KKMP’s ‘musical’ float bags first prize

A float that pays tribute to local musicians and performers was adjudged as the winner of the float competition in the 2011 Liberation Day Parade.

The KKMP Radio/Domatsuri Float bested four other contenders, bringing together old and new generations of musicians, including David Peter and Felix Fitial of the Remataul band, Joe Limes of The Islanders, Franklin and Vincent Limes of Pala Pala, and Marvin Guerrero.

The float also featured 15 members of the Domatsuri Team and 25 students of the Nagoya Domanaka Team, who performed for the crowd at the Liberation Day carnival grounds.

The float, which also showed several individuals having a barbecue to depict island living, earned the nod of the three judges, who gave it a total of 271 points.

“It’s a privilege and honor to be awarded first place in the float competition,” said Rosemond Santos, president of Blue Continent Communications that owns the radio station.

Santos said that when they decided to come up with the concept for their float entry, they thought of paying tribute to local musicians pioneers.

It took them three days to make the float, Santos disclosed.

“We found out that there were no commemoration or tribute ever made to musicians of the Northern Mariana Islands so we decided to make that part of our float coupled with the theme of the Liberation,” Santos told Saipan Tribune, adding that they “brought the old and new generations of musicians together.”

Gordon Marciano of Pacific Development Inc. said the float shows that they’re “liberating communities the musical way.”

According to Marciano, the Japanese delegation, which arrived Sunday, expressed interest to participate in the parade through the float competition.

“Japan has had good relationship with the CNMI since they were brought in through the Chamolinian Cultural Village program some eight years ago. With the help of the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Mayor’s Office, we continue to foster that good relationship,” he said.

The Choll A Beluu Cultural Dance Group float came in second with 256 points. The Saipan-Palau Residents Club won third place with 239 points.

Prizes for the three winning floats are $2,000, $1,500, and $1,000, respectively.

Donald Crisostomo, Parade Committee chair, was pleased with the parade turnout. He said only the Inatuas Dancers did not make it to the parade while Sta. Remedios was able to participate despite a minor problem.

“We started on time and the only delay we had was due to [Mother] Nature. The parade was generally smooth,” he said.