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Japanese research team visits Rota
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Posted on Sep 18 2000
Five professors from Okinawa’s University of the Ryukyus flew to Rota to conduct their first series of interviews as part of their research work on their ancestors’ migration to the Northern Mariana Islands.
Their first stop was at the new Northern Marianas College Rota campus to hold interviews with the elderly Japanese speaking local residents, the Man Amko, which refers to elderly persons/senior citizens in Chamorro.
The Okinawan professors were very impressed of the Man Amko’s clear memories and recollection of the Japanese administration (Nanyo Era) on Rota. The Man Amko’s recalled and sang various Japanese songs and rhymes. They glowed in joy while entertaining the visiting professors and telling their individual stories. The professors were very grateful for the helpful information shared by the Man Amkos during the interviews.
The Japanese professors interviewed Reynaldo Manglona, Florencia H. Manglona, Rosa Taitano, Victorina Ulloa, Anita Atalig, Florida Barcinas and Maria Ayuyu. In addition, the professors also interviewed Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Cruz Atalig.
In an effort to increase Japanese student enrollment in the CNMI, Rota Campus Administrator Severina Atalig-Ogo encouraged professor Shinzo Shimbabukuro, English translator and spokesperson for the group, to push for the establishment of a sister college relationship with the University of the Ryukyus.
According to Ms. Atalig-Ogo, “we are working with the NMC main campus on Saipan to market and promote NMC students from all over Asia.”
