{"id":229785,"date":"2016-06-13T06:00:41","date_gmt":"2016-06-12T20:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=229785"},"modified":"2016-06-13T06:00:41","modified_gmt":"2016-06-12T20:00:41","slug":"nmi-ph-shared-heritage-shared-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/nmi-ph-shared-heritage-shared-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"NMI, PH: Shared heritage, shared culture"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-229785 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/nmi-ph-shared-heritage-shared-culture\/ph-pix-1\/'>PH-pix-1<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-229803'>\n\t\t\t\tPhilippine Sen. Juan Edgardo \u201cSonny\u201d Angara speaks during last Friday\u2019s Vin d\u2019honneur and gala dinner at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort &amp; Spa. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/nmi-ph-shared-heritage-shared-culture\/ph-pix-2\/'>PH-pix-2<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-229804'>\n\t\t\t\tHonorary consul of the Philippines to the CNMI Glicerio \u201cEli\u201d Arago delivers his welcome remarks in the Vin d\u2019honneur and gala dinner held last Friday at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort &amp; Spa. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/nmi-ph-shared-heritage-shared-culture\/ph-pix-3\/'>PH-pix-3<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-229805'>\n\t\t\t\tPhilippine Sen. Sonny Angara, right, and Philippine honorary consul to the CNMI Eli Arago enjoy last Saturday\u2019s Super Sea Reyna transgender pageant at the World Resort\u2019s Royal Taga Hall.\n(Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/nmi-ph-shared-heritage-shared-culture\/ph-pix-4\/'>PH-pix-4<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-229806'>\n\t\t\t\tUnited Filipino Organization members show the traditional Filipino formal attire barong and terno in yesterday\u2019s flag raising ceremony to commemorate the 118th celebration of the Philippine Independence Day at the Kanoa Resort.      \t\t           (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/nmi-ph-shared-heritage-shared-culture\/ph-pix-5\/'>PH-pix-5<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-229807'>\n\t\t\t\tOfficers and members of Emon Lodge 179 of the CNMI Free and Accepted Masons prepare to hoist the Philippine flag.  (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/nmi-ph-shared-heritage-shared-culture\/ph-pix-6\/'>PH-pix-6<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-229808'>\n\t\t\t\tCNMI Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog, second right, Philippine Senator Sonny Angara, Rep. Edmund Villagomez, right, and Diocese of Chalan Kanoa Apostolic Administrator Rev. Fr. Ryan Jimenez wait for the program to start.  (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/nmi-ph-shared-heritage-shared-culture\/ph-pix-7\/'>PH-pix-7<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-229809'>\n\t\t\t\tThe Philippine flag flies high after yesterday\u2019s ceremony commemorating the 118th Independence Day of Asia\u2019s first republic. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/nmi-ph-shared-heritage-shared-culture\/ph-pix-8\/'>PH-pix-8<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-229810'>\n\t\t\t\tRev. Fr. Ryan Jimenez leads the prayer. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/nmi-ph-shared-heritage-shared-culture\/ph-pix-9\/'>PH-pix-9<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-229811'>\n\t\t\t\tUnited Filipino Organization president Bong Malasarte addresses everyone gathered at the Seaside Hall of the Kanoa Resort. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/nmi-ph-shared-heritage-shared-culture\/ph-pix-10\/'>PH-pix-10<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-229812'>\n\t\t\t\tLt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog, left, and Philippines honorary consul to the CNMI Eli Arago cut the cake symbolizing the long-standing friendship of the CNMI and the Philippines as UFO president Bong Malasarte, back from left, Rev. Fr. Ryan Jimenez, Sen. Sonny Angara, and Rep. Edmund Villagomez look on. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/nmi-ph-shared-heritage-shared-culture\/ph-pix-11\/'>PH-pix-11<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-229813'>\n\t\t\t\tGreen Meadows School students have their picture taken with Sen. Sonny Angara in yesterday\u2019s Pistang Pinoy at the Marianas Business Plaza. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/nmi-ph-shared-heritage-shared-culture\/ph-pix-12\/'>PH-pix-12<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-229814'>\n\t\t\t\tThe Nearby Band of Keynotes Music School performs in yesterday\u2019s Pistang Pinoy. (Jon Perez)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>The Philippines and the CNMI renewed their long-standing friendship with Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog and honorary consul of the Philippines to the CNMI Glicerio \u201cEli\u201d Arago leading the proclamation signing yesterday at the Seaside Hall of the Kanoa Resort.<\/p>\n<p>Philippine Senator Juan Edgardo \u201cSonny\u201d Angara and Rep. Edmund Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) witnessed the proclamation signing that was attended by Tan Holdings chief executive officer and president Jerry Tan and officers and members of the United Filipino Organization and their umbrella groups.<\/p>\n<p>Hocog, in his remarks, said the CNMI joins the Filipino community in the Commonwealth in celebrating the 118th year of independence of Asia\u2019s first democratic nation. He added that both share a lot of things even in food where the CNMI people learned to get accustomed to eating Filipino foods adobo, dinuguan, and sinigang.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo matter where you are, you can feel and celebrate regardless of the distance,\u201d said Hocog. \u201cWe share a heritage that we all embrace and taken to heart. Think of our ancestors every time in order not to lose that heritage and traditions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He also acknowledged the important role that Filipinos, in all sectors of the community, played in helping build the CNMI today. \u201cIt would be very difficult to see where and what we are today without all the Filipinos. We should value togetherness. We can make things happen by working together.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese are professionals in the nursing, laboratory, media, engineering, and businesses, and those who are in the hotel and construction fields. There\u2019s also integration of families where some married Chamorros and Carolinians,\u201d Hocog added.<\/p>\n<p>Angara, in his speech, said the CNMI and the Philippines have a lot of things in common. \u201cWe share a heritage and history. We are like brothers and sisters since we have the same parents in Spain.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He added that June 12 has been an important date for Filipinos since in 1898 the flag was raised for the first time declaring the country\u2019s independence from Spain. \u201cFilipino heroes, back then, believed that all should be equal and fought for liberty and freedom that we enjoy today.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Arago, on the other hand, said June 12 should be the day that Filipinos honor all the men and women who fought for the freedom that the Philippines enjoy today. \u201cLet it be an inspiration to others. Learning to be living and being united as one community, then we can appreciate each other and value what we do.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Philippine Independence Day messages of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, Department of Foreign Affairs Sec. Jose Rene Almendras, U.S. Ambassador of the Philippines Jose L. Cuisia Jr., and Guam Consul General Marciano De Borja were read by various heads of member groups of the United Filipino Organization.<\/p>\n<p>Angara arrived last Friday morning and paid a courtesy visit to then acting governor Hocog and the Legislature in Capital Hill. He also attended the Vin d\u2019honneur and Gala dinner hosted by Arago at the Fiesta Resort &amp; Spa\u2019s Hibiscu Hall.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pistang Pinoy<\/strong><br \/>\nAngara was also the special guest of the UFO\u2019s Pistang Pinoy at the Marianas Business Plaza where UFO president Bong Malasarte thanked Tan for bringing the Filipino lawmaker to Saipan.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis won\u2019t be made possible without Mr. Tan\u2019s help. At least, senator Angara heard what are the concerns of our fellow Filipinos. His presence made the Philippine Independence Day celebration more interesting,\u201d said Malasarte.<\/p>\n<p>He then thanked all sponsors for supporting them throughout the years and all UFO officers, members, and umbrella organizations of the decades-old group. \u201cThis won\u2019t be made successful without all the help and united front of many groups and individuals. Seeing our countrymen enjoying the festivities make it all worthwhile.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Filipino folk dances performed by students of Green Meadows School, and songs by Keynotes Music School where some of the entertainment yesterday. Games and other events were also held, while various items were sold like clothes and gadgets.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Philippines and the CNMI renewed their long-standing friendship with Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":229803,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[26,5396,63,1723],"class_list":["post-229785","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-news","tag-cnmi","tag-philippine-independence-day","tag-philippines","tag-ufo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229785","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/48"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=229785"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229785\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/229803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=229785"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=229785"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=229785"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}