NMI artists return from fruitful trip to Guam Fair

The artists and dancers who represented the CNMI in the just concluded 21st Annual Guam Micronesia Island Fair became one of the main attractions of the event, according to the delegation, which is back on the islands.

The group was composed of six Wellipal Cultural Dancers and Talabwog Women Stick Dancers and six artist each from Saipan, Tinian and Rota. The artists attracted visitors during their demonstrations on the traditional craft of weaving seeds, beads, mwar and carving canoe, coconut shell and other skills.

The Saipan artists are Ignacio Borja (Rosalin seed weaver), John Castro (carver), Filiciana L. Ruben (beads weaver), Joe Vince Dla Cruz (talaya weaver), Tony Pialug (canoe carver), and Prescilla T. Castro (mwar weaver).

The delegation from Tinian was composed of Emiliana Burgarin (seed jewelry crafter), Cynthia Takashi (coconut shell carver), Jake Mendiola (oil painter), Teruko King (donnie processing), Eddie Dela Cruz (composer), and Joseph Dela Cruz (coconut weaver).

Rota delegates were Luis Taimanao (shell carver), Natividad O. Barcinas (coconut oil presentation), Fermina O. Blas (traditional medicine), Albet S. Toves Jr. (sand painter), Timothy San Nicolas (Da’ok oil), and Jose Ayuyu (wood carver).

The three-day fair, held on Oct. 17-19 at the Gov. Joseph Flores Memorial Park in Guam, drew participants from Yap, Thailand, Kosrae, Palau, Saipan, Australia, and Marshall Islands.

“It was really good. It was an honor to represent the CNMI,” said Ramona Rebuenog, director of the Council of Arts and Culture.

The annual fair is the biggest cultural event in Guam and is hosted by the Guam Visitors Bureau.

This year, the event focused on seafaring traditions, with master canoe builders of Micronesia gathering to showcase their art as tribute to 2008 being the Year of the Proa, the local word for the handcrafted seagoing canoes of Guam and Micronesia.

Rebuenog said the CNMI had been sending delegation to the fair over the years.

She said the Wellipal dancers attracted viewers with their lively interpretation of the traditional ‘mwaas’ dancing and stick dancing, in contrast to the Talabwog ‘bwai’ dancing, which is a slower.

Rebuenog said the Guam fair is similar to the annual Flame Tree Arts Festival on Saipan.