In celebration of Cinco de Mayo Saipan grooves to Latin music tonight
Latin music is expected to reverberate around Saipan tonight as the island joins hands with the rest of the world in the celebration of Mexico’s victory against French tyranny on the morning of May 5, 1862.
Five centers of entertainment on Saipan — Oleai Bar, Mochi’s, The Field, Pacific Gardenia and Hyatt Regency’s Gilligan’s — will pay tribute to 4,000 Mexican soldiers who smashed the French and back-fighting Mexican army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico.
While not too many people on the island know the true essence of Cinco de Mayo to the Mexicans, major corporate sponsors for the variety of festivities here said the occasion has been religiously observed on Saipan to encourage Latino settlers on the island to be an active part of the community.
“We want our Mexican brothers here to feel that they are a significant part of the CNMI community, and that we share their love for democracy,” says Western Sales Trading Company sales manager Rick Quejano Tayco.
Western Sales Trading, which distributes Mexico-brewed beer, Corona, in the Northern Marianas, is bringing Grupo Viva Mexico on Saipan for a special two-night performances at the Sunset Bar and Grill.
Mr. Tayco adds that Western Sales Trading, which also distributes Jose Cuervo here, is also sponsoring two other special events for the occasion, one at Mochi’s and another at the Oleai Beach Bar and Grill.
A chili pepper eating contest, highlighting the Mexican’s craving for spicy dishes, has also been set at The Field Sports Bar and Grill through the sponsorship of Pacific Trading Inc., distributor of Miller Lite and Miller Genuine Draft in the CNMI.
Akin to the chili pepper eating contest, Miller Lite has also lined up special performances by the Kelvin Duenas Band and Foy Gamba in a musical showcase called Music of the Islands.
Hyatt Regency’s Gilligan’s Entertainment Center will hold the 9th Annual Cinco de Mayo Chili Cook-Off in various categories. The event is expected to draw participants from the kitchens of major hotels and restaurants throughout the island.
Amid the pomp and pageantry of tonight’s celebrations, more people will ask: what really is the significance of Cinco de Mayo?
Not Independence Day
It is not as simple as going out and getting drunk.
The Cinco de Mayo victory demonstrated to ordinary Mexican citizens that they could repel superior fighting power. It instilled national pride and discouraged further American and European invasions of Mexico and Latin America.
For Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of cultural pride and a show of respect for the rights of people everywhere to enjoy in the fruits of self-determination.
Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s independence day because that holiday is celebrated every September 16. On that date back in 1810, El Grito de Dolores, a proclamation, was issued by Father Miguel Hidalgo.
The proclamation united the many different Mexican groups that have fought against Spain into one cohesive struggle. Mexico achieved its independence from Spanish rule in 1821. Cinco de Mayo is actually a commemoration of a victory by Mexican troops in La Batalla de Puebla more that fifty years later.
Cinco de Mayo is not celebrated in Mexico to the same extent that it is by Chicanos in the U. S., mainly because September 16 is seen as the more important holiday.
