Chester Sambrano
Promoter of Miss Grand Trinidad and Tobago competition is standing by the choice of Mileidy Materano, a Venezuelan national to represent this country.
Stolen Productions Limited issued a statement today after what some labelled as a controversial decision.
"This weekend, months of hard work and dedication by our management team, our amazing contestants and their wonderful sponsors and supporters came to an epic cumulation as SPL Pageants hosted the finals for the inaugural Miss Grand Trinidad and Tobago competition. Our corporate sponsors, distinguished judges and pageant experts came together to orchestrate a show which we are proud to have put forward, representing the very best of our beautiful twin island republic and what our people have to offer on an international stage."
SPL said as is expected in any pageant there will always be voices of dissent with the final decision.
"While all of our contestants are crown worthy, on the night of the finals our esteemed judges and audience chose Ms Mileidy Materano as our Miss Grand Trinidad and Tobago. We at SPL Pageants stand behind the Sons fairness of the judging process and the results. We stand in solidarity with our chosen winners."
SPL explained that subsequently to being crowned it was aware of the concerns of having a Venezuelan born representative for Trinidad and Tobago.
It said this was a question posed to SPL Pageants at the time of casting of Ms Materano as a contestant.
"We will like to make it clear that the criteria for eligibility with the Miss Grand International franchise does endorse Ms Materano as a non-native, living and working within the society of the country and as an intrinsic representative of our culture."
SPL said more importantly than the questions of eligibility to compete, it was proud to have Ms Materano as a contestant and now its delegate, because of what she stands for and represents. "Trinidad is her Home! Our country has opened our arms to our Venezuelan neighbours in their time of need and we at SPL Pageants are immensely proud that we the people of Trinidad and Tobago have chosen love and compassion above all. The history of the intertwining of Venezuelan and Trinidadian cultures predates the most recent hardships of our Venezuelan brothers and sisters."
It said we have always been a melting pot of peoples and cultures, with significant influence from our South American family.
"Ms Materano, as the title holder, represents that our beautiful diaspora cannot be defined by any one ethnicity, culture, mindset and colour. We as a people are ever evolving and ever changing. It is what makes us unique and beautiful; our differences are what unite us as a people because we celebrate them, as opposed to use it to fuel division."
SPL said while it notes the voices of "negativity and animosity" on the topic, it is overwhelmed by the majority who have risen above such thinking and thrown their support behind this amazing woman who will fly our flag high at the finals in Vietnam.
"We are Trinidad and Tobago and we are a true multi-cultural society, founded in ‘every creed and race has an equal place.’ We are rooted in inclusivity and acceptance.
As she embarks on her journey to Vietnam, we stand proud, knowing that she will represent us for the best we can be as a people."
SPL said our winner is a shining example of what it means to be ‘trini.’