Head in the clouds Skydiving in the NMI
A stroll through paradise Saipan’s first agri-tourism business
Back-to-school style
Our top picks for this year’s trends
AUGUST 2019
Head in the clouds, heart in the marianas. — Page 20 Photo courtesy of Skydive Saipan
ABOUT THE COVER Tandem skydive instructor at Skydive Saipan LLC. Photo by D&R Visuals
2 Calendar
August events
4-5 Artist
Rufina Tropicals and Bibang's Cafe
8-9 Featured Event
ISLA Mafuti Fishing Derby Glimpses Media include: Marianas Business Journal, MBJ Life, Guam Business Magazine, Real Estate Journal, Buenas, Beach Road Magazine, Drive Guam, Pocket Deals
12-14 Health Digital detox
16-17 Beauty
Back-to-school style
19 Recipe
Easy packed lunches
20-22 Sports Sky diving in the NMI
24-27 On the Road
Event photos and special messages
We’re Online! www.brmsaipan.com
beachroadmagazine
PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita BUSINESS EDITOR Meghan Hickey ASSISTANT EDITOR Jackie Cahill REPORTER Wayne Chargualaf CREATIVE CONTENT MANAGER Vikki Fong DESIGN & PRODUCTION Conrad Calma Jr. Luisa Joy Castro Sean Davis Angelica Eleno MEDIA SALES Marlon Regaton DIRECTOR Ken Duenas MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong Beach Road Magazine, August 2019. Entire contents copyrighted 2019 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.
Glimpses of Guam Inc. Mission Statement: To connect people with information.
AUGUST EVENTS ISLA Mafuti Derby When: Aug. 3 Time: 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Smiling Cove Marina Cost: $40 registration; free to watch Compete to win great prizes for your fishing skills or come to cheer on local fisherman and watch them bring in their best catch. Contact: For more information, visit the ISLA Mafuti Derby Facebook event page.
Hafa Adai 5k When: Aug. 10 Time: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Where: Pacific Islands Club Saipan Cost: $10 entry fee Enjoy a fun run full of colorful Holi powder followed by raffles, refreshments and more colorful fun. Make sure to wear something white! Contact: Call Reymark Castro at 237-5147 or email seamanagers@picsaipan.com.
Pau Pau to Tanapag Swim When: Aug. 3 Time: 6:45 a.m. registration; 7:30 a.m. start time Where: Pau Pau Beach Cost: $10 for Dolphin Club Saipan members; $20 for nonmembers Get ready for the third swim in the 500 Sails – Dolphin Club Saipan’s Summer Fun – Open Water Series. Compete with other swimmers in this 3.5k distance swim which is also the qualifying swim for the 7.25k Eagle Ray Swim to be held on Sept. 14. Contact: Email 500 Sails at info@500sails.org or visit @500sails on Facebook.
Saipan Chamber of Commerce Pitchfest When: Aug. 23 Time: 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Where: Hyatt Regency Saipan Cost: $25 application fee Pitchfest is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to share their innovative ideas with a panel of judges and an audience for a chance to win seed money that could help grow or launch a small business. This opportunity is open to anyone interested in starting a small business or those who have started a small business from January 2018 to present. Contact: Visit www.saipanchamber.com for more information.
AUGUST
ARTIST
A stroll through paradise SAIPAN’S FIRST AGRI-TOURISM BUSINESS
By Wayne Chargualaf Rather than a regular stroll through the jungle, Rufina Tropicals — Saipan’s first agri-tourism business — offers visitors a tour through the verdant beauty of its 1,000-square-foot botanical garden. From the Chotda Garden — where people can choose plants and vegetables for the staff to cook for them — to the contemplative Mother Mary Grotto, visitors can walk among plants, both local and exotic, which have uses ranging from food to decoration. There is also an educational element, as visitors can learn about various plants while watching employees prepare and package exotic plants for export. “I hope people experience the calm and contentment of being in a tropical ambiance,” Rowina Torres, owner and founder of Rufina Tropicals says. Before the new location in As Lito opened, Rufina Tropicals — named after Torres’ mother — started as a hobby. “I’m a very active person, so when my youngest was Photos by D&R Visuals 4
AUGUST 2019
ARTIST
about to go to school, I started planting and messing around with online marketing and drop-shipping,” Torres says. “I started shipping out plants through my store on Amazon. I did it for fun and then in two weeks I made $4,000.” From there, Torres’ obsession with planting continued until it outgrew her house. “I filled up my house with plants and then I asked my husband if he could buy the property next to us so I could plant some more,” she says. “Then I filled that up and I asked if we could get another one, and that’s where the facility’s at.” The Rufina Tropicals facility offers — along with botanical garden tours and exotic plant exports — an outdoor eatery called Bibang’s Café and a gift shop where customers can buy items such as spices, money art — cash folded into decorative necklaces and commonly given as gifts for special events such as graduations — and plant arrangements. It also offers landscaping services. Some of Rufina's most popular exotic plants are laurentii, zeylanica and — Torres’ personal favorite — sanseviera. Favorites at Bibang’s Café — which is named
AUGUST 2019
5
ARTIST
after Torres’ mother-in-law — are its fish eskabechi, fried parrot fish, dried meat, dried fish and Chamorro Breakfast. The restful, outdoor eatery is a great place to enjoy both nature and the cafe's traditional Chamorro cuisine. Even though she’s the owner of a company that has grown to more than 30 employees, Torres goes out into the field as often as possible because she still loves everything that got her hooked on planting in the first place. “Just the feeling of being outside and being in the sun, the wind, the rain, seeing the green, the roots, touching the dirt,” she says. “I don’t use gloves. All my staff uses gloves and when they offer me some I tell them, ‘You can take your gloves.’” Torres says that she hopes to use Rufina Tropicals as a platform to both delight and educate visitors about what nature and the islands have to offer, from the friendly and educational interactions with staff, to the botanical tours to the food offerings. “We hope our customers enjoy and experience what our facility offers,” she says.
Photos by D&R Visuals 6
AUGUST 2019
Together We Can Protect and Restore Our Ocean
To our Ocean Friendly Partners taking action in the community to support our ocean, THANK YOU for your involvement! Each one of you is contributing to the solutions needed to bring about a better future. As an Ocean Friendly Partner and Property, these businesses demonstrate to the community their commitment and leadership to protect our ocean. One partner, one customer at a time to educate, change behavior and turn the tide for our ocean! Special thanks to our Ocean Friendly Properties!
FEATURED EVENT
FISHING FOR CASH AND GLORY
MAFUTI DERBY SAILS INTO SECOND YEAR
By Wayne Chargualaf Those who love the challenge of small boat lagoon fishing will soon be able to put their skills to the test for money, a trophy and — perhaps most importantly — bragging rights. The ISLA Association’s 2019 Mafuti Derby will be held Aug. 3 at Smiling Cove in Saipan. This is the second year the ISLA Association — ISLA stands for I sanhalom laguna, or “inside the lagoon” anglers — has held the event, which targets mafuti, the local name for what’s scientifically known as the lethrinus lentjan and in English as the redgill emperor. “We were surprised by the turnout last year,” Mike Sablan, ISLA Association president, says. “Last year we were expecting about 15 boats, but we ended up with 21 boats and we still had more boaters who were interested, but their boats weren’t in compliance with boating safety regulations and they didn’t have time to register their boats.” Sablan said there was also a small group of spectators cheering on friends and family who were competing in the derby.
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AUGUST 2019
“Last year we didn't have a big crowd out there, but with this year's advertisements on social media, we think we’re going to have a pretty good one,” he says. There are currently no food vendors, but the event was catered last year and will likely be catered again this year. Although the Mafuti Derby has only officially existed for two years, its roots go back to the turn of the millennium. “We originally had the idea to have a Mafuti Derby in 2001 and we did it until 2008 when it kind of died out,” Sablan says. “Last year some of the previous participants were interested in bringing back the derby, so that’s why we created a formal organization and called it the ISLA Association. Before that it was just some anglers getting together and having fun out there, very informal.” Sablan says what makes fishing inside the lagoon fun is the sheer variety of fish you can catch thanks to the area’s biodiversity. “You really don’t know what you’re going to pick up,” he says. “Every catch is a surprise with what the lagoon and the reef has to offer, you don’t know if you’re going to pick up a mafuti, a snapper, a grouper — it’s always something different.” Last year, Edward Diaz and Wyman Rechurchur of Team
FEATURED EVENT
Nibblers, landed a 3.9 pound mafuti and five fish weighing a total of 11.2 pounds, winning biggest fish and heaviest total weight. “It was the greatest feeling just to land that fish,” Diaz says. Having grown up fishing out of a desire to help provide for his family, Diaz says the key to winning a fishing derby is patience and a little luck. “It was a good day of luck and it was fun,” he says. Sablan says along with competition and prizes, the ISLA Association hopes to promote the sport of light tackle fishing and teach a new generation to fish and live off the ocean in a way not too different from the way their ancestors did. “It’s a way to expose them to their roots and their culture,” he says. The 2019 ISLA Association Mafuti Derby will be held Aug. 3 at Smiling Cove from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entry fee is $40 for one boat captain and angler per boat, with $10 for each additional angler. For youth anglers under the age of 12 years, the first youth angler may enter for free and every additional youth angler is $5. Prizes are $500 for first place, $400 for second place and $300 for third place. There will also be $300 to $400 of giveaways and door prizes.
Photos courtesy of the ISLA Association
AUGUST 2019
9
HEALTH
Digital Detox DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT
By Jackie Cahill Staying connected with friends and family is easier than ever before. With smart phones and social media, it seems we are all plugged in 24/7. But new research suggests that our digital addiction is taking a negative toll on our mental health. According to studies done by the University of British Columbia Vancouver, smartphones may actually undermine our ability to enjoy social interactions. “In [the] studies, phones made people feel distracted, which in turn predicted greater boredom and worse overall mood,” the research says. Additionally, a study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology showed a causal link between the use of social media and negative side effects on mental well-being such as loneliness and depression. To combat these side effects, taking a digital detox can help. “Digital detoxing is necessary to build healthy relationships, get more things done and enjoy moments in real time,” Kimberly C. Mendiola, licensed professional counselor for the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. says. Mendiola says the absence of technological distractions allows us to strengthen relationships, be more productive and makes us more present in day-to-day moments. So, how do you say goodbye to technology in a world where the expectation is to always be on the grid? Here are a few simple steps:
Cancel the noise Turn off notifications from all applications. Without the buzz or blinking light distracting you, you will be less tempted to check your phone throughout the day.
Tech free bedroom Checking technology at nighttime hinders quality of sleep, according to the Sleep Health Foundation. The blue light, notifications and over stimulation all affect our zzz’s. So, when it’s time to hit the hay, keep your phone in another room. If you use your phone as an alarm, purchase an old-fashioned alarm clock — it’ll be worth it.
Schedule time Schedule times when you can use your phone throughout the day and stick to that schedule. For instance, allow yourself to check your phone once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once in the evening. Outside of those times, keep your phone out of sight and out of mind.
AUGUST 2019 11
HEALTH
No phones at the dinner table When spending time with family and friends, at dinnertime or anywhere else for that matter, don’t take out your phone. Dedicate all your attention to the people you care about. This will lead to more satisfying relationships for everyone.
Find a friend Any commitment is easier when done with others. Recruit a friend, or friends, to do a digital detox with you. Having someone to keep you accountable — and vice versa — will help keep you on track.
12 AUGUST 2019
BEAUTY
Back-to-school It’s that time of year again. And while the kids may be crying that summer days are ending, back-to-school shopping is always a fun way to ring in the new school year! Here are Beach Road’s top picks for this year’s back to school trends. Lollipops carries an assortment of themed backpacks.
BACKPACKS Themed Add some fun to school style with a themed backpack showing off favorite characters.
Stuffed animal Get that fuzzy feeling going back to school this year with stuffed animal backpacks. Perfect for studying and cuddling!
Sporty
Get a backpack that plays the part of a fuzzy friend from Lollipops.
Sporty packs are the way to go for the athlete in the family. These packs have plenty of room for books and gear.
Colorful patterns Make your backpack pop thi year with a colorful pattern.
Saipan themed backpack from PST Gear Clothing’s online shop. Jansport bags from National Office Supply offer colorful patterns with a classic design.
local twist Show off some island pride with a Saipan themed backpack.
SHOES Texture and pattern Show off your wild side this year with funky textures and patterns.
Luxury sneakers Vans are the ultimate in skateboard style, available at Boarderline. Show off funky patterns and textures with shoes from The Athlete’s Foot.
14 AUGUST 2019
These Nikes from The Athlete’s Foot are stylish and comfortable.
This year it’s all about style and comfort; sport shoes that are fashion forward and functional.
Skateboard style The classic skateboarder look is back in style this year. Perfect for crushing homework and ollies.
Photos courtesy of Lollipops, National Office Supply, pstgear.com, The Athlete’s Foot and Vans.
BEAUTY Keep drinks hot or cold with Hydro Flask water bottles from The Athlete’s Foot.
ACCESSORIES water bottles Metal water bottles are a hot item this year, ideal for keeping your drink the right temperature all day long.
Lunch gear Don’t stop at backpacks! Choose a lunchbox that reflects your personal style this year.
Bag accessories
Choose from a wide assortment of lunchboxes at National Office Supply.
Keep your bag smelling fresh with gear bombs, shoe spray and fresh socks.
The Athlete’s Foot carries everything you need to keep your bag smelling fresh.
Photos courtesy of The Athlete's Foot and National Office Supply.
Where to go back-to-school shopping Lollipops
All Star Sporting Goods
Lollipops has all the kids’ back-to-school needs with backpacks, lunch kits, water bottles, clothing and accessories for boys and girls. Open Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Garapan
Get all your back-to-school sporting needs from All Star. Representing top brands like Yeti, Nike and Under Armour. Open daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Garapan
Girl Talk
The Athlete's Foot
A tween shop for girls ages 7 to 14 with a great selection of back-to-school clothing and accessories. Open daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Garapan
For all your back-to-school footwear needs, the accessories to go with them and the bags to carry them in, The Athlete’s Foot has what you need. Open daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Garapan location Open daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Susupe location
Boarderline
National office Supply
Boarderline has all the top brands for back-to-school style. Get gear from brands like Salty Crew, Vans, Quicksilver and more. Open daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Garapan
Make it a one-stop-shop at National Office Supply where you’ll find backpacks, lunchboxes, paper goods and more. Open daily 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Garapan
AUGUST 2019 15
RECIPE
PACKED LUNCHES WITH A PUNCH Easy packed lunches and snacks for school are often those that are finger friendly, and Saipan children are no different than their counterparts around the United States in finding these colorful meals attractive. Some children will enjoy making their own combo meal, or slicing their own fruit or vegetables. The meal combos below are also easy for a busy adult to pack for themselves. Durable containers make for easy sectioning, packing and washing. A combination lunch works well when packed with favorite meats, veggie options and a variety of sides. Grape tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, sliced meats, cheese, yogurt, granola bars, cucumber, chips and dips offer a healthy and colorful lunch and are easily digested in preparation for a nap or a busy afternoon. Adapt your own family favorites for a school week of variety.
1
Hummus Pita bread Grape tomatoes Cucumbers Sliced orange or mandarin
2
Cheese quesadilla Guacamole Salsa Tortilla chips
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Hard boiled eggs Baby carrots and ranch Pretzels Peaches, plums or apple sauce
4
Bagel and cream cheese Yogurt tube Cucumber sticks Fruit snacks
Strawberries Adapted from modernhoney.com
AUGUST 2019 17
COVER FEATURE/SPORTS
Photo by D&R Visuals
18 AUGUST 2019
COVER FEATURE/SPORTS
HEAD IN THE CLOUDS; HEART IN THE MARIANAS By Meghan Hickey “To quote an old friend: For those that have never skydived, there is no explanation possible. For those that have skydived, there is no explanation necessary.” This is how Justin Poon, assistant marketing manager at Skydive Saipan LLC, describes the pull to the skies that locals and visitors feel after pummeling thousands of feet from a small plane over the beautiful islands of the Northern Mariana Islands. The tandem skydiving company allows guests ages 18 to 65 the chance to fly to an altitude of 14,000 feet and freefall 60 seconds in the cool air above Saipan. Each guest is harnessed with one of the company’s professional instructors to make the experience one to remember. Owner John Stewart brought the company to Guam and Saipan in 1995 to share his passion for skydiving with the Pacific as an expansion of his four existing skydiving centers in Australia. This was his first step into “foreign waters.” “The views here are absolutely fantastic,” Poon says. And with a steady trail of tourists, the company performs more than 6,000 jumps per year. “The tourists love trying something new, and when you’re doing skydiving, you get to see a lot of beautiful scenery and see the island [from] a birds eye view instead of being down on the ground,” he says. He says the added option of professionally shot photos and videos during the jump is a huge draw — a souvenir guests can take with them to remember the experience forever. Poon says about half of the guests that join them are scared when they arrive, but almost every guest comes back from the jump saying they loved the experience. He says most even say, “It’s not as a scary as a rollercoaster.” Assurance of guests’ safety is top priority for the company, and its 10 instructors and five employees, who mainly hail from the United States and Europe, are highly trained. Instructors are all certified from verified skydiving schools and must show proof of
Photo courtesy of Skydive Saipan
Photo by D&R Visuals
AUGUST 2019 19
COVER FEATURE/SPORTS
certificate and record of jumps before being considered for employment. In addition, all guests must listen to a detailed description of what to expect, as well as multiple safety briefings — during sign up, out on the airfield and again in the plane — before making the jump with their instructor. Skydive Saipan offers two planes, depending on the number of people in the jump party. The larger plane can fit 10 guests with their instructors, while the smaller plane can fit five. A guest can opt for one of four heights — 2,400 meters, 3,000 meters, 3,600 meters or 4,200 meters — from which to make their jump.
SKYDIVE SAIPAN LLC 1 Fadang, Saipan International Airport Saipan, 96950 488-8888 Email: reservations@skydivesaipan.com Instagram: @skydivemarianas Facebook: @skydivesaipan
2,400-meter jump:
$299/person + $160 optional for photos and video
3,000-meter jump:
$339/person + $160 optional for photos and video
3,600-meter jump:
$379/person + $160 optional for photos and video
4,200-meter jump:
$419/person + $119 optional for photos and video Photos by D&R Visuals
Photo courtesy of Skydive Saipan
20 AUGUST 2019
First time tandem jumping? Here’s a few tips from Skydive Saipan to help you prepare for the ride of your life. • Plan to spend a half day at the Drop Zone for your first tandem skydive to allow time for safety lectures and paperwork. • Wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes (no open toes). But if you forget, Skydive Saipan has close-toed shoes you can borrow. Be prepared to wear a jumpsuit and goggles to keep your eyes and clothes protected. • You’ll be fitted with a harness by your instructor — don’t try to re-adjust it! The harness is adjusted to ensure your safety. • Once the plane takes off, relax! Enjoy the stunning views from high above the Mariana Islands. • When it’s time to jump, listen to your instructor to ensure you are in the safest position possible to depart the aircraft. • Free-fall time! Enjoy 15-seconds to 1-minute of freefall depending on your altitude. The feeling is similar to floating and the air resistance around you will create a feeling of cushioning and support. Then, at approximately 5,500 feet, your instructor will deploy the main parachute allowing you to take in the surrounding views while skydiving over Saipan with about five minutes of peaceful flying. • As your fly comes to an end, your feet will be lifted as you land, and your instructor will make sure you land as nice and smoothly as possible. You did it! Photos by D&R Visuals
Photos by Marlon Regaton
Crowds cheered at this year’s Liberation Day Parade held on July 4 in Garapan.
Photos by Marlon Regaton
Fun was had by all at the Transpac Group’s Fab-Family Fun Day on July 13 at the Minachom Atdao Pavillion.
22 AUGUST 2019
ON THE ROAD
Photos by Marlon Regaton
Foodies enjoyed an evening of delicious eats at the Hyatt Recency Saipan’s Churrasco Night on July 17.
Photos courtesy of Island Training Solutions
Delta Management's Connie San Nicolas received Shell's Country Service Champion of the Year award and Ephrem Gaangin received IP&E's Safety Champion award.
Photos courtesy of Jovie Flores and Docomo
The Saipan International Fishing Tournament was held on July 21 at the Garapan Fishing Base.
For more On The Road photos, visit BRM's Facebook page. Submit your photos, with a caption, to assist_editor@glimpsesofguam.com. AUGUST 2019 23
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