Animu: The Liberation Day mascot

With hurdles of power breakdown and loss of Internet and communications that were all caused by a passing typhoon, none of these got in the way of people’s enthusiasm for the Liberation Day Festivities. Since the day the Liberation Day Committee began soliciting a possible name for the mascot, it received almost 60 letters through email and private massages on Facebook. After discussing and voting among committee members, they finally chose the name “Animu” for the Liberation Festivities mascot.

Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang and Skywalker Communications Group managing director Dr. Hu Bo hosted the lighting and check presentation ceremony right after the master of ceremonies, Gordon Marciano, announced the winner of the Mascot Naming Contest last Saturday, July 18, at the stage of the festival grounds.

When coming up with the name of the mascot, Lucy C. Sablan, the winner of the naming contest, said that “Na’I animu” means to encourage the spirit and to make an effort.

Sablan explained: “For the ancient Chamorros, our taotaomona, to build the latte stones, they had to be physically strong and have ‘animu’ to make it possible for them to carve out pillars up to 16 feet tall [and] weighing up to 56 tons (shaft and cap combined). This was not work for the faint of heart.”

“The most common answer to the greeting ‘Hafa adai, mauleg ha?’ (‘Hello, how are you?’) is ‘Animu ha ya guaha.’ (‘If you have the spirit.’), then all is well,” she added. “Every Chamorro speaking person uses the word ‘Animu’ to encourage each other to work hard, work together, persevere and never give up. The main character, ‘Animu,’ illustrates the spirit and strength in the diversity of CNMI people.”

From its creation to publication, several people made numerous contributions to how “Animu” came about. After doing considerable historical research, the entire creative team came to Saipan for the privilege of understanding the local culture and customs, as well as to experience the local people’s unity and hospitality. From the gorgeous and splendid flame tree, to the world-renowned fruit bat and the exquisite and elegant frangipani, every single character of the CNMI could be the source of that creative spark. The creative team finally embraced the core spirit of the CNMI after seeing the shape, signs, and statues of latte stones all over Saipan.

“When I got to know the deep historical meaning of the latte stone, I believed that we have found the symbol of the CNMI,” said Shijin Liu, the creative director of Skywalker Communications Group.

Shan Duan, an artist from Los Angeles, made the idea come true and brought about the figure of the mascot.

“We tried to make more models for the original figure of the mascot, with various clothes and different poses, with the intention of making it as vivid as possible. We also garlanded it to show respect for the two local races on Saipan,” said Duan.

Since the unveiling of “Animu,” the newly selected mascot has already won the hearts of CNMI residents with its all-embracing smile and enlightened spirit. This new fellow will stand side by side with the people here, representing the most valuable characters of warmth, encouragement, and the spirit of never giving up. (Skywalker Communications Group)