SAIPAN Mayor David Mundo Apatang on Friday led the unveiling of a new street name in San Antonio in honor of Trust Territory land official Manuel “Deda” Blas Sablan.
Hakmang — which is Chamorro for eel — Avenue is now Tun Manet Deda Avenue.
Joining the mayor in the unveiling ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on Friday were members of Tun Manet Deda’s family: his children Josephine, Frances, John and wife Gloria; grandchildren Larissa, Manny, Walter, Antoinette and husband Warren F. Villagomez; great granddaughter Roxy; niece Meling Chargualaf; and cousin Dicta Tenorio.
Also joining them were Reps. Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero and Joseph Flores.
The San Antonio parish priest, Father Arman Hagos, blessed the new street.
Mayor Apatang said Tun Manet Deda was a wonderful man who was well known and fondly remembered.
Tun Manet Deda served the island for many years during the Trust Territory period.
As a land official, his responsibility carried a lot of weight because land ownership and the disposition of land titles at the time were not so easy — many land documents were lost during the Battle of Saipan.
Apatang said it was not an easy task but Tun Manet Deda managed to create a guideline that helped resolve land claims and disputes in the NMI.
“Tun Manet Deda gave so much to the village of San Antonio,” the mayor said. “He dedicated a portion of his happy life, with his very caring and loving wife, Nan Chilang, to helping organize village events like the San Antonio Fiesta, lending a hand to the San Antonio Parish, and sharing his very melodic voice as a member of the San Antonio Church choir.”
Tun Manet and Nan Chilang raised 12 beautiful children in the village, the mayor added. The area west of Tun Manet Deda Avenue was known as Deda beach, the mayor said.
“For his countless contributions and generosity to his village of San Antonio, and the early government of our islands, it is only appropriate to name this street in remembrance of his legacy,” Apatang said.
From left, Rep. Joseph Flores, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, Josephine “Deda” Sablan, Roxy, Larissa, Antoinette Sablan Villagomez, Frances Deda, Meling Chargualaf, Warren Villagomez, John Deda Sablan, Manny Sablan, Gloria DLG Sablan, Father Arman Hagos, Walter and Rep. Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero.
Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, left, watches as Tun Manet Deda’s children, Josephine and John, unveil the new street name in honor of their father.
