FOR the second year in a row, the mannge’ island of Luta has an extra reason to celebrate during Liberation Day, as Kaypeonie Marie Mendiola is the 2025 Liberation Queen — succeeding her predecessor and fellow Luta resident, Xeayda Manglona.
“I am so humbly honored to be crowned this year’s Liberation Queen, and I want to thank you all, the people of our beautiful Commonwealth, for entrusting me with this esteemed title and incredible privilege,” Mendiola said in her address. “Today we celebrate our liberation, our freedom, and our resilience. We honor the sacrifices of those who came before us — who fought for our rights, our land, and our way of life. As a symbol of our island’s strength and beauty, I promise to represent our community with dignity and pride. I will strive to be a role model for our youth, to inspire them to reach for their dreams, and to empower them to become the leaders of tomorrow.”
A recent graduate of Dr. Rita Inos Hocog Senior High School, Mendiola was also the recipient of the 2025 People’s Choice Award. In her fundraising effort to become Liberation Queen, she raised $22,406 to win the contest.
Bridget Maratita Deleon Guerrero, Liberation Day Committee Royal Court chair, congratulated her on the accomplishment.
“This outstanding achievement demonstrates dedication and the wonderful support she received from her family, friends, and her community. Kaypeonie, embrace this journey and the potential that lies ahead of you,” she said.
For her part, Rota Mayor Aubrey Hocog extended gratitude to the entire CNMI for supporting Mendiola.
“We are so humbled by the honor given, but really the credit belongs to Kaypeonie’s amazing family, her committee, and the great support from our community — whether from Rota, Saipan, Tinian, or the mainland. We really just want to thank everybody for coming out and supporting Kaypeonie — and not just Kaypeonie, but the whole royal court,” Hocog said. “This is a wonderful experience for these beautiful ladies, and we’re so thankful for Mayor RB Camacho and the amazing Liberation Committee for putting this together.”
Hocog added that collaboration across the municipalities — as seen in this Liberation Court — was important to building strength in the CNMI. During this Liberation Court season, Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho tasked the Liberation Day Committee with selecting a representative from each municipality. A representative from the Northern Islands had been selected but dropped out prior to the Royal Court coronation.
“These unified mayors are coming together not only for important events like this, but for the various issues that affect our municipalities,” Hocog said. “One voice is strong, but voices together can make a real impact. Coming together and supporting one another — rallying not just for our own municipalities, but for each other — is what we need to build a strong Commonwealth. I’m so thankful for the partnership and collaboration of all the respective mayors. I am truly very humbled to work alongside them.”
The other members of the 2025 Liberation Royal Court are Royal Princess Pritzel Carreon, First Runner-Up Aunika Camacho, First Princess Teresita Diaz, and Second Princess Debbiann Selepeo, who was also the recipient of the Mayor’s Citizenship Award.
From left, Saipan Mayor RB Camacho, 2024 Liberation Queen Xeayda Manglona, 2025 Liberation Queen Kaypeonie Marie Mendiola, and Rota Mayor Aubrey Hocog.
Photo by Andrew Roberto
The 2025 Liberation Day Royal Court members, from left, Debbiann Selepeo, Teresita Diaz, Pritzel Carreon, Kaypeonie Mendiola, and Aunika Camacho.
2025 Liberation Queen Kaypeonie Mendiola, center, poses with her Royal Court, the Liberation Day Committee members, 2024 Liberation Queen Xeayda Manglona, Saipan Mayor RB Camacho, and Rota Mayor Aubrey Hocog.
The 2025 Liberation Day Royal Court members, from left, Debbiann Selepeo, Teresita Diaz, Pritzel Carreon, Kaypeonie Mendiola, and Aunika Camacho.
First Runner Up Aunika Camacho
First Princess Teresita Diaz receives her sash and crown.
Kaypeonie Marie Mendiola is crowned 2025 Liberation Queen.
Royal Princess Pritzel Carreon
Second Princess Debbiann Selepeo
