Saipan Awaodori Team represents Saipan in Japan

Three down and four more to go for the Saipan Awaodori Team currently in Japan performing in a series of Awaodori festivals.

Last Sunday, Cassidy Wabol, Coddie Forbes, Owen Quitugua, Vianny Mettao, Connie Mettao, Marcela Heben, Santo Baidya, and Leon Wabol took part in the Awaodori festival in Kitamachi, Tokyo. The previous two Sundays they performed in Awaodori festivals in Shirokane, Tokyo and in Ujie, Tochige.

Quitugua, a 17-year-old drummer making his first trip to Japan as part of the Saipan Awaodori Team, said performing in the Land of the Rising Sun is an amazing experience.

“Being my first time to perform I am really happy and excited to be a part of something so big and I am grateful for the opportunity to come here and represent Saipan and express the joy I have being a part of the Saipan Awaodori Team. I hope to perform again and make more memories and I hope others will join us on this wonderful experience together.”

Vianny Mettao, an 18-year-old dancer, said she initially had a hard time keeping up with the tight schedule at the beginning of the trip practicing and performing with Tokyo Tensuiren, but she eventually got the hang of it.

“I enjoyed the challenging performance with the Tokyo Tensuiren. It is a great opportunity to pick up my skills and get to learn more other dance styles to improve my dancing skills. Showing them how we play our flute is unforgettable and full of emotions. I am proud of our team and I can’t wait for our other members to experience this amazing opportunity.”

For 15-year-old dancer Connie Mettao, her second time in Japan performing with the Saipan Awaodori Team is still a wonderful experience.

“I was able to learn many dance techniques and got to have connections with the Tokyo Tensuiren team. I played ‘Sakura Sakura’ on the flute while dancers danced with joy and smiles on their faces. Performing is tough, especially dancing a long way, but seeing many cheerful and supportive people made me feel excited and forget how tough dancing is. I cannot wait for other performances in the future and see more of Saipan Awaodori Team in Japan.”

Heben, another dancer, said this year’s performances felt a bit different since it’s the first year Tokyo Tensuiren president Rencho Iwanami isn’t with them. Iwanami passed away last December.

“If not for him, our team wouldn’t experience how the Awaodori festival is here in Japan. He saw the potential in us and is the reason why we are able to be here in this wonderful country and amazing people. Every performance I tried my best to enjoy no matter how hard it is, it is more extreme than performing on Saipan, but with all the cheers and smiles surrounding me, I forgot the physical pain I’m in. Overall, I enjoy coming back here every year, getting to know more and more about the dance and being able to perform with the new skills I’ve learned.”

Another drummer, 19-year-old Coddie Forbes, said returning to Japan once again with the Saipan Awaodori Team just adds to his appreciation for being part of the team.

“This is my second time in Japan. It’s better because I’m getting to know everyone more and getting close to them. I love learning Japanese culture. I was anxious about performing using a big drum with the group being from Saipan, but with their encouragement and support I feel relaxed. My performance has improved and my skill level increased, now I feel comfortable using bigger drums.”

Saipan Awaodori Team president Misako Kamata, for her part, said she’s very proud of the Saipan Awaodori Team that performed the last three Sundays in Japan.

“Every time our local children perform here in Japan, they always capture the audience’s attention and leave a lasting impression. Even though they do not speak the same language, still they were able to perform together. I can see that these children now truly understand Japanese culture through dance and music performance.”

Next up for Kamata and company is the Higashi Awaodori Festibval in Rinkan, Tokyo on Aug. 3, followed by the main performances in the Koenji Tokyo Awaodori Festival from Aug. 23 to 25.