Hundreds turn out for Romero’s candlelight vigil

  Hundreds of community members from different backgrounds joined family and friends of the late Emerita “Emie” R. Romero in seeking justice and taking a stand against violence during a candlelight vigil on Monday for the bartender whose death remains under investigation.

Monday night’s vigil, which also served as a fundraiser for Romero’s two daughters in the Philippines, was held right outside Godfather’s Bar in Garapan, where Romero worked for three years. The lifeless body of Romero, 37, was found in the northernmost part of the abandoned La Fiesta Mall in San Roque last Feb. 7 or two days after she went missing.

Several officers of the Department Public Safety, which has yet to make an arrest for the killing, were at the vigil to ease traffic flow for the individuals that took part in the vigil walk at about 7:30pm from Godfather’s Bar to Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan then back to the starting point.

Those in attendance turned up in droves wearing white shirts and holding candles despite the light rain, an act that demonstrated how people could come together to sympathize with the bereaved family and put across the important message that violence has no place for a small island community like Saipan.

Among the attendees was Garapan Elementary School second grade teacher Lori Terre, who taught Romero’s daughter, Francine, when she was still on island.

“I think that this vigil is very moving,” said Terre, who came with fellow teachers at GES. “It’s great to see the community come together for Emie and her kids. I pray that whoever did this is caught so that no one would go through the same thing again.”

Natalie Cruz, who worked with Romero at GIG, said the success of the vigil goes to show that Romero will be “dearly missed.” She said she is fervently praying for Romero’s soul and for her killer to be arrested soon.

“Being a mother myself, I am particularly concerned for Emie’s daughters. It’s difficult to lose a mother. I am just so relieved to see that people have turned up for this vigil to pray for Emie and help her two kids,” said Cruz, a mother of three.

Elli Aguilar, bass musician at Godfather’s, said the vigil turnout showed people from all walks of life have come to express loathing to what happened to Romero and sympathy for her family.

“I just hope that animal responsible for this will be put behind bars soon. I am positive that it will happen, with the help of everyone,” he added.

The outdoor vigil offered prayers from different religious groups and churches. Fr. Celso Magbanua Jr. of Kristo Rai parish led the convoy of walkers around the block while different pastors offered messages of hope and encouragement.

“The brutal killing of Emie is certainly not permitted in a free and democratic place like Saipan,” said Saipan Community Church pastor Roger Abe. “The murderer is still at large but I hope that he will be brought to the bar of justice.”

Abe said Monday’s vigil was a chance for the community to show “remarkable support and sympathy” to Romero’s family. “Emie may be lifeless but her spirit and soul is resting in the hands of God. We have hope and life after death,” he added.

Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council chair Ramon B. Camacho urged the community to come together and join the Neighborhood Watch Task Force following Romero’s death and the case of the Luhk sisters, who have been missing for several months now.

“We need to work together on this thing that’s unacceptable in our community,” said Camacho. “We need to establish a healthy and safe place to live.”

Several performing groups such as the Olomwaay Band and the Umang Glee Club sang inspirational songs that moved some members of the audience, including Romero’s family, to tears.

“We’re very sad for you to leave us this way. We hope that justice will be served to you,” said Romero’s brother, Eduardo Relata, as he wiped away his tears.

The vigil was organized by the Godfather’s management and staff, and owners Scott Dottino and Ron Biggers thanked the entire community for their support.

“There are still so many good people around. We all need to stick together,” said Dottino, who verbally expressed his support to Camacho and his Neighborhood Watch initiative. He added, “Be careful because this animal is still out there. We need to watch out for everybody.”

Biggers, in an interview, described the vigil crowd as “overwhelming.” “One thing that it showed us is that the love for Emie really made our family at Godfather’s a lot bigger tonight. It brought the community together in a way that we’re all going to try to start to watch out for each other and make our community a little safer,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Edz Villagomez, who was actively involved with the vigil preparations, said the outpouring of support from the community was beyond their expectations.

“We are grateful for everyone who came here to show their support and offer help for our beloved Ate Emie. We are all united in our desire to seek justice for her, and we did this vigil especially for her children,” she said.

Monday’s vigil sold close to 400 candles and collected a total of $1,805 in donations. Online donations were also received in the amount of $855. All proceeds will go to the two daughters of Romero in the Philippines.