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TSL Foundation backs fishing tournaments
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Posted on Jul 25 2019
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- Tan Siu Lin Foundation executive director Merlie Tolentino, center, presents the ceremonial check donation to I Sanhalom Laguna Anglers Association officials yesterday at the TanHoldings Corporate Affairs office in Garapan. Also attending the donation turnover ceremony are Tan Siu Lin Foundation assistant manager Raymond Zapanta, left, and administrative officer Mel Naputi, right. (Contributed Photo)
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- Saipan Fishermen’s Association officials receive the ceremonial check donation for the 35th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament from Tan Siu Lin Foundation executive director Merlie Tolentino, fourth left, last week at the TanHoldings Corporate Affairs office in Garapan. Also in the photo are from left, TSL Foundation administrative officer Mel Naputi, SFA’s Tony Scragg, Gene Weaver, and Diego Benavente, and TanHoldings chief executive officer Jerry Tan, right. (Contributed Photo)
The Tan Siu Lin Foundation is helping keep sports fishing alive and well in the Marianas by supporting two competitions.
The TSL Foundation donated $2,500 to the Saipan Fishermen’s Association for the 35th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament held over the weekend. The charitable arm of TanHoldings is also rallying behind the fledging I Sanhalom Laguna Anglers Association after handing over $1,000 for the staging of the 2019 annual ISLA Mafuti Fishing Derby on Aug. 3. Both the SFA and ISLA encourage members and participants of their tournaments to observe eco-friendly fishing methods with the former even holding a side competition for boats that will collect the most water waste along their route.
“We join SFA and ISLA in the promotion of competitive, but responsible fishing derby to protect our ocean and our environment. Congratulations to all the winners of the international fishing tournament and we wish the competitors in next month’s mafuti derby good luck,” TSL Foundation executive director Merlie Tolentino said.
Tolentino, TanHoldings chief executive officer Jerry Tan, TSL Foundation administrative officer Mel Naputi turned over the check donation for SFA to association officials Diego Benavente, Gene Weaver, and Tony Scragg last Thursday. ISLA president Mike Sablan, on the other hand, received the donation from Tolentino, Naputi, and TSL Foundation assistant manager Raymond Zapanta yesterday, and were joined in the brief ceremony by other ISLA officials.
“Sports fishing is one of the popular events in the Marianas and we commend SFA and ISLA for hosting competitions and keeping the tradition in our islands alive,” Tan said.
ISLA will be holding its second mafuti derby and is aiming to surpass the competition turnout last year. More than 20 boats and nearly 60 anglers joined the inaugural tournament in 2018.
As for SFA’s signature annual event, last weekend’s fishing derby drew over 70 boats from Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Rota, and Palau. Aquaholics of captain Tony Flores won the grand prize for reeling in a 462-lb marlin on Day 1 of the competition last Saturday. (PR)
