From left, Chief Justice Alexandro Castro, Palau Community Association-CNMI Vice President Thelma Mizer, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez and Gov. Arnold I. Palacios during the 29th Palau Independence Day celebration at the Carolinian Village in Garapan.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios delivers his remarks during the 29th Palau Independence Day celebration at the Carolinian Village in Garapan.
GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios, House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez and Chief Justice Alexandro Castro on Saturday joined Palauans residing in the CNMI in celebrating the 29th Palau Independence Day at the Carolinian Village in Garapan.
Also joining them was Palau Minister of Health and Human Services Gaafar Uherbelau.
In his message to the members and officers of the Palau Community Association-CNMI, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. said that on behalf of his family in Palau, “Yorosku and Happy Independence Day to all of our Palauan brothers in the Marianas and their esteemed guests!”
“I write to you today, with overflowing pride and joy, united with you in spirit as we celebrate Palau’s 29th Independence Day. In the heart of the Marianas, our beloved Palauan culture thrives, nurtured by your love for our traditions, customs, and people. Witnessing your successes while preserving the essence of our Palauan heritage fills our hearts with immense pride,” the Palau president said.
Gov. Palacios thanked the CNMI’s Palauan community for inviting him to the celebration.
“Thank you so much. I am deeply honored and very happy to join you this evening as we celebrate the 29th Independence Day of Palau. Biba Palau! Biba Independence Day!” the governor said, as he noted many familiar faces and friends who were also present. He said he grew up with some of them, and some were his classmates in high school.
“You are the epitome of Pacific Islanders,” he told the Palauans.
Palau and the Northern Marianas — together with the Marshall Islands and what is now known as the Federated States of Micronesia — were districts of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands administered by the U.S. on behalf of the United Nations. Saipan was the capital and headquarters of the TTPI government.
The NMI later chose to become part of the U.S. while Palau, the Marshalls and the FSM became independent nations with Compacts of Free Association with the U.S.
The governor recalled that when the Trust Territory districts decided to forge their future, we “did it with a lot of apprehension because we had grown as a people, not just as Chamorros, Refaluwasch, Palauans, Chuukese, Pohnpeians, Marshallese, Yapese or Kosraeans, but as people of Micronesia.”
He said at the time, Micronesian leaders, “our forefathers, forged the future they envisioned for our people and our respective communities. Those are the same people we celebrate today. Their sacrifices, vision and resilience got us where we are [today]. They must be remembered.”
Uherbelau, for his part, said it is important for young ones to know the meaning of this year’s theme: “Our Youths are the Stewards of our Heritage.”
The Palauan community’s vice president, Thelma Mizer, extended her own warm welcome to the governor, Minister Uherbelau, Villagomez, Castro and other guests and friends who have joined the celebration.
“Your presence today means a lot to us,” she said, adding that the occasion also “reminds us of how lucky we are to have a strong relationship with many countries around the globe, including our second home, the CNMI. We are deeply grateful for the partnership and support the CNMI has shown to the Palauan families who call the CNMI their home.”
The Palau Community Association-CNMI would also like to thank the following sponsors of the event: the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services, Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, Triple J Superstore, Marpac, D&Q Distributors, Joeten Motors, I Love Saipan Store, Gold’s Gym Saipan, IT&E, Belau Amateur Baseball Association, the leaders of Palau’s 16 states and the officers and members of the PCA-CNMI.
Palau Minister of Health and Human Services Gaafar Uherbelau talks about this year’s Palau Independence Day theme: “Our Youths are the Stewards of our Heritage.”
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, second right, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, third right, Chief Justice Alexandro Castro, center, Palau Minister of Health and Human Services Gaafar Uherbelau, third left, Pastor Ted Ngewajl, left, Chief Justice Castro’s wife, Carmen Castro, second left, and Palau Community Association-CNMI Vice President Thelma Mizer, right.
