Island Snapshots – March 2017
- HÅFA ADAI PLEDGE ABC Stores took the Håfa Adai Pledge on Feb. 28, 2017. The pledge is a cornerstone of the Guam Visitors Bureau’s local community branding campaign. Standing, from left, Rebecca Camacho, regional merchandising manager (Guam and Saipan); Gina Kono, GVB acting director of global marketing; Dominic Reyes, area manager (Guam and Saipan); Aaron Gandaoli, district manager (Guam and Saipan); Rose Cunliffe, GVB acting president and CEO; William Nault, GVB board member; Bryan Lee, store manager, Store 509; Geri Koshiba, store manager, Store 511; and Noelani Yano, store manager, Store 506. Sitting, from left, Perlita Carlos, manager in charge, Store 505; Jesseca Rekemesik, store manager, Store 503; Arlene Cruz, store manager, Store 507; Marlon Tamayo, store manager, Store 512; Annabel Certeza, GVB administrative assistant – finance and administration; Elaine Pangelinan, GVB marketing coordinator (Hong Kong and Taiwan); and Nakisha Onedera Garrido, GVB marketing coordinator (China). (Guam Visitors Bureau)
- HÅFA ADAI PLEDGE Giftforia, Great National Insurance, GUD Munchies LLC, and SM Island took the Guam Visitors’ Bureau’s Håfa Adai Pledge on Feb. 27, 2017, at the Agana Shopping Center. From left, Charles McJohn, Agana Shopping Center assistant general manager; Ivan Valencia, Giftforia owner; Rita General, Great National Insurance mall branch supervisor; Jennifer Santos, Great National Insurance adjuster; Dorriann Songeni, Great National Insurance underwriter; Vilma Bumagat, Great National Insurance HR & systems manager; Marilou Besagar, Great National Insurance general manager; Troy Sagun, GUD Munchies LLC owner; Aline Mendoza, SM Island administrative officer; and Nathan Denight, Guam Visitors’ Bureau president and CEO. (Guam Visitors Bureau)
- WINNER’S CIRCLE The SDA School Lego Robotics team competed on Sunday, Feb. 16, in the first Lego League competition in Walla Walla, Washington. The team was awarded first place in Core Values, second place in Robot Design, and third place in Project Presentation. They will be back on island this week. The team would like to thank each of the sponsors that made this trip and competition possible: The SDA Dental Clinic, first lady Diann Torres, Café MangoSix, Nancy Gottfried, Douglas Daley, Frank Stewart, Coconut Scanning, Got Chiba, and the Office of the Governor. (Contributed Photo)
- CONGRATULATIONS! A six-student team called the Dolphinatic Architects will be representing Marianas High School at the 2017 CNMI PSS Islandwide STEM Fair under the Green Dream Home competition. The team is composed of Ian Cataluna, Jewel Cubangbang, Michaela Gatdula, Marie Manebo, Hajin Oh, and Melissa Santos. They are defending MHS and the CNMI as title champions in the University of Guam’s sustainability conference and competition in April 2016. MHS held its annual STEM Fair on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, at the MHS library. (Contributed Photo)
- CONGRATULATIONS! A six-student team called the Dolphinatic Architects will be representing Marianas High School at the 2017 CNMI PSS Islandwide STEM Fair under the Green Dream Home competition. The team is composed of Ian Cataluna, Jewel Cubangbang, Michaela Gatdula, Marie Manebo, Hajin Oh, and Melissa Santos. They are defending MHS and the CNMI as title champions in the University of Guam’s sustainability conference and competition in April 2016. MHS held its annual STEM Fair on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, at the MHS library. (Contributed Photo)
- TOUR CNMI first lady Diann Torres, 10th from left, and other first spouses pose for the camera after a tour of U.S. President George Washington’s home and estate in Mount Vernon, which was built back in the late 1600s before it was passed down to him in 1754. (Contributed Photo)
- ASL TRAINING Northern Marianas College president Dr. Carmen Fernandez, third from left, awards certificates of completion to employees of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Rota Library for having completed basic American sign language training. Other employees from the Rota Department of Public Safety and Public School System also participated in the training. Those in the photo are, from left, Diana Benavente, NMC Rota Center staff; James Manglona, Rota DFEMS; Fernandez; Bergitt Maratita, Rota Library; Gary Toves, Rota DFEMS; and Martin Mendiola, NMC Rota Center executive director. (NMC)
- BSI OUTREACH Team Imperial Pacific International Pirates and Team Bank of Saipan are joined by Imperial Pacific International, Ltd. majority shareholder Margaret Cui Lijie before the Little League game yesterday for refreshments and meet-and-greet at the Miguel Basa Pangelinan Ballfield at the Oleai Sports Complex in Oleai. (Contributed Photo)
- QUICK RESPONSE Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig hands over the key of the quick response vehicle to deputy commissioner Denis Mendiola of the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Rota. The vehicle was one of three vehicles recently purchased for quick response. DFEMS Rota is very thankful to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog, DFEMS Commissioner Clyde Norita, and to all who contributed in making the vehicle possible for Rota. (Contributed Photo)
- WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION First lady Diann Torres, Imperial Pacific International majority shareholder Margaret Cui Lijie, Lt. Gov. Victor Hocog and vice speaker Janet Maratita, among others, were among the Commonwealth personalities that gathered yesterday to celebrate the International Women’s Day meet-and-greet luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Saipan. This month, IPI’s Corporate Social Responsibility will also be recognizing women in the CNMI who excelled and contributed in the development of education, healthcare, business, arts and culture and public service. (Contributed Photo)
- VEHICLE FIRE A fire in San Vicente completely engulfs this vehicle inside the garage and there is moderate to severe heat and smoke damage to the structure. The point of origin was located inside the vehicle on the driver, passenger and dashboard area. According to the Department of Fire and EMS, the fire was intentionally set by a man who admitted responsibility. The case is considered closed by DFEMS. No persons were injured and no medical treatment was provided at the scene. (Derek Gersonde)
- HÅFA ADAI PLEDGE Guam senators take the Guam Visitor Bureau’s Håfa Adai Pledge on Friday, March 10. From left, Sen. Louise B. Muna; Sen. Mary C. Torres; Sen. Frank B. Aguon Jr.; Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje; GVB board member Bart Jackson; Speaker Benjamin J.F. Cruz; Sen. Dennis G. Rodriguez Jr., chairman of the tourism committee; GVB director of Global Marketing Pilar Laguana; GVB board member Young Sook Hong; Sen. Joe S. San Agustin; GVB director of Tourism Research Ana Cid; Sen. Fernando B. Esteves; GVB acting president and CEO Antonio Muña Jr.; Sen. Regine Biscoe Lee; Sen. James V. Espaldon; GVB board member Theresa Arriola; and Sen. Thomas A. Morrison. (Contributed Photo)
- ADVISER OF THE YEAR Northern Marianas College recently recognized NMC Business Instructor Barbara Hunter, center, as the 2017 NMC Academic Adviser of the Year for her commitment to providing quality service and mentorship to students. The award selection was based on a pool of student nominations. Hunter is joined here by the academic advising committee, which is composed of NMC staff and faculty members. (NMC)