M2 Fitness donates $2K to TSL, soccer school

The M2 Fitness Zumba group poses with Tan Holdings president and CEO Jerry Tan with Tan Siu Lin Foundation executive director Merlie Tolentino and Zumba instructor Mary-Grace Bautista, middle, after a check worth $2,000 was turned over to the Saipan Soccer School at the TSL Sports Complex last Friday. (LEIGH GASES)

At a fully packed TSL sports complex last Friday night, Saipan M2 Fitness Zumba donated $2,000 to the Tan Siu Lin Foundation and Saipan Soccer School.

M2 Fitness president and Zumba Fitness coach Mary-Grace Bautista presented the check to Tan Holdings president and CEO Jerry Tan, who was joined by TSLF executive director Merlie Tolentino along with the crowd of usual Zumba-goers.

Prior to the check presentation, Tolentino thanked the group and said, “I want to thank all of you for your donation to our Saipan Soccer School. Usually, we’re the one giving donations to different organizations but today is different. So, this is the first time a small organization like you is donating to us and we really appreciate that.”

Tan then addressed the crowd and said that it was “really nice to see not just a Zumba class, but a Zumba class with the same shirt uniform.” 

He added that “I feel that sport is really one of the best things that we all can do as residents in the Commonwealth to be healthier. I’m sure you’re doing it for the same reason. So, to see Zumba not only this class, actually, I see different Zumba classes. And I’m really glad that everyone is exerting effort and consistently showing up. And then also, I guess it’s growing. So, I want to congratulate all of you for doing this on a regular basis and consistent basis. I just want to say keep it up. 

He then looked around the complex and said, “we built this facility to promote this… I’m not sure who’s playing but as long as it’s being used. I’m happy, right? Badminton, soccer, basketball, doesn’t matter what it is, as long as we are out here, exercising, and sweating. So, I want to congratulate all of you and just ask all of you to keep it up. This is really, really good work. And I’m really, really happy. I’m sure you guys worked hard to raise the money… But we’re grateful and keep it up.”

 Bautista then handed the check to Tan and Tolentino and said, “this amount was raised not only by the committee of M2 Fitness but by these people that you see in front of you, they’re the reason why we’re able to… fund the donation to TSL Foundation and NMI Museum. Thank you so much. This is just a small amount that we can give back and in return from the M2 Fitness family.”

Last month, M2 Fitness celebrated its second anniversary with two Filipino dancer/actors, Wowie De Guzman and Joshua Zamora, who both led the M2 Zumba group during their Zumba routine at Saipan World Resort’s Royal Taga Ballroom, with the proceeds of the event benefiting the NMI Museum and the TSL Foundation.