Birthday girl Venesha Phillips (left) in a jovial mood as she is greeted at her birthday soirée by mayor of Kingston and St Andrew, Angela Brown Burke.
Birthday girl Venesha Phillips cuts her cake with two special men - Colin Fagan (right), minister of state in the Ministry of Local Government, and Senior Superintendent of Police Ronald Anderson.
These three definitely wore their dancing shoes. From left: Nicole Smith, Julian Toomer and Karl Johnson doing the macarena at Venesha Phillips' birthday party at Chasers Café in Kingston recently.
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Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
According to former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor Audley Gordon, she epitomises what is good about Jamaica. Gordon's glowing tribute was directed to the woman tagged a 'rebel' - People's National Party councillor of the Papine division, Venesha Phillips.
Phillips was toasted, serenaded, gifted and hugged by friends, colleagues and acquaintances at her sweet 16 going on 39th birthday party, at the Chasers Café in New Kingston on Thursday night, July 4.
While the Americans celebrated their Independence in downtown Kingston, the councillor, who spent her childhood days in Rollington Town, chose her Sunday morning breakfast partner George McLeish's popular eatery and bar to celebrate her special day.
The fitting banner that greeted guests upon arrival at Chasers stated, 'Ringing out the rebel in V'. Mayor of Kingston and St Andrew, Angela Brown Burke, confirmed this when she spoke of an unpretentious Phillips. "What you see is what you get," she stated, while imploring the popular comrade to keep stretching and never settle for where she is.
Described as a fierce and stubborn diva, the softer side of Phillips sees her as a person always willing to help- always there for a friend in need.
Phillips grew up during an era of struggles, a militant period, one that has allowed her to stretch across party lines. "Her friendship is something that speaks volumes, regardless of the colour of the shirt you wear," remarked Gordon.
Phillips was serenaded by reggae artiste Tony Rebel, who promised her, in no uncertain terms, Girl, I'm Gonna Make You Sweat. Mutabaruka, who didn't deliver any of his poems, also came out to share in the occasion.
When Phillips took to the microphone, she promised her friends she would never change. "I want to be the person you want to respect," she stated, reassuring her JLP colleagues that the other side of her heart belonged to them.