{"id":404787,"date":"2024-01-12T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-12T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=404787"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"A-contest-that-turns-children-s-wishes-into-reality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/A-contest-that-turns-children-s-wishes-into-reality\/","title":{"rendered":"A contest that turns children’s wishes into reality"},"content":{"rendered":"

For Christmas last year, 200 children from 12 different schools all over the CNMI wrote down the gifts they wished for the holidays, and why they wanted them. Aside from picking the winners of the best drawings for the contest, Saipan Tribune<\/em> wanted to make this a special kind of Christmas for many children by granting their wishes in this most special time of the year.<\/p>\n

Aside from many companies and generous sponsors, the employees and executives of TanHoldings also took part and randomly picked entries and opened their own pockets to try to fulfill what the children were wishing for Christmas. The overarching goal of Saipan Tribune<\/em> was to make the children happy and to grant as many wishes as possible.<\/p>\n

The participating children, with ages ranging from 6 to 12 years old, wrote down all kinds of wishes. There were simple ones like a snow globe, puzzles, books, toy dolls, and Hot Wheels. There were also expensive ones such as dirt bikes, rollerblades, drones, Air Jordan shoes, phones, hoverboards, VR headsets, and the like. There were also whimsical wishes for a panda, a polar bear, and a rock to have as pets, or for it to snow on Saipan, as wished by both Ajun Jang, 7, and Yoonmin Cho, 9 from Saipan International School.<\/p>\n

One of the touching wishes was from Jarl Marcin Lim Mabaquiao from Green Meadow School, who drew a picture of his family and wrote, \u201cI wish to spend time with family because family is one of the most important thing and every second spent with family is worth it.\u201d It touched the heart of an employee who gave cash so the family could eat out together for the holidays.<\/p>\n

Mikko Soriano, 8, from Northern Marianas International School, wished for his mother to come back. \u201cMy mom had to go to the Philippines and I miss her so much. The only present I want this year is her presence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many people were moved by Chastity Jewel Rongcal, 7, from William S. Reyes Elementary School because of her illustration depicting her family but without her father. She wrote: \u201cI love my daddy very much. He went back to the Philippines last Sept. 25 and I miss him very much. The best present and my wish this Christmas is for us to be all together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maria Enriquez of Hopwood Middle School had her heart on a trip to the Philippines. \u201cMany kids would wish for an iPhone or a PS5, but I wish for a trip to the Philippines to celebrate the joy with all my cousins and family members. Mainly because of my great grandma, I would like to make all joyful memories with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lea Palacios of Hopwood Middle School and Revalanynn Mality of Oleia Elementary have one thing in common: they both wished for a puppy. Mality wrote, \u201cFor Christmas, my biggest wish is to have a puppy! I want one because having a furry friend would be so much fun. A puppy is my Christmas dream come true!\u201d<\/p>\n

Precious Zhyra Lozano of Oleai Elementary School wished for a house and a new car for her family. She wrote, \u201cThe reason I wish for these two is because it\u2019s my mom\u2019s dream to have our own house to live in. Even if my mom doesn\u2019t get her dream now, hopefully in the future, she can get it if we save enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Soriano, Rongcal, Enriquez, Palacios, Mality, and Lozano were all given gift certificates from the TSL Foundation and Chowtime.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would want a Pikachu plush for Christmas because I am a big fan of Pikachu, and this will be my first Pokemon plush,\u201d said Jackie Gao from Hopwood Middle School. Sheryl Concepcion, of Century Insurance generously bought him the biggest Pikachu plushie she could find to grant him his wish.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want Takis,\u201d another student stated while drawing a bag of the spicy snack. \u201cbecause it is my favorite chips and I haven\u2019t eaten it in a long time.\u201d This wish was granted by a TSL Foundation executive who has granted two more wishes from two other children but asked to remain anonymous.<\/p>\n

Sarin Yosie Gechig Ilo drew a toy pony and wrote, \u201cMy Christmas wish is for a toy pony because they bring me so much joy, and I love ponies. They\u2019re my absolute favorite! Having a toy pony would make my holidays extra special and full of happiness.\u201d Her wish was granted by Angelica Mia Carreon of TanHoldings, who happens to love My Little Pony characters as well.<\/p>\n

Anthony Deleon Guerrero and Paige Melanee Palacious Monkeya were among those who wished for a volleyball for Christmas. According to Monkeya, \u201cI want a volleyball because I like to play volleyball and I\u2019m good at it.\u201d Ferdinand Tagabuel of Hopwood wanted a basketball, while Jiro Quindoza, a soccer ball. Each of these children got the sports balls that they were wishing for.<\/p>\n

Britney Mano, 11 of Hopwood Middle School drew several wishes but it was her wish for a crochet kit that caught the eye of Michaela Lala Carreon of Century Insurance who enjoys crocheting herself.<\/p>\n

Mario Sedanza Jr., a sixth grade student of Hopwood Middle School, wished for snacks like Pringles and chocolates. Jeremy Maximo of RMS was happy to oblige.<\/p>\n

A new arrival to the island, Alexine Kiesha V. Dellomos, 9, of Oleai Elementary School, got a taste of Saipan hospitality when her drawing of Kuromi got picked by Abby Das of Century Insurance. She said, \u201cI want it for Christmas because it has the memory of my classmates from the Philippines.\u201d Das went on to give another Kuromi plushy, bag, and accessories to Diane Desiree Merjilla, 11, from Hopwood Middle School who had been wanting it for the whole year.<\/p>\n

Lee, Seungwoo, 10, from Saipan Community School, drew a colorful illustration of himself with a box full of soccer jerseys. \u201cWhat I wish for Christmas is a soccer jersey because I want to become a soccer player.\u201d His wish was granted by Saipan Soccer School coach Christy Villaflor, who gave him not one but two soccer jerseys.<\/p>\n

All Zoe Muna wanted for Christmas was a teddy bear. She wrote, \u201cWhen I can\u2019t sleep, I can just hug it until I fall asleep.\u201d Alayna Laniyo, on the other hand, wished for a drawing book. \u201cI want a drawing book for Christmas because I want to be an artist.\u201d Muna and Laniyo\u2019s wishes were happily granted by an employee of Saipan Tribune.<\/p>\n

Roxy Marleina Gabionza from Hopwood Middle School wanted plane tickets to Texas to see her brother. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen my brother in person for a long time and I really miss him. I haven\u2019t seen him in three years or more.\u201d Gabionza got a gift certificate from the TSL Foundation.<\/p>\n

Donors<\/p>\n

Saipan Tribune<\/em> sales associate Christine Hayag, was among those who went out of their way to grant some of the wishes. Hayag gifted pens, colors, and crayons to two children who wished for drawing materials for Christmas. \u201cI wanted to make the kids happy because not everyone is privileged enough to receive the gift they want for Christmas.\u201d The matching sketch pads that went with those sets were gifted by Saipan Tribune head accountant Magie Chavez who said she felt the real spirit of Christmas in the air during the gift-giving.<\/p>\n

Abby Das of Century Insurance also felt nice about granting some children\u2019s wishes. \u201cI believe in giving back to the community, especially to the kids. I chose to give Kuromi [because] I love it and since I don\u2019t have a daughter to spoil, here\u2019s my chance to spoil other people\u2019s daughters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI appreciated what Saipan Tribune<\/em> did for the children on Christmas,\u201d said Carrreon of TanHoldings. \u201cFor me, it\u2019s really nice because I have a kid of my own and she is happy when she receives gifts and so when I was given the opportunity to make other children happy, I did it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cathy Attao of L&T reflects, \u201cChristmas is all about celebrating the spirit of joy, as our savior has been born. In view of the beautiful drawings and reading some of the Christmas wishes, I felt so inclined to support and participate because many of their drawings and wishes were so touching.\u201d She added, \u201cThrough their artwork, I can see the beauty within their hearts. It was an honor to be a participant and be able to grant some wishes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Community Choice Award<\/p>\n

After the initial awarding of the main winners, Saipan Tribune<\/em> launched the voting on their Facebook page for the Community Choice Awards on Dec. 28, 2023, until Jan. 10, 2024. The Community Choice award winner is Precious Zhyra Lozano. Consolation prizes go to Colin Lilles, Mikko Soriano, Mark Eron Ezekiel Abu, Jiro Quindoza, and Eldrich Jewel Armia. Winners won gift certificates from Kyokushinkai Karate and\/or Shirley\u2019s Coffee Shop, courtesy of the TSL Foundation.<\/p>\n

Saipan Tribune<\/em> would like to extend its warmest thanks to the management and staff Judy Mendieta, Mark Rabago, Magie Chavez, Jose Roberto Aguilar, Nhorleen Bitco-Lilles, Rosalie Mangalubnan, and Christine Hayag; To L&T\u2019s Cathy Attao Toves, Elna Curate, and Kenneth Reyes; Sheryl Concepcion, Michaella Lala Carreon, Abi Das, Ana Licop, Christian de Jose and Beth Janeo of Century Insurance; Noel Conti, Jeremy Maximo, Arriane Antonio, and Christian Bravo of Realty Management Services; Christy Villaflor and Irish Pagarao of Saipan Soccer School; Raymond Zapanta of TSL Foundation; Nathaniel Angeles, Aldrich Delos Santos, Angelo Cristobal, Angelica Mia Carreon of TanHoldings and many other donors who wish to remain anonymous.<\/p>\n

The art contest and this gift-giving venture wouldn\u2019t have been possible without generous sponsors: TanHoldings Corp. and its philanthropic arm, the Tan Siu Lin Foundation; Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, E-Land, Century Insurance Co. Ltd, McDonald\u2019s, P&A Community Corp.-International Roller Skates, Brabu Pharmacy, Chowtime, Saipan Mayor\u2019s Office and Mayor Ramon \u201cRB\u201d Camacho, Saipan Shipping, Kyokushinkai Karate, CTSI Logistics, Old Spice, D&Q, Jet Holdings Co., RNV Construction, Lollipops, Girl Talk, and Bridge Capital.<\/p>\n

While not everyone received their exact requests, every participant who made a wish received something, thanks to the generous hearts and contributions of numerous individuals and companies involved. The sheer joy and excitement in the children\u2019s faces as they received their gifts made this endeavor truly fulfilling. There is magic in Christmas indeed.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Jackie Gao of Hopwood Middle School poses for a photo as he receives his wish for a Pikachu plushie at the Saipan Tribune<\/em> office. The plushie was sponsored by Sheryl Concepcion of Century Insurance. Gao is one of the children who got their wishes granted by the What I Wish for Christmas Drawing Contest.<\/p>\n

-RAY ZAPANTA
<\/figcaption><\/figure>

<\/p>\n

Alexine Kiesha Dellomos of Oleia Elementary School is looking happy with her gift of Kuromi bag, plushie, and accessories from Abby Das of Century Insurance. Dellomos is one of the children who got their wishes granted by the What I Wish for Christmas Drawing Contest.<\/p>\n

-RAY ZAPANTA
<\/figcaption><\/figure>

<\/p>\n

Precious Zhyra Lozano of Oleai Elementary School smile for a photo with her artwork, certificate of recognition as the Community Choice Award winner, and prizes at the Saipan Tribune<\/em> office. Lozano\u2019s drawing garnered a total of 675 votes.<\/p>\n

-NHORLEEN BITCO-LILLES
<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For Christmas last year, 200 children from 12 different schools all over the CNMI wrote…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-404787","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-local-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/404787","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\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=404787"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/404787\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=404787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=404787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=404787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}