‘Bisita Luta’ to feature fishing, fiesta, more

Award-winning Teteto Beach and other unspoiled scenery await visitors for Bisita Luta (Visit Rota) on Oct.4-6, 2018. The event will feature a fiesta, fishing tournament, and other festivities and is organized by the Rota Mayor’s Office and sponsored by the Marianas Visitors Authority. (MVA)

Rota is gearing up to welcome visitors for three days of festivities during Bisita Luta on Oct. 4-6, 2018.

Bisita Luta, or “Visit Rota,” will feature a fiesta, a fishing derby and more on the island renowned among the Marianas for its untouched natural beauty and warm island hospitality.

“Bisita Luta is a series of festivities that my office and staff plan and prepare to get our people and tourists excited in preparation for our annual fiesta celebration of our patron saint, San Francisco de Borja. We are excited to welcome visitors from our neighboring islands and from afar to come to Rota and celebrate with us,” said Rota Mayor Efraim M. Atalig.

Most festivities will take place at Chamorro Village Park in Songsong. On Oct. 4, Thursday, there will be a night market and street dance competition at 6:30pm. Fisherman participating in the next day’s Bud Light Fishing Derby will have an orientation in the evening.

The Bud Light Fishing Derby will kick off the following day, Oct. 5, hosted by Ambros Inc. This program welcomes fisher men and women from Rota, Guam, and Saipan who continue to participate in an annual basis. That evening, Bisita Luta festivities include the Rota Wildlife Showcase, Bisita Luta Food Competition, and a Bisita Luta Concert that will feature bands from Guam and Saipan that will surely liven up the event grounds filled with dancing, great food, and lots of fun!

In honor of Songsong’s patron saint, the San Francisco de Borja Fiesta Mass will be held on Oct. 6, Saturday, at San Francisco de Borja Parish, followed by dinner and entertainment. The Bud Light Fishing Derby will conclude that day, with awards presented at the fiesta grounds.

“Bisita Luta is already well-known in Guam, Saipan, and Tinian as one of the best times of the year to visit Rota, and people usually return with mouthwatering tales of all the island delicacies they sampled there, not to mention Rota’s renowned island hospitality,” said Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “The MVA is pleased to support the Rota community in hosting this extraordinary annual event. We are especially pleased with the advanced planning being made, and we are sharing those details with our offshore offices to entice more international visitors to come and have a truly authentic cultural experience in Rota during Bisita Luta.”

The weekend event is being organized by the Rota Mayor’s Office with support from Rota Municipal Council, and Rota Legislative Delegation, in partnership with the San Francisco De Borja Fiesta Committee and Parish Council.

MVA members offering hotel and car rentals are Rota Resort & Country Club (1 (670) 532-1155), Valentino Hotel (1 (670) 532-8466), and Islander Car Rental (1 (670) 532-0901). Additional accommodations are provided by Coral Garden Hotel, Bay View Hotel, Sunrise Motel, and Bed & Breakfast.

For more information, contact special assistant for Programs and grants Aubry Hocog of the Rota Mayor’s Office at 1 (670) 532-9451 or aubryhocog@gmail.com or field operations supervisor Sandra Atalig of the MVA at 1 (670) 532-0327 or satalig@mymarianas.com. (MVA)