Linden hosts carnival over Cellink winner

Aug 09, 2009 News

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If some felt that intermittent showers early in the afternoon would have put a damper on the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Cell Link Jingle prize-giving ceremony on Friday, they were in for a surprise.
An enthusiastic crowd converged at the market square, even before the winner and her entourage had made their way to the venue.
And not even the threat of more rain could stop the huge crowd of family, friends and fans that finally assembled to see their home girl, Queen Malaika Boyd, officially collect the keys to her brand new Toyota Vios car.
Beginning a little late due to the inclement weather, the event which began as a motorcade that commenced at Millie’s Hideout and culminated at the Mackenzie Market Square, proved to be a huge crowd pleaser.
Seven finalists and the winner serenaded and wowed the overly appreciative and enthusiastic crowd, with their original compositions which had endeared them to television viewers across the country during the final segments of the now popular Cell Link Jingle and song competition.
“It is like the finals being held all over again,” an enthusiastic fan quipped.

And there could be no doubt in the minds of any of the contestants of the hospitable nature of the Linden people who clapped and waved and cheered them on, as they sang their compositions.

The performances also proved beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Guyana is brimful of talent; it only takes a little incentive or motivation to bring it all out.

All except two of the finalist, Rennee Chester and Raoule Samuels , were present for the prize giving ceremony, which saw all the contestants receiving trophies and colognes, and the top three walking away with a lap top computer, trophies and colognes.

The winner, Malaika Boyd, of course walked away with the keys to her new car. A representative of Beharry and sons, who sponsored the vehicle, made the official presentation.

Both the Interim Management Committee Chairman, Orrin Gordon and the Regional Chairman, Mortimer Mingo, said that Boyd had done Linden proud, and described her as a great ambassador.

Gordon pointed out “we agreed right away with GT&T to allow the presentation ceremony to take place here and are indeed happy to see so many of you coming out to support the girl that has brought such glory to the community of Linden.”
Gordon posited that in the past Linden was well represented in the GT&T Jingle and Song competitions as “for the last four competitions we would have had in Guyana, we had done extremely well. We have had Tameika Marshall, we also have had Renee Winter, extremely proud in coming second, and Malika topping again. Linden has had an impressive and impeccable record and we would like to maintain that and keep it like that.”
Gordon also congratulated GT&T for what he described as “one of the biggest versions of American Idol”
He also noted that GT&T was able to bring the people together of all races and every strata and the love pervading among them, was very much evident.’’ Malika had her work cut out but in the love that was shown is the love that is required all over this country. And politicians sometimes must learn from these things.”Gordon emphasised.
Mr. Wystan Robertson, GT&T’s Marketing Executive said he was very impressed with the large turn out at the Mackenzie Market Square and declared, “We at Cellink say when you are true to the blue your dreams will come through. And GT&T is always pleased when we make dreams happen to our customers.”
He pointed out that the competition drew approximately a thousand applicants who were all vying for an opportunity to drive home the attractive blue Vios Car, which also would have given them the opportunity to represent the largest telecommunications network in Guyana. He further emphasised that the competition allows GTT&T as a company to provide a platform for young Guyanese to showcase themselves.
Sponsors who assisted in making the event a successful one were GTT&T, Beharry Automotive, Caribbean Airlines, Impressions, Ansa Mcal and Carib, Wireless Connections, NCN Television, HJTV, De Shatta Productions, and the entire production team beginning with the judges, Sean Bhola, Oliver Basdeo, Ron Robinson, Cheryl Maloney and Ron Henry. A huge billboard of Boyd was unveiled, just before the electrifying impromptu concert came to an end which was all too soon. Speaking with Boyd briefly following the presentation, the Linden songbird said that she was ecstatic, and prior to the announcement at the recently held finals, she had thought that she may have been the second or third place winner, and would have been content with either of the two positions, but was blown away, when she was finally adjudged winner.

‘’I have been singing since i was a little girl growing up; I would sing at church when there was an event or so, and as I got older I started to sing at weddings and other social gatherings; I even had a six month stint as a vocalist with the Cannon Balls, and even toured with them a little, to play for Caribana in Canada and a few other gigs,’’ Boyd declared happily. She said that with this win, she is finally being given an opportunity to live her dream, as a singer, and end her days as a butcher, which she called hard work, but was nonetheless necessary work to enable her to take care of herself and three children.
The thirty one year old queen said she had been butchering for the past fourteen years.

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