Beach Road Magazine - September 2016

Setting sail

Cultural Heritage Month celebrates seafaring

Choreographed success

Dance studio represents at hip-hop competition

Swinging for greatness Baseball star Nathan Camacho

SEPTEMBER 2016

ABOUT THE COVER

Representatives from the Chamorro and Carolinian groups gather at the Carolinian Utt in Garapan. (From left) Theo Taro Laniyo; Ilaarchem Ythemar; Cinta Kaipat, cochairwoman, 2016 Cultural Heritage Month Planning Committee; Chantilly Kaipat; and Yarawe Ythemar.

4 Sports profile Coach Elias Rangamar

Photo by Corwin Shadow wayangphotography@gmail.com

5 Athlete profile Nathan P. Camacho

6 Cover Cultural Heritage Month returns

8 Arts Saipan Music and Dance Studio

9 Special feature KFC and Taco Bell announce Employee of the Month

10 Special feature DYS Summer Camp ends on high note

11 Business feature Marianas Aviation Services LLC

12 On the Road Event photos and messages

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

14 Special feature BIBA Healthy Restaurant Program

We’re Online! www.brmsaipan.com

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Beach Road Magazine, September 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.

Glimpses of Guam Inc. Mission Statement: To connect people with information.

Sports

Coach Elias Rangamar with Jan-Nasia Travilla (left) and Karleen Reyes (right) during their training for the Pacific Youth Leaders Elite Basketball Camp from Sept. 2 to 11 in Gold Coast, Australia. Travilla and Reyes, trained by Coach Rangamar, were the only two athletes selected to represent the NMI from the PYL basketball camp.

(From left) Karleen Reyes and Jan-Nasia Travilla are senior students at Mount Carmel School in Chalan Kanoa under Coach Rangamar’s tutelage.

What is your philosophy on coaching and its relationship to education?

My coaching philosophy has evolved through the years. A coaching philosophy is the foundation of the program. It sets the stage for athletes to excel in a team.

As a young coach, my coaching style was more dynamic; however, as I grew older and more confident, my coaching style became more about teaching and molding players.

I believe all coaches are teachers in a sense. Most young people function from an individual perspective as opposed to a group perspective; this provides a teaching opportunity for the coach.

it was a rude awakening for both me and my athletes. Even worse was that feeling of not being acknowledged and respected by the other island nations.

The attitude toward the Micronesian Islands, with the exception of Guam, was that we just went there for the travel and experience. That attitude also radiated locally.

Right then, I promised myself that if I ever was selected as the coach again, I would make sure that our program got recognized as a powerhouse in the region. The other promise I made was to build a family-type atmosphere with all the coaches, athletes and officials. It bothered me that there were over 1,000 athletes and coaches around us but we felt so alone. I discussed these issues with my athletes and they felt the same way. Right then, we started opening up conversations with all the coaches, athletes and officials.

Fast forward 23 years, our program is now a prominent force in the region, but the most satisfying feeling is seeing the bonds and friendships we’ve formed, most especially with the athletes.

What is your philosophy on discipline?

I really don’t have a philosophy in discipline per se, just the normal team rules about coming on time, not missing practices and so forth. Most of my athletes come from less privileged homes with no concept of a team and sports environment. You have to constantly remind yourself that these kids come from different family backgrounds and they bring different “emotional baggage,” so to speak.

What’s worked for me is working with them individually — trying to find out what their family backgrounds are and what motivates them.

What key event in your coaching career changed your life in a positive or negative way?

Back in 1993, I had my first international coaching experience as coach for Athletics in the Mini Games in Vanuatu. There was a feeling of helplessness as I watched my athletes get dominated and embarrassed. I felt their pain.

I thought I had prepared them physically and mentally, but

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What advice can you give to young athletes in the NMI, regardless of the type of sports they play, and to other sports coaches in the NMI? My advice for young athletes and parents is to not specialize early. So many studies have confirmed that early specialization is detrimental to the long term development of the athlete. Specialize and you’ll pay the price. For aspiring new coaches … understand that coaching is a process which takes time and commitment. There are no magic formulas or shortcuts. You will learn from your mistakes.

Sports Nathan Camacho with Auriel Mendiola during the Asia Pacific versus Europe Africa series in August 2015 at Mansfield Stadium in Bangor, Maine.

From left: sister Tiah Camacho, father Bill Camacho, Nathan Camacho, mother Pauline Camacho.

Team: Islanders Age: 17 Parents: Pauline and William Camacho Siblings: Tiah Camacho and Brian Camacho Awards and achievements: 2011 Little League ERA Champion 2011 Little League Championship 2012 Junior League Champion 2013 Junior League Champion 2013 ERA and Strike Out Champ 2014 Senior League World Series 2014 Senior League Championship MVP 2015 Senior League World Series 2016 Big League All Star 2011-2016 Little League Organization All Star How did you first get involved in baseball?

I started off by observing my uncle, Joe Salas, when he was training his two sons, Jonathan and Anthony Salas, and my brother, Brian Camacho. Watching them drill attracted me to the sport.

What do you love about baseball?

Baseball is truly amazing to me. I enjoy playing a sport that my father grew up playing and making amazing plays, working together as a team, playing hard and enjoying the fun of the game — from the well-cut grass to the soft dragged dirt. My inspiration is from Hall of Famer No. 24, Boston Red Sox left fielder, Manny Ramirez.

How do you train?

I run a mile at the track to build stamina, hit the gym for core workouts, increase arm strength by doing band work-

outs, analyze mistakes and repair them. I work to excel in throwing and batting mechanics by doing a lot of long toss and batting cage workouts. I always think positive and always strive for success. Nobody is the greatest, but there is always room for improvement.

Who are your sports idols?

Manny Ramirez, Giancarlo Stanton, Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout, Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter and my mom and dad.

What competitions are you currently participating in?

Saipan Major League Baseball and Big League Baseball.

Which has been your toughest competition so far?

The World Series was one of the toughest obstacles to me, not only because there were other great teams, but we were challenging the finest team from the regions represented. It was an honor making it to the World Series because our population versus the rest of the regions was a lot smaller. At the end of the day, it was fun. The nervousness and weather conditions were very different, so we had to adapt to the environment.

What are your plans or goals for the future related to baseball, family and education?

My plan so far is to strive in the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. for college and to major in criminal justice.

Hopefully in the future, I will coach my own little league team.

What advice can you give to young sports athletes?

Teamwork lets the dream work. Baseball legend Yogi Berra said, “Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical.”

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Cover Feature

Cultural heritage celebrations to pay homage to traditional seafaring

By Joy White

After a hiatus last year due to Typhoon Soudelor, Cultural Heritage Month festivities will kick of this month with the theme, “Celebrating Who We Are.” This September more festivities and events have been added to the monthlong line-up.

Festivities kicked off on Aug. 28 with a mass at Mount Carmel Cathedral, followed by a proclamation signing at the Carolinan Uht. The events are organized by the Saipan and Northern Islands Delegation with the support of the Carolinian Af-

Chamorro Children by John ‘Bolis’ Gonzales

fairs Office, the Refaluwasch Advisory Committee and the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor.

This will be the 23rd anniversary of the month-long celebration. “We are very thankful we can celebrate it this year. Another thing that’s different this year is that we will have many more activities, so be sure to come and join us,” says Cinta M. Kaipat, co-chairwoman of the committee.

This year, the Culture Heritage Month committee will be paying homage to historical figure and Carolinian navigator Mau Piailug, known as Tata Mau.

Frances Sablan, co-chairperson, 2016 Cultural Heritage Month Planning Committee

The 2016 Refaluwasch and Chamorro Cultural Heritage Month Planning Committee: (Front row, from left) Annie T. Picklesimer; Florence Kirby; Vivian Nogis; Cinta M. Kaipat; Bobbie Lisua; and Gus Kaipat; (back row, from left) Gloriana Teuira; Jenny Norita; Felix A. Rabauliman; and Gus Litulumar.

Contributed photo 6

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Cover Feature Piailug is credited for reviving the tradition of Carolinian celestial navigation in the Hawaiian community. During his lifetime he was criticized for sharing his knowledge to outsiders.

“But everyone realizes now that had he not done that, this valuable knowledge that ensured the survival of my Carolinian ancestors for centuries would have been permanently lost,” Kaipat says.

Piailug’s son, Sisarior, navigated the vessel Alingano Maisu from Palau to Saipan, then to Guam for the Festival of the Pacific Arts. After stopping in Saipan once more he sailed the vessel to Hawaii. Sisarior’s young son, Dilion, was part of the crew.

The committee will be hosting canoe races and events to “symbolize [Piailug’s] dream and vision of ensuring the survival of traditional Carolinian celestial

navigation and perpetuating our Carolinian culture and beliefs,” Kaipat says.

In addition, the Cultural Heritage Committee is advocating the commemoration of the navigator by establishing Mau Piailug Day, which is celebrated in Hawaii. “We would like this year’s Cultural Heritage Committee to work with the lawmakers and administration to designate his birthday as Mau Piailug Day here in the CNMI so we can continue to honor this visionary legend who broke a taboo and shared this ancient knowledge in order to preserve it,” Kaipat says.

In addition to honoring Piailug, Kaipat hopes to also recognize other traditional Carolinian navigators, called paluws, that went through a Pwo Ceremony at the Festival of the Pacific Arts.

(From left) John Tagabuel, executive director, Carolinian Affairs Office; Ilaarchem Ythemar; Cinta Kaipat, co-chairwoman, 2016 Cultural Heritage Month Planning Committee; Theo Taro Laniyo; and Pedro R. Guerrero. The canoe in the background is an original gift from the people of Satua.

Local artist Melchy Billy wearing a Carolinian lighatutur (necklace).

Photo by BRM

Photo by BRM

Cinta Kaipat in 1999 with Tata Mau after he navigated the Makali'i voyage from Hawaii to Saipan.

Contributed photo

Representatives from the Chamorro and Carolinian groups: (From left) Yarawe Ythemar; Chantilly Kaipat; Cinta Kaipat, co-chairwoman, 2016 Cultural Heritage Month Planning Committee; Ilaarchem Ythemar; and Theo Taro Laniyo.

Photo by Corwin Shadow

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Arts

By Joy White

Saipan Music and Dance Studio at the 2016 World Hip-Hip Dance Championship preliminary rounds on Aug. 10 at Westin Lake Resort & Spa in Las Vegas.

Photos courtesy of SMADS

Saipan Music and Dance Studio held its third annual summer recital, "Outside of the Box," on July 22 at World Resort Saipan.

Once a small dance group of passionate performers, the Saipan Music and Dance Studio has grown to reach its most recent achievement of representing Saipan at the World Hip Hop Dance Championship held Aug. 8 to 13 in Las Vegas.

The studio was founded and is owned by Ester Sablan.

Lead choreographer of the group Kevin John Razon leads the team with Angelica Chong-Valencia, assistant head choreographer and choreographer of the junior, junior varsity and varsity divisions, and May Mangahis, choreographer for the youth division.

The group started in 2010 as a small dance group called Project Impact performing at events to entertain the community. A year later, it became a business focusing on cultivating young talent and providing a safe and comfortable environment.

Saipan Music and Dance Studio has performed at community events and venues, including the Street Market, the Flame Tree Arts Festival, Taste of the Marianas, during Liberation Day festivities, Tinian’s annual Pika Festival and San Jose Festival, the 2016 Miss Teen Miss Marianas pageant, the United Filipino Organization’s beauty pageants and celebratory events and Raise the Roof, a charity event for Typhoon Soudelor disaster relief.

The group also snagged a gig as back-up dancers for visiting Philippine celebrities Kim Chui and Xian Lim. The group holds an annual Summer Dance Recital to showcase its students. The third annual recital was held in July at the World Resort.

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Before joining Saipan Music and Dance Studio, Razon’s passion in dancing started when he was in high school.

He says that growing up, he had few opportunities or guidance, and so he wants to give his students things he lacked. “I do things for the youth to make a difference in their lives and am hoping to aid them towards a brighter and better future,” he says.

Rehearsals are filled with laughter and positive attitudes, but the performers work hard to prepare themselves.

Razon emphasizes a healthy body and mind, as various dance styles require good body strength and cardio, as well as self-discipline.

“Moving comfortably on stage while exerting bursts of energy and muscle control comes easier when physically active,” he says.

Razon and the students spend time listening to and selecting the right music for performances. The group generally chooses upbeat music to accompany their routines.

“We listen for hidden beats, flow and lyrics. We like dancing more to songs with emotion or reason behind them. It’s easier to connect with. The stronger our connection, the more meaning the dance will have,” Razon says.

Through the years, Razon has seen his students improve and flourish.

“Some kids join us with little to no history of being a dancer or performer. I’ve had shy caterpillars blossom into social butterflies because of dancing,” Razon says.

KFC and Taco Bell announce the September employee of the month

September Employee of the Month Aisle Conel, center, with store manager Reyole Panganiban, left, and Imelda Valiente, chief accountant.

The KFC and Taco Bell employee of the month is Aisle Conel. Conel is part of the kitchen staff and started with the company in February. “She’s a fast learner, always willing to learn, a fast worker and very hardworking,” says Reyole Panganiban, store manager of KFC and Taco Bell.

The employee of the month is selected by a panel of members of the in-house management team who judge based on performance, attitude and attendance. Conel is the first to be recognized with the title, and KFC and Taco Bell will continue recognizing one outstanding employee a month from now on.

“It all came as a big surprise. I did not suspect anything.

The office called and asked me to come to work because the store was busy. I didn’t know that I was getting this recognition. Since the first day of work, I felt comfortable right away

Special Feature

KFC and Taco Bell store supervisors and managers congratulate September Employee of the Month Aisle Conel. (From left) Angelo Fernando; Yel Calayag; Reyole Panganiban, store manager; Conel; Sean Ficke; Anna Guinto; Imelda Valiente, chief accountant; Marie Candado and Len Madreo, office staff.

because everyone here was friendly and treated me so well.

I am really happy here because the management and my coemployees are all friendly and approachable,” Conel says.

She says that her expectations for herself are higher now.

She hopes to turn the recognition into motivation to strive harder. Conel is now in the running for employee of the quarter and employee of the year.

Conel will join future employees of the month in having her photo on display at the restaurant. In addition to the recognition, Conel received a cash prize, a paid day off, one sack of rice and a designated parking spot with her name.

“Congratulations, Aisle, and keep up the good work. You can still win the Employee of the Quarter and Employee of the Year, so go for it,” Panganiban says.

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Special Feature

Photos by BRM

Summer camp festivities hosted by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Division of Youth Services ended on a high note.

“The 2016 Summer Youth Empowerment Camp was very successful due to a lot of participants and campers that came in and enjoyed the activities and stayed until the last day of camp…We will definitely add more fun activities next year for the kids,” says Vivian T. Sablan, DYS administrator.

The camp ended on July 29 with a well-attended finale fair held at the Minachom Atdao pavilion in Susupe Park, she says.

The event featured a sports and wellness camp from July 18 to 22 and an arts and crafts camp from July 25 and 29. The camp introduced talaya fishing and canoeing for the first time with assistance and volunteers from the Saipan Paddling Club, Napu Outrigger Club and Hoe Lokahi Canoe Club.

Participating children went home with a lot of give-

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aways, including T-Shirts and books from DYS and the Northern Mariana Islands Motheread/Fatheread Program.

Participants in the arts and crafts camp received gifts as incentives and prizes handmade by local artist Flowerpot Salas, who led the camp with her daughter, Aofia Tuiolosega. Salas crafted the pieces while receiving medical treatment for cancer. The pieces aim to serve as inspiration for young artists and as a token of her support, she says.

The camp was coordinated with the assistance of a parent-led committee and youth volunteers, as well as partnering agencies Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research Extension and Education Services, Department of Public Health, Best Sunshine International, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library and Commonwealth Cancer Association, the C.A.R.E. Crisis Counseling Program and the Northern Marianas Sports Association.

The camp also benefited artists in the community. DYS was able to offer a stipend to artists with the NMI Council for Arts and Culture to assist with arts and crafts sessions.

Business Feature

By Lara Ozaki

Photo by BRM

An international aviation training and consulting company Marianas Aviation Services LLC opened for business with an open house on Aug. 27 on Chalan Monsignor Gurerrero and Chalan Pale Arnold in Saipan.

Flight attendant career class in the daytime from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. will begin on Sept. 12, and night classes from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. will begin on Sept. 19. The International Civil Aviation Organization–approved flight operations officer classes and aircraft dispatch classes are scheduled to begin Jan. 9, pending approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. Pilot flight school as well as aviation maintenance tech school is also planned to start later in 2017.

“I saw the untapped potential in the CNMI and decided I wanted to open a full-service aviation training company here,” said Kenneth Robert Combs III, president and chief instructor of MAS, who has led dispatch academies in the mainland U.S. for more than 16 years.

Combs and his fiancé, Myla Beltran, are co-owners and are both experienced in the field and in instruction across the flight industry.

Combs graduated from the Sheffield School of Aeronautics in 1993 and began his career as an aircraft dispatcher in 1994. After advancing in his career to the director of system operations control, he opened his first dispatch academy in 2000 in Miami and partnered with the Pan Am International Flight Academy in 2009 to form IRC International LLC, which is now based in Orlando.

Beltran, who is also the director of operations and training for MAS, is a qualified flight attendant, air transportation supervisor, air transportation ground instructor and cabin crew supervisor for the Saipan station of a FAR 121 flag/domestic airline.

“We have other instructors in Bahrain, the Bahamas, Australia, as well as on the U.S. mainland, and we can pick up more quickly as the classes demand the need for more instructors. Next year we will be hiring flight instructors and maintenance instructors for the new courses,” Combs said. “We would love to have a major state-of-the-art facility complete with full motion flight simulators as well as a major repair hangar for our maintenance school in the next few years.”

Originally, Combs had planned for the school to be in Guam; however, Beltran’s connections and ties in Saipan made it a better choice of location to start their business.

Like Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands is unique as a U.S. territory and under the jurisdiction of the U.S. FAA while being close to major cities in Asia.

“Asia is one of the hottest aviation regions in the world today. Most people from the region go all the way to the mainland [U.S.], far from home for a U.S. FAA license. [MAS] allows local access to training without

(From left) Kenneth Robert Combs III, president and chief instructor; Myla Beltran, co-owner and fiancé of Combs, both with Marianas Aviation Services, and their daughter, Rosselle.

leaving the islands, as well as giving the Asian community a place to get U.S. FAA licenses close to home,” he said.

Combs said the biggest challenges in starting the business was finding the right location on the island and marketing the company’s services. Located above Payless ShoeSource, the location offers good drive-by exposure, he said.

“Price, location and space available were the main factors for our choice of this location,” he said.

MAS plans to promote the business mostly through social media and other electronic outlets. “[We want] to turn Saipan into the place to go for Pacific aviation training and licensing,” Combs said.

“We will bring major recognition to the island, as well as provide the best training possible. Hopefully as we grow and build a relationship with the airport and the CNMI government, we can work together to make it not only profitable for all of us, but easily accessible for the residents of the islands to get some training for these high paying, very rewarding aviation careers that will let them travel the world.”

MAS is offering local discounts on the flight attendant classes and may introduce a first class discount for each program as they kick off, Combs said.

Flight attendant and pilot students must be at least 16 years of age to begin training, though most airlines require students be at least 18 years of age to start. Flight operations officer and dispatch classes require 21 years of age by the last day of class, with no upper age limit on any of the classes.

“One of the great benefits of working in aviation is traveling the world, which by experiencing other cultures is a far better educator than anything else. Our responsibility then is to get our students out into the world to learn how to be a member of the worldwide community,” Combs said.

For more information follow MAS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @massaipan or www.massaipancom.

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On the Road

Photo by BRM

Members of the Bishop Ryan Ordination Choir performed during the ordination of Bishop Ryan Jimenez on Sept. 14 at Mount Carmel Cathedral.

“Happy birthday, Auntie Chailang Palacios,” From your Iyang-Angandodos

The Jeon family donated childrens books to the Korean Collection. (From left) Robert Keon Woo Jeon, 10, and Ryan Jin Woo Jeon, 8, with their Author Riza Oledan-Ramos donated her newly released book, ”Drinking Seawater,” to Joeten Kiyu parents and library staff Rosalyn Ajoste.

Library on Aug. 20.

Photo by BRM Photos by BRM

“Happy 2nd birthday to Janina Aryana Paras on Aug. 14,” Love from Mom, Jamie and family

“Happy birthday to Riley who will turn 4 on Sept. 28,” Love from mom Anna and family 12

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Triple J Enterprises Inc. held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 26 for Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Saipan.

Photos by Bill Bezzant

The International Festival of Cultures opened on Aug. 20 at Paseo de Marianas.

On the Road

Members of Marianas High School Filipino Club demonstrate the Filipino folk dance Tinikling.

The Chamorro group Man Antigo Cultural Production Inc. Petlas Simiyan Linaila with dance instructors Frances Sablan, fifth from right, and Celia Mercado, fourth from left.

Photos by BRM

The Commonwealth Advocates for Recovery Efforts CNMI organization and the American Red Cross NMI Chapter held the SOU Fest on Aug. 6 at the Marianas Business Plaza grounds to mark the anniversary of Typhoon Soudelor and celebrate the resiliency of Saipan residents.

Photos by BRM

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Special Feature

BIBA

Healthy Helpings N

oting the popularity of eating out for Saipan residents and the need for a healthier population, the Northern Mariana Islands BIBA Healthy Restaurant Program continues its mission to educate the Saipan community on healthy meal options.

The program was developed by the Division of Public Health Services to encourage local restaurants to provide clearly marked healthy menu options to their patrons.

Restaurants under the program serve meals that follow nutrition standards developed by Commonwealth Health Corp. and DPHS based on national guidelines.

The restaurants identify the items approved by the BIBA Healthy Restaurant Program, serve water free of cost and commit to implementing a healthy habit, such as providing healthy side dishes or reducing the number of sugar-sweetened beverages available.

Several of Saipan’s popular and healthy eateries have signed on to help our community in, “making the healthy choice the easy choice.”

Everest Kitchen Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Monday to Saturday Location: Micro Beach, Garapan Everest Kitchen offers authentic Nepalese and Mediterranean cuisine.

Laxmi Shrestha started her food concept by serving samosas at the Thursday night market.

Now the restaurant has a brick-and-mortar location in Garapan operated by Shrestha and her family. The restaurant has been participating in the program since March.

Caravan of Food Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday Location: Alahai Avenue, Garapan BIBA approved menu item: Chicken salad Caravan of Food is a family-owned restaurant specializing in authentic Mediterranean cuisine. The business was opened by Abed E. Younis, and now the next generation is carrying on the mission of providing healthy meals.

Owner Salam Younis says, “With our unique recipes, we are also very excited to be distinguished as a healthy option for Saipan eaters. We will continue to strive to offer the community a new and healthy eating experience.”

Shirley’s Coffee Shop Hours of operation: 24/7 at Garapan; 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at Susupe Locations: Century Hotel in Garapan and HSJ Building in Susupe BIBA approved menu items: Spanish omelet and grilled chicken sandwich

Tropical Blendz Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday Location: Kopa Di Oru Street, Garapan BIBA approved menu item: Zen Rice Plate

Known for its local comfort food, Shirley’s is working with the BIBA program to develop healthy recipes to meet the program’s nutritional guidelines. “The main reason we joined the BIBA program is that we want to make sure that we are keeping up with the trend nowadays, which is the healthy trend,” says Noelle Macario, operations manager at Shirley’s Susupe. A healthy lifestyle is also promoted in-house, as the company’s employees participate in group weight-loss competitions.

Since 2006, Tropical Blendz has been providing Saipan with vegetarian options and a plethora of salads. In May the restaurant signed on to help Saipan residents eat healthy.

For more information about the BIBA program or to sign up, visit the REACH website at reachcnmi.wix.com/reach, or contact Jessica Lorfing at jlorfing@hawaii.edu or (670) 285-7955.

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