Rogolifoi-Omelau family wins ‘Christmas Surprise’

Martino Omelau, sixth from right, and Pacific Rim president and founder of “A Christmas Surprise on Saipan” Keith Stewart, fifth from right, are about to cut the ribbon of the Rogolifoi-Omelau family’s new home for the next two years in Chalan Kanoa last Dec. 23. (JUSTINE NAUTA)

After two years of living in a Federal Emergency Management Administration tent because their house got completely destroyed by Super Typhoon Yutu, a family of 12 was blessed with a three-bedroom home in Chalan Kanoa and a 2017 Ford Escape Titanium SUV, two days before Christmas.

Not only did the family of Martino and Audrey Rogolifoi-Omelau receive a house (free house rental for two years) and a car, they also got a fully furnished house with appliances, furniture, TVs, etc., car insurance for one year, internet service for one year, $800 payment toward utilities, and presents for the children. The house also comes with an outside kitchen with a nice barbecue grill. The total prize amounts to $60,000.

The first year of “A Christmas Surprise on Saipan” initiative was created by construction and real estate development company Pacific Rim Land Development LLC, in media partnership with KZMI 103.9FM and Marianas Variety. “A Christmas Surprise on Saipan” was announced last Oct. 27, and aimed to bring Christmas cheer, along with goods, services, or monetary gifts, to a family on Saipan.

Tomeko Kaipat and Vicente Reyes were the two individuals who nominated the family. According to Keith Stewart, Pacific Rim president and founder of “A Christmas Surprise on Saipan,” the selection of nominees came down to two families, a pregnant mother with six kids who lost everything because of Yutu or a 19-year-old whose family lost their house and everything due to Yutu.

Fast-forward to two weeks before Stewart had to make a decision, they had realized that both nominations happened to be the same family nominated by two different people. A blessing in disguise, they said.

The “Christmas Surprise on Saipan” had a total of 150 nominations, but the Rogolifoi-Omelau won the hearts of Pacific Rim, Stewart, and his partners KZMI 103.9FM and Marianas Variety. Stewart, partners, and sponsors held a surprise reveal for the family at the house where they would announce that the Rogolifoi-Omelau won the house and the car.

A 2017 Ford Escape Titanium sits pretty with a bow on top in front of the newly renovated three-bedroom home in Chalan Kanoa for the Rogolifoi-Omelau family who was selected to receive these prizes from Pacific Rim’s “A Christmas Surprise on Saipan,” last Dec. 23.

The family of 12 pulled up to the scene, where they thought it would be a barbecue party, in a van where they saw family, friends, and a bunch of unfamiliar faces, which is why Martino Omelau was confused, thinking to himself that this must have been “a new barbecue place.”

Martino Omelau stated that living in a tent was at times hard, but they survived. “I thank the Lord God is good,” said Omelau.

Martino Omelau’s son, Andruw Omelau, 19, who happens to be a soccer player and a staff under TanHoldings, stated that he had no clue what was going on, and was weirded out that there were many cameras pointing at him and his family.

“I appreciate this… I love the fact that they selected us for this, and gave us the opportunity to actually live in another house again,” said Andruw. He added that his family has struggled for a really long time after Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018.

Andruw stated that he doesn’t ever expect phones, toys, any material things during this time of the year, however, with this surprise, this is a Christmas that he will hold dear to his heart.

For his part, Jerry Tan, TanHoldings chief executive officer and one of the platinum sponsors of the event, said that after Yutu, as he was going around the island, Andruw was one of the places that he stopped by to check on.

Tan saw the Rogolifoi-Omelau’s place had vanished, which amazes him that they were picked to receive the three-bedroom house and a car.