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Charter Day highlights car show, young talents
The Northern Marianas College’s 37th Charter Day celebration last Friday highlighted souped-up cars and burgeoning young performers that saw Goddhy Taitingfong blew the judges away with an original rap composition.
The Charter Day celebration saw the return of the popular Proa Factor, a talent competition that debuted last year and has become a staple of the festivities, and made space for an all-inclusive car show.
The car show, a regular segment in the Charter Day festivities, usually showcases sports cars and Hiluxes. It was made all-inclusive this year, meaning all car models were welcome.
The show was important to all car enthusiasts in the Marianas because not only were they given the opportunity to show off the hard work they put into modifying their cars, but it was also a chance for them to speak with fellow car enthusiasts and maybe learn a thing or two to further improve their vehicles.
During the Proa Factor, eight talents came head-to-head for the championship: Julie Innocencio, John Benig, Donato Santiago, Bernice Shane Sabino, Nathan Ada, Neil Fama, Travis Kaliga, and Taitingfong.
After over an hour of competing, judges chose Taitingfong to be this year’s Proa Factor champ. Second to Taitingfong was Nathan Ada, who performed an original composition. Completing the top three was Sabino, who blew the audience away with a solo.
Taitingfong felt amazed after being chosen as the champion because that has been his goal since participating in last year’s competition where he placed second.
“Coming back to this year’s Charter Day, I didn’t even expect to make the auditions and knowing I got first place, it was amazing,” he said.
Taitingfong was awarded cash, a brand new phone, and gift certificates.
The celebration brought together thousands to the college, with various vendors selling food, beverages, clothing, and other items.
According to Frankie Eliptico, NMC’s dean of institutional advancement, “We are super happy with the show of people tonight. We are very pleased that everyone is celebrating with the college’s birthday.”
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- Shane Sabino is presented with his prize after doing well in the Proa Factor competition of NMC Charter Day. (Photos by Kimberly A. Bautista)
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- Goddhy Taitingfong is presented with his prize after doing well in the Proa Factor competition of NMC Charter Day.
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- The Proa Factor competitors.
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- Nathan Ada is presented with his prize after doing well in the Proa Factor competition of NMC Charter Day.
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- The Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ booth at the annual NMC Charter Day celebration.
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- Northern Marianas Nursing Club.
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- The Marianas Young Professionals booth.
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- Car enthusiast Jonah Delos Reyes.
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- Saipan Music and Dance Studio dancers perform.
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- The NMC Charter Day soba eating contest
