Ogo recognized for years of services

The Rota Legislative Delegation has recognized Rota’s longtime baseball umpire volunteer Jaoquin M. Ogo for his dedication and devotion in serving the residents of Rota and the CNMI and his lifelong commitment to the community.

Sen. Felix T. Mendiola, Sen. Paterno S. Hocog, Sen. Paul A Manglona, and Rep. Victor B. Hocog presented the 78-year-old Ogo with a commemorative resolution acknowledging his countless hours of volunteer services to the people of Rota.

According to one of his daughter, Natividad O. Barcinas, Ogo contributed much of his time being a volunteer umpire.

“It was just something he loved to do. He did it for the first time in 1958, and since then he’s always volunteered his time to take part in the games,” Barcinas said.

Another one of his daughters, Maria O. Manglona, said that everytime Ogo volunteered his time as an umpire, he promoted sportsmanship, excellent attitude, and fair play.

“Everytime there’s a game, everyone always liked it when he’s the umpire. He made the game fun. On top of that, no one has ever challenged his calls,” Manglona said.

According to the resolution, Ogo is an “avid baseball enthusiast [and] contributed countless hours of his time to assist and volunteer as a baseball umpire.”

One of his granddaughters, Julie Manglona, said Ogo has not umpired a game for almost a year because of his deteriorating health condition. However, he has said a number of times that he would love nothing more than to get up and volunteer again.

Ogo has been diagnosed with cancer of the digestive system.

The Rota Legislative Delegation passed Senate Local Bill 16-02 to name the newly built baseball field in Sinapalo, Rota as the “Jaoquin Mesngon Ogo Baseball Field” in Ogo’s honor.

The Rota delegation stated that they find it fitting to name the baseball field after Ogo in recognition of his contributions to the people of Rota and to the local baseball program.

Ogo began government service from 1965 to 1966 when he worked for the Department of Agriculture. From 1972 to 1984, he served as Rota’s only school bus driver, and from 1965 to 1975 he contributed his time as a baseball umpire. From 1985 to 1991, Ogo worked for former Sen. Benjamin T. Manglona where he provided various assistance and community services.