A beaming and dazed Assistant Attorney General Tiberius Mocanu climbed on stage at the Fiesta Resort & Spa beachside to claim his prize after his ticket number 1384 was announced as the grand prize winner amid fireworks prepared for the event.
“I’m surprised and very happy. I didn’t expect this,” Mocanu said. He said his wife left the party to change clothes and was not there when his number was drawn out.
Mocanu, who bought one ticket from Nola Hix of Docomo, said this was his first time “to win anything this big.”
Born in Romania but raised in San Francisco, Mocanu said he has been on Saipan for only a year.
Asked what he plans to do with his prize money, Mocanu said they might take a vacation and catch the lantern festival in Thailand next month.
“I don’t know yet — this is a surprise but we will take a vacation,” he said.
Ticket number 0586 holder Susan Cabrera who was not at the fundraising dinner won the 2011 Ford Fiesta from Joeten Motors and the Joeten Charitable Foundation. Second prize winner who received $5,000 cash was ticket number 0523 holder Esther Barr.
Ticket number 779 holder Meryll H. won the third prize: two Delta economy class tickets to any U.S. destination and $500 cash.
The fourth prize winner — one year supply of gas from Mobil Oil Marianas valued at $2,025 — was ticket number 1267 holder Mike Pacino.
The other major winners:
• Fifth prize, $2,000 cash, ticket number 0344, Carmen Cabrera.
• Sixth prize, two Continental economy tickets to any destination in Asia and $500 cash, ticket number 1442, Carlyn Desebel.
42 individuals/companies also won prizes in the raffle drawing, while three won the treasure chests. The seventh to the 42nd prizes included cash prizes, hotel stays, gift certificates, lunch and dinner buffets, round trip tickets to various destinations, appliances, and more.
Winners also won various prizes in the limbo and dance competition as well as in the best in costume contest.
During the event, the NMI chapter of the American Red Cross recognized three individuals who had contributed a lot to help the charitable organization — John Atalig, Gil Muna and Rock Ahulau.
NMI chapter executive director John Hirsh thanked the community for its “overwhelming support” through the years.
“We would like to thank all the sponsors and individuals who joined us for the 23rd annual fundraising dinner. We are glad that despite the hard economic times, you are still with us and continue to help us in helping those who need assistance in the community,” Hirsh said.
This year’s theme was “Fantasy Island.” Music and entertainment was provided by the Afetnas Regime with Jojo Camacho as master of ceremony.
