Features
PWLB officially launched
Albert Vaughan, new City Administrator
Belize launches Garifuna Language in Schools Program
NATS Committee announces Farmers of the Year 2024
Personality of the Week LADY D
Oftentimes, media personnel tell the stories of others, disclosing very little about themselves. Breaking that trend, Personality of the Week this time features KREM FM announcer and news anchor, Deseree Cain, also known as ?Lady D.?
Simon Quan ? Personality of the Week
Simon Quan is a popular Chinese businessman who has made a name for himself in Belize. Many remember him as the Oriental man who used to ride around with goods on a black delivery bike, carrying them from his stores to his clients.
He migrated here the year before Hurricane Hattie, in 1960, after his cousin, Augusto Quan, invited him to work for him. He felt that outside of Hong Kong he could find fortune, having heard of many others who had left and prospered.
Personality of the Week Robert Anderson
Former police bandmaster still willing to teach...
?This individual served as a policeman for years in Belize, but heis also a great musician. He trained many brass instrument players, and was the Director of Music of the Police Band, a band employed on a full time basis in Belize.
?Formalmusical trainingis only for the richin Belize, the state ignores the need for a Military or Police Band, but we had it before and we should pay tribute to men like Mr. Anderson.?
Kevin Campbell, musician
Personality of the Week – Justice Michelle Arana
Blazing a trail in the Belize justice system
Belize?s first woman judge of the Supreme Court
It was a proud day for the country?and especially women in Belize?when Justice Michelle Arana was formally appointed the first woman judge of the Belize Supreme Court on Monday, January 16, 2006. But it was blessing bestowed upon a woman with great humility, pride and determination, as well the vision to look at today?s younger generation and affirm her goal to blaze a trail for young girls who will become tomorrow?s women.
Being the only girl among three brothers, she was the princess of the home, but perhaps her family structure also prepared her for her eventual journey, blazing a new trail for women in what has been ?a man?s world.?
Paul Morgan ? Family man, Businessman, Sportsman, Politician
??individuals who get elected to serve in governmental positions and turn out to be dishonest characters are nothing but common criminals, because they commit the most unkind act to their fellowmen, and that is betrayal.?
The southern town of Punta Gorda has spawned a determined businessman turned politician, who is heading the slate of the third party that will contest the Belmopan City Council elections. Paul Morgan, Sr., JP, heads the 7-member slate of the VIP ? Vision Inspired by the People. While some see it as a dirty profession, Mr. Morgan has a positive view of politics.
Barbara Fernandez – Medicine Woman
?I just like the idea that I could
do something for somebody??
She?s over 80 years old, but herbalist, Barbara Fernandez, affectionately known as Aunt Barbara, makes her journey to the Queen Square Market 6 days a week to sell herbal medicines at her stall.
Mrs. Fernandez is the author of Medicine Woman (The Herbal Tradition of Belize), a booklet that has an extensive listing of the various herbs available in Belize and their medicinal purposes.
Matthew Smiling – Personality of the Week
[Matthew] is an example of what we Belizeans need more of, Black business owners and mentors... in the evenings you can find him neglecting his family, at times, to coach youth basketball. I?ve watched him coach and I think to call him a basketball coach would be unfair; Matthew is a ?Life Coach?. He teaches those kids how to be better in life, how to become model citizens and to believe that through team work, they can achieve. Helping the next man is what he instills in these individuals. Basketball just happens to be a vice. He even helps kids in preparing for college. One thing that sticks out in my mind that I can never forget is one day Matthew came over to visit me after getting a hair cut. I said to him ?Matt, you know I cut hair, I could have hooked you up.? Matt?s response to me was, ? I know, but if you cut my hair some one else might not eat.? I thought he was right. Matthew strongly believes in supporting others.
-Erly Saldano, Belizean-American in Georgia, who recommended this Belizean personality.
Personality of the Week – Mike Chan: From welding to tacos…
A teenaged dream came to life for Mike Chan, but only when he reached the conviction one day that he had to pursue it.
Hailing from Xaibe Village, Corozal, Chan later moved to Belmopan in its pioneer days in the early 70?s, then to Orange Walk and Belize City, where he completed his education at the now defunct Belize Technical College (BTC). There, he trained in mechanical engineering, which prepared him for the career he now holds today.
Personality of the Week Marion Jones
Quest for Gold
In the year 2000, all eyes were on the heavily tanned and muscular runner, Marion Jones, as she raced in the Olympics in Sydney, Australia, ostensibly with one thing in mind?to be the first person to win 5 gold medals at the games.
She had just begun her winning spree at Sydney when she received the news that her then husband, shot putter C.J. Hunter, had tested positive for the steroid, nandrolene. The scandal must have shaken her; yet, Jones continued resolutely in her quest for gold.
Wilhelm ?Pappy? White PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK
was a tough day for Wilhelm ?Pappy? White, Jr., going back to the MCC Garden in Belize City for the first time in eight months, since a tragic and fatal traffic road accident took the life of his good friend, George Lewis, and also Pappy?s left leg.
He had gone to see which cock would crow, FC Belize or Kremandala FC, in late October.
Wilhelm ?Pappy? White
Dreaming of his long lost love
It was a tough day for Wilhelm ?Pappy? White, Jr., going back to the MCC Garden in Belize City for the first time in eight months, since a tragic and fatal traffic road accident took the life of his good friend, George Lewis, and also Pappy?s left leg.
He had gone to see which cock would crow, FC Belize or Kremandala FC, in late October.
Personality of the Week T.V. Ramos
Like Rosa Parks, a champion of the cause
In 11 days, the Garifuna community will be paying our annual tribute to our legendary leader, Thomas Vincent Ramos, my grandfather, who is revered not only for the founding of Garifuna Settlement Day, but for the persistent stand that he took in defense of his people.
Any biographical account of the life of T.V. Ramos will testify to his stalwart efforts for the recognition and advancement of his people.
The biography of Mr. Thomas Vincent Ramos
Mr. Thomas Vincent Ramos, the son of Mr. Cecilio Ramos of Honduras and Miss Santurlina Rhys of this country, was born in Puerto Cortez, Honduras, on Saturday, 17thSeptember 1887.
He was educated at Wesleyan Methodist Primary Schools in Stann Creek Town and Belize City. He took correspondence courses in business administration, public speaking, journalism and accountancy. His best-loved teacher was Mr. Israel Daniel Meighan.
Personality of the Week: Irene Wallace
Coping with the loss of her sons through gun violence
She works regularly at the Putt Putt Bar and Grill. That?s where I first met Mrs. Irene Wallace, a struggling mother of 10 children who lives in Port Loyola, Belize City. Several months ago, I spoke with her about the loss of her son, Charles, Jr., who died from a single gunshot blast last April at the age of 19.
It was while she was on the job on Friday, August 19, this year, when she received the heartbreaking news that another one of her sons, Andrew, had been shot dead ? this time by a police officer who claimed that the 13-year-old boy was menacing them with a gun.
