag race in there.

01:28:10 - They're still doing it?

01:28:11 - Oh gosh, Marlon, Sunday morning, two o'clock.

01:28:14 I was so frustrated that I cried.

01:28:17 And I've been calling every police station

01:28:19 I could think about, even those outside the district

01:28:22 to see if I could get somebody to call the Gasparillo Station

01:28:25 or somebody to tell them.

01:28:27 It's really, really frustrating.

01:28:29 When that goes on, or when I go on at two o'clock in the morning

01:28:33 I have massive headache, I can't function.

01:28:36 - You know, caller, if there's the opportunity,

01:28:40 I would like to see some video on it, you know.

01:28:42 If you can get someone to videotape what is happening

01:28:46 so that we can put it out there

01:28:47 and let the authorities see what is happening

01:28:49 in the vicinity of the Brian Lara Stadium

01:28:52 as the lady says, two o'clock in the morning,

01:28:54 drag racing is happening there.

01:28:56 Come now, man, I'm sure that a lot of people

01:28:59 know what is happening there.

01:29:01 And you know what people are going to say?

01:29:02 Well, people need to recreate,

01:29:04 people need to ease their minds and so on.

01:29:07 In that way, there's a strip somewhere up in Wallerfield,

01:29:09 go up there, not in the vicinity of the stadium

01:29:12 where people living.

01:29:13 Let's take a call.

01:29:14 Good morning, caller.

01:29:15 - Morning to you, Marlon.

01:29:17 - Yes.

01:29:18 - I just have to make a small suggestion.

01:29:21 - Go ahead.

01:29:23 - What is happening, we have all tools now

01:29:25 that are operated by battery from Jackhammer come back down.

01:29:29 When I looked at that program yesterday

01:29:33 with the firearm fine,

01:29:36 I am simply advising that you get some battery-powered tools

01:29:43 to assist them in their situation.

01:29:45 I thank you.

01:29:46 - You're telling me?

01:29:47 You're telling me?

01:29:51 And I have made a suggestion

01:29:53 that I think that all police stations

01:29:57 should be given certain equipment.

01:29:59 You have situations where, let's say in the case of a fire,

01:30:03 and we saw one a few years ago

01:30:06 where a few children died because of the burglar proof.

01:30:10 But if you have police who are equipped

01:30:13 with, let's say, cutting material,

01:30:15 then you don't have to call the fire service to come down.

01:30:18 And as soon as the police arrive on the scene,

01:30:21 they get to work, you know?

01:30:22 But maybe that's too simple for some people to understand.

01:30:26 Good morning, caller.

01:30:27 Caller, are you there?

01:30:30 - Good morning.

01:30:32 - Yes, good morning.

01:30:33 - Yes, good morning.

01:30:35 I am just making an observation.

01:30:38 - Go ahead.

01:30:39 - I have seen all these large busts,

01:30:44 drug busts,

01:30:49 ammunition, arms and ammunition busts.

01:30:53 And for some reason, I don't know if I'm mistaken,

01:30:57 but it's not connected to any person

01:31:02 or organization or anything.

01:31:05 It's just like you find it by the side of the road.

01:31:10 And that is something I think we need to pay attention to.

01:31:14 Thank you.

01:31:15 - Thank you very much.

01:31:16 One of the arguments has been,

01:31:19 well, let's try to get the items

01:31:24 before they end up in the hands of the owners.

01:31:30 My position is you should wait a little more,

01:31:32 but I'm no police, yeah?

01:31:34 Police know better.

01:31:35 Let's take a call.

01:31:36 Good morning, caller.

01:31:37 - Good morning, Marlon.

01:31:39 - Morning.

01:31:40 - Just following up on one of your previous callers.

01:31:44 - Right.

01:31:45 - I cannot understand why in this digital world

01:31:49 that we are living in with all the innovation

01:31:53 and entrepreneurs,

01:31:54 and you have things like digital platforms,

01:31:58 digital bulletin boards and so forth,

01:32:00 why we cannot have an integrated disaster

01:32:05 or emergency response with fire, ambulance and police.

01:32:10 Just like what happens in other countries,

01:32:15 why we cannot have one single computerized,

01:32:20 so easy portal for people when they call

01:32:24 that these emergency responses,

01:32:27 they turn up within minutes, you know,

01:32:31 and we see which one is applicable.

01:32:34 Why?

01:32:35 - Caller, you know why?

01:32:36 - More than why?

01:32:37 - Caller, you know why?

01:32:39 - I don't know.

01:32:39 - Because that, your suggestion is just too simple.

01:32:43 - Is there?

01:32:44 - Yes, yes.

01:32:46 - It's just too simple.

01:32:47 We like to make things difficult in Trinidad and Tobago.

01:32:50 It's just too simple.

01:32:51 Yeah, but thank you very much.

01:32:55 Thank you very much for bringing that to the fore.

01:32:58 I mean, I've even said,

01:32:59 why isn't it that most police stations

01:33:03 or all of the police stations,

01:33:04 they do have the technology

01:33:06 where you go to the police station

01:33:08 and the police officer goes on the computer,

01:33:10 takes all of the information,

01:33:11 and if he has to email it to another police station,

01:33:14 that is done.

01:33:15 But when you go to the police station,

01:33:17 you still have a long document like this

01:33:20 that the police officer has to fill out.

01:33:22 And in some cases after it is lost,

01:33:25 it is all over the place

01:33:26 and cannot be transferred to another police station.

01:33:28 But again, it's too simple.

01:33:30 Good morning, caller.

01:33:31 - Marlon, good morning.

01:33:34 - Morning.

01:33:34 - How are you boy?

01:33:35 - I'm good.

01:33:36 - You know, you know,

01:33:39 you know who does be responsible

01:33:42 for making laws or changing laws.

01:33:46 Because to me, like,

01:33:48 nobody can change these laws that we have here.

01:33:52 - They don't want to.

01:33:53 - They can't update the laws, right?

01:33:56 And the next thing I want to say,

01:33:58 this truck tire that blowed

01:34:02 and killed the owner of the truck

01:34:05 or the driver,

01:34:06 I don't know if it's the owner, right?

01:34:10 I find that so scary, you know,

01:34:12 because licensing officers just open your bonnet

01:34:16 and push the head in the bonnet

01:34:19 and police just do all these things

01:34:21 to look in all around your vehicle.

01:34:24 I mean, that's a dangerous thing, Marlon.

01:34:28 - It is, it is.

01:34:29 - And it's the first time I ever see or hear

01:34:31 anything like that.

01:34:33 - It is.

01:34:34 It was really, really bad.

01:34:35 And condolences to the relatives of the victim

01:34:39 of that tragedy.

01:34:41 That's what it was.

01:34:42 We do have another call.

01:34:43 You're calling us on 623-1711.

01:34:46 The extension is 1995.

01:34:48 We do appreciate all of your calls.

01:34:50 We do appreciate all of your views.

01:34:53 All right, let's take another call.

01:34:54 Good morning, caller.

01:34:55 - We do have another call.

01:34:58 - Caller.

01:34:59 I think I'm hearing myself.

01:35:02 And now we're hearing that tone.

01:35:04 So we have lost you.

01:35:05 But please call back.

01:35:06 You're calling us on 623-1711.

01:35:08 The extension is 1995.

01:35:10 It's just about 639-47 in, did I say six?

01:35:14 739-51 in Trinidad and Tobago.

01:35:17 So we just have a few minutes again

01:35:19 to take some of your calls.

01:35:20 You're calling us now on 623-1711.

01:35:23 The extension is 1995.

01:35:26 We have a call.

01:35:27 All right.

01:35:28 Good morning, caller.

01:35:30 - Hi, good morning.

01:35:31 - Yes.

01:35:31 - Let me just make a point.

01:35:34 To me right now, our nation is under attack.

01:35:38 The police is under attack.

01:35:43 I heard again yesterday that the police officers--

01:35:48 - Vehicle-- - Car was shut up.

01:35:49 - Yes. - Vehicle was shut up.

01:35:51 Before that, we heard of a police officer

01:35:55 who on Charlotte Street,

01:35:57 she was held down and her chain taken from her neck.

01:36:02 Before that, we heard of a police officer

01:36:04 who was shot dead.

01:36:06 Before that, we heard of a,

01:36:07 after we heard of a police station that was shut up,

01:36:10 and yet we are reacting normal.

01:36:14 We are reaching a point of critical,

01:36:18 where there shall be no return.

01:36:20 As a friend of mine from Haiti said to me,

01:36:23 "This is how it started in Haiti."

01:36:25 A slow gallop, and people said,

01:36:28 "No, they would kill themselves.

01:36:30 "This will happen, that will happen.

01:36:32 "It will take care of itself."

01:36:33 No, and it was just normal.

01:36:36 And now today, 75% of Haiti is controlled by gangs,

01:36:40 including a former police officer

01:36:42 who is the head of the biggest gang in Haiti.

01:36:45 What are we waiting on?

01:36:47 To take serious action,

01:36:49 to ensure the viability and safety for this country.

01:36:53 So the question I ask today is this,

01:36:56 when they find these arms and their ballistic testing,

01:37:01 and find who put them there,

01:37:04 because they didn't walk there, how did they get there?

01:37:06 Why are cars, why are they not roadblock after roadblock

01:37:11 all over this country?

01:37:11 Because the things are traveling every single day.

01:37:15 And the question must be asked.

01:37:17 You have seen a difference.

01:37:19 Arapeta Avenue should be the most protected place

01:37:22 because it's a tourist attraction,

01:37:23 that's like Jamaica, have serious crime rules on us,

01:37:26 but yet their tourist area is protected.

01:37:29 St. Anne's, where the Prime Minister, the President live,

01:37:32 people, I mean, robbery up inside there,

01:37:35 almost opposite, listen, and there's no system.

01:37:39 You've not seen that.

01:37:40 Johnny Abraham came out and said,

01:37:41 "He had Chagall's lockdown."

01:37:43 Why haven't we seen lockdown and protection?

01:37:46 At least you've seen innovative things happen.

01:37:49 You've not seen nothing.

01:37:50 - All right, thank you very much, Kola.

01:37:54 And thank you very much for all of our callers,

01:37:57 and calls, and views this morning.

01:38:00 Thank you very much.

01:38:01 We are going to a very short break.

01:38:02 We're coming back.

01:38:03 - One, three, four, five.

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01:38:19 But be warned, she's 50-ish and she doesn't give up.

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01:39:30 right here on TV6 for our many moments of inspiration.

01:39:34 - Who cares?

01:39:37 - Who cares?

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01:39:39 - Who cares?

01:39:40 I care because I know that prostate cancer

01:39:42 is the leading cause of cancer related deaths

01:39:45 in men in Trinidad and Tobago.

01:39:47 Finding prostate cancer early offers the best hope

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01:39:52 The key to survival is early detection.

01:39:55 Get screened today.

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01:39:59 (upbeat music)

01:40:01 (upbeat music)

01:40:08 (upbeat music)

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01:40:58 - Thank you very much.

01:41:07 And there's a reason why we would have chosen that song.

01:41:09 And you see the beginning, super, super, super.

01:41:12 You'll see why we chose it just now.

01:41:14 So we are discussing now

01:41:16 the first annual Comic-Con convention.

01:41:19 And we do have in studio this morning,

01:41:21 Abraham's CEO, Chief Executive Officer.

01:41:25 And we also have super, Celine Isaac.

01:41:29 (laughing)

01:41:30 - Hi.

01:41:32 - Good morning and welcome.

01:41:33 - Good morning.

01:41:34 - All right, well, Michael, let's get right into it.

01:41:36 Of course, we have always seen conventions

01:41:39 such as these in the US and other places.

01:41:41 But is this the first time that this is being held

01:41:44 in Trinidad and Tobago?

01:41:45 - No, there are a lot of Comic-Cons

01:41:47 that have been there before.

01:41:48 There have been Alias, Galacticon, Casi-Con, you know.

01:41:53 But we are just gonna do our one,

01:41:55 ours with a bit of a difference.

01:41:57 We're gonna bring back the nostalgia.

01:41:59 - Yeah.

01:42:00 - You know, so we wanna bring back comics into the cons.

01:42:04 - Yeah.

01:42:05 What can we expect at this convention?

01:42:08 - Well, besides the comics, we're gonna have cosplay.

01:42:11 We're gonna have gaming.

01:42:13 You understand?

01:42:14 This is our top cosplayer.

01:42:16 She's been doing it for a while.

01:42:18 - Right? - 10 years now.

01:42:19 - Uh-huh, yeah.

01:42:20 She's very experienced in that line of work, right?

01:42:24 And we're gonna have some of our local comic book artists.

01:42:29 And we have a local short film by Vesicleur.

01:42:34 I think he got an award in Italy

01:42:37 for the same short film, Vesicleur.

01:42:39 So we're gonna have him autographing stuff there as well.

01:42:42 You know, so it's gonna be great.

01:42:43 But we're gonna bring back the nostalgia

01:42:45 and show people that comics is not nonsense.

01:42:48 - Yeah.

01:42:49 Celine. - Yes.

01:42:50 - Are people's, let me put it this way,

01:42:53 because I'm sure that there is still an interest

01:42:55 in comics and comic books and so on.

01:42:58 - Definitely, yeah.

01:42:59 - But in cosplay. - Right.

01:43:01 - Is there an interest, a real interest

01:43:02 in Trinidad and Tobago? - Oh my God, yes.

01:43:04 So I've been cosplaying for about 10 years now.

01:43:07 - Right. - And over the years,

01:43:09 I've just seen it grow exponentially,

01:43:10 especially between like when COVID started

01:43:13 up until I think last year is the first time

01:43:15 we got to have cons back since COVID.

01:43:18 It's just grown exponentially.

01:43:20 A lot of the, I like to call them baby cosplayers

01:43:23 'cause these are like the teenagers

01:43:25 who would have been probably in like secondary school

01:43:29 or maybe primary school now coming up

01:43:31 and like they got into anime and manga

01:43:33 and gaming and comics as well.

01:43:36 And you see the crowds at these cons now.

01:43:39 So I do say that it's just gonna keep getting bigger.

01:43:42 - Yeah.

01:43:43 Now, Celine, let me just put it out there.

01:43:45 Because some of the people, some of them, Celine,

01:43:48 some of them that participate in these conventions

01:43:51 and so on, they're seen as a little weird.

01:43:53 - Ah, I mean, what is life without being a little weird?

01:43:56 (laughing)

01:43:57 Like you have to have some flavor,

01:43:59 you know, a little sprinkle, sprinkle.

01:44:01 - Yeah. - Enjoy your life.

01:44:02 It's one life to live and you're not putting anybody,

01:44:04 like a lot of us are adults playing dress up.

01:44:07 - Yeah. - Come on, come on.

01:44:09 It's just, you just wanna have some fun.

01:44:10 Just a way to relax. - So it's a fun environment.

01:44:13 It's a safe environment.

01:44:14 - Yes. - And it's positive activity.

01:44:17 - Positive activity.

01:44:19 A lot of the, if not most, I would love to say all,

01:44:21 all of the, oh gosh, what do you call them?

01:44:26 My bad.

01:44:27 - Michael Helper.

01:44:28 - I'm losing the words.

01:44:29 (laughing)

01:44:30 - A lot of the people. - It's super Celine tonight.

01:44:32 - All of the organizers, we do our best to make sure

01:44:36 that the cons space is safe.

01:44:38 - Yes.

01:44:39 - A lot of it is very kid friendly.

01:44:40 Of course, if we do have things that are like 18 plus,

01:44:43 we let people know that.

01:44:44 And those are usually like the bigger cons

01:44:46 that have like two days and have night events happening.

01:44:49 Most of the time, the night events is what would be 18 plus.

01:44:52 And during the day, it's like completely family friendly.

01:44:54 So everybody can come, baby and all,

01:44:56 push him in the prom, anything.

01:44:58 - Yeah.

01:44:58 So Michael, this convention is for everyone.

01:45:01 - It's for everyone.

01:45:03 And comics, people used to always feel like comics

01:45:06 is for kids.

01:45:06 Comics are not for kids,

01:45:08 because most of the people involved in this thing,

01:45:12 I have doctors, lawyers, politicians,

01:45:15 even buying comics from us,

01:45:16 because this is what we grew up with, right?

01:45:18 - Yeah.

01:45:19 - Remember, the internet and all this kind of stuff,

01:45:20 it was, you buy a comic book, you know?

01:45:22 So it's a form of escape and it's a fun hobby, right?

01:45:27 But what we're going to focus on in this convention

01:45:30 is like where everything started, you know?

01:45:33 Stanley, the co-founder of Marvel Comics, the artists,

01:45:38 and where it's reached at the present day,

01:45:41 which is like, we have Marvel,

01:45:43 I mean, those are the biggest Marvel, DC,

01:45:46 and now we have anime.

01:45:48 So this convention now is actually showing you that,

01:45:50 yeah, you love anime, it come, they come.

01:45:53 You like Marvel characters, come, they come.

01:45:55 You like DC characters, come, they come.

01:45:57 This is why it's entitled like Marvel versus Manga with DC,

01:46:01 which side are you on?

01:46:02 So whichever one you like, whichever form of comics you like,

01:46:06 superheroes, whatever it is, it's going to be there.

01:46:08 You're going to get the comics,

01:46:09 you're going to get the anime merchandise.

01:46:10 We have some of the top merchandisers in Trinidad

01:46:13 and you'll be surprised at how much fun this convention will be.

01:46:17 You have comic books on sale too?

01:46:19 Of course.

01:46:21 Of course.

01:46:23 Michael, but do, this is from my time.

01:46:26 You see this?

01:46:27 The Archie, Richie Rich,

01:46:30 I suspect all of them may be from my time.

01:46:34 Yeah?

01:46:35 Can young people today identify

01:46:39 with some of these comics?

01:46:41 Yes, because some of their parents actually used to read it

01:46:44 and they introduced them to it.

01:46:47 Don't mind we have present day characters and stuff.

01:46:49 Now this is where everything started.

01:46:51 This is why I said we're going to be nostalgic at this event.

01:46:54 Yeah.

01:46:54 You understand?

01:46:55 Showing where everything started, the origin.

01:46:58 And it has done a lot for me personally as well

01:47:01 because I didn't learn to read with West Indian reader.

01:47:04 Right.

01:47:05 The comics.

01:47:06 Being honest, I used to be treated,

01:47:07 when I was in primary school, right?

01:47:10 Yeah.

01:47:10 You know, I used to get licks for reading comics a long time.

01:47:13 I used to have my comic in the middle of my textbook.

01:47:16 Right?

01:47:16 So I actually have a distinction in English.

01:47:18 That is from reading comics.

01:47:20 Children, you hear that?

01:47:22 Read comics.

01:47:23 You could get a distinction in English too.

01:47:25 Yeah?

01:47:26 Disclaimer, these are not the views of Tiki Comic Con.

01:47:30 Celine, let's look at how has this impacted your life

01:47:35 and let's look at all the positives that

01:47:41 have come out of it and what you see your other colleagues who

01:47:45 are participating in it, how it has impacted

01:47:48 their lives in a positive way.

01:47:49 So cosplay, skills.

01:47:55 You learn so many different skill sets when you do cosplay.

01:47:59 So sewing.

01:48:00 A lot of people like to do form work.

01:48:02 So like building armor pieces.

01:48:05 Sometimes people even do--

01:48:07 what do you call it?

01:48:07 It's like-- I want to say engineering.

01:48:09 So like if they're doing like armor pieces with like lights

01:48:14 and stuff underneath it, all of those sorts of things.

01:48:17 A lot of people went into 3D printing.

01:48:18 I'm seeing some of my older colleagues doing 3D printing.

01:48:23 And it's just like you're just fine tuning.

01:48:26 You're becoming a one man shop, essentially.

01:48:28 Of course.

01:48:29 Right?

01:48:29 Especially if you do make your cosplays yourself.

01:48:32 And then, of course, there are people who buy cosplays.

01:48:35 And that is absolutely fine cosplays for everyone.

01:48:37 It doesn't matter how you choose to participate.

01:48:40 A lot of the time, it's mostly the creativity

01:48:42 and the different types of materials you would use.

01:48:45 So some people might use toilet paper rolls

01:48:47 to try and make like a pair of horns of some sort.

01:48:50 Other people might--

01:48:51 I think someone used like macaroni to do--

01:48:55 like a whole lot of wildness.

01:48:58 That's what I would say on creativity.

01:49:01 So for me, I would say that I got a lot of experience

01:49:08 with sewing and doing prop making to a certain extent.

01:49:12 Because I usually tend to shy away from creating armor.

01:49:15 Because I'm like, if I were to burn this foam roll,

01:49:19 I will cry.

01:49:20 So no.

01:49:21 But I'm trying to step out of that mindset.

01:49:24 And just go with it.

01:49:25 Just have fun.

01:49:26 Yeah.

01:49:27 Michael, let's speak about how the convention--

01:49:34 how is this going to roll out?

01:49:36 What are people going to see and experience?

01:49:39 Is there a special prize for someone

01:49:41 who has come down there with the best costume?

01:49:44 Of course.

01:49:45 We have-- the first prize for the best cosplay

01:49:48 is actually $3,000.

01:49:50 We're not playing.

01:49:51 We're giving that.

01:49:52 So they have to be very creative in terms of that.

01:49:56 Also, at the end of the cosplay competition,

01:50:00 we actually have a guy.

01:50:02 He's one of Trinidad's most popular magicians.

01:50:05 His name is Julio.

01:50:06 Julio the magician.

01:50:08 So it's a total package again there.

01:50:11 So besides educating the public about comics,

01:50:15 meeting the various local comic book artists,

01:50:18 buying the merchandise, and stuff like that,

01:50:21 there's also the cosplay show and the magician.

01:50:26 So we'll also have live airbrushing being

01:50:29 done at the event as well.

01:50:31 So I mean, not just comics.

01:50:34 We'll have local art on display.

01:50:36 Yeah.

01:50:37 So we have the second and third place

01:50:38 for the cosplay competition, as well as

01:50:40 some additional prizes.

01:50:41 So like the best manga character, best DC,

01:50:43 best Marvel character.

01:50:45 And I believe you said that the competition is free to enter,

01:50:48 right?

01:50:48 Completely free to enter.

01:50:49 Right.

01:50:49 So you don't have to pay any money

01:50:51 to enter the cosplay competition.

01:50:52 No registration fee.

01:50:53 Celine, they're coming down to--

01:50:54 It's free real estate, guys.

01:50:55 They're coming down to see you tomorrow.

01:50:59 So do you play different characters?

01:51:00 Yes.

01:51:02 I've done quite a number.

01:51:03 Today you're Super Celine.

01:51:04 What will happen tomorrow?

01:51:05 What will happen over the next few hours, Celine?

01:51:07 Oh, my gosh.

01:51:08 I'm actually going to sprint home

01:51:10 to finish making what I'm supposed to be wearing tomorrow,

01:51:13 hoping I can finish that in time.

01:51:14 It's a surprise.

01:51:14 Because I am trying to finish the-- yes,

01:51:16 the form work and whatnot.

01:51:17 But I've done another Supergirl, another version of Supergirl

01:51:20 like some years ago.

01:51:21 That was the dark Supergirl.

01:51:23 A lot of the other characters that I've done,

01:51:25 a lot of you all in Trinidad would not know,

01:51:28 unless you're into anime and stuff.

01:51:29 Because I am heavy on the anime and the manga.

01:51:33 But I can't even count.

01:51:35 Probably like maybe-- if I have to call a number of cosplays

01:51:40 I've made so far, it's probably in the 20s.

01:51:44 Yeah.

01:51:45 Michael, any additional information

01:51:46 you'd like to give us?

01:51:48 Well, it's at Center of Excellence, TT Comic Con.

01:51:51 It starts at 9 AM, finishes at 8 PM.

01:51:53 So it's an all-day event.

01:51:55 And I'm urging the public to come out, support.

01:51:58 Come and bring your kids.

01:52:00 Come and get back that feeling of nostalgia.

01:52:02 Come and get your favorite comics.

01:52:04 Come and enjoy the show.

01:52:05 Come and join the event.

01:52:06 Yeah.

01:52:06 And people who are attending can also

01:52:10 come down with their costumes.

01:52:12 Of course.

01:52:13 Please come and cosplay if you would like.

01:52:15 This is a form of escape from reality.

01:52:18 And we already know who the world is, the crime,

01:52:20 the-- this is a form of escape.

01:52:21 Come and have fun.

01:52:22 Come and enjoy.

01:52:23 Yeah, better come down, boy.

01:52:25 I wonder what we are coming to dress as, boy.

01:52:27 Wolverine.

01:52:28 [LAUGHTER]

01:52:31 Michael, Wolverine?

01:52:33 Why are you laughing?

01:52:34 I'm not sitting here and saying, Wolverine?

01:52:35 You look like a wolf, you know?

01:52:36 [LAUGHTER]

01:52:39 Well, Michael, let's speak about these books, too.

01:52:44 That some of them are going to be on sale also tomorrow.

01:52:47 Yeah.

01:52:48 Yeah?

01:52:49 Right, so we have stuff.

01:52:51 We have Silver Age stuff.

01:52:52 We have modern stuff.

01:52:54 We have collectors items.

01:52:56 We have graded stuff and all.

01:52:57 There's a company called CGC, I think that's in America,

01:53:00 wherever.

01:53:01 And they actually grade the comics,

01:53:03 and they put them in a casing.

01:53:04 So we actually have graded comics.

01:53:05 That is for real diehard collectors.

01:53:08 You understand?

01:53:09 So we have a bit of everything for everybody.

01:53:12 But this is also an investment, eh?

01:53:14 Of course, yeah.

01:53:15 Because some of these books, right, like comics, like me,

01:53:19 I had some comics when I was in primary school.

01:53:22 And I actually had a cry, because I actually

01:53:25 took them and rolled them up, and I

01:53:27 lent them to some partners.

01:53:28 When I watch the price of these comics on eBay,

01:53:30 like, eh, I actually give away that.

01:53:33 But we didn't know at the time that they would actually

01:53:37 be that vast amount of money right now.

01:53:40 But I mean, come to the event.

01:53:43 Come to the event.

01:53:44 Come and see some stuff.

01:53:45 Come and get your graded books.

01:53:48 If you're into collecting comics,

01:53:49 come and enjoy the cosplay competition.

01:53:52 Come and enjoy the event.

01:53:53 Where can people get additional information?

01:53:55 You have a website?

01:53:56 You have a Facebook page?

01:53:57 Yeah, we have TT Comic Con.

01:53:58 TT Comic Con is on IG.

01:54:00 There's a Facebook page for it as well.

01:54:02 And tickets will be available at Bodyguard Caribbean, Rebel Yell.

01:54:07 You know?

01:54:08 Which Rebel Yell, sir?

01:54:09 Is it at all the Rebel Yells?

01:54:10 Yeah, both Rebel Yells, yeah.

01:54:11 Right?

01:54:13 So I mean, that's urgent in public.

01:54:15 Come out.

01:54:16 Come and play yourself.

01:54:17 Yeah.

01:54:18 Celine, we just have about 20 seconds again.

01:54:20 No problem.

01:54:21 How do people get involved in this type of exercise,

01:54:28 if I can put it that way?

01:54:30 So essentially, how I started, I saw, OK,

01:54:33 there's an event coming up.

01:54:34 I am into this.

01:54:35 I would like to go and enjoy myself.

01:54:38 Let me go and make a little costume.

01:54:40 Maybe go and buy a t-shirt, cut it up.

01:54:41 But is there a Facebook page or something that people can--

01:54:44 Not necessarily.

01:54:45 You know, you could just go and check out,

01:54:46 because there are various conventions and whatnot.

01:54:49 We do have a couple of groups on Facebook.

01:54:51 So Alimination, TNT, et cetera.

01:54:54 Once you find one, you're going to find all.

01:54:57 Celine, Michael, thank you very much for coming today.

01:54:59 Thank you so much for having us.

01:55:00 We wish you all the best tomorrow.

01:55:01 Thank you.

01:55:02 That's going to be it for our program for today.

01:55:04 Remember that Emmy Prime comes up at 8.30 this evening.

01:55:07 We do have this image for you.

01:55:09 It's from Shanice.

01:55:10 See you all on Monday, everybody.

01:55:11 Have a good weekend.

01:55:12 Bye bye.

01:55:12 [MUSIC - BODYGUARD CARIBBEAN, "READY FOR BOSS"]

01:55:14 [MUSIC - BODYGUARD CARIBBEAN, "READY FOR BOSS"]

01:55:24 [MUSIC PLAYING]

01:55:28 [MUSIC PLAYING]

01:55:31 (upbeat music)

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