Beach Road Magazine November 2011

N O V E M B E R 2 0 11

INSIDE: Chef Colombo’s global kitchen adventures The unbeatable spirit of XTERRA champ Mieko Carey

Tan Esco’s 13 blessings

Seasoned photographer Hideo Honda bids Saipan Sayonara Celebrating Japanese Autumn Festival the island way

contents

november 2011

4 ON THE COVER Tan Esco’s 13 blessings 8 TALK OF THE TOWN Celebrating Japanese Autumn Festival the island way

9 WAY OFF BROADWAY Island Trybe rocks Saipan

10 CRUISIN’ ON BEACH ROAD

12 SPORTS PAGE

The unbeatable spirit of XTERRA champ Mieko Carey 13 FEATURE

Chef Colombo’s global kitchen adventures

14 FEATURE

Seasoned photographer Hideo Honda bids Saipan Sayonara

ABOUT THE COVER

15 FEATURE CNMI fights obesity

AT 81, Tan Esco remains sharp and still vividly remembers

16 A DAY IN THE LIFE

Sophie Yeom – Busy but content

18 OUR ENVIRONMENT

her, managed to raise 13 children and establish long lasting

how she and her family survived World War II. She and her late husband Tun Greg, who also reached only third grade like businesses that they passed on through the generations.

In this Thanksgiving issue, Beach Road Magazine features Tan Esco’s inspiring entrepreneurial spirit and her journey in life with her “13 blessings”. This multigenerational family’s strong bond

19

HEALTH WATCH

Vegetable of the Month: Okra

20

HOROSCOPE / TIDE CHART

and unwavering devotion to God are truly strengths to behold.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Photography by Hideo Honda www.marianas-way.com

Publisher

Maureen N. Maratita BRM Manager

Gemma Q. Casas Graphic Artists

Rudy L. Armenta Ella S. Beheshti Monie B. Erasga

Beach Road Magazine, Vol. X, No. 13 November 2011.

Entire contents copyrighted 2011 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.

Account Manager

Susan Marchitti

Vol. X No. 13

Sales Manager

Annie San Nicolas Contributor

Susan Marchitti Managing Director

Marcos Fong

2

NOVEMBER 2011

Glimpses Publications include Guam Business Magazine, Marianas Business Journal, Marine Drive Magazine, Beach Road Magazine and R&R Pacific.

ON THE COVER

Tan Esco’s

BY GEMMA Q. CASAS

13 blessings

F

OR LINDA CABRERA, the eldest in a brood of 13, her mother Escolastica Tudela Cabrera is a living miracle.

This 81-year-old local entrepreneur is not only a matriarch but an icon, despite being wheelchair bound.

Her family spends hours in prayers and hope that she stays with them for as long as possible.

“I think my mother is a living miracle because many times, when she’s sick, we would take her to the hospital and the doctor would tell us, ‘I am sorry, Miss Cabrera, but we cannot do anything.’ [But she would still survive and come back to us],” Linda tells Beach Road Magazine, her voice full of emotion.

“She was in the hospital a month ago and we just prayed. I think our prayers are really powerful,” she adds.

Five years ago, tragedy struck the Cabrera family when their father and devoted husband to Tan Esco, Gregorio Camacho Cabrera, died.

Tan Esco and Tun Gregorio’s union produced 13 children, nine girls and three boys — Linda T. Cabrera, Isidoro T. Cabrera, Daria C. Cing, Millan C. Hill, Oliva C. Deleon Guerrero, Olinka C. Chaundhry, Noe T. Cabrera, Anthony T. Cabrera, Gloria C. Reyes, Rita T. Cabrera, Eleonita (Doll) C. Camacho, Eloy T. Cabrera and Carmen T. Cabrera.

The second eldest, Isidoro, jokes about the past fashion of having many

4

NOVEMBER 2011

children. “Everybody on Saipan had big families in those days. Then there was no such thing as condoms or birth control pills.”

Tan Esco, the 11th child also in a brood of 13, says she never planned to have that many children but each one is a blessing that filled their married life with happiness and excitement.

The first dozen children were born without anesthesia and only the 13th child, Carmen, required one.

“I never had any miscarriage. I am thankful that all of my children are healthy. It was very easy,” she says when asked if it was difficult giving birth to 13 children and rearing them.

Tan Esco says their 13 children gave them reasons that contributed to the satisfaction of the marriage.

Following the family tradition, the Cabrera children further grew their family with 30 grandchildren.

These grandchildren have also given Tan Esco her 15 great-grandchildren.

PIONEERING ENTREPRENEUR Both born before World War II, the Cabrera couple finished only third grade.

But their lack of formal education did not deter them from achieving material comfort and giving the best to their 13 children.

It was Tan Esco’s uncanny entrepreneurial spirit that sailed them through the tough times after WWII.

Esco was 14 when WWII occurred.

Her family, which owns several farms, hid in one of the caves located in their property to survive the fierce fighting between the Japanese and American forces during that period.

At 16 or a year after the end of WWII, Tan Esco found herself working for the Naval Magazine which was then located in Kagman village.

She got the job after raising her hand when the Americans inquired among a pool of local job seekers who know how to sew.

The wife of the naval commander then, however, ordered to have Tan Esco’s sewing machine inside her home after noticing that the sailors fancied her.

“The sailors were always crazy for the girls. They would whistle and wink at me. The commander’s wife said it was not good for me to go there (sewing area). So she asked to bring the sewing machine inside her house,” Tan Esco recalls.

After sewing, Tan Esco would also help with the household chores, endearing her to the commander’s wife such that when his successor came after 18 months, she was asked to keep her post.

The second commander didn’t have a wife but the third one that came in after a few months had a wife who loves going to the beauty salon.

“I never had any miscarriage. I am thankful that all of my children are healthy.”

NOVEMBER 2011

5

ON THE COVER {continued from page 4}

With no beauty salon on island, the commander’s wife opened up her own in Navy Hill and asked Tan Esco to work for her for 50¢ a day — 15¢ higher than what the Naval Magazine was paying her.

Tan Esco agreed and she received an offer to take over the business when the military couple’s assignment on Saipan ended.

Her father arranged a loan for $500 with Bank of America to enable her to get the beauty salon.

Tan Esco, then 19, began her business venture.

Her clientele of military spouses grew.

The American ladies were always looking for ways to keep themselves pretty, despite Saipan’s humid climate.

6

NOVEMBER 2011

“They wanted to have their hair fixed every week. Shampoo; pedicure; hair dye; hot oil; curly hair,” says Tan Esco. “I was very busy then and earning big money.

Then I met [my husband] and he wanted to marry me. I had many suitors before but I wasn’t ready to get married.”

Tun Gregorio become her husband after two years. He was then a local policeman and five years senior to Tan Esco. He first spotted her at the Naval Magazine.

“He was given a hard time. My mother told him to come back after two years. But my husband really loves me so he waited,” Tan Esco says.

Two years after they were married, Tan Esco gave up the beauty salon and began another business — a general merchandise

store supplying clothing and other items to naval personnel and local residents.

As their family grew, Tan Esco decided to pursue other businesses including supplying food at the cafeteria of Mount Carmel School which then had 800 students.

Her husband left his job and worked fulltime in the business. The couple also launched the first locally-owned gas station.

“At that time, we had no helper; no foreign worker — only me and my husband, so we worked till 2 in the morning,” Tan Esco says.

Tan Esco further expanded her businesses by acquiring land, to include the two-hectare family compound on Capital Hill, which she bought for just $300.

In 1963, Tan Esco became the first woman elected to the municipal legislature of Saipan. She later gave up the post because “I was too busy with my business back then.”

But her service and involvement in many local community projects didn’t stop, despite not serving any local position.

Tan Esco says she’s been blessed and it’s her duty to give back to her community.

“I am very happy. The Lord is taking good care of me,” she says.

And every Thanksgiving Day, the Cabrera family reunites to give thanks for everything they have.

The family begins their gathering with

a simple prayer at the tiny chapel inside their compound on Capital Hill.

A devoted Catholic, Tan Esco says she would never have accomplished anything without God’s help. “I always pray to God,” she says.

Daria, her third child, who flew in from Tinian to join the BRM pictorial and interview at their residence in Capital Hill, says her mother has taught them so many things and hope that she had touched the lives of others in the local community.

“When I was in third grade, I was already trained as a cashier. I was already tending to our store. She taught me my math,” says Daria, wife to former Tinian Senator David Cing and mother of three soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Her sister Gloria says their mother kept the family together and the virtues of honest and hard work are passed on from generation to generation.

Isidoro, the only agricultural specialist in the CNMI who earned his bachelor of science in agriculture degree from Papua

New Guinea, says his mother inspired him to always strive harder in life.

“My mother is a very industrious woman,” he says. Usually the man is the head of the household, especially in those days, he says. “But my mother was running our household.”

Tan Esco says she looks forward to seeing again her growing family, and share with them her favorite Valenciana, turkey, ham, fruits and other local dishes this Thanksgiving Day. The first Thanksgiving Day was celebrated by the pilgrims in 1621 in Plymouth now known as Massachusetts to honor their bountiful harvest.

President Abraham Lincoln first declared Thanksgiving Day a national holiday in 1863 and implored all Americans to ask God to “commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” and to “heal the wounds of the nation.”

Isidoro Cabrera, center, with his family.

Tan Esco with eight of her 13 children.

NOVEMBER 2011

7

TALK OF THE TOWN

Celebrating Japanese Autumn Festival the island way STORY AND PHOTOS BY GEMMA Q. CASAS

D

in Japan as the guardian shrine ESPITE THE GLOOMY that fulfills one’s wishes.

WEATHER, people flocked The high priest of the Chiba to the Paseo de Marianas Prefecture’s Katori Jingu, Rev. on the night of Oct. 22 to join Shoji Takahashi, led the prayer the Japanese community in along with 24 other priests who celebrating its annual autumn were invited festival, with to grace the renewed occasion. hopes for With local better times. officials in A tradition tow, the that the Japvisiting Katori anese Society priests of the Northengaged the ern Marianas audience observes with their year-after-year blessing and for decades purification now, the event ritual. began with a But unlike morning ritual previous prayer at the years where Sugar King the revelry Park in Garais continued pan’s Katori Paseo de Marianas was filled with people anxious to grab a taste of Japanese food during thereafter Shrine, revered the autumn festival.

at the nearby Garapan Central Park, Japanese Society President Nick Nishikawa decided to hold it at the Paseo de Marianas later in the day.

Nishikawa, also the general manager of Hyatt Regency Saipan, made a sound decision.

Paseo de Marianas, which normally is devoid of people, except during the Thursday night Street Market, was teeming with activities and people, residents and tourists alike.

The whole park was filled with different vendors selling traditional Japanese delicacies, food and drinks, including souvenir items.

People feasted on Japanese pancake known as okonomiyaki, yakisoba or fried noodles, sushi, and rice wine, among other favorites, for a fraction of the usual cost.

At the nearby stage, different performances, including those from the visiting dancers of Bon-odori and Yosakoi, entertain the crowd.

A large crowd eagerly wait for the next performance at the annual Japanese Autumn Festival held at the Paseo de Marianas, Oct. 22.

Marianas Visitors Authority board member Yoichi Matsumura who is also an active member of the Japanese Society says the annual Japanese autumn or fall festival is an important occasion in Japanese culture, celebrated with many symbolisms.

“We hope for an improved economy,” says Matsumura.

Japanese Consul General Tsutomu Higuchi joined the estimated 700 Japanese who call Saipan their home in celebrating the festival.

Young Japanese who wowed the crowd with their skillful use of swords bow their heads in gratitude after a performance.

8

NOVEMBER 2011

WAY OFF BROADWAY

Island Trybe rocks Saipan STORY AND PHOTOS BY GEMMA Q. CASAS

T

on Oct. 8 during their United Nesia Coming Home Tour, despite their long absence.

The three happily mingled with young locals who adore their contemporary hit music with island flavors.

“I am glad that island entertainers are rising,” Rylani Ogumoro who just returned to Saipan after completing her college education tells Beach Road Magazine.

She says she first heard the trio in Portland, Oregon where she studied.

Zack Dela Cruz who was also at the concert says it’s worth listening to the Island Trybe’s music.

Though the homegrown talents were bred in Washington, B.O.I says their roots as islanders are the source of their pride.

“We’re proud to be Chamorro all day, every day,” says Y.D. B.O.I. adds, “We may not sound Audience filled every corner of the Pacific Islands Club poolside to hear the Washingtonbased Island Trybe band perform during their homecoming concert. like we lived on the

HEIR BAND IS A MIXTURE of Chamorros from Rota and Guam, a quarter Palauan and a Filipino-Irish American.

Together, the Washington-based Island Trybe members Matthew Quitugua aka B.O.I., his brother David aka Y.D. whose roots are in Palau, the CNMI and Guam, and Jay Sway, whose parents are from the Philippines and Ireland, exude their unique backgrounds through a mix of reggae, hip-hop and R&B. The trio, who are currently making waves in Washington, Oregon and Las Vegas, through their unique music with a touch of their island roots, filled the Pacific Islands Club Pool Bar

The Island Trybe.

islands but we’ll always have love for the island and its music.”

For Sway, the key is to “keep grinding” and making “positive island music.”

The band which has been playing since 1996 used to have five members but the two — their “brothers” — tragically died one after another due to health reasons and a car accident.

B.O.I. says they too are their inspiration in wanting more to share their music to as much audience as possible.

Island Trybe regularly plays every week in Washington, Vegas and Oregon.

The band is also a regular performer for the fourth straight year now in the packed Seattle Hempfest which draws more than 200,000 audiences.

NOVEMBER 2011

9

CRUISIN’ ON BEACH ROAD KITCHEN BUDDIES. Almira Tengco, chief cook at Jhem’s Restaurant, with her relative

and kitchen helper Jong Tengco. These kitchen buddies love to trade jokes making work fun despite a strong demand for their cooked food during lunch and dinner time.

YOUNG PARTYGOERS. Friends Eizen,

Angelbert and Ernest during Princess Monique Jewel’s birthday party held at the Pacific Islands Club, Oct. 8.

TWO THUMBS UP! Area 1 was adjudged as the new champ in the Iglesia Ni Cristosponsored volleyball tournament. Six teams competed in the game.

JENNY TURNS 1! Birthday greetings to

the giggling and ever active Jennifer Hart who turned one-year-old on Oct. 12. Jenny is the daughter of Dr. Michael Hart and Tina Hart.

EXPERTS UNWIND. Financial experts momentarily get away from their busy

schedule to attend the First Hawaiian Bank’s recent dinner reception party celebrating its presence in Micronesia. (from left) First Hawaiian Bank Saipan Area Manager Juan Lizama, Amalia Javier of Aon Insurance Micronesia, Lee Yee Wong of Luen Fung Enterprises and Nhing Reyes of Deloitte & Touche.

LEANN is 4! Big hugs and kisses to Leandrei H.

Bernardo, left, who celebrated her fourth birthday on Nov. 5. With her are mom Charlotte Jennifer Hagberg-Bernardo and cousin Hera Kikuchi.

WELCOME TO SAIPAN. USS Jefferson

WITH FRIENDS. CNMI Supreme Court Associate Justice Alex Castro

(2nd right), poses with Esther Koshiro, a staffer of Rep. Stanley T. Torres and other friends during a major fishing event held at the Smiling Cove Marina.

City Commanding Officer Brien W. Dickson (3rd left) with Line Officer Qualified in Submarines Lt. Brant Robinson (5th left), pose for Beach Road Magazine with the visiting crew of the Los Angeles-based submarine named after Jefferson City in Missouri. The submarine which has approximately 18 officers and 130 crew is the only one named after a city. It spent six days on Saipan for R&R. The photo taken at god Fathers bar in Garapan during a welcome reception, Oct. 4.

Beach Road Magazine is accepting photo contributions from the community for FREE. Kindly e-mail the photos with captions identifying the people in the photo from left to right position, to reporter2@glimpsesofguam.com. For photos to appear in the coming issue, due to limited slots, we encourage submissions on or before the 15th of every month.

10

NOVEMBER 2011

TWIN SISTERS. Milagros

WINNER. Fire Chief Tom Manglona and Assistant Fire Chief John Pua,

(second from left) and Rebekka King (center) received certificates of appreciation from the Marianas Visitors Authority on Aug. 5, for their assistance as student trainees.

For six weeks, Milagros trained with the Research Division while Rebbeka trained in the Executive/Admin and Accounting Divisions. Pictured (from left) are Research staff member LJ Deleon Guerrero, the King sisters, Chief Accountant Donnie Militante, and Managing Director Perry Tenorio. The training was conducted under the Workforce Investment Agency Summer Trainees Program.

standing 2nd and 3rd left, respectively, smile for the camera with some of the firefighters who competed in the 2011 Guam Firefighting Muster Event.

The team won in different competitions, and placed first in the water polo during the event, testing their strength and endurance as firefighters.

TOURISM IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS. The Marianas Visitors

Authority enjoined the help of the private sector to spruce up NMI’s ailing tourism industry during its general membership, Oct. 11, at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. Seated from left — the keynote speaker of the event, former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hanneman, DFS Galleria President Marian Aldan-Pierce and Acting Governor Eloy Inos. Standing (from left) MVA Managing Director Perry Tenorio and former MVA Chairman of the Board Jerry Tan, president of Tan Holdings Corp.

STILL SHARP. Retired librarian

and columnist Ruth Tighe continues to impart opinions about issues in the local community. Despite her fragile health, she continues to immerse herself in different community events like the Japanese Autumn Festival held on Oct. 22 at the Paseo de Marianas.

IN SPAIN. Catholic youth devotees from Saipan took the role of

committed pilgrims going as far as Spain to participate in this year’s World Youth Day. Photo shows them inside a historic church in Madrid, Spain.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Librarian SINGING FOR A CAUSE. Korean youth belonging to the Good News

Church of Saipan sing at the Paseo de Marianas to raise funds for their next cause-oriented project.

SINGING DOG. Jake, a pooch, sings as inventor and contractor

Heinz Staffler plays the harmonica. Jake belongs to Monika Nugent, owner of Monika’s Furniture, which sells handcrafted teakwood furniture and jewelry along Middle Road.

Jackie Bajamonde celebrated her birthday on Oct. 25. Photo shows her with friend Cherrie Anne Villahermosa.

NOVEMBER 2011

11

SPORTS PAGE

The unbeatable spirit of Mieko Carey

BY GEMMA Q. CASAS

M

IEKO CAREY is the reigning XTERRA Japan champion for the second year in a row.

This triathlete, who has been competing on XTERRA races since 2006, had suffered broken ribs and bones, endured bruises and other physical challenges but her spirit to win remains undeterred.

“All races I joined are difficult,” says Carey.

“One time, I broke three of my ribs during a bike run yet I still went on to compete. I think one of the difficult races I experienced was the Adventure Race in Guam last year. We were moving for over 15 hours. I was physically and mentally exhausted.”

During the XTERRA Saipan in 2009, Mieko suffered three broken ribs yet decided to stil compete in Tagaman the following week.

“I still made it to the finish line with many tapes on my ribs,” she says.

Born and bred in Saitama, near Tokyo, Mieko has brought pride and honor to her country and her adopted homeland, Saipan, through the many international competitions she won.

Apart from winning different XTERRA races on Saipan, she also placed third in the competitive 30-34 division at the XTERRA World Championship in Maui in October, placed 2nd at XTERRA Malaysia and 18th at XTERRA Worlds.

Mieko, who is currently teaching pilates at Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Club Elan and at Gold’s Gym’s spinning class, says she has always been interested in sports.

12

NOVEMBER 2011

“I grew up with sports. My family loves sports. My grandmother is now 100 years old and she still exercises every day. She can still climb up stairs and my dad just finished his first walking event last month. He finished 18 miles in just five hours. He also loves playing golf,” she tells Beach Road Magazine.

She says her family inspires her, despite the odds and challenges she faces as a triathlete.

“I learned two things from my family. First, never give up. Second, always do your best to achieve your goal and just have fun, never regret,” she says.

Mieko first came to Saipan in 2003 and worked as a clubmate at the Pacific Islands Club.

She’s been traveling throughout Asia and the U.S. before finally settling down in Saipan.

“I love traveling. I go to Hawaii every three months. I also go to Australia and Bali, Indonesia and some other states in the mainland all by myself. I went to an English school for a year and finally got a job at PIC,” she says.

On Saipan, Mieko found her husband and further honed her loved for sports and eventually competed in XTERRA. As a sports teacher, she’s happy to inspire people to take care of their body and health.

“I love teaching. My students give me a lot of power, motivation and inspiration. They remind me how sports make people happy, physically prepared and mentally alert. I love it when my students smile,” she says.

With all her accomplishments in the sports arena, Mieko still looks forward to higher goals.

Mieko Carey

She is not ruling out being among the top 10 triathletes in the world and competing in the XTERRA World Championship.

“My dream is to compete in the XTERRA World Championship. I also want to go in as many countries as possible to race.

I also want to join 70.3 and the full Ironman (another grueling triathlete competition hosted in the United States),” she says.

Win or lose, Carey says she will go on competing.

“I love what I am doing now. It’s a wonderful feeling to finish the race. Also because of my husband, Kevin, he is my biggest cheerleader,” she says.

FEATURE

Chef Colombo’s global kitchen adventures STORY AND PHOTOS BY GEMMA Q. CASAS

H

YATT REGENCY SAIPAN Executive Chef Gabriele Colombo has been all over the world thanks to his cooking skills.

This father of twin eight-year-old boys and husband to a Malaysian lady is originally from Milan, Italy but has been globetrotting since he was 18, hopping from one European country to another, on to Asia.

Saipan, which has been his post since 2005, is by far his longest assignment.

Chef Colombo says he first learned cooking through his grandmother who has a catering business and her mother who loves cooking.

At 12, Chef Colombo was already experimenting cooking different kinds of pizza in Milan, world famous for its pizza and highend fashion.

When he finished high school, he knew he would end up working in the kitchen.

“I thought, ‘Why not become a chef?’” he tells Beach Road Magazine. “I love cooking and traveling.”

After finishing his two-year course at the Vallesana Hotel School Sondalo, a hotel and culinary school in Italy, Chef Colombo traveled to Geneva in Switzerland to build his culinary career.

He first got hired as a kitchen helper in a small but famous hotel and found himself peeling potatoes and other vegetables by the ton, day after day.

Tiring as it is, Chef Colombo says he knew his hard work would one day be paid off.

His exposure in one of the best kitchens in Europe gave him the privilege of meeting French Chef Paul Bocuse regarded by Europeans as one of the best and master of creative cuisine.

Chef Colombo’s culinary stint was cut short when he was called to active duty by Italy’s Air Force.

There he worked as a chef and after completing his military assignment decided to move to London.

In London, he worked at the historic and famous Savoy Hotel which has about 150 chefs who serve only the best to a famous and moneyed clientele.

In 1989, a friend who was eyeing a post at the then yet to be opened Grand Hyatt Hotel in Hong Kong invited Chef Colombo to join him as chef at an Italian restaurant.

By 1990, Chef Colombo left Europe for Hong Kong to work at the Grand Hyatt Hotel as sous chef.

Within the past two decades, Hyatt has also moved Chef Colombo to its hotels in Japan, Shanghai, Bali, Manila and finally to Saipan.

Here he supervises 42 chefs, 18 kitchen stewards and nine pastry chefs. Together, they treat guests with the best food choices every day.

The Hyatt chain of hotels gives chefs the privilege to work in their other hotels overseas at least every two years.

Chef Colombo who first visited Saipan in 1993 says he decided to choose the island over other destinations because he was smitten by its quaint lifestyle.

“This is home for now,” he says.

Risotto al Prosecco, funghi di bosco e asparagi Ingredients: - 180 grams Vialone nano or carnaroli rice - 1 liter very good chicken or vegetable stock, well seasoned - 90 grams unsalted butter - 20 ml. extra virgin oil - half onion finely chopped - 100 grams parmesan freshly grated - 150 grams mixed fresh mushroom like porcini, shiitake, portobello - 150 grams green asparagus - 1 spoon rosemary chopped - 1 glass sparkling wine - salt & pepper to taste (continued to page 20) Chef Gabriele Colombo

NOVEMBER 2011

13

FEATURE

Seasoned photographer

Hideo Honda

bidding Saipan Sayonara STORY AND PHOTO BY GEMMA Q. CASAS

H

E HAS WORKED WITH dozens of Japanese celebrities, including topnotch actors and actresses, and each saw print in many lifestyle and fashion magazines in Japan and elsewhere, commercial billboards, calendars and other print medium.

Seasoned photographer Hideo Honda has indeed come a long way from his humble beginning in the field of photography.

But he’s soon ending his nearly eight years of stay on Saipan for a grand plan to further elevate his career.

Hideo-san, who is scheduled to leave Saipan for good on Nov. 30, is investing in his own studio in the very cosmopolitan Tokyo and will also offer photography lessons and an internet bar.

The studio will also host photo exhibits, including his own from Saipan, Tinian and Rota, which will surely give the three main islands of the CNMI much needed publicity and exposure in Tokyo.

“I’ve learned a lot and I want to take those lessons with me back to Japan,” he says.

Hideo-san’s keen eye for details and good grasp of still photography has also given life to Beach Road Magazine’s covers for the past five years.

From bikini-clad Beach Road Magazine models, to sports, to chefs and food, to families, the whole gamut — Hideo-san worked for this magazine not for the money but for exposure and a desire to belong to his adopted community.

Through interpreter Jim Davis, Hideosan says he first came to Saipan in 1998 for a poster assignment with a farmers association aligned with Japan’s

14

NOVEMBER 2011

from his growing list of international clientele.

But it wasn’t until January 2004 when Hideo-san finally fulfilled his dream of settling on Saipan.

He first worked in a managerial position for Tropical Color.

A year later, “I proceeded to work on a freelance basis,” he says.

Over the years of his stay on Saipan, Hideo-san has worked for many projects in the local community and has brought also Japanese clientele for shooting on the island.

Towering at 6’4”, Hideo-san first dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player having played with some of the best teams in major tournaments. But an accident derailed his plans and led to his discovery of his talent in photography.

After learning the ropes of the trade, Hideo-san first invested with five Canon cameras.

Seasoned photographer Hideo Honda shown here atop Mt. Tapochau during a photo-shoot for Beach Road Magazine’s August 2011 edition.

His investments in his craft later grew to more expensive cameras and Department of Agriculture. other equipment.

Immediately, he was smitten by Saipan’s The son of a former car executive and charm and simple lifestyle. a homemaker from Koddaira, Tokyo, “It wasn’t just the scenery. Coming from Hideo-san began working at 19, taking Tokyo, I find Saipan very slow-paced. There on different jobs until finally deciding are things that I could do here that I can to be a full-time photographer after a never do in Tokyo like going to the beach brief exposure with O-Tsuka Color photo whenever I want or my day-off,” he says. laboratory. He was 23 then.

Despite being tiny, Saipan offers an “It happened without a conscious deciinteractive environment similar to big cities sion. It just kind of happened,” he says. in the U.S. mainland.

He says he will leave Saipan with a heavy “I also enjoyed the multicultural scene. heart but it’s time to move on.

I can mingle with people from different He wishes well the community that has countries and learn their cultures,” adds embraced him for many years and friends Hideo-san who has traveled to many that supported him in many ways. countries on photography assignments Sayonara Saipan.

FEATURE

CNMI joins global fight against obesity

W

ITH PARENTS ON THEIR SIDE, the Department of Public Health’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Program began in September a year-long campaign to help schoolchildren stay physically active at home and in their campuses.

More than 23 million children and teens throughout the United States are said to be A long line of parents eager to register their children for the Worldwide Day of Play activities obese and overweight, show up at the grounds of Admiral Herbert conditions that can lead to Hopwood Junior High School. diabetes.

On Sept. 24, more than 500 children and their parents joined for the first time an island-wide coordinated effort to promote a healthier generation on the observance of the Worldwide Day of Play, a global movement designed to fight childhood obesity.

Trina Sablan, program manager of DPH’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, the leading organizer of the event held at the Hopwood Junior High School grounds, said obesity is prevalent in the CNMI. Activities such as the Worldwide Day of Play, which essentially promotes physical movement in different forms — dancing, playing sports, walking, running, swimming, among other activities, can prevent children from becoming obese.

“Obesity is the number one factor why people develop diabetes or become at risk. Right now, we have to target the youth to prevent more cases of diabetes in our community,” Sablan said in an interview.

About 30 private companies including Foremost Foods Inc., IT&E, Saipan Ice, Saipan Farmers Market and government and nongovernmental organizations’ sponsored the event.

Sisters Florence and Taramiah Sarker and their brother Khadija were among those who received free Foremost milk.

The children and their mother, Mrs. Sarker, said they enjoyed participating in the event and are thankful for the freebies they got.

The sponsors also handed out free toys that promote physical activities like different kinds of balls, jumping ropes, hula-hoops and many more.

Materials and demonstrations about different sports were also made available to the public.

“We have 30 sponsors. They started trickling in just before the event and we are very thankful to them,” said Sablan.

The Diabetes Coalition will soon start the so-called “village walk” program wherein the group will visit different villages every week to encourage people to walk, at the same time, conduct free blood sugar count and blood pressure check-up.

Sablan said the village walk program is designed to reach out villagers who may have problems with transportation in going to their regular Wednesday site at the Oleai Pavilion.

Studies show over 23 million children and teenagers in America are obese or overweight and nearly one-third of them are believed to be at early risk for Type 2 diabetes high blood pressure, heart disease and even stroke – conditions usually associated with adulthood.

NOVEMBER 2011

15

A DAY IN THE LIFE of Sophie Yeom

Busy but content INTERVIEW AND PHOTO BY GEMMA Q. CASAS

B

USINESSWOMAN SOPHIE YEOM breathes and lives the life of a busy career woman yet still manages to be a doting mother to her two young girls — a five-year-old and 13-year-old.

Born and bred in Seoul, South Korea, Sophie first came to Saipan in 1993 after finishing her business degree to study English as a Second Language at the Northern Marianas College.

But the island’s simple lifestyle, beautiful beaches and natural environment would eventually take her away from her motherland — for good.

Saipan has been Sophie’s home for the past 18 years. She’s involved in the business of real estate, owns a bar, a daycare center and soon a new restaurant.

Though divorced from her Korean husband, Sophie remains resilient, singlehandedly raising their two daughters on Saipan while keeping herself busy with her many businesses and activities.

16

NOVEMBER 2011

She talks to Beach Road Magazine about her always on the go life as a busy mother and businesswoman.

BRM: How do you begin your day?

Yeom: I start my day early in the morning. I have to prepare my kids for school. Then I go to the Hyatt’s gym and then take a shower and come back here (her three-story business and residential building located near the hotel).

BRM: How do you juggle time between work and family?

Yeom: I try to find time for everything.

I also engage my daughters in my planning. They were the ones who gave the name for my daycare center, Let’s Go Play In. BRM: What was your inspiration for the yet to be opened 12 Chefs Restaurant?

Yeom: I’ve been here for 18 years and

Sophie Yeom

I think this is the best time to invest. We want to have a mini street market in our building. So we will have 12 international foods (cuisines) from different countries, a bar and a coffee shop.

BRM: So this is solely your own business venture?

Including the daycare center?

Yeom: Yes. But I am still suffering a lot (financially).

BRM: What do you do for leisure?

Yeom: I like to drink (socially) and meet a lot of people. That’s why I am keen on opening first the bar and coffee shop.

NOVEMBER 2011

17

18

NOVEMBER 2011

Vegetable of the Month: Okra

O

KRA GROWS IN an elongated, lantern shape vegetable. It is a fuzzy, green colored, and ribbed pod that is approximately 2-7 inches in length. This vegetable is more famously known by its rows of tiny seeds and slimy or sticky texture when cut open. Okra is also known as bamia, bindi, bhindi, lady’s finger, and gumbo, is a member of the cotton (Mallow) family.

Okra was discovered around Ethiopia during the 12th century B.C. and was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians. This vegetable soon flourished throughout North Africa and the Middle East where the seed pods were consumed cooked and the seeds toasted, ground, and served as a coffee substitute. You’ll now see okra in African, Middle Eastern, Greek, Turkish, Indian, Caribbean, and South American cuisines.

Okra is commonly associated in Southern, Creole, and Cajun cooking since it was initially introduced into the United States in its southern region.

Okra is a powerhouse of valuable nutrients.

It is a good source of vitamin C. It is low in calories and is fat-free.

AVAILABILITY, SELECTION, AND STORAGE Okra is available year-round, with a peak season during the summer months.

It is available either frozen or fresh. When buying fresh okra, make sure that you select dry, firm, okra. They should be medium to dark green in color and blemish-free. Fresh okra should be used the same day that it was purchased or stored paper bag in the warmest part of the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Severe cold temperatures will speed up okra decay. Do not wash the okra pods until ready to use, or it will become slimy.

PREPARATION When preparing, remember that the more it is cut, the slimier it will become. Its various uses allow for okra to be added to many different recipes. Okra is commonly used as a thicken agent in soups and stews because of its sticky core. However, okra may also be steamed, boiled, pickled, sautèed, or stirfried whole. Okra is a sensitive vegetable and should not be cooked in pans made of iron, copper or brass since the chemical properties turns okra black.

Nutritional Information Serving size 1/2 cup cooked, sliced (80g) Amounts Per Serving % Daily Value Calories 20 Calories from Fat 0 0 Total Fat 0g 0% Protein 1g Saturated Fat 0g 0% Vitamin A 4% Sodium 0mg 0% Vitamin C 20% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Calcium 6% Total Carbohydrate 4g 1% Iron 2% Dietary Fiber 2g 7% Sugars 1g * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

HOW DO I REDUCE OKRA SLIME? Most people who have eaten or have cooked okra, know about the okra slime.

Some recipes call for the whole okra, but how do you deal with the okra slime?

There are few ways to minimize the slime: • Simply trim the off the ends and avoid puncturing the okra capsule.

• You can also minimize the slime factor by avoiding the tendency to overcook okra.

Source: US Centers for Disease Control

NOVEMBER 2011

19

HOROSCOPE

NOVEMBER 2011

FEATURE

{continued from page 20} ARIES: The best advice the stars have for you is to be more cautious than is characteristic of Aries and try to whittle your ego down to size. No one acts more like the fox in the henhouse or the strutting majorette than you do. Pull back and tone down.

TAURUS: If you don’t make your money grow during your Solar Cycle you are using old worn out methods to insure that you have enough moola when it counts. You have the good flow from Saturn in Virgo and Pluto in Capricorn.

Whatever you do, don’t forget to tithe.

GEMINI: The benefits of the favorable winds from Jupiter in Aquarius is bolstering you for good mental health—go with what your gut and your head can agree on. And don’t forget that Mercury is going retrograde in Gemini.

CANCER: Now is your time to dance and prance as if the world were watching. The emphasis here is on recreation and vacation plans. Make sure you don’t get caught up in the Mercury Retrograde miasma. If you make plans, take out cancellation insurance.

LEO: With the opposition from Jupiter in Aquarius, every time you try to make the dollar stretch, here comes a bill you forgot. Pay off and pay down. Next month you will be in the driver’s seat. Enjoy living life with less and enjoy your family and friends more.

VIRGO: Your capacity to change the things you can is now going to pay big dividends. Don’t rest on your laurels; keep making amendments all along the way. And don’t lose sight of the amends that need your attention as well.

LIBRA: Now that we are in a Solar Cycle that is not too compatible with you, continue to heal

20

NOVEMBER 2011

all wounds from love affairs and friendships that soured. Spend some downtime alone with the one who may be able never to disappoint you: yourself.

SCORPIO: All success comes in layers, tiered with putting your best foot forward all along the way. Someone who made promises more than he (or she) could deliver may cause you to be faint of heart and hit the ‘what’s the use’ panic button.

SAGITTARIUS: You like to roam like the tumbleweed gathering no moss, but it is time to pay the piper. Keep your ear to the ground like the Indian to listen for opportunity knocking.

CAPRICORN: You are ending Phase I of the biggest plans of your life. If you need more dough to finance the bigger picture, see your loan officer. Banks are beginning to shell out for those customers who have golden solid credit like you Goats.

AQUARIUS: My sound astro-intuitive advice would be to step out of line and make do with what you’ve got—whether a brilliant idea or some extra cash—until you see the signal that the Sun has moved into Gemini.

PISCES: If I ruled the world I would let Pisces dream their lives away—rolling in clover and the deep pockets to luxuriate in the whole great, big, wide, wonderful world. But the truth be told, you need to continue to pay off debt and deep-freeze those revolving credit cards. The roses you smell are the pungent flora from all your good deeds.

Keep them up. Reality is changing fast for you Fish.

Source: www.ForeverHoroscope.com

Risotto al Prosecco, funghi di bosco e asparagi Directions: • Slice the mushroom and asparagus finely • Keep the stock on a gentle boil • Put half of the butter, half extra virgin oil and the chopped onion into the pan and gently fry until the onion is soft and stir for one minute • Add the vegetables, stir for a few seconds • Add 3/4 glass of sparkling wine, evaporated and add the first ladle of stock • Stir and add a second ladle stir; until absorbed again • Continue to stir and cook adding more liquid as necessary • After 17 to 18 minutes, taste the rice that should be al dente • The texture should be quite glutinous but not soupy, remove from the stove • Now add the chopped rosemary • Add the rest of the sparkling wine, butter and grated parmesan • Stir to mix until smooth and creamy and adjust the seasoning • Serve immediately topped with shaved parmesan and drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, garnish with sautéed asparagus tips Servings: 4