NMC Charter Day celebrations draw 5K

The Northern Marianas College treated thousands of students and guests with live entertainment, while booths offering food and refreshments at affordable prices scattered all over the college grounds last Friday and Saturday in celebration of the educational institution’s 25th anniversary.

NMC named the winners to three major competitions it organized for this year’s Charter Day celebrations—the Marianas Idol singing competition, the Battle of the bands, and the Miss Pugua Beauty Pageant spoof beauty contest.

NMC Student Activities director Ed Propst, who co-chairs the celebrations together with NMC Finance director Raj Kurapati, dubbed the event a success.

“The whole place was packed. We estimated that some 5,000 people attended the Charter Day celebrations. It was an excellent turnout,” Propst said.

For the Marianas Idol 3 singing contest, the local counterpart of American Idol, the judges narrowed dozens of participants to just 10 last Friday. On Saturday, organizers selected five participants, who belted their voices out for the first place.

Juannette Villagomez became this year’s Marianas Idol, taking home prizes that included $1,000 in cash courtesy of Pacific Trading Co., an LG 6100 camera cellular phone courtesy of Pacific Telecom, Inc., and a $100-gas certificate from Shell Marianas, Inc.

Parker Yobei bagged 1st Runner Up and took home an electronic dartboard from Sam Electronics, a Nokia 6015 cellphone from PTI, and a $50-gas certificate from Shell. Second runner up winner Tikla Brown took home a cellphone from PTI, while Steven Ku and Tanya Dela Cruz gained recognition for being included in the Top 5.

The celebrations also showcased musical talent of five local bands in the Battle of the Bands competition. Frozen Nipple won the title, taking home $1,000-cash from Pacific Trading. SFX earned 1st Runner Up honors and took home a $250-gift certificate from Cellular Pro, while 2nd Runner Up winner Sound Structure got waterpark and lunch passes from the Saipan World Resort.

The Miss Pugua Beauty Pageant, a spoof pageant that showcased guys acting like women, elicited laughter and fun from the crowd. Ricky Itibus won the pageant, taking home $250 in cash from Pacific Trading and $100-gas certificate from Shell.

NMC also raffled off an X-Box 360 video game player courtesy of PTI and Shell, which went to Keoni Macaranas. Top Guam bands Soul Vibrations and DUB also provided live entertainment Friday and Saturday.

“We are very thankful and appreciative of the community’s support and generous donors,” Propst said. “In spite of the economy, we are still fortunate for having donors.”

Major corporate sponsors included the NMC Foundation, Pacific Trading, and Shell. Other private companies also pooled donations to make the celebrations successful, added Propst.