Tanapag youth march against drugs and alcohol

Santa Remedios Parish altar servers lead dozens of youth and adult parishioners in the church’s 2nd annual “Prayer Pep-rally” procession walk and T-StaR Alcohol and Drug free talent show last Saturday night at the Tanapag Beach Round House. (Photos by THOMAS A. MANGLONA II)

What started out as a small youth baseball team in November 2012 has evolved into a youth movement in the village of Tanapag. The Talaabwogh Santa Remedios Association, or T-StaR, formed the baseball team then in an effort to provide alternative activities for the village’s youth. Not too long after its founding, residents decided to expand the organization to provide the youth with more activities.

“We want to keep the youth busy and saw the need to give more to the kids, especially because they live in a village where kids are susceptible to using drugs and alcohol,” T-StaR group member Maira Arriola told Saipan Tribune.

On Saturday night, the group held its 2nd annual Alcohol and Drug-free talent show in conjunction with the Santa Remedios and San Roque parishes’ prayer rally.

The four-hour event started with a procession around Tanapag village, leading up to the Tanapag Beach Round House. Parishioners of all ages marched on the streets of Tanapag while reciting the Holy Rosary.

According to Santa Remedios pastor Rev. Fr. Florentino Recaido Jr. the prayer-rally is dedicated to Santa Remedios’ parish members. “Our main intention is to let them get away from any form of addiction. A lot of this is possible through the Talaabwogh Association.”

After the procession dozens of youth parishioners showcased their talents in dance, song, and poetry that illuminated the issue of drugs and alcohol in the community. The event also featured a mini-raffle.

Greg Magofna, a former drug user, was invited to the event as the inspirational guest speaker. Magofna talked about the tragic effects of drug use in his life and encouraged the youth to seek a better path in their lives if they were to ever encounter drugs and alcohol.

“He was very inspirational and his speech opened my eyes to the reality of what drugs can do to people,” one youth parishioner said. “Events like this really remind me of how precious life is and why we need to be careful. The T-StaR and parish [Santa Remedios] are great and am glad to be a part of it.”

Arriola also noted that the association is composed of 12 adult core members. She said, “We want to help kids avoid the usage of drugs and alcohol. When they do not have any activities they get bored and when they get bored they turn to drugs and alcohol. That is why we do these things, so our kids can be involved. We are passionate about giving back to our own village.”

Santa Remedios Parish and the Talaabwogh Association both have plans for future community programs. Recaido shared that members are currently looking into developing a program to fight childhood obesity in collaboration with NMC-CREES.