Where is the prize money?

We entered the Bisita Luta Battle of the Bands during the San Francisco de Borja Church Fiesta on Rota in October 2005. We won first place, while the Saipan bands won Grand Prize and 3rd Place.

The First Place prize was $2,000, which we have not received to date. We, the Luta Tribe Band, and our parents inquired with the Battle of the Bands Committee about our prize money and we just got the run-around.

We were told that the Resident Director is in Saipan to obtain the money, that they are waiting for the money to come from Saipan, that they are waiting for the Rota mayor’s signature (which was not true), that the Arts Council in Saipan is responsible for the prize money and that they will follow-up on the prize money. We are tired of all the excuses. We want our prize money that the Battle of the Bands Committee on Rota advertised.

Leiona Mesa, Alvin Cruz Jr., Joaquin King, Arton Taimanao, Mark Miral and Scott Songsong
Luta Tribe