Using late BP Renegades president Michael Marcano as an example, and speaking as a band manager, Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore said on Monday the narrative of pan people begging the government must change.

Marcano died on May 26 of cancer. He was 71 and a former vice president of Pan Trinbago. Marcano was known for his work in making BP Renegades a self-sufficient music and business organisation.

His funeral was held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port of Spain.

BP Renegades’ current president Colin Greaves announced this year’s annual Big Five pan concert will pay tribute to Marcano.

Ramsey-Moore was one of four people delivering tributes at his funeral.

Greaves, North West Regional Health Authority’s CEO Davlin Thomas, and president of Textel Credit Union Maria Berahazer were the others.

[caption id="attachment_958567" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore views the body of ex-BP Renegades president Michael Marcano at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port of Spain on Monday. - SUREASH CHOLAI[/caption]

They said not only was Marcano known for his work with the band, but for also being involved in theatre, calypso, and a founding member of Textel Credit Union.

He was also known for having great humility while doing and achieving these things.

Marcano’s children Kemba Marcano and Gyasi Philbert delivered the eulogy.

He leaves to mourn his common law wife Stephanie Davy; children Kwesi, Kemba, Anika Marcano and Jabari and Gyasi Philbert, as well as other family, friends and the pan fraternity.

Ramsey-Moore said many pan leaders gave of their time and talent and were often seen as empowerment coaches, trainers and leaders.

Pan leaders also assisted with governance and their societal contribution was priceless, she said.

Yet, it was often said pan people were always begging the Government.

“‘Them pan people always want money from Government...’ Today we must change the narrative on that.”

Ramsey-Moore said the fraternity contributed to TT’s development of its human capital, using pan yards and the instrument as tools to develop youth, women, senior citizens and the wider citizenry.

She asked the mourners to imagine how many lives Marcano touched in his 24 years of service.

[caption id="attachment_958568" align="alignnone" width="761"] BP Renegades Steel Orchestra president Colin Greaves pays tribute to one of his predecessors, Michael Marcano, at his funeral on Monday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port of Spain. - SUREASH CHOLAI[/caption]

Using an analogy from American singer/songwriter Chris Rice’s Carry Your Candle, Ramsey-Moore said Marcano carried his candle and did so well.

She said many pan leaders should pat themselves on the back for their priceless service to TT.

Ramsey-Moore said Marcano was seen as a man of great wisdom – something also echoed by other speakers like Greaves.

“He was that voice on the floor, and particularly at meetings, which brought reasoning. He