Island Snapshots – May 2019

By Contributing Author

Posted on May 01 2019

: ZONING BOARD MEMBERS Members of the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation Judicial and Governmental Operations Committee pose with the nominees of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ for the CNMI Zoning Board: Tatiana Babauta, seated center, and former representative Francisco Aguon. (Contributed Photo)

: TOURISM MONTH Gov. Ralph DLG Torres is joined by Lt. Gov. Arnold Palacios, Marianas Visitors Authority board chair Marian Aldan-Pierce, and several lawmakers and MVA staff as he signs a proclamation at the governor’s office’s conference room that declares the entire month of May as Tourism Month in the Commonwealth. (Ferdie De La Torre)

: CONGRATULATIONS Edna Grace Rios Nisola just graduated from Grand Canyon University in Arizona, with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing that she not only finished in just three years but also graduating with summa cum laude honors. Her proud parents are Ed and Analyn Nisola. Congratulations from your Jesus is Lord Church Saipan family. (Contributed photo)

: NEW QUARTERS-U.S. Mint director David Ryder, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold Palacios, and American Memorial Park superintendent Barbata Alberti pour quarters in a basket at the launch last Tuesday of the American Memorial Park quarter at the AMP amphitheater in Garapan. The quarters were later handed out to teachers and students who attended the launch ceremony. (Bea Cabrera)

: HANMI GOLF TOURNAMENT Bridge Capital LLC vice president and chief litigation officer Jody Jordahl, center, presents a $500 donation for the 18th Annual HANMI Charity Classic Golf Tournament to be held on May 11, 2019. The donation, made on April 26, 2019, at the Bridge Capital office in Garapan, was received by tournament committee member Das Krishnan, left, and Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan HR manager Pina Magofna. (HANMI)

: HOLE-IN-ONE PRIZE Traders Insurance donates a $2,500 hole-in-one prize for the 18th Annual HANMI Charity Classic Golf Tournament that is scheduled for May 11, 2019, at Laolao Bay Golf Resort. It presented the donation to HANMI officials at the Traders Insurance office in Chalan Kanoa on April 29, 2019. From left, tournament committee member Socorro Huliganga, Traders Insurance underwriter Ferdinand S. Javillonar, tournament committee chair Steve Balakrishna, HANMI chair Gloria Cavanagh; Traders Insurance underwriter Ma. Krizia D. Mendoza, president Pablo B. Mendoza, accountant Chona O. Laguador, insurance underwriter Jenny G. Ariar, and manager Ernest S. Licop; tournament committee member Rommel Bartolo; Traders Insurance secretary/treasurer Fidel S. Fernandez, and tournament committee member Das Krishnan. (HANMI)

: HUMANITIES COUNCIL ELECTS OFFICERS CONTRIBUTED PHOTO The Northern Marianas Humanities Council elected the officers for the year 2019-2020 at its board meeting last Saturday, May 4. The officers are Polly DLG Masga, chair, Tracy Guerrero, vice chair, and Kevin Bautista, treasurer/secretary. The Council is also seeking new board members. For all those interested, send your résumé and letter of interest to info@nmhcouncil.org or drop it off at the office in the Springs Plaza building, Gualo Rai. For more information call the office at 235-4785 or visit nmhcouncil.org. (Contributed Photo)

: PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK ERWIN ENCINARES Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios sign the Public Service Recognition Week proclamation last Tuesday afternoon. Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said the occasion honors the “unsung heroes” who keep the Commonwealth government chugging along. Office of Personnel Management director Isidro K. Seman noted that while tourism drives the CNMI economy, the efforts of the public service workforce should not be forgotten. (Erwin Encinares)

: REPAIR NEEDED-Six months after Super Typhoon Yutu, the sign in front of the Tinian Mayor’s Office remains unrepaired and many people—including the CNMI government—are still slowly recovering from the typhoon’s lingering impact. (Ferdie de la Torre)

: GRATITUDE! Members of the CNMI Boys U18 National Team take a break from their practice session at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville to pay tribute to their moms during yesterday’s celebration of Mother’s Day. (Contributed Photo)

: HANMI GOLF TOURNEY Joseph Jones, third from right, and Mariyn Jones, third from left, donate $1,200 on May 9, 2019, in Kagman to the 18th Annual HANMI Charity Classic Golf Tournament. The donation was received by tournament committee chair Steve Balakrishnan and committee member Das Krishnan. The tournament itself was held last Saturday. (Contributed Photo)

: RETURN FROM DEPLOYMENT Six Guam Guard airmen from the Guam Air National Guard’s 254th Security Forces Squadron returned home early Saturday morning, May 11, from a deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The airmen were tasked with the protection of federal property from hazards such as sabotage, espionage, trespass, theft, fire, and accident or willful damage and destruction; and to maintain law and order, preserve the peace, and protect life and civil rights within the U.S. Central Command Theater of Operations. The six pose for a photo with the Guam National Guard leadership soon after arriving early morning Saturday, May 11. (Guam National Guard)

: A FRIEND OF TINIAN Friend of San Jose Parish vice chair Richard Lazaro, right, shakes hands with TanHoldings Corp. chief executive officer Jerry Tan after their group received $100,000 from the Tan Siu Lin Foundation for the rebuilding of the San Jose Parish Social Hall. (Contributed Photo)

: NEW VIDEO Marianas Ocean tourism ambassador Yorko Summer films at the Grotto on Saipan on April 23, 2019, to develop a new diving film for the Marianas Visitors Authority. The new dive video that will be used to promote the Marianas at Diving Resort Travel in May and Asia Dive Expo in July. (MVA)

: Marianas Ocean tourism ambassador Yorko Summer, second from right, visits the Marianas Visitors Authority office on Tinian on April 26, 2019, as part of his trip to produce a new promotional film on the Marianas. From left, assistant director Jui Ting Ma, director Yi Jan Huang, Marianas Visitors Authority field supervisor Vida Borja, Summer, and assistant You Jie Chen. (MVA)

: Marianas Ocean tourism ambassador Yorko Summer, third from right, visits The Shack on Saipan on April 22, 2019, to develop a new promotional film on the Marianas. (MVA)

: BIRTHDAY SHOUTOUT To our loving, dearest grandmother, Grandma Rita Camacho, happy 78th birthday! We are blessed and grateful to have spent another blissful year with you. Your presence brightens up our day. We are faithful to the Lord for having you around. We love you and enjoy your day. Love, your children. (Contributed Photo)

: RETURN FROM DEPLOYMENT Eleven more Guam Guard airmen from the Guam Air National Guard)’s 254th Security Forces Squadron returned home Tuesday evening, May 14, from a deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Here, the 11 airmen pose for a photo with Guam National Guard Leadership immediately after arriving on Guam. (Guam National Guard)

: BIRTHDAY SHOUTOUT Happy 7th birthday, Damon Gregory! We love you so much and hope you get everything you wish for and more. Love, Jadine, Lexi, and Mommy. (Contributed Photo)

: ON SAIPAN FOR PSS-BOE STRATEGIC TRAINING CNMI Board of Education Chairwoman Janice Marie A. Tenorio, left, and Public School System Commissioner of Education Glenn Muna, center, engages with Dr. Allison Layland, the chief education strategist of the Academic Development Institute, one of the nation’s top provider and developer of transformational services to organizations. Dr. Layland is conducting a three-day strategic performance management training for all of the school district’s education leaders and policymakers and in partnership with the Pacific Regional Comprehensive Center. The training is also conducted in part through a grant made available by the U.S. Department of Education for technical assistance. (PSS)

: TREE PLANTING FOR PACIFIC GAMES The Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance, the CNMI Division of Forestry, and CNMI athletes and friends supported both the CNMI environment and the Pacific Games, request to plant new trees last Saturday, May18, which marked “50 Days To Go” until the start of the Samoa 2019 XVI Pacific Games, when 24 Pacific Games countries were asked to plant new trees to help replace emissions and resources that will be used during the Games. Saturday’s tree-planting had a great turnout, and great appreciation is given for all their efforts. (Contributed Photo)

: EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, in his capacity as acting governor, is joined by first lady Diann Torres and personnel from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services as he signs the proclamation declaring Emergency Medical Services Week at the conference room of the Office of the Governor on Capital Hill. (Jon Perez)

: DISABILITIES CONFERENCE First lady Diann Torres gave the welcoming remarks at the recently-held Disabilities Conference at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. The workshop aimed to provide students with information about college admissions, financial aid, finding pathways to careers, and more. NMC collaborated with the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Developmental Disabilities Council to host the event, which is the first Pre-Employment Transition Services Conference focusing on counseling and postsecondary education. (NMC)

: CONFIRMED! Members of the 21st CNMI Senate pose with newly confirmed appointees and re-appointees of the Torres administration in different government agencies after yesterday’s session at the Senate chamber on Capital Hill. (Jon Perez)

: MEMORIAL DAY-READY-Over 500 luminaries were set up at the American Memorial Park yesterday afternoon in celebration of Memorial Day today and in remembrance of the fallen and missing during World War II. The Court of Honor is inscribed with the 5,204 names of servicemen who were either killed or missing in action during the World War II Marianas Campaign, and each luminary represents 10 names inscribed on the Court of Honor, while wreaths made by CNMI students are on display. (Erwin Encinares)

: CNMI-PH FRIENDSHIP MONTH-Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, third left, and honorary Philippine consul to the CNMI Eli Arago, fourth left, join officials and members of the Filipino community in yesterday’s proclamation declaring the CNMI-Philippines Friendship Month. (JON PEREZ)

Contributing Author

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