Beach Road Magazine - May 2016

Model mothers

A Mother's Day special

Sprinting for success

Zarinae Sapong

Staging a legacy Theatre Club celebrates 20th anniversary

MAY 2016

ABOUT THE COVER

Hazel Cruz-dela Santa and children Heleyna Frielle, 8; Friella Huanne, 3; and Farrel Huan, 1, at San Antonio Beach Park.

See story on page 4.

Photo by Corwin Shadow

4 Cover story A mother’s love

8 May events Taste of the Marianas, Marianas March Against Caner and more

10 Recipe Chocolate mousse

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

12 Sports feature Zarinae Jones Sapong – track and field

14 Special feature MCS Theatre Club celebrates 20 years

16 Artist feature Aysia Santos

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. SALES MANAGER Annie San Nicolas ACCOUNT MANAGER Minda Castro MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong

18 On the Road Event photos and special messages

We’re Online! www.brmsaipan.com

beachroadmagazine

Beach Road Magazine, May 2016. Entire contents copyrighted 2016 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.

Cover Feature

A Mother’s Love

Mothers take care of us, teach us and get us through tough times. Three moms share their different perspectives and experiences.

By Joy White

Mother on a mission

M

ary Ann Q. Lizama balances her life as a mother of three and as a culinary student at the Guam Community College.

Cooking is a big part of her life. She starts the day early by making breakfast and preparing lunch for her family. Then she gets ready for her own day. She takes classes Monday to Thursday, but during exam week or service learning, she stays late into the evening to assist the chef.

“After school, like any other mom, I have to do house chores like cleaning, washing and cooking dinner for my family. … At the end of the day I have to do my homework and have to make sure that my kids drink

Mary Ann Q. Lizama Husband: James Lizama Children: Rose Lizama, 21; Czarina Lizama, 19; and Joshua Lizama, 16 Contributed photo 4

MAY 2016

their vitamins before going to bed,” she says.

On weekends, she prepares special meals when her children have friends over.

Although she admits there are days that the family orders take-out when she is too caught up or tired from her day, she does not mind cooking for her family or friends.

“Cooking is my passion, and I really enjoy it,” she says.

In addition to cooking for them, Lizama teaches her children life lessons, such as learning from challenges, being considerate of others and being themselves, as well as the tenets of faith.

Lizama made a tough choice when her daughter wanted to stay on Saipan to finish her senior year of high school while the rest of the family moved to Guam. It would be the first time the family was separated.

Lizama lost sleep worrying about her daughter, wondering if she was eating well.

“It was very hard for me, but I had to let her stay back because I understand the feeling of wanting to spend your senior year with your friends and classmates that you knew since freshman year,” she says.

Lizama attributes her philosophy of being a mother to her own mother. “My mom is strong, patient and a God-fearing woman, and she always think of her kids’ happiness before herself. Because I grew up seeing her like that, I apply that to myself as a mom, too. My mom was also a great cook, and she has influenced me tremendously in what I am today,” she says.

Cover Feature

Mother makes time

H

azel Cruz-dela Santa went through every mother’s fear. During her second pregnancy, an ultrasound at five months indicated possible complications.

“It was just so hard to bear every day, wondering if things would turn out fine.

But we never gave up nor questioned God,” she says. The dela Santas received support from friends throughout the ordeal. As the pregnancy progressed, there were some significant improvements, and a healthy baby girl was born.

Cruz-dela Santa is now a mother of three. She is a full-time administrative and accounting clerk.

On a typical day she and her husband, Derick J. dela Santa, take a tag-team approach to get their school-aged daughter, Heleyna, 8, through her day: Cruz-dela Santa gets her dressed and ready, they drop her off to school together and Derick picks her up afterwards and takes her to extracurricular activities.

Shortly after 6 p.m. the family is home for dinner. Cruz-dela Santa helps her daughter with homework and projects. Then, it’s playtime before the children go to bed at 9 p.m.

Free time is spent playing dress up, reading books, watching television, occasionally going to the playground or park and doing artwork.

“I used to play volleyball and badminton but now that we have three kids, most of our activities are kids-related,” she says.

Togetherness is emphasized in

the household, to include school related activities.

“We always try our best to have the whole family present with my daughter’s school activities, such as family night, recognition day, Primary Grade Forensics Competition, math court, theater plays and other related activities,” Cruz-dela Santa says.

With three little ones, Cruz-dela Santa says that she has yet to face any tough challenges but anticipates making tough decisions as they grow older.

Cruz-dela Santa learned much from her own mother, whom she describes as generous and independent. However, she also learned much from her grandmother, who raised her. “She had explanations to everything. She taught me to always be fair and honest. She always had positive things to say, even in situations that were hard to understand. I will always remember her hard work in raising us decently,” she says.

Hazel Cruz-dela Santa Husband: Derick J. dela Santa Children: Heleyna Frielle, 8; Friella Huanne, 3; and Farrell Huan, 1 Photo by Corwin Shadow for BRM

MAY 2016

5

Cover Feature

A mother’s perseverance

Z

ina C. Nekaifes is a working mother of seven. A widow, she strives to support her children financially and to provide the best emotional support and education a mother can possibly give.

“Ever since my husband died, it has been hard for my children. He passed away at such a young age; my children didn’t really understand what was going on. But as they get older, they feel the lack of his presence physically, and it has impacted them. So I want to be there for them as much as I can just to let them feel safe and protected like how their father made them feel,” she says.

A full-time social worker at the Department of Youth Services, Nekaifes makes time to bond with her children. Bonding includes family dinners, going to the beach, swimming at the pool, attending Sunday mass, reading books, doing homework and as a special treat, going to the movies or shopping.

Zina C. Nekaifes Children: Jayson Camacho, 25; Teisha Helena Camacho, 19; Hector Camacho Jr., 17; Zared David Zavier Camacho Nekaifes,10; Davin Zachary Camacho Nekaifes, 8; Zayden Darren Camacho Nekaifes, 6; and Davizin Carmen Zareena Camacho Nekaifes, 3.

6

MAY 2016

She strives to teach her children respect. “I tell my kids this every time: ‘Show respect even to people who don’t deserve it — not as a reflection of their character, but as a reflection of yours.‘” She tries to steer them away from negative influences and teach them to love one another.

“We got so much hatred going around, so I make sure that my kids do not practice that. So many kids are being influenced by hatred, and I know that it’s not right.”

Her own mother was a single mother of 10, who struggled to make ends meet. The children did their best to help out and worked hard in school.

“Now that she is 74, she stays home and enjoys her time resting and her days as a grandma.

My mother has always inspired me to work hard to get what I want and to support my family. Now that is exactly what I’m doing,” Nekaifes says.

Contributed photos

Cover Feature

“This is going to be the first Mother’s Day since my mom, Margarita DLG Castro, passed away. It’s hard because there’s always that moment when I think about everything she’s done for me since I was a child. She is a unique person, and I’m proud of the way she raised me and my siblings.”

— LJ Castro, Governor’s Office

Why is your mother the best, and what are you doing for her for Mother’s Day?

“I’m going to take my mom, Chato, to dinner and maybe watch a movie with her before I go off island. My mom is so amazing, and I will sacrifice anything for her. She means the world to me.”

— JC Cadua, 17, student at Marianas High School “My mom is very hard-working, and I’m thankful to have such an amazing woman guide me. This Mother’s Day, my dad and I are planning a surprise dinner for my mom, Reanna.”

— Manny Villagomez, student at Saipan Southern High School

Best friends JC & Manny (From left) JC Cadua and Manny Villagomez

“Laura, my mom, is the best woman in the world.

She’s very hardworking and will do anything to make everything perfect.

I think I could make her origami. My dad and I might take her to dinner on Mother’s Day if she’s not working.”

— Rio Ayu Hsiao, 12, student at Dandan Middle School

“My mom is very thoughtful, caring and always puts others before herself. She cares about our family and is always looking out for us, making sure that we’re happy and comfortable. I will probably get her a card and take her to dinner.”

— Cristina Matsunaga, 16, student at Marianas High School

“My mom, Estelita, is kind, understanding and a very soft-spoken woman, so even when she is already angry, you will not know the difference. I intend to surprise her with a special dinner date.”

— Shirley D. Rejano, customer service representative, Dial Rent To Own

MAY 2016

7

Community

May Events May 5 2016 Little Miss Good Earth Final competition

Time: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Location: Taga Hall, Saipan World Resort Price: $5 Proceeds to benefit the Empty Vessel Foundation Inc.

May 7, 14, 21 and 28 18th Annual Taste of the Marianas

Time: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on May 7, 14 and 21;

6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on May 28

For more information visit mymarianas.com.

May 13 Marianas March Against Cancer

Time: 6 p.m.

Location: Hopwood Junior High School field

May 14 1st Annual Governor’s Tourism Cup Golf Tournament

Time: 7:30 a.m.

Location: East Course of Lao Lao

Bay Golf & Resort

Deadline for entries is 5 p.m. on May 11.

For more information or to register

visit www.mymarianas.com.

8

MAY 2016

MAY 2016

9

Recipe

Submitted by Mary Ann Q. Lizama

Ingredients 1 2/3 cups heavy cream 2 teaspoons vanilla extract ½ teaspoon Kosher salt 4 egg whites ½ cup sugar 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled Chocolate shavings for garnish Directions 1. In a large bowl, beat cream, vanilla and salt with a whisk until stiff peaks form. Chill.

2. In another large bowl, beat egg whites with a whisk. While whisking, slowly add sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.

3. Add melted chocolate to egg whites and fold into mixture.

4. Add whipped cream mixture, folding in until completely mixed.

5. Divide among serving cups. Chill and sprinkle with chocolate shavings before serving.

Submit your recipe and a photo to assist_editor@glimpsesofguam.com.

10

MAY 2016

MAY 2016

11

Sports

In it for the long run

Zarinae Jones Sapong

18 years old Track and field Student at Marianas High School and part-time student at Northern Marianas College Awards and achievements: • 2014 All Schools Athletics Girls Under 18 Most Outstanding Award • Silver medal in the 2014 Micronesian Games women’s 4x100 meter relay

BRM: What do you love about athletics?

ZS: I love the fact that athletics has opened up numerous opportunities for me to meet and train with spectacular individuals.

Athletics has also given me something to persevere in; it brings along challenges that allow me to set goals for myself, and I have come to love [track and field].

BRM: How do you train?

ZS: I start training at 5 a.m. and/or in the afternoon, depending on both my and my coach’s schedules. Training sessions occur six days a week. However, due to the approaching competition dates, I have come to train five days a week. The reduction allows my body to rejuvenate so that my muscles come to be resilient for the competition.

The workouts are altered, but the quality of the training is still the same. My workouts consist of weight sessions (Olympic weight lifting, auxiliary lifting and body weights), running on hills for overspeed and resistance training, plyometric training, block work that involves working on my starts, reaction time and acceleration phases throughout the race.

My coach, Elias Rangamar — who puts together my training and makes time in his schedule by also getting up for the early morning sessions — plays a huge role in my training by pushing me to surpass my personal bests, and without his persistence and constant acclaim, I would not have been able to improve as an athlete.

BRM: Which has been your toughest competition so far? What made it difficult?

ZS: The toughest competition that I have experienced was the 2014 Micronesian Games that were held in Pohnpei. We arrived on Pohnpei on the day of the competition around 2 a.m., but we did not settle down until 3 a.m., and I had my two most challenging races on that day. I had to be up by 6 a.m. to get to the track in time to warm up for my 400-meter race that morning.

As the day progressed, the weather worsened, and a lot of

12

MAY 2016

Zarinae with her parents, Penny Jones and Robin Saprong.

us athletes were not able to warm up properly due to the rain and limited space in the call-room. We were subjected to sitting in a crowded tent full of athletes trying to stay warm with the rain pouring down hard.

Although the officials did their best, the races took a while and it was excruciating to have to sit down when you need to keep your muscles warm for your race. However, even under the unfortunate circumstances, I did fairly well in my competition, making it to the 400-meter and 200-meter finals.

[Also] last summer, Saipan was subjected to more than a week without communication due to the problem with the fiber optic lines, but somehow, even without the ability to contact anyone else around the world, I was able to make the trip to Cali, Colombia for the World Youth Championships. I was not certain whether I was going to be able to fly out or not; all I knew was that I had to pack up my luggage and wait for the confirmation for my flight. We had to contact my sister in Guam and speak to the organizers through my sister, and eventually it all worked out and I was set to leave.

I traveled with two other youth athletes from Guam to Honolulu to California to meet with one of the coaches that would accompany us to the Youth Championships. The experience was exciting: being in a completely foreign country, meeting foreign people and creating bonds with amazing athletes.

I got to contact my family only a few times on my trip due to the communication deficiency. It was nice to know that even with everything going on back home, they still wanted me to do well in my race — and with that I beat my personal best in the 100 meter, but I only saw that as the beginning of my progress.

BRM: What are your plans or goals for the future?

ZS: My goals for the future involve improving my personal best in my races. I hope that my training will especially pay off at the Micronesian Regional Championship this coming June, where I will be competing in the 400 meter.

Special Feature

Mount Carmel Theatre Club: Decades capturing the heart of audiences

M

ount Carmel Theatre Club’s final production of the season this month will mark the end of the organization's 20th season entertaining Saipan’s audiences and cultivating young talent.

“When we started the club 20 years ago, we only imagined staging a local adaptation of one show: William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ But as soon as the final curtain call for that show fell, students were already asking, ‘What next?’” says Galvin Deleon Guerrero, Mount Carmel School president.

The mission of Mount Carmel Theatre Club is to build a family in which students of all ages build self-confidence by collaborating in the performing arts. Throughout its 20 years, hundreds of students have performed in its productions. Casts have ranged from a dozen actors to more than 100.

Over the years the shows have incorporated more technical elements and the Theatre Club gained popularity in the community. But the Theatre Club’s commitment to telling stories to entertain and enlighten has not changed.

In addition to entertaining audiences the Theatre Club seeks to provide a positive outlet and educational tool for the youth. In April, the club will present “For Realz,” a play that addresses critical teen issues for girls, including cyber bullying, gossiping, relationships and suicide. In the play, two cliques of girls are pitted against each other in a reunion show for a fake television realty show. The play blends pre-recorded segments and live impromptu interactions between the show’s star with dramatic and comedic effects.

The idea to use a play to address issues was inspired by Barbara Sher, a local dramatist.

The Theatre Club is open to Mount Carmel students of all grades and ages. The only requirement is a love to perform or help others perform.

14

MAY 2016

The school’s theater also has historical significance, as the sight of the signing of the Northern Mariana Islands’ Covenant and Constitution and as the home of what is called the longest continuously running show on island – the school’s annual Christmas Pageant.

The Theatre Club will be closing this year’s season with a rock musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” which will include a fundraising banquet for the Save the Stage initiative.

Over the past decade, the stage has fallen into severe disrepair and is open to the elements, making it unsafe for use. The school started the Save the Stage campaign was several years ago to renovate and update the stage into a modern performing arts center that would be available for the whole community. In the aftermath of Typhoon Soudelor, the school’s focus shifted to repair damaged classrooms and facilities. Now the campaign has been revitalized.

The Mount Carmel Theatre Club promotes collaboration rather than competition.

“We count our successes by how many sold-out shows we’ve staged (and they have been many), how entertained our audience members are (and they have been very entertained), and how wide a range our productions cover (including musicals, plays by Shakespeare, and even films). At the end of the day, though, what matters most is the joy and fulfillment our cast and crew members feel after a great production,” Deleon Guerrero says.

Special Feature Past productions Romeo & Juliet (May 1997) Much Ado About Nothing (January 1998) Macbeth (May 1998) White Christmas (December 1998) Legends of the Marianas (May 1999) Our House (October 1999) Grease (January 2000) Cyrano de Bergerac (May 2000) Into the Twilight (October 2000) A Christmas Carol (December 2000) A Midsummer Night’s Dream (May 2001) Alpha (December 2001) Point of Impact (March 2002) Omega (May 2002) Stained (February 2003) Cinderella (May 2003) Taming the Shrew (May 2004) Hamlet (May 2005) Anastasia (December 2005) Romeo and Juliet (May 2006) Beauty and the Beast (December 2006) The Nightmare Before Christmas (December 2007) Caesar (May 2008) It’s a Wonderful Life (December 2008) Winter’s Tale (December 2009) What’s Going On (May 2010) A Comedy of Errors (January 2011) Zero to Hero (May 2011) Rapunzeled (December 2011) Footloose (January 2013) Dead Living (October 2013) Saipan Pride Rice (November 2013) Twelfth Knight (December 2013) The Little Mermaid (May 2014) Frankenstein (October 2014) The Snow Queen (December 2014) The Breakfast Club (November 2015) White Christmas (December 2015) For Realz (April 2016) Upcoming As You Like It (May 2016)

MAY 2016

15

Artist

A theatrical talent

By Joy White

A

ysia Santos is directing “Forrealz,” a drama produced by and starring female members of the Mount Carmel School Theater Club.

Her interest in the theater began with attending her uncle’s performance in the Theater Club. “I fell in love with and always wanted to be a part of Theatre Club. It wasn't until my sophomore year of high school that I got the chance to be a part of the club that I had fallen in love with,” Santos says.

Santos made her debut as a director of Mount Carmel School’s 2014 production of “The Little Mermaid.” Before that she was the Drama Club’s stage manager, managing the group’s production of the “Snow Queen,” “Frankenstein,” “12th Knight” and other performances.

“I was really nervous. I had to ask myself a few times, 'How am I going to do this?' or 'How will this work if I don't do this?' Being a director, it’s about how you see the show.

It's your vision versus anyone who sees it,” she says.

It can be difficult keeping motivated, she says, but working with the actors inspires Santos to push through.

“Seeing the actors find their inner diva and seeing the progress inspires me to do more as a director,” Santos says.

A challenge Santos faces as a director is coaching the actors to be believable. “Throughout rehearsals my actresses don’t know how to make it feel believable,” she says. “Sometimes it's not about the words you say, it's about the action that you show to prove something.”

Santos will step in to provide guidance, or the performers will help each other.

Overall, she is proud of the team of performers, with whom she worked on weekends, on spring and summer breaks and holidays.

“We spent all of those days working on the next show and trying to figure out how we were going to handle things as a team.

You can't do the work all on your own; it takes the right team to put on a great show,” she says.

Santos appreciates both modern and classic performers and works — from Zac Efron, Taylor Lautner, Cameron Diaz and Francia Raisa to William Shakespeare. “I enjoy watching movies that can turn into onstage performances,” Santos says.

An alumnus of Mount Carmel School, Santos will be attending the Northern Marianas College in the fall to pursue a degree in tourism. She balances her day job as a front desk staff member at the Kanoa Resort Saipan with her duties as a Theater Club director.

“With my regular job I deal with anything that involves guests in our hotel. So I was already comfortable dealing with adults or young adults. … Balancing both can be very difficult, but I had to manage my time. So if I am working, my mind is on my job but if I am at rehearsals, then my mind is there,” Santos says.

Santos’ family encouraged her to pursue both her interest in theater and her career. She hopes to continue to help the organization that inspired her.

“I see myself still giving back to my alma mater.

Mount Carmel School's Theatre Club became my second home. If I was given any chance to somehow give back to a place I call home, I'd do it in a heartbeat,” she says.

Doctor, l. , Jackie ue uerrero tefani Tagab G n o S ele & D n o a n d e :Z Dan embers tos, Miguel team m an uction rrero, Aysia S d ro P MCS Gue Deleon Galvin 16

MAY 2016

Aysia Santos Director, Mount Carmel School Theater Club Village: San Vicente Family: Jay and Joyce Santos and five siblings

APRIL 2016

17

On the Road

The 35th Annual Flame Tree Festival was held April 14 to 17 at the Civic Center Park.

Photos by BRM

18

MAY 2016

On the Road

2016 Little Miss Good Earth in Capitol Hill, April 23.

MAY 2016

19

On the Road

The PIC Hafa Adai 5K was held April 9 at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan.

Photos by BRM

Happy birthday to Wendy Penaloza, Matheau Balila and Gloria Balila, all celebrated their special days in April.

20

MAY 2016