Young ProfessionalsA group that’s already making headlines

Happy 2014 from Beach Road Magazine and friends

New Year’s Resolutions

Readers share their lists

Beach Road Magazine, January 2014. Entire contents copyrighted 2014 by Glimpses of Saipan, Inc. Beach Road Magazine is published monthly by Glimpses of Saipan, Inc. P.O. Box 502080, Saipan, MP 96950 • 2/F Transpac Business Center Gualo Rai, Saipan • Tel: (670) 235-7645 • Fax: (670) 234-1801 • E-mail: saipan@glimpsesofguam.com. All rights reserved. No material may be printed in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher.

PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita

ASSISTANT EDITOR Jacqueline Perry Guzman

CREATIVE/PRODUCTION MANAGER Taliea Strohmeyer

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Rosanna Dacanay

SENIOR DESIGNER Vikki Fong

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Conrad Calma Jr.

SALES MANAGER Annie San Nicolas

ACCOUNT MANAGER Minda Castro

MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong

Glimpses Publications includeGuam Business Magazine, Marianas Business Journal,

Beach Road Magazine and R&R Pacific

Cover featureHappy New Year

New Year’s Resolutions

HinemluBetter circulation, better life

CalendarGuide to January

Health & FitnessThe truth about meal replacement shakes

Saipan’s Young Professionals

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About the Cover:Shown in the photo from left are Vicky Benavente, Misako Kamata, Lito Mendoza, Patrick D. Leon Guerrero, Laura Hsiao and Malou Mendoza. The photo was taken at the garden behind Pacific Islands Club’s Seaside Grill Restaurant located on Beach Road, San Antonio.

Photo by: Corey Shadowwayangphotography@gmail.com

January 2014

We’re Online!www.brmsaipan.com

beachroadmagazine

By Thomas Johnson • Photos by Corey Shadow

Happy New Year!

Beach Road Magazine and friends gathered in the gardens of Pacific Islands Club Saipan to set the tone for a Happy New Year. The group didn’t need much persuading to practice for the main event – ringing in 2014 with fireworks and champagne. May 2014 bring all the readers of BRM health, happiness and prosperity.

Present at our cover shoot were (from left on the cover) Vicky Benavente, Misako Kamata, Lito Mendoza, Patrick D. Leon Guerrero, Laura Hsiao and Malou Mendoza. We hope you enjoy reading about them.

4 JANUARY 2014

COVER FEATURE

www.picresorts.com/saipanSAIPANOpen to serve you from 5:30pm 9:30pm.

For reservations, call 237-4126.

GRAND OPENINGon JANUARY 15, 2014!

Experience elegant teppanyaki diningat the Pacific Islands Club Saipan.

Patrick D. Leon Guerrero is the incoming executive director of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce. He has more than 25 years of upper management experience in both the government and private sectors.

He has experience in banking, insurance, construction and engineering related businesses.

He is the former chief of operations for the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation and has institutional knowledge regarding CUC regulations and operations. Leon Guerrero continues to conduct research and opportunities to reduce the islands dependence on fossil fuels.

He moved to Saipan in 1991 and is married to Bertha C. Leon Guerrero. Both are very active members of the community; they participate in public forum events, are involved with Mariana Islands Natures Alliance & DEQ Beach Cleanup Brigade as well as church ministries. Patrick Leon Guerrero is also the commissioner of the Commonwealth Football League Association. The CFLA has received grants to promote after-school programs promoting exercise and sportsmanship in our youth.

Leon Guerrero joined the Saipan Chamber of Commerce on November 12.

Laura Hsiao is a native of Taipei, Taiwan and has a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Fu Jen Catholic University. She has translated to Chinese more than 40 books ranging from novels to university business textbooks. Formerly

5JANUARY 2014

a translator/interpreter for the CNMI Office of the Attorney General and its Division of Immigration, she is now a Chinese marketing specialist for the Marianas Visitor Authority. In love with travel, she has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Asia. She is married to Corey Shadow, a photographer, and has one daughter, Ayu. In her free time she enjoys traveling, cooking, reading and spending time at the beach with her family and friends.

J. Victoria “Vicky” Benavente is the executive assistant to the general manager of the Pacific Islands Club Saipan. In her daily operations, she assists the GM with the daily schedule, correspondence and reports, rooms department operations, public relations, hotel events and community activities.

Benavente has more than 30 years experience in the tourism and hospitality industry. She is the former managing director at

JANUARY 20146

COVER FEATURE

the Marianas Visitors Authority and former spa manager at the Hyatt Regency Saipan. She also owned and operated a family business/retail market for 18 years.

She is the chairwoman of the Marianas Tourism Education Council, a member of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, the Saipan Fishermen’s Association and the MVA.

She is married to former CNMI Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente and has four children and three grandchildren.

Lito and Malou Mendoza are the owners and operators

of L & M Enterprises Inc., Tropex Garden Co. Ltd. and Traders Insurance Company. L & M Enterprises Inc. was established in 1985 and introduced the Gusto Longanisa and Tocino products into the CNMI market. In 1997, a new product was added, roasted peanuts, later followed by the popular Marianas Best Chicharon. Right now, it is the only company that carries the U.S. Department of Agriculture seal of approval to manufacture longanisa, tocino and chicharon in the CNMI.

Malou Mendoza is a certified nurse by profession but chose to be a businesswoman, a choice she is apparently happy to have made due to the success of her business.

In 1990, the couple opened Tropex Garden Co. Ltd. Lito Mendoza utilized his profession as an architect to provide landscaping and general construction services. The main business of the company when it started 23 years ago was landscaping. The company was always involved in hotel and golf course projects on the island whenever landscaping work was needed.

In 1997, the couple started its insurance business Traders Insurance Underwriters Inc. After seven years, the company acquired a reinsurance facility from Singapore, coming from Rated “A” reinsurance companies. The company was transformed into a local insurance company with a new name, Traders Insurance Company, which offers all kinds of non-life insurance to the public.

The couple are committed to continuously provide quality products and timely and personalized service to its clients. This legacy is slowly being hand down to their two daughters, Krizia and Chandelle Mendoza who are now 26 and 22 years old, respectively.

Lito and Malou Mendoza, with the help of their children, are planning to bring their business to Guam and the other neighboring islands in the future.

Misako Kamata has 27 years experience in food service, retail, general merchandise and business management. Kamata is the president of Yano Enterprises Inc. which does business as Kinpachi Restaurant. The business was established on Sept. 15, 1980 by her late father, Yoshio Kamata. She took over ownership in 1987. Kinpachi Restaurant celebrated its 33rd anniversary in 2013. Kamata is also the chief executive officer and director of PDM Promoters, a nonprofit organization established in 2005. PDM Promoters is responsible for many community events throughout the year and Kamata has been recognized for her charitable and business achievements by the community.

Malou and Lito Mendoza

Misako Kamata

7JANUARY 2014

COVER FEATURE

PRINCE JOE MANZANO, Susupe My resolution list includes losing weight, saving more money not being a “one-day millionaire” and most of all, being more spiritual in the coming year.

ASIA LIWAG, SusupeI’d like to be more responsible in the coming year and try to be a more well-rounded individual. I also want to do much better in school so I can be better prepared for a college education.

ARA SARMIENTO, SusupeI want to do better in school, earn more money for college, avoid procrastinating and be more responsible in 2014.

JOSE RODEL LUNZAGA, KoblervilleI want to strengthen my faith in the Lord and work on my being impatient. I will also work harder to receive more blessings in 2014.

KIM INDALECIO, Gualo RaiTo have a change in life, let the bitterness out and welcome the sweetness of 2014; to love and appreciate life, to have faith and peace and most of all to live life to its fullest.

8 JANUARY 2014

ON THE ROADNEW YEAR FEATURE

RAMHAE ANDREA ADAZA AWIT, San Vicente Elementary SchoolI will try to be more productive with my time, stop fighting with my two brothers, improve my singing talent and study harder.

ANNAMAE ADAZA, Gualo RaiTo have more patience when it comes to public service, improve public speaking, to extend more help to others, enjoy life as much as I can and spend more quality time with my loved ones.

MHARK APOLINAR, SusupeTo exercise more (now with Cross Fit), work to save money then move to Guam for college.

9JANUARY 2014

ON THE ROADNEW YEAR FEATURE

When you have a stiff neck, a stiff back or lower back pain, the problem may seem small, but you can be sure this

is a sign of potentially more complicated health problems to come, if not resolved.

When you go to for a medical check up, despite a number of tests, the source of your injury or illness may remain undi-agnosed. This is because modern medicine often does not trace blood circulation. Good blood circulation is essential to good health, but x-rays cannot detect blood clots or water trapped within muscles that inhibit blood circulation. Poor blood circulation results in muscle inflammation and other problems, such as a stiff neck or lower back pain. When blood circulation in the back is poor, it can affect all other parts of the body.

Traditional oriental medicine can help improve blood cir-culation with treatment along meridians running through the

body. Most importantly, the bladder meridian runs from head to toe, distributing blood like a river throughout the whole

body. If there is pain in the body, it is likely that circulation is hampered along the bladder meridian, like a river is blocked

HinemluBetter Circulation, Better Life

By Jacqueline Perry Guzman

“God created and designed your body; I just follow the rules and laws of God’s design and traditional oriental medicine to adjust your body.” ~ Kevin Guolong Wang

10 JANUARY 2014

SPECIAL FEATURE

by a dam.Kevin Guolong Wang of Hinemlu Therapy has been provid-

ing traditional oriental therapy treatment service in the North-ern Mariana Islands since 1998, using treatments including qi gong, tuina, gua sha, zou guan, zhen ci, chiropractic and suc-tion. The application of up to eight kinds of therapy treatment in one session can provide significant relief from a large num-ber of ailments stemming from poor blood circulation.

“God created and designed your body; I just follow the rules

and laws of God’s design and traditional oriental medicine to adjust your body,” said Wang. “My knowledge is not from me; it’s from ancient times. Any kind of problem, if I cannot cure it, I can at least make it feel much better, because the rules and laws of nature never change.”

In addition to addressing the obvious problem, a session of traditional oriental medicine therapy provides treatment for the entire body for overall health maintenance.

11JANUARY 2014

SPECIAL FEATURE

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MOVIES • I, Frankenstein

premiere at Regal Cinemas

MOVIES • Jack Ryan:

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• That Awkward Moment

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The Sprite Boy, created by artist

Haddon Sundblom, appeared in

magazines for the first time in

January 1942 until the late 1950s.

The slogan “Thirst knows no reason”

appeared in Saturday Evening Post for the first time, in January

1922.

This day in 2009, “Coca-Cola”

opened the world’s largest plastic bottle-to-bottle

recycling plant in Spartanburg, S.C.

The “Open Happiness”

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Grief Support Meeting

Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.Location: NMPASI

conference room, Middle

Road, Gualo Rai

Fukubukuro Lucky Bag

CelebrationTime: 10:30 amLocation DFS

Galleria Saipan

Garapan Street Market

Time: 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.Location:

Garapan Fishing Base Complex,

Beach Road

Garapan Street Market

Time: 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.Location:

Garapan Fishing Base Complex,

Beach Road

Garapan Street Market

Time: 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.Location:

Garapan Fishing Base Complex,

Beach Road

Garapan Street Market

Time: 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.Location:

Garapan Fishing Base Complex,

Beach Road

13JANUARY 2014

Now that it’s officially the New Year, many of us are trying to hold firm to our resolutions to start losing weight. You may or may

not have seen results last year but, this year is different. This year is go-ing to be the year that you make it. One of the most commonly asked questions is our opinion on meal replacements, specifically meal re-placement shakes. We are often asked if we recommend them, which ones we recommend and more. Here is the skinny on meal replace-ment shakes.

Replace a bad meal with a good one. Often times we make poor meal choices simply because it is easier, faster, and

sometimes cheaper than making a good meal choice. We choose to go through the drive-thru because we only have 15 minutes before we have to be back at the office. We choose to grab a bag of chips and a calorie-full drink because it is cheaper than the salad in the cafeteria. It’s easier to grab the slice of pizza out of the fridge than it is to prepare a complete meal for lunch. A little planning ahead can make replacing a bad

by Carmen Rojas

The truth about meal replacement shakes

14 JANUARY 2014

HEALTH & FITNESS

meal with a good one much better for you than even the best meal replace-ment shake. Start making your meals the night before. Portion your food as soon as you get home from the grocery store so all you have to do is grab it and go. Keep food that does not have to be refrigerated where it is easily accessible.

If you are going to drink a shake, eat some fiber along with it.

Try a vanilla shake with some whole wheat crackers. Eat some fruit with your shake. This has a two-fold ef-fect on satiating your hunger. First, it satisfies your need to chew. You have programmed your body that chewing is part of satisfying the need to fuel itself. Many of us find ourselves eating when what we really want to do is “chew.” If all you do is swallow, you will fight the need to chew and that’s a tough battle to fight! Second, the fiber will help slow

the absorption of the shake leaving you to feel fuller, longer.

Fat we can handle; sugar is a problem.

No, that is not a typo. There is new evidence that low to moderate amounts of fat in our diets is not nearly as big a problem as high amounts of sugar. Often when the label says “No Sugar” it basically means that a chemical sugar substitute is being used. That tricks the body by tasting sweet but not providing any sugar. The body tends to overreact and you can see cravings, inflammation, and other negative side effects. Also, sugar is what takes us on that energy roller coaster. If you spike at lunch on a “low fat” shake not only will you spike your blood sugar and cause a crash, but you will also leave yourself feeling less satiated and feeling the need to eat much sooner than you would on a more “fattening” shake.

I have to say that I am a bigger fan of eating a complete balanced meal, exercising portion control than I am of drinking meal replacement shakes. You can’t drink shakes forever, and in the long run you won’t learn how to eat healthier by drinking shakes. However, if you are going to drink a shake observ-ing the tips I laid out will help you to make the most out of your shake crav-ing. Remember, to drink plenty of water and get as much exercise as possible.

15JANUARY 2014

HEALTH & FITNESS

A Resolution to KeepThis year we are all going to make the typical New Year’s resolu-

tions to eat fewer sweets or get rid of a bad habit. These are good resolutions, but for most they don’t last through January. I suggest a resolution that is much easier to keep and will last the whole year and years to come: make less trash.

On a daily basis we throw away approximately 4.5 pounds of trash (the weight of a coffee maker). This can include anything from food scraps, soda cans, cigarettes, food packaging, to holiday gift wrap. Every year around 1,643 pounds of trash is thrown away per person, this equates to the space of your living room crammed with trash. The biggest downside to trash is the space it takes up. Landfills are reaching maximum capacity everywhere so we won’t be able to ship trash to other locations for much longer. What can we do about all this trash? We can make less of it, it is that simple!

So what does this New Year resolution require?

Recycle – In the CNMI residents can recycle glass, metal, plastic, and paper. Some 75% of trash that makes it to the landfill is recy-clable. Recycling helps us reuse trash that is already here than make new trash that adds to the problem.

Reuse – Using disposable items at barbeques and parties make cleaning up easier, but they do no favors for our trash predicament. Annually Americans throw away enough paper and plastic cups, forks, and spoons to circle the equator 300 times! Have people bring their own plates and silverware to parties or if disposable utensils are necessary consider buying the compostable products. Also when going shopping consider using a reusable bag to hold your grocer-

ies. Around 500 billion plastic bags are used annually worldwide (100 billion in America alone) and make up a large percentage of the trash we toss as well as being damaging to the environment as litter and marine debris.

Compost – Food scraps don’t need to go in the trash when they can be composted. Composting gives soil nutrients and can help plants, even potted ones, grow big and healthy, plus it will decrease the 21.5 million tons of food waste sent off to American landfills an-nually.

Reduce – Reducing waste is the easiest step to take. When pur-chasing food look for items that have minimal packaging. Bananas do not need to come wrapped in plastic; they already come with their own natural wrapper. Food in general does not need to be wrapped in plastic and in cardboard and once again wrapped in plastic. Look for items that don’t have all the extra packing materials. Also consider decreasing mail trash. Have magazines, bills, and cards sent through e-mail instead of through the post saving you time and trash.

Hope the holidays treat you well and that this year you make the resolution to make less trash. Happy New Year!

16 JANUARY 2014

ENVIRONMENT

Luis Villagomez is assistant mar-keting communications manager at the Hyatt Regency Saipan. He has been in this position for more than three years. “I started with the company more or less

at the bottom,” he says. “Back in 2007, I started working as a guest service of-ficer at the bell desk and six months later I was transferred to the front desk doing the same job. I was attending college at that time so I worked the graveyard shifts for two years so that I could attend school in the daytime.” Shortly after he graduated in 2010 with his first degree, Villagomez applied for a job as assistant marketing communica-tions manager. Villagomez acquired his first degree at Northern Marianas Col-lege. He earned an associate’s degree in hospitality management. “Shortly after that I attained a bachelor’s in market-ing from Grand Canyon University in Arizona,” he says.

His aspirations growing up were to

become a pilot. During his free time, Villagomez enjoys watching movies, reading a good book while drinking coffee, dining out and traveling to dif-ferent places. “I am also a youth leader in a local Christian church (Jesus is Lord Church) so you can imagine me spend-ing most of my free time with young people, and this keeps me extra youth-ful too,” he says.

Aside from his hobbies, he spends a lot of time giving to the community. “I am heavily involved with our compa-ny’s corporate responsibility platform – Hyatt Thrive. I am also a board mem-

ber of Prison Fellowship International, which is a Christian organization. I am also a volunteer at the Northern Mari-ana Trades Institute,” Villagomez says.

He is grateful his company gives its associates an opportunity to experi-ence different Hyatt hotels worldwide. “Some of the many cities I’ve visited

Saipan’s Young Professionals

Ma. Aileen M. Arnold is vice pres-ident of Marfega Trading Company Inc.,

“The passion I have for my job compels

me to try to perform even better in the

industry I am a part of. Aside from the marketing and

creative aspect, I am able to extend

authentic hospitality to the island visitors as a Hyatt hotelier.”

~ Luis Villagomez

are Toronto, Kingston, New York, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo and Manila. I al-ways find that traveling alone gives me that opportunity to linger every mo-ment and absorb the sights and sounds unique to every destination. Europe is my next destination which means I need to save a lot,” he says.

What inspires Villagomez about his job is his involvement with it. “The pas-sion I have for my job compels me to try to perform even better in the industry I am a part of. Aside from the market-ing and creative aspect, I am able to ex-tend authentic hospitality to the island visitors as a Hyatt hotelier,” says Villago-mez. “Hyatt is a pretty impressive com-pany. The opportunity to be trained in other countries and to meet different people with different cultural upbring-ings is one of my favorite things about my present job.”

Ma. Aileen M. Arnold

Luis Villagomez

17JANUARY 2014

FEATURE

which does business as Islander Rent-A-Car. Arnold started as a cashier back in 2001 and from there started working as a car rental agent in 2004 making my way up to sales and marketing manager in 2007 and finally into the position of vice president in 2012. “Being vice pres-ident the last couple years has revealed

to me the essence of time management and handling people under you. When you are organized, you get more done and this means more profit. Handling the staff under me in a proper manner also brings in more profit as they seek to see sales,” she says.

She wanted to become a police woman when she was young. “This is very far from what I do now. Yet, be-ing a police woman shares a common interest with being vice president and that is service which is what I love most about my job,” she says.

Arnold says in her capacity as vice president she serves her community, co-workers, and family to ensure the safety of the vehicles and that service is delivered. “It makes my day to see or hear that a customer has been ex-tremely pleased with our service which is what Islander Rent-A-Car proudly promotes,” Arnold says. Islander Rent-A-Car is a woman-owned business and was established in 1984.

When she has the time, Arnold en-joys shopping, dining out, and dancing. “My heart’s passion though, is serv-ing others,” she says. “In my free time, I love being a part of community events.

When she has time, she enjoys a host of activities. Last year Perry began studying tai chi and other aspects of traditional oriental medicine. “I find it very applicable and helpful in everyday life. I also enjoy playing football (soc-cer), reading, and spending quality time with loved ones,” she says. “I also serve on my church board and the Carolinian

Affairs Office Advisory Committee and I’m a member of the Marianas Tourism Education Council. I made a conscious decision three years ago to cut back on extracurricular activities. It may sound selfish to do so, but my life is more bal-

Catherine Perry is the proprietor of Integrity Communications PR/adver-tising services and Gallery Pacific retail of arts and crafts. She has held these titles since 2008.

“I never aspired to be a businessper-son; I went into business because that’s what my family needed. My son was re-ally struggling in school when he was younger, and I finally decided it would be best to homeschool. I took a leap of faith and quit my government job to become self-employed so I could have the flexibility to homeschool, which I did for four years,”

When Perry was in high school, she wrote an essay that said in 10 years she would be either a fighter pilot or a writ-er. “ One of those happened,” she says.

“My heart’s passion, though, is serving others...In my free time, I love being a part of community

events.”

~ Ma. Aileen M. Arnold

“I work with a lot of conscientious and competent people

who share my desire to promote our islands…their

natural beauty and unique history and

culture.”

~ Catherine Perry

Some community events and organi-zations I have helped with to name a few are American Red Cross, Marianas Next Top Model, and the Division of En-vironmental Quality Trash collecting,” she says. “I am a part of and have been a part of the Saipan Chamber of Com-merce and the San Vicente Elementary school Parent Teacher Association and I am particularly interested and involved in education. Although I have not com-pleted my college degree, I am all out in encouraging students to finish. I be-lieve in the saying that no one can take your education from you,” says Arnold.

A lover of travel, Arnold has been to Hong Kong, Macau, Philippines, the United States and Guam. “I would love to explore Russia, Japan, Korea and China as this is an integral part of the business I am a part of with Islander Rent-A-Car servicing locals and tour-ists,” she says.

She graduated from Grace Christian Academy in 2004 and studied business management at Northern Marianas College with an emphasis in account-ing. “I would like to pursue my degree, though in the field of hospitality and tourism. Learning to speak different languages such as Russian, Korean and Chinese is a priority on my list. I can speak basic Japanese but would love to be fluent,” Arnold says.

Catherine Perry

18 JANUARY 2014

FEATURE

James Kennedy Benjamin is the territory service delivery manager of the American Red Cross — Northern Mariana Islands Chapter and has held the position since 2006. “I was a full-time student at the Northern Marianas College in 2006, and I was looking for a part-time job to pay some bills. There was a vacancy opening for the then part-time position. So I applied. Later I received a call from the chapter stat-ing that they had chosen me. I started work in July 2006,” says Benjamin. As a child, Benjamin wanted to be a doctor because he wanted to help save lives. “I am not a medical doctor today, but I feel as though I am still helping people save lives by coordinating, and even sometimes conducting, training in First Aid and CPR,” he says.

school for boys and the only Jesuit high school in Micronesia. I have had two years of college,” he says.

He says deciding the favorite thing about his job is hard.

“I would say one of the greatest things about my job are the people who I work with, both staff and volunteers. The staff are hard-working and treat each other with the utmost respect and dignity. In my opinion, we are more like a family. The volunteers, board mem-bers, and health and safety instructors always make my day. Whenever there is a project, no matter how big or small, they are always willing to give up their time to help out. And for them, I am grateful. I feel good knowing that more members in our communities are being trained in lifesaving skills through the American Red Cross,” Benjamin says.

When he isn’t at work, Benjamin en-joys spending time with his wife and four children. “Whenever the opportu-nity presents itself, I like having family days at the beach. I enjoy barbecuing with family and friends and talking about life in general,” he says. He is also a parish council member for Santa Re-medios Parish in Tanapag.

Benjamin’s job requires him to travel at least once a year for training. “For the ARC, I have been to places in the main-

land such as Dallas-Fort Worth; Kansas City, Mo.; and Honolulu” he says.

Benjamin is inspired by the work that ARC does for communities. “When I joined the Red Cross I didn’t know too much about the organization, except for its humanitarian work around the country and around the world. I have come to learn that the Red Cross does more than just disaster relief assistance. We train people in lifesaving skills, we connect service members and their families in times of emergency, and we supply more than half of our nation’s blood supply,” he says.

Benjamin attended Xavier High School in Chuuk, FSM, for four years and graduated in 2003. “It is a boarding

“I would say one of the greatest things

about my job are the people who I work

with, both staff and volunteers... we are more like a family... I feel good knowing that more members in our communities

are being trained in lifesaving

skills through the American Red Cross.”

~ James Kennedy Benjamin

anced now,” she says. What she enjoys most and finds in-

spiring about her work is, “Applying my communication skills and intuition in helping people generate understand-ing, build cooperation and solve prob-lems,” she says.

Perry has a bachelor’s in broadcast-ing with an emphasis in multi-cultural studies. “When I graduated from Mari-anas High I honestly wasn’t sure if I wanted to go to college, so I started working as a radio operator. Over the next year I was convinced I really should get a college degree, and I was also fortunate to discover work that I enjoyed and was good at, working in communications,” says Perry.

Perry says her job offers her a lot of reasons to be grateful. “I work with a lot of conscientious and competent peo-ple who share my desire to promote our islands ... their natural beauty and unique history and culture. And I love words. Working with words, for me, is like cooking. You can make your mes-sage sweet, spicy, or tangy, depend-ing on your words. You can even give someone an upset stomach with your choice of words. Hopefully we all use words that leave people feeling full and satisfied.”

James Kennedy Benjamin

19JANUARY 2014

FEATURE

A special guest at the Paskong Pinoy event, Andrea Sablan (left) shown with UFO’s Lolly Velasco and Nelida Atalig.

Cornerstone Church Choir sang beautiful Christmas carols to the audi-ence’s delight.

Paskong Pinoy December 14, 2013 • Garapan Central Park

Members and officers of UFO danced to the lively music of Walter and Violy Band.

The visiting Manamkos entertained the audience and visitors, including Gov. Eloy Inos, with their Christmas carols.

20 JANUARY 2014

ON THE ROAD

Winners from Paskong Pinoy’s My Tomboy Contest are (from left): Annamae Adaza of UFO, Jenena “BJ” Sollestre, Nancy “Cyto” Cabaluna, Andrea Sablan, “Kute” Arroyo, UFO’s Nelida Atalig and Rovic Caberos of KWAW.

Gov. Eloy Inos addressed guests, performers and participants.

Val Gatchalian, general manager of LBC Saipan, donated $2,000 cash to the United Filipino Organization in support of the Paskong Pinoy event.

Bernice Shane Sabino wowed everyone on Dec. 14 with her rendition of “O Holy Night.” After she sang at Paskong Pinoy, she later won the $2,500 grand prize at the CNMI Got Talent Competition at Pacific Islands Club on the same night.

21JANUARY 2014

ON THE ROAD

Good friends (from left) Evelyn, Eydie, Malou and Irma taking a quick break on Dec.15.

Edrich Jewel Armia’s first birthday celebration on Dec. 4 at Saipan World Resort.

22 JANUARY 2014

ON THE ROAD

Austin Dominiq Quiambao’s first birthday celebration on Dec. 1 at the Kanoa Resort.

Ami, Jojo, Manny, Rocel, Jenn, Lisa and Jackie at the Transpacific Inter-national Inc. Group of Companies Employee Appreciation Party on Dec. 21 at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.

23JANUARY 2014

ON THE ROAD

FUSION 500

$70FUSION 1000

$90FUSION UNLIMITED

$125

FUSION 500 ONLINE+

$99

FUSION 500 ONLINE

$85

FUSION 1500 ONLINE+

$115FUSION 1000 ONLINE+

$165FUSION UNLIMITED ONLINE+

$225

TV PLUS 500 Local Minutes w/UNL SMS –

–

–

Online E

Online 1.2

Online E

Online E

Online 1.8

1000 Local Minutesw/Weeknights and Weekends

Max Unlimited(Unlimited Local Calls, SMS & Data)

500 Minutes w/UNL SMSUnlimited Weeknights & Weekends

Max Data

1500 MinutesUnlimited Weeknights & Weekends

Max Data

1000 Minutes Unlimited Weeknights & Weekends

Max Data

Max Unlimited(Unlimited Local Calls, SMS & Data)

500 Minutes w/UNL SMS

TV PLUS

TV PLUS

TV PLUS

TV PLUS

TV PLUS

TV PLUS

TV PLUS

INTRODUCING OUR

FUSION BUNDLES

B U N D L E A N D S AV E !

483-CARE • Gualo Rai • www.docomopacific.com

NOW AVAILABLE IN SAIPAN & TINIAN!

24 month agreement required on select Fusion Bundles. Some conditions apply. Offer valid for residential subscribers only. While supplies last. See stores for details.