By Odette Loney Monday, February 16 2009

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'Tigress': Joanne Rowley during her performance Calypso Monarch semi-finals at Skinner Park....

THE bitterness and feuding between Prime Minister Patrick Manning and sacked Minister of Housing Keith Rowley was rehashed during the scorching political commentary of Joanne Rowley, otherwise known as “Tigress” at Saturday’s Calypso Monarch Semi-Finals, or Calypso Fiesta at Skinner Park, San Fernando.

And as Manning made his first appearance for Carnival 2009 at Calypso Fiesta, Tigress seized the opportunity to show her support for Tobago born Rowley during her 11- minute rendition “Yuh Ent See Wajang Yet,” to the delight of thousands who enjoyed every ounce of her performance.

Singing at position 22, Tigress emerged in elaborate red afrocentric headdress, dressed in red and black. As she came out the crowd went wild when she belted out: “Where are my PNM people?” and launched into the calypso which bore thinly veiled critiques of the People’s National Movement’s handling of issues related to the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott) scandal, for which Rowley lost his portfolio as Housing Minister.

With a strong voice she sang four stanzas showing the rise and fall of Keith Rowley himself.

“First you christen me as your Rott, now dat I question Udecott. You want to rebrand me as a hooligan. With them label you stigmatise, my character you done victimise,” she sang.

Rowley rocked the crowd with her lyrics, and many spectators, including a small Tobago contingent, tried to converge near the stage for a close up view of Tigress’ performance.

It seemed that Tigress described Manning himself in verse four of her calypso, “ Now all of ah sudden to our surprise, yuh get diagnose with d Big C. With your grave affliction I must sympathise, reminds us of your mortality. For such ah great party, with all dem deputy. There is no true succession plan......”

But undaunted by Tigress, Manning and a posse of ten other Ministers made a swoop backstage after the thrilling performance at about 4:30 pm.

Manning, along with his wife, Minister of Local Government Hazel Manning and other ministers including Minister of Legal Affairs, Peter Taylor, Culture and Gender Affairs Minister, Marlene Mc Donald, Minister of Agriculture went backstage to congratulate Tigress on her performance.

She stood with the Prime Minister for several minutes to take photographs, as a smiling

Mrs Manning looked on.

Piggot gently tried to adjust Tigress’ headdress as other Ministers shook her hands.

Afterwards, Manning appeared on stage for a brief introduction to the audience, who were not ruffled by his presence.

Later, reigning South Monarch Brian London, had spectators dancing and waving with his very entertaining selection entitled “A Nation’s Song.”

Singing at position 32, London’s song touched on several issues including crime, nation-building, the gap between the rich and poor and a bit of politics.

As London delivered his highly energetic performance, it was evident that he drew the entire crowd into his calypso, as they sang his catchy chorus line “I’m a nation’s son with a nation’s song” with hands upraised in enjoyment.

Veteran calypso star Sandra Des-Vignes Millington, “Singing Sandra,” also did not disappoint with her selection “Ghetto Of Your Mind,” a social commentary on people who have access to status symbols while claiming to be living in poverty. Her song was well-received by the audience.

Thirty-eight of this nation’s best calypsonians were vying for 15 places in the National Final to be held on Dimanche Gras night.”