Soca Monarch Fay-Ann on winning Road March: I am really elated over the three victories and very thankful to God for how everything turned out.
Reigning National Road March champion Fay-Ann Lyons Alvarez was yesterday trying to get some much-needed rest, in the midst of fielding phone calls from people calling to congratulate her on winning the 2009 Road March title.
Lyons was by mid-morning yesterday declared the 2009 Road March winner with "Meet SuperBlue", the song with which she also copped the International Power Soca Monarch title on Carnival Friday. Lyons won the International Groovy Soca Monarch title as well.
Lyons told the Express she felt good about retaining the Road March title, and knew just what to expect throughout the day and coming week, but she was more excited over the fact that she came away with three titles this time around.
"I went through this last year, so I know what to expect today as far as the Road March is concerned. I am really elated over the three victories, and very thankful to God for how everything turned out. We all worked very hard this year, my husband (Bunji Garlin), Ian (Ian Pantin, Asylum manager), the band and everyone who was involved. Now, it's time to rest and get ready for the baby. I've actually been at rest since after the Soca Monarch," Lyons said.
Speaking with the Express last night, Bunji said he was proud of his wife, whom he looks upon as a young woman.
He said when he looks at other women her age and younger, and sees the challenges they have to face today, it is good they could look at her as an inspiration to achieve what they set out to, in spite of what people would say and personal challenges being faced.
Right now, Bunji said he wants to rest and ensure that Lyons has a safe delivery.
When Lyons won her first Road March title in 2003 with "Display", she said she was aiming to equal the number of titles held by her father, SuperBlue, who has won on eight occasions. Lyons, whose Road March count now stands at three (last year she won with "Get On"), said her father told her after her performance at the Soca Monarch competition that she has to aim at winning the Road March title 11 times, which means he wants her to surpass the record of ten set by Kitchener.
On Tuesday night, a rumour that Lyons had given birth to a girl began to circulate, and although she and Bunji told the media the baby had not yet been born, the rumours persisted. Lyons said she is amazed by this because up to yesterday afternoon people were still calling and congratulating her on the birth of her child, which is not due until next month.
"This is marvellous. The rumour went out by who, we don't know, and people instantly believed it. We told people that called it was not true, and they still believed the rumour. The rumour took precedence over what we were saying. This is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. Even though we are saying the baby has not come as yet, people insist it has. It just goes to show that you can't believe everything you hear. Ian and I had a good laugh over it," Lyons said.
