Kamla pays tribute to Raymond Choo Kong “We have lost a National Icon”
I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of well-known actor, playwright, producer and director, Raymond Choo Kong.
Raymond was a true pioneer and innovator, who will always be remembered as one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most gifted artists.
He was not only a veteran actor and director, but he was a national icon, as the plays that he directed brought joy to many of our citizens. For more than four decades, his work impacted the cultural landscape of our nation through his comedies and pieces of theatrical brilliance.
While he has shown immense talent on the stage, he also demonstrated his gift as a director when he put on local productions of musicals such as “The Sound of Music”, “The King and I”, and “Mahalia: A Gospel Musical”.
Raymond Choo Kong possessed a talent like no other, which led to him being awarded 18 Cacique Awards from all categories, making him the holder of the most Cacique Awards in our nation’s history.
He will always be remembered for his charisma and wit and the effort that he put into ensuring that his productions on the stage or on screen were of exceptional quality. One of his greatest achievements would his role in the local film “Moving Parts” that was endorsed by the United Nations in 2016.
The mark of any human being is the positive impact that they have on the lives of others. Without a doubt, Raymond Choo Kong inspired hundreds of young actors and non-actors to follow their dreams no matter their circumstances.
Today our nation mourns the loss of a true son of the soil. However, as a people, we have been thrown into more turmoil given the manner in which an individual who has given so much to our nation met his end. His death is a reminder of the prevailing danger facing our country, as well as the chilling fact that no person is immune or safe.
I join the local theatre community and the entire nation in mourning this local icon, who has tragically been taken away from us much too soon.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Choo Kong family, his friends, fans, as well as with all the families who continue to be affected by the horrible scourge of crime engulfing Trinidad and Tobago.