Fiesta 1st to be connected to IT&E underground fiber optic

Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan has become the first hotel on island to have a taste of IT&E’s faster connection using the underground fiber optic cable that they are currently installing around the island.

Tan Holdings and IT&E executives marked the significant event in a ceremonial ribbon cutting yesterday.

A commemorative plaque was also presented to Tan Holdings president Jerry Tan for Fiesta Resort being “the first commercial user of fiber optic technology in the CNMI.”

With the introduction of this technology, higher speed Internet can be experienced by patrons of the hotel.

“We’re very happy we’re the first one on Saipan,” Fiesta Resort general manager Abner Acosta said.

“We chose Fiesta because they were ready first. They’ve been a good customer of ours for a very long time,” IT&E chief operating officer John Compton said, “It happened rather naturally actually, they needed it and about the time that we were finishing our work going by the hotel, it was relatively easy for us to do it.”

“They were very agreeable, very cooperative because there are some work that we have to do inside the hotel to connect everything together,” Compton said.

10 times faster

Compton said, compared to the copper DSL that they currently have which has a physical limit of 10 megabytes per second, the fiber optic cable lines can handle up to 1 gigabyte per second or 1,000 mbps.

Acosta described their updated connection as “10 times faster than the regular digital subscriber line.”

“We’ve had it for four days and you can really see the difference,” Acosta said, “I’m sure our guests are very happy with this development.”

Acosta said many of the tourists on Saipan are disappointed with the kind of connection speed that we have on island.

“That has come up with our surveys with guests, one of the disappointments—not only here but around Saipan—is slow Internet,” Acosta said.

For Tan, having this technology is not only an upgrade that is beneficial to Fiesta Resort but to the whole CNMI as a destination.

“The main reason is really for the experience of our guests,” Tan said. “Their home country and everywhere they go, in other destinations, high-speed Internet is a must.”

“That’s what they expect because high-speed Internet is what they get,” he added.

Tan said it is important not to disappoint tourists and continue the same speed that they enjoy back home. He also noted that communication is a big part of traveling nowadays.

“It’s really about us as a destination. Eventually in other hotels, restaurants, everywhere tourists will enjoy the same high-speed experience that they experience everyday in their lives so we can make sure that they really are happy tourists when they come here,” Tan said.

Connecting everyone

This project being undertaken by IT&E is expected to spread out through the entire island as well as to Tinian and Rota within a five-year timeline.

“We are building an island- wide fiber optic cable network that will eventually replace our copper network,” Compton said.

“Eventually this is going to cover the whole island and Tinian and Rota as well,” he added.

IT&E currently has three crews working seven days a week on various locations on Saipan to install the fiber optic cables.

According to Compton, it will take them “no more than two weeks” to connect another establishment to their fiber optic.

Compton added that not only commercial establishments will get to enjoy the high-speed connectivity of their cable but residents as well.

“They will eventually, we don’t have the equipment for residences yet, its coming, but yes it will absolutely improve the residences,” Compton said.


This article was originally authored by Frauleine S. Villanueva-Dizon of the Saipan Tribune and published on April 15th 2016. All rights, recognition and acknowledgment belong to the author and the Saipan Tribune.

Saipan Tribune becomes SCfA’s primary sponsor

The Saipan Tribune became a primary sponsor of Saipan Cares for Animals donating a $500 check yesterday that would support the volunteer group’s various programs.

“We are so thankful to the Tribune for all they have done for us,” said SCfA’s Jason Hudy. “For almost a year now the Tribune has always made space in their paper to run stories about our animal efforts.”

“I have no doubt that countless dogs and cats have found new and loving homes specifically because people read about it in the Tribune. And now, they help us out with a monetary donation as well.

Hudy added they would use the money to buy medical supplies for the dogs and cats at the shelter.

The Animal Shelter, which is under the Saipan Mayor’s Office of Mayor David M. Apatang, is temporarily using the Department of Lands and Natural Resources’ quarantine facility in As Perdido.

The shelter and the SCfA volunteers moved there after the facility at Lower Base had to close down last March 31 due to the extensive damage it incurred in Typhoon Soudelor.

For more information, visit SaipanCaresforAnimals.com or their Facebook Fan Page Saipan Cares for Animals to learn more about the group’s efforts, or to inquire about adopting a dog or cat or volunteering with the animals.

“Volunteers are always welcome, and the new shelter area is a beautiful place to take a dog for a walk” said Beth Pliscou, newly elected president of Saipan Cares for Animals. “And thank you to the Tribune for all their support.”

This article was originally authored by Press Release of the Saipan Tribune and published on April 14th 2016. All rights, recognition and acknowledgment belong to the author and the Saipan Tribune.

D&Q Saipan, Dove turn in $15K donations

D&Q Saipan turned over $15,000 to Northern Mariana Islands Football Association and Saipan Soccer School to show its continued support to the groups’ programs and activities.

NMIFA received the $10,000 donation from D&Q and Dove for the former’s women’s program, while the $5,000 was for the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium, which houses the SSS’s futsal pitch and basketball/volleyball courts at the TSL Sports Complex. D& Saipan resident manager Max Kretzers handed the donation to SSS executive director Merlie Tolentino, while D&Q Saipan regional sales manager Marilyn Marron turned in the $10K to NMIFA general secretary Ross Zapanta.

“This is a very big help to our women’s program, especially, this year, as we will be busy with a lot of off-island tournaments and two training camps, plus our ongoing Dove’s women’s football and futsal leagues,” Zapanta said.

NMIFA will be sending its U14 squad and women’s team to East Asian Football Federation-sanctioned competitions and its U16 and U19 groups to Asian Football Confederation-organized tournaments this year. The association will also have training camps in Guam and in the Philippines for its women’s players, who are currently seeing action in the Dove-sponsored football and futsal leagues.

Six teams are playing in the Dove football league with MP United leading the field with its 4-1-1 win-draw-loss record (standings as of April 4). Kanoa (3-2-1) is in second place, followed by Matansa (3-1-2), Kagman 2 (2-1-3), Kagman 1 (1-2-3), and Tan Holdings (0-3-3). Games are being played every Sunday at the Chacha Oceanview Middle School Field, while Williams S. Reyes Elementary School serves as the alternate venue.

In the futsal league, the Flyers are ahead with its 2-2-1 slate. The Blasters (2-1-1), Divas (2-1-2), Kickers (2-0-3), and Lady Birds (1-2-2) complete the field. Futsal games are slated every Friday at the TSL Sports Complex.

“We are getting good feedbacks from the women’s leagues that we are supporting and these make as happy and proud as we are making things happen for these players. There are good results and these are worthy of our support. We are still committed to the program next year and hopefully beyond that,” Kretzers said.

The $10,000 that Kretzers handed over to NMIFA was part of the $30K, three-year sponsorship deal it inked with the local football association’s women’s program.

The $5,000, on the other hand, was the third donation for the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium, which according to Tolentino will undergo repairs next month.

The flooring at the basketball court and the futsal pitch will be replaced, while ceilings will be repaired. The facilities sustained some damage from Typhoon Soudelor that struck Saipan in August last year.

“We are very grateful to D&Q Saipan for their continued support. Part of their donation will be used in the repairs of our facilities, which host tournaments participated in by members of our sports community. We will try our best to improve these facilities to better serve our athletes and the community,” Tolentino said.


This article was originally authored by Roselyn Monroyo of the Saipan Tribune and published on April 3rd, 2016. All rights, recognition and acknowledgment belong to the author and the Saipan Tribune.

Jerry Tan recognized by NMSA

During the 2015 Northern Marianas Sports Association Annual Sports Banquet, Tan Holdings President Jerry Tan was presented a plaque of appreciation for his contribution and support to sports in the Northern Mariana Islands. The special recognition was presented to him by Jeff Race, CNMI Tennis Coach, on behalf of the Northern Marianas Sports Association

The Plaque reads:
The Northern Marianas Sports Association presents this plaque of appreciation to Jerry Tan, the Tan Family and their business enterprises for their extraordinary support of sports in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Their Contribution to sports has paved the ways to a healthier, more resilient and stronger community.
Thank you and si yu’us ma’ase.
March 5th, 2016

Team Building Seminar

On March 19, SBU’s from JP Center (such as Saipan Tribune, L&T, Century Insurance, Century Travel, RMS) and TSL Plaza, participated in a half day team building seminar. This event was the start of a quarterly employee development program that will provide training for each individual and/or department. A total of 72 attendees were present at the day of the event. Registration started promptly at 8 am with a majority of attendees present and ready to begin. Senior Vice President Eli Arago, gave a wonderful welcome speech at the start and the seminar began with a team building presentation given by the HR Officer, followed by a self-evaluation that allowed each attendee to distinguish where they stand on a personal and goal oriented level. There were 2 activities that were simultaneously occurring. The first event was called Mine Field; this exercise gave coworkers a chance to work on their relationships and trust issues, which is why they were paired into teams. This activity allowed team members to trust their partner’s directions and taught them to communicate in a more effective way. The second event, called The Big Picture, taught participants how to work in a team, all while getting everyone to understand that each person working on their own part contributes to an overall group result. Everyone also had the chance to learn about what makes a great team member/player through Jerry Tan (Tan Holdings President), who came in and encouraged each individual to develop their potential and utilize the tools that are available to them. An evaluation of the event was conducted as the seminar came to a close. Overall, the feedback received was positive with requests for more activities, like this, to be planned regularly.

Tan Siu Lin Foundation donates $2,000 to NMC Foundation

(Press Release) — The TSL Foundation recently donated $2,000 to the Northern Marianas College Foundation in support of the Foundation’s 13th annual golf tournament scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2016, at the LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort.

“We’d like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the TSL Foundation, president Jerry Tan and foundation board members for donating to this year’s NMC Foundation Golf Open,” said NMC Foundation president Mable Ayuyu.

“The TSL Foundation has always donated to various charities, organizations, sports events and other community events. They are proactive and passionate about truly making a difference in the community,” she added. “We’re excited that they have chosen to continuously donate to the college.”

The NMC Foundation is composed of community volunteers committed to the advancement of opportunities in support of higher education for people in the CNMI. The golf tournament is the NMC Foundation’s signature event that raises funds to support NMC’s academic programs and services.

“NMC is extremely thankful for the TSL Foundation, their generosity, and support of the college’s mission to provide higher education opportunities for CNMI students,” said acting NMC President David Attao.

The golf tournament will be held at the LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort (West Course) with a shotgun start at 7 a.m. and will follow a medal play format. There will be six separate flight categories: Championship, A, B, C, Seniors, and Ladies.

The entrance fee is $100 per player. Payments for the entrance fee can be made at LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort, and the NMC cashier.

For more information on how to donate to the NMC Foundation or to register to play, log on to www.marianas.edu or call 234-5498 6764 or 6840.


This article was originally authored by Press Release of the Marianas Variety and published on March 14th 2015. All rights, recognition and acknowledgment belong to the author and theMarianas Variety.

Philippine Airlines Meets With Tan Holdings and Century Travel Executives

Officials from Philippine Airlines and PAL Express held a courtesy meeting this morning (March 4, 2016) with executives of Tan Holdings Corp. and its subsidiary Century Travel, Inc. The meeting was held at the World Café of the Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan. PAL officials presented Jerry Tan, President of Tan Holdings Corp with a model aircraft symbolic of the scheduled launch of PAL direct flights from Manila to Saipan starting June 15, 2016. Century Travel was commissioned by PAL as its General Services Agent (GSA). Another tan Holdings company, POI Aviation was also tapped to handle all of PAL’s ground handling requirements. From left: David Sablan, President, Century Travel, Inc.; Cathy Cepeda, Operations Manager, Century Travel, Inc.; Eli Arago – Philippine Consul to the CNMI and concurrent Tan Holdings Senior Vice-President; David Lim SVP, Commercial Group for PAL; Jerry Tan, President Tan Holdings Corp.; Bonifacio Sam, President, PAL Express; Ivan Quichocho, VP Tan Holdings Corp., and Rabbi Vincent Ang, AVP Commercial and Business Devt. for PAL Express.

Highway Cleanup Day

Nine members of the Pacific Century Fellows inaugural class of 2014 and 38 employees of Fiesta Resort & Spa took to the streets of Garapan this past Saturday, February 27, and collected 26 bags of trash and debris weighing approximately 150 pounds. The Saturday clean up marks the first highway cleanup day for Fiesta Resort & Spa this year. The hotel has adopted the 1-mile stretch along Beach Road from the Fire Department to Angaha Road in 2013 as part of its commitment to help keep the CNMI clean and beautiful. The clean ups are held on a monthly basis

Tan Holdings outlasts Joeten in finale

Tan Holdings survived a scare from Joeten to win the title deciding Game 3, 86-80, of their championship showdown in the 2nd JP World Corp. Customer Appreciation Basketball League last Friday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Tan Holdings squandered an 18-point lead in the third quarter and had to ride on the steady hands of Elmer Esdrelon from the foul line and R.J. Nonato’s clutch baskets in the homestretch to finally wrap up the short series and endure a gallant stand from Joeten.

Esdrelon knocked in six free throws in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, while Nonato hit two field goals with his first one dousing cold water to Joeten’s fiery run and the second moving Tan Holdings closer to the Promised Land.

Joeten, who once stared a 40-58 deficit midway in the third canto, managed to grab the upper hand twice in the fourth, 70-69, and 73-72.

A short jumper from Nonato brought the lead back to Tan Holdings, 74-73, 2:25 left on the clock, and a layup from Esdrelon made it a 76-73 advantage, entering the final two minutes of the match.

Joeten sued for time, but failed to produce a basket. It then got another chance when Sid Quan picked Matt Duenas’ pocket near midcourt and sprinted to their frontcourt, however the former missed the easy layup that could have cut the deficit to one. Earlier in the fourth, Quan, Dixon Kwon, and Alex Lauron muffed several point-blanked shots that could have changed Joeten’s fortunes.

After Quan’s sorry miss, Esdrelon was fouled on his way to the basket and had a split. Another Joeten missed on the other end returned possession to Tan Holdings and Nonato rose to the occasion with an and-1 basket off a spin move from the right baseline for their 80-73 lead, down to the last 42.7 seconds of the match.

Quan had a split and Lauron nailed back-to-back layups, hoping to anchor Joeten’s final push, but Tan Holdings kept its safe distance as its finals foe decided to commit preemptive fouls to stop the clock. Esdrelon drilled those important free throws, going 5-for-6 in his last three trips from the stripe, while Jarett Matsutaro added one charity. Joeten also got its last 2 markers from the foul line off Ferdie Tobias’ 2-for-3 performance from the charity lane to peg the final score.

Nonato top-scored in Tan Holdings’ title-clinching win with his 25 points, while Esdrelon and Duenas contributed 23 and 21, respectively. Lauron had 24 for Joeten, while Kwon still finished with 22 despite being hounded all night by Tan Holdings defenders.

Duenas, who fouled out in the third quarter of their Game 2 loss, made his presence felt early in Game 3, scoring 9 points to lift Tan Holdings to a 22-19 lead after the first canto. Tan Holdings’ advantage then ballooned to as much as 12 in the first half, 32-20, after Esdrelon’s triple capped a 10-1 scoring run in the first five minutes of the second period.

However, Joeten battled back, moving within one at the break, 38-39, as it finished the last five minutes of the first half with an 18-6 spurt behind the combined 12 points of Kwon and Athan Taisague.

After slowing down late in the second quarter, Tan Holdings opened the third with a 19-2 run to established the biggest lead in Game 3. Duenas led the breakaway, firing 10 points, while Nonato added 7.

However, Joeten refused to give up and threatened Tan Holdings in the fourth quarter before running out of guns in the end.

Tan Holdings 86—Nonato 25, Esdrelon 23, Duenas 21, Matsutaro 9, Pablo 6, Rivera 2.

Joeten 80—Lauron 24, Kwon 22, Quan 12, Taisague 11, Sambile 4, Tobias 5, Benghit 2.


This article was originally authored by Roselyn Monroyo of the Saipan Tribune and published on January 25, 2016. All rights, recognition and acknowledgment belong to the author and the Saipan Tribune.

Tan, White head Mini Games committees

Preparations for the CNMI’s hosting of the 2021 Pacific Mini Games are moving forward as two sports officials were named to lead key committees.

Northern Mariana Islands Football Association and Northern Marianas Badminton Association president Jerry Tan was elected chair of the 2021 Pacific Mini Games Oversight Committee, while Northern Marianas Sports Association head Michael White was selected to lead the Organizing Committee of the Games.

Tan, who is also the president of Tan Holdings, and White were named to the crucial positions following the organizational meeting of the Oversight Committee last Jan. 13 at the Governor’s Office in Capital Hill. Joining Tan on the committee after being appointed by the late Gov. Eloy Inos were special assistant to the Governor for the Office of Management and Budget Virginia Villagomez, Department Public Works secretary James Ada, and Bank of Guam vice president, and manager Merced Tomokane. Completing the group are White, NMSA vice president Kurt Barnes and secretary general Rose Igitol, who were appointed by the Commonwealth’s governing sports body, and Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan.

The Oversight Committee, according to a press release from NMSA, will oversee the good governance, accountability, and transparency of the Organizing Committee for the 2021 Pacific Mini Games, which will be held on Saipan. The group will also receive reports from the Organizing Committee and brief the stakeholders of the Games, including the governor. The Oversight Committee, which was formed in October 2015, will meet again in April this year to get updates about the preparation for the Mini Games.

As for the Organizing Committee, the Oversight Committee has already reviewed and approved the organizational chart of the Mini Games and White said the NMSA board is looking for individuals who will chair various committees.

“The NMSA Board is meeting this evening (yesterday). I intend to ask the Board for permission to solicit expressions of interest from people interested in chairing committees. When these are received, I will suggest committee chairs for the Board’s consideration,” White said in an email to Saipan Tribune yesterday.

The 2021 Mini Games, which will be played for two weeks in June, will feature 12 sports, namely: wrestling, weightlifting, triathlon, swimming, sailing, baseball, va’a (canoe racing), volleyball (beach and indoor), badminton, athletics, golf, and tennis.

The Mini Games will come to Saipan for the first time after the CNMI won the hosting rights in 2014. Vanuatu will host the 2017 competition after beating the Commonwealth in the second round of selection.


This article was originally authored by Roselyn Monroyo of the Saipan Tribune and published on January 21, 2016. All rights, recognition and acknowledgment belong to the author and the Saipan Tribune.

Makaka Beach clean-up day

Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan collected 15 trash bags weighing approximately 150 lbs. One group cleaned the beach area while the other group removed seaweeds from the swimming area. The collected seaweeds were moved to the shore away from the swimming area.

Let’s Go Tour Company earns #1 of 6 Sights & Landmarks in Saipan

Honored as a top performing activity on Saipan as Reviewed by Travelers on the World’s Largest Travel Site

Let’s Go Tours was recently ranked as the number one activity of sights and landmarks in Saipan.
The optional tour company, opened in December of 2014, is honored that its passengers have written consistent and unbiased positive reviews of its product and service. This recognition is a milestone in the company’s goal of creating new and exciting optional tour selections for Saipan. “This distinction is direct feedback from those who matter most – our customers.” Ed Arriola, Jr., manager of Let’s Go Tour Company said.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60716-d7729084-Reviews-Let_s_Go_Tour_Company-Saipan_Northern_Mariana_Islands.html

Fiesta treats man’amko to Thanksgiving lunch

By Dennis B. Chan |Posted on November 24, 2015

As part of their yearly community service to the elderly, Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan treated dozens of the man’amko yesterday to a Thanksgiving lunch to start the holidays.

This is their seventh year of hosting the lunch. Entertainment and raffle prizes were also provided yesterday at the Hibiscus Hall of Fiesta Resort.

Abner Acosta, general manager of the resort, said this is the hotel’s way of giving back to the elderly.

“Just to remember them,” Acosta told Saipan Tribune. “They are always in our hearts and prayers as a community.”

“This is just one of our yearly activities and personally I look forward to this because I get to see them every year,” he added.

Marie Salinas, one of the many man’amko at the lunch yesterday, said the event was a “surprise” for her.

“They woke me up to bring me over here,” she said. “Today is also my birthday. It’s like celebrating my birthday.”

Salinas and another man’amko, Jess Pangelinan, said they are thankful for the luncheon for this seventh consecutive year.

What else are they thankful for this holiday season?

“We are thankful to the Lord,” Pangelinan said. “We had a typhoon but nobody was killed. We are very thankful for that. We are very thankful for the federal government coming in and helping and giving us all kinds of assistance.”

Salinas also noted that this was the man’amko’s first get-together since the storm in August as the Aging Center has been closed.

“We haven’t talked to each other. We haven’t seen each other,” she said.

“We miss each other,” added Pangelinan.

“This is like an emotional get-together now,” Salinas noted. “Any occasion we get to see other is a happy occasion.”


This article was originally authored by Dennis B. Chan of the Saipan Tribune and published on November 24th 2015. All rights, recognition and acknowledgment belong to the author and the Saipan Tribune.

Preservation of CNMI History – David M. Sablan

David M. Sablan is a well-known and pioneering businessman in the Northern Mariana Islands who has been involved in some of the most important commercial undertakings over a sixty-year period. Mr. Sablan is being recognized for his recently published book “A Degree of Success through Curiosity.” The book documents Mr. Sablan’s life from his birth on Saipan in the 1930s during the Japanese administration until the present time. The book provides a wide range of information on the social, political and economic history of the NMI over an 80 year period, particularly with respect to the post-war economic development on Saipan. The book also includes revealing portraits of pre-war life, the trials and tribulations of the war years, and the challenges and opportunities that came with the American occupation of the islands in 1944. It is a history told from a local eye-witness perspective and undoubtedly will inspire others in the community to either share their own stories or to undertake research exploring a wide range of topics associated with the post-World War II history of the Northern Mariana Islands.


source: http://northernmarianashumanities.org/sec.asp?secID=14

Project Ayudu raises $150K for CARE

By Daisy Demapan |Posted on November 03, 2015

Capping the 60-day fundraising effort called Project Ayudu, Tan Holdings president Jerry Tan presented a check for $150,000 to the Commonwealth Advocates in Recovery Efforts team yesterday at the Office of the Governor’s conference room.

The donation will be used in support of CARE’s efforts to rebuild homes destroyed by Typhoon Soudelor.

Project Ayudu (ayudu meaning “to help” in the Chamorro language) was spearheaded by Tan Holdings and its charitable arm, the Tan Siu Lin Foundation. The funds were raised through the sale of T-shirts with the “Project Ayudu Saipan” slogan. The T-shirts have become a regular sighting on Saipan since the storm.

Project Ayudu team leader Alex Sablan stated that the goal was to sell 10,000 T-shirts in the CNMI and Guam.
Tan stated, “This is a very important and special project for us. We actually launched the project about eight weeks ago. I told the team that Saipan victims need help now. Not next year and that’s why we wanted to get it done quickly. So we set an internal deadline of Oct. 31 and immediately went to work and I’m happy to share that we reached out to our friends in Guam and sold all our 3,000 shirts there.”

Tan shared that the efforts were split 70/30 and that Project Ayudu successfully sold their 7,000 share of shirts.

“I’m very proud of the people, the community and our business partners. I’m very glad that we are not alone during this time of disaster,” he said.

Tan expressed his gratitude to all those involved in recovery efforts. “I know there are people out there suffering and we want to recognize that and try to get the money out to CARE and see what they can do to help the victims.”

Jenny Hegland of CARE said the group is building capacity to begin work on the home repair and reconstruction element of its mission. The centralized Disaster Case Management program currently being run by the Red Cross will identify those individuals with the greatest unmet needs to be considered for rebuilding assistance through CARE.

“The case managers will help us identity individuals with unmet needs after the rest of the resources of the community have been exhausted. We will use our funds to assist with rebuilding based on needs. These are additional funds and an important first step in the rebuilding process is debris removal and so our immediate efforts are focused on the debris so that we can start rebuilding,” said Hegland.

The $150,000 donation will be spent through CARE’s Construction sub-committee on ancillary items such as nails, hammers, and other construction supplies and services that are needed in rebuilding the homes of typhoon victims.

Sablan extends his appreciation to those who made these recovery efforts possible including IT&E, Joeten Enterprises, Triple J Enterprises, Century Hotel, Shirley’s Coffee Shop, Sun Palace Hotel, I-Shop Stores, the Saipan and Guam community, and the many contributors who helped generate the funds.


This article was originally authored by Daisy Demapan of the Saipan Tribune and published on November 3rd, 2015. All rights, recognition and acknowledgment belong to the author and the Saipan Tribune.