Cruise Control A Harley named Elvis
Fashionable representation Event highlights cultures
The world of work Professionals share insights
SEPTEMBER 2017
ABOUT THE COVER Little Miss Pohnpei Andrea Lisua Teigita, styled by Tanya Salas for the culture fashion show for the International Festival of Cultures. The fashion show returns this month at the International Festival of Cultures. See story on page 4.
3 Calendar September events
4-7 Cover Cultural fashions by Tanya Salas
Photo by Ben Salas
9 Cruise Control A Harley named Elvis
12 Health Protecting our youth against hepatitis
14 Featured event 33rd Annual Fishing Derby Tournament
20-21 Business Professionals share insights
23 Sports Sensei Danny Banes of Koykushinkai Karate School
24-25 On the Road
Event photos and special messages
28 Special Feature Latte Training Academy
Glimpses Publications include Guam Business Magazine, Marianas Business Journal, MBJ Life, Beach Road Magazine and R&R Pacific
PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita ASSISTANT EDITOR Joy White REPORTER Lara Ozaki CREATIVE DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR Vikki Fong DESIGN & PRODUCTION Conrad Calma Jr. Keisha Marie Gozum Marcus Villaverde LJ Castro GENERAL SALES MANAGER Ken Duenas PRODUCT REPRESENTATIVES Minda Castro Jon Mendiola MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong
31 Coupons Special offers and discounts
We’re Online! www.brmsaipan.com
beachroadmagazine
Beach Road Magazine, September 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.
Glimpses of Guam Inc. Mission Statement: To connect people with information.
SEPTEMBER Sept. 1 and 2
NMI Humanities Council History Conference Location: Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan Admission: Free For a schedule of events or more information, visit www.northernmarianashumanities.org or call 235-4785.
Sept. 2
1st Annual Triple J Family 5k - “Foam and Fun Run” Showtime: 5:15 a.m. Go time: 6 a.m. Location: Race starts at 4H Building Park, Susupe Price: $10 race fee; $35 for group of four; $15 on race day. Sign up at Triple J Motors Beach Road, Triple J /Surf Rider Corporate Office Chalan Kanoa, Triple J Truckload Store, Chalan Kanoa and Hertz rental, Garapan.
Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
International Festival of Cultures Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Location: Garapan Fishing Base Admission: Free
Sept. 9
KONQER Saipan Obstacle course challenge Location: Peace Park, Puerto Rico Pricing: $125 for participants 18 years old and above, $40 for students ages 15 to 17 years old; $1,250 for business teams and free for children under the age of 14 years old. For more information and to register, visit www.konqersports.com
Sept. 11 – 16
Rota Coconut Festival Theme: I Niyok Para Hagu Yan Guahu (Coconut for You and Me) Time: Night Market – 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday to Saturday; Festival activities – 9 a.m. onwards Friday and Saturday Events include a proclamation signing by Mayor Efraim M. Atalig on Sept. 11; coconut seedling planting on Sept. 12; and hut-building contest, a coconut clothing fashion show, and coconut husking, grinding and cooking competitions during the Night Market and festival days. Government workers will wear clothing or accessories made from the different part of the coconut tree on Sept. 13.
Looking Ahead... The Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence will be hosting events throughout October in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month: • Oct. 1 — Day of prayer • Oct. 3 — Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation Signing and Bridge of Light Award Ceremony • Oct. 11 — March at the Northern Marianas College campus • Oct. 14 — Day of Unity, featuring exhibits, performances, Men’s Walk Against Violence and candle light vigil for those that lost their lives to domestic violence • Oct. 18 — Walk Against Domestic Violence in Susupe • Oct. 25 — Walk Against Domestic Violence in Chinatown For more details about Domestic Violence Awareness month events, see the October issue of Beach Road Magazine.
To be included in our calendar of events, submit details to assist_editor@glimpsesofguam.com.
COVER
CELEBRATING CULTURE THROUGH FASHION Photos by Ben Salas | Styled by Tanya Salas A fashion show highlighting the cultures of the Federated States of Micronesia returns to this year’s International Festival of Cultures. Beauties from each island will model traditional dress and fashion pieces inspired by their cultures, designed by Tanya Salas of Tahine Creations, who is organizing the show. “For this particular project, my focus is to reunite the four islands to celebrate and to showcase their cultures,” Salas says. This year’s fashion show and festival promises to be a bigger success than previous years, featuring more representation from the different islands, she says. The International Festival of Cultures will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Saturday in September at the Garapan Fishing Base. Originally from Pohnpei, the usual work Salas produces includes jewelry made from natural materials found in the islands, such as coconut shells, seashells and reef and flowers made of foam paper, banana leaves and raw materials. Salas also makes baskets and mwarmars for special holidays and occasions. 4
SEPTEMBER 2017
COVER
Little Miss Pohnpei Andrea Lisua Teigita
SEPTEMBER 2017
5
COVER
Miss Pohnpei Dana April Chong
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Little Miss Kosrae Glenda Marie P. George
Miss Chuuk Jacklyn Martin
Miss Kosrae Joylynn P. Yamada George
Little Miss Chuuk Tiancy Defang Kapwich
Miss FSM Melony Ann H. David
SEPTEMBER 2017
COVER
Little Miss Yap Marnickka Teigita
Little Miss FSM Shioni Maylani Odoshi
Miss Yap Mercilia Teigita
SEPTEMBER 2017
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CRUISE CONTROL
Sponsored by
Operated by Delta Management Corp.
2016 Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe Also known as: Elvis Owner: Steve Llagas of Kagman Engine: 1,690 cc; high output Twin 103B Aftermarket modifications: dropped two inches and replaced exhaust pipes/straight pipes. "I love the sound [of my bike]. I love how when I go riding, I feel free. It takes all your stress away." Photo by Corey Shadow SEPTEMBER 2017
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CRUISE CONTROL
10 SEPTEMBER 2017
FEATURED EVENT
More than 60 fishing boats entered the annual Fishing Derby on July 15 and 16 at Seacove Marina
FISHERMAN CATCH FIERCE COMPETITION AT TOURNAMENT By Joy White Fishermen from the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam showed off their skills at the 33rd Annual Fishing Derby Tournament on July 15 and 16 in the waters of Saipan. A total of 64 boats participated in the event. “There were 50-some boats from Saipan, one or two boats from Tinian and 13 from Guam including one returning champion, the Emmanuel. These are the guys that caught a 942-pound marlin five years ago,” says LJ Castro, emcee for the event. The crew of the Emmanuel entered hoping to break another record. Fishermen were bringing in catches of wahoo, yellow fin, skipjack and marlin. “Yellow fins are pretty small compared to last year. Last year, yellow fins would come in at about 30 to 50 pounds. The marlin is a pretty good size for July, which is 384 pounds,” says Floyd Masga, one of the event’s organizers. Top anglers include the 2017 top winner from Guam, Debbie I, who came in with a Billfish (Skipjack) at 384.50 pounds; followed by Aquaholics with a 344.50-pound skipjack. Bret Two caught a 201.75 pound skipjack and DBGY caught a skipjack at 184.85 pounds, Castro said. The event was organized by Saipan Fishermen’s Association, Marianas Visitors Authority and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as several Saipan residents, including Floyd Masga, Diego Benavente, Manny Tenorio, Scott Schueller, Maryann Santos, Vicky Benavente and Pauline and Tony Scragg. Other sponsors of the event include Docomo Pacific Inc., Coca-Cola, Foremost, Mobil, Pacifica Insurance, Marpac (Budweiser), Department of Land and Natural Resources, Northern Marianas College’s USAD, CDI and CREES Programs, Imperial Pacific, Mina, Yamaha and Joeten Motors.
Debbie 1 was the overall winner with a 384.50 pound billfish.
Brew Two caught a 201.75-pound Marlin. 14 SEPTEMBER 2017
HEALTH
PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN NMI REDUCES HEPATITIS B IN CHILDREN Photo courtesy of the Division of Public Health
By Joy White The Northern Mariana Islands has been recognized by the World Health Organization for its success in reducing hepatitis B infection among children to less than 1%, according to a June 15 release from WHO. The NMI is one of 17 other countries and areas in WHO’s Western Pacific Region that have achieved the 2017 regional goal of less than 1% prevalence among 5-year-old children. Before implementing this aggressive hepatitis B immunization program, the NMI had a 7% estimated prevalence of chronic infection among 5-yearold childrens. Hepatitis B is often transmitted during childbirth. The NMI has a strong hepatitis B vaccination program which provides newborns with the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth and twice within the first year of life, as well as screens pregnant women for the virus. Immunization against hepatitis B protects children against infection. “On behalf of WHO, I wholeheartedly congratulate the Northern Mariana Islands for reaching this important public health milestone,” says Dr. Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “Reducing hepatitis B infection among children to less than 1% means a generation of children virtually free of hepatitis B infection [that] will grow up with massively reduced risk of developing diseases like liver cancer later in life,” Young-Soo says. The Immunization Program of Commonwealth Health Corp.’s Division of Public Health was instrumental in reaching the milestone. "[…] Our health agency along with the immunization team, led by Mr. Jeremy Sasamoto and Ms. Margaret Aldan [director of Public Health], are very dedicated in protecting the health of the people of the CNMI. We hope to continue this success with our other health improvement goals," says Esther L. Muna, CEO of Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. 18 SEPTEMBER 2017
Efforts by the Immunization Program of the Division of Public Health have helped the Northern Mariana Islands reach an important milestone in reducing hepatitis B infection in children
About hepatitis B – the silent killer •
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Hepatitis B is a viral infection that is transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids and can cause liver disease. Chronic hepatitis infection is contracted in early childhood. Symptoms of the infection do not appear for many years. Often the infection is not discovered until progressive liver disease has already developed, leading to liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. About 250 million people have the virus globally and about 800,000 people die from liver disease related to the viral infection. 115 million people in the Western Pacific Region – which stretches from Mongolia to New Zealand and includes 1.9 billion people – live with chronic hepatitis B infection, accounting for 45% of infections worldwide. The World Health Assembly has called for the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
BUSINESS
SERVING AND INSPIRING: APPRECIATING OUR WORKFORCE By Joy White Labor Day is a tribute to the contributions workers have made to the island and the country. The holiday offers the opportunity to appreciate the good work of all, and Saipan has more than its fair share of professionals and hard workers in all industries and at all levels. These professionals and workers go about their day with upbeat attitudes, passion and dedication. Always smiling Great customer service is often taken for granted, but the workers in this industry strive to always put their best foot forward to ensure that every experience goes smoothly. “I like my job because I get to meet a lot of people and I am happy to be assisting a lot of people with their needs and inquiries while doing customer service work,” says Elizabeth De Ocampo, the business support specialist at Alexander Realty/Western Union. Though she loves her job, customer service can be challenging. Some customers may come by the business in a bad mood, but she strives to always keep her cool and treat everyone fairly and with respect. Service with a smile is also the motto of Christian Kyle Pude, a waiter at The Galley in the Pacific Islands Club Saipan. “In this job, I have the opportunity to meet people and make new friends every day and I just love it. There are challenges from the job but I always accept these challenges,” he says. The best advice he ever received is “Always smile and be friendly” and he passes along this helpful tip to others. Creative aspirations Everyone needs a little creativity in their life, and Walt F.J. Goodridge has made creativity his business and his passion. Walt F.J. Goodridge refers to himself as a “nomadpreneur” or a “passionpreneur.” “But you can just call me a writer,” he says. 20 SEPTEMBER 2017
Originally from Jamaica, Goodridge came to Saipan in 2006. He left a career in engineering to pursue his passion and has been writing since 1992. Goodridge has written and co-written more than two dozen books ranging in topics from historical dramas to self-help books to Saipan guidebooks to social commentary. Most are or will soon be available at Besteller Books and are available online at www. waltgoodridge.com and Amazon. “The Saipan Living Relocation Guide” helped many make their decision to relocate to Saipan. “Chicken Feathers & Garlic Skin: Diary of a Chinese Garment Factory Girl on Saipan,” which Goodridge co-wrote with Chun Yu Wang was used in at least three colleges in the United States in Women’s Studies and Textiles classes and was excerpted in a French textbook. He also hosts workshops to help others explore their talents and ways to market them. He has co-written several books with graduates of his workshops. Goodridge makes the most of his time. Most mornings he is at work as early as 3 a.m. “Time is the only thing of value that any one of us has. Once it's spent, there's no way to get it back,” he says. Dedication and commitment Some professionals go above and beyond providing services to the community by displaying dedication and enjoyment for the job. Banking is an ever-changing field and very important to the economy, but for John Arroyo, president and CEO of Bank of Saipan, helping his clients fulfill their dreams through financial assistance and the creation of personal wealth is what he loves the most about the job. “It really does my soul good when I see a customer hear the news that their car loan is approved or a young couple close a loan to purchase the first home or a small business get the financing it needs to expand its business,” he says. Arroyo has been in the banking industry for 29 years. In his journey upwards through the rank, he has learned patience and dedication. And it all began with an early-morning paper route. “I’ve grown a lot from paperboy to bank president,” Arroyo says. “Work ethic hasn’t changed for me, I think I am as much committed to the work I do today as I was with my first job, but over the succession of jobs I’ve held since then I think I’ve grown most in the level of preparedness needed to do the job.”
BUSINESS
Read up on it: Take it in stride: “My advice to people who would like to do my kind of job in customer service is to always have patience and always smile. Try to always be friendly, even if at times [clients] don’t seem to be in a friendly mood,” — Elizabeth De Ocampo
“I highly recommend reading and living by 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie. Second, the career-specific advice I live by is also the title of one of my more popular books, 'Turn Your Passion Into Profit.' Oh, here's another: … 'The E-Myth Revisited' by Michael E. Gerber.' — Walter J. Goodridge
Pay your dues: “Early in my career I became impatient with the length of time it took to advance and was ready to jump ship. My supervisor and his boss explained to me that in this business, there is so much to learn and that building the trust and confidence among your superiors and customers that you are capable of shouldering greater levels of risk and responsibility takes time. That conversation settled me down and I am the better for it.” — John Arroyo
Keep your cool: “I think the best advice I can give to other young people who would like to be in the hospitality business is to always breathe, always relax. … Customers can see us and they will know if we are not relaxed and will see if we are stiff, tight or are making mistakes… It will show.” — Christian Kyle Pude
SEPTEMBER 2017 21
SPORTS
Sensei Danny Banez of Kyokushinkai Karate School leads students in practicing kata, the movements and techniques of martial arts. Photo by Marlon Regaton
TEACHING THE ART OF DISCIPLINE AND FOCUS By Joy White Sensei Danny Banez, a karate instructor of 40 years, embodies the mission of kyokushinkai, which is the unending search for martial arts techniques and movements. Banez earned his black belt in 1978 in Olongapo City in the Philippines and opened Kyokushinkai Karate School in Saipan in 1992. He continues to share his knowledge and training, while also maintaining the physical and mental rigors of a black belt. His was the first karate school in Saipan, he says, and it was not easy bringing karate to the island. “I had about 60 to 100 students when I first started the karate school, [working] an unbelievable three or four shifts daily. All the equipment and gear I owned at the time was from my karate gym in the Philippines, which I brought to Saipan,” Banez says. He has been teaching at the same gym in Joeten Building in Chalan Kanoa since the school’s opening. The school has competed in competitions on Guam and the region, bringing home silver at the 1997 South Pacific Games held in Fiji. During his time as an instructor, Banez has also trained hundreds of individuals and karate
About 60 students practice karate under the tutelage of Sensei Danny Banez at Kyokushinkai Karate School.
Sensei Danny Banez has been instructing in karate for 40 years. He opened Kyokushinkai Karate School in Saipan in 1992.
students from the United States for international competitions. His daughter, Danielle Angela Banez, is also a student of karate. At 15 years old, she has a black belt. The most important lessons in karate are discipline, focus and self-control. Banez strives to ensure that his students absorb the knowledge of martial arts and the physical and mental discipline that go with martial arts by adapting to his students’ personalities and attitudes. Banez teaches his students that karate is only meant for self-defense and physical fitness. “The usual misconception is karate is used for physically hurting people, but martial arts students need to learn self-control at the same time that they learn karate,” he says. Karate is Banez’s life-long pursuit. “Teaching martial arts is my greatest passion. …Honestly, karate is not a profitable business but the satisfaction it gives me when I see a new generation of martial artists is more than enough for me,” he says. SEPTEMBER 2017 23
ON THE ROAD
ON THE ROAD
Photos courtesy of Delta Management Corp. Delta Management Corp. and its owner Jim Arenovski were awarded Retailer of the Year and received Gold Retailer status in July at Shell’s Smiling Star Event in New York City
The 2017 Annual Island Auto Festival was held on Aug. 5 at the Marianas Business Plaza. (From top) Matt and Lisa Sablan; and Conrad Sablan 24 SEPTEMBER 2017
BRM’s Jon Mendiola visits Rob Travilla, co-founder of Tribe Marianas, at the shop on July 29.
ON THE ROAD
United Filipino Organization held a Kids Music Workshop on Aug. 6 at Zoom Café.
Department of Public Safety Policy Academy held its 22nd cycle graduation and banquet at Saipan World Resort on July 28.
Photos courtesy of Latte Training Academy In June, students graduated from Latte Training Academy with certifications in allied health fields. For more on Latte Training Academy, see page 28. For more On The Road photos, visit BRM’s Facebook page. Submit your photos, with a caption, to assist_editor@glimpsesofguam.com.
SEPTEMBER 2017 25
SPECIAL FEATURE
28 SEPTEMBER 2017
SEPTEMBER 2017 31