SAIWAI recognizes members, sponsors

It’s always better to give than to receive.

The Saipan Walking Association Inc. did just that last Aug. 21 when it recognized members and sponsors on the occasion of its 3rd Annual Foundation and Family Day Walk held along the Saipan Beach Pathway.

Leading the honorees during the awards ceremony, which was held after the walk at the Chamolinian Village, were outstanding members Jun S. Lapeceros, Pedro Vilaga, Tomas Bondoc, Arturo Ancheta, Elsa Rasa, and Antonio Soriano. Each of them received a certificate of recognition, and a pin and a patch from the International Federation of Popular Sports, SAIWAI’s mother organization.

All six members, save for Soriano, work for Duty Free Saipan. Soriano was recognized because of his contributions as a member of MDX Amateur Radio Club.

In addition, Team DFS also got an award for completing more than 150 kilometers. SAIWAI secretary Mario Espeleta said the team is also due to receive an award for completing 300 kilometers.

SAIWAI also acknowledged families that have become fixtures of the local walking body’s activities. Outstanding families that were recognized were the Race and Kimura families. Incidentally, Gresil, Paila and Jun Race and Kensuke and Shin Kimura are all members of SAIWAI’s Youth Walkers Club.

Sponsors also got to share the stage during the awards ceremony. SAIWAI supporters that were given certificates of appreciation were Mobil Oil Marianas, DFS Galleria, Verizon, Coca-Cola, Pacific Islands Club, Mandara Spa, Herman’s Modern Bakery, Tan Holdings Corp., Bank of Hawaii, MDX Amateur Radio Club, Midway Motors, Pacifica Insurance, Joanna’s Transportation Service, and Island Apparel Inc.

“There are more than 100 members already, and we expect to grow more with each passing event. Anybody is welcome to join us. Hats off to our generous sponsors. SAIWAI does not get funding and relies solely on the donations and solicitations from private companies. The proceeds of the events go back to the community, like the ‘Walk for Life’ cancer event last March,” said SAIWAI president Jesus Guerrero.

A total of 43 walkers participated in the 2004 Foundation and Family Day Walk. Espeleta said SAIWAI was expecting a bigger turnout but the threat of rain reduced the final number.

“We were very lucky supertyphoon Chaba failed to stop us. If not for the emerging threat we could have gotten more participants. In fact nine of my contacts failed to show up,” he said.

Like all SAIWAI activities, the International Federation of Popular Sports or IVV sanctioned the 3rd Annual Foundation and Family Day Walk.

IVV members received credit for joining the event. The IVV has member-walking clubs in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Nepal, Australia, New Zealand, the CNMI and 29 other European countries.

Other walking events SAIWAI has slated for the rest of the year are the Heart of the Marianas Fitness Fair Walk on Sept. 25, the 4th Annual Thanksgiving Day Walk on Nov. 20, and Walk in the Marianas on Dec. 18

SAIWAI was incorporated as a non-profit corporation on July 27, 2001 and was established to promote public health through non-competitive walking.

For more information n SAIWAI events, contact Bea at 322-2725 or Mario at 322-8876.