It was the third gathering of children initiated by the guest workers group, said Patrick Maaño, one of the prime movers of the event two years ago.
“It’s nice to gather the children because they don’t care about nationalities,” he said.
In next year’s fun night, Maaño said he like to see more activities and children.
Attorney Joe Hill, the president of the African American Cultural Preservation Committee, was among the special guests.
In his remarks, he said the children are the future leaders and it’s important that they know about their rights.
“The children bring a rainbow of colors of people who make up the population in the CNMI,” he said.
Zhenyo So, 13, who just returned from Guam after winning first prize in the violin category of the Young Artists Competition, said he enjoyed meeting other children.
“I am very happy,” said another child, Reginand Aljo, 7.
Joanna, 6, said she came with her sister and mother. “I got a lot of prizes.”
Another guest, Kathryn Barry of the U.S. Census Bureau’s local office, talked about the importance of census.
She was accompanied by Rebecca Diaz-Cartagena also of the U.S. Census Bureau.
A parent, Rolly Capayas said he was thankful for the gathering because it served as a “reunion” of guest workers.
Ronnie Doca, United Workers Movement chairman, said they will hold the fun night every year.
Rabby Syed, the group’s president, said the attendance of the children was “very inspiring.”
“I hope the government will set aside a special day for the children,” he added.
Jun Concillado, the group’s vice president, was the master of ceremonies for the event which started at 4 p.m. and ended at 9:30 p.m.
The group at the same time acknowledged the support of their sponsors: human rights advocate Wendy Doromal, TSL Foundation, Patrick Maaño, Hardt Eye Clinic, National Office Supply, Trans America, Genpro Wholesale, Megabytes, Happy Market, Down Town Market, Dolphin Wholesale, Coca Cola, CMLC Dive Shop, Primtek Inc., and Harold Easton of Marianas High School.
