Fiesta Resort kicks off Christmas for the man’amko

 Fiesta Resort & Spa in Garapan started the Christmas ball rolling for the island’s elderly population by treating the man’amko to a holiday luncheon at the Hibiscus Hall yesterday.

The luncheon was made more special with the hotel’s own executives serving the over 50 congregates and Aging Center staff led by director Rose Mondala.

“I’ve never seen such a beautiful welcome, seeing the Fiesta staff lined up to greet us from the moment we stepped out of the car and as we walked to the venue,” Mondala said in her remarks before lunch was served.

Mondala said the Aging Center “tracks” those who remember the man’amko through the years and Fiesta Resort & Spa is always one of them.

“We want to thank you for thinking of us again,” said Mondala. “You take care of us on our important days and that’s why we will give back to you as well.”

As their way of giving back, Mondala announced that they will hold their celebration of Mes’ Man’amko or Older American Month in May at the Fiesta Resort & Spa.

“Happy holidays and we promise you that we will be back,” added Mondala.

Food and beverage manager Das Krishnan disclosed that the annual luncheon was initially set for Thanksgiving but because of the man’amko’s schedule, they had to change it to a special season’s greeting lunch.

Krishnan said they had a Chamorro healthy menu-“something soft and easy and healthy”-in mind when they thought of dishes to be included in the sumptuous feast for the man’amko.

Yesterday’s banquet featured garden salad with various dressings, sushi, beef and broccoli, pancit, white rice, fried rolls, fish fillet, and fried chicken. Velvet cake and slices of oranges served as desserts.

“We wish them best health and happy season’s greetings,” said Krishnan.

Human resource manager Guadalupe Flores said the holiday feast for the man’amko is one of their ways to give back to the community. “We really need to take care of our elderly folks and this is something we enjoy doing. We’re very happy they could join us,” she said.

The luncheon was accompanied by an island show featuring the Tasi and the Ali’is, composed of Tasi, Rex, John, Bernard, Ken, Marilyn, Kate, Shelby, and Momoko.

Following the performance, Fiesta Resort staff invited the man’amko to a dance showdown. Of the seven pairs that joined the contest, the tandem of Leonides Marinas and Felisa Basa earned the nod of the Fiesta Resort staff who named them the winners. They each got $100.

Maxim Mereb and Christiana Michael were declared second place, each receiving $50 cash. Fiesta Resort gift packs were given to the other pairs as consolation prizes.

On behalf of the man’amko, Saipan Seniors Advisory Council chair Teresita Sorroza expressed gratitude to Fiesta Resort & Spa. “They never forget the man’amko so we thank them from the bottom of our hearts,” she said.