Author: Opastaff
Many Haitians gathered Tuesday at prayer services and private homes to mark the sixth anniversary of the country’s devastating earthquake and remember loved ones who died. The Haitian government has said more than 300,000 people died in the 2010 disaster, but the exact toll is unknown because there was no systematic effort to count bodies during the overwhelming days that followed the quake. Joseph Philistin brought his two sons to the grounds of the Sacred Heart Catholic church, one of thousands of buildings reduced to rubble when the magnitude-7.0 quake hit Port-au-Princeand surrounding areas. He came to mourn five relatives…
Haiti Earthquake Coverage by OpaMizik
Joubert Charles Memorial. by OpaMizik
In the immediate hours following the Jan. 12 earthquake, TV/radio host Carel Pedre was one of the few media voices coming out of Haiti. After telling his story to more than a half dozen international media outlets, he sits down with OpaTV for an in-depth conversation about the quake, the solidarity of the Haitian people, his disappointments and how he plans to help with recovery. The “shorty award” nominee also expressed his frustration with those in the HMI that he feels, so far, aren’t doing enough for their fans.
Singer Mika Ben talks about his experience during Haiti’s earthquake and how he and fellow musicians Gracia Delva, Black E-Z, Fefe, Roro (Djakout Mizik), Jean-Jean Roosevelt, Ti Joe (Kreyol La), Roberto (T-Vice) etc… are planning to contribute to the recovery and rebuilding efforts with the “Ti Souf” initiative. Artists who would like to contribute their talent to the Ti Souf Ayiti Mizik can contact Mika Ben on Facebook or email his manager Tilionel@gmail.com
Manno Charlemagne has been the vocal conscience of Haiti. As a singer, songwriter, political activist, and one-time mayor of Port-au-Prince, he has constantly challenged the status quo and stood up for the millions of poor Haitians who otherwise would have had no voice. A soulful yet brazen balladeer, Manno for decades used his acoustic guitar and tender baritone voice as weapons against the brutal Duvalier regime and civilized indifference of Haiti’s insulated upper class. A skinny, poor rebel from the slums, he was the little black fly in a cold glass of milk. Born in 1948, he slipped out of…
What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time, Gasman Pierre more commonly known as “Gazzman Couleur” was the charismatic Lead Singer of the popular Miami based band Nu Look. Now, Gazzman, is the leader of his own band, DiSip and has just released a new CD, Mission. The band released their first single entitled “Pa Kondanenm” in March 2010, a song addressing his departure from Nu Look. The song received lukewarm reviews but that did not deter the devoted fans of Gazzman Couleur to proclaim him the new King of the Court. Undoubtedly, the band created a…
Campaigning for Haiti’s presidential runoff election kicked off Friday, though it appears there is only one candidate who will actively participate. Government-backed contender Jovenel Moise, a little-known agricultural entrepreneur who led a crowded field of 54 candidates with nearly 33 percent of the vote in the Oct. 25 first round, attracted roughly 1,500 people to his first rally Friday evening. Big speakers pumped out bass-heavy songs featuring his campaign moniker, “Neg Bannann” — Banana Man in Haitian Creole — and a group of women wore yellow banana costumes. But the campaign team of the second-place finisher, Jude Celestin, was quiet…
Haiti (pictured) trains at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City, Panama, on January 7, 2016, in advance of its Copa America Centenario play-in match against Trinidad & Tobago. (Photo: Mexsport) PANAMA CITY, Panama – After opening the fourth round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with two straight 1-0 losses, Haiti and head coach Marc Collat parted ways. With only a short time to prepare for its Copa America Centenario play-in match, Patrice Neveu – a former national team manager of DR Congo, Niger and Mauritania — was named as the replacement. The 61-year-old Frenchman has proven to be…