Hundreds endure scorching heat to attend 78th Liberation Day Parade

The local community came out in droves, lined up along Beach Road, and braved the scorching mid-day sun to watch a total of 55 floats and marchers in yesterday’s 78th Liberation Day Parade with this year’s theme “Honoring Memories from the past with Moments of Today.”

Unlike previous Liberation Day parades, yesterday’s was bereft of the clouds and cooler weather with the occasional rain showers Saipan has grown accustomed to during their usual 4th of July celebrations. At least, people’s umbrellas were still utilized—this time as a shield from the debilitating rays of the sun.

The float caravan included the Department of Corrections, in a non-competing part that in a way symbolized an olive branch extended by DOC Commissioner Anthony Torres to the organizers of the Liberation Day Parade.

On Wednesday, Torres went on social media to express his displeasure that DOC’s late entry to the $5,000 float competition was nixed by organizers. His outcry compelled Saipan Mayor Ramon B. “R.B.” Camacho to reiterate that rules are rules, while emphasizing his office’s gratitude for all the help DOC extended in constructing the Liberation Day Parade grandstand at the Garapan Fishing Base.

“I really appreciate you know, the Department of Corrections for participating. I thank him (Torres) so much,” Mayor Camacho later said.

A couple of hours earlier, the 78th Liberation Day Parade began in earnest along Saipan’s newly paved main thoroughfare with a KC-135 Tanker, a refueling aircraft of the U.S. Air Force, flyby at exactly 10am signaling the start.

A motorcade from the Young Gunz opened the parade, with marchers and floats starting at the National Office Supply and reaching the grand stand at 10:28am.

It was followed by the marching of the Department of Public Safety colors, the vehicles of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and first lady Maria “Wella” Palacios, and the Office of the Governor’s entourage, followed by the vehicles of Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang and Superior Cour Presiding Judge Robert Naraja.

Saipan Mayor Ramon B. “RB” Camacho, Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog, Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan, Northern Islands Mayor Velentino N. Taisacan—a group that deem themselves Unified Mayors—and former Mayor Jose “Pitu” Sablan came nexy and all rode golf carts as their vehicles of choice in the parade.

Pedro JL Igitol, grand marshal in a red Mustang convertible, followed after the golf carts. He was followed by the beauty queens—Liberation Queen from 2019 to 23—Pernalynn Janet Borja Camacho, Miss Marianas Savannah Delos Santos, Miss Earth Jan Zowie, and newly crowned 2024 Liberation Queen Xeayda Manglona with the princess and first runner-up on the Royal Court’s float.

The 2024 Liberation Day chair and vice chair Delbert Pua and Edmond Borja came after the beauty queens on their vehicles.

A group of military officials made up of Guam Army National Guards, United States Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, United States Marine Corps, sailors from the USCGC Oliver Henry and USS Rafael Peralta, CNMI PSS JROTC, Western Maritime, and CNMI Medical Reserve Corps Unit came up next.

“Today a lot of military marching. You know, different branches of the military, and a lot of people… there’s a lot of participation in the parade,” said Mayor Camacho.

Other groups and organizations that marched and rode vehicles during the parade were the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ, Saipan Awaodori Team, Japanese Society of NMI, Lions Clubs International District 2024 Region 2, United Filipino Organization, CNMI Martial Arts Academy, Korean Association, Tamoni Ministries Inc., Victory Chapel, Chinese Association of Saipan, Bangladesh Cultural Group, Car Clubs: Elusive, Down2Ride, Stance Garage, Low District, American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, American Memorial Park, Saipan Falun Dafa Association, Saipan Fishermen’s Association, Herman’s Modern Bakery, The Fraternal Order of Eagles (Philippine Eagles) Marianas Eagles, and Marianas Lady Eagles Club.

The competing floats (non-profit) were The Fraternal Order of Eagles (Philippine Eagles) Saipan Magalahi, Eagles Club, Carabao Cart, Highlands Lawn Care, Petlas Marianas and Cab Dancers. Government floats that competed were Office of Aging and the Rota Mayor’s Office. Nippon Dommanaka Matsuri (PDI) also joined the parade as a non-competing float.

The parade ended at 12:45pm with the announcement of the float winners and a grand fireworks display scheduled during the concluding event of the month-long 78th Liberation Day festivities last night.

Saipan’s Liberation Day commemorates the permanent closure of civilian internment camps at the end of World War II on July 4, 1946.