By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff

MOUNT Carmel High School has won the Attorney General’s Cup speech competition for the sixth straight year.
Mt. Carmel senior Cyd Xyrene Gojar Tribiana, 17, defeated 10 other contestants during Friday’s competition at the Guma Hustisia.
The school first won the competition in 1984 when Norman S. Ada took first place in the first AG’s Cup.
Mt. Carmel also won in 1989, 1994 and 2000. In 2001, the school lost the title to Marianas Baptist Academy but won it back in 2002.
This year’s issue was federalization and the relationship of the U.S. and the CNMI under the Covenant. The contestants were asked to discuss whether the CNMI should renegotiate its Covenant with the U.S.
Tribiana delivered a very emotional speech that drew loud applause from the audience, some of whom were in tears.
Tribiana was only two years old when his parents moved to Saipan 15 years ago to work here for the garment industry. Because of the closure of factories they are now unemployed and are headed back to the Philippines.
Tribiana is not an American citizen but he considers Saipan his home.
In his speech, Tribiana compared the Covenant to a relationship between a parent and a child.
He said that just as parents and children should not break the bond that ties them, the CNMI should not break the bond of the Covenant.
“Instead we must renegotiate the trust upon which that Covenant was built. We must affirm the Covenant,” Tribiana said,
The CNMI, he added, should move forward by acknowledging its mistakes. “We have been irresponsible and have denied it for too long — it’s time for us to grow up. And like stubborn parents, the U.S. has ignored and neglected us, now, like overbearing parents, they are trying to force us to do what they think is right, when, instead, they should help us decide for ourselves what is right. Just as a parent and a child, the USA and the CNMI must not abandon each other.”
Tribiana said he and his family will be leaving the CNMI after his graduation. “Whenever I think of leaving, it tears me up inside, because I know that once I set foot on that airplane, I will have to say goodbye to these islands that I call home,” he said. “So as I prepare to leave, I ask you for one favor. Do everything you can to keep these islands the unique, diverse and beautiful place that the Covenant enables them to be. Protect and cherish the Covenant, hold it close to your heart, as I hold the island close to mine.”
Tribiana was almost in tears when he concluded his speech.
Mt. Carmel School principal Galvin Deleon Guerrero was Tribiana’s coach.
Tribiana’s parents, Edgardo and Cynthia, said they were very proud of their son. It was their son’s first time to join the contest and they were very happy that he won it.
Tribiana said he is planning to attend the Jesuits’ Ateneo de Manila University and will take up broadcast journalism or filmmaking.
He said he is also planning on returning to Saipan someday to share what he learns in the Philippines.
One of the judges, Rep. Cinta M. Kaipat, Covenant-Saipan, said she was very impressed with the contestants. She said she learned a lot from the speeches. “Every year it becomes better and better and I congratulate the parents and the schools and the coaches for doing an excellent job. I hope the organizers and sponsors of this competition will continue to support the program,” Kaipat said.
Attorney General Matthew Gregory said the contestants were all excellent, the performances were on a high level and the discussions were all wonderful.
The second placer this year was 15-year-old Carmela Benoza, an 11th grader at Grace Christian Academy and the daughter of Isagani and Adelaida Benoza. Benoza’s coaches were Aaron Rath and Faith Dela Rosa.
Andrew Kakuse, a 16-years-old student from Calvary Christian Academy and son of Mike and Samihna Kakuse, placed third. His coach was Marilee Norman.
In fourth place was Victoria Bellas, 15, a 10th grader at Marianas Baptist Academy and daughter of Frances Arriola and Timothy Bellas. Her coach was Peter J. Coleman.
The fifth placer was Gretchen Smith, 17, and a 12th grader at Marianas High School. She is the daughter of Stephen and Magiel Smith and her coach was Cherlyn Cabrera.
The other contestants were Mercilynn Kaneshi, 15, Kagman High School; Taylor Smith, 16, Northern Marianas Academy; Christine Llana, 15, Rota High School; Henry Chan, 17, Saipan International School; Jennifer Benavente, 18, Saipan Southern High School; and Marjorie Anne Cruz Daria, 18, Tinian High School.