Island Snapshots – September 2017

By Contributing Author

Posted on Sep 01 2017

: MILITARY TALKS Gov. Ralph DLG Torres met yesterday morning with Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment Lucian L. Niemeyer, who was joined by Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield and Randel L. Sablan, director of the CNMI Joint Region Marianas Coordination Office. In a statement, Torres said: “…We had a very productive discussion about the threats from North Korea, the ongoing Guam military buildup, and the Tinian divert airfield project. I look forward to working with him and [Chatfield] as we continue to constructively discuss military activities surrounding the CNMI and our people.” (Contributed Photo)

: FIELD OF HEROES DONATION: Triple J Saipan presents a $3,000 sponsorship check to the Tan Siu Lin Foundation, the charitable arm of TanHoldings, on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017. The cash contribution will support the 2nd Annual We Will Never Forget: Field of Heroes event to be held in remembrance of those who perished in the horrific events of Sept. 11, and also to express gratitude and honor everyday heroes: military veterans, service members, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officers, disaster responders and all other first responders. The display of flags will be held on Saipan from Sept.10 to Sept. 18, Sept. 5 to Sept. 17 on Tinian, and Sept. 7 to Sept. 22 on Rota. All proceeds from the event will go toward providing local support for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Present for the check presentation are, from left: Carline Sablan, Community Relations director, Corporate Affairs, TanHoldings; Tracy Guerrero, Triple J Saipan corporate controller; Perry Inos, Triple J Saipan business development manager; Catherine Attao, vice president for Corporate Affairs and Corporate Human Resources, TanHoldings; Merlie Tolentino, general manager, Tan Siu Lin Foundation; Jay Santos, general manager, Triple J Five Star Wholesale and Truckload; Robert Jones, chairman and CEO, Triple J Enterprises, Inc.; Jerry Tan, president, TanHoldings; Mike Sablan, VP of Finance & Administration, Triple J Enterprises, Inc.; Dan Murrell, senior vice president, Triple J Enterprises, Inc.; and Frank Ada, Triple J Saipan HR director. (Contributed Photo)

: BUBBLE PARTY: A group of participants frolic inside the bubble pit in Saturday’s Inaugural Triple J 5K Foam and Fun Run held at the Civic Center in Susupe. The bubble pit was a big hit during the inaugural event as groups of kids and kids at heart played to their hearts’ content with the soapy substance. (Jon Perez)

: SAIPAN FIREFIGHTERS: Fifteen firefighters from Saipan’s Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services are assisting with firefighting efforts on the Orleans Complex. They have been in California for nearly a month, fighting fire where needed throughout the state. Photos by Shelwyn Taisacan were obtained from the Facebook page of the U.S. Forest Service–Six Rivers National Forest.

: FOR OUR LIBRARY Imperial Pacific International’s Corporate Social Responsibility spent the whole week of last week to assist Joeten-Kiyu Public Library staff and volunteers in the inventory of their over 84,000 collection. (Contributed Photo)

: WOUNDED WARRIOR FELLOW Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), center, standing, introduces Wounded Warrior congressional fellow Randy Takai Johnson, on Sablan’s left, at the Veterans Benefits Workshop and Claims Clinic on Saipan. Johnson began his two-year Fellowship with the Marianas congressional office this week. Standing with Sablan and Johnson are Veterans Benefits Administration representatives Eric Gaskin and Kalani Echang, who conducted the workshop. Not pictured here but also present at the workshop was Commonwealth Military/Veterans Affairs executive director Oscar C. Torres, whose office works closely with the VBA to assist veterans with their claims. The VBA event was requested by Sablan, who is a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. In mid-August Sablan also organized events on Rota, Tinian, and Saipan to make sure that veterans and health care providers were informed about the Veterans Choice program. Using Choice, veterans can receive services from community health providers, rather than waiting for care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (Contributed Photo)

: Pacifica Insurance Underwriters presents a hole-in-one prize of $10,000 to Marianas Tourism Education Council’s chair Vicky Benavente (third from left) as a sponsor of the recently held 2nd annual Governor’s Tourism Cup. Proceeds from the fundraising golf tournament will benefit the MTEC and MY WAVE Clubs to continue the education outreach programs for the youth. From left, MVA community projects coordinator Ray Villagomez, MVA’s Demi Pagarao, and Pacifica Insurance representatives. (Contributed Photo)

: Joeten Motor Co. general manager Matt Deets, second from left, presents a 2017 Honda Civic Sport Edition as a hole-in-one prize for the recently held Governor’s Tourism Cup. Accepting the prize on behalf of the Marianas Tourism Education Council and MVA is tournament director James Nelson, MVA PR & Community Programs manager Martin Duenas, and MTEC board chair Vicky Benavente. Looking on are Joeten Motor Co. sales consultants Mona Manglona, Tina Togawa, and Julie O. Manglona. (Contributed Photo)

: KONQER MASCOT Pacifica Insurance Underwriters, Inc. staff and management pose with Konqer Saipan mascot Kiki the T-Rex during their volunteer work at the competitive sporting event held last Saturday. The company donated prizes and volunteer hours as an event sponsor. (Contributed Photo)

: FIELD OF HEROES Fifty-five flags are posted at the Cpl. Joe G. Charfauros Jr. Veteran’s Memorial Park as part of the Field of Heroes memorial to honor the 9/11 victims and first responders. (Britney Atalig)

: FIELD OF HEROES TanHoldings president Jerry Tan delivers special remarks at the Field of Heroes ceremony at the Rota Veteran’s Park. (Birtney Atalig)

: FIELD OF HEROES Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja students perform a song to honor the fallen heroes. (Britney Atalig)

: FIELD OF HEROES Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig delivers his welcoming remarks to the families, guests, and sponsors who came to the 2nd Annual Field of Heroes ceremony on Rota. (Britney Atalig)

: FIELD OF HEROES The Buck Battalion Color Guard commanded by Capt. Don Ogo presents the colors at the start of the 2nd Annual Field of Heroes ceremony on Rota. (Britney Atalig)

: FIELD OF HEROES Representatives of law enforcement agencies and the Buck Battalion salute the U.S. and the CNMI flags at the 2nd Annual Field of Heroes ceremony on Rota. (Britney Atalig)

: FIELD OF HEROES: Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, left, and Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog carry a wreath that they placed at the Circle of Honor of the American Memorial Park during the Field of Heroes ceremony yesterday. The ceremony marked the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack, its many victims, and the role of emergency responders. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

: CONGRATULATIONS Team Onion Turtle of Marianas High School successfully conquered Konqer Saipan King of the Hills last Saturday, Sept 9, 2017, at the Gov. Eloy S. Inos Peace Park. From left to right, Wataru Tajima, Ken Song, Logan Mister, Royce Angelo Ben, Jether Yobech, Rex Anngelo De Jose, Andrei Ferrer, Clarence John Cabang, and Haruya Eda. (Contributed Photo)

: FREE LECHON: Imperial Pacific International Ltd. demonstrates pig roasting and serves free samples at the Marianas Visitors Authority’s 3rd Annual International Festival of Cultures on Sept. 9, 2017, at the Garapan Fishing Base. The festival will return this Saturday, Sept. 16. (MVA)

: ETC DONATION Victorino S. Cepeda, right, External Relations director of the Northern Marianas Trades Institute, receives a $2,000 education tax credit donation from Wushin Corp. The Wushin donation is presented by Mher Lacap and Tess Amog. (Contributed Photo)

: COMMUNITY OUTREACH Imperial Pacific International Ltd., through its Corporate Social Responsibility program, has been a partner of the Commonwealth through various community-and environment-related programs. Among others, the School Pride Project, launched two years ago, assists all of the Commonwealth’s public school in ensuring that facilities are conducive to learning. (Contributed Photo)

: COMMUNITY OUTREACH IPI’s CSR work is done in partnership with other agencies and organizations, both private and public. (Contributed Photo)

: TOUR OF THE PACIFIC: H visa provisions affecting the Marianas in the National Defense Authorization Act were on the agenda when newly confirmed assistant secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment Lucian Niemeyer met with Delegarte Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) yesterday on Saipan. The Defense Act will be a top priority when Congress resumes in September. Sablan and Niemeyer also discussed the importance of funding the Palau Compact extension in this year’s Defense Act; and the two agreed to meet again in Washington, D.C. after Niemeyer completes his tour of the Pacific. Niemeyer, along with Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, commander of Joint Region Marianas, and their teams also toured Tinian today. (Contributed Photo)

: TRIPLE J DONATION: The Triple J Saipan, Inc. officials on Friday handed over a $10,000 donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation Guam CNMI Chapter at the Surf Club restaurant in Susupe as a beneficiary of the Triple J fun run called the “Foam and Fun Run.” The other beneficiary, the Commonwealth Cancer Association, also received $10,000. (Contributed Photo)

: BUDGET MEETING: Gov. Ralph DLG Torres discusses with members of his administration the proposed budget for fiscal year 2018. In the meeting with Torres and Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog were chief of staff Matthew DeLeon Guerrero, special assistant for Management and Budget Virginia Villagomez, legal counsel Gil Birnbrich, press secretary Kevin Bautista, and policy analyst Janina Maratita. (Office of the Governor)

: COURTESY CALL Representatives of the South Korean Gyeonggido province make a courtesy call on lawmakers of the 20th Legislature on Capital Hill last week. (Erwin Encinares)

: START THEM YOUNG Young bowlers pose for a photo before taking their turns at the lanes during a tournament at the Saipan Bowling Center last month. (Contributed Photo)

: COIN DRIVE: Child volunteers help raise funds for Typhoon Harvey victims during the Carolinian Affairs Office’s coin drive last Saturday across the Garapan basketball court. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

: COAST GUARD VISIT U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Christine Torres Igisomar, third from left, and Lt. Jonathan Girot, third from right, made a courtesy visit to the House of Representatives where they met with Reps. Angel Demapan, Ivan Blanco, Greg Sablan Jr., and Edmund Villagomez. Torres and Girot are on island conducting recruitment and outreach to CNMI schools and government enforcement agencies. Igisomar is a proud daughter of the CNMI and always finds time to return and give back to her home. (Contributed Photo)

: ROTA GUEST HOUSE CLEANUP The Corporate Social Responsibility of Imperial Pacific International conducts an extensive cleanup and beautification work on the Rota Guest House, an aging government facility built to serve as temporary living quarters for the island’s residents availing of Saipan’s medical and other services. Here, members of the CSR team apply a fresh coat of paint to the Rota Guest House. (Contributed Photo)

: ROTA GUEST HOUSE CLEANUP At the request of the Rota Legislative Delegation, the Corporate Social Responsibility program of Imperial Pacific International initiated much-needed work on the Rota Guest House that included painting and grass cutting of the Navy Hill facility. (Contributed Photo)

: ROTA GUEST HOUSE CLEANUP A brighter and fresher looking Rota Guest House. (Contributed Photo)

: BOE MEETING Board of Education member Herman T. Guerrero, second from left, seated, complains about the non-allocation of 25 percent of the CNMI government’s budget to the Public School System, as based on a constitutional mandate. “Their [Legislature’s] silence speaks volume that they are not really committed to PSS,” Guerrero said. (Bea Cabrera)

: MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Robert Hunter, second from left, Carolinian Affairs executive assistant John Tagabuel, and Indigenous Affairs resident executive Roman Tudela pose with their signed memorandum of agreement during the signing of the agreement last Monday. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

: NEXT TOP CHEF PREPARATIONS The 2017 Next Top Chef committee members pose for a photo last Wednesday during a meeting at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. (Kimberly A, Bautista)

: NEW SHEFA BOARD MEMBER Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, left, swears in Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance board member Ursula Lifoifoi-Aldan last Thursday at the Saipan Mayor’s Office. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

: MOU SIGNING From left, Customs and Border Protection director for the CNMI Robert Havens, Imperial Pacific International senior vice president for food and beverage Lucy Guo, IPI SVP for marketing Tao Xing, Area Port Director CBP Honolulu Bruce Murley, IPI Director-Mass Marketing & Public Affairs David Largent, and IPI-AVP for Logistics John Cepeda. Seated, from left, are Brian Humphrey, director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and DonalddBrowne, SVP-Operations, IPI, after the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Thursday at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport. (Bea Cabrera)

: TOYS FOR TOTS Members of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Marines receive some toys from young professionals at Pacifica Insurance Underwriters for the Toys for Tots toy drive. If you wish to donate, contact the Saipan Chamber of Commerce. (Contributed Photo)

: NEW STUCO OFFICERS AT DMS: Dandan Middle School opened its school year 2017-2018 with a PTSA election, a full-year project lineup and voting for the year’s student council. This school year’s student council officers are, standing front, from left to right, Sommer Gomez as president; Maria Sablan and Juliet Inocencio as vice presidents; Tiara Cepeda as treasurer; Jovic Tuquero as secretary; Lars Anthony Wolf as historian; Jonathan Wolf as public relations officer; and Franklin Pangelinan as sergeant-at-arms. (Contributed Photo)

: CAR SEAT INSPECTION: Personnel of the Department of Public Safety inspect car seats during the annual Car Seat Safety Check and Family Fun Day last Saturday at the Susupe Civic Center. (DONNA LIWAG)

: MARIANAS CUP SPONSOR CNMI Golf Federations Association president David Largent, center, receives a sponsor’s check from Docomo Pacific vice president and general manager Dino Manning, third left, during yesterday’s presentation at Docomo’s Susupe branch. (Contributed Photo)

: SAILING: The Okeanos Marianas sets sail for Saipan from Auckland, New Zealand, on Sept. 20 2017, after seven weeks of construction and sea trials. Aboard the canoe is Saipan navigators Andrea Carr, John Sablan, and Devin Noisom. (OKEANOS SUSTAINABLE SEA TRANSPORT)

: NEW BOOKS First lady Diann Torres and volunteers of the Lady Diann Torres Foundation present copies of books I Lina’la Hu and Hafa Sinentete-Mu? to Dandan Middle School principal Lynn Mendiola, vice principal Rio Arriola, Chamorro Carolinian Language Heritage Studies coordinator Jonas Barcinas, and Jackie Quitugua to be included in the school’s library. Both books are on sale for $10 at the Lady Diann Torres Foundation office in Susupe. Proceeds of the sale of both books will fund the 2nd Annual LDTF Language in Literacy Young Author’s Competition winning entries. For details, call 235-5838(LDTF) or email ladydianntorres@gmail.com. (Contributed Photo)

: CNMI PUBLIC POWER WEEK Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signed a proclamation Tuesday designating the week of Oct. 1-7, 2017, as CNMI Public Power Week to honor the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. In this photo, CUC executive director Gary Camacho, Torres, and Lt. Gov. Victor Hocog are surrounded by lawmakers and CUC personnel during the proclamation signing at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. Camacho said: “This is something I think that is important to do. We haven’t done this since 2005. We have to recognize the contributions of the CUC men and women. All the hardworking linemen, the power generation staff on Saipan, Rota and Tinian…there is just a wide range of people involved behind the scenes that allow power to be provided effectively and reliably. The hard work and what they do on a day-to-day basis out in the field, in all sorts of conditions. If there is a power outage, believe me, people are out there. Whatever the weather conditions are, they are out there.” (Bea Cabrera)

: GOOD TASTE CONTEST Hyatt Regency Saipan executive chef Gabriele Colombo, left, and sous chef Reiji Yoshizawa are working hand in hand in preparation for Yoshizawa’s participation in a Good Taste Series 2017 competition that will be held in Tokyo next month. The annual competition rewards the best of the best among Hyatt kitchens. Yoshizawa will be the first chef to represent the Micronesia region at the contest. (Bea Cabrera)

: TOYS 4 TOTS CAMPAIGN The Saipan Young Professionals partners with TanHoldings Corp. for the Inaugural Toys 4 Tots Campaign on Saipan. The members of the Saipan Young Professionals are excited to organize a generous outpouring of toys for our island’s children with the support of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce member businesses and the community. (Contributed Photo)

: SUCCE Job-Specific Mandarin graduates show off their certificates and join representatives from the Commonwealth Casino Commission, Department of Labor acting secretary Vicky I. Benavente, and the executive managers of Imperial Pacific International for a group photo during the graduation ceremony of Table Games Training event held at the 4th floor of Bank Guam Friday afternoon. (Contributed Photo)

Contributing Author

Medical Mission Outreach Program

Labor Day

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