Gordon Robinson | Local Domino Awards 2025
Published:Tuesday | December 30, 2025 | 12:06 AM
It’s time for Part Deux of the fourteenth annual Domino Awards – memorial for the Khooky Khast of Kharacters from my wasted youth.
Congratulations to the winners especially of awards named for the Dunce, a happy-go-lucky guy who allowed nothing to faze him. His life philosophy was “if a macca, mek it jook yu!” I recommend his attitude to all awardees. Don’t bother sending irate e-mails. They’ll change nothing.
Dunce Award: This year’s winner is Digicel (Jamaica) Limited for its cavalier approach to customer service and its cockeyed idea of communication. Its internet service is slow and annoying at best; sporadic at worst. It comes and goes like Brent Dowe’s feeling he’s been feeling. But, when it’s present it takes forever to do anything and, often, fails for hours at a time.
And don’t get me started on the cable dis-service which is like a lottery. Digicel removes channels seemingly willy nilly; adds channels nobody wants; and never reduces the monthly tariff. The Stingray Music Channels which are favourites among my circle of ancient campaigners and a safe place for me especially at night disappeared when Digicel pretended to upgrade its network provider. They haven’t returned or been replaced. Local radio stations broadcasts are whimsical and as clean as a full laundry basket.
Digicel, the Dunce says: If a macca, mek it jook yu!
Sigh.
Paula, the Dunce says If a macca, mek it jook yu!
Journalism awards:
For the second year there’s no Dunce Award for journalism because the winner on merit writes boring, repetitive fare under a pseudonym so we don’t know who to reward. I thought pseudonyms died decades ago after Jay Monroe became John Hearne; Thomas Wright became Morris Cargill; Petras became Carl Stone; The Terrible Tout’s not-so-secret identity was revealed.
Journalism Dunce Move Award: This one is eeeeezzzzzeeeee! Never have I ever heard a more careless question at a serious press conference than Zahra Burton’s query regarding disposal of dead bodies in Melissa’s wake: “if anything could be done to get some John Crows in the area to take up some of the carcasses.”
This takes absurdity to new heights.
Zahra: even the Dunce is speechless.
Serious awards:
Rising Star Journalist: it seems Power 106’s Morning Agenda is a breeding ground for future stars because newcomer Kemoy McEckron has, like at least two predecessors, breathed much needed life into the morning show with his balanced, calm and, most importantly, sensible guidance of the ship. His interventions are substantive and intelligent. He obviously prepares the day’s topics before each broadcast. Hopefully he’ll remain in media.
Journalist of the Year: 2021’s Rising Star Journalist GIOVANNI DENNIS has more than rewarded my confidence in him with a constantly progressive career. He stepped up on previous high standards when taking a risk moving from RJR’s relatively safety to CVM-TV where his positive impact on news and news commentary programmes’ quality and content was immediate. His revamped, more inclusive election night coverage was outstanding.
GENE AUTRY AWARD FOR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
This year’s Top Personality is the hardest working man in show business namely Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Minister, DARYL VAZ, whose energy levels mirror the ministry’s name. Love him or hate him Daryl can’t be ignored nor can he be faulted for his focus on doing over talking. He can also be renamed Mr. Personality because his is instantly recognisable; never hidden; and always assertive.
Daryl is an unusual politician as he takes firm, often difficult decisions and owns them. As a JLP politician he was seminal in the Party’s recent General Election win when he took bold campaign decisions and stuck to his guns regardless. As Minister, his crackdown on JPS since Beryl has been comforting to witness and his further warning to that grossly inefficient public utility that the easy ride ends in two years is evidence of his acting in the national interest.
Daryl has always been a model of transparency including recently when he took an unpopular decision to lend JPS what can only be termed mobilization money. But, again, he took a decision, without waffling, and owned it.
As James Brown instructed:
Get up, (get on up).
Get up, (get on up)!
Stay on the scene (get on up)
like a sex machine!
Happy New Year Everybody!
Peace and Love.
Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com