WELCOME TO THE ISLANDS: Saipan was host to the first tri-annual meeting for 2016 of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Micronesia Chapter from March 30 to April 1. On Friday, Best Sunshine International, Ltd. with the endorsement of Marianas Visitors Authority, welcomed the region’s travel and tourism leaders with a conference and tour of the investment giant’s current and future developments. Among the PATA delegates in this photo are, seated from left to right, Guam Senator Tina Muna Barnes, chairwoman of Committee on Municipal Affairs, Tourism, Housing and Historic Recreation; Best Sunshine International majority shareholder Margaret Cui Lijie; and Guam Visitors Bureau director of Global Marketing and chair of PATA Micronesia Chapter Pilar Laguana. Also in photo is PATA treasurer and MVA deputy managing director Judy Torres, standing, second left.(Contributed Photo)
WELCOME TO THE ISLANDS: Saipan was host to the first tri-annual meeting for 2016 of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Micronesia Chapter from March 30 to April 1. On Friday, Best Sunshine International, Ltd. with the endorsement of Marianas Visitors Authority, welcomed the region’s travel and tourism leaders with a conference and tour of the investment giant’s current and future developments. Among the PATA delegates in this photo are, seated from left to right, Guam Senator Tina Muna Barnes, chairwoman of Committee on Municipal Affairs, Tourism, Housing and Historic Recreation; Best Sunshine International majority shareholder Margaret Cui Lijie; and Guam Visitors Bureau director of Global Marketing and chair of PATA Micronesia Chapter Pilar Laguana. Also in photo is PATA treasurer and MVA deputy managing director Judy Torres, standing, second left.(Contributed Photo)
BOOT DRIVE: Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services firefighters and cadets held a boot drive on Thursday in the San Jose intersection in support of the relief for Fiji after Cycle Winston’s destruction. (Ferdie Dela Torre)
DELA CRUZ SUPPORTS MMAC: Dr. Ignacio Dela Cruz, D.V.M, second right, and his family once again threw their support to this year’s Marianas March Against Cancer. MMAC president Geri Dela Cruz, second right, receives the check along with MMAC members and Commonwealth Cancer Association officials. (Jon Perez)
BSI SUPPORTS FESTPAC: The staging of the world-class Festival of Pacific Arts or FESTPAC from May 22 to June 4 this year is widely anticipated by the region. Best Sunshine International, Ltd. is supporting this event that will be participated in by 27 island nations across the Pacific in what is dubbed as the Olympics of the Pacific Arts. In this photo, Corporate Social Responsibility directors Rita Chong and Geri Dela Cruz presented FESTPAC its support through co-program coordinator and CNMI Arts Council executive director Angel S. Hocog, who was also joined by Gloria Tebuteb, Carolinian Dance Group dancer; Feofaaki McMahon, FESTPAC treasurer; Frances Sablan, FESTPAC co-program coordinator; Parker Yobei, FESTPAC co-chairman for logistics committee; Jo-Ann Ythemar, Carolinian Dance Group dancer; and Margaret Muna, FESTPAC treasurer. (Contributed Photo)
MALLARDS MATH COURT TEAM
The Garapan Elementary School Math Court Team is preparing for the Regional competition on April 16 at William S. Reyes Elementary School. The school’s 4th grade regional team is made up of Abigail Alovera, Javan Mendez, Jeroen Montenejo, Christine Retirado, Raja Sevugan, and Ashley Muleta. Rob Epley is the 4th grade teacher and coach. (Contributed Photo)
JROTC 100TH ANNIVERSARY FUN RUN
To commemorate the 100th year anniversary of the JROTC Program, the Manta Ray Battalion cadets and volunteers of Saipan Southern High School held a 5K Fun Run last Saturday, April 16, from 8am to 10am. The route was from the school to the field past Coral Ocean Point and then back to Saipan Southern High School. Over 90 cadets and volunteers came to participate in the run or helped pass out water and fruits to the runners. (Contributed Photo)
BSI SUPPORTS NMC FOUNDATION
Best Sunshine International, Ltd. is supporting NMC Foundation’s needs like resources and funding for student programs, campus revitalization projects, and potential financial assistance for students in need. In this photo: From left, BSI Corporate Social Responsibility directors Geri Dela Cruz and Rita Chong, BSI chief executive officer Mark Brown, NMC Foundation president Mary Tenorio, NMC Foundation executive director James Glenn, and ASNMC president Kaisuke Yoshida. During the check donation ceremony, Tenorio said “The NMC foundation is extremely grateful for Best Sunshine for their donation. The funds are going toward the new facilities and resources for the college. After Typhoon Soudelor, a lot of the buildings got damaged. So this would really help. That’s our main goal for this year—to raise enough money to rebuild, repair, and improve.” (Contributed Photo)
GOING GREEN
Green Meadow School administration expressed their gratitude to the Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research Extension and Education Service staff that came and unselfishly offered their time and resources in teaching the students how to be eco-friendly and at the same time have a future source of income if they decide to make a business out of it. Photo shows GMS students, faculty, and NMC-CREES staff posing for a photo. (Contributed Photo)
FALCONS SOAR AT PGFC
The Green Meadow School Falcons emerged as winners of most of the events in the recently concluded Regional of the Primary Grade Forensic Competition held at Grace Christian Academy last March 19. GMS administration, teachers, and staff wish to thank and congratulate the students for the tremendous effort exerted by each participant as they battle against other students.
(Contributed Photo)
NEW H2O METERS: Over 2,000 new water meters arrived for the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. as they continue with their meter change out program expected to be complete in five weeks. In the photo are Water Division operations supervisor Bernard Kermius, technician Elizabeth Blas, and water meter supervisor Glenn Dikito. (Frauleine Villanueva-Dizon)
