Garapan mall is ‘Paseo de Marianas’

The newly completed pedestrian mall in Garapan is now called Paseo de Marianas—the name supplied by a 15-year-old Marianas High School student and a Saipan Tribune graphic artist who emerged as winners in a recently concluded name-a-mall and design-a-logo contest.

“We’re happy to announce that we have now a name for our pedestrian mall. From now on, it’s called Paseo de Marianas,” said Gov. Juan N. Babauta in a press conference yesterday afternoon, where he presented the winning tandem of MHS student Kevin Flores and Saipan Tribune graphic artist Crispin “Jun” Dayao.

In an interview, Kevin said the name can be loosely translated to mean “Strolling the Marianas.”

“It’s a place where people can just walk around, relax, and enjoy time together. It’s a place where we can show our tourists our culture and the talents of local craftsmen and artists,” he said.

Kevin, a sophomore student at MHS, said he consulted his mother, Terri Flores, in coming up with the contest name.

“She’s my adviser,” he said.

Kevin said he was very excited when he learned that he actually won the contest.

“I couldn’t believe! Then I was later told that they [Governor’s Office] called my school to allow me to be absent today so I could be here. So I felt it’s real,” he said.

Jun Dayao, meantime, said that he designed the logo based on his interpretation of the name, giving more emphasis on what “Marianas” means to him—ocean, trees, sun, and the islands.

“It’s a tropical setting showing the three main islands: Saipan, Tinian, and Rota plus the ocean, palm trees, and the sun,” he said.

Jun, 35, who has been working for the Tribune for nine years now, used to be an illustrator for the Philippine Airlines’ in-flight magazine, Mabuhay. He has several published works—book illustrations and artworks—and paintings that have been exhibited at the Ayala Center in Manila.

He said he designed the winning entry for about an hour.

The tandem, who are neighbors in Finasisu, said they submitted the entry on the last day of submission which was Aug. 2.

“I didn’t really expect to win. When I got a call telling me it’s the top choice, I said, ‘Wow!’ I’m so happy,” he said.

Members of the five-member panel of judges yesterday said that all 11finalists were “aesthetically pleasant and professionally done.”

What makes the winning entry unique, they said, is that it captures the Marianas spirit, reflected in the presence of the islands, oceans, trees, and the sun.

“We wanted a logo that’s simple, not so busy. Something you’d truly remember. Paseo, which means to take a stroll, captures the essence of the place and Marianas as shown in the design is consistent with our marketing efforts. In choosing it, we take into consideration its recall with the international market,” said Marian Aldan Pierce, one of the judges.

Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Alex Sablan said it was “a challenging decision” and the whole process showed “how extremely talented the pool of artists we have here.”

The other entry finalists were: The Chamolinian Mall, Paradise Island Mall, Garapan Center, Paradise Promenade, Puntan Muchot, The Promenade, Paseo Court, Garapan Plaza, Paradise Rainbow Mall, and Pacific Paradise Mall.

The judges said these entries were submitted by students and professionals alike.

The judges said the selection process was gratifying, citing for instance that some entries such as the Puntan Muchot (Pouting Point) presented a well-research piece. According to the entry, the particular area where the pedestrian mall is located was originally called Puntan Muchot .

The judges included Aldan-Pierce of the Strategic Economic Development Council, Motoyuki Osawa of the Japan-Saipan Travel Association, Sablan of SCC, Jean Sablan of Pacific Gardenia Hotel, and Vicky Benavente of the Marianas Visitors Authority.

The contest’s prize worth $1,000 was courtesy of the Tournament of Champions.

“We acknowledge the great role of the Tournament of Champions, which had its fundraising to be able to help us with this contest,” said Babauta.