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Southern Belize Media, Ramos Road, Dangriga (2025)

22/09/2025

SoBel photo of the week: The stone that the builders refused….

So how is the Dangriga project coming along?

This thing is serious!

Tried to warn your people it was not a good idea.

Hmmm, it is not my fault.

Dangriga,

What is done in it, is done by it.

Only you can lift yourselves up.

But we’re still stronger together, rising forever, right?

Well, let’s see how the November 19th celebrations will turn out.

Babs, Kent, Karen, Yvette, Darina, SoBel shares in your grief. You are not mourning alone. Nen was our mother too. Dangriga mourns with you. Sincere condolences to you my beloved brother amd sisters. May the great soul of your dear mother rest in peace.

Tune in to SoBel Radio on 99.3 Fm.

Photo courtesy of the SoBel archives: SoBel’s CEO and the Prime Minister having a heart to heart over a light snack of coffee and tacos.

Published by permission.

21/09/2025

Happy Independence Day from SoBel!

16/09/2025

SoBel photo of the week: truth or dare.

Two valuable lessons I learned from my high school English teachers were about perspective and depth. Sister Leona, my 2nd form English teacher, taught us to take something familiar to you, could be a picture, an image, a sculpture, an idea, any product of the human mind, including words, and write what you think of it. It was a challenging class and the assignment relating to the subject drew some very creative essays from my classmates. You see, we were only 13- 14 years old.

In the following 3rd form school year, Dangriga’s best English teacher, Mrs. Phyllis Cayetano,(Erica, dont trip), took this complicated lesson further by teaching us about depth. We were taught at that time that an object is composed of powers and properties relating to its qualities where length, breadth and thickness are considered. These were two lessons I carried with me in apprehending my world, these are the lessons I rely on for projecting the same world to those around me. Future academic training and reasonings acquired from the few books I’ve had the pleasure and good fortune to read reinforced those valuable lessons! They are in fact the bedrock of SoBel’s approach to the information propagated by its medium, Southern Belize Media.

I want to assure the readers who follow our website we do not engage in hyperbole or half truths. SoBel’s dedicated staff is committed to providing information based on adequate research and verifiable evidence before committing a word or image for public release. This network, although young in its existence, distinguishes itself from other media platforms by its commitment to Truth.

We recognize the powers, properties and magnitude of words and images in general. Any projection, any distortion, every misuse, for whatever reason, is of consequence to those who act on them. We more than recognize the value of this view when telling our stories. Any story about a people and its culture requires perspective and depth. You simply must be educated about the subject. In these times where information is readily accessible, with a public so eager to be informed, it is the responsibility of the framers of stories to inform themselves of the truth or falsity of their claims before publication.

SoBel will continue to expand on these ideas. In keeping with our grand vision of informing Southern Belize, we hope that our approach will take hold in the minds of SoBel’s population. We are committed to the truth and you are deserving of the truth.

SoBel Radio is reaching your homes, taxis, workplaces, offices on 99.3 Fm. Tune in. Soon you will be greeted with news and views from our anticipated newsroom.

Photo published by permission.

09/09/2025

SoBel photo of the week: an open society and its enemies.

Erenga libiri, merenga libiri(Machete, a notable Garifuna folklorist).

Do not mention the unthinkable.

It was not too long ago that the CEO of Southern Belize Media(SoBel), met with and presented his broadcast license to the Police commissioner of Belize, Dr. Richard Rosado. While this is not a requirement to broadcast in Belize, management thought it a proper gesture to obtain the goodwill of the country’s law enforcement agencies.

I was greeted with respect and cordiality. The Commissioner’s attending staff was professional in every aspect of their conduct towards us. I was not alone during this meeting. In the spirit of disclosure, Dr. Rosado forfeited his lunch break to accommodate me, his next obligation being attended to immediately after.

During this meeting, the Commissioner of police suggested closer cooperation between the police departments and media in Southern Belize! I was given the courtesy, no, the honor, of being photographed with this man, beneath the portraits of the three most powerful men in our country. It was soon after that the searing heat of media scrutiny began to threaten his credibility, if not his existence.

I became a witness to power. I can also testify that within the structure of the Commissioner’s office is a mandate to serve and to protect the citizens of this young nation. An experiment that will require our due diligence, attention and cooperation, if not active participation to make it suited for our national purpose. The current crisis affecting our national prestige has shown us how creating and pursuing claims in the name of justice can threaten the institutions we come to rely on, to serve us.

The Budna story with its merits and demerits is the most discussed in Belize. I’m not sure if it has the same traction in Guatemala or elsewhere in Central America. In the states, Belizeans are clearly talking about it, but not with the same seriousness as the attention given at home. In Belize, it has become a rally cry for citizens rights and state sovereignty. In Guatemala, it is about the effective use of their law enforcement and its apparatuses.

In the states, this story serves as a joke. It has been recognized as an attempt to undermine the government and its law enforcement agency. The Fourth republic in Belize is complicit in presenting to the world a nation, that despite an international police warrant being placed on a fugitive, the government has failed to execute that warrant, and when the criminal was finally apprehended, the experts, including the media placed their own country and its institutions on trial. This has the Guatemalan authorities jumping with joy. The Belizean media is complicit in destroying the authorities of their own government. All the Guats need to do now is to march in.

The only person who can be credited for a check to this insanity is Senator Wade. He appeals to the common sense and decency of the Belizean people. I join him in this crusade. SoBel is onboard warning the people of Belize, especially, Southern Belize, that these claims, however convincing in their appearance are not about citizen’s rights or national sovereignty. It is about an agenda gone berserk. The two opposition leaders are equally caught up in this fallacy that they have forgotten about restoring the unity of their party. But they are agreeing on a national issue at last.

Our government too has a role to play in this bacchanal. Its various responses to the questions about this manufactured crisis displayed a troubling ineptitude in dealing with a national crisis. Just think if Guatemala was to threaten an invasion across our borders. Or worse. What if Guatemala decides to return Budna to Belize? How will they handle that? It will not be as easy as accepting a reformed terrorist from Guantanamo Bay. And where was this high level confused response when hundreds of our young black men were being slaughtered in the streets?

To lay all this at the feet of a newly appointed police commissioner defies logic. Then again logic is clearly missing in the way the media handled this situation.

SoBel Radio, 99.3 Fm is the dedicated radio station for Southern Belize. Tune in. SoBel is currently preparing a newsroom to enhance its broadcasting capabilities. Management is also pleased to inform our esteemed listeners of our recent acquisition of a new transmitter and accessories for extended range into the beautiful South.

Photo courtesy of SoBel Media.

Published by permission.

31/08/2025

SoBel photo of the month: Spirit of the Hollowed Trunk.

Beat on, beat on, and on!

Dangriga’s three young warriors gave SoBel a special treat to pose for our camera. It is an honor to have such privilege. It is a greater joy to see the delight on the faces of these young Garinagu!

Feel the beat of the drums in the picture. See the delightful expression of being free from the cares of the world. Dangriga’s young sons and daughters are telling a new story. A story of joy, verve, renewal.

SoBel is honored to present to you the new face of Dangriga. We’re bringing back a long lost love.

Southern Belize’s dedicated radio is broadcasting on 99.3 Fm. Tune in for your listening pleasure. Today’s musical lineup was especially selected by our troubadour for a soothing experience.

For those who recently lost a loved one, we mourn with you. Blessed Sunday to all of Southern Belize.

Photo courtesy of SoBel.

Published by permission.

28/08/2025

SoBel photos of the week: The North Stann Creek River at station 25 in Southern Belize’s watershed program.

What on earth have we done to this river?

Pictured here within the banks of a different source of life and refreshing water, a pride of the people of Dangriga, the subject of songs about the blessings greeted by the grandchildren of the sojourners of the Caribbean is, a glossy, polluted, almost lifeless river, that is acting against the rules of nature assigned to it.

A river is a body of freshwater flowing into the sea. Dangriga’s River is a contradiction of that definition. It flows backwards, thereby creating an environmental phenomenon boasted of as a reverse flow. What on earth is a reverse flow? A river, so designed by God, to flow forward, has rebelled against its eternal rule.

As if in protest to some injury done to it, there is a corresponding negative effect reflected in the lives of the people this river was created to nourish and refresh. It is a fact that the damage being done to our most valuable natural resource can be felt and seen in the crippling effects on the health of people in Dangriga. Surprisingly, there is no protest. Amazingly, an informed public refuse to make the slightest connection between the state of this river and the health of the town. What happened there?

Photo courtesy of SoBel Media.

Southern Belize dedicated radio station, Sobel radio is broadcasting on 99.3 Fm. Tune in for some smooth afternoon jazz.

Photos published by permission.

26/08/2025

SoBel photos of the week: Law enforcement and the Media. Sacred duties in an open society.

Community based media, Southern Belize Media(SoBel), presented broadcast credentials to Commissioner of police Dr. Rosado at the National police headquarters in Belmopan city today.

Although the request was made in a short notice, Commissioner Rosado warmly welcomed SoBel’s CEO. During the brief meeting recommendations were made for stronger policing and media collaboration.

SoBel takes this opportunity to inform Southern Belize of its commitment towards equity and guardianship of its citizen’s access to adequate protection from crime and violence.

Thanks to the police department press office to facilitate this initiative.

SoBel Radio, your dedicated voice is currently broadcasting on 99.3 Fm. Tune in.

Photo courtesy of SoBel Media.

Published by permission.

24/08/2025

SoBel photo of the week: no human-art can compare to the simple beauty of a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the Earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robbins in her hair;….

Blessed Sunday to you and your loved ones, Southern Belize. Join Sobel in celebrating the beauty and majesty of trees.

SoBel Radio 99.3 Fm is now a part of our daily radio experience . Tune in for your listening pleasure. Our newsroom will soon be a feature of SoBel Media’s daily operation, providing news, views, and perspectives on topics affecting the lives of people in Southern Belize.

Heartfelt condolences to the families and friends who lost their loved ones. SoBel mourns with you. We also welcome with new births those who are daily leaving us. Let’s prepare a better place in Dangriga for the babies who have joined us.

Adapted from the 1913 poem, Trees, by Joyce Kilmer.

Photo featured is of a tree in the beautiful tourist village of Placencia, Belize. This is now a part of SoBel’s prestigious photo gallery.

21/08/2025

SoBel management takes great pleasure in informing our esteemed Dangriga residents and radio listeners throughout Southern Belize that SoBel Radio 99.3 FM is back in broadcast mode. Tune in for your listening pleasure.

17/08/2025

SoBel photo of the week: How great Thou art!

Mr. Maurice Martinez unleashing his musical talent on the harmonica.

Dangriga’s easily recognizable elder has touched the lives of the Culture Capital’s residents for decades. Through his many roles as a carpenter, politician, union organizer, community activist, and a proud, resourceful parent, Mar is sure to have influenced the lives and affairs of Dangriga in one way or another.

Today, SoBel’s distinguished subject, displayed with his musical talent why he is a darling in the Dangriga community.

The Sunday service was noticeably bland due to the absence of the drums. Our talented choir invoked the Spirit of worship, but something was missing. Adding to this depressive state was the farewell message from the presiding priest to the congregation.

After eight years of shepherding here in Dangriga it is time for him to return to his native Costa Rica. He said it, the members of the congregation felt it. After expressing a deep appreciation for the people of Dangriga and its beautiful culture, there was additional respect for the way the people helped to shape the spiritual journey of the celebrant. Then, there was an awkward silence.

Mr. Mar rescued the occasion by whipping out his mouth organ to remind the congregation that this was no time or place to be sad. The first few notes were unrecognizable, until a member of the congregation caught on: “Then sings my soul, my Saviour, God to Thee.” Soon all present joined in. As if by a quiet agreement , Mar hyped it up a bit. A look of approval replaced the gloom on the face of the priest. Mar brought life to a dull service today. But only as long as the mouth organ was playing. It ended with a note of exaltation: How great Thou art!

SoBel, too, sensed an approval from the Deity and our ever vigilant Ancestors as the sweet harmonica music slowly made its way to Sieri.

SoBel extends warm Sunday greetings to Southern Belize. Sincere condolences to the families who have been visited with the loss of their loved ones. A hundred thousand souls a day, are marching one by one away.

Photo published by permission.

27/07/2025

SoBel photos of the week: meeting an environmental challenge head on!

“…for the best, most salutary, and most beneficent purposes”.

The wide Caribbean Sea provided no barriers from the massive Sargassum buildup along the Southern Belize coastline. It produced it. With it, however, there produced a community spirit in the residents of Dangriga to push back on some of nature’s presumed vomit.
The resultant odor of so much maritime waste motivated our well-meaning residents to take action against Uncle Sea. This does not belong here, neither does the accompanied foul smell. The fund of greatness implanted in the soul of Dangriga was opened and out poured this wonderful effort to clean our beaches.
Nature gave Southern Belize a wonderful opportunity to unite our minds about a common task. The village of Hopkins faced and dealt with the same challenge, so did Placencia. Elsewhere around the cayes local residents and business used their rakes, shovels and wheelbarrows to show Mother Nature who best are equipped to dealing with these environmental conditions, and who best also are the suitable men and women and future stewards in preserving our beautiful country.
SoBel reached out to the organizers of this ambitious project in Dangriga, and willingly provided these photos of their outstanding work. They deserve our applause! More importantly, they deserve the community’s gratitude and respect. There are no challenges that cannot be met when the spirit of cooperation is activated. Sobel congratulates the organizers of this and other erosion mitigating efforts across Southern Belize.
The community is being urged to join in this effort. Our coastline looks more beautiful and we breathe fresher air when this pesky sea vomit did not plague our beaches.

Photos courtesy of Ms. Nana Boyd.

Published by permission.

19/07/2025

SoBel photo of the week:”The Prince that standeth for the children of thy people.”(Angels of Persian mythology).

Do not forget what you’ve seen here.

In yet another sensational headline taken from the quiet lives of ordinary Dangriga residents, Southern Belize is being treated to a spectacular display of parental choice. Unfortunately, it is the mother who stood, strangely, alone on choices made between two parents, if not, different male parents, but one mother.

Other headlines claimed there is an urgent need for help, resulting in the harsh criticisms by our better placed citizens. Only the women can understand the significance of the photo below. Only they are offering their help. Who is to deny the dictates of nature in the process of generation? Both men and women are subjected to these claims. But where are the men? One celebrated Punta Rock singer asked the question for all of society, ‘who is the baby father?’ In this case, who are the children’s fathers? There’s one mother with seven children. Where are the dads? How does not one see that it requires more than an ordinary man to visit a place like this? Just as this reality in Dangriga is suggesting its residents to respond in an extraordinary way to a condition, that was common place in years past, and may still be a way of life elsewhere in Belize.

We do better when we know better. Ok, let’s see how the Culture Capital will deal with this picture. There are seven children registered in Dangriga; children who have a part of our reality. Claiming the same rights as those children whose parents have made better decisions. They deserve, as nature has prescribed, the same affection from their fellow citizens. Their goodness must be cultivated as well as the nurture of their dignity, for the sake of the community.

The children look well and so does the mother. The duty of the rest of us is to treat them well. Bring back di love. Reach Up, Reach Out! To the brothers who built on the error of another without mitigating the intractable situation of the mother, your choices are forever printed on the faces of those children. Do they have other siblngs hiding elsewhere ? And stepmothers too?

SoBel’s photo of the week offers the community this one hint that we are looking at the faces of future great men and women. Since we choose to be harsh to them, God has placed himself on their side. And who can win against God? Do not forget what you’ve seen here!

Sobel radio will resume broadcasting on Southern Belize’s dedicated band 99.3 Fm. Stay tuned.

SoBel offers condolences to the families of those who recently lost their loved ones. Have a blessed and safe weekend .

Photo publshed by permission .

Southern Belize Media

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