20 take oath as newest US citizens

U.S. District Court for the NMI Magistrate Judge Heather L. Kennedy, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Saipan supervisor Lt. Mihai Leta, and Immigration Services officer Diane S. Zedde pose for a group photo with 20 newest U.S. citizens during the naturalization ceremony held in District Court on Friday. (Ferdie De La Torre)

For 78-year-old Rosa Borja Flores, obtaining U.S. citizenship after moving from Palau to Saipan at the end of World War II in 1946 or 1947, brings excitement to her life.

“I’m elated and very happy,” said Flores, through her family members who served as interpreters.

Flores retired in 2003 as an employee of the Aging Center.

For Noel Mangulabnan Roque, who hails from the Philippines, he’s so happy that after working on Saipan for 30 years, he is finally a U.S. citizen.

Roque left Pampanga, Philippines during the country’s People Power Revolution in February 1986. On Saipan, he started his career in the tourism industry as a bartender. After many years he eventually became a manager of a hotel.

Roque is now with the Public School System assigned in monitoring food services.

Roque’s three children, all born on Saipan, and his wife are now staying in the U.S. mainland. One of his children is now with the U.S. Marines.

Roque said with his U.S. citizenship, work is easier and he has a lot of opportunities.

He recalled that unlike before it was hard to get a promotion although he knows he has the knowledge and skills for the position.

Hong Gao Piliwale, who is from China, for her part, said she is proud and at the same time excited to become a U.S. citizen.

Piliwale left China to work at Duty Free Shoppers on Saipan in 2009. She met a man from Hawaii on Saipan and they eventually got married.

“U.S. citizenship means I have now freedom and more opportunities,” she said.

Piliwale, 45, is now a flight attendant with Dynamic Airlines.

Flores, Roque, and Piliwale were among the 20 persons who took oath as the newest U.S. citizens during the naturalization ceremony held at the U.S. District Court for the NMI on Friday.

Magistrate Judge Heather L. Kennedy presided over the ceremony. The newest U.S. citizens are mostly from the Philippines and the rest are from China, Korea, and Palau.

Immigration Services officer Diane S. Zedde moved to accept the 20 candidates as new U.S. citizens.

U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Saipan supervisor Lt. Mihai Leta served as the guest speaker at the naturalization ceremony held in conjunction with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Leta said just like the 20 newest U.S. citizens, he sat in their position 20 years ago as he was naturalized in his hometown of Portland, Oregon.

Leta congratulated the newest U.S. citizens for their “long journey, dedication, and perseverance to become Americans.”

Leta encouraged them to take part in the democratic process as voters, jurors and responsible citizens.

“Strive to give back to your community and new nation. Bring others up and come to the aid the weak, the poor and underprivileged because that is what we do as Americans,” he said.

Aside from Flores, Roque, and Piliwale, the other newest citizens are Roselyne Saruyda Babauta, Candida Aranda Bahillio, Jose Asejo Bahillio, Joseph Aranda Bahillio, Clodualdo Cabrera Calibo, Erlinda Campana Calibo, Isabelita Habal Camacho, Ofelia Albano Castro, Jose J-R Aprigil Jacinto, Maria Anafe Dayo Licop, and Sofia Abaygar Mallari.

The other newest citizens are Aeja Park, Ming Yue Jin Pascual, Yolanda Ocampo Perez, Maribel Funtilla Sasakura, Conchita Maglalang Solis, and Jocelyn Gonzaga Toskas.