WHAT a year. The best part is that it’s almost over. And when it is, we’ll have another year to worry about the same things we’re worrying about now. Still, as a wise man once said, we should not take life too seriously because we will never get out of it alive anyway.
But today, of all days, is not the day for such morbid thoughts. We live on a beautiful tropical island. Like the rest of the nation, we just had a peaceful, orderly and free election. Which is terrific — unless your candidates lost. But look on the bright side. There’s always the next election. Anyway, here’s a true story. We know someone who used to suffer from depression, but through hard work, persistence, and never giving up, he now suffers from anxiety and depression.
We’re kidding! Depression is a serious condition, and you should consult a doctor and consider taking medication for it. If symptoms persist, insult your doctor.
This, in any case, is the 30th edition of Marianas Variety’s splendiferous annual Thanksgiving list, the items of which are listed in no particular order. Check it out. You might have made it this time.
1) James Sablan says: “As always, I am thankful to the big man upstairs for waking up every passing day. My fiancée, Dana Manglona, for her continuous love and support; to my mom, sisters Demalynn and Mhai, my brother Lerio, and niece Esma and nephew Ean, for always making me feel at home with every visit to the mainland; to Marianas Variety for allowing me to continue doing what I love — writing and sharing the stories and accomplishments of athletes within the NMI — as well as my coworkers including Zaldy, Arnold, Bryan, Andrew, and boss Amier for trusting in me as a reporter; to the CNMI Society of Professional Journalists for protecting reporters like us and making our stories and words heard; to the sports organizations for their endless hard work and collaborations; and to everyone else that has significantly impacted my life year after year; I thank you all for making Saipan, CNMI, a place I call home.”
2) Andrew Roberto is thankful for:
3) “My partner in life Marilyn and my beautiful kids Andres and Aubrey; my parents Andres and Dorothy Roberto; my in-laws Lee Sr. and June, as well as Lee Jr. and Harilee and their daughters Hailee and Kailee; my siblings and their families — Joshua, Aiyisha, Austin, and Jeremiah.
4) “I’m thankful I live on a place so beautiful that people literally pay to visit it. I love this island.
5) “I’m thankful for Peter and Emma Perez, Junior Coleman, Andrea Car, Cecelio Raiukiulipiy, Mario Benito and all my 500 Sails family, to include Anaguan, Richard Seman, Neni, and Aunty Oba, our lekleks.
6) “I’m thankful the winds have started in November because I can sail in good wind.
7) “I’m thankful for my hommie Don ‘Malibu’ Manibusan.
8) “I’m thankful for UOG Press — we have worked together for my forthcoming anthology of short stories.
9) “I’m thankful for my dogs.
10) “I’m thankful that Saipan Humane Society is as tenacious and good spirited as they are in their mission.
11) “I’m thankful for this organization, Marianas Variety. We have a positive workplace with great individuals. Thanks everyone, from leadership to editorial to sales to production, circulation, and beyond.
12) “I’m also thankful Variety is located real close to a beach because our sunset views are amazing.
13) “I’m thankful for the community of journalists on this island. We’re so good to each other.
14) “Thank you to CNMI Transit. You guys are way better than taxis.
15) “Thank you to the Beach Road Pathway and the Garapan improvement projects. Pot Fabot Beach Road improvement project hurry up fan.
16) “Thank you NMC and NMTI you’re both great educational institutions.
17) “Thank you to Angry Penne. Oh my God, your restaurant is worth all the hype. Chef, the mushroom tagalatele is AMAZING, as is the carbonara. Can you please combo them somehow? I don’t know what you would do, but man those two dishes need to do the Dragon Ball Z fusion dance.
18) “Thank you to Gold’s Gym.
19) “Thank you to the Rotary Club of Saipan
20) “Thank you to Galaxy in CK. Your level of consistency is on par with McDonald’s in terms of how good your donuts and empanada come out on a day-to-day basis. Thank you for being the breakfast of champions. I know I just thanked Gold’s Gym but still.
21) “I guess overall I’m just thankful for life. I’m thankful there’s still air in my lungs. I’m thankful that I live in a place I love, surrounded by people I love, doing what I love.”
22) Bryan Manabat is “very thankful for my family’s good health and well-being. Thankful to my wife, Serrine, who as always is a steady anchor through thick and thin. My children: Rianna, Maria, Sebastien, Brandon, Isabel, Keziah, Alejandra, and RJ who are my pride and joy. I’m thankful to Marianas Variety for giving me employment, our boss Amier, and his wife Jenny. Thankful to Zaldy, MV editor, for catching errors and editing my work; also, for the tips and coverage assignments. Thankful to MV staffers, Friday night sessions gang: Bino, Steven, Julius, Mike, Jun and Edmund. I would also like to properly thank Viola Deleon Guerrero, Lino Olopai, Jane Mack, Scott Russell, among others, for helping me gain a path to U.S. citizenship by providing letters of support and background references, while not expecting anything in return. Very thankful to be part of the CNMI Society of Professional Journalists. Thankful to Mar-Vic Cagurangan of Pacific Island Times, and Naina Rao of KPRG Guam public radio; to the Chalan Kanoa Football club players and coaches: Merlie, Christy, and Lani. God Bless you all. I am also very thankful that I live in Saipan, CNMI, where truly America’s Day begins!”
23) Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano says:
24) “Thank you Lord for my wife Jeanette and children, John Gabriel, John Baron, John Yuri, Kennedy John, Manuelito John and Johana Elizabeth, and grandson Remiel John Dimitri.
25) “I thank also my late father Manuel P. Erediano, my late grandmother Segundina Erediano, my mother Montsetrrat and siblings Manuel Jr., Alma, Mayette and Arlynn, in-laws Dick Sillitoe, Kirk, nephews and nieces, my sister-in-law Myra husband Daniel Brum, and best friend Edgar Gares.
26) “Thanks a lot Variety family: Zaldy and family Che, Zoe and Miguel, Boss Amier, Ma’am Jen and kids; and the entire Variety family.
27) “Thanks to kumpares and kumares: Glenna Palacios, Oscar Babauta, Pareng Slow, Rita Sablan, Haidee Eugenio, Irene Holl, Maryann Borja, Uly Sabuco, Criselda and Jun Factor, and ninong Wendel Posadas and ninang Paula Bermudes.
28) “Thank you Green Meadows School family, Ma’am Mila, Sir Ado, Sir Glen, Ma’am Bona, the Grade VI faculty, parents and students.
29) “Thank you to my good friends, Doris and Jose Bermudes, Bill Manglona, John Paul Reyes, Frances Joan Kaipat, Chanelle Borja, Andrew Estepa, Doyi Kim, Mr. Kim, Mountain Joo, Candy and Lex, Allan of 99 Cents, Joselito Espino, Myla, Grace Christian Assembly family.
30) “Thank you, Bank of Guam, First Hawaiian Bank, Triple J Motors, Chair Lady, Mr. Chi, Discover, Sunleader Corp., Franco, American Red Cross-NMI, John Hirsh; friends in politics, Gov. Palacios, Lt. Gov. Apatang, Senate President Edith, CPA board of directors, Claudio Norita, Paul Manglona, Legislature, Jessica Tomokane, Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan, NMI Democrats, AD Team, Republicans, and businesses — Joe and Marcia Ayuyu and family, Kinpachi, Misako San and Sonia, Kuya Gary of Sunny Side, Mr. Kim, Elegance, Chowtime, Triple J., Mobil Oil, Twins Market, Rotary Club, M2 Fitness, Mary Grace, NMIFA, Andrew Orsini, Judge Lizama, Kagman Health Center, CHCC, CEO Esther Muna, CPA, Kim King-Hinds, Chris Tenorio, CCC, Ruth Sakisat, Maria B. Salas, San Antonio Church, Center for Messianic Learning, Father Arman Hagos, Nikon, Star Carwash, Eco Laundry, Mr. Kim, Mr. Jonathan Joo, One Stop Laundry, Joe-ten, Town House, National Office Supply, I Love Saipan, Bourbon Bar, Yewon Restaurant, Lohas Massage, San Jose Mart.”
31) zd wants to thank MV’s proofreaders Virgie Avendaño-Woodruff and Joyce McClure, as well as our contributing writer Candy Feliciano and contributing editor Jayvee Vallejera.
32) Spotify and earbuds
33) “Shogun” (2024 TV Series)
34) Re-reruns of “Still Standing” and “Yes, Dear”
35) Jo Koy’s autobiography
36) Jim Gaffigan
37) U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
38) free and clean elections
39) The CNMI and its people
40) YouTube
41) Tae Bo
42) electricity
43) CUC
44) CHCC
45) PMC and Dr. Ahmad A. Al-Alou
46) Caravan of Food
47) J’s Restaurant
48) Morae
49) Ocean Star Restaurant
50) Canton Restaurant
51) Shirley’s
52) Alma of Jizg Barber Shop & Beauty Salon
53) Walter Beasley’s “Lovely Day”
54) Debarge’s “All This Love” and “Time Will Reveal”
55) The Emotions’ “Don’t Ask My Neighbor”
56) Babyface’s “Two Occasions” (Live)
57) Tevin Campbell’s “I’m Ready” and “Can We Talk”
58) Edie Brickell’s “Good Time”
59) Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant”
60) Ted Nugent’s “Stranglehold”
61) Alice Sara Ott’s Liszt: 12 Etudes d’exécution transcendante, S. 139 – No. 7, Eroica (Allegro); and her Tiny Desk Concert on NPR
62) Joey Ayala’s “Magkabilaan,” “Saan Ka Patungo Panganay Ko,” and “Padayon”
63) Junior’s “Yakap”
64) Gold’s Gym
65) zd says thank you Abed, Paz, Amier, Jenny, Laila, Lawrence, Banny, Farah, Suaad and Salam.
66) Thank you ever so much to the hardworking people of MV’s editorial, art, administration, sales, production, accounting and circulation departments.
67) Thank you Mar-Vic for inventing his list. Hello Joe and the kids!
68) Thank you Ulysses Sabuco Torres — the papa-ble living legend.
69) Brenda & Fred
70) Bruce Mailman and Maya Kara, the Mailman & Kara, LLC staff
71) Pacific Island Times
72) Chéché, Miguel, Zoe and Bob the cat
73) cat food, cat treats, cat litter and the local stores that sell them
74) John and Gloria Sablan
75) JG Sablan Ice & Water
76) amazon.com
77) Kindle
78) Kim King-Hinds and family
79) Galvin, Velma and their children
80) NMC
81) Courtney’s Plaza, Torres Refrigeration, Dante & Josie
82) Mike Ernest & family
83) B&R Auto Repair
84) Steve Nutting & family
85) Judge Ken Govendo & family
86) Judge Joe Camacho & family
87) Arin Greenwood
88) Nick Pichay
89) Ate Carol, Kuya Danny, Gio, Vince & family
90) Tita Merci Molina and Kuya Abel
91) Kuya Bill, Ate Teré & family
92) Rita and Frank Sablan
93) Sonnie Sablan and Inas’ Kitchen
94) Walt FJ Goodridge
95) JKPL and staff
96) Jeff Schorr and family
97) Joeten stores, Twins Supermarket, LJ’s Store
98) Charles P. Reyes Jr., Esq.
99) Daisy, George and Jordan
100) Matthew Deleon Guerrero and family
101) Kevin Bautista & family
102) Chummie & Virginia Ogerio
103) Our Saipan Tribune friends and comrades-in-arms
104) Jim and Grace Belyea
105) Gloria Hunter and family
106) Donna Cruz and family
107) Pete P. Reyes and family
108) Diego & Vicky Benavente
109) Ralph DLG Torres and family
110) Congressman Kilili and family
111) Robert T. Torres and family
112) Pacifica Insurance and Shirley Sablan
113) Triple J Payless SuperFresh & Truckload Store
114) IT&E
115) Docomo Pacific
116) capitalism
117) The CNMI Society of Professional Journalists, led by the indefatigable Thomas A. Manglona II, its other officers and members
118) Saipan Chamber of Commerce
119) Vir, Alice and Josh
120) Pale Ike Ayuyu
121) To old friends and former colleagues: Raffy A., Ferdie, Rick A., Jojo, Gemma, Haidee, Rene, Moneth, Choobs, Lyn, K-Andrea, Jon P., Alexie Z., Jacq, Aggie, Jude, Junhan, Racquel B., Richelle, Fil Olimpo, Flor Pamintuan, Rhony Laigo, Dong Camacho, Eileen Oreiro, Chau Nguyen, Chris Nelson, Carlotta Leon Guerrero, Glenn Wakai, Bob Coldeen, Tammy Doty, Sophia Perez
122) Thank you MV editorial/digital team: Arnold, Bryan, James Sablan, Andrew R., Sean Ignacio
123) Thank you pareng Makoy, Jess G. & family, Sally, Osang, Lisa Cruz & family, Tekya, Prof, Talits, Loids, Ariel & Khalil, Vino & family, Tere & family, Arsen & family, Mama Gaya, Lala, Jayden, Rey, Niño and family, George M. & family, Jeanette & daughter Joanna, Bob Schwalbach, Joy, Ella, Bhadjoe
124) chess.com
125) New In Chess digital magazine
126) “Aron Nimzowitsch: On the Road to Chess Mastery, 1886-1924” by Per Skjoldager and Jørn Erik Nielsen
127) Philip Roth’s “The Ghost Writer,” “Zuckerman Unbound,” “The Counterlife”
128) Marie Howe’s poetry
129) John Malcolm Brinnin’s “Dylan Thomas in America”
130) “A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole
131) “Tuck Everlasting” by Natalie Babbitt
132) “Time’s Arrow” by Martin Amis
133) John Stossel’s “No They Can’t”
134) Anne Carson’s “Glass, Irony & God”
135) MV readers, contributors, advertisers, and you.
