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Saipan community organizes relief for Guam, Rota after Typhoon Mawar

Residents on Saipan are coming together to provide relief to Guam and Rota with the memory of Typhoon Yutu fresh in their minds. 

Rota and Guam are picking up the pieces in the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar. Residents of Saipan know the feeling when they were slammed by Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018. And now, they’re eager to give back just as Guam gave to the CNMI in their time of need.

JJ Concepcion, president of Music of the Marianas Association said, "We want to share that uplifting spirit that we are Un Marianas. We are one. We want to share that uplifting spirit. We are here for our people." 

The CNMI Indigenous Affairs Office, Office of Youth Affairs, and Music of the Marianas Association are organizing the Un Marianas Benefit Dinner on July 14. They’re bringing together musicians to put on a show that will raise funds for those in need on Guam and Rota. 

Ross Manglona who leads the Indigenous Affairs Office said, "This is all about the spirit of giving, and volunteerism. We are not here to make an individual profit. Our efforts here are humanitarian in nature and I think that will be the driving force behind selling these tickets."

The exact details and partnerships are still developing. It’s that One Marianas spirit that also inspired the creative director of Tribe Marianas Rob Travilla to organize a regional effort. They’re teaming up with StaightUpJed for a new t-shirt inspired by a phrase Jed coined. 

"Make love not Mawar," he said. 

They’ve already sold over a hundred in pre-orders. Tribe Marianas is also collaborating with another homegrown streetwear brand, Crowns Guam, to raise funds. When Yutu his the NMI in 2018, Crowns ran a Marianas Strong Campaign and raised over 6-thousand dollars. 

The aftermath of a typhoon is something Rob is familiar with. He lost his home and went without power for 93 days, lining up for up to 8 hours for gas in Saipan five years ago. 

"When typhoon Mawar hit Guam that is the first thing that popped into my mind. How do we reciprocate or…start something to support our brothers and sisters on Guam. And I am just so happy that we can rejuvenate that Marianas Strong movement," Travilla said. "If there is any island in the whole island chain that can rebuild strong and quickly, it is definitely Guam."