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Festpac organizing committee formed
An organizing committee is ready to go for 2016’s Festival of Pacific Arts in Guam. Meanwhile, they wait official confirmation from the governor on the CNMI’s participation.
Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture executive director Angel Hocog said yesterday that he recently sent a letter to Gov. Eloy S. Inos, introducing the organizing committee for the Pacific Arts Festival, or Festpac.
According to Hocog, the governor of Guam has sent an invitation to the CNMI for the festival.
Over 27 countries from around the Pacific join this event. Each delegation is allowed to bring 150 members to the event that is “a showcase for arts and culture,” according to Hocog.
He said the Festpac committee is ready to start preparation, noting that they’ve identified a number of traditional or visual artists, for example, that will make up the delegation.
“We wanted to reach out to him [Inos] and know the status of the invitation letter that was sent out to him. We are waiting for the governor’s confirmation, and hopefully he will schedule a meeting with the Festpac committee members.”
“We are going to be doing a lot of community fundraising. In the weeks or months to come, the community will be seeing people out there soliciting for” the festival, he said.
He said the festival “requires a tremendous amount” for travel costs. In past years, he said the government helped with 80 percent of costs, while the delegation came up with 20 percent.
“Since Guam is closer, I hope we can get the full support,” he said.
The chairman of the Festpac organizing committee is John Oliver Gonzales. Vice chairman is Perry Tenorio. Second vice chairman is Gordon Marciano. Treasurer is Margaret Muna. Secretary is Gloriana Teuria. Hocog is the committee’s adviser.
For their subcommittees, leading the “traditional and visual arts” committee is Francis Sablan. Leading the “performing arts” is Joe Limes.
