Legislature treats man’amko to Christmas luncheon

Congregates of the Aging Center and staff led by director Walter Manglona pose with members of the House of Representatives and Senate during the Legislature’s annual Christmas luncheon for the man’amko at the House chamber yesterday. (Mark Rabago)

The House chamber was jam-packed, with House members yielding their seats to the man’amko and gamely sitting on folding chairs in the periphery, accompanied by their counterparts from the Senate.

A select group of congregates serenaded the lawmakers and everyone in attendance with classic Christmas carols like Silent Night, Joy To The World, Holy Night, Feliz Navidad, and a medley of Chamorro and Carolinian Christmas jingles.

After the enthusiastic presentation, the man’amko were treated to a feast that included ham, pancit, meatballs, mashed potatoes, and broccoli salad. There was so much food that a number of man’amko and other guests took home balutan.

The man’amko, as per tradition, also asked for cash donations from the lawmakers, passing around a jar that was soon full of greenbacks. Senators, however, didn’t have to drop their donations in the jar, as they came well prepared and gave an envelope full of money instead.

Aging Center director Walter Manglona and Saipan Senior Advisory Council president Maria Taitano Salinas thanked the House and Senate for hosting the Christmas luncheon for the third straight year.

Manglona also thanked the lawmakers for always looking after the interests of the islands’ senior citizens.

“Thank you for all the hard work you’ve done. A lot of the stuff you’ve been doing, providing protection to our senior citizens, you’ve been doing that in the previous years and we really appreciate that,” he said.

Salinas thanked the House and Senate for again welcoming them to the Legislature and hosting the Christmas luncheon.

“I’m very pleased to be here. I feel very welcome. Hope we will have fun today and collected a lot of money. We went through a very hard typhoon condition [when] Soudelor [hit us] but we showed that we can overcome,” she said.

“Thank you to all to our legislators. You have our support 100 percent. It’s a great honor to be up here. I’m out of words. We’re prepared to face the New Year and the man’amko is the pulling factor to push and show our youngsters that we’re ready to work hard,” added Salinas.

House Speaker Joseph Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan) said this is the third year that the Legislature has hosted the man’amko and both the House and the Senate make it a point to host it every year because they value the contributions of the CNMI’s elderly.

“Every year you come here and sing your carols and you just lift up our spirits. Thank you again man’amko for bringing the spirit of joy and peace this Christmas season. We hope your blessings here will stay with us and guide us as we do the good that you expect from us,” he said.

Senate President Victor Hocog (Ind-Rota) gave kudos to the man’amko for their resilience the past year, which saw them endure Typhoon Soudelor and voluntarily allow typhoon victims to use the Aging Center in China Town as one of the evacuation centers for months.

“Despite all the hardships that we experienced the past few months we’re all here together now. It’s our hope that we will continue to treasure all of you man’amko as there also will come a time that we will become like you, facing our new leaders of tomorrow.”

Hocog said he would soon join them at the man’amko center after admitting that he is already qualified.

“Pretty soon, I told Walter, that I would register myself. I’m already qualified as a senior citizen as well. I admire the strength of the man’amko. We listen to you and listen to your guidance and your advice. Whether it’s fair or unfair we’ll take it constructively so we can bring the best service this Legislature can do for you,” he added.