VISITING SHIP
Saipan welcomed the arrival of MS Asuka II on Dec. 31, 2014. The ship included 875 tourists to the island and 488 crewmembers. They stayed for a one-day visit and as per tradition, the Marianas Visitors Authority greeted the visiting ship with a local dance troupe during docking. (Dennis B. Chan)
COUNTDOWN PARTY : Over 200 guests attended the New Year’s countdown party hosted by Mariana Resort & Spa last New Year’s Eve. The countdown party had all the works from cultural dances, pop group entertainment, great food and drinks, and a $3,000 fireworks display. (MARK RABAGO)
CROWDED HOUSE:
Those in support and opposing Senate Bill 18-72 crowded the House of Representatives visitors’ gallery last Tuesday. The bill seeks to establish a public charter school for adult vocational and continuing education that will be named the Northern Marianas Technical Institute. (MARK RABAGO)
HYATT DONATION: Hyatt Regency Saipan general manager Nick Nishikawa holds a giant check representing the Garapan landmark’s $10,000 donation to the Ayuda Network, Inc. The hotel also donated $20,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Hyatt Regency Saipan general manager Nick Nishikawa and The Salvation Army pastor Wayne Gillespi hold a giant check representing the Garapan landmark’s $10,000 donation to The CNMI Salvation Army. The $40,000 donation in total are proceeds from the 19th Hyatt Regency Saipan Charity Golf Classic. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
NEW YEAR’S SHOPPING:
Tourists and local residents alike make their last-minute shopping on Dec. 31, 2014 in preparation for the New Year. (MARK RABAGO)
RECYCLING TRASH BINS:
Sorting trash bins donated by island businesses are located along the Saipan Beach Pathway. The public is advised to sort and drop trash in their proper containers for recycling. More trash bins are also needed from generous sponsors. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
VISITING SHIP
Saipan welcomed the arrival of MS Asuka II on Dec. 31, 2014. The ship included 875 tourists to the island and 488 crewmembers. They stayed for a one-day visit and as per tradition, the Marianas Visitors Authority greeted the visiting ship with a local dance troupe during docking. (Dennis B. Chan)
CHCC CEO SPEAKS
Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. CEO Esther Muna makes her comments on Senate Bill 18-52, which seeks to change the CHCC’s advisory board into a governor board during last Tuesday’s House of Representatives’ session in Capitol Hill. Muna opposes the bill, which was referred to the House Committee on Health and Welfare for further review. (Mark Rabago)
New NMC students pose with NMC president Dr. Sharon Hart, second from left, and NMC dean of Students Services Leo Pangelinan, fourth from right, during yesterday’s student orientation for new students. Other orientation sessions are scheduled throughout this week for new students. (Contributed Photo)
19TH SENATE ADJOURNS
From left, Senate floor leader Pete P. Reyes (Ind-Saipan), Sen. Frank Borja (Ind-Tinian), Senate Vice President Victor Hocog (Ind-Rota), Sen. Jovita Taimano (R-Rota), Senate President Ralph DLG Torres (R-Saipan), Sen. Paul A. Manglona (Ind-Rota), Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz (R-Tinian), Sen. Joaquin Borja (Ind-Tinian), and Sen. Sixto Igisomar (R-Saipan) pose after the 19th Senate’s sine die session Tuesday at the Senate chamber on Capital Hill. (Mark Rabago)
WISH SPONSORS
Make A Wish Foundation beneficiary Reeana Marie Mettao Camacho, 4, is joined by her parents, Kaylana and Norton, and T Galleria officials and employees on Friday. T Galleria is sponsoring Camacho’s trip to Disneyland, California. . T Gallaeria successfully raised about $2,500 on both Saipan and Guam for Camacho’s wish to be granted. (Dennis B. Chan)
MIRROR IMAGE: Prior to taking his oath of office, Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres takes a moment to check out his new official photo after having it hung for the first time at the Governor’s Office. Torres and Gov. Eloy S. Inos were sworn in Monday at the first inauguration ceremony held on Capital Hill. (Office of the Governor)
TRADING PLACES: Prior to leaving the Governor’s Office, former lieutenant governor Jude U. Hofschneider met with then-Senate President and lieutenant governor-elect Ralph Torres to go over last-minute transition details before Inauguration Day. This marks the first week in office for the new Lt. Gov. Torres, and the once-again Sen. Hofschneider (R-Tinian). (Office of the Governor)
ROAD MISHAP
Police officers watch as a crane pulls a truck that lost control and flipped on its side while traveling north at the Chalan Pale Arnold and Isa Drive intersection in Sadog Tasi Monday afternoon. The driver was not injured. (Ferdie De La Torre)
MOVING FORCE BEHIND PCF The Pacific Century Fellows Marianas Chapter Inaugural Class of 2014 extended their sincere appreciation to the board of directors and sponsors for their “tireless support and for making this year’s program a great success” during a ceremony at Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan. In the photo, from left to right, are PCF Marianas Chapter vice chair Maggie Sablan, PCF Marianas Chapter chair Jerry Tan, PCF founder Mufi Hannemann, and fellows Jacquelince Che and Alfreda Camacho. (Dennis B. Chan)
PEPPER FESTIVAL
File photo shows dancers performing at last year’s Tinian Hot Pepper Festival. This year’s edition of the festival will be held on Feb. 14-15, 2015, on Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands. (Contributed Photo)
GOLF FOR CHARITY
Organizers of the Filtaga/Emon Lodge 179 Master Golf tournament and some family members pose for a group photo after the successful staging of the fundraising event last Saturday at the Marianas Country Club in Marpi. Proceeds from the one-day tournament will go to Karidat for its various charity works. (Jon Perez)
HONORING REYES
Sen. Francisco Borja (Ind-Tinian) reads the Senate Commemorative Resolution honoring former senator Pete Tenorio for his many years of service to the CNMI government and the Legislature during the Senate’s session Tuesday on Capital Hill, as other senators and Reyes’ wife, Glenna, look on. (Joel Pinaroc)
HOSPITALITY TRAINING: Students from both Kagman High School and Marianas High School complete their hospitality training at Saipan World Resort. The students, kneeling from left, are Michael Santos (KHS), Shawn Hideos (MHS), Ezekiel Valdez (MHS), Catherine Calabquinto (MHS), Reiko Villagomez (KHS), Ryan Vicente (MHS), and Reence Calage (MHS). They are joined here by the Saipan World Resort management. The students received their certificates of completion from Saipan World Resort GM Hyun Cho Kim, standing third from left. The students were trained from October 2014 to January 2015. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
