2 December
Recently news broke that the Three Kings Cavalcade Committee had decided that this year's Cavalcade, which is one of the most popular events of the year attracting thousands to Main Street, would only feature Miss Gibraltar and her two Princesses.
The Committee explained the reason behind the decision was due to the fact that the event was becoming more like a Beauty Pageant Parade and they wanted more focus on the floats. This therefore begs the question: are beauty pageants fast becoming an important part of our culture and is Gibraltar becoming known as a nation obsessed with pageantry and showcasing girls?
When Kaiane Aldorino won Miss World in 2009 Gibraltar came to a standstill to welcome back its World approved Beauty Queen, then in 2011 she was awarded the Freedom of the City and last year she was appointed Deputy Mayor. She was and is praised for being the first Gibraltarian to win Miss World, which undoubtedly is a great feat for a small nation such as Gibraltar, but technically she is praised and honoured because of her physical beauty.
Since Kaiane's success within the pageant world, there has undoubtedly been a rise in the amount of beauty pageants held within Gibraltar, apart from Miss Gibraltar which sees its winners compete in International beauty pageants, there is now also a range of other contests available to girls of all ages that offer them up as perfectly made up dolls.
From Mrs Gibraltar to Miss Glamour, Miss Tween and Mini Miss Beauty Queen, as well as all the beauty pageants that are organized between the various estates such as Miss Varyl Begg and Miss Laguna.
JUDGING GIRLS ON THEIR LOOKS
I feel it's safe to say that Gibraltar has a somewhat worrying amount of contests that essentially judge girls solely on their looks. This is simply one side of an ongoing argument as to whether beauty pageants are demeaning towards women or not, with the other side arguing that the pageants serve to highlight not only physical beauty but beauty from within.
Many consider beauty pageants to be outdated and harmful to not only young girls, but women too, arguing that pageants only serve to objectify and degrade their contestants to nothing more than a pretty face and perfect body. In a place as small as Gibraltar, where essentially everyone knows everyone else, it becomes extremely easy to become the target of vicious gossip and bullying, therefore having so many pageants focused on young girls can have serious health and social implications not only on the children taking part, but also on the girls who watch their peers competing for the title of who's body is most desirable.
Studies show that child beauty pageants can affect everything, from a child's self-esteem and mental health, including eating disorders, to how they do in school and relationships. In an article published in the Mirror, clinical psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos explained, "new studies show that just getting someone to focus on a woman's appearance reduces their perception of her intelligence, regardless of what she is wearing." Bearing this in mind should Gibraltar therefore dial down on the amount of beauty pageants and encourage our younger girls to be healthy and accepting of themselves, and teach them that they can aspire to be more than just Queen's, Princesses and models.
GLITZ AND GLAMOUR
Having said that, Miss Gibraltar is one of the most anticipated events in the Gibraltarian calendar, with many enjoying the glitz and glamour that the shows have to offer. Whilst many are attracted by the various photo-shoots and outfits involved within the competition, the majority of girls who enter the pageants express how they have gained more confidence and found pageants as a good way of making friends and having fun. Others say that it's just a bit of harmless dressing up and if done in a responsible environment can be a good way of getting involved within the community and giving back, as most pageants expect contestants to take part in charitable work, whether through fundraising or volunteering.
Whilst this is an argument that has long been debated it is important to address such an issue that is fast becoming an integral part of our culture. Is encouraging young girls and women to enter into beauty pageants undermining the fight for gender equality and the idea that young girls and women should not only be considered objects to look at? Is Gibraltar becoming a society that encourages its young girls to be sexualized and only dream about becoming models and beauty queens or is it simply some harmless dressing up that encourages inner beauty and giving back to our community?
02-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Chief Minister to Attend Joint Ministerial Council
December 02, 2015
The Chief Minister left Gibraltar yesterday afternoon in order to attend the fourth meeting of the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) at Lancaster House in London.
The JMC will be hosted by the FCO Minister for the Overseas Territories, James Duddridge MP.
Before Mr Picardo's return to Gibraltar on Thursday evening, he will hold meetings with the Minister of State for Europe, David Lidington.
While the Chief Minister is away from the Rock, Dr Joseph Garcia will be the acting Chief Minister.
02-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Fireworks lead to strengthening border controls
December 02, 2015
The objective of Operation Comet is the collection of import duty and the enforcement of prohibitions and restrictions, particularly fireworks, over the weeks leading to Christmas and the New Year.
Increased Officer presence at the land frontier will ensure that proper Customs clearance procedures are maintained and that adequate facilities are in place to cope with the extra volume of coaches and private vehicles coming from shopping in Spain in the build-up to Christmas.
Passenger declaration forms have been distributed to all tour operators and these should be completed prior to the coach's arrival. These will not be a requirement for private vehicles.
Gibraltar Defence Police FX dogs will be operating at the border in a committed attempt to enforce the prohibition of illegal imports of fireworks. The public is advised to purchase British Standard approved fireworks that have been legally imported and are available locally.
HM Customs says it will endeavour a minimum disruption to the public whilst maintaining efficiency in the process of collection and law enforcement.
02-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
GBC Powder Room Politics Crosses the Line!
December 02, 2015
On election night GBC screened a 'Powder Room election special', the programme was produced round the election and the campaign. It covered a number of related issues, which the usual panel of women raised, issues they briefly debated, agreed with or were critical of. Mostly expressing personal opinions on what they thought about specific election related topics.
Whoever produced the programme, and allowed it to be aired in the blatant politically unbalanced manner riled a number of viewers. Certainly those who stayed up into the late hours and morning on election night, and others who subsequently watched a repeat of the programme at a more civil hour of the day.
The GBC 'Power Room' is a so-called light entertainment discussion programme fronted by Justine Cartwright daughter of well known GBC radio presenter Richard Cartwright and Terry Cartwright life president and life member of the GSD executive and party stalwart.
On the night, the presenter (Cartwright) opened the programme by explaining they were going to talk about politics, adding, 'that because they have always said on the programme that they don't like to delve too deeply into politics, they were going to look at the lighter side of politics.
Programme Dangerously Delved into the Unbalanced World of Broadcasting
What Cartwright meant by the lighter side of politics is best known to her and producers, certainly the programme dangerously delved into the unbalanced world of broadcasting which GBC by law cannot do and this was allowed on election night whilst the votes were being counted. In this respect, there was no light side to the programme regarding politics to be had!
So it was no surprise, to learn this GBC special election programme that 'does not delve too deeply into politics' has been seriously criticised by a number of people!
Those people who approached Panorama were critical in the way the senior programme host Justine Cartwright appeared to drive and manipulate certain parts of the programme to highlight aspects of the GSLP/Liberals election campaign as being false or dishonest.
Similarly Civil Servants were also given quite a pounding by the 'Powder Room ladies' one in particularly appeared to have a personal chip on her shoulder when she and the host presenter came out all gun blazing in a seriously disparaging and unfair attack on the civil servants, see below.
The Powder Room panel, during a part of the programme, was critical of aspects of the election campaign, nothing wrong in that. However, instead of generalising or being balanced about it, the programme appeared to be critical of the GSLP/Liberal campaign. In fact, they screened a number of video clips as examples accompanied by the un-savvy political views of the Powder Room panel. In fact, most of them with the exception of Cartwright agreed the kind of campaigning witnessed over the past 3 weeks and screened for viewers as illustration, this of at least four GLSP/Liberal election campaign events was normal to three of the ladies except one.
GBC showed the video clip of Mr. Picardo with a hard hat inspecting the new mid-town project. The next clip was Mr. Picardo taking a selfie with himself and the national day crowd at Casemates, a clip of Mr. Picardo kissing his wife at the Alliance rally at the Queen's Cinema and a clip of the same rally Alliance supporters inside the hall.
Cartwright informed viewers that they would have noticed that all the clips were of Mr. Picardo, but is wasn't personal she added, it was sheer coincidence that footage was only found of the Chief Minister during the Alliance campaign!
Justine Cartwright at the end thought this kind of campaigning, 'was false' this is what she was heard to say!
GSD Campaign of Fear Gets a Miss
Even though by Justine Cartwright's level of biased wisdom, it seems the GSLP/Liberal campaign may have appeared false or something she did not like.
However, it was amazing (or may be not) that GBC producers or Cartwright herself did not raise another much more high profile and damaging aspect of the election campaign. The one conducted by the GSD party and their campaign of fear and scaremongering on the LNG issue not mentioned once by the wise head lady on the GBC political Powder Room panel… who does not delve in politics too much, so she said!
Another coincidence, according to Cartwright, no campaign footage was found of Mr. Feetham and the GSD, only of Mr. Picardo and the Alliance campaign!
Civil Servants
Another hot topic debated and one that has been in the news recently has been the matter of Civil Servants.
On this issue the Power Room girls, had a fair bit to say and were again unfairly critical about the Civil Servant (CS), one of the panelists, Shacaluga, thought that 'people applying for a job in the civil service, that when employed the CS thinks they get the job and can relax as it was a job for life'. Another panelist said, with Cartwright agreeing, 'that is where attitude or complacency comes in'.
Shacaluga, then said 'it wasn't fair on those that are not like that but generally it was the way she felt, because people want a government job forever, adding, 'there should be more competition, because if 4 people could do the job of 6 just as efficiently or better, they should be swopped'.
Cartwright intervened saying "swop them or sack them" and that there was a level of incompetence, to the groan from Shacaluga, who added, that she had previously had some problems with some government departments, saying, 'people (civil servants) that were there might be influencing the new people that come in, if everyone or most people (civil servants) that are there have that attitude' some enthusiastic newcomer is going to be dragged down by the people who have been there for longer'. Cartwright adding 'that right, that happens, we want fresh faces there in Government and a better work ethic'.
I wonder what the GGCA think about all this?
Cartwright following in the footsteps of a GSD candidate raised another hot topic during the campaign 'Corruption' where again, she left little to the imagination who she was probably referring to. She asked the rest of the panel " Corruption, power and ego, they all (politicians) start off it seems, with the best intentions, we are not pointing any fingers because it is 'human nature'. Then adding, something starts to change, power trips massage the ego that could lead to a little corruption here and there, 'I can do this, I can do that'? Cartwright asking the rest of the panel if they thought this happened in Gibraltar and was it (corruption) across the board (or as Mr. Vasquez said during the election corruption was wide-spread).
Shacaluga, then said there should be a rule that 'when they (politicians) go into politics they should not talk about that past, but how they would better it' Cartwright adding, "that's what they do to win votes, by pulling down the opposition they are empowering themselves' Other panelists were heard saying 'both of them'. Meaning both parties!
Frankly, I thought GBC's Powder Room Election Special crossed some important 'rules and regulations' lines. It was a blatant and totally politically biased in parts, where producers it seems, left these women to their own personal political devices, to say what they thought without understanding that when it comes to politics GBC or any of its presenters cannot say what they like or what they may personally feel inside their heads.
I hope the GRA people once-and-for-all eventually come out of their timid shell to tackle these repeated political broadcasting shortcomings!
02-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Gibraltar has the strongest Environmental Governance amongst UK Overseas Territories
December 02, 2015
Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar says it is extremely pleased to announce that once again, Gibraltar has ranked as THE leader in environmental governance amongst the UK Overseas Territories.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) conducted an analysis which aims to qualify the significant progress made towards high level pledges on environmental governance. The outcome of this analysis reports that Gibraltar once again emerges as the Overseas Territory with the strongest level of environmental governance, and the only territory that was rated as strong across the board.
In separate letters to the Minister for the Environment, Dr John Cortes, and to CEO of the Department of the Environment and Climate Change, Dr Liesl Mesilio, Jonathan Hall, Head of UK Overseas Territories Unit of the RSPB states: "Congratulations to all involved in this achievement. Building on the successful environmental conference that Gibraltar hosted this summer, we hope that Gibraltar may continue to play a key role in environmental leadership amongst the Territories, and further assist in helping to raise standards where practicable."
The Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Dr John Cortes commented: "This is extremely gratifying at a personal and professional level. We have worked hard to network Gibraltar in the International Community and recognition such as this proves that we are moving strongly in the right direction. We will continue to work hard at an International level to ensure that our scientists continue to influence regional and global environmental policies."
02-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Gibraltar has the strongest Environmental Governance amongst UK Overseas Territories
December 02, 2015
Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar says it is extremely pleased to announce that once again, Gibraltar has ranked as THE leader in environmental governance amongst the UK Overseas Territories.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) conducted an analysis which aims to qualify the significant progress made towards high level pledges on environmental governance. The outcome of this analysis reports that Gibraltar once again emerges as the Overseas Territory with the strongest level of environmental governance, and the only territory that was rated as strong across the board.
In separate letters to the Minister for the Environment, Dr John Cortes, and to CEO of the Department of the Environment and Climate Change, Dr Liesl Mesilio, Jonathan Hall, Head of UK Overseas Territories Unit of the RSPB states: "Congratulations to all involved in this achievement. Building on the successful environmental conference that Gibraltar hosted this summer, we hope that Gibraltar may continue to play a key role in environmental leadership amongst the Territories, and further assist in helping to raise standards where practicable."
The Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Dr John Cortes commented: "This is extremely gratifying at a personal and professional level. We have worked hard to network Gibraltar in the International Community and recognition such as this proves that we are moving strongly in the right direction. We will continue to work hard at an International level to ensure that our scientists continue to influence regional and global environmental policies."
02-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Good placing for Karl in World Education Games
December 02, 2015
Karl Galliano is a Year 2 pupil at St Paul's First School. Over three days, Karl recently participated in the World Education Games and finished in joint 33rd place out of millions of participants worldwide. With a score of 243, Karl is securely in the Year 2 Science Hall of Fame.
The 'World Education Games' is organised in association with 3P Learning and UNICEF, and is 'the world's largest free online education competition held every two years'. Over 5 million students from 166 countries worldwide participated in these Games.
World Maths Day is a part of the World Education Games setup, and First and Middle Schools in Gibraltar are strongly encouraged to participate. Students log on to the World Maths Day website and compete against other children around the world in maths quizzes that are tailored to specific age groups. Children are enrolled in the Games by their schools and given login details to enable them to access the website both at school and at home.
When Karl first logged on to the site he started with the Maths games and then moved onto the English games. Once Karl had completed the Maths and English sections of the site, he continued to the Science games. Karl's mum said: 'Karl had the most fun completing this one as it was a game where he had to shoot at targets worth different amount of points and answer the questions behind the targets.'
In each set of games Karl was pitted against three other children his own age, from different parts of the world (Karl remembers a Japanese flag and an American flag from some of his opponents during the science challenges). This time though he had to be quick to shoot the targets before his opponents did in order to answer the questions. But, as mum soon realised, Karl 'got the hang of it rather quickly,' although Karl did say that 'the other children were quick as well.'
The results of all the games were released once all the data had been collated. Winners' lists and Hall of Fame top 100s were constructed and placed online on the World Education Games website.
Each Year group in each category (Maths, English and Science) had the top 100 scorers ranked according to their overall score. Of the millions of children worldwide who entered the competition and played the games, those who excelled came within the top 100. The flags of their country are published alongside their ranking, followed by the student's name and school, and finally, their score. In the top third of the top 100 in the Year 2 Science Hall of Fame 2015, Karl Galliano succeeded in securing joint 33rd, with a score of 243.
The Minister for Education, Gilbert Licudi, said: 'Very well done, Karl! This is an extraordinary achievement. You have worked extremely hard and done yourself, your school and the whole of Gibraltar so proud. I'm very glad that you had fun and enjoyed the learning experience. Keep up the good work!'
02-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Here we go again
December 02, 2015
Dear Sir
Here we go again. The FCO again acting like the patronizing "I know what is best for you"!
I do not think that any of the FCO shenanigans of the 1960s will surprise anyone, as we know of the FCO's incessant efforts to push us towards spain, digging into our confidence with fear of doomsday for Gibraltar if a sovereignty deal was not struck, and all the pressures.
We must thank our lucky stars that we had "uncomfortable" Chief Ministers for the FCO like Sir Bob Peliza and Joe Bossano, who furiously stood firm against the FCO's objectives at the time and after.
For better or worse, the two referenda sent clear messages that the FCO never seem to have fully understood, which are - that we are prepared to suffer whatever the consequences to retain our identity, that we do not want anyone to keep making negative and obstructive decisions/proposals for us, and that we cannot be pressed towards a path we will never take.
The FCO should finally take its mask off once and for all, as I am sure that many Gibraltarians have gone beyond being surprised, and to stop worrying that bilateral relations between UK and Gibraltar might be damaged now. Perhaps that was one of the strategies?
The truth however ugly is preferable to rosy lies, so I do not see why the FCO should be so concerned about disclosing the 60 year old documents, as we can well guess what the documents will contain!
Unless... they were planning to blow the place up!!!
Yours faithfully
Isabella Caruana-(Montegriffo)
02-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Thanks for support
December 02, 2015
Dear Sir,
I would be greatly obliged if you could please publish the following.
On behalf of our group as well as the committee and residents of the home in Tangier "Dar El Hana" I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for helping us with this year's hamper raffle and cake stall fund raising event. Without the generous support of local traders as well as the many supporters selling tickets and donating cakes and helping on the day this even would not be possible or profitable.
We would hence like to thank:
Gibtelecom - Saccone & Speed - Giboil - Coviran - L Stagnetto Ltd - Jewel Box - Sacarello
Gibraltar Crystal - Marble Arc - Anglo Hispano - Restsso Trading - Beacon Press - Defence Police Club -
And GJBS - Argus Insurance - Price Waterhouse Coopers - Hassans - T&T - Deloitte and other anonymous donors for their donations.
The winners of the two £1,000 hampers were the holders of ticket numbers 0935 Doris Torres and 0838 Samantha Byrne. Both winners have claimed and taken their respective hampers.
The raffle and cake stall raised over £3,300.
The money will be used to meet the ongoing running expenses at "Dar El Hana" and to meet the costs of employing two "Therapists" next year who will focus on the needs and education of the younger residents and those with the more severe disabilities.
If you would like to know more about our group; our aims and what we do please contact us via chehomgib@gibtelecom.net or via our face book page.
Thank you for all the support you continue to give us.
Jaime Felices
02-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
They came from nowhere and lost...
December 02, 2015
Gosh, cuantos votos he estado echando estos dias, after all it was a free hellection, mi querida cynthia.
Well, it depends how you take it, I imaginate.
Caramba, es que con los scaremongerings de Patasjamon y su compadre, el Jamon, era enough para haberse hecho caca, pero I don't think many believed them, judging by los pocos votes que cojieron.
I must say, Cloti dear, que este Jamon - que in English se pronuncia Hammond - no es de pata negra porque no lo conoce nadie, that is why he came two from the bottom of those del GSD who got elected.
Igualito que el Albert con sus famosas coplas, like Echame A Mi La Culpa.
There you are, y eso que he was named Chairman of the party, y la de Nahon was second on the GSD list, por eso dicen que she should replace al Patasjamon.
I mean, los hellections se ganan y se pierden, pero es que esto fue un disaster.
Mi querido husband dice que en el work la gente se pregunta if the party will be able to carry on, porque como tu dices los hellections tambien se pierden pero, blimey, this was un crushing defeat of the first order.
Mira lo que paso in the Mother Country con el Milliband, el tio resigned en plan relampago, pero aqui a veces we behave like the Espanish who don't resign for anything.
Bueno, we shall see what happens next, pero es que los que ya estaban elected, como el Boss-Y-No, cleared off y entraron una comparsa of new candidates from nowhere.
And naturally, people were saying, quien son eta gente? Pero el Patasjamon mas tranquilo que Jila, como si no pasara nada.
Y El Bigote salio donde salio pero at least salio, which is more than others can say.
After so many years, he cannot complain!
Como que para algunos fue una noche electoral mas larga que una longanisa, y con caras mas larga que un dia sin pan.
Bueno, hija, que fabriquen el power station de una vez, porque la cosa no esta for power cuts - aunque in our modern Gibraltar there have been apagones hasta cuando el Knight cortaba el cod.
Te dire que I prayed to La Virgencita de Uropa ue esta donde iban a poner el stadium.
Bueno, ahora lo van a poner mas cerca del cielo, porque mi pobre marido no puede con estas caminatas hasta Faro. And the sooner the better.
And so all of us. Ta, ta for now, whiteflower.
Adio blancaflor.
02-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
