And while Myrna's life is being celebrated tonight, that wasn't the case back in April when she was at the middle of a minor political intrigue. In an unfortunate public exposition, the government put some uncertainty about the ownership of her home at the center of a hive of pointless speculation. It was all based around the fact that NICH, while under Patrick Faber's ministerial portfolio, had rescued Manzanares - who had been recognized as an artist emeritus - from losing her home to foreclosure.
At the time there was much made of the 100 thousand dollars in public funds with leading PUP personalities implying that the arrangement and its transaction were improper and clouded with uncertainties. At the time Faber defended the decision calling it a quote: " major value for the expense" while allowing the organization to "look after a cultural icon."
This morning we asked the secretary of the Kriol Council Kashmir Claire what that moment in time was like for Manzanares? Here's what he told us.
Kashmir Bernard Claire, Secretary, Creole Council
"Because Myrna is the kind of person that is always willing to give and she was always here alone, her daughter and son resides in the U.S. but she was always there alone."
"And she is a private person, she didn't say much and she was having some little financial difficulties. That scandal was uncalled for because it was not what it appeared to be. It was an arrangement with N.I.C.H because she used to go there everyday and she did work with them and they had an arrangement, it was not that they were paying her bills or anything it's just a different arrangement, as I understand it, that it was more of a sale and it was just what have we done for our people, I, when he debt was posted one of the comments said, same thing like Leela but this is our problem we leave our people, our culture people that make some much contributions, like we just forget about them and that is why N.I.C.H had reached out to her because they felt that she deserves a little assistance and we're not giving her anything. We will be getting back from this arrangement."
Hon. Patrick Faber - Leader of the Opposition
"These individuals got a small monthly stipend to go along with that designation of being an artist emeritus. Once we found the situation with Miss Manzanarez, we thought that we should try to assist, and as far as I recall, the proposal that the board put forward, voted on, and passed saw that Myrna would not necessarily receive that little stipend."
"And that we would try to help her to secure a dwelling space because she lived in the house that was about to be foreclosed on by the Social Security Board. So, NICH contacted the Social Security Board and sought to find out how the transaction could be done. I want to make it clear that at no time did NICH intend to pay off the debt on behalf of Miss Myrna, and that she could continue owning the proper, so to speak. The transaction was such that NICH would own the property. I believe that the transaction concluded for about 110 thousand dollars for a property that is well over $200,000."
"This house, bought by NICH, would be owned by NICH, would be used later on, the board saw it, for some kind of cultural preservation. But, the board agreed that while Miss Manzanarez was living, that she could continue to live in the house."
And, despite the unnecessary public turbulence the Briceno administration brought to Myrna's world, tonight in a release from NICH they bid farewell to Miss Myrna saying quote: " She will be remembered for her good humor, her passionate advocacy of Kriol history, culture and traditions and her dedication to Belizean Theatre."
Another release, this one from the UDP says quote: " The entire UDP family joins Leader of the Opposition Patrick Faber in declaring our exceeding respect and appreciation for the exemplary life, tremendous accomplishment and immeasurable contributions of Myrna Manzanares to Belize and to humanity.R.I.P Myrna, We will miss you dearly" End quote.
