Pacifica: Going beyond insurance
Helping various causes has always been a part of Pacifica Insurance’s corporate social responsibility as they not only provide reliable insurance products but also demonstrate their commitment to addressing the needs of the community.
Since beginning its operations 50 years ago, Pacific Insurance Underwriters Inc. has partnered with and helped in the survival of non-profit organizations to support their initiatives, whether it be social, educational, or environmental causes.
Pacifica President and CEO Shirley Sablan said the support of businesses like theirs is an important part of pushing the causes being promoted by non-profit organizations like the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, Commonwealth Cancer Association, and Rotary Club of Saipan.
Some of the nonprofits that Pacifica regularly supports are the Joeten Daidai Foundation, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, Northern Marianas Sports Association, Northern Marianas College Foundation, Saipan Fisherman Association, Joeten Kiyu Public Library, Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan Chamber of Commerce, Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Japanese Society of the Northern Marianas, Korean Association of Saipan, Saipan Lions Club, Emon Masonic Lodge, Marianas Outrigger Club, Napu Pacific Paddlers, Stellar Marianas, CNMI Women’s Association, and the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, to name a few.
Some of the events that Pacifica provides funding are the CNMI Disability Sports Festival and Toys for Tots program of the U.S. Marine Corps.
The company also has its own environmental awareness campaign through the Pacifica Go Green, while its Pacifica Art Contest has become an institution in the local art scene, providing a highly accessible medium through which the CNMI’s young artists can put up their works for the public to enjoy. All the winning artworks are then featured in the annual calendar that Pacifica Insurance hands out to welcome the new year. That means the artworks—submitted by CNMI students—may be seen all year-round through Pacifica Insurance’s calendars.
To further widen the audience for the art contest, the company launched this year The PAC Gallery online exhibition to celebrate the 10th year of this annual event. Sablan said the art exhibit has a number of the best artworks that date back to 2014—all of which are in the archives of their online gallery.
“The PAC was designed to support and nurture local talent and the arts in the CNMI, and the PAC Gallery will be an exhibition of talent in the Marianas ready for your entertainment 24/7, 365 days-a-year in the palm of your hands,” said Sablan. “We hope to continue giving our children this platform to tell their stories and share their talent and for educators to have another option to incentivize their pupils to challenge their creativity and help them find the courage and strength to compete in a fair and fun arena.”
The Pacifica Go Green campaign, on the other hand, aims to build environmental stewardship in the CNMI where Pacifica Insurance backs many initiatives to ensure the health and protection of the Earth. In line with this, Pacifica Go Green encourages everyone in the CNMI to support the “Make Earth Your Best Friend” campaign.
In a step toward this goal, Pacifica Insurance recently partnered with Evlution Energy to launch the first electric vehicle charging station in the CNMI, located at the Joeten Center in Susupe. This is fantastic news to those who own or are planning to bring home an electric vehicle. What’s more, charging your EVs will be free until August 2024.
Sablan said this initiative is part of Pacifica Insurance’s 50th anniversary celebration and forms part of their commitment and desire to promote goodwill in the community. Also, this will hopefully encourage CNMI drivers to choose a more environmentally-friendly driving option, she added.
The artwork of Grace Christian Academy 6th grade student En Mei Victoria Huang was the traditional one category winner in last year’s edition of the Pacifica Art Contest.
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The artwork of Saipan Southern High School’s 9thgrade student Yu Rong Jiang was the traditional category two winner in this year’s edition of the Pacifica Art Contest.
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The artwork of Mount Carmel School 11thgrade student Tricia Palacios was the digital category winner in this year’s edition of the Pacifica Art Contest.
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