Bless 4 visits MVA

Visiting Japanese singing group Bless 4 paid a courtesy call to the Marianas Visitors Authority Monday afternoon.

Acting MVA managing director Tess Castro, deputy managing director Martin Duenas, marketing manager Wayne Pangelinan, marketing assistant Hiroyuki Tanji, and other MVA employees welcomed the Japanese group made up of four siblings.

Castro presented some souvenir items to the group such as the Saipanda stuffed toy and posters. The group in turn gave Castro a promo copy of their latest CD album entitled “All-4-One.”

Bless 4 also participated during last weekend’s Christmas in the Marianas Festival at the Chamolinian Cultural Village. Despite the heavy downpour the group still managed to perform and rendered some Christmas songs to the delight of the crowd.

The group will remain on the island this holiday season making a series of public appearances. They will be performing in tomorrow’s Christmas party for the man’amko sponsored by the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands at the Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan. The group is also slated to perform in a series of shows at the Pacific Islands Club from Jan. 2 to 5.

Akashi, the oldest among the four Kawamitsu siblings, said the group is very grateful to the warm attention being showered them. The group said they found the people of the tropical island very warm and friendly.

“People here always smile,” said Kanasa, 21. She said you would never see that in Japan. She added that on Saipan, people greet you and ask how your day has been and that it was really inspiring. Akino, who will be celebrating her 16th birthday on Jan. 31, said she agreed with her sister that the island is truly stimulating for artists like them.

Aiki, the youngest at 14, said their visit to the CNMI is their first time to be away from their parents.

Ever since they were young, he said, they have been very family-oriented, and thus, they hope that would extend their message of valuing family first and foremost through their music and performances.

The siblings call their style “Harmony Group” singing because they do a capella. Kanasa said her favorite song in their album is their rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “I Just Called to Say I Love You.” Akino said her favorite song in the album is “Everything” because it was her first time to rap in a song.

Akashi said one of the goals of the album is to get people together and be one in spirit and in faith to make the world a better place. “That’s the reason why the title of our album is All-4-One.”