In news from the festival of Pacific Arts in Guam, courtesy of Pacific Energy, last night our group bid farewell to some of the VIP officials who were in Guam for the opening days of the Festival.
KHJ News Doug Tuigamala reports that Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega and his wife Lagi and First Lady Cynthia Moliga and the governor’s assistant chief of staff Minnie Tuia have now left Hagatna to return home.
The leaders, along with Uta Dr. Laloulu Tagoilelagi, Director of the Arts Council, Chairman of
the Arts Council Board Pagofie Fiaigoa and board member Deacon Sauileone, with Miss American Samoa Suluga Taliau, have been present at every performance of our group since the festival started.
At the performing arts venue ast night the group from Samoa, preceded the performance of the Faasao Marist students.
And according to Doug, our delegation cheered and clapped in support of our brothers and sisters from Samoa.
The dance troupe from Apia is made up of government school teachers.
The group from Samoa returned the favor when our children went on stage.
Adding to the repertoire of sasa , mauluulu and other dances by the Faasao Marist group was the fire knife dance, an art form that was created by the late Olo Letuli, the grandfather of the siva afi.
The fire knife dancers are children of a Samoan resident in Guam.
Our delegation is keeping up with the schedule and are well taken care of.
The weather is the only thing that needs getting used to.
Doug says that the students are being told repeatedly they must get enough rest and to stay hydrated because the heat in Guam is quite intense.
Yesterday the group visited seminarians from the local Catholic Church, Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago who are studying for the priesthood at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary of Guam
Two members of the Faasao Marist Group said the festival is exposing them to so many different ethnic groups and cultures of the Pacific islands. Here’s Jason Mose and Thomas Tavai.
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