Man’amko serenade hospital, lawmakers with carols

Now it’s their turn to do caroling.

The man’amko visited the Commonwealth Health Center and the House chamber yesterday, singing classic Christmas songs to spread holiday cheer and joy.

The group was composed of Saipan Seniors Advisory Council chair Teresita Sorroza, vice chair Maria Salinas, member Meryalen Conrad, and congregates Jacoba Asuncion, Isabel Bodiogan, Herminia Faisao, Terry Sitae, Jose Torres, Elizabeth Yi, and Jesus Pangelinan who played the guitar accompaniment.

They were accompanied by Aging Center program coordinator Walter Manglona and staffer Alex Laniyo.

The group first went to the hospital where they sang Christmas songs in Chamorro and English at the lobby, drawing applause from hospital staff and other spectators.

Koblerville resident Kalmor Datius, who was in the hospital to visit a family member, said the man’amko’s performance helped bring the Christmas spirit to the hospital.

“It’s good,” said Datius who recorded the presentation using his phone’s video camera.

Another hospital visitor who lives in Chalan Kanoa said that hearing Christmas carols gives hope to patients and their family members.

“A lot of people here aren’t feeling the holidays because it’s a hospital. People want to feel better so this is nice. It’s all about the Christmas spirit,” he said.

Among the spectators at CHC yesterday was Dr. Dan Lamar, acting director for Medical Affairs, who commended the man’amko for bringing the Christmas spirit to the hospital.

“It brings the joy of Christmas into the hospital. It makes people here feel at home and let them know that there are people who support and care for them in their difficult times. It certainly shows the community’s spirit of working together to help meet everyone’s needs,” Lamar told Saipan Tribune.

Council chair Sorroza said it’s not the man’amko being sung to this time. “We want to share our love for the community, especially those who are sick. The spirit of Christmas is not just for the healthy. We are here to cheer the sick and we wish them to get well soon.”

Following their CHC visit, the group proceeded to the House chamber on Capital Hill where they sang several Christmas songs.

“We are wishing all of you here on the hill, which is closer to heaven, a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year,” Sorroza said, to the delight of the 10 lawmakers and their staffers.

Rep. Joseph Palacios (R-Saipan) said: “It’s always pleasure listening to them. It’s very joyful.”

Palacios, a former director of the Aging Center, shared his wish for the island’s elderly. “I’d like to wish them the merriest Christmas of all, good health for themselves and their families. I know times are hard but I hope they put it in their hearts that families come first and as long as they’re together with all their loved ones, I believe that Christmas should be great for everyone.”

House Speaker Eli Cabrera (R-Saipan) lauded the man’amko’s efforts to visit them and the patients at the hospital.

“They are our elderly but they make effort to come visit us and sing for us and we’re glad that they sang also in our language,” he said.

Cabrera noted the value of senior citizens in the community. “Because of them, we’re here today…I wish to see them again next year and I hope they’ll be back here again next year.”

A small basket was passed around, where lawmakers and staffers chipped in spare cash for the carolers.

The group decided to divide the amount, which totaled $84, among themselves, with each receiving $7 each. Manglona and Torres, however, decided to donate their shares to the man’amko funds.

The man’amko carolers also received a digital copy of their performance and were served refreshments.