Saipan Divas to hold show-for-a-cause

Organizers of a fundraising show to benefit foreign workers in the CNMI who will be out of status after Nov. 27 are calling for unity in support of a good cause.

Members of the group called Saipan Divas will be staging “Showtime 2011: A spectacular show for a cause” on Nov. 26, 7pm at the American Memorial Park Amphitheater.

Proceeds of the show will help fund the services of a lawyer to represent the seven individuals who filed in federal court last month a lawsuit that seeks to suspend the implementation of the CNMI-only Transitional Worker final rule, said Sharmaine Casquero of Saipan Divas.

Casquero, in a phone interview, denied a claim in Saturday’s article saying that the show is to raise funds to fly attorney Ted Laguatan, a California-based immigration lawyer and legal counsel of the U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance, to the CNMI.

Casquero, choreographer and director of Showtime 2011, said the show was an idea that their group came up with while attending the daily vigil by the TSL Plaza in Garapan.

“We wanted to help all contract workers in the CNMI so we thought we could do that by doing a fundraising show that would help get a lawyer for those that filed a lawsuit in federal court so we can all benefit from it,” she said.

Having done many successful shows in the past, Casquero said they wanted to do a “fun” fundraising show that everybody can enjoy.

“That will be our contribution and our part to help the lawsuit. If there’s a lawsuit, you would need the best lawyer in town to make your case. So the show is for the lawsuit, not attorney Laguatan,” emphasized Casquero.

She said the event will feature presentations from different ethnicities. “All contract workers will be represented in that show,” she told Saipan Tribune.

The performers, Casquero said, are all volunteers and will not be compensated.

Casquero added that their group is only doing the actual show. A different group of volunteers, mostly accountants who also attend the vigil, are in charge of ensuring that the proceeds from the ticket sales are all accounted for.

With only a week to go before the Nov. 27 deadline for foreign workers to be petitioned for a CW status, Casquero said all groups that want to help foreign workers in the Commonwealth should unite.

“Now is not the time for disputes and intrigues,” said Casquero. “This is the time to set aside our differences and to unite to help our fellow contract workers.”

Casquero challenged the public, including members of the U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance, to attend the vigil and listen to the plight of the many foreign workers in the CNMI. “Hear their problems and do what you can to help. Moreover, let’s all be together on Saturday and enjoy the show,” said Casquero.

For more information, call 888-2579 or 233-2643.