Eric Taylor, known in the calypso world as the Pink Panther, is a man who's winning favour with the people whose interest he serves.
Calypsonians have declared him as the best man to formally occupy the office of president when constitutionally due election of officers in the Trinbago Unified Calypsonian Organisation (Tuco) are called later this year.
But less than a year on the job as interim president of Tuco, he finds himself under attack by a member of his executive for alleged mismanagement of public funds during this year's Carnival.
Tuco trustee, De Mighty Trini (Robert Elias) charges the head of calypso's governing body with engaging in financial misconduct.
Speaking on state-owned television, Trini called on Panther to explain how taxpayers' funds, not approved by Tuco's executive, were diverted during the national festival.
Interviewed, Panther said: "I have to discuss the matter with my executive before commenting publicly." Panther's presence and eventual performance at De Nu Pub, located on Ariapita Avenue, in Woodbrook, on June 24, saw calypsonians rally around "their president." Taking time from his music set, Crazy (Edwin Ayoung) pointed in Panther's direction and said: "This is my president! He's the best president Tuco has ever had and he's doing great things for calypso." The audience responded to Crazy's assessment of panther's stewardship with lusty applause.
LEFT: Veteran entertainer Crazy endorses Pink Panther for president of Tuco.
RIGHT: Contender (Mark John), left, chairman of Tuco's north zone, chit-chats with former Calypso Monarch Luta (Morel Peters).
Similar gestures came from other top entertainers, too. Reigning National Calypso Queen Twiggy (Ann-Marie Park Cudjoe) and Sherma Orr, manager for veteran entertainer Baron (Timothy Watkins), both dressed in pink, declared their support for Panther. They said: "We want to take pictures with our president and have it appear in the papers. This is we president and we (are) here to support him."
But Panther's most glowing endorsement on the night came from legend of the art form the Black Stalin (Dr Leroy Caliste). He acknowledged Panther's presence in a majestic tone, followed by a brotherly embrace and laughter before the Tuco head took the stage to close the night's entertainment playbill which also featured Dr Wilb, Karen Eckles and Stinger (Dexter Parsons).