Soca artiste Destra Garcia says receiving a national award has left her feeling humbled, grateful and, most importantly, \u201cseen\u201d after nearly 27 years in the music industry.<\/p>\n
Speaking after receiving the honour, Garcia reflected on her journey from humble beginnings in Laventille to becoming one of Trinidad and Tobago\u2019s most recognised soca artistes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel humbled. I feel grateful. I feel seen,\u201d Garcia said.<\/p>\n
She said she grew up with big dreams and a strong sense of patriotism, with a love for pan and calypso that began long before her professional music career.<\/p>\n
\u201cI came from humble beginnings. I\u2019m from Laventille and proudly so,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Garcia recalled watching the National Awards as a child without imagining that she would eventually be among those honoured for pursuing her passion for music and soca.<\/p>\n
She said the recognition was particularly meaningful because of the conversations that have surrounded her career over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody always talks about, \u2018Oh, you don\u2019t have a Road March, you don\u2019t have a this, you don\u2019t have a that.\u2019 Today I feel seen,\u201d Garcia said.<\/p>\n
She thanked Trinidad and Tobago for recognising her work and said the achievement demonstrated that hard work pays off.<\/p>\n
Garcia also reflected on what her position means for women and younger generations, saying she did not always fully embrace being described as a role model when she was younger.<\/p>\n
Now older and a mother, she said she has become more conscious of the example she sets and the messages she shares.<\/p>\n
Garcia said she wants women, particularly her daughter, to see her journey from Laventille, her resilience, passion and continued growth as evidence of what can be achieved.<\/p>\n
She added that she hopes the next generation will aspire to go even further.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would hope that the ladies that are looking at me today could say, \u2018Wow, Destra is doing it and I want to do it better than her,\u2019 because we want the next generation to be better than the one before,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Garcia described her daughter as her biggest fan and said becoming a mother helped her recognise the responsibility that comes with being a mentor to others.<\/p>\n
She encouraged women to develop confidence, educate themselves, remain strong and recognise their own worth.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are all beautiful and you are enough. You are enough,\u201d Garcia said. \u201cGreat things happen when you believe in yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n