On Sunday, August 12, St Mary’s RC Church, Mucurapo celebrated its Patronal Feast, Our Lady of the Assumption, with Holy Mass. The celebrant was our dearly beloved former parish priest, Fr Gerard Tang Choon O Carm who graced us with his usual warmth and stirring homily, just like old times.

Immediately following Holy Mass, there was a procession along the Western Main Road to the St James Amphitheatre. This was done to the strain of Marian hymns done very beautifully by members of the Senior Choir. 

At the Amphitheatre Fr Tang Choon said the invocation and Denise Aleong Thomas, Councillor of the Port of Spain City Council officially opened the day’s proceedings. Following the official opening the stalls were blessed.

Toute Bagai is French Patois for “a little bit of everything” and this is exactly what we had - a little bit of tassa and pan by well-known Tripolians Steel Orchestra and Tassa Group, Hoopla, Darts, Pick-a-Card, Punch Board, Anything Goes. There were also video games, a dunking machine, a beautiful plant stall, and attractions for the children like Face Painting and Pick-a-lollipop. 

There was also a fashion show with models displaying clothes from Radical Designs. Overcast skies did not daunt us nor did the heavy downpour dampen our spirits. As soon as it was over it was business as usual with a steady stream of people coming to enjoy what turned out to be a wonderful, fun-filled day.

Fr Gerard Tang Choon proclaiming the Gospel

The queens

The early part of the day was good but the evening was awesome. The main event was a “Miss Toute Bagai Queen” competition. 

The competition, the first of its kind, saw a bevy of ten beautiful, intelligent, young women vie for the title, and attractive prizes which included a trip to New York. 

Shortly after 7.00 p.m. this segment got underway with a delightful rendition of our National Anthem by Brendon Creed. 

Presenters for the evening were Michelle Khan, former Miss World contestant and popular radio personality, Sandra Maharaj. 

In true pageant style the contestants appeared on stage and tickled our fancies with a sensuous Latin dance, which they had choreographed themselves. The girls then made an appearance on stage in cocktail wear, elegant magenta offerings.

The audience was captivated by their poise, charm and elegance, all the result of weeks of hard work and training. During the intermission there was entertainment from numerous persons, including Rising Star hopeful Shaheed Ali, Duane O’Connor, the St James Tripolians and Sheldon Reid who also serenaded the contestants later on in the pageant. 

The second half began with the girls appearing in their evening gowns. The exquisite gowns were all designed and made by Jagdeo Rampersad and were sponsored by “Daisy Exclusive”, their shoes were from “Kris ‘n Tony” and “Flowers 137” sponsored their jewellery. 

As with any show of this kind there were audience favourites as evidenced by the pockets of applause and loud cheering. At the end of it all three beauties were chosen, second runner up, Martina Rodriguez, first runner up, Panesa Parag and Anika Alleng, a definite crowd pleaser, emerged the winner to become Miss Toute Bagai. 

Prizes were also given for Miss Amity, which was won by the second runner up, Martina Rodriguez and Miss Photogenic, won by Nikesha Quamina. 

Hearty congratulations to the winner and all the other contestants – winners in their own right. We love you all and wish you all success in your chosen career paths.

To all the organisers, the Pastoral Council says heartiest congratulations and heartfelt thanks for a job so very well done. May God bless you and Fr Gerard Tang Choon.