TanHoldings execs discover the Garapan Heritage Trail

TanHoldings executives and employees pose for a photo at the Matsue Statue at the Sugar King Park in Garapan. (Contributed Photo)

TanHoldings executives and employees toured select sites on the Garapan Heritage Trail early this month, capping the trip to the historical sites in the village with a donation to the NMI Museum of History and Culture.

The tour, which was coordinated by TanHoldings’ Corporate Affairs Office, started at the American Memorial Park’s Visitors Center, where a 20-minute video of the events that transpired in the Marianas during World War II was shown. TanHoldings chief executive officer Jerry Tan joined the more than 50 TanHoldings executive and employees in the film viewing that aims to educate CNMI residents and tourists alike of the significant role that Saipan and Tinian played during the war.

“I hope more companies will do this tour to honor the Marianas and American people who died during the war and also educate tourists and residents about the rich Marianas history,” said AMP ranger Brooke Nevitt.

The film viewing is free and available in Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Russian.

NMI Museum of History and Culture director Danny Aquino Jr., fourth right, receives the ceremonial check donation from the Tan Siu Lin Foundation from TanHoldings executives, led by chief executive officer Jerry Tan, left, during the group’s tour at the museum early this month. (Contributed Photo)

From the AMP, the group hopped on a bus and made stops at the Catholic Church Bell Tower at the Kristo Rai Church, Sugar Train Locomotive, Matsue Statue, Saipan Jinja, and German Steps. Along the way, TanHoldings vice president for Corporate Business Development Alex Sablan, who also served as the group’s tour guide, shared information about other parts of the Garapan Heritage Trail, which features 20 sites in all. These include the “Administration Hill,” which was located just past the Catholic Church Bell Tower and was the seats of government for Germany and Japan when they still controlled the Northern Marianas; the Nambo Pier and Garapan Dock (now Garapan Fishing Base), which both served as commercial hubs during the German and Japanese occupations and, later, off-load sites for military supplies; and Latte Stone Monument (southwest corner of DFS), a tribute to the island’s ancient indigenous ancestors.

A majority of the TanHoldings executives and employees were not aware of these sites and their history, so Tan said the tour was really an eye-opening experience for them and a good way to support the tourism industry in the CNMI.

“We live here, whether permanent or just temporary. We need to do our share in promoting our islands. We all have a role to play in promoting the CNMI to tourists and one way to help is by having the knowledge of the historical sites frequented by visitors. We can all be tour guides by knowing the history and location of these sites. Learn first hand and spread the word,” Tan said.

Tour guide Archie Ajoste, left, provides information about the collections at the NMI Museum of History and Culture. (Contributed Photo)

The group’s last stop was the NMI Museum of History and Culture, which used to be Japanese hospital in the mid-’20s. World War II memorabilia, pictures taken during the Japanese and German occupations of the CNMI, objects belonging to Chamorro and Carolinian ancestors, and artifacts, including those from the shipwreck of the galleon Nuestra Senora dela Concepcion, are on display at the museum, with tour guides providing valuable information about them.

“This is still a work-in-progress. We are doing our best to preserve and promote our culture, history and tradition. Come and visit us. Let’s educate our tourists and fellow residents. We need to be ambassadors of our island,” said NMI Museum of History and Culture director Danny Aquino Jr., who received the $2,500 check donation from the Tan Siu Lin Foundation, the charity arm of TanHoldings.

“We thank the TSL Foundation for their generosity and support to the NMI Museum. It [maintaining the museum] is tough, especially after the strong typhoons we went through, but we are still here and will continue to work on the improvements in our museum,” Aquino added.

Tan commended Aquino and his staff for the significant transformation at the NMI Museum of History and Culture and vows to bring more TanHoldings employees to see the collections and exhibits.

“This is not the first. We will organize more tours for more employees. Having a tour guide to explain the various features of the museum makes a big difference,” the TanHoldings CEO said.