Proa brings warmth of paradise to families and friends •A big bang to end this millennium’s holiday season

For those who had to leave the humble settings of these isles some 20 to 30 years ago or even for a short stint as students in strange distant shores, there’s always that special place in their hearts for the islands and people they love but must leave for one reason or another.

But there’s always that quiet longing for the sounds of paradise that reconnects them with what was or still is home sweet home. And there’s usually a demand for traditional Christmas songs sung by the simple folks in these isles since time immemorial. For Chamorros and Carolinians or anybody from the Pacific Islands, this coming Christmas ought to be a real gala event when the music and dance group known as the Proa Entertainers head to Hawaii, California, Oregon and Washington states.

“It’s our way of bringing the warmth of paradise to families, students and friends away from home with music and dances from the islands,” said David Peter, head of the group.

The Proa Entertainers has planned various fundraising drives to collect and save money to pay for their air-fare and other expenses while on tour. “We would really appreciate the generosity of everyone in our effort to bring the warm sounds of paradise to places where our students go to school or for those who have relocated and lived in the US mainland for many years now”, related Peter. “It’s our way of reviving our cultural tradition in traditional songs and dances as we exit the 20th century ready to face the challenges of the next millennium”.

“I’m sure that for those of us who have had the experience away from home either as students, service to our country in the US Armed Forces, or simply chose to live in the US mainland, there’s that very lonely moment when we long for that familiar place we call home”, he related. “I should know because when I was in the US Army and subsequently as a student away from my loved ones, my ukulele was my only faithful companion as I sing songs from home which naturally brings tears as I remember my kids and wife”.

“It isn’t our goal to bring tears to our brothers and sisters, but rather a sense of happiness and the grand opportunity to reconnect with home this holiday season so to bring a sense of real island joy when we close out this century,” Peter said. Mr. Peter is a veteran musician and a premiere recording artist. Since the outset, he’s documented (recorded) traditional and contemporary songs of paradise with his ukulele, complimented with slackey guitar. He and his late brother Sid have been singing since fifty years ago with local groups entertaining at novenas, baptism, weddings, and fiestas. “Music is almost second nature for me,” he said, adding, “and my musically inclined family are still at it”.

“You see, food and music has and continues to bring islanders together far and near. In family parties or islandwide fiestas, friends meet to help out in the cooking, followed by the real party of food, music and dance,” he said. “So even as we move into the strange demands of change in the next millennium, these two traditional features in our culture will continue to be the most powerful unifying elements in our survival as a people”.

“The strength of our local languages aside, music from paradise reflects upon our experiences of yesteryears and the more modern Northern Marianas Community,” Peter offered. “This aspect in our tradition will live forever in the hearts of the of these islands. It represents a true expression of love, change, good and bad experiences, traditional tunes, and everything you can name under the sun”, he said. “Music has been and will continue to be the single most effective means of communication from the pearly isles of the Northern Marianas for generations to come”.

The itinerary of the group is being arranged by the various local clubs between Hawaii, California, Oregon and Washington states. “With enough funds for the planned tour, we should leave the island on Dec. 17th,” said Peter. The Proa Entertainers started its fundraising drive last Saturday selling hot lunch at the 13 Fishermen’s monument along beach road in Garapan. Donations can be sent to: Proa Entertainers, P.O. Box 422 CK, Saipan, MP 96950 or call Mr. David K. Peter at (670) 234-7890.