Photo By Lance Cpl. Francisco Abundes | Navy Seaman Christopher North, an anesthesia technician of Korean descent, stands in a...... read more read more
Subscribe
PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. - The largest cultural celebration in the history of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island took place, May 20, at the Lyceum.
Nearly 500 guests attended the Tri-Command Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month celebration.
“This is the biggest cultural, ethnic observance that has been [held] here on the depot ever,” said Gunnery Sgt. Delvon Survine, equal opportunity advisor for the depot. “It’s this big to show you the emphasis of the Asian community and how they come together. Each community interacts and works differently.”
Survine said the event took six months to plan.
As guests arrived at the event, each one was presented with a Hawaiian lei – a colorful adornment draped around the neck. In Hawaii, leis are presented to guests on arrival or departure as a sign of affection.
“This event showed a culture’s diversity and gave the larger community as a whole the opportunity to see and interact and learn more about the Asian and Pacific Islander culture,” Survine said. “[It] emphasizes specific races and cultures within our society and shows how they enrich our country and how they make us better.”
The event kicked off with the traditional singing of the national anthem, sung by Malia Kaneshige, before the audience learned about the importance of the month’s celebration.
“It is important to learn about the cultures we interact with every day for our own specific diversity,” Survine said. “If we have a better understanding of where we come from, of what is important to us, then that would make the team stronger.”
Guests were invited to have a taste of Asian-Pacific Islander cuisine set at a buffet available throughout the night’s presentations. Vegetable masala, lumpia, white rice, fried rice, egg rolls, chicken teriyaki and beef lo mein were all part of the meal.
“This event was to educate the Lowcountry population on the Asian-Pacific Islander culture,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Jonathan Oliveros, a member of the Tri-Command Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Committee. “It was to give everybody an appreciation and deeper understanding of [this] culture.”
After some words from the guest speaker, Dr. Babet Villena-Alvarez, and a few others, the entertainment for the evening began.
Nearly 20 local groups influenced by Asian-Pacific Islander cultures showcased dances, martial arts, music, fashion and arts from each different culture. Presenters modeled traditional Asian-Pacific Islander clothing, from coconut bras and floral skirts to ninja and samurai outfits.
They performed dances that included the famous hula to dancing with candles, and Ninjutsu students taught guests how inertia and pain compliance can allow people to defend themselves against an attacker.
The cultures synced with each other and created a unique experience for the audience.
“They did a great job at showcasing what each culture is truly about and showing Marines, sailors and their families what they really represent,” said Arielle Burley, volunteer who taught the Polynesian dances.
| Date Taken: | 05.20.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.27.2011 11:57 |
| Story ID: | 71195 |
| Location: | PARRIS ISLAND, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 106 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Asian and Pacific Islanders celebrate culture, by LCpl Francisco Abundes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT