By Alexie Villegas Zotomayor
Variety Features Editor

Not even the threat of a downpour did not dissuade the crowd from watching the Tourism Concert held at the Paseo de Marianas on Sunday.
A project of the destination enhancement committee of the Marianas Visitors Authority, the tourism concert was conceived to revitalize the Paseo de Marianas and create an activity that would draw people back to it again.
Ivan Quichocho of the destination enhancement committee for the MVA Five-Year Strategic Plan told Variety that their tourism concert was “an attempt at creating activity, drawing customers in, and making use of the Paseo de Marianas as an entertainment venue.”
He also said that the concert was a test event designed to encourage people to frequent Paseo de Marianas and hold events that focus on both tourists and locals.
Quichocho also said that he was glad that shop owners were able to “open up and come outside to create their own open style, al fresco dining.” He said they plan to create their own entertainment venue and outdoor dining like that found in the Philippines’ Libis, Eastwood, and Greenbelt and other places around the world with a similar setup.
“Hopefully this concert will attract more investors to come in and open up shop and participate. Maybe we can pull in tourists and locals to come out, eat, drink and enjoy. We have the Paseo de Marianas and it’s underutilized and we should use it,” added Quichocho.
Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Perry Tenorio said the concert aimed at revitalizing the Paseo de Marianas as the street has been important to the CNMI.
Recognizing that the concert was the brainchild of Quichocho, Tenorio said that the idea began in November when MVA was charged with coming up with a concept that would draw people back to the Paseo de Marianas.
The concert, Tenorio said, was one of the first ideas they came up with and they had planned on holding it in early December but it didn’t work out. “So we moved it to early January and this is it. This is the end result.”
“We are testing the waters and hopefully this will bring people out. The idea is to bring people to the shops so they can once again enjoy the food and activities that are being offered in this area,” said Tenorio.
Tenorio pointed out that tourism is very important to the CNMI and in his brief remarks at the concert, he echoed MVA Chairman Jerry Tan’s statement that “tourism is everybody’s business.”
“It is very important to talk about cultural tourism but we need to allow our visitors to get to know the local people and maybe this is one of the venues that can do that,” said Tenorio.
With both private and government sectors coming together to make Paseo de Marianas reach its potential, Tenorio said they are working closely with both private and government groups “in developing events and attractions that will offer our local community and tourists a place where they can shop, eat, relax, and enjoy themselves all at the same place.”
“The government has invested so much in the area and “we want to ensure that we all benefit from it,” said Tenorio.
In his remarks, Tenorio also extended his appreciation to MVA’s co-sponsors of the concert namely Pepsi, Western Union, Tan Holdings, Miller Lite, DPS, the Department of Corrections, the Division of Immigration, and PDA Promoters Inc.
Performing at the concert from 5 p.m. up to 10 p.m. were the Amplified Rescue Team and Resound bands. Alternating with their pop jazz and alternative rock repertoire, the two bands provided their services to the MVA for free.
With seven members each, the bands entertained the crowd with upbeat dance numbers and love songs.
The Resound band composed of Aldrich Santeno, Anchell Antonio, Jamin Echin, Szu Echin, Leo Alcantara, Leo Alcazar, and Tristan Dela Torre kicked off the concert with their rendition of “Superstition” and followed that up with “Careless Whisper,” two Japanese songs, and several dance hits.
With the concert as one of their last performances on island as they are returning to the Philippines, Resound vocalist Aldrich Santeno commented that they have enjoyed their stay on island and they are looking forward to coming back as they have made a lot of friends here.
The Amplified Rescue Team band, which had performed at Hard Rock Bali and Kota Kinabalu Hyatt prior to performing on Saipan, also said that they have been enjoying their stay here, although still adjusting to the place.
Composed of vocalists Rita Paraiso, Michael Segovia and Jerry Fernandez, guitarists Conrad Laquian and Dennis Abaleta, and drummer Stanley Saludo, and keyboardist Michael San Juan, the ART band performed songs made famous by Alanis Morrisette, Evanescence, and other pop and alternative rock artists familiar to the crowd.
As the crowd continued to swell during the concert, Tenorio and Quichocho said in separate interviews that they will be having an assessment meeting on Tuesday and will be evaluating the impact of the concert. They said they will discuss making the concert a regular show at the Paseo de Marianas.