United Filipino Organizations members pose for a group photo during “Pistang Pinoy” on Sunday at Marianas Business Plaza
United Filipino Organizations President Birhen K. Martinez, “Kwarta o Kahon” game winner Rochelle Juangco, “Pistang Pinoy” emcee RV Tolentino, and UFO Public Relations Officer Anamae Adaza.
GAMES, live entertainment, and exciting raffle draws highlighted this year’s “Pistang Pinoy 2024” at the Marianas Business Plaza on Sunday.
The raffle grand prize, a round-trip ticket to the Philippines, was won by Ofelia Gonzales, while the baby grand prize, a round-trip ticket to Guam, went to Ruvy Pagdilao. Super Tech Foundation sponsored the round-trip tickets.
Hafa Adai Rent-A-Car staffer Rochelle Juangco, for her part, won $150 cash in the “Kwarta o Kahon” (Cash or Box) game.
Juangco, 25, told Variety that she was “super happy to win,” and that it was her first to join the game.
Organized by the United Filipino Organization – CNMI, Pistang Pinoy started at 11:30 a.m. and concluded at around 7:30 p.m.
Marcelo Masilungan of Supertech Foundation draws one of the winning raffle tickets.
“This year’s ‘Pistang Pinoy’ was a huge success,” UFO President Birhen K. Martinez said.
“Despite the economic hardship most of us are facing, we had a larger turnout compared to last year,” she added.
“We organize this festival yearly to commemorate Philippine Independence Day,” she said. “We are very thankful to the Filipino community along with our local friends and families that support the event. This is a yearly tradition for all of us, where we enjoy good food, live entertainment, and fun games,” Martinez added.
“The event will not be successful without the generosity of our sponsors. UFO would like to thank IT&E CNMI and RNV Construction along with its affiliate companies (Best Deal, Homesmart Residences, and RNV Forex) as our major sponsors this year. We also want to thank Supertech Foundation for donating a round-trip ticket to the Philippines as our raffle grand prize. A big thank you as well to the Marianas Business Plaza for always supporting UFO by providing a good venue for our events. Ms. Marie Javier of SM, Coca-Cola Beverage Co. (Micronesia), Graphics Inc., and Saipan Ice & Water are also among our generous sponsors,” she said.
Among the performers on Sunday were Erma Tubera, Ace and Adrian Docca, Donnel Isip, Elmer Belgado, Mharkee, Ronilo De Belen, Benjie Deniega, 9Eleven’s Project Vibe, Arceli Lizama, 670 I Love Zumba, Green Meadow School teachers, Juliana Kai Ortiz, Roanne Dela Cruz Palma, Fitbeat Familia, Xtreme Fitness 670, Shane Sabino, Unity is Love Zumba Dance Group, Sessionista Band, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles (Philippine Eagles)/ Marianas Lady Eagles Group.
The UFO is composed of 10 groups: Bayani Association, Bicol Association, Santo Niño Group, Marianas Association of Filipino Engineers & Architects, Marianas Institute of Filipino CPAs and Accountants, Tau Gamma Phi/ Triskelion, Northern Marianas Bartenders Association, Saipan Building & Fixing Computer Users Group, MDX Amateur Radio Group, and Akap Pinoy.
UFO, in collaboration with Emon Masonic Lodge No. 179, will hold a flag raising ceremony today, Wednesday, June 12, 7 a.m., at Aqua Resort Club to commemorate the 126th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence.
Children join the “Pabitin” game in which various prizes are literally up for grabs.
