The 2025 Liberation Queen candidates pose for a photo with Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho, Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog, Tinian Mayor Edwin S. Alan, Hågat, Guam Mayor Kevin J.T. Susuico, Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Councilwoman Carmen C. Pangelinan, and the officials of the Liberation Day Committee.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
ROTA Mayor Aubry Hocog and Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan joined Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho on Saturday in the pinning-of-the-sash ceremony for the 2025 Liberation Queen candidates at the Saipan Mayor’s Office.
Mayor Camacho said it was the first time that the mayors of Rota, Tinian and Saipan came together for the pinning ceremony.
Also joining them were the candidates’ parents, 2024 Liberation Queen Xeayda Manglona, Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Councilwoman Carmen C. Pangelinan and Hågat, Guam Mayor Kevin J.T. Susuico, who was on Saipan to attend an Association of Mariana Islands Mayors meeting and the Flame Tree Arts Festival over the weekend.
The Rota Liberation Queen candidate is 17-year-old Kaypeonie Mendiola, a senior student at Dr. Rita Hocog Jr./Sr. High School. The candidate from Tinian is 20-year-old Pritzel Carreon, who works for Micronesian Air. The Saipan candidates are 15-year-old Aunika DLG Manibusan Camacho of Kagman High School, 17-year-old Teresita Diaz of Marianas High School, and 20-year-old Debbiann Selepeo, a graduate of Saipan Southern High School.
In his remarks, Mayor Camacho thanked the hardworking Liberation Day Committee members and the parents of the Liberation Queen candidates because without their support the members of the Liberation Day Royal Court “won’t be with us here today.”
He also thanked the candidates for competing for this year’s crown.
“We need you, young generation …. You are the role models for the future generation, the future leaders of the CNMI,” the mayor said. He also thanked his fellow mayors for joining him. He said their coming together reflects this year’s Liberation Day theme: “Weaving Heritage and Embracing Peace.”
To the candidates of the fundraising pageant, he said, “Try your best.” He added, “You are all winners.”
Liberation Day Committee Chair Frances Santos told the candidates to “remember that you carry the hopes of your families, the stories of your ancestors and the pride of your islands.”
