Fr. Eric Forbes, who was the night’s keynote speaker, stressed the importance of the humanities.
“There will always be a place for humanities. Let us give our people the pieces so they can help preserve everything about our culture,” Forbes said.
Forbes, now based on Guam, was a priest at the San Roque church in the 1990s and is a noted historian who wrote several books. He had the audience laughing as he recounted several experiences while he was still on island.
NMI Humanities Council executive director Scott Russell said they were happy with the turnout.
“The attendance was more than what we expected and we are once again thankful for the tremendous community support we got,” Russell said.
NMI Humanities Council chairwoman Tracy M. Guerrero said that as the generation gets younger, the need to preserve and keep alive the culture and humanities of the island grows.
All proceeds from the fundraiser will go to public humanities programs and community projects.
Presentations were also made during the event, including the resolutions from Guam Speaker Judith T. Won Pat and CNMI Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, and a floor statement from Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.
Special items, including artwork, photographs, paintings, and other gifts were auctioned off and sold to the highest bidders during the event.
These included a personal library related to NMI history, the artwork and photography of Jack Hardy, Del Benson, Robert Hunter, Ed Propst, Leslie Ware, Jenequa Benavente, Karen Cabrera, Tony Cabrera, Myrene Nikko Evangelista, gifts from the CNMI Museum of History and Culture including drawings from the collection of Louis Claude de Freycinet, Chamorro beads from Gordon Salas, and items from DFS Saipan Ltd. including a Gucci Joy Collection shopping tote and messenger bag, and Burberry Dial watches.
Raffle prizes included two roundtrip airline tickets to Hong Kong from Fly Guam, a roundtrip ticket to Tokyo from Delta Air Lines, hotel stays at PIC, a cell phone from Docomo, gasoline from Shell Marianas, dinner buffet, breakfasts and water park passes at PIC, one week Eco Camp 2012 from Marianas Trekking, 20th anniversary tickets from Island Apparel, five-day VIP passes at Gold’s Gym, wine and spirits from Pacific Trading Company, grocery gift certificates from Tripe Five Star, Capriciossa, and Truongs, spa passes and brunch from the Saipan World Resort, gift certificates from Handbags, Etc., and various items from Monika’s Gallery.
