The event was well-attended by close to a thousand, including some prominent government officials of the island such as Senator Dennis Rodriguez Jr., Senator Tony Ada, Senator Chris Duenas of the 31st Guam Legislature, and Guam International Airport Authority Deputy Executive Director Pedro Martinez.
Tribu Pan-ay, Champion of Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2012 and Aliwan Festival 2012, from Iloilo, Philippines performing at Micronesia Mall in Guam on July 22, 2012
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Organized by the Iloilo International of Guam, Filipinos on the island and all Guam residents witnessed three performances by the group that can only be described as “fantastic” by those who watched.
The first performance of Tribu Pan-ay was at the University of Guam Fieldhouse on July 20.
Through the invitation of the Mayors’ Council of Guam, the Tribu Pan-ay also participated in the Guam Liberation Day Parade held on July 21.
The Liberation Day Parade is the biggest event on the island and is attended by the highest officials of the Government of Guam and the United States (U.S.) military.
Some of the dignitaries in attendance during the parade included Governor Eddie Baza Calvo and First Lady Christine Calvo, Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Joint Forces Marianas Commander Admiral Paul Bushong and Guam’s members of the Consular Corps.
Representing the Philippine Consulate General in Agana, Consul Edgar Tomas Auxilian, and Vice Consul Maria Paz Cortes were also present at the parade grandstand to witness the Tribu Pan-ay’s splendid performance.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of Iloilo City, who flew in from Manila on the same morning, joined the Tribu Pan-ay and the Iloilo International of Guam during the parade. He likewise presented a beautiful tribal headdress to Governor Calvo as a token from the City Government of Iloilo.
The Mayors’ Council of Guam also presented a Resolution thanking the City of Iloilo, Mayor Mabilog and the Tribu Pan-ay members for accepting their invitation for the Dinagyang Champions to perform during the parade.
On July 22, the Tribu Pan-ay also performed at the center court of the Micronesia Mall, the biggest mall on the island which is owned by Filipino business tycoon Lucio Tan.
The center court was filled to capacity and others also lined the second floor of the atrium in order to catch a glimpse of the show.
Consul General Bayani Mangibin, who arrived on the same day from Manila, graced the event, which was also attended by Senator Rodriguez and Senator Shirley Mabini of the 31st Guam Legislature.
Filipino Community of Guam President Leah Beth Naholowaa as well as other Filipino community leaders also supported the event.
All three performances were well-received by the Filipinos on Guam and the Guam community in general. Guam government officials expressed their delight particularly for the group’s participation during the Liberation Day Parade. Many have also expressed interest to visit Iloilo to witness the Dinagyang Festival.
The Tribu Pan-ay is composed of students from the Fort San Pedro National High School. They were accompanied by Division of Schools Superintendent Nelly Valerio, Ms. Blesilda Floro, Tribe Manager and Principal of the FSPNHS, Mr. Eduardo L. Peñaredondo, Executive Assistant of Mayor Jed Mabilog, and Iloilo City Tourism Officer Benito Jimena, among others.
The project Dinagyang Guam 2012 was spearheaded by the Iloilo International of Guam in cooperation with the Mayors’ Council of Guam, represented by Executive Director Angel Sablan, Mayor Melissa Savares of Dededo, Mayor Carol Tayama of Agat, Mayor Dale Alvarez of Sta. Rita, and Mayor Paul MacDonald of Agana Heights, in cooperation with the City Government of Iloilo led by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, and by the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, represented by Mr. Felipe Uygongco.
The project was also supported by the offices of Senator Rodriguez and Congresswoman Bordallo and the Philippine Consulate General in Agana.
source: dfa.gov.ph / gov.ph
