By Abigail Semple
Excitement and splendour filled the National Cultural Centre last Saturday night when the annual Mother and Daughter pageant was held. The turnout was not as expected, as apparently some persons thought the pageant was scheduled for Sunday (Mother’s Day) instead of Saturday.
The event kicked off with a mother and daughter dance, followed by a poetic introduction, the latter performed by the producer and co-producer Ingrid Fung and her daughter Sulan Fung.
They dazzled the crowd with their lovely ballroom gowns, and rightfully, they were the first to portray the love and affection shared between a mother and daughter.
Next came a colourful dance performed by the Classique Dance Group, and this was followed by a lengthy biographical introduction of hostess of the show Michelle Abraham-Ali; this was done by her the elder of her two princesses, Tatiana Ali. Margaret Lawrence, who co-hosted, helped to lighten the atmosphere by getting the audience to practice some Africaanese salutations.
First sequence
A Princess Garden Party was the setting for the first segment, and the stage was a fairytale land, complete with carriage and characters like Snow White and Cinderella. The Junior participants complemented the scene with their beautiful dresses, the majority of which were pink. First to make an appearance were Donna Rickford and her daughter Kezia, who portrayed their apparently professional modelling skills in their pink and white dresses. They were followed by Samantha Joseph and Destiny, the latter gaining the crowd’s immediate approval as she strutted her stuff on stage.
The third pair to appear on stage was Lystra Jack and Anaya; by this time people were wondering if it was a pink party, as this mother and daughter were also outfitted in that colour.
Theirs was themed ‘Pink Sensation’ in light of Breast Cancer Awareness and was designed by Sonia Noel. Another pair in pink was yet to come, this time in the persons of Yonette Ivory and her daughter Talya, who wore almost identical pink and black dresses.
Then came some variety and the crowd was thrilled to see Phillipa Richards and Natoya in yellow dresses with blue and green designs and Velma Payne and Alana in gold, green and yellow satin dresses. Natasha Shariff and Sasha appeared before the latter in their gold and white dresses. As the judges convened to make their decision, the audience was serenaded by the lusty voices of Marilyn and Shevonne Semple, who sang Cece Winans’ “Looking Back at You”.
Because their outfits and modelling skills could be described as moderate, the audience was somewhat shocked to find out that Natasha and Sasha had placed in the top three (first runner-up), as almost everyone would have agreed that there was some stiff competition among the first three pairs, who portrayed more coordination and affection. They were reminded though that the judges’ decision was final. However, there was some amount of satisfaction, as little Destiny (a budding runway model) and her mother Samantha were announced winners of the Junior category, while Lystra and Anaya came in as second runner-up.
Middle category
This sequence was portrayed as a tea party, and the seven couples all dressed the part, as the stage took on the look of a garden scene set with plants and a park bench to go with it. Making a colourful first appearance with their ‘floral sensation’ sundresses — designed by Denise McAdam (a former winner) — were Marisoli Flores and Shakira, dressed from head to toe in orange, pink, and green. Their bold display of vogue couple with their obvious sisterly love earned them first runner-up position.
Next came Stacy Cheddie and Savaunah in their pretty white dresses with pink sashes, designed by Ginesta David; and Mandy Field with Jasmine, decked in three different shades of green cotton dresses, who copped the second runner-up position.
Maxine Pollard and Alicia then made their classy appearance in what they called ‘earth elegance’; orange and black designer outfits, which along with their grace and portrayal of love earned them the crown for this category. They were followed by Nalini Mackoy and Sophia, who wore green and bronze dresses; and Nicolette Henry and Brassette in their floral black and white dresses with pink accessories. There was some amount of outrage and division in the audience for a few minutes as they felt that some of the contestants in the winners’ row hadn’t quite earned their positions, but their attention was quickly turned by the arrival of the participants in the Senior Segment. Before this however, the Ishara Dance Group took to the stage and did a dramatic dance presentation, followed by a “Mirror Image” presentation, choreographed by Derek Moore, which featured five identical twins.
Senior segment
This segment featured mothers and daughters, who were outfitted for a grand ball, and the stage was set befittingly with a stretch limo, red carpet, and an elegant chandelier. Although there was a bit of laughter and snickering coming from a section of the audience at the first couple’s appearance, Kelly and Shaundell Thomas proudly continued their performance, displaying their “audacity of hope” pink and black self-designed dresses. They chose pink in remembrance of a close relative of theirs who succumbed to cancer some time back. Next in line were Pheadra Szala and Keisha, decked in orange-gold taffeta gowns, who boldly strutted their stuff around the stage, earning cheers from the audience.
The excitement then picked up as popular Guyanese songstress Lisa Punch made her appearance with her mom Nafieza Daniels, surprising the latter onstage with a silver ring for Mother’s Day. This won the crowd’s approval along with the obvious love and affection they portrayed throughout their performance, as well as their classy yellow and green dresses tinged with blue rhinestones, designed by Olympia Small-Sonoram. Competition became rigid following this, as Yvonne Gilbert and Nadene gave Lisa and her mom a run for their money. They appeared on stage adorned in royal purple crepe and satin dresses, with a fish/dove tail effect; well prepared to attend a gala reception and ball. As their introduction was read their love between the two was obvious as the emotional mother placed a ring on her daughter’s finger; the latter will be going abroad to study, so they decided to make the most of this time together. They were followed by Yonette Inverary and Kizzy Ann in their black, pink and turquoise fuchsia and teal dresses; and Veronica Madray and Kimberly in a combination of turquoise organza and silver taffeta.
As the judges were making their decisions on the Senior category, the audience was treated (much to their and the delights of the participants on stage) to a surprise performance by Calvin Burnette, another Guyanese singer, who made the women blush as he sang Bruno Mars’ “Girl You’re Amazing” to them.
Whatever disagreement there was earlier regarding the judges’ decision in the first two categories was pacified to some extent as the winners for the final sequence were announced as being Yvonne and Nadene, closely followed by Nafeiza and Lisa, and then Pheadra and Keisha.
The prizes received by the winners’ row the Junior category included a trip to Kaieteur Falls (for the winner), food hampers from N&S Mattai Supermarket, trophies, and flowers. In the Middle category, the winning pair received a trip for two to Trinidad and lunch at Oasis Café; the first runner-up got a Kaieteur trip and lunch at Ridley’s Restaurant; and the second runner-up received a trip to Arrow Point Resort. The Senior category winners received a trip to Barbados and dinner at Princess Hotel; a trip to Trinidad for the first runner-up; and a trip to Baganara Island Resort for the second runner-up.
Another side attraction to the event was a dance by the National Dance Company entitled “Portraits”. All in all it was a spectacular pageant, filled with inspiration, awe and some laughter.
