Who is popular today?

Newly elected councillor John Michael Alibocas, aka Makamillion, is grateful for the support he received from residents of Marabella West, other UNC supporters and his family.
Initial results from Monday’s local government elections showed the entertainer and first-time candidate won the seat with 956 votes. His opponent, Jameela Marryshow-St Hill, of the PNM, got 927, losing by 29 votes. The PNM has since requested a recount.
Speaking with Newsday on Tuesday, Alibocas said, “I worked for it. I knew it was coming. The fight was not easy. My next step is to be sworn in to do my job. I am ready to help people.”
Alibocas recalled he was at his campaign office in Marabella on Monday night when he heard the news of his victory.
“Everyone was jumping and celebrating. Everything was happening fast. I barely had a chance to breathe. My mum is probably jumping for joy.”
Alibocas's mother Gail Attong-Alibocas died of cancer in 2011. He has repeatedly credited her for his getting into politics, saying it was one of her dying wishes.
Alibocas said he plans to meet local residents to thank them and to “touch base” with them. He is also planning a motorcade.
“Marabella West, thank you for everything. I also want to thank my family for being at my side as well as all the MPs and senators,” Alibocas added.
His sister Faye Alibocas, the 2003 TT representative in the Miss Universe competition, accompanied him to vote on Monday at the Anstey Memorial Girls’ Anglican School in San Fernando.
She lives in the US and came to Trinidad to support him. Alibocas said she was set to return on Tuesday, the day after the elections.
The PNM’s Micheal Johnson previously held the seat.
The PNM-controlled San Fernando City Corporation (SFCC) now has five electoral districts and the UNC four. The PNM previously held six of the nine districts.
It was a close race for UNC-turned-PNM candidate for the Marabella South /Vistabella electoral district Marcus Girdharie, who, based on preliminary results, lost by only 12 votes. He got 873 votes and lost to Sasha Ali, of the UNC, who got 885 votes.
The PNM has also requested a recount in this district.
On Tuesday, Girdharie told Newsday, “I am grateful for the first term that I was able to serve the residents of Marabella South/ Vistabella. Unfortunately, people could not look at what local government deals with in terms of representation as opposed to political party alliance.”
He previously held the seat under a UNC ticket.
The newly elected councillor took to social media on the win.
She said, “Victory is ours!! Thank you to the people of Marabella South/Vistabella for your love and support. I look forward to serving you.”
The five PNM incumbents retained their seats in the SFCC. These are Naigum Joseph for Springvale/ Paradise, Robert Parris for Pleasantville, Teresa Lynch for Cocoyea/Tarouba, Ryaad Hosein for Les Efforts East Cipero and Nigel Couttier for Mon Repos / Navet.
The two UNC incumbents, Kern Ramdin for Marabella East and Rishi Balramsingh for Les Efforts West/ La Romaine, also retained their seats.
.
The post Entertainer/politician thankful for Marabella West win appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.