Stellar Marianas thanks, commends pageant sponsors

Print Email 13 Jun 2019 By Junhan B. Todiño - junhan@mvariety.com - Variety News Staff

OVER a dozen title and major sponsors gathered Wednesday afternoon at Fiesta Resort & Spa to express support for this year’s Miss Marianas pageant which will be held Saturday in the hotel’s Hibiscus Hall.

Stellar Marianas, the islands’ nonprofit pageant and talent group, invited this year’s sponsors to meet the 2019 Miss Marianas contestants: Junalyn Billedo, Riane Capalad, Merly-Ann Fernandez, Sharon Palacios, Shannon Sasamoto and Dierra Palacios.

During the media event, the 2019 Miss Marianas official car from Triple J Motors was also presented: a 2019 sporty red Hyundai Kona.

“We are extremely grateful for the amazing support we have been receiving not only from our most generous sponsors, but also from our community, selling out tickets just days after we released them,” said Stellar Marianas president Laila Y. Boyer.

This year’s queen not only receives the nation’s most popular Hyundai vehicle to drive around in; she will also be offered a paid internship and travel opportunities from the Marianas Visitors Authority; a chance to compete in the Miss Universe pageant courtesy if the Tan Siu Lin Foundation; one-year paid tuition at Northern Marianas College; a brand-new cell phone and one-year unlimited service and data from IT&E; a one-year membership at Gold’s Gym Saipan; and an exclusive 12-piece Work, Travel and Play Purse and Bag Ensemble from Gigi Hill.

Representatives of the title and major sponsors pose with the 2019 Miss Marianas contestants at Fiesta Resort & Spa on Wednesday.

She will also receive a one-year subscription to Marianas Variety; exclusive beauty product gifts from DFS Saipan; a gift from Tribe Marianas; an exclusive product gift set from TRESemmé; a gift bag and a cash gift from 670 Rock Steady Shop; a professional model portfolio from MyCapitures Photography; a four-piece luggage set from Stellar Marianas; a wardrobe set and gifts from Pena House and Iridescent Boutique; and gifts from Pacifica Insurance.

Joeten Enterprises, the Lady Diann Torres Foundation, Fiesta Resort & Spa and Burger, Comer & Maglari, the official tabulators, are also supporting Stellar Marianas through donations and other forms of assistance.

Boyer thanked 2018 Miss Marianas Celine Cabrera, who just arrived from South Korea, for helping promote the Marianas in the best light possible.

“It was bittersweet you know, promoting our islands — it’s one of my favorite things to do as Miss Marianas,” Cabrera said.

Sean Ficke, the new general manager of Triple J Motors Saipan, the pageant’s title sponsor, said they are very fortunate to be part of sponsorship opportunities.

“We want to support tourism and the local economy and our culture. So this is a great way to give back,” he said in an interview.

Triple J Motors general manager Sean Ficke poses with the 2019 Miss Marianas candidates and the official car of the pageant winner: a 2019 sporty red Hyundai Kona.

Carline Sablan, community relations director of Tan Holdings and Tan Siu Lin Foundation representative, said they always want to support any event or activity that provides opportunities to the islands’ young women to go out and see the world and to showcase the Marianas.

Another sponsor, Rob Travilla of Tribe Marianas, said their mission is to spread the good word about the Marianas worldwide, one of the best ways to do that is by presenting the beauty of the islands through Miss Marianas.

Jamika Taijeron of DutyFree Shop said for the past few years, the have been collaborating with Stellar Marianas in holding events that support tourism and empower the youth.

For her part, Wendi Herring, general manager of Fiesta Resort & Spa, commended the pageant contestants for “putting yourselves out there…to work in the community — it’s really special.”

Northern Marianas College leadership coordinator Alexis Cabrera said NMC is proud to note that many of the contestants this year and in the previous years are students or alumni of NMC.

“One of our mottoes at NMC is that you don’t have to go far to get far. So we definitely believe that our beautiful young women are not only able to represent our islands but can also choose whatever career field they want,” she added.

2018 Miss Marianas Celine Cabrera, center, joins the 2019 Miss Marianas candidates during a media event at Fiesta Resort & Spa on Tuesday. Photos by Junhan B. Todiño

IT&E customer service manager Janice Tenorio said they always get involved in community events especially the Miss Marianas pageant which helps promote local tourism.

On pageant night this Saturday, IT&E will live-stream the event so that more people, including those off-island, can watch it, she added.

Tenorio lauded Stellar Marianas for “working so hard in coaching the contestants so they can hone their talents.”

Tickets holders are reminded that doors open at 4:30 p.m. this Saturday and parking is also available at American Memorial Park where a shuttle provided by Fiesta Resort will be available from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, email stellarqueens@gmail.com, visit www.facebook.com/stellarmarianas or follow @missnorthernmarianas on Instagram.

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