Docomo is Pistang Pinoy major sponsor

The United Filipino Organization has announced that a telecommunications provider will be a major sponsor for the 2012 Pistang Pinoy.

Bong Malasarte, president of the umbrella organization of some 30 Filipino groups in the CNMI, said yesterday that Docomo Pacific has agreed to donate $5,000 to subsidize the costs for UFO’s biggest annual event.

This year’s Pistang Pinoy (Filipino Fiesta) is slated for Sunday, June 10, at the Civic Center grounds in Susupe.

Malasarte disclosed that they have approached several businesses and presented them with a budget for Pistang Pinoy, which commemorates the Independence Day of the Philippines, and Docomo Pacific offered to donate the amount closest to their financial needs.

Docomo Pacific also sponsored UFO’s inaugural Valentine event, Pusong Pinoy (Filipino Heart).

Its $5,000 donation makes them a Mabuhay sponsor, the event’s highest sponsorship level bestowed on companies that donate $5,000 or more.

“UFO expresses its heartfelt appreciation to Docomo Pacific for providing us financial assistance that would allow the group to host an event that the entire community can enjoy,” Malasarte told Saipan Tribune.

The president noted, however, that the doors are still open for other companies that want to help make the 2012 Pistang Pinoy fun and memorable.

PH Independence Day program

Philippine Consulate General officer-in-charge Jose Sto. Domingo, in a separate interview, said yesterday that their office will support the annual event, especially since this would be the last time that the consulate can take part in Pistang Pinoy.

Due to budgetary constraints, the consulate will have its last day on Oct. 31 and its responsibilities will be transferred to the Philippine consulate in Agana, Guam.

The consulate has traditionally hosted a separate program commemorating Philippine Independence Day, and Sto. Domingo revealed that this year’s program has yet to be finalized due to the absence of Consul General Medardo Macaraig.

Macaraig is in Manila to take care of his wife who had a stroke and is currently confined at the St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City.

According to Sto. Domingo, it remains to be confirmed if Macaraig will be able to make it to the June 10 event.

Since this will be the consulate’s last Philippine Independence Day celebration, Sto. Domingo said they are looking at having the flag raising ceremony to be led by the female staff of the consulate.

“Our proposed program is still subject for approval by the consul general. However, we can assure the Filipino community that we will do our best to provide a memorable Philippine Independence Day event,” he added.