It’s one of Belize’s favorite street foods and also one of its most debated. We’re talking about garnaches. But here’s the question that’s got people fired up: ketchup or no ketchup? In the north, tradition says hold the ketchup. But in Belize City? Many wouldn’t dream of eating garnaches without it. So, to get to the bottom of this tasty debate, News Five’s Tanya Arceo hit the streets of downtown Belize City to find out where people stand. Here’s what they had to say.
Tanya Arceo, Reporting
Garnaches, one of Belize’s most beloved street foods, has kicked off a public debate: to ketchup, or not to ketchup? It’s been the talk of the town for days, and I decided to jump right into the middle of it. So, I grabbed a plate of garnaches, without ketchup, of course, and hit the streets to find out where Belizeans stand on this flavorful face-off.
Tanya Arceo
“I came to buy some garnaches what I’m trying to figure out is if people eat it with or without ketchup but we will find out right now.”
Belize City, Resident 1
“I like my garnaches with ketchup”
Food Vendor
“People weh come from north they like it without ketchup and the city people they like it with ketchup”
Tanya Arceo
“Do you prefer your garnaches with or without ketchup”
Belize City, Resident 2
“For me I would prefer, sometimes I like it with but also without.”
Tanya Arceo
“Do you prefer you garnaches with or without ketchup?”
Belize City, Resident 3
“Without ketchup because it’s the first time I ever heard about anyone eating garnaches with ketchup.”
Belize City, Resident 4
“I would say without ketchup.”
Belize City, Resident 5
“Honestly a little bit of ketchup a little bit”.
Belize City, Resident 6
“Without definitely without.”
Belize City, Resident 7
“Me I like it with everything ketchup pepper the works.”
Whether you like your garnaches drenched in ketchup or prefer them the traditional way, one thing’s for sure: Belizeans love their street food. This may have started as a simple question, but it’s turned into the unofficial national food debate. And from the looks of it, the battle isn’t over just yet. I’m Tanya Arceo, reporting for News Five—from the front lines of flavor.
And in case you missed, here’s a highlight of last night’s KTV the Remix episode, where contestants jammed out to reggae and Caribbean tunes. Don’t forget to tune in next Tuesday for another night of electrifying displays of talent with judge’s pick- alternative night.
We’re diving into the heart of Belizean entertainment with a behind the scenes look at one of the country’s most electrifying talent competitions-KTV The Remix! Viannie Reyes, the producer behind the show, along with assistant producer Monilee Aspinall, shared the magic, the hustle and everything that it takes to bring the stage to life each week.
Viannie Reyes
Viannie Reyes, Producer, KTV The Remix
“I think that for the past couple of years that I’ve been seeing KTV and also now being behind the scenes of KTV we’ve all wanted to see a difference when it comes to judges having their say but also our voters would have their way, something that I think elevates the show for this year would definitely be a safe card that we’re having, we have one guest judge that will be coming in every week for KTV The Remix season seven and that guest judge will have a say of pointing out their green card saying that this person is either safe or will be offered an additional ‘X’ amount of points to move forward in the show, that is something that we do believe our singers definitely need because there are times when really good singers actually go home because of voting, it has become a popularity thing and we are trying to eliminate popularity and we want people to see what talent really is.”
Monilee Aspinall
Monilee Aspinall, Assistant Producer, KTV The remix
“We’ve had some return auditioners that had part in KTV before or maybe they have been auditioning for a while and hasn’t quite gotten in yet I think that a lot of our viewers are going to be excited about who we are having “If you no like it bite it” is back she brought all her energy, her excitement and she is always such a pleasure to listen to and be in her space but the talent this year was definitely a tough one and so I’m looking forward to see how they are going to make themselves shine in the spotlight amongst all the other talent that’s coming in as well.”
KTV The remix continues to light up Tuesday nights with unforgettable performances and raw talent. Big thanks to Viannie Reyes and Monilee for giving us an inside look at what makes the show such a hit. Catch all the action everyTuesday night at 8PM live from the Bliss Center for The Performing Arts and trust me you won’t want to miss a single note
With the golden anniversary of Belize’s carnival just around the corner, the National Celebrations Commission is stepping up in a big way. Today, the Commission made a special donation to the Carnival Association, marking the first major step in a collaborative effort to make this year’s 50th celebration bigger and better than ever. Chair of the Commission, Francis Fonseca, says the contribution is the result of months of planning and partnership with carnival leaders, and it’s all about honoring the vibrant spirit and cultural pride that carnival brings to the streets of Belize.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Chair, National Celebrations Commission
“Today is really all about the Carnival Association and our commitment at the National Celebrations Commission to supporting the Carnival Association with their efforts to make the carnival bigger and better than ever. This year, as you all know, we are celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of carnival in Belize. And so, you know, I think several years ago, at the beginning of the year, I think around January or so, I met with the president Patrick Thompson, and I met as well with Eugene Trench. So we had a very, very good discussion about what we wanted to do together, working together with the National Celebrations Commission and the Carnival Association. So I am very happy that today is a realization of that discussion that we had the first step in that process. So we are very, very pleased today to make this contribution on behalf of the National Celebrations Commission to the Carnival Association.”
A group of Belize City artists is using music to spark motivation and reflection. Their new song, “Changes,” dives into the challenges and growth that come with embracing life’s transitions. The track features local talents Unlmtd (Unlimited), J Monie, and Vince the Prince, with production led by Kenneth “Big Tom” Flowers of Rod Mack Records. The artists stopped by our office today to share the inspiration behind the project, describing it as a message of hope and resilience for anyone navigating change.
Kenneth “Big Tom” Flowers
Kenneth “Big Tom” Flowers, Owner, Rod Mack Records
“My involvement in this is to make sure the youth they keep a positive mind and start forward positivity to the other youths so that we can make a difference in our country and make changes. The song named changes. We are trying to show the youth you need to work together, because if you have a talent you have to work behind it, cause usually people have the time but they don’t want to work.”
Unlmtd
Unlmtd, Artist
“Overall everything dah bout changes. J Monie came in with a different perspective. I came in with a different perspective. We dah kings eena the earth. A lot of us want the change but we don’t want to work on it. A lot of us have entitled behavior. A lot of us want things to drop in our lap that we don’t work for. So, we need to put in the work. A lot of us see the muscle but we don’t know how to use it.”
Vince the Prince
Vince the Prince, Artist
“The message we the try send across dah fuh build hope and motivation, inspire the youths. A lot of youths have a dream but discouraged because of the lack of support and help from the communities people in places that could give that help, so we have to do it by we self.”
The stage was set, the lights were bright, and creativity was flowing today at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts, where hundreds of primary school students gathered for this year’s National Festival of Arts. But this year’s celebration comes with something extra special; after more than two decades, the literary arts are back in the spotlight! From poetry to short stories, young writers are finally getting their moments to shine. And that’s not all, an inspiring visual arts exhibit is also turning heads. Tonight, we take you inside the festival that’s bringing Belize’s youngest talents to center stage. Kim Vasquez, Director of the Institute of Creative Arts, shares her excitement over showcasing these talented young artists.
Kim Vasquez
Kim Vasquez, Director, Institute of Creative Arts
“Simultaneous Festival of Arts happening across the country. And we also have some exciting news. We have the literary arts returning to the Festival of Arts after a very long break, almost two decades. I think the last time we had the literary arts a creative writing publication was back in the late 1990s. And so that had gone dormant for a while in the Festival of Arts and we were determined to get it, that this was going to be the year we got back creative writing in the National Festival of Arts. And this morning we presented a publication with the participation of forty-four students from both primary and secondary, short stories and poetry. But for us it’s also making sure that the Festival of Arts is as inclusive as possible. And this is why it was so important for us to have the literary arts. We heard one of the young writers earlier today said that this means a lot to them because they feel included finally. And we are also seeing as, as well more participation with the visual art we have today as well. The launch of the Festival of Arts National Visual Art Exhibit upstairs in the gallery. And we have, again, that’s from preschool. Participating up to secondary, we have over eighty pieces of art on display. And the wonderful thing about the Festival of Arts Art exhibit is that it is viewed mainly by their peers because all next week we have the Golden Showcase of the Festiva of Arts, which is the highlight, and whenever they’re done performing and they’re done inside the theater, third, they go up and they look at the art and they can give that support to their peers as well.”
On Wednesday, the Belisle Art Gallery opens its doors to the Visual Arts Exhibit which features an inspiring collection of paintings, sketches, woodwork, and handicrafts created by Secondary school students.
This morning, sparks flew on live television as Moses “Shyne” Barrow and Wave TV’s Fus Ting Da Mawnin host Alfonso Noble engaged in a heated confrontation. The now-viral clash erupted when Barrow appeared on the show to discuss Justice Towanda Hondora’s recent ruling on the party. Wave TV and Radio, a U.D.P. media outlet located at the party’s headquarters, often hosts Barrow as a guest. However, today’s encounter was anything but routine. Noble had some grievances to air, and Barrow didn’t hold back, leading to an explosive exchange that has everyone talking.
Alfonso Noble
Alfonso Noble, Host, Fus Ting Da Mawnin
“That is the problem we have, you cannot take no for an answer, you cannot willingly accept, I have lost my position, I have lost my grounding, the general membership of the party is not behind you.”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Leader of the Opposition
“That is your opinion, because you are biased and team Tracy, make no doubt about it.”
Alfonso Noble
“You are holding the UDP hostage. When will we hold a national convention, when?”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
“We will have a convention in October, but it is as Justice Hondora has said, it is for the party to decide who are members and who will be qualified to run in that convention.”
Alfonso Noble
“You cannot just come out of the blues and want to bully-reg a political party that has been here for years.”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
“You believe that you can do what you want to do, but the rest of us cant do what they want to do. You are a criminal.”
Alfonso Noble
“No I am not a criminal, you are sir. I have never been incarcerated.”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
“You should have been incarcerated for knocking that person down.”
Alfonso Noble
“That was tried at the court. The court dealt with that in the manner it was suppose to have been dealt with.”
Following a heated exchange on live television between Alfonso Noble and Moses “Shyne” Barrow, acting U.D.P. Chairman Alberto August has announced the suspension of the morning show. August stated that such public confrontations will not be tolerated. However, Tracy Taegar-Panton argues that August cannot make this decision without proper consultation. Both Panton and attorney Sheena Pitts have weighed in on the dramatic on-air clash, adding to the ongoing tensions within the party.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“I don’t want to be unkind to the former party leader, in fact I have a great deal of empathy for him, because what I saw on display this morning is indicative of why the delegates of this party and the standard bearers and caretakers felt compelled to convene a national convention on October twentieth. The Wave Radio and the Guardian Newspaper are the organs of the party that help us to do that work, in terms of keeping a functional democracy. It is not just Jules. All of us are a part of that process to hold an administration to account, to make sure we ventilate the national issues that are causing concern, and anxiety and strife to the Belizean people. The acting chair has issued a statement you say, that requires further discussion with other members of the leadership team before we can all be in agreement. What we do agree on is that the circus has come to an end. And this appetite for sensationalism that the media seems to gravitate to will not be entertained.”
Sheena Pitts
Sheena Pitts, Attorney-at-law
“For the first time I can agree with the media that their antics and shenanigans being carried on by the former leader that could be properly characterized by the former leader, because this morning, I am told he was properly in full form with the red nose and colorful hair.”
Movie fans are up in arms online after claiming that Ramada Princess Cinema showed a pirated version of the much-awaited film Sinners during its recent screening. Many attendees took to social media, posting photos and videos that seemed to show a watermark logo bouncing around the screen throughout the movie — a telltale sign of an unauthorized copy. To make matters worse, viewers reported that the video and audio quality were horrible, likening the experience to watching a low-grade “camrip.” In one Facebook post, a disappointed customer wrote: “I didn’t watch this home because I wanted the HD experience, and I completely regret that decision.” Another upset moviegoer described the experience as “beyond low,” stating: “Your services have disappointed me time and time again, but this will not be tolerated. How many Belizeans did you punk last night?” Many expressed frustration that they were charged full ticket price despite the quality issues, with one poster questioning: “Isn’t that illegal?” News Five tried to reach out to Ramada Princess Cinema via Facebook for a comment, but we haven’t heard back yet. We also tried calling the number listed on their Facebook page, but that didn’t work either.
In just an hour, the community will come together for a public meeting. The hot topic? The proposed development of Cayo Rosario, which plans to introduce overwater structures right within the cherished Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Last week, key environmental agencies gave the green light to the Cayo Rosario project, sparking objections from several tourism-related groups in San Pedro. The project was initially approved in 2018 after meeting various environmental requirements, and its Environmental Compliance Plan was updated in 2020. At their recent meeting, the Department of the Environment and other regulatory agencies assured that the project would be closely monitored to ensure compliance with environmental standards. However, concerned groups argue that the project is already violating environmental laws protecting the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, where Cayo Rosario is located. News Five’s Marion Ali has more on this story.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Welcome to Cayo Rosario, a six-acre island located west of San Pedro Town, about six miles away, and just a couple of miles across the sea from the newly developed Secret Beach. This privately owned island is at the center of a controversial development proposal to build forty rooms over the sea, which involves driving piles into the seabed to support the structures and piers. This interference with the marine environment is what has islanders up in arms. Roberto Canul, chairman of the San Pedro Tour Operators Association, shares their concerns.
Roberto Canul
Roberto Canul, Chairman, San Pedro Tour Operators Association
“They are building right now a demo building. That means that they are going to show these demo buildings to future buyers. So that means that they’re here to cash in. They’re going to sell these buildings. There’s 40 of them that will go up for sale. And where are they positioned? Where are they being built over the waters. If you need to fill your land, fine, you need to fill your land. But how will you fill your land? Will you fill your land by destroying the ecosystem around it for your benefit? I believe that no. I believe that if you need to develop your land, you need to do it in a way that is not affecting the livelihood of other people, especially the local people in the community.”
Today, we took a boat trip around Cayo Rosario and saw some concerning developments. On the left side of the island, heavy duty equipment was in the sea, with about twenty piles driven into the seabed. Further left, there was a strip of sand bordered by cement blocks. On the right side, a concrete structure was under construction over the sea, about two hundred feet from the island, supported by piles and connected to a pier. This pier in the seabed is what has tour operators and fishermen from nearby San Pedro upset. The former Director of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Miguel Alamilla, is backing their concerns.
Miguel Alamilla
Miguel Alamilla, Former Director, Hol Chan Marine Reserve
“I think we need to scrutinize those environmental impact assessments in greater detail. You know, those researchers are maybe not questionable, but they’re not doing in-depth research that would actually give us proper information about those sites, not only onsite biological research, but social research, local knowledge, traditional knowledge that is here. It’s present and it’s valuable. We worked very hard from 2011 and onwards to extend the marine reserve to include all those areas. So it was a lot of hard work and when it was established in 2015, the reserve was extended. We thought, well, it was a big win for us for conservation, and we thought that, okay, everything was nice and beautiful, safe for conservation. But as you can see today, there are some gaps in the legislation, I believe that is allowing this to proceed.”
Minister of Blue Economy and Area Representative for Belize Rural South, Andre Perez, declined our interview request today. Instead, he pointed us to his appearance on Reef Radio and TV this morning. During the show, Perez emphasized that the Cayo Rosario project would require close monitoring and expressed his belief that the island should never have been sold in the first place.
Andre Perez
Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South
“Yes, the issue of Cayo Rosario in the very beginning should have never occurred, but it did. And it changed hands, sold. So a lot of people made money before it got to us, from the previous government back then in the P.U.P. days, if you want to call it, that’s when it was sold for land compensation. And then the next government continued when it could have stopped it and said, listen, if you are going to sell this to another person, you must inform who whoever is buying, you must tell them about the requirements. The not only requirements, but the risk that entails buying an island in terms of being on a marine reserve.”
News Five spoke with a representative from the Cayo Rosario project who wished to remain anonymous. While they declined an interview, they mentioned that Cayo Rosario was purchased before that section was declared part of the marine reserve, which was expanded in 2015. Tonight, concerned tourism groups are holding a public meeting in San Pedro to discuss the project. Marion Ali for News Five.
