IT took a little while before the Omelau family members were convinced that what they were seeing was real.
The Omelau family and organizers of “A Christmas Surprise on Saipan” pose for a photo.
Photo by Jaki Fujihara
Andrew Omelau, his dad Martino, his mom, Audrey, and his siblings could not believe that they had just won a two-year, rent-free stay at a fully furnished beachfront house in Susupe, a 2017 Ford Escape and a brand new barbecue pit.
“What’s going on?” 42-year-old Martino asked his son when they arrived in Susupe around 5 p.m. Wednesday. The father thought his son was trying to surprise him with a barbecue party.
The Omelau couple and seven of their eight children have been living in a tent for two years since their house in Chalan Kanoa was devastated by Super Typhoon Yutu.
Andrew, 19, is the third eldest of eight children. His siblings are Sheris, 22; Martin, 21; Makaya, 18; Myha, 14; Tyler, 13, Lyhana, 11; and six-month-old Kiruu.
Andrew and his family were nominated by one of his Kanoa Football Club teammates to be the recipient of “A Christmas Surprise on Saipan,” an initiative launched by Pacific Rim to bring Christmas cheer to a family in need on Saipan.
The Christmas Surprise that the Omelau family received amounts to $60,000 worth of gifts and include a rent-free stay for two years at a house in Susupe, home appliances, a 2017 Ford Escape and Christmas gifts for the children.
Pacific Rim president Keith Stewart said community members were asked to nominate a household or a family in need.
He said more than 150 nominations were received.
Pacific Rim president Keith Stewart delivers his remarks during the awarding of the “Christmas Surprise” for the Omelau family in Susupe on Wednesday.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
“People were not thinking about themselves and what they needed, but instead they were thinking of others,” he added.
Those who submitted nominations had to a write an essay and answer questions during an interview with the organizers.
A committee comprising six individuals reviewed nominations for about two weeks before narrowing down the selection to two families.
The committee later realized that the “two families” were one and the same. The Omelau family was nominated by two community members.
“We couldn’t believe it,” Stewart said. “The same family! So we all knew at that moment we had selected the right family.”
In an interview after his family received their Christmas Surprise, Andrew said he could not express how grateful he was.
“It’s just so much. We’ve never gone through stuff like this. They gave us a house, a car!” said Andrew, a graduate of Daok Academy, a striker of the Kanoa Football Club, and a sports facilities assistant of Tan Holdings.
Andrew said he and his family have always struggled, “and now, this is like so much that I can’t explain how I feel right now.”
He added, “I honestly feel loved because of what everyone has done for me and my family…. I never actually thought of people doing this but it’s honestly a big Christmas gift for me and my family.”
His dad, Martino, was almost speechless, but he managed to say, “I thank the Lord. God is good.”
Stewart told Andrew and his family, “We hope you will accept and be blessed by what so many people have done here for you today. We have never met until today, but I have heard wonderful things about you and your family. I will personally be praying for you and hope you and your family be blessed by this.”
Stewart said Pacific Rim plans to make the Christmas Surprise an annual event.
Its platinum sponsors this year are JC Tenorio Enterprises Inc., JMSI Electrical Guam LLC, JWS Air Conditioning, Tan Holdings and Tan Siu Lin Foundation.
The gold sponsors are AIUP, Allied Pacific Environmental Corp., Hong Ye Rental & Construction, IT&E, Security Title, Thompson Law Office and Torres Brothers LLC.
The silver sponsors are Burger Comer & Associates, HBR International Inc., ITS Corp., King & Neel and Taro Sue Store.
The bronze sponsors are CFPJ Corp., Godfather’s Bar, Hydroaire Mechanical, Inas Kitchen, Ipwan Security Services, Marianas Business Plaza, Pacific Marine Enterprises, Royal Pacific Express/DECM Consultancy and Kautz.
The additional sponsors are the Kanoa Football Club, Sitong, Lady Diann Foundation, Sandy Weaver, Monika’s Furniture, Herman’s Bakery, BFJ Corp., RNV, Toys for Tots and Hyatt Regency Saipan.
Stewart also thanked the media and other partners, “Bob, Amier, Nadine, Jaki, Tom, Richard, Myra, Sandy, Bill as well as the construction workers.”
