This year’s Carib Soca Monarch, Orlando ‘Bonesman’ Johashen, who yesterday received a cheque for $1million and a trophy from the sponsors, said that in hindsight the money “means a whole lot”.

The top three finishers of the 2010 Soca Monarch competition pose with sponsors after collecting their cheques. Orlando ‘Bonesman’ Johashen won the competition while Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts finished second followed by Beverley Williams. In photo Vanilla (third, left), Bonesman (centre) and Williams (second, right) pose with Managing Director of Ansa McAl Beverley Harper (fourth, left), Nigel Worrell of Ansa McAl (right) and representatives of Ansa McAl, GT&T and DDL.

Johashen along with the runners-up of the competition gathered at Ansa McAl headquarters in Berterverwagting, ECD where the award was made.

Managing Director of Ansa McAl Beverley Harper presented Johashen with his million dollar cheque and trophy. Before the presentation, however, Harper expressed her delight at the success of the competition which is in its seventh year.

Harper congratulated Johashen and stated that the company will continue with the competition “despite not so nice words that have been said”. Harper went on to state that a lack of music and culture in a country makes it poorer and reiterated that Ansa McAl will continue to endorse activities that are geared at the promotion of music and culture.

Meanwhile, Johashen expressed his “heartfelt” gratitude to the sponsors, his Kross Kolor Records family and all involved in the competition telling them that could not have done it without them. He also stated that the money will go towards the completion of his house, which he calls his “greatest investment”.

Johansen also declared his intention to represent Guyana at the soca monarch competition in Trinidad and Tobago next year, assuring all that he will put his best foot forward in the hopes for “a wonderful time next year”.

The second place went to Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts who received $500,000 along with $50,000 for being the crowd favourite. And third place went to Beverly Williams. She received a cheque of $250,000. Monetary awards were also given to other participants of the competition.

Meanwhile the other sponsors of the competition the Soca brand of DDL and GT&T stated their companies’ commitment to the competition in the coming years and commended the success of this year’s competition.