#MarianasStrong
Artist paints Saipan with hope
Beneath the waves Scuba diving for all levels
Beauty trends
What and how to wear this spring
MARCH 2019
Scuba diving brings adventurers to a whole new world below Saipan's waters. — Page 14 ABOUT THE COVER Meena Benavente with one of her painted storm debris tins. Photos by D&R Visuals
3 Calendar March Events
4-5 Cover Feature/Artist
Artist turns scraps and debris into strengh and hope
8-9 Feature Event
Saipan Marathon 2019
11 BRM Cocktail Party
BRM's 2019 Calendar Signature event cocktail party
14-16 Sports
Scuba beneath the waves
18-19 Beauty
Spring beauty trends
20 Recipe
Perfect international pancakes or crepes
22-23 On the Road
Event photos and special messages
We’re Online! www.brmsaipan.com
beachroadmagazine
Glimpses Media include: Marianas Business Journal, MBJ Life, Guam Business Magazine, Real Estate Journal, Buenas, Beach Road Magazine, Drive Guam, Pocket Deals
PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita BUSINESS EDITOR Meghan Hickey REPORTERS John I. Borja 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, March 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.
MARCH EVENTS March 2, 8, 16, 22, 29 Project:: unwind Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Location: 3/2 Big Joe’s Restaurant, 3/8 Garapan Restaurant, 3/16 The Airstream Café, 3/22 Judy’s Restaurant and Café, 3/29 J’s Bowling and Restaurant Fee: $40 includes food, a drink and paint session Painting sessions with artist Meena Benavente. Contact: Benavente via WhatsApp at 285-0405 or email mrs.emmbee@gmail.com. Instagram: @projectunwind_ March 9 2019 Saipan Marathon Time: 4:30 a.m. full marathon start, 5:30 a.m. half marathon start, 6 a.m. 10K start Location: Micro Beach, American Memorial Park, Garapan Fee: U.S. and Northern Mariana Island local discounted rates are $55 full marathon, $45 half marathon, $30 10K until Feb. 8; $65 full marathon, $55 half marathon, $40 10K until Feb. 22; $95 full marathon, $85 half marathon, $55 10K until March 6. For more information contact the Marianas Visitors Authority at 664-3200 or via email at info@mymarianas.com. Website: www.mymarianas.com/event/2018-saipan-marathon
March 30 2019 Tagaman Triathlon Fee: $150/solo and $240/relay team Registration: Available online at www.saipantriathlon.com or www.webscorer.com by searching the event name or Race ID 148748. The last day to register is Mar. 28. The triathlon’s 30th anniversary year includes a 2km swim, 60km bike and 15km run. Website: www.saipantriathlon.com March 30 Saipan Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament Fundraiser Location: Lao Lao Bay Golf & Resort West Course Fee: $130 general registration fee Two-person scramble is a competition format that consists of two players. After each shot, the best of the two shots is selected and both players play from the spot. Repeat until the ball is holed. Contact: Email administrator@saipanchamber.com or call 234-7150.
MARCH
COVER FEATURE/ARTIST
Artist turns scraps and debris into strength and hope
Photos by D&R Visuals
By John I. Borja When disaster strikes, it can be difficult to find a silver lining in the aftermath of the chaos. But one Saipan artist was able to find it in her backyard — in an almost literal sense. Meena Benavente’s silver lining was actually two pieces of tin that had made their way to her house amid the catastrophic Super Typhoon Yutu in late October. At first, the harsh sounds of the tins banging against each other from the strong gales triggered post-traumatic stress in Benavente, forcing her to reflect on all that had been lost. While her family was fortunate that their house remained intact, even in the southern part of Saipan where the typhoon hit stronger, Benavente admits she felt survivor’s guilt. She saw the devastation in other homes, other families — even her next-door neighbor. “My heart was palpitating. My anxiety was kicking in. My mind was shrouded in thoughts. ‘What are we going to do about the broken glass and nails around the house? What are we going to eat for dinner? How will we survive?’ 4
MARCH 2019
It was hard to deal with and I had to find something to do,” she says. Benavente kept herself occupied and away from those heavy thoughts by cleaning around her house, one step at a time. While cleaning, she noticed the two pieces of tin still lying about. She collected the pieces, imagining where it had come from and thinking how wasteful it was to trash it. Then an idea struck her. She set up a small work station on the side of her house, gathered her paint supplies and began transforming the tin pieces. With themes of simplicity and optimism, she used bright, vibrant colors to illustrate whatever imagery instilled happiness. Soon enough, the object that brought her stress and anxiety turned into a symbol of hope. She set aside one or two hours a day to continue painting tins; it was a therapeutic consistency she needed to calm her during a difficult time. Benavente posted some of her artwork on social media and was met with overwhelming comments from the community. “No one imaged a piece of tin being able to change
COVER FEATURE/ARTIST
perspective,” she says. “I’ve had people message me, thanking me for this sign of hope. They wanted to keep this project going and some have asked me to make them personal tins. I initially didn’t accept any money, but people very graciously paid for the materials.” Her inspirational art pieces can be seen throughout the island, and a few have been given as gifts to island leaders and organizations for their role in helping Saipan recover from the typhoon. The project inspired her to do even more. Benavente acknowledges that, like her, there were many others in the community who were affected mentally by the devastation. In the same way that she found peace with painting, she scheduled numerous painting sessions called “Project:: unwind” at local restaurants in hopes of providing others that same space. “We’re so busy caring for others that we forget to care for ourselves. Nowadays, we live in a culture where self-care is not really acknowledged. Even though we see signs of depression, anger and anxiety, it’s hard to express that in public. They’re really suppressed. I wanted to give people a safe place to relax, and where they can accommodate our self-awareness,” she says. Despite the limited art resources on island, Benavente made it work by using pieces of plywood as a substitute for canvases. She was creative in using what was already available to make art, instead of purchasing supplies from the store. She also had some help along the way, when the Marianas Young Professionals noticed her efforts and awarded her $1,500 to help fund the painting sessions. Benavente said the sessions will go on once a week, with a monthly session catered to teens. Everything Benavente has done up to this point is for a purpose that she sums up with a hashtag: #MarianasStrong. The tag has become a message of strength and family to not just Saipan, but to other islands in the Marianas, including Guam. The tremendous support Guam provided to the Northern Mariana Islands was a prime example of this familial relation, she says. The hashtag was added to several tin pieces to serve as a reminder of the togetherness exhibited within the archipelago. “When you see #MarianasStrong, you immediately feel something. I want people to remember that feeling,” Benavente says.
Meena Benavente Facebook: Meena Benavente Whatsapp: (670) 285-0405 Instagram: @projectunwind_ MARCH 2019
5
FEATURED EVENT
Saipan Marathon 2019
Fiesta Resort & Spa volunteers provide water to a runner during the 2018 Saipan Marathon. Additional aid stations were manned by Mariana Resort & Spa, Kensington Hotel Saipan, Aqua Resort Club, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Imperial Palace Int’l, Pacific Development Inc., Kinpachi Restaurant, Tasi Tours, Kanoa Resort, Saipan World Resort, IT&E, Coral Ocean Golf Resort, Pacific Islands Club Saipan and Northern Marianas College interns. Photos courtesy of Marianas Visitors Authority
By Wayne Chargualaf Dust off your running shoes because the 2019 Saipan Marathon is here on March 9. “Relatively speaking, it's a nice, easy route at sea level with minimal elevation change,” Judy Torres, acting manager of the Marianas Visitors Authority, says. “The scenic route along Saipan's western lagoon is unbeatable.” Along with the 26.2-mile race that is the event’s namesake, a half marathon and 10K will also be held. All three races will start and finish at Micro Beach, American Memorial Park in Garapan. To liven up the race, participants will be able to compete in five “Wacky Categories” — Most Awesome Shoes, Ugliest Shoes, Craziest Hair, Shortest Shorts (male and female) and best costume (male and female). But just because the race has an entertaining side, that doesn’t mean it’s a joke. The Saipan Marathon is now certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, which means it can be used as a qualifier for races all over the world. “We'd love to see some participants qualify and go on to the prestigious Boston Marathon,” Torres says. Not too long ago, there were doubts as to whether the marathon would even take place, due to the destruction wrought by Super Typhoon Yutu. “Fortunately, we started promotions very early in our source 8
MARCH 2019
Yasunobu Fujibayashi of Japan blossoms in the final 5K of the 2017 Saipan Marathon.
FEATURED EVENT
Hundreds of runners from around the world participate in the Saipan Marathon every year.
markets,” Torres says. “Although we were initially uncertain right after seeing the damage caused by Yutu as to whether the event would continue, within two or three weeks we felt confident the island was recovering quickly enough to proceed. The fact that many major hotels and other industry partners were back in operation immediately was also a great assurance.” Torres credits the combined efforts of the local and federal government, U.S. military, the business community and nonprofit organizations with the swift recovery. “At this point we do not see any significant challenges that would hinder our plans to put up another great marathon,” she says. “It goes to show what our community can accomplish when we work together.” Even in the best of times, however, holding a marathon is a logistical challenge. From gathering volunteers for aid stations along the course to providing traffic control, Torres says a successful marathon requires a strong partnership between the private and government sector. This year the marathon is sponsored by businesses such as Powerade, Skechers and IT&E; and will receive assistance from government agencies such as the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Public Works, Saipan Mayor's Office and the Division of Parks and Recreation. “Without these agencies that have made tourism their business, too, the Saipan Marathon wouldn’t be possible,” she says. Those interested in participating in the 2019 Saipan Marathon can register online at mymarianas.com/event/2019saipan-marathon. The deadline to register is March 6.
(From left) Jonalyn Agulto, Jeafanie Agulto, Francine Joy Ebuen and Kelli Acebo finish the 2017 Saipan Marathon. The event is open to all ages.
(From left) Hiroyuki Miyoshi and Sochie Nohara of Japan tackle the 2017 Saipan Marathon 2017 in style.
MARCH 2019
9
BRM SIGNATURE NIGHT COCKTAIL PARTY
Beach Road Magazine held a cocktail party for the 2019 Calendar Signature Event on Feb. 21 at Kevin’s The Prime Rib and Seafood.
Photos by D&R Visuals MARCH 2019 11
SPORTS
BENEATH THE WAVES:
A whole new world waits for scuba divers in Saipan Divers outside the Tinian Grotto. Photo courtesy of Green Flash Services
By Wayne Chargualaf Although much of the attention on Saipan’s tourism industry tends to be directed toward its hotels and beaches, those with a more adventurous streak — and who are willing to do the work early on — find just as much excitement far from the crowds on land, exploring an alien world deep beneath the waves. Scuba diving provides a way into the underwater world, but getting there isn’t as simple as grabbing a tank and fins and jumping in — not if you want to do it safely, at least. If you want to scuba dive, you’re going to need training, equipment and — in the beginning at least — a guide. Several dive companies on Saipan provide guided dives both from the shore and from a boat as well as dive certifications for various levels or proficiency. If you’re not quite ready to make the plunge into full certification, many companies offer a “Discover Scuba Diving” (sometimes called a “discovery dive”) course, which provides noncertified individuals a short, easy dive after an introduction to the basics of scuba diving. Most companies provide equipment rentals as well. The most popular dive spots are Lau Lau Beach and the Grotto. Other popular sites are 14 MARCH 2019
Obyan Beach, Banzai Cliff and Wing Beach. As beautiful as the waters around Saipan can be, however, scuba diving also brings you up close and personal with the ways human beings affect the underwater environment. Unfortunately, coral bleaching — which threatens the life of Saipan’s coral reefs and the sea life that depends on it — and pollution are becoming more and more prevalent. Many dive operators have expressed that more controls on pollution and even the dive industry itself can help address these issues. “The government could make a real difference here by making sure that all operators are actually licensed and legal and then adopt the rules and regulations that have already been written for the Grotto and start enforcing them,” Harry Blalock of Axe Murderer Tours says. “They have been dragging their feet on this issue for years now.” Nonetheless, Saipan still has plenty of underwater beauty left to enjoy and, who knows? If more people take up diving, maybe more people will come to appreciate and take action to preserve the natural beauty of Saipan’s coral reefs, which are important to both its tourist industry and its ecosystem.
SPORTS
• Snorkeling: Shore access - $50 Boat access - $70 Stand up paddling rental - $25 Instruction - $20 • Boat charter: contact Fishguyz for pricing
GREEN FLASH DIVE
A sea anemone hosting two clown fish in the Grotto.
Began operating in: 2016 Offerings: • Dive instruction: $300 to $1,200 depending on certification • Guided dives: Shore dives - $70 for one dive, $100 for two dives (at Lau Lau, Obyan and Grotto, groups discounts depending on size) Boat dives - $100 for two dives (boat fee between $40 and $75 depending on the dive point and boat service) • Night dives: $50 (at Lau Lau or Grotto) • Gear rentals: $30 per day for full set • Green flash also provides technical services for dive companies such as gear repair and hydrotesting.
SAIPAN MEI DIVE A diver floating over the reef in Lau Lau. Photos courtesy of Green Flash Services
AXE MURDERER TOURS SAIPAN
Began operating in: 2008 Offerings: • Shore dives: $100 to $125 • Boat dives: $175 to $200 (including boat fee) • Discover scuba diving: $150 (can bring one uncertified diver, done at Lau Lau Beach only) • Gear rental: $35 per day for full set, varies for individual pieces • Dive instruction: $300 to $1,250 depending on certification
FISHGUYZ
Began operating in: 2015 Offerings: • Discover scuba diving: Shore dive - $70 Boat dive - $180 (includes two dives) • Shore dives: $60 per dive, $100 for two dives • Boat dives: $130 to $150 depending on dive site • Dive instruction: $150 to $500 depending on certification
Began operating in: 1968 Offerings: • Shore dives: $45 to $70 • Boat dives: $120 to $145 (including boat fee) • Discovery dive: Shore dives - $50 to $100 Boat dives - $150 to $175 (including boat fee) • Gear rental: $25 per day for full set, varies for individual pieces • Dive instruction: $300 to $1,250 depending on certification
POPULAR DIVE SITES Descriptions adapted from axemurderertours.com.
The Grotto A Saipan spot that's famous among divers the world over, the Grotto is a collapsed limestone cavern with a pool of seawater filled by three underwater passageways. Sometimes the Grotto is calm and at other times powerful surges of water flow in and out. The Grotto is accessed by walking 116 steps down to the pool.
Grotto
MARCH 2019 15
SPORTS
Floating Emily
The Floating Emily seaplane Commonly mistaken for a B-29, the wreck is actually an Imperial Japanese Navy H8K. The name “Emily” comes from the Allied code name for the aircraft type. Usually an easy dive, the plane rests in white sand surrounded by small coral heads and is often accompanied by white tip sharks. Pipeline Pipe is comprised of coral rocky mounds and a white sandy floor that measures about 18 meters down at its deepest point. Pips is known for being an excellent place to see spotted eagle rays.
Pipeline
Temple of Doom
Temple of Doom The Temple of Doom is a rock formation outside the Grotto that is 80 feet underwater at its highest point and 160 feet underwater at its deepest point. The Temple of Doom is recommended for more advanced divers. Lau Lau Bay Lau Lau is popular for both beginning and advanced divers. It’s known for its easy beach entry and large reef. Lau Lau is also known for its resident fish ball — sometimes known as a bait ball — which is a tightly packed, spherical defensive formation adopted by certain species of small fish when they feel threatened. Turtles are also a common sight at Lau Lau.
Lau Lau
Chin Sen Mauru Shipwreck
16 MARCH 2019
Chin Sen Mauru Shipwreck The Chinsen Maru is a large freighter that sits at around 30 feet beneath the surface. The ship sank to its current resting place more than 70 years ago and is now covered in coral growth which is home to thousands of fish. Destroyed by torpedoes in World War II, there is little left for a wreck diver to penetrate but it remains a popular dive site.
Fleming Wall Located in Tinian, the Fleming Wall drops off to more than 200 feet and is known for having excellent visibility, often more than 150 feet. Large gorgonian sea fans, turtles and rays are a commons sight and divers will spot the occasional shark.
Fleming Wall
Dimple Dimple is a seamount on the western side of Saipan. Eagle rays, eels and turtles are often seen here. With a depth ranging from 40 feet to 130 feet, dimple is suitable for beginners and advanced divers alike. Wing Beach Located on the northwest part of the island, Wing Beach is known geographical features such as large crevasses and a sloping wall. This site is well known for shark encounters and Spanish Dancers at night. A drift dive from a boat is the best way to do this dive. Divers will often see octopus, giant moray eels and Spanish dancers. Obyan Beach Located near Naftan Point on the southern part of Saipan, Obyan beach is also known for excellent visibility, boasting more than 150 feet of visibility on a good day. With a white sand bottom and coral running through, Obyan beach is suitable for all skill levels and is popular with underwater photographers. Many like to use Obyan Beach for postdive picnics and bonfires.
Dimple
Wing Beach
Obyan Beach
Spotlight Spotlight is a cave that goes under the cliff line at Banzai Cliff that features a hole in the ceiling. A shaft of light shines down through the hole in the middle of the day in the summer, giving the dive spot its name. Spotlight
BEAUTY
STAY ON TOP OF
THE BEAUTY TRENDS By John I. Borja
Beauty and makeup trends change as often as one changes clothes, and it very well may be that the look you thought was fierce today could be a distant memory tomorrow. Saipan makeup lovers tend to follow mainland trends, albeit with limitations on cosmetic products. Even with few options, you can still pull off that fashionable look with a few easy tips. We talked to Venus Grenio, all-around beauty specialist at Natural Nail Spa, to get her thoughts on what’s trending on Saipan, as well as easy-to-follow advice on cleaning your skin.
Go big and bold with your hair This year is all about going big and there are numerous hairstyles that can make that statement — whether you want to keep it short to endure the island humidity or add more bounce in your walk with voluminous hair. Grenio has noticed her clients are really digging big, long curls over the more natural waves. The result usually ends in making your hair look healthy, and longer hair means more ways to style. The balayage effect is also taking the community. The gradient color transition is subtle, often blending a darker color with its lighter version. “This is best for medium- to long-length hair and it can be done with the client’s color preferences. The ‘in’ colors right now are platinum and gray,” Grenio says. For men, Grenio can easily split it into two categories: messy or military. Photos courtesy of Venus Grenio
18 MARCH 2019
BEAUTY
“While some men favor texture and grunge-style long hair, others are all about a sharp, short back and sides — a nonmessy buzz cut.”
Give your nails life Like with hair, Grenio also gets requests from women to go big and dazzle their nails with sparkling, almost illusionary designs. Glitter and animal print styles are especially popular among her clients. There is also a trendy 3D effect that’s going around. The technique uses small ornaments and thick gels to paint surreal artwork right above the fingertips. Grenio cautions that when adding more intricate designs on your nails, it’s best practice to make sure your nails are in good condition, especially when they’re long, to hold a generous amount of product.
Treat your skin first, then makeup There’s a wide variety of makeup looks that are trendy, particularly ones that make your skin glow, but Grenio is enlightened to see that more women are being proactive in taking care of their skin. With the amount of makeup products one can put on in a day, Grenio says it’s important to spend the same amount of effort in cleansing and refreshing. “Healthy skin is important as we age, so extra care is needed. Make it a routine to wash your face every morning and evening followed by toner and moisturizer. Also, never sleep with makeup on. Use makeup removers or wipes to take it off at the end of the day. And of course, the essentials: stay hydrated, manage stress and get a good amount of sleep.”
Use makeup products you’re comfortable with Saipan is thousands of miles away from the mainland, which means it can be quite difficult to obtain certain cosmetic brands. T Galleria by DFS, Saipan is where one can find a selection of makeup and skincare products, namely Benefit Cosmetics, MAC Cosmetics and Clinique. Grenio has a preference for MAC products, but she says it’s best to stick to products you’re comfortable with, both physically and financially. “Any beauty product will do as long as it suits your skin type. You have to try and find out what works for you,” she says. “It doesn't have to be expensive, but make sure it's hypoallergenic and paraben-free.” Finding the perfect shade of foundation to match your skin tone goes a long way, too, she says.
MARCH 2019 19
RECIPE
Putting the Mmm of mouthwatering menus into the month of March
There are some good reasons to celebrate with food in March — including National Pig Day on March 1, International Pancake Day on March 4 and St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. Sometimes we are a little bit laid back in the islands, so if you are only reading this after the due date, nobody will complain if you produce tempting dishes based on a good idea later in the month or even if April. And it’s okay to adapt a menu to your own preferences or localize a recipe to what’s available in Saipan and the rest of the Northern Mariana Islands. While some local fruits and vegetables are available year round, others have seasons (like mango and avocado), but this year post-Typhoon Yutu you might have to adapt a bit further to availability.
Perfect international pancakes or Crepes Taking its name from the French, this is a simple and light version of a pancake recipe, designed to be made from ingredients you should have to hand:
Ingredients: • 2 eggs • ½ cup of milk • ½ cup water • ¼ teaspoon salt • 2 tablespoons melted butter
3. Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot. 4. Serve your crepes simply with sugar, honey and/or syrup; add fruit (mangoes are in season typically in March in the Mariana Islands and can be diced for pancakes) or decorate with your favorite indulgences such as sliced bananas, whipped cream or chocolate syrup.
Prep time: About 10 minutes
Makes four crepes. Increase recipe amounts as needed.
Preparation:
Mix it up:
1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth.
For a savory international version suitable for a quick lunch or light dinner, serve as the Dutch do with ham and cheese and produce pannekoeken!
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly. 20 MARCH 2019
Adapted from allrecipes.com
Photos by D&R Visuals
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce and the Saipan Young Professionals hosted the Silver Linings Gala on Jan. 19 at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.
Photo by Jonathan Perez
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Northern Marianas Humanities Council board members presented the 21st Governor's Humanities Awards to five members of the community on Jan. 24 at Giovanni’s Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Saipan. Awardees included Galvin Deleon Guerrero, Victor Cabrera, Cecilio Raiukiulipiy, Gordon Marciano and Don Farrell.
Photos courtesy of Rose Mafnas
Rose Mafnas celebrated her birthday in February with sister Rebecca, to include a birthday dinner with godparents Pete and Julie MuĂąa at the Fiesta Resort Hotel.
22 MARCH 2019
ON THE ROAD
Photos by D&R Visuals
The Marianas Visitors Authority and community partners held an evening Lunar New Year Party on Feb. 5 at the Paseo de Marianas pedestrian mall in downtown Garapan.
Photos by Brent Deleon Guerrero, courtesy of Docomo Pacific
CNMI Public School System students, teachers and administrators presented Docomo Pacific with a plaque of appreciation for the company’s overall contribution to education on Feb. 15 at Kagman High School. The presentation coincided with the arrival of over 200 laptops sponsored by Docomo that will be distributed to all public school libraries in Saipan, Tinian and Rota. For more On The Road photos, visit BRM's Facebook page. Submit your photos, with a caption, to lifestyleeditor@glimpsesofguam.com. MARCH 2019 23