BEST Sunshine
International’s Corporate Social Responsibility team has donated $2,000 to the
Chamorro visual and performing arts group Simiyan I Manaina-ta Inc.
The funds received will be used by the group to further
its mission which is to exhibit Chamorro culture through visual and performing
arts.
LJ Castro, founder and creative director of the group,
said Simiyan I Manaina-ta means “seeds of our elders.”
“It’s a name we use for our organization because we would
like to use what we do as a way of connecting younger generations to our roots
through visual and performing arts,” he said.
“Growing up, what got me into learning about our culture
were the songs I learned from our elders, and I want to pass that passion on to
those in the community and those at the school level.”
According to Castro the funds donated by BSI will help
train new members and purchase visual and performing art implements.
“We just introduced a
brand new division, which is our junior division and it is made up of students
from 11 to 13 years old.
“A lot of them are new to our organization, and we don’t
have enough supplies to dress every performer. We want to use the donation from
BSI to get them started and get them what they need.”
He added, “We also want to see what we can do to further
perpetuate our mission.
The group performed a Chamorro traditional blessing called
“Bendisyun” after receiving the contribution from BSI.
Geri Dela Cruz, BSI-CSR executive director, expressed
gratitude to the dance group.
She said, “On behalf of BSI and the CSR team we would like
to thank you for the performance that you have put on for us, thank you for the
blessing.”
She said their department is “promoting and supporting
those that are working to promote our culture and Simiyan Manaina-ta is
definitely one that continues to preserve the culture that we have. Again, on
behalf of BSI and our entire CSR team we would like to thank you for doing what
you continue to do today.”
-Marianas Variery
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