By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
RUEL Nava, a supervisor at Ace Hardware in Gualo Rai, won the 2025 Paskong Pinoy “Kwarta o Kahon” (Cash or Box) contest held Sunday at the Marianas Business Plaza parking lot.
Nava, a longtime CNMI resident and active participant in United Filipino Organization events, took home the $500 grand prize after besting more than 10 other contestants.
The annual holiday celebration featured entertainment and games, including raffles, a “Spin the Wheel” cash game, and an on-the-spot belen-making contest, which Marc Raagas won as the sole participant, taking home $200 in cash.
This year’s Paskong Pinoy was sponsored by IT&E; RNV Construction (Home Start Residences and Best Deal), HBR International, Marianas Business Plaza, Macro Accounting, KL Carr Enterprises, Cargo Express, Hafa Adai Rent-A-Car, George and Amelia Medina of 6JMS, Saipan Ice & Water, Malou Mendoza, Birhen Martinez, Noel and Eden Ordas, Star Water, Athlete’s Foot/Borderline, Marpac, Coca-Cola, JTM Snack Bar, Chelsea Lorenzo, and Joe Tachikawa.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
