Pinoys all doll up for cultural dance show in Saipan

GARAPAN, Saipan – A group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saipan will hold a two-hour cultural dance show to raise funds for victims of human trafficking and sexual assault. “We have two main objectives: To promote the Filipino culture through dances and help victims of human trafficking and domestic violence," Bayani Association president Tina Lifoifoi told GMANews.TV on Tuesday afternoon. Dubbed “Balik-Tanaw sa Kulturang Pinoy (A look back at the Filipino culture)," the event will showcase at least 16 traditional dances divided into four categories – traditional dances in the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao regions, and those inspired by the Spaniards including pasa doble, mantones de seda, polka sa nayon and paseo de Iloilo. The regional dances will include idaw, pandanggo sa ilaw, salakot, tinikling, malong-malong and makatod. The finale, according to Lifoifoi, will be the singkil. Net proceeds of the fundraiser will be donated to Guma Esperansa (House of Hope), which provides shelter and assistance to victims of human trafficking and sexual assaults in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). In calendar year 2007 alone, at least 50 victims of human trafficking sought assistance from Guma Esperansa, up from only 28 the previous year. The CNMI is home to some 10,000 OFWs and Filipino-Americans, mostly in the capital island of Saipan. “This is the first time that Bayani Association will be doing a fundraiser for this cause," Lifoifoi said, adding that many of the victims of human trafficking and sexual assault in the CNMI are foreign nationals including those from the Philippines. Through cooperation among private, local and federal entities, the CNMI has had a number of successful investigations leading to convictions and prosecutions for sex and human trafficking. Bayani Association is comprised mostly of hundreds of OFWs who completed skills upgrading courses sponsored by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Philippine Consulate General in the CNMI. “Bayani" is a Filipino term for “hero." The organization sponsors the primary education of children of former OFWs, help build classrooms in public schools in the Philippines, extend financial assistance to victims of disasters in the Philippines, as well as clean up beach areas and other tourist spots in Saipan. Bayani Association’s cultural show and banquet dinner will be held on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan in Garapan. “We are hoping to have a large crowd. You will not only enjoy the dance performances but will also help others who are in need," said Lifoifoi. General admission tickets are sold at $25 each, while VIP tickets sell at $35 each. - GMANews.TV