A busy month for the CNMI man’amko

The CNMI man’amko will be very busy this month as the Commonwealth observes Older Americans Month.

Office on Aging director Howard Macaranas said the CNMI’s elderly would be celebrating with several activities that the division has lined up for them this month.

This week, the Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School students visited the Aging Center and interacted with the man’amko and presented some song numbers. A second batch of students from the same school will serenade the man’amko again on Tuesday morning.

The Legislative Bureau will be hosting lunch for the elderly on Wednesday. The Kagman High School Special Education students will be interacting with the man’amko on Thursday morning.

There will be a Mother’s Day Mass on Friday while the Marianas Health Services will host the man’amko’s lunch on the same day. NMC-CREES will be presenting the Aging Center with pointers on healthy eating and physical activities for the elderly on May 15.

An Appreciation Day also awaits the man’amko. Macaranas said the office would be distributing certificates on May16 recognizing members of the man’amko and others who have contributed to the center throughout the years.

Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela will also add to the merriment as he celebrates his birthday at the center on May 17.

A Conference on Aging will be held on May 18 at the Aqua Resort Club. The next day will be the Man’amko Takeover Day where the members of the CNMI elderly will take charge at government and private offices for one day.

The man’amko will hold a Family Picnic Day with a theme “Strengthening Family Values” from 12pm to 5pm on May 20. There will also be a bowling and luncheon on May 23 to be hosted by the Saipan Bowling Center from 9am to 1pm.

The Commonwealth Health Center will present to the man’amko on the morning of May 24 about Diabetes Prevention and Control. Macaranas will take the man’amko to Managaha Island for “A Fun in the Sun” picnic from 8am to 3pm on May 25.

The annual coronation of the Man’amko King and Queen will be held on May 26. Macaranas said his office is still arranging the venue for the coronation night.

The Older Americans Month’s theme for this year is “Choices for Independence.” The theme is an opportunity for both the young and the old to work together in harmony and to protect the islands’ man’amko from neglect by promoting and strengthening family values through public education.