Island Snapshots – December 2021

By Contributing Author

Posted on Dec 01 2021

: NEW GRADUATE Congratulations to Djaymarch dela Paz Ong, who graduated last Sunday from the University of Guam with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Public Administration, with magna cum laude honors. Your parents, Jonmarch and Debbie, are proud of you and your accomplishment. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

: CHRISTMAS IN THE TROPICS-Despite the gloomy weather lately, the Christmas spirit is in full swing at the CNMI Office of the Governor. Picture shows one of the many Christmas-themed displays adorned with lights that will be lit up and on display at the office’s parking lot from Nov. 29 to Jan. 2 next year. (JOSHUA SANTOS)

: TanHoldings Corp. CEO Jerry Tan and his wife, Lydia Tan, pay their respects and final farewell to former Philippine honorary consul for the CNMI Glicerio “Eli” Del Mundo Arago at the Mount Carmel Cathedral last Saturday. (KIMBERLY B. ESMORES)

: OPERATION CHRISTMAS DROP-U.S. Air Force airmen assigned to the 734th Air Mobility Squadron, 44th Aerial Port Squadron and the 374th Airlift Wing unload humanitarian supplies from a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, deployed from Yokota Air Base, Japan, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam in preparation for Operation Christmas Drop. Over the course of 10 days, crews will airdrop donated food, supplies, educational materials, and tools to 55 islanders throughout the Southeastern Pacific, including the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. (U.S. AIR FORCE/MSG RICHARD P. EBENSBERGER)

: TREE LIGHTING-Bad weather did not stop employees of the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center from installing Christmas lights on a tree in front of the Commonwealth Election Commission office in Susupe last week. The Christmas Village and Christmas Tree Lighting by first lady Diann Torres and Wella Palacios was supposed to be done last Sunday, but was canceled due to rain. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

: CHRISTMAS VILLAGE-The Christmas Village at the Pedro C. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center is lit up and filled with Christmas-themed displays. Like the Capital Hill Christmas Village at the Office of the Governor parking lot, the village will be lit up and available for the community to see until Jan. 2 next year. (JOSHUA SANTOS)

: SURFIN’ MARIANAS-Despite the dangerous conditions created by the high surf and rip currents that have been occurring across the Marianas these last few days, it has also created great conditions for surfing, which these group of surfers have taken advantage off at the Aquarius/Sugar Dock beach. The latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Guam says the CNMI should expect a high risk of hazardous rip currents through late Friday. (IVA MAURIN)

: ‘PUSH’ CEREMONY-A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, sits in a hangar during the Operation Christmas Drop “Push” Ceremony at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam last Dec. 6, 2021. Over the course of 10 days, crews will airdrop donated food, supplies, educational materials, and tools to 55 islanders throughout the Southeastern Pacific, including the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau. The weeklong international effort allows Pacific Air Forces airmen to work with partner nations to execute low-cost, low-altitude air drops. (U.S. AIR FORCE/SSG DIVINE COX)

: WINNING ARTWORK-Artwork by Pacifica Insurance Underwriters, Inc’s 8th Annual Pacifica Art Contest category 1 winner Minjoon Jeon from Mount Carmel School. This year’s theme: “Stay Covid-19 free”. For Contest information, log on to www.pacificains.com/artcontest and follow Pacifica’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. Artworks are on display at their office in Susupe for public viewing. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

: MR. MAGICMAN-Neil Fama performs a magic trick for the judges during Bridge Capital’s CNMI Got Talent 2021 at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan’s Charley’s Cabaret last Friday. Fama’s routine featured illusions using boxes, balls, a deck of cards, and Rubik’s Cubes, Fama won first place in the 16-and-older category, taking home $2,000. Fama is now a two-time winner of CNMI Got Talent, taking home first and the “Governor’s Choice” award in 2017. (JOSHUA SANTOS)

: WINNING ARTWORK-Artwork by Pacifica Insurance Underwriters, Inc’s 8th Annual Pacifica Art Contest category 2 winner Isa Nishitani from Chacha Oceanview Middle School. This year’s theme: “Stay Covid-19 free”. For contest information, log on to www.pacificains.com/artcontestand follow Pacifica’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. Artworks are on display at their office in Susupe for public viewing. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

: ATTENTION, LITTER PATROL!-A mound of garbage is piled in this corner of Wing Beach, which is one of the pore popular beaches on Saipan, creating an eyesore and attracting vermin and stray animals to the site. (MARK FARMER)

: DRIVE-THRU TOY DISTRIBUTION-A U.S. Marine walks over with gifts and prepares to give them during last night’s Toys for Tots drive-thru gift distribution outside of the CNMI Office of the Governor. First lady Diann Torres and Wella Palacios, the Office of the Governor, the Lady Diann Torres Foundation, volunteers, and the U.S. Marine Corps came together to make the drive-thru event possible. (JOSHUA SANTOS)

: CHRISTMAS IN PARADISE-A family tries to sit on the giant Adirondack chair that’s on loan from Surf Club restaurant and is part of the Christmas display at the Office of the Governor building on Capital Hill, which features this tropical-themed display. The lights display also features other Christmas decorations like a Santa Claus in a Hawaiian shirt, snowmen made of car tires, Santa Claus with his reindeers and a Christmas house that honor the men and women of the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services. (BEA CABRERA)

: CHIGET BEACH IS REOPENED -After months of clearing work, the Chiget Beach at the former Tinian Mortar Range was finally reopened to the public Wednesday. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Pacific and NAVFAC Marianas, in partnership with the CNMI government, worked together to restore public access to Chiget Beach. Clearing work started in February this year. The area was once part of a World War II battlefield, then the mortar range was used as a training facility from 1945 to 1994. Field work began in November 2020 in an effort to restore access to the beach. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

: WINNING ARTWORK Artwork by Pacifica Insurance Underwriters, Inc’s 8th Annual Pacifica Art Contest category 1 winner Caysa Marchadesch from Gregorio T. Elementary School. This year’s theme: “Stay COVID-19 free”. For Contest information, log on to www.pacificains.com/artcontest and follow Pacifica’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. Artworks are on display at their office in Susupe for public viewing. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

: UNDER THE SEA-Ayano Braxton appears to be riding this bike she found at the bottom of the waters off Obyan Beach while scuba diving last Christmas Eve. (SUPER FISH DIVING)

: MCDONALD’S EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR McDonald’s announced its Employees of the Year at the 2021 McDonald’s of Saipan Annual Employee Appreciation Party on Dec. 20, 2021, at the Ayuyu residence. The party, which had a Wild West theme, recognized these employees for outstanding job performance, teamwork and their dedication. From left, McDonald’s vice president Joe E. Ayuyu Jr., owner/operator Marcia E. Ayuyu, Garapan store general manager Ruthzel Perez, Garapan store’s EOY 2021 Lloyd Vincent Javier, Middle Road store EOY 2021 Allan Yacan, Middle Road store general manager Joyce Asistores, and chief executive officer/president Jose C. Ayuyu. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

: WINNING ARTWORK-Artwork by Pacifica Insurance Underwriters, Inc’s 8th Annual Pacifica Art Contest category 2 winner Austin Reyes from Dandan Middle School. This year’s theme: “Stay COVID-19 free.” For contest information, log on to www.pacificains.com/artcontest and follow Pacifica’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. Artworks are on display at their office in Susupe for public viewing. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Contributing Author

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