Man’amkó team up with the manhoben in concert

The man’amkó were joined for the first time by the manhoben from the San Antonio Community Action Network last Friday for their first ever concert at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center.

The center was filled with music, chanting, and laughter as the seniors displayed their talent to their fellow seniors, youth and other guests.

The concert was one of the activities lined up in celebration of Older Americans Month/Mes Man’Amkó this May.

A group of elderly women perform a song as part of Friday’s concert at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center. (Frauleine S. Villanueva)

“It’s great to see the elders with the youth joined together to perform. I’ve seen a lot of talent that I’ve never seen before,” said Walter Manglona, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ Aging Office director.

The program started off with a performance of the man’amkó band headed by Jess Pangelinan.

At 72, Pangelinan plays the lead guitar and is also the band’s vocalist. They played three songs including Pretty Woman.

“We’ve been preparing for a couple of weeks. I’ve been looking forward to this event every year,” Pangelinan said.

Also among the performers was a group of women that sang a Chuukese song.

For the second part of the program, the youth entertained the seniors with various song and dance numbers. The San Antonio youth performers and members of Uncle Ben’s Dance Studio and Educational Services took over the show with exhibitions of Zumba and ballroom dancing.

Star Angels and Voice Fest champion Gio Sagana and Mica Ellasume also sang for the elderly.

For the finale, the seniors strutted their stuff with a mini-fashion show that featured native clothes from Chuuk as well as Carolinian, Japanese and Filipino cultures, including mestiza, Maria Clara and traditional Muslim clothes from the Philippines.

Saipan Senior Association Council president Maria T. Salinas, who was one of the models, wore a dress representing the old Chamorro mestiza culture.

“I’m actually pretty impressed with the turnout. We’ve seen a lot more people today than we usually do, thanks to the San Antonio Community Action Network,” Manglona said.

During the program, the SACAN presented the seniors with proceeds from selling tickets to the concert. A total of $440 worth of tickets was sold.

“I really appreciate joining with the man’amkó and having this concert a success. This is part of our mission to find a way where we can be of help to both the youth and the adults. It’s not only for San Antonio but the community at large in the Commonwealth,” SACAN chair Pedro Castro said.

He hopes to find additional funds to do more activities for both the young and old as well as be able to join the seniors in their concert every year.

“We organize funding opportunities so the youth can come in and act more responsible toward helping one another,” said Castro. “Hopefully this partnership will go through and we hope to have this on a yearly basis.”