UFO’s Malasarte thankful for all the support

United Filipino Organization president Bong Malasarte, second row sixth from left, joins other officials and members of the non-profit group in last Sunday’s United Filipino Organization Family Fun Day at the Filcom Pavilion in Susupe.
(Jon Perez)

United Filipino Organization president Bong Malasarte thanked all the volunteers and sponsors that helped them in various events and projects they did from January to June this year. The UFO held its first Family Fun Day last Sunday.

UFO officers, leaders, and members of the different organizations under the non-profit group as well as volunteers and sponsors spent a day bonding together in last Sunday’s event at the Filcom Pavilion in Susupe.

Malasarte said Sunday’s event is UFO’s simple way of saying thank you to all the hardworking volunteers and member organizations, and to all the sponsors that continue to respond to their requests every time they ask for any assistance.

“It was just a simple gathering to thank everyone [UFO’s member organizations, volunteers, and sponsors]. Especially [today], the members and their families, and some of our sponsors joined and celebrated with us,” said Malasarte.

“We would have not successfully organized the various projects and events without the help of all the volunteers and the support given by the generous sponsors. The UFO is thankful for everything that they have done for us by sharing their talents and skills.”

Malasarte added that it was a day of bonding and fostering camaraderie with all attendees enjoying the food that they shared with Walden Beri and his wife Violy, who were former performers at Aqua Resort Club, providing entertainment with various songs.

At one point, four Chinese tourists—who were just walking along the beachside—joined them in the celebration with Walden serenading them with songs in Mandarin. The four tourists even sang with Walden while taking videos of his performance.

The appreciation party continued until 10pm when UFO officers and several volunteers finally went home.

The UFO will be holding a basketball league for its next activity and they are already in the planning stage. The tentative date of opening is on Aug. 14, Sunday. Next will be the Paskong Pinoy celebration.

The Miss Teen Pusong Pinoy, Super Sea Reyna Queen of the Pacific, and Pistang Pinoy are some of the events they held this year aside from volunteering in the annual Holy Week trek up to Mt. Tapochau, and organizing several beach cleanups, beautification drives, and other community activities.

They assisted in the activities for the Philippine Independence Day celebration here on Saipan where Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara was the special guest. They also joined the Liberation Day Parade last July 4 where they won $2,000 for placing third in the float competition.

They also helped gather information of long-time CNMI residents who are still under the CW program as requested by Department of Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Esther Kia’aina and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regional director David Gulick.

Westco, KFC, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Star Water, Hong Enterprises, Mr. and Mrs. Federico Canajero, Ms. Nenita Marquez, 360 Restaurant, Honorary Consul of the Philippines to the CNMI Eli Arago, and KWAW are some of their sponsors.