Sonia Siwa of the Paseo de Marianas Promoters Inc. told the Variety that the six students will perform in Koenji, Tokyo.
“The group visited Marianas Visitors Authority and its managing director, Perry Tenorio, on Tuesday, and they will also be paying a courtesy visit to the MVA branch in Tokyo, Japan when they arrive there,” Siwa said.
For the last few months, the group composed of Jinky Kintaro, James Kintaro Jr., Norman and Freeman Defang, Bernadette You and Ronald Fitipol worked hard to raise enough funds to pay for their airfare and allowance for the week-long trip to Japan.
Siwa said several individuals and institutions were generous enough in making donations to help pay for the expenses of the group’s trip.
She added that the student’s accommodations have already been taken cared of but they have to pay for their transportation expenses and allowance.
“The group will be performing and representing the CNMI for two days, Friday and Saturday in the festival, and for this we are very proud to have a representation in one of the biggest and most colorful events each year in Tokyo,” Siwa said.
Siwa said the six students were chosen for their dancing talents and dedication.
Trip organizer Mizako Kamata and Paseo de Marianas Promoters Inc. director Hideaki Sawada accompanied the group.
They will return to Saipan on Aug. 28. Awa Odori is a festival held during the Buddhist observance of O-bon. It is the time when the spirits of the dead are believed to return to their ancestral homes.
