“The House of Angostura has always taken its role as a responsible corporate citizen seriously and is proud to present this initiative, celebrating and supporting the service being done by responsible, caring, citizens across the country, It is wonderful to see the exceptional work being done by dedicated individuals and we would like to extend sincere appreciation to all those who sent in their nominations,”
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The Angostura Champions Award
The Angostura Champions Award is a biennial event which celebrates the champions in our society and benevolent citizens who give of themselves to a noble cause.
The awards programme aims to showcase and recognize the extraordinary contributions made by citizens who have been working towards improving the standard of living to others.
The worthy Angostura Champion will receive financial support for their causes.
Rules for Nominations:
The nominee must be an individual, 18 years and over and a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago. Groups, organisations and NGOs will not be considered.
Self-nomination will not be considered.
The nominee’s contribution must be continuous during the period 2020.
The nominee must not have been previously selected for an award or recognition of their service.
Persons who submit a nomination must be 18 years and over.
Nominees may be contacted to verify their information or to provide additional information as it pertains to the nomination.
Submit your Nomination:
To submit your nomination please fill out the nomination form online and click “Submit” OR download and print the nomination form, fill it out and submit it to us at
House of Angostura
Corner Eastern Main Road and
Trinity Avenue
Laventille,
Trinidad & Tobago
Angostura Solera Wines & Spirits
C3 Centre and St. Clair,
Trinidad & Tobago
Remember to provide all required contact information for yourself and your nominee, along with a detailed description of your nominee’s community service work.
By submitting a nomination form you and your nominee agree to the use of its contents, without compensation, for the purpose of advertising and publicizing all matters related to the Angostura Champions and/or its Sponsors in any medium
Angostura Champions will receive financial support for their causes
FAQs
Angostura Champions is a biennial award programme held by the House of Angostura to celebrate benevolent citizens of Trinidad and Tobago who give of themselves to a noble cause.
To submit your nomination please fill out the nomination form online and click “Submit” OR print the nomination form, which you can download here, fill it out and submit it to us by mail or in person at:
Angostura Champions,
House of Angostura,
Corner Eastern Main Road and
Trinity Avenue,
Laventille,
Trinidad & Tobago
OR
Angostura Solera Wines & Spirits
C3 Centre or St. Clair
You may submit separate nominations for multiple individuals, but we suggest you direct your effort into one outstanding nomination.
Yes, nominees must agree to be nominated.
If your nomination advances to the second round of consideration, we will contact you and your nominee through the contact information you provide.
The Angostura Champion of the Year will be announced on Saturday, December 12th, 2020 at an award ceremony which will be broadcast live on television and social media.
The Nominee must be an individual, 18 years and over and a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago. Groups, NGOs and organizations will not be considered.
You cannot nominate yourself.
The Nominee’s service must be continuous during the period 2020 and he/she must not have been previously selected for an award or recognition of his/her service.
Please do not nominate the same person more than once as this will not increase their chances of being selected.
Please provide as much contact information as possible. We require an email address and telephone number, so that we can contact your nominee should we wish to advance their nomination.
Nominations will be reviewed by a team of prominent judges. Five finalists will be selected through a points system and online voting process and ‘Angostura Champion of the Year’ will be announced at an award ceremony to be held and broadcast live on television and social media on December 12th, 2020.
Angostura Champions will receive the support of the House of Angostura in continuing their humanitarian work.
At an awards ceremony held on Friday 7th December, The House of Angostura announced the five finalists for its inaugural Angostura Champions Award for community service: Christopher Dennis, Elspeth Duncan, Frank Edwards, Koriella Espinoza and Donald McLean James. Koriella Espinoza was subsequently named the “Angostura Champion of the Year 2018” at the formal event held at the company’s premises.
Launched this year, Angostura Champions is an annual awards programme initiated by the company to celebrate individuals who perform outstanding community service and work toward improving the lives of others in Trinidad and Tobago. The awards programme aims to showcase the chosen Champions’ exceptional contributions to society, thus encouraging a sense of service, much needed in our nation today.
This year’s winner, Koriella Espinoza, is the founder of Korie’s Kids, an organization that supports children diagnosed with cancer and their families, and has empowered children since 2005. The other nominees’ work was also highly commendable. Christopher Dennis has for over seven years, run a youth coaching programme called Fools Can’t Surf, which motivates young people in Balandra and the surrounding areas through sport. Elspeth Duncan is a dedicated animal rescuer and animal welfare activist, active in Tobago. Frank Edwards is the founder and manager of the Morvant Football Academy, which has built camaraderie amongst young people in the community for over a decade. Donald McLean James is the founder of the Professional Barbering School, which mentors young people and provides free haircuts to those in need.
ANGOSTURA CHAMPION
The Angostura Champion of the Year 2018, Koriella Espinoza has been tirelessly pursuing her calling for over 10 years. She founded Korie’s Kids in 2005 to support children diagnosed with cancer and their families. Through this organization, she aims to empower and enrich the lives of these children through music, mentorship and the fulfillment of their wishes.
CHRISTOPHER DENNIS
Christopher Dennis is an international surfing champion who coaches young people in Balandra and its surrounding communities. For over 7 years, his programme, Fools Can’t Surf, has positively impacted on the lives of his students, improving their academic performances and bolstering their self-esteem through sport.
FRANK EDWARDS
Frank Edwards is a devoted member of his community who sought to provide mentorship and support to young people in his area through sport. He is the founder and manager of the Morvant Football Academy, which has built camaraderie amongst young men and women in the community since it was founded in 2008.
ELSPETH DUNCAN
Elspeth Duncan has been dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in need for over 30 years and continues to campaign for the improvement of animal welfare in Trinidad & Tobago through humane education programmes.
DONALD MCCLEAN JAMES
Donald McClean James, founder of the Professional Barbering School, trains young people, including the boys of the Youth Training Centre, in the art of barbering and provides free haircuts to disadvantaged individuals. A haircut is a simple act of service that can mean so much to a person in need.
Nominations were open to the public for six weeks in August and September and the programme received an overwhelming number of high-caliber nominations. Nominated individuals were judged by a panel of notable members of society who selected the five finalists and then the “Angostura Champion of the Year 2018” through a points-based system.
“The House of Angostura has always taken its role as a responsible corporate citizen seriously and is proud to present this new initiative, celebrating and supporting the service being done by responsible, caring, citizens across the country,” said Terrence Bharath, Chairman of Angostura Limited. “It is wonderful to see the exceptional work being done by dedicated individuals and we would like to extend sincere appreciation to all those who sent in their nominations,” he ended.
On December 12th, 2020 Angostura® held its 2nd Champions Award which showcased benevolent citizens for their noble causes. The Angostura Champions Award is the Company’s way of recognizing and admiring those in society who give of themselves selflessly to assist others. It is a biennial programme which was first hosted in 2018, in which Angostura® received nominations from across Trinidad and Tobago, and this year was no different.
Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath says, “We at Angostura® consider ourselves to be Champions. We strive for excellence in all that we do just as the five finalists of the Champions Award. During a global pandemic, the aim of the Angostura Champions Award 2020 was to triumph over darkness.”
ANGOSTURA CHAMPION
Winner of the 2020 Angostura Champions Award, Ms. Elizabeth Aleong collects her cheque from Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry and Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath.
Elizabeth learned to not just cope with two differently abled children, but she works at providing therapy and support services for children with disabilities regardless of a family’s income. After surviving a bilateral stroke in 2018 and learning how to walk and talk again; it gave her more encouragement and drive to assist children with disabilities.
SHIVAM TEELUCKSINGH
From left to right- Minister of Trade and Industry, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon; Finalist Mr. Shivam Teelucksingh and the Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath.
Shivam is an entrepreneur and freelance computer technician, he was forced to close his pharmacy due to the strains from COVID-19. Unemployed, he then sold his vehicle and used the proceeds from the sale and his IT skills to provide free computer repairs for parents and assisted them in navigating online education platforms for their children.
ANUSHKA TEELUCKSINGH
From left to right- Minister of Trade and Industry, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon; Finalist Ms. Anuskha Teelucksingh and the Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath.
Anushka has harnessed the life-giving force of blood donations. After having to source blood for her father in 2009 and realizing how difficult it was, she started to coordinate blood drives to assist others.
VALDEEN SHEARS
From left to right- Minister of Trade and Industry, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon; Finalist Valdeen Tamara Shears and the Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath.
Valdeen emerged from an abusive relationship and transitioned from victim to survivor to advocate. She is the beacon that provides hope to other victims of domestic violence and is lobbying for legislative changes to improve the lives of women and girls in similar situations. She is advocating for the implementation and enforcement of Electronic Tracking Bracelets, corresponding Victim App Alert and Mandatory Rehabilitation Counselling for abusers.
KENNETH LISTHROP
From left to right- Minister of Trade and Industry, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon; Finalist Mr. Kenneth Listhrop and Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath.
He has funnelled his musical energies into the next generation through the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Philharmonic of which he is the music director. He formed the group to teach children music.
Angostura® received hundreds of nominations and after a difficult selection process, a panel of esteemed judges selected five finalists. The judges included Mr Sieunarine Coosal, Mrs. Zalayhar Hassanali, Ms. Jacqueline Quamina and Mr. Jehue Gordon. The winner of the Champions Award was selected by the judges and through online voting.
Angostura® would like to salute the 5 finalists of the Angostura Champions Award 2020 and to congratulate the winner, Ms. Elizabeth Aleong. Ms. Aleong learned to not just cope with her two differently abled children, but she works at providing therapy and support services for children with disabilities regardless of a family’s income. After surviving a bilateral stroke in 2018 and learning how to walk and talk again; it gave her more encouragement and drive to assist children with disabilities. It was because of this she received the Angostura Champions Award 2020. She received a trophy and $50,000.00.
The other finalists all received trophies and $10,000.00 each and included domestic violence advocate, Ms. Valdeen Tamara-Shears. She emerged from an abusive relationship and transitioned from victim to survivor to advocate. She is lobbying for legislative changes regarding domestic violence and advocating for the implementation and enforcement of Electronic Tracking Bracelets, corresponding Victim App Alert and Mandatory Rehabilitation Counselling for abusers.
Another finalist, Mr. Shivam Teelucksingh, is an entrepreneur and freelance computer technician who was forced to close his pharmacy due to the strains from COVID-19. Unemployed, he then sold his vehicle and used the proceeds from the sale and his IT skills to provide free computer repairs for parents and assisted them in navigating online education platforms for their children.
Ms. Anushka Teelucksingh, harnessed the life-giving force of blood donations. After having to source blood for her father in 2009 and realizing how difficult it was, she started to coordinate blood drives to assist others. Mr. Kenneth Listhrop has funnelled his musical energies into the next generation through the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Philharmonic of which he is the music director. He formed the group to teach children music.
In acknowledging the hard work and dedication of the finalists, Mr. Bharath said, “It takes a special person to give of themselves unselfishly for no reward. It takes a special person to understand that there is a reward from being kind to others. There is at the end of the day a feeling of joy and fulfilment from assisting others.”
Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon said, “I congratulate the Angostura® team on this initiative aimed at showcasing and recognizing the extraordinary contributions made by distinguished citizens who have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others.”
