Man’amko to start filming digital yearbook

Congregates at the Aging Center will start filming this week the production of “Man’amko: Welcome to Our World,” the 2011 Saipan Seniors Digital Yearbook that is expected to finish by the end of next month.

Aging Office program coordinator Walter Manglona said that council chair Teresita Sorroza came up with the title for the digital yearbook which is “an actual yearbook where, instead of leafing through the pages, you’ll see digitally what they do at the Aging Center,” including arts and crafts and sports such as softball.

Manglona said yesterday he will be directing the digital yearbook which will also have every senior citizen at the center playing a small part in the production.

“We already have man’amko volunteers to host the shows and the different segments that will focus on what they do here at the center, encourage them to eat right and be healthy, share the islands’ history and their experiences, and showcase their talents through comedic skits to keep the show entertaining,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Manglona added, “It’s a very big project and we want to make sure that everybody’s involved. At the end of the day, it also has to be entertaining for anyone who wants to watch the show and not make it…boring. We want people to continue and enjoy watching it.”

Manglona said the Man’amko Drama Club will serve as the working committee that will help out in the digital yearbook production planning and preparation.

The Man’amko Drama Club is composed of Alejandra Blas, Meryalen Conrad, Mila Garin, Manuel Mesa, Paula Mereb, Meli Molokai, Maria Salinas, and Teresita Sorroza.

Manglona said he wants to get the approval from the club for his ideas and then get more ideas from them for the digital yearbook project.

“The idea is to make sure that we incorporate everything in planning for this project which is going to be huge,” he said. “What I need from them is ideas, what they would like to include in the project, and how they’re going to do it.”

Once the digital yearbook is done, Manglona disclosed that they plan to showcase it to the community and the council members want to make it a fundraising event.

The program coordinator said that they plan to present the digital yearbook at the American Memorial Park Visitor’s Center, which has been very supportive of the man’amko on island.

“Hopefully it’s going to be as successful as the last production we had, which was The Enchantress,” he said.

Manglona said the digital yearbook will prove that “there’s more to the man’amko than meets the eye.”

“We want to send out a very strong message to everyone who’ll watch it. Respect one another, their culture, beliefs, and never underestimate a person because of age,” he added.

Manglona thanked Aging director Rose Mondala and Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Melvin Faisao for giving their full support for the project.