By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

NEARLY 500 students of Oleai Elementary School held a Valentine’s Day treat to 86 senior citizens yesterday as part of the annual Elder’s Appreciation Day celebration.
Coordinated by the school’s bilingual program, the festivities featured dance and song performances, presentation of gifts, as well as sharing of ideas and experiences between the children and the manamko’
Jasylene Parico, the acting school principal yesterday, said the event is their way of appreciating senior citizens on Valentine’s Day.
“This is a special day of the year when we can actually have them come and show them that we love, care and appreciate them,” she said. “It is also the purpose of the activity to build a special bond between our kids and the elderly.”
Parico said the war stories recounted by the manamko’ caught the students’ attention.
The guests also visited each classroom and participated in the discussions about the culture and history of the Northern Marianas.
Walter Manglona, the manamko’ events coordinator, said the 86 senior citizens were given the opportunity to interact with the students.
“We have two to five manamko’ assigned to every class where they got the chance to show the kids local crafts. They also demonstrated some traditional dances for the children,” Manglona said.
In the class of second grade teacher Arlene Billy-Cholymay, three senior citizens — Pedro Dela Cruz, Rosa Peter, and Genoveva Domingo — talked about their experiences during World War II.
“Our kids were excited and they were very interested to know every detail of the stories. My students really enjoyed the time they spent with our visitors,” Billy-Cholymay said.
The elderly also talked about how Chamorro songs are composed.
“We enjoyed listening to their stories,” fifth grader Samantha Marquez told Variety.
Mark Aprihan, also a fifth grader, said his own grandparents told him the same stories.
“They hid in the caves,” he said.
According to another student, Heidi Sablan, it is their choice to have the manamko’ as their yearly guest of honor.
“Next year, we’re sure we will hear more stories about their experiences,” she said.