Island Snapshots – November 2017
- CONCERNED CITIZENS Acting police spokesman Lt. Jason Tarkong talks with Joan Taitano’s uncle at the radar building area in Marpi yesterday morning shortly after a body was found 200 feet in the bottom of the cliffline. DPS later confirmed the body to be that of Taitano, who has been missing since Thursday. Investigation is still ongoing. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)
- CLUB 200 DONORS Imperial Pacific International donated $10,000 to the 28th Annual Club 200. Here, Imperial Pacific International CEO Mark Brown, center, and American Red Cross board chair Tayna Camacho, standing second from left, join this year’s Club 200 co-chair Nola Hix, center. Also in photo are IPI’s senior vice president for Special Projects Viola Alepuyo; IPI’s executive director for CSR Geralyn Dela Cruz, third from left, together with other members of IPI and the NMI Chapter of the American Red Cross. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
- The Exotic Mini Car Club donates $400 to the 28th Annual Club 200 gala. For over 10 years, Team Exotic has been donating to the American Red Cross. Here, Team Exotic members join NMI Chapter executive director John Hirsh. Also in photo are Team Exotic president Carol Fleming, standing the far right, and vice president Lisa Santos, standing third from left, together with other Team Exotic members. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
- TRUNK OR TREAT First lady Diann Torres and her children participate in the Trunk or Treat event at the Commonwealth Ports Authority. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
- From left to right, caseworker Jaclyn T. Mendiola, caseworker Dolores I. Benavente, compliance specialist Chrislaine L. Manibusan, Associate Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio, Breanna M. Camacho, John A. Granada, Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja, law clerk Jacqueline A. Nicolas, and judicial assistant Clarice Y.C. Mendoza. (Contributed Photo)
- BAIL HEARING-With bandage wrapped around his head and arm, Antonio Barrit, 62, walks on the hallway of Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho’s courtroom, shortly after the bail hearing on Monday afternoon of Alfonso S. Parongan. Barrit and family members and friends watched the hearing. Parongan allegedly stabbed and injured Barrit with a kitchen knife and fatally stabbed Barrit’s wife, Josephina Pineda, 53, outside their house in Chalan Kanoa Sunday night. (Ferdie de la Torre)
- BEER & BBQ FESTIVAL-Volunteers from the crowd go up the stage to take a sip of the Marianas special drink concocted by Frankie Fong of Fourplay Taiwan. The first Marianas Beer and BBQ Festival last Saturday was a huge success, drawing hundreds to the Garapan Fishing Base last Saturday.(Bea Cabrera)
- COFFEE WITH A COP-Members of the public sit and chat with a Department of Public Safety officer yesterday morning at the Middle Road branch of McDonald’s Saipan as part of the new program called “Coffee with a Cop.” The public gave feedback on how the department has handled current issues on Saipan and asked how they can work with DPS to ensure the island’s safety. A little under 50 individuals dropped by to get a free cup of coffee with the policemen. (Kimberly A. Bautista)
- COFFEE WITH A COP- The first Coffee with a Cop in the CNMI was held yesterday at the Middle Road branch of McDonald’s. The event was joined by CNMI police officers and civilians who had the chance to discuss issues concerning the neighborhood that they live in. (Bea Cabrera)
- NEW JUDGE-Newly-sworn in Superior Court Associate Judge Wesley M. Bogdan poses with CNMI, Guam, and U.S. District Court justices and judges, along with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, first lady Diann Torres, Lt. Gov. Victor Hocog, Villa Hocog, Bogdan’s wife Tomoko, and Tomoko’s father Nobuhisa Kawakata, at the investiture ceremony yesterday in the CNMI Supreme Court. (Ferdie de la Torre)
- Newly sworn in Superior Court Associate Judge Wesley M. Bogdan poses with his wife Tomoko and father-in-law Nobuhisa Kawakata at the investiture ceremony on Wednesday at the CNMI Supreme Court. (Ferdie de la Torre)
- Newly sworn in Superior Court Associate Judge Wesley M. Bogdan delivers his remarks after his investiture ceremony on Wednesday at the CNMI Supreme Court. (Ferdie de la Torre)
- Superior Court Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan gets help from his wife, Tomoko, in putting his judicial robe before taking oath at the investiture ceremony on Wednesday, Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres administered the oath. (Ferdie de la Torre)
- CNMI, Guam, and U.S. District Court justices and judges listen to remarks during the investiture ceremony for Superior Court Associate Judge Wesley M. Bogdan on Wednesday at the CNMI Supreme Court. (Ferdie de la Torre)
- NEW CITIZENS- The 25 new U.S. citizens wave U.S. flaglets and show off their certificates as they pose with U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona, Joint Region Marianas commander Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, and Immigration Services officer Shelia Kelty at a naturalization ceremony at the U.S. District Court for the NMI yesterday. (Ferdie de la Torre)
- OPEN HOUSE- The Okeanos Marianas is docked by the Garapan Fishing Base last Friday for interested community members to get on board and examine the vessel. (Kimberly A. Bautista)
- HOUSE GAMING SESSION-The House of Representatives Gaming Committee chair Rep. Joseph Deleon Guerrero (R-Saipan) consults the legislative assistant with one of the bills the committee was discussing during yesterday’s gaming committee meeting at the House speaker’s conference room on Capital Hill.(Erwin Encinares)
- MCDONALD’S TRAINING Congratulations to all department managers for completing the DM capstone course held in Guam by Suzy Rehfeldt, front row left, training lead of McDonald’s Hawaii. Front row, from left, Rehfeldt, Justice Andon, Ruthzel Perez, Adelaida Apilado, Giselle Achas, Angelica Darlucio, Amy Almoite, Jennifer Abaya, Jackylyn Recto, Divine Ocampo, and McDonald’s Saipan and Guam owner/president Jose Ayuyu. Second row, from left, Mersina Quintanilla, Catherine Calma, Socrates Repancol, Marvin Cabuhat, QS&C director Pacifico Martir, Carmina Cayetano, Ferry Cauilan, Kisina Hossain, and William Tecson. Back row, McDonald’s owner/vice president Marcia Ayuyu and training coordinator Majellyn Calceta. (Contributed Photo)
- ‘COMMITMENT PLEDGE’-Public and private school students make a “commitment pledge” to become global leaders in environmental conservation at the 2nd E-Land Youth Environmental Alliance held Nov. 14 at the Kensington Hotel. (Bea Cabrera)
- OWWA OUTREACH: Filipinos are assisted by volunteers of the Philippine government’s Overseas Workers Welfare Administration during the regular consular outreach mission at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi Purpose Hall. The outreach mission lasted a total of four days. The main service offered was the renewal of Philippine passports, which is necessary to obtain a work permit in the CNMI. (Contributed Photo)
- CHRISTMAS IS IN THE AIR…-Staff from Saipan Mayor’s Office and the Department of Corrections and some inmates start installing the giant Christmas tree at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe last Thursday. (Ferdie de la Torre)
- INVESTITURE RITES Court staff members pose with Superior Court Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan, his wife Tomoko, and his father-in-law Nobuhisa Kawakata during the recent investiture ceremony for Bogdan at the CNMI Supreme Court. (Ferdie De La Torre)
- CHCC DONATION-The Pediatric Unit of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. receives a donation of books and toys for its patients. (Bea Cabrera)
- MVA THANKS ALDAN-PIERCE, OTHER BOARD MEMBERS Marian Aldan-Pierce, center, and Emma Villagomez, third from left, are presented with plaques of appreciation by the Marianas Visitors Authority board of directors and management on Oct. 23, 2017, at Hyatt Regency Saipan. Aldan-Pierce is the longest-serving director, including serving several terms as board chair since her first appointment in 1993. Villagomez also served for many years as board treasurer. Not pictured are outgoing directors Juan Barcinas of Tinian and Vicente Calvo of Rota. (MVA)
- CHRISTMAS IS IN THE AIR-Families have their pictures taken at the Christmas Village, located at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center. The Lady Diann Foundation Christmas Village was officially opened to the public with a lighting ceremony. The display is now open every night in celebration of the holidays. (Kimberly A. Bautista)
- SESSION BREAK Rep. John Paul Sablan (R-Saipan), left, and Commonwealth Utilities Corp. executive director Gary Camacho exchange a few words during last week’s House session on Capital Hill. (Erwin Encinares)
- CHRISTMAS IN THE MARIANAS-The enormous Christmas tree at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose center is lit during the Lady Diann Torres Foundation Christmas Village lighting ceremony last Sunday. (Kimberly A. Bautista)
- Students had the opportunity to meet CNMI Scholarship Office members and ask questions about receiving scholarship and financial assistance for college. (Contributed Photo)
- CNMI Scholarship Office compliance officer Mildred Camacho shares with students information about the compliance section of the office. (Contributed Photo)
- Lt.t Gov. Victor B. Hocog welcomes CNMI Scholarship Office employees to Rota, where the office hosted a scholarship outreach to the Rota community. (Contributed Photo)
- Mount Carmel School students had the opportunity to have their questions about scholarships answered by the CNMI Scholarship Office during their CNMI Scholarship Month outreach presentation. (Contributed Photo)
- Students from Kagman High School learn more about the multiple scholarship and financial aid assistance provided by the CNMI Scholarship Office. (Contributed Photo)
- SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES-CNMI Scholarship Office makes a presentation on various scholarship opportunities with students at Grace Christian Academy as a part of an outreach for CNMI Scholarship Month. (Contributed Photo)
- Grace Christian Academy Math Court November middle and high school winners have their picture taken. (Contributed Photo)
- Grace Christian Academy’s National Junior Speech & Debate Association and National Speech & Debate Association November winners have their picture taken at the school’s Rev. Raymond S. Kinsella Library. (Contributed Photo)
- Grace Christian Academy’s Primary Grades Forensic Conference November winners have their picture taken at the school’s Rev. Raymond S. Kinsella Library. (Contributed Photo)
- Grace Christian Academy Thespian October winners have their picture taken at the school’s chapel. (Contributed Photo)
- MISS MARIANAS-Nine young women will vie for the title of Miss Marianas 2018 this February. Yesterday, the nine women, gathered at the Surf Club Saipan, shared more about themselves and what they hope to do if they achieve their goal. (Kimberly A. Bautista)