Celebrating a trinity of taotao Tinian Patricks
I’d like to give a shout out to three of my former students named Patrick who have served and continue to serve the CNMI public: Patrick H. San Nicolas, current member of CNMI House of Representatives; Joey Patrick San Nicolas, former attorney general and mayor of Tinian; and Patrick A. Manglona, a U.S. military veteran and former member of the Tinian Municipal Council. I’m very proud of them and all their respective families.
The word “duendes” is used in Spanish and Chamorro languages. English speakers use the Irish Gaelic word “leprechaun,” which has the same meaning. A “shanachie” is a teller of old tales and legends. “May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future” is an old Irish blessing.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to todu taotao CNMI. Si Pepe.
St. Patrick’s Day
Duendes Dance from Dublin to Dandan
Leprechauns are loose all over the place
From the Marianas Trench to outer space
From downtown Agana to Adelup duendes
dance a fairy loop, leprechauns know the scoop
on Luta from Wedding Cake Mountain to
Sinapalu guaha binada an man dana todu
From Tinian’s Magpo Heights to Marpo Valley
guaha katdon pika yan bula donne sali
From Saipan villages Gualo Rai to Garapan
plenty kim chi, bifstek and stir fry in the pan
from Susupe’s long beach over to San Vicente
adobo and tinola you will find more than plenty
on Naftan Rock sits Joey Pepe Batbon Connolly
a fat old duendes/leprechaun shanachie wannabe.
Joey aka “Pepe Batbon” Connolly is a retired educator who taught in the CNMI, NOLA, and LVNV. He is the Poet Laureate of Tinian and enjoys stargazing.
