Part of the annual Folklife Festival sponsored by and held on the grounds of The Smithsonian Institution on Washington, D.C.’s Mall, this year’s theme is “Asian Pacific Americans: Local Lives, Global Ties.” Held June 24-28 and July 1-5, it is the first time in almost 20 years there is a focus on Pacific Islanders.
In large circus style tents on the Mall, visitors can see demonstrations of Asian and Pacific dancing and cultural presentations, and listen to lectures by Asians and Pacific Islanders.
In true island style, the Pacific oral presentations were called “talk story” and were informal in nature.
When CNMI Congressman Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan sent his regrets due to scheduling conflicts, the festival organizers turned to the CNMI’s first Washington representative, Edward DLG. Pangelinan, who happily joined the panel that included the ambassadors of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.
“These are rare opportunities that we must not miss,” said Pangelinan, “so I was happy to have the chance to tell the story of our commonwealth and its relationship to the U.S. The CNMI-FSM-Palau panel was preceded by one consisting of Marshall Island diplomats and was followed by a presentation by a group of American Samoans.
Former Gov. Juan Nekai Babauta and Saipan Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo were among those in the audience and also were recognized to speak to the audience. The former governor paid homage to the Freely Associated States in their choice of status options and told the crowd that even if their formal ties with the U.S. were different than those of the CNMI, “we all are Pacific brothers and remain very, very close to each other.”
“I am happy that Eddie made sure we were represented and am pleased that former Governor Babauta and I could schedule our trip to be here specifically for Pacific Islanders Day,” said Crisostimo.
“During my 12 years in Washington as the CNMI resident representative,” said Babauta, “watching out for federal legislation was only part of my job. I also made sure that we had visibility on occasions like this. I believe that also should be the function of the CNMI delegate to Congress. It’s time consuming when you are only a one-person delegation to Congress but the reward is educating people about the CNMI, especially people in Washington who may be in a position to help us.”
Congress is still in session this week, so being on Capitol Hill has to take top priority in the frantic closing days before the July 4 recess, but the good news is that this Folk Festival also will be here over the July 4 holiday weekend, when thousands of people will come to The Mall, especially the day of the fireworks.
The former governor is accompanied by his wife, Charlene Mendiola Tudela and Crisostimo is with his son Luis, Jr. They are holding a number of meetings on CNMI-federal issues.
