FELIPE Ada Roberto shed tears of joy as he, his family and Saipan leaders unveiled a street name in his honor in Dandan on Tuesday.
Saagh Place, the road leading to his house from Tun Herman Pan Road in Dandan, is now called Tun Felipe Roberto Place.
Organized by Rep. Joseph Leepan Guerrero, the unveiling ceremony was led by Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang. They were joined by House Minority Leader Angel Demapan, Rep. Joseph Flores, Rep. Roy Ada, and the children and grandchildren of Tun Felipe Roberto who is now in his late 80s.
“I am so happy. I really appreciate what you people have done here today,” the teary-eyed Tun Felipe Roberto said.
His eldest daughter, Grace Roberto Babauta, said, “I’m just feeling thankful. I’m blessed that this happened.”
She said they had waited for seven years for the renaming of the street in her father’s honor, “and I’m here to witness it, and my dad is still alive to witness it.”
“I appreciate what everybody has done. On behalf of our family, I’d like to thank you all, especially Rep. Joseph Leepan Guerrero who spearheaded this with me a long time ago. Now it’s here and we are thankful,” she added.
Roberto worked as a mechanic for the Naval administration and for private companies on island. He also worked at the Commonwealth Ports Authority and at the Saipan Mayor’s Office during the time of Mayor Jesus “Gere” Guerrero.
In his remarks, Mayor Apatang noted that Roberto raised his eight wonderful children by toiling the rich soil in Dandan. “He was an excellent farmer who fed many by sharing his produce,” the mayor said.
“We are a community of respectful and honorable citizens, and that is the foundation our parents had dreamed for us,” Apatang said.
He added that Roberto “has lived longer than any of us present here this morning. In our culture, he is our elder. He has been and still is an example of the teachings of our parents. He has seen our islands…progress socially, politically and economically. He has many heartwarming and insightful historical stories to tell, and it is our duty today to cherish them.”
According to the mayor, “Mr. Roberto’s persistence and presence in our community must be honored for all that he has done in our islands’ growth and strengthening of our social, economic, and political fabric. So today, I am very pleased to rename this street…to Tun Felipe Roberto Place, in honor of a very dedicated and respected member of our community.”
Felipe Ada Roberto is assisted by family members as he unveils a new street name in his honor in Dandan on Tuesday.
Felipe Ada Roberto, center, flashes a victory sign as he poses for a photo with his family members, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, Rep. Joseph Leepan Guerrero, House Minority Leader Angel Demapan and Rep. Joseph Flores at the unveiling of the Tun Felipe Roberto Place street name in Dandan.
Felipe Ada Roberto and his children with Rep. Roy Ada, Rep. Joseph Flores, Special Assistant to Saipan Mayor Henry Hofschneider, Rep. Joseph Leepan Guerrero, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang and House Minority Leader Angel Demapan during the unveiling ceremony for the Tun Felipe Roberto Place street name in Dandan.
