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SOU’Fest moved to Marianas Business Plaza
Hegland
The concluding event for the commemoration of the first anniversary of Typhoon Soudelor has been moved from the Garapan Fishing Base to the Marianas Business Plaza in Susupe.
Commonwealth Advocates for Recovery Efforts director Jenny Hegland said the decision to change the venue for this Saturday’s SOU’Fest 2016 was due to the inclement weather expected over the weekend.
Hegland would like to assure the public that the safety of community members would be given top priority. Precautionary measures will be done to ensure that people will be safe and dry, in case of potential rain. In addition, there would also be volunteers who would help participants safely park their vehicles.
SOU’Fest 2016 is an event created to commemorate the first year anniversary of Typhoon Soudelor and the community’s road to recovery from this natural disaster. It’s purpose is to “celebrate our unity, to reflect on what we have learned and how far we have come in our collective recovery, and to honor the resiliency and strength of all who provided and all who were impacted—especially those still working on recovery.”
SOU’Fest activities include games for kids, food vendors, disaster preparedness information/resources and thousands of giveaways. Some of the highlights of the program are: remarks from Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Saipan Mayor David Apatang; live and dance music entertainment; award ceremony of the Northern Marianas Humanities Council’s 2nd Annual Film Festival: Soudelor and the Winds of Change in the CNMI, and SOU’Fest Showdown karaoke contest.
The SOU’Fest Showdown Karaoke Contest is a fundraiser for the CARE families who still have repair and rebuild needs one year after Typhoon Soudelor. The potential singers include the following: Ivan Blanco, Manny Borja, Kelvin Fitial, Amber Mendiola, Peachy Quitugua with Nica Sablan, Sheelane Santos, and Gary Sword. For only $1, the public will have an opportunity to cast their votes on who they want to see perform among these potential singers. The top 3 contestants with the most votes will sing through a Karaoke showdown.
Everyone is welcome to attend the SOU’Fest 2016 this Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Marianas Business Plaza in Susupe. (Joan L. Taitano)
