Esther Muña is SCC Business Person of the Year

Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. chief executive officer Esther Muña, fourth from right, is presented with the 2020 Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year award by, from left, Chamber executive director Maxine Laszlo and previous BPOY awardees Gloria Cavanagh, Vicente “Ben” Babauta, Velma Palacios, Mike Sablan, Jerry Tan, Marcie Tomokano, and Vicky Benavente at the gala held last Saturday at the Saipan World Resort Royal Taga Hall in Susupe. (IVA MAURIN)

In a show of respect and gratitude from the business community, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce honored Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. chief executive officer Esther Muña as its Business Person of the Year at a gala held Saturday at the Saipan World Resort’s Royal Taga Hall in Susupe.

Muña’s selection among four nominees was met with a standing ovation, thunderous applause, and loud cheers.

“It’s interesting how health has become part of the economy,” Muña said as she accepted the recognition, in reference to the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit not just the CNMI but the entire world, gravely impacting both the local and global economies. “One of the things that we wanted to make sure when we took this role…[was] to make sure we reach out to businesses…we wanted to make sure that we have partners.”

Muña also recognized her CHCC team and expressed appreciation to partners and everyone who are involved in ensuring COVID-19 operations on island are sustained. She emphasized that just as economic health is essential for public health, public health too is essential for economic health. She thanked the Chamber for welcoming the CHCC, and shared the award with the “amazing team at CHCC,” from the operations and planning, to logistics, financial, medical and nursing, contact tracing, and surveillance.

“The honor is really to our CHCC team. I only accepted the nomination because I want to recognize my team. They are the ones that have done the job. I’m the leader, yes, but they are my base. If we need to do something, they get it done,” she said.

Muña has been the CHCC CEO and state/territorial official for the CNMI since April 2014, overseeing all operations of the CNMI health system, which includes the Commonwealth Health Center, Rota Health Center, Tinian Health Center, Population Health Services, Behavioral Health Services, and Environmental Health Services.

The other nominees for the award were Joseph C. Guerrero, Naked Fish Bar & Grill co-owner; Josephine DLG Mesta, Hyatt Regency Saipan director of human resources; and Joshua Wise, Pacific Health Inc. (PHI Pharmacy) general manager.

More recognitions

Aside from Muña, the Chamber also handed out other awards. Saipan Cares for Animals, nominated alongside 500 Sails and NMI Crime Stoppers, was awarded the Nonprofit of the Year. Since its inception in 2015, Saipan Cares has worked to reduce stray populations, rehome abandoned animals, and has provided care to thousands of pets across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

SCA director Beth Pliscou, who went onstage with a puppy, expressed appreciation for all the support the non-profit has received, stressing that they would not be able to do what they do without the community’s help.

Naked Fish Bar & Grill, nominated with The Hut, was named Small Business of the Year, while EatsEasy, nominated alongside Paopao and Virgie’s Dress Shop, was recognized as Start-up of the Year.

Naked Fish, in business since 2004, is a locally owned and operated restaurant focused on sourcing and highlighting local goods and talent for their fresh and modern bar and grill filled with Marianas’ favorites. EatsEasy, an on-demand GPS-based delivery app on Saipan, on the other hand, has already had 15,000 deliveries, and counting, despite being launched just last February 2020.

“We are particularly grateful for this award, especially remembering all of the struggles, particularly with the typhoons and, of course, this pandemic. We are grateful to be recognized for all the incredible work put into the business,” said Naked Fish’ co-owner Eleanor Cabrera.

Kevin Razon, representing EatsEasy co-founder Clint Albert, said the app is a great opportunity to work with local businesses, to bridge the gap from home and business.

“It’s something that we’re just starting on, and we’re excited for the rest of the years to come and serve the Saipan community…and beyond. We should build a bridge to Tinian, because then we can deliver to Tinian too,” he added.

The Saipan Young Professional of the Year award was given to Jacqueline P. Che, interim senior director for accountability, research, and evaluation at the CNMI Public School System; and the Chamber Member of the Year is Triple J Saipan.

Che, marking her 10th year being in the CNMI, shared an anecdote about the “grass being greener where one waters it,” as she encouraged and challenged all to continue to “water the ground everyone is stepping on” to build a better, stronger CNMI.

Triple J Enterprises, Inc. vice president Mike Sablan echoed Che’s sentiments, and expressed the company’s commitment to Saipan and the entire Marianas, as well as their drive to constantly think of ways to improve their business, so that they can continue to give back to the community.

Che was nominated alongside Tribe Marianas co-founder Rob Travilla, while Triple J shared the nominations with Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Laolao Bay Golf & Resort, and Marianas Pacific Distributors.

New leadership

The occasion also marked new leadership for the Chamber, with the installation of its new officers and board members, sworn in by Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo.

They are Marcia Calvo of Calvo’s Insurance, Joe Guerrero of Naked Fish Bar & Grill, Mike Johnson of Deloitte, Das Krishnan of Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, Velma Palacios of IT&E, Janice Tenorio of IT&E, Shayne Villanueva of Aon Insurance, Alex Sablan of TanHoldings, and Glen Hunter of The Shack

Guerrero now serves as the new Chamber president, while Villanueva also serves as vice president, Calvo as secretary, and Johnson as treasurer.