MODEINDA

(Movement development innovate of Dominicans in Antigua)

Celebration of Independence

Of Dominican Republic in Antigua

St. John’s, Antigua

Tel: (268)775-1851/ (268)783-6921

My name is Manuel Melenciano Herrera, the president of the MODEINDA team, which has been responsible for the organizing the annual celebration of the Dominican Republic’s independence in Antigua and Barbuda since the year 2003. I am the main organizer and funder of this annual event, and I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to every single person who made the 2026 celebration of Dominican Republic’s 182nd year of independence possible.

We wholeheartedly thank all those who contributed to making this event possible, whether through financial donation or by donating their time and energy to the many different areas of this event, such as being dance instructors, assisting in the process of bringing the artists, providing accommodation, promoting the event, etc. I cannot express how appreciative we are of all of you. To make this possible we been practicing since the 6th of January from Monday to Friday with each group that participated.

Thanks to my colleagues who sacrificed their time during those two months to teach the children and their parents for allowing them to participate and learn all the choreographies:

• Damiana Mercedes Castro (muneca)(Representation of provinces, children ages 4 to 10)

• Anairis James (Batton Ballet, ages 11 to 18 and Tainos group Different ages)

• Serlyn Bastardo and Dairy Vanderhorst (Merengue dance children and Alibaba group)

• Antonio alias Ondo who do the choreography for Mangulina Group

• Yudelkis Espinal (Host).

• Joseph Radhames Gonzalez (Hosts) who donated transportation and was in charge of collecting the children from their homes Monday to Friday and taking them to the training area.

• Dj Number 7 (Kenton) (Music and animation)

• Rafael Music who set up the music on the trucks

• Arlene Garcia for your collaboration and assistance

• Fernandito Transportation (268) 732-4452 – transporting the artist from the airport to the hotel and the children to and from the event and for sponsoring 4 cases of water for the children participating.

• Trini Taxi (268) 775-4657 – transporting of the artist to and from the Airport, Hotel and Event.

Firstly, I would like to outline my contributions to the event, with a focus on the collective progress we have achieved.

• Manuel Melenciano

As the main sponsor, I contributed:

-The attire for seventy participants.

-Snacks and transportation during two months of rehearsals.

-One day accommodation and meals for the 9 artists.

-Six ticket from the Dominican Republic to Antigua

-The payment for the two artists groups $ 11,000.00 US

-The Stage complex, lighting and live band setup $6,500.00 EC

Secondly, I would like to give my most sincere thanks to all the sponsors who supported this event:

• Honorable Prime Minister Gaston Brown and Honorable Henry Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, for donating of the accommodation for the artists.

• Mr. Ika Fergus Agriculture Acting Chief Extension Officer

Who collaborated by providing the space to hold the ceremony at the Agricultural Extension Division

• Honorable Ambassador Lionel Max Hurst

Who provided the Visa Waiver Approval

Commissioner police

Thank you for allowing the parade to begin in Yasco and proceed to the Agricultural Extension Division, as well as providing personal escorts to ensure the parade went smoothly.

• Honorable Ambassador of Dominican Republic

Sra Yolanda Alexandra Victoria Alvarez.

For her contribution and support

• General Cónsul of Dominican Republic Mr. Julio Cesar Mateo Baez

Who contributed a donation and support.

• Mr. Carolina Mejia

Who contributed a donation of $3000.00 EC

• Dona Lola Disco

Who contributed half tickets from Antigua to the Dominican Republic for nine artists

• Luz Melenciano

Who contributed a donation of $650.00 EC

• Yocasta Salon

Who contributed a donation of $200.00 EC

• Juan Trucking Services

Who contributed a donation of $1500.00 EC

• Joe Mike’s Restaurant and Casino

Who allowed us to use his contract for the full stage and music and a donated $1,700.00 EC. The total cost was $8,200.00 EC and Manuel Media Luna paid the difference.

• Sky high airline

Contributed three one-way tickets from Dominican Republic to Antigua

Thank you to different business owners that used their business names as a sponsor to make promotional T-shirts and distribute them to the community for free:

• Media Luna Construction – 100 T-shirts

• Media Luna Radio Station – 100 T-shirts

• Media Luna Apartments – 100 T-shirts

• Health First Pharmacy – 75 T-shirts

• Fernando Taxi – 50 T-shirts

• Banca La Perla (Dominga) – 24 T-shirts

We MODEINDA group, in charge of the grand Independence celebration, This year we allowed Mr. Alex Martinez’s group to present his Artist at our event celebration.