UFO stages another successful ‘Paskong Pinoy’

The traditional Filipino Christmas celebration, “Paskong Pinoy,” last Sunday at the Marianas Business Plaza’s parking grounds in Susupe, provided a whole day of fun-filled activities that highlighted the Filipino community’s Christmas celebration in the CNMI.

Ruel Nava won first place in the on-the-spot lantern making contest, followed by Extreme 670, who won second place, and Carlito Pabilando Jr., who won third place.

In the Christmas caroling contest, the Green Meadow School Falcons won by default, while Extreme Fitness 670 won the adult dance contest, also by default.

The highlight of “Pistang Pinoy” was the Kwarta o Kahon game show, where contestants had to individually guess and choose a lucky box, whether it contains cash or in-kind prize. After the elimination round, only one contestant was able to play, Annibelle Lopena. She did not win the $500 jackpot but got the gift certificate worth $50 from Jet Holding Co. The event’s organizer, United Filipino Organizations, decided to raffle the jackpot into $50 each for 10 lucky winners and the rest of the prizes inside the boxes.

The event’s performers and entertainers included Erma Tubera, Princess Nicole Rigua, Roanne Palma, Precy Villafuerte, Villy Pineda, Juliana Kai Ortiz, Angelee Agdoro, Groove Theory, Unshakable Band, GCA Tambourine Group, Shane Sabino, Donnel Isip, Ronilo de Belen, Elmer Belgado, Hapi D’Clown, Fitbeat Familia, Saipan Ballroom Dancers with ZIN JoApple, Sessionista Band, and Micronesian Cultural Club.

The event last Dec. 10, 2023, lasted from 11am to 7pm, beginning with an invocation from Bishop Ryan Jimenez, followed by Lawrence and Justin Tubera singing the Philippine, U.S., and CNMI national anthems.

Acting UFO president Mario Mayuga thanked the sponsors and volunteers for their support. The major sponsors were the TSL Foundation, RNV Construction, and ITE. The rest of the sponsors were Ace Hardware, Athletes Foot, Atkins Kroll Toyota, Auto Marine Inc., Bayani Association, BL Machine Shop, Blossoms Floral Depot, Cargo Express, Celnaps, Century Insurance, Chowtime Restaurant, Coca-Cola, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Hardt Eye Clinic, JG Sablan Water Co., JET Holding Co., Joeten Motor Company, KL Carr, L&M Enterprises, McDonald’s, Marianas Business Plaza, Micronesian Renewable Energy, Natural Nail & Spa, Saipan Ice & Water Co., Saipan Stevedore, Saipan World Resort, Star Water, Tokyo Café, Westco, and Saipan Cubs Alpha Leo Club.

The vendors at the event were Canto 10, Champs Shave Ice, Connie’s BBQ & Catering, JTM Corp., Chelo Shave Ice, Chelo Retail, Tres Marias, and Café Meraki.

UFO is the umbrella group of nine organizations: Bayani Association; Bicol Association; Marianas Association of Filipino Engineers and Architects, or MAFEA; Marianas Institute of Filipino CPA’s & Accountants, or MIFICPA; MDX Radio Group; Northern Marianas Bartenders Association, or NMBA; Saipan Building & Fixing Computers User Group; Sto. Nino Group; and Tau Gamma Phi Treskelion.

The event was hosted by Annamae Adaza and RV Caberos. (PR)