The new officers are chairman Ed Cho of the Saipan Grand Hotel, vice chairwoman Vicky Benavente of PIC Saipan, secretary Coreen Palacios of the Public School System, and treasurer Nhing Reyes of Ernest & Young.
In February, MTEC will launch its first television ad campaign. Other activities planned for the year include increased outreach to school MY WAVE — Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically — clubs.
MTEC is a nonprofit organization promoting community awareness on the importance of the visitor industry in the CNMI.
Two traditional canoes leave Yap for Palau
THE Traditional Navigation Society of Yap has opened a new chapter in the history of traditional navigation as its two traditional canoes departed on another voyage to Palau at 10 a.m. yesterday, a media release stated.
A few dozen of people including family members, relatives, and friends gathered at the marina yesterday morning to watch the crews or wish them goodbye as they were preparing to depart from the pier.
The main purpose of the voyage to Palau is to re-enact the stone money expeditions that Yapese made to quarry stone money in Palau back in the 16th century.
The Mathaw Maram is under the guidance of its master builder and traditional navigator Chief Bruno Tharngan of Maap and the Hokule’a is guided by traditional navigator and former Police Capt Ali Haleyalur from Lamotrek Atoll.
The crowd held a short ceremony prior to the canoes’ departure.
The trip had originally been scheduled to coincide with the presidential inauguration in Palau earlier this month but due to other circumstances had to delay it.
Chief Thomas Falngin of Rull gave blessings to the crews on behalf of the Council of Pilung while Chief Leo Racheilug of Satawal gave words of encouragement to the crews on behalf of the Council of Tamol.
Yap Gov. Sebastian Anefal attended the ceremony to say farewell to the crews of the two canoes.
