BECAUSE of the tropical storm condition on Saipan, the 35th commemorative event for the 13 fishermen lost at sea was held at the Kristo Rai Church Thursday afternoon.
The event was supposed to be held at the 13 Fishermen Memorial Monument on Beach Road, Garapan.
On Sept. 23, 1986, during Typhoon Ben, MV Olwol capsized somewhere between Pagan and Maug. Aboard the fishing vessel were 12 Carolinian men and one Filipino boat mechanic. They were all experienced fishermen.
The crew of MV Olwol were Isidro Rogopes Romolor, Jose Taisakan Igisaiar, Silvestre Roligat Selepeo, Joaquin Lisua Moteisou, Benusto Rabauliman Olopai, Enrique Lisua Moteisou, Guillermo Saures, Benusto Malus Lisua, Joseph Litulumar Kaipat, Pedro Lairope Mettao, Martin Lairope Saures, Joseph Teregeyo Lisua, and Jovencio Falguera.
“The 35th memorial commemoration is part of the Cultural Heritage Month activities,” said Florence Selepeo Kirby, sister of Silvestre Roligat Selepeo, one of the 13 fishermen.
Kirby said this year, new name plaques were installed at the memorial monument.
“The old plaques were dilapidated, cracked, and broken already. They had been there since the monument was erected for the fishermen,” she added.
It was the late former Vice Speaker Jesus P. Mafnas and his wife Sue T. Mafnas who made the 13 Fishermen Memorial Monument a reality in June 1992.
New name plaques are installed at the 13 Fishermen Memorial Monument on Beach Road in Garapan.
