Candlelight vigil draws crowd of 100

CASSIE DLG FEJERAN
SPECIAL TO THE SAIPAN TRIBUNE

Over 100 people made up mostly of students and their parents called for increase vigilance against domestic abuse during the 10th Annual Candlelight Vigil held at the Paseo de Marianas Friday night.

Participants in the event walked from the American Memorial Park to beach road and back to the Garapan Mall.

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps from Saipan Southern High School and Marianas High School led the procession.

The event was highlighted by several speeches against domestic abuse. Christine Tudela Pangelinan, for one, briefly shared her experience as a survivor of domestic abuse.

Kiki Igitol, meanwhile, left the crowd in tears with memories of her sister Vicki Ann Igitol, a victim who recently died from domestic violence.

The candlelight vigil also recognized the winners for the Domestic Violence Awareness Month’s poster-making and essay-writing contests.

Some 87 entries from ChaCha High School, Hopwood Junior High School, Marianas Baptist Academy, Marianas High School, Mount Carmel High School, and Saipan Southern High School submitted entries in the essay contest.

Anita Hofschneider of Marianas Baptist Academy took first place, while Erlyn Dalan of MCS came in second. Third place was a tie between MHS students Ann Ermitanio and Bernadeth Piamonte.

The poster-making contest recognized kindergarten through 6th grade students from Tanapag Elementary School, Garapan Elementary School, Grace Christian Academy, San Antonio Elementary School, Oleai Elementary School, and Hopwood Junior High School.

The poster-making and essay-writing contests were intended to provide domestic abuse awareness to children and parents through the words and illustrations from the youth.

“We came here to be more aware of domestic violence here on our island; also we want the people to be more aware of what is going on and we are trying to prevent violence from both men and women,” said Sorene Maratita.

The candlelight vigil culminated the month-long observance of the Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which was marked with a series of educational campaigns on domestic abuse.

The Commonwealth Football League, Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Office of Women’s Affairs, United Filipino Organization, Sorenson Broadcasting, Saipan Stevedore, Saipan Rotary Club, Saipan Chamber of Commerce, L&T Group of Companies, National Office Supply, Milne Realty Management, Dai-Ichi Hotel, Coca Cola company, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Department of Public Health, and Dickerson and Queen Distributors, among others, supported the month-long activity.