GOP kick-off gala in style

The Republican powwow at the Civic Center Beach Pavilion Sunday last week riveted the occasion with seamless chain of events and activities.

Kicking off the day’s event was the convoy of precinct-led caravan originating from the main precinct arteries on Saipan. Precincts one and two caravan was launched from Koblerville and headed northbound along beach road while those from precincts three and four converged at Fishing Base across Kristo Rai in Garapan and veered south along the scenic picturesque emerald lagoon and the meandering beach pathway, where the flotilla of motorcades converged at the Guma Hustitia as they headed to the rally site at the Civic Center Park in Susupe.

Minutes on arrival at the kick-off site the day’s event seamlessly took form, beginning with house =keeping announcements on the day’s event by committee official Phil Atalig. As the chairman of entertainment, Atalig drew attention from the young GOP attendees, when he announced the presence of most kids’ favorite balloon clown, “Happy.” Atalig also introduced the Sasamoto group rhythm band as the event’s entertainment.

Solemn reading of the Republican Party Pledge of Allegiance and the GOP Creed then officially opened the day’s powwow. Immediately following the reading of the pledge and creed by two school-aged volunteers, the blessing upon the Republican Party, the United States of America and the Commonwealth was uttered by GOP Ladies chair Carmen C. Cabrera of Gualo Rai, Saipan.

The soprano and high-pitch combo duet by Candy Taman, a candidate himself for the House of Representatives in precinct four on Saipan and Emy Peter, director for Women’s Affairs, electrified the audience in a melodramatic sing-along of the United States and Commonwealth anthems.

Republican stalwart David Mangarero Sablan (“Elias”) Sr. stage appearance as the master of ceremony drew a wide applause when he shared his personal moments at a brief convalescence at the Commonwealth Health Center, wherein the attending physician inquired about his blood type and quickly quipped “Republican.”

Immediately following his poignant moments on stage, the master of ceremonies called for the solemn reading of the GOP pledge and creed. The Republican Party pledge and creed was momentarily followed by the blessing upon the local and national Republican Party, the Commonwealth, and the United States and the singing of the U.S. and CNMI anthem, Republican master of ceremonies David M. Sablan Sr. shifted gears and passed the Republican torch over to Republican Party President Juan “Liling” S. Reyes and the GOP board of directors and central committee officials.

Responding to a call for convention business, the chairman for the committee to re-elect Babauta-Benavente, Rufin Inos, moved to ratify the slate of the 2005 Republican Party candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, resident representative to Washington, D.C., senate, house of representatives and mayoral candidates for the first, second and third senatorial districts respectively, including the mayor of the Northern Islands, Mr. David K. Peter, for the November 5, 2005 CNMI General Election.

Without objection and by a unanimous consent from the membership, president Reyes declared the motion to ratify the 2005 Republican Team of Choice carried and are as follows: Governor: Juan Nekai Babauta, Lieutenant Governor: Diego Tenorio Benavente, and Washington Representative: Pedro Agulto Tenorio for the CNMI-wide race. In the third senatorial district of Saipan for the senate seat are Thomas Pangelinan Villagomez et al.

The Republican Party kick-off rally Sunday also witnessed on stage the election of David M. Sablan Sr. as the Republican Party’s Republican National Committeeman to serve the remaining three-year term in the Republican National Convention.

All current members of the GOP board of directors and officers of the Commonwealth Central Committee were also re-elected: Juan S. Reyes, president; Susana T. Mafnas, first vice president; Juan I. Tenorio, second vice president; Mariano Taitano, secretary; and Lee Delos Santos, treasurer, all to two-year terms. (PR)