Beach Road Magazine - January 2017

Ringing in the New Year With Miss Marianas Peachy Quitugua

Warm your belly

Aiko’s Ramen is ready to serve

Young and talented

Artist Cerijean T. Mangubat develops her style

JANUARY 2017

Akio's Ramen features a variety of dishes including the Chamorro Ramen. See story on page 16.

Photo courtesy of Aiko's Ramen.

ABOUT THE COVER

Miss Marianas 2016 Peachy Quitugua photographed at the Kanoa Resort Saipan.

See story on page 4.

Photo by Bill Bezzant bill.bezzant@pticom.com

4-5 Cover feature Miss Marianas Peachy Quitugua shares outlook for 2017

6 Beauty and fashion A New Year, a new you

8 Home for the holiday Celebrating the Lunar New Year in Saipan

9 Calendar January events

10-11 On the Road Event photos and special messages

12 Artist profile Cerijean F. Mangubat

13 Recipes Pork pot roast and Buco Panda

14 Community Safety training with Western Pacific Training solutions

16 Restaurant spotlight Aiko’s Ramen

We’re Online! www.brmsaipan.com

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Glimpses Publications include Guam Business Magazine, Marianas Business Journal, MBJ Life, Beach Road Magazine and R&R Pacific

PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita MANAGING EDITOR Jackie Hanson ASSISTANT EDITOR Joy White REPORTER Lara Ozaki PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Rosanna Dacanay SENIOR DESIGNER Vikki Fong DESIGN & PRODUCTION Conrad Calma Jr. Keisha Marie Gozum Josiah Almosara SALES MANAGER Annie San Nicolas ACCOUNT MANAGER Minda Castro MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong Beach Road Magazine, January 2017. Entire contents copyrighted 2017 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.

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Krissa Deleon Guerrero, administrative assistant of food and beverage at Kanoa Resort Saipan, and Miss Marianas Peachy Quitugua.

Miss Marianas 2016 Peachy Quitugua with Miss New Zealand.

Photo courtesy of Peachy Quitigua

Miss Marianas 2016 Peachy Josifynn Quitugua Age: 22 Hometown: Tanapag, Saipan Achievements: Northern Marianas Academy Valedictorian, associate’s in Liberal Arts, associate’s in science nursing and 2010 Liberation Day Queen.

Hobbies: boxing, hiking, bonding with family, watching Netflix, traveling and Stellar Marianas

As Miss Marianas 2016 Peachy Quitugua prepares to represent the Northern Mariana Islands in 2017, she took a moment to speak with BRM to reflect on her reign so far and what she looks forward to in the New Year.

BRM: How has the journey as Miss Marianas been so far?

Left: Miss Marianas 2016 Peachy Quitugua at the Miss Marianas 2016 pageant in October.

Right: Miss Marianas 2016 Peachy Quitugua in her national costume, the flame tree.

Photos courtesy of Peachy Quitugua

BRM: What are your goals for this year?

PQ: I don’t have a specific New Year’s resolution, but if I were to put it in one sentence it would be to invest more time into my well-being, my community and my family.

Not only do I plan to be more involved in the community, but another goal of mine is to inspire everyone else to be more involved as well. Stellar Marianas will be assisting me in creating my community projects, and hopefully I can get more people to be involved.

BRM: What are you looking forward to?

PQ: This year 2017, I look forward to a better and healthier Marianas.

PQ: The journey as Miss Marianas has been extraordinary.

It has truly been a life changing experience and it is only the beginning.

BRM: What has been your favorite thing about being Miss Marianas?

PQ: My favorite thing about being Miss Marianas is the opportunity to show our beautiful islands, unique culture and our Chamorro and Carolinian heritage to the world.

I have never been more humbled carrying the name “Northern Mariana Islands” with me wherever I go.

BRM: What will you do this year as Miss Marianas?

PQ: This year I plan to dedicate my time to the community, especially the youth. I have always wanted to give back to my islands, and I feel like this is the perfect time to do so. I will be creating a community project focused on health and fitness, particularly aimed at the junior high schools.

Miss Marianas 2016 Peachy Quitugua with Miss New Zealand, Miss Thailand and Miss International 2016 (Miss Philippines).

Photo courtesy of Peachy Quitugua

BRM: What is your message to the community?

PQ: This New Year, strive to invest in your happiness, your health and ultimately share a little more with others — whether it be kindness, time or love. Be a better you for yourself and those around you.

Beauty/Fashion

BRM spoke with Saipan experts to get tips on spicing up yourself and your home in 2017.

Fashion and grooming

Beauty

For men’s fashion in 2017, the trend will still be top-sider shorts, shorts that fall to the knees, and tight or body fitting shirts. The brown and red colors in clothing will be in. For hair styles, men should have their hair cut every two weeks. Hi-cut styles and comb-over styles will still be the Experts recommend a clean look for men. trend, including the Elvis Presley-style hair but with a modern twist and clean on the sides.

The trend for younger women will still be a girly look with layered bottoms, even ballooned and high-waisted, paired with sleeveless tops such as tube tops and tops with Venus cuts. For women, they should get a hair treatment every two weeks at least because of the salty water in Saipan. I recommend a hair spa or Hair Reborn treatment. The 2017 hair trend for women is a pony tail with bangs — either moon or half bangs down to the ear or full bangs.”

— Victor T. “ Sunshine” Elis, professional hair stylist and beautician, Trends Salon

“For men in 2017, when choosing a color to complement your skin tone, you first have to determine what your skin tone is and always maintain a clean and sassy look.

The comb over hair cut is in.

For women, start your own trend. Use the right color and new hairstyles that Experts encourage women to choose a style can create a lift and that creates a natural glow. natural glow to your Photos courtesy of Sharmaine Casquero face. If you believe you look great, you’ll end up setting the trend for other people.”

— Sharmaine Casquero, professional hair stylist, ASKS Salon

Home “That one item that you can add to your home is a decorative piece or anything that is of rust color — a dark reddish orange. The rust color is rare and will make your house look very different. It will look fresh for 2017.

— Rose Artienda, store manager, Town House Department Store, Furniture & Appliances Contributed photo 6

JANUARY 2017

Holiday

By Joy White

On Jan. 28, the Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year, will be met with fireworks, good food and good company as celebrants take the day off to welcome a fresh start.

In general, celebrants travel home to celebrate and visit the homes of different relatives and friends. Sofia Cui, seamstress and owner of Sofia Dress Shop, will have a celebration in the islands.

Sofia Cui (right) with son Raiden, and her friend, Sarah, with daughter, Miranda.

Here in Saipan, friends cook different foods for a pot luck meal then get together and celebrate, usually with a lot of fireworks. Fireworks are for chasing away bad luck and bad spirits,” Cui says.

Cui and her friends will dine on traditional dishes cooked during the holiday, including dumplings, fish, meat and spring rolls, as well as a variety of fruits.

“My wishes for the new year are good health, to make lots of money and have prosperity and a lot of good luck as well,” Cui says.

Tom Gu, owner of CK Internet Zone, says of his plans for the holiday, “On New Year’s eve, we go out with family and good friends to eat usually in a Chinese restaurant. My wishes for 2017 are good health, prosperity and good business and more customers.”

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JANUARY 2017

For Hannah Pang, owner of Hannah Health Massage, Chinese New Year celebrations start on New Year’s Eve with a gathering and celebration, including drinking and singing with family and friends, either at home or in a restaurant.

At midnight, the family celebrates with fireworks.

“On Jan. 28, everyone will take a day off, as a day of rest. We will be visiting friends and relatives, and at noon, will gather and eat dumplings and other foods for prosperity. Elders will give out red packets or small envelopes with cash as blessings,” Pang says.

For 2017 she is looking forward to blessings, prosperity and progress and wishes everybody good health, she says.

Lily Spring, a waitress and cashier at Grace Restaurant, celebrates with food and other special traditions.

“On Chinese New Year’s day, we usually prepare a bountiful table with dumplings, fish, pork and plenty of fruits. One of my favorite parts of the celebration is the fireworks. We also wear red clothing and pray before the meal,” Spring says.

Spring’s parents, brother and sister are in Jiangsu, China, and she hopes she will spend happy times with them in the New Year.

Photos by BRM

Calendar

January Events Jan. 20 Marianas Sunset Fun Run 5K

2016 CNMI Public School System Teacher of the Year Gerard Van Gils of Kagman High School speaks about the Million Dollar Scholars campaign at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce general membership meeting on Dec. 7 at Saipan World Resort.

Time: Registration at 5 p.m.; Run starts at 6 p.m.

Location: Course starts and ends at Garapan Fishing Village; Turnaround point at Japanese tank on Quartermaster Road.

Price: $5 for registration, proceeds to benefit the Saipan Mayor’s Office dog control program For more information, contact the Marianas Visitors Authority at (670) 664-3200.

Jan. 29 2nd Annual Timmy Would Go Paddle Memorial Classic Time: 8:30 a.m.

Location: Kilili Beach Price: $20 For more information, contact the Marianas Visitors Authority at (670) 664-3200.

Gerard

s Van Gil

All January and continuing to May The Million Dollar Scholars campaign Kagman High School is accepting donations in its efforts to raise funds to provide college scholarships of $1,500 to cover costs of travel, passport, college and housing application fees and personal expenses for more than 20 high school seniors.

For more information, contact Gerard van Gils at Gerard.vangils@cnmipss.org or Leila Staffler Leila.staffler@cnmipss.org.

To be included in our calendar of events, submit details to assist_editor@glimpsesofguam.com.

JANUARY 2017

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On the road

Aniah Chrisable and her parents, Donna and Sonny, and relatives and friends at her christening reception held on Dec. 17 at Aqua Resort Club Saipan.

“Happy birthday, Kirk.”

From loving parents, Leah and Leo

Merry Christmas from The Calvo family, shown on Dec. 25 at San Vicente Church.

Photo by BRM

“Happy 25th Wedding Anniversary,” From family and friends.

Paskong Pinoy was held on Dec. 18 at Marianas Business Plaza grounds.

Clockwise from top left: UFO with special guest, Bishop Ryan Jimenez; Studio 29:11 dance group; Emperador Band with Grace; and Out of the Ordinary Band Photos by BRM 10

JANUARY 2017

On the road

“Congratulations to the Gray Team,” from Leidy Darlene

Contributed photo

2016 CNMI Public School System Teacher of the Year Gerard Van Gils of Kagman High School was the guest speaker at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce general membership meeting on Dec. 7 at Saipan World Resort.

Photo by BRM

Green Meadow School wins the $5000 first prize during a Christmas Caroling contest at Marianas Visitors Authority Christmas in the Marianas in GaContributed photo rapan on Dec 17.

The 2016 Transpacific Employees Appreciation Party was held on Dec. 18 at the Saipan World Resort.

Students were presented with certificates and recognitions during the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s Career Exploration Day on Dec. 7.

Photos by Bill Bezzant

Photo by Minda Castro (BRM)

JANUARY 2017

11

Artist

An animated passion

Cerijean F. Mangubat

By Joy White Photos by BRM

Cerijean F. Mangubat Idols: Animators Rebecca Sugar and Bobby Chiu Favorite musicians: Ed Sheeran and Regina Spektor Favorite author: Dan Brown

C

erijean F. Mangubat is a budding artist. A high school junior, she has a hopeful outlook about art and is working to develop her personal style.

Mangubat is the youngest of three with two older brothers, Jeremy and Jade, and the daughter of Ceria C. Fabon and Jerry G. Mangubat.

Mangubat’s work received first place in the Joeten Kiyu Library Comic Book Day art competition for creaturesthemed art and in the Pacifica Art Contest in her age division. Her works have also won third place in a logo-design contest for the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and second place in the Liberation Day “Discover the Future of Saipan” art contest.

She hopes to one day share her ideals with the world.

“What I want to create is a story, whether through illustration, comic or animation,” Mangubat says.

Her passion for art began with an interest in cartoons and anime – Japanesestyle cartoons. In addition to animated works, Mangubat enjoys pieces in watercolor and colored pencil and realistic pieces with deep or hidden meanings, especially in contrast and color.

In her free time, she plans to experiment with this style in 12

JANUARY 2017

her own artwork.

“I remember the giddiness I would feel whenever there was a technique I wanted to try or when I find another artist to idolize and observe every single stroke of First prize winner, 2016 Pacifica Insurance 'Rest Astheirs. It's those mo- sured its Christmas' art competition, October 2016 ments … that make me believe I'm lucky to be alive,” Mangubat says.

The presentation of shadows framing solid forms alongside the use of light on various surfaces in a single piece is something that amazes her about art and is something that can be seen in daily life, she says. “An artistic look on life is just the infinite admiration for the universe as itself,” she says.

Art is an important part of the community, she believes, with the ability to provide inspiration. There is also an element of mystery in art, as the audience is often left to decipher the meaning behind the pieces, she says.

Her advice to other artists is to educate themselves about their work and to practice, as one would in academics or sports, she says.

For Mangubat, the most essential factor in creating art is that it comes from the heart of the creator. “I believe that all work produced should be voluntary. If any part is forced, then even if that art piece dazzles millions, it wouldn't matter,” she says.

Recipe

Pork Pot Roast Contributed by Chef Maryanne Lizama

Ingredients • One tablespoon butter • Four to five pounds pork roast • One small onion, thinly sliced • Two tablespoon cornstarch • One teaspoon salt

• Salt and pepper to taste • Five cloves garlic, peeled • Two cups water • Half a cup of water

Directions 1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F. 2. Melt butter in very heavy bottomed pot with lid, over medium high heat.

3. Salt and pepper all sides of pork roast.

4. When butter just begins to give off smell of being hot, place roast in pot.

5. Do not move it for one minute, then rotate it to brown all sides.

6. Lay garlic cloves and onion slices around the roast and stir to brown.

7. Add water.

8. Bring to a boil.

9. Cover tightly and place in lower portion of the oven.

10. Roast one hour for boneless roast; one and threefourths hours for bone-in roast.

11. Half-way through roasting time turn the roast over.

12. Remove roast from pan and cover to keep hot.

13. Mix Two Tablespoons cornstarch into half a cup water.

14. Using a whisk, stir the cornstarch mixture into the pot drippings, breaking up the garlic cloves as you mix.

15. Bring to a boil, taste and season if needed with salt and/or pepper.

Buco Pandan

Contributed by Chef Maryanne Lizama

Ingredients • 32 oz or 2 packages of young shredded coconut • 1 can (12.8 oz) of table cream • 1 can (14 oz) condensed milk • 1 ½ cups coconut gel (nata de coco) • 2 cans green gulaman jelly, sliced in cubes 1 box green gulaman jelly • 1 tsp pandan essence Directions 1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl starting with the shredded coconut. Be sure to add the buko juice that comes in the package.

2. Add gulaman, coconut gel, table cream and condensed milk.

Submit recipes and photos to assist_editor@glimpsesofguam.com.

JANUARY 2017

13

Community

Ready to respond

Western Pacific Training Solutions offers safety courses

By Joy White

Photos courtesy of Glenn Policare

Senior Instructor Larry Lee with Certified Instructors Margaret Cruz, Theresa Tababa and Keanna Villagomez.

From left: Theresa Tebaba, Margaret Cruz, Larry Lee and Keanna Villagomez.

Dennis Tababa, vice president and treasurer, Western Pacific Training Solutions

W

hen a resource for safety training was cut off, two citizens stepped up to ensure the training was still available to the community.

Western Pacific Training Solutions was established in April 2015 to fill the need when the local chapter of the American Red Cross was unable to provide health and safety training.

“In August 2012, some of the smaller chapters [of the American Red Cross], like NMI, were forced to abandon the health and safety aspect of their services. While the local chapter here still puts the community in touch with instructors, they no longer offer community certification courses.

My partner, Dennis [Tababa], and I saw a need to fill and figured out a business plan. We both have a passion and a commitment to this sort of training, so it only seemed natural,” says Glenn Policare, president and secretary of Western Pacific Training Solutions. Tababa is the vice president and treasurer.

Western Pacific Training Solutions has been offering the community health and safety training, including professional rescuer and instructor courses, as well as instruction in adult, child and infant CPR, First Aid and lifeguarding.

The company offers professional courses geared toward lifeguards, security guards, nurses, police officers, firefighters and other first responders.

“We certify quite a few teachers, boat captains, office staff and everyone else,” Policare says.

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The team offers full courses for first-time and lapsed certifications, as well as review classes for those currently certified.

“We teach first-timers all of the time. While we have quite a few returning clients who want or need their teams to be certified, we offer new classes quite often. Our most requested class is adult, child and infant CPR. This is a five- to six-hour course which comes with a two-year certification,” Policare says.

Training is constant, he says. The team conducts at least two to three classes a month, usually conducted at the clients’ requested training site. One of the team’s most notable clients is the Public School System, Policare says.

Community classes are conducted at the NMI Chapter of the American Red Cross unless otherwise announced.

Anyone can benefit from taking a course. “If you work with people or if you are around people throughout the day, the life-saving skills we teach could be extremely helpful in times of need,” Policare says.

The team is made up of seven instructors, including Tababa, Dexter Brennan and Larry Lee, a senior instructor. Policare, who received his instructor’s certification in 1998, is an instructor trainer.

To schedule a course or for more information, contact Western Pacific Training Solutions at 783-4277 (4CPR) or email info@westpacifictraining.com.

Restaurant

By Joy White Photos by BRM

Residents looking to warm their bellies can find just what they are looking for at Aiko’s Ramen, located on Beach Road in Susupe.

The restaurant held its grand opening on Nov. 21 and offers more than 11 types of ramen. Its signature dishes are Miso Ramen prepared with Sendai miso from the Miyagi Prefecture in Japan and Coconut Ramen.

“Aiko” is a nickname of the restaurant’s namesake, Soledad Tenorio. Tenorio, also known as “DaiDai” has a love of ramen, says Emi Okazaki, food and beverage manager of Aiko’s Ramen.

The noodles are made fresh in the restaurant’s

kitchen each day. All the ingredients, like flour and broth, imported from Japan, with shipments coming in at least every other month. Dishes are prepared by Aiko’s Ramen cook Ken Sato, who was born in Saipan but grew up in Japan, where his father and his family owned a ramen shop in Tokyo.

The restaurant’s extensive menu includes Shoyu Ramen, Shio Ramen, Miso Ramen, Chamorro Ramen, spicy Geki Kara Miso Ramen, Chashu Men, Chasu Miso Ramen, Yakisoba, Abura Men and Tsuke Men, a hot dipping soup.

Okazaki recommends the restaurant’s red ramen noodles made with red pepper. “You can get additional noodles for an extra $1,”she says.

Prices range from $8.50 to $12.50. In addition, Happy Hour at Aiko’s Ramen is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, which includes discounts on alcoholic beverages and a Happy Hour Menu with items for less than $5.

The casual dining restaurant is divided into two rooms and can seat more than a total 72. Reservations are not required. Restaurant hours of operation are 11a.m. to 2p.m. and 5p.m. to 11p.m., with the last order at 10:30 p.m. To call ahead for big groups or for additional information, contact Aiko’s Ramen at 237-2176.

The Coconut Ramen is a signature dish at Aiko's Ramen.

Emi Okazaki, food and beverage manager, Aiko's Ramen 16

JANUARY 2017

Aiko's Ramen is located on Beach Road, Susupe