courtesy of: The Morning News
by Rosalie Klein
Aruba’s 2012 Carnival season is in full swing, and the first of numerous pageants to select the royalty that will reign over the land until Ash Wednesday, February 22, took place this past Saturday evening at the Aruba Entertainment Center.
The Prins and Pancho, (Jester) are the regally garbed young men seen prancing and dancing around Carnival events, who are the official escorts of the various Queens yet to be chosen. They are selected in three categories, Children, Youth and Adult.
The process required candidates to prove their worth by entertaining, and most importantly, amusing a packed stadium of carnival enthusiasts. This often included broad, slapstick antics, and among the older candidates, gossipy, ribald and sometimes political humor.
It was a tough choice, but judges finally selected Aruba’s Prins and Panchos for 2012:
- Prins and Pancho Infantil (Children) 2012
Prins: "Kiko a pasa" Jayrick Lopez
Pancho: "Nada u'n pasa" Pressy Pesqueira
representing Companashi Carnival Group
- Prins and Pancho Hubenil (Youth) 2012
Prins: Fabu Jordan Hilario
Pancho: Loso Emon Webb
representing Royal Carnival Group
- Prins and Pancho Grandi (Adult) 2012
Prins: Bin Tuma Eduardo Loefstop
Pancho: Bo Cos Jonathan Thiel
representing Champagne Carnival Group
All the candidates worked very hard to be part of this year’s carnival royalty, with exceedingly entertaining and energetic routines. Last year’s winners expressed their regrets as they abdicated in favor of the new Prins and Pancho and presented gifts of gratitude to various individuals who supported them during the Carnival season 57, including Tecla Kelly-Hernandez, President of the Stichting Arubaanse Carnaval, SAC, the governing body of entire event.
